With Vigor

With Vigor is a fast-paced, interactive comedy that employs audience participation, improv, and physical comedy to enthrall the audience in a whirlwind of fun. The play opens with a community theatre rehearsing for the world premiere of a new play, The Candy Cane Queen and the Peppermint Princess. The director, who also happens to be the playwright, takes the project very seriously, but the cast and crew have a lot of work to do. The story also celebrates the idea of accepting others for who they are. This hilarious play is perfect for middle and high school as well as community theatre programs.

About the playwright:

Ryan Vaughan is a playwright based in Cincinnati, Ohio. He first entered the theater world as an actor at age twelve. He prides himself on writing plays that give young performers opportunities to shine.

Excerpt from the play:

CHARACTERS:

NARRATOR: Any gender; Any age
PAGE HOLDER: Any gender; Any age
ACTOR 1 (The evil henchman): Any gender; Any age
ACTOR 2 (The hero): Any gender; Any age
ACTOR 3 (The damsel in distress): Any gender; Any age
ACTOR 4 (The villain): Any gender; Any age

*Although some roles call for characters to have a certain gender identity, casting any actor in any role is encouraged.
**To expand the cast size, consider adding techies who run lights, sound, props, etc. These characters can be on stage, adding to the humor of the story.

This play relies heavily on audience participation and improvisation. Each member of the cast should be a strong improviser. Be sure actors are ‘rehearsed’ and know what kind of responses to expect. While it’s improvisational, actors should be able to anticipate most interactions.

NARRATOR
Hello! My name is * and I am the artistic director of our town’s newest touring theatre company, Second Star To The Right Productions, where we believe that everyone has a little magic. Today, you all are in for a VERY special treat. You’re going to get to see one of the final rehearsals of our first show! I’ve written and directed it and am very proud. But I want to make sure it’s ready to go on the road. The story is that of the Candy Cane Queen and her daughter, the Peppermint Princess, who tries to teach her mother that there are more things in life than candy canes and peppermints. Doesn’t that sound like fun?

(NARRATOR waits for a response from the audience and reacts accordingly.)

Now, I’m going to let you in on a little secret of the world of theatre. There is this thing in most shows that is called the “Fourth Wall.” What that means is that the actors are supposed to pretend they can’t see the audience. For this show, forget about that! You can see us, and we can see you. So please don’t use your cell phones for any reason, ESPECIALLY not photographing or recording any parts of the performance. I wouldn’t want the masterpiece I’ve created for you tonight to get leaked into the world and be plagiarized! Also, please make sure you are paying attention and don’t fall asleep!

(Pointing to someone in the audience.)

Yes! You in the…

(NARRATOR describes what the person is wearing)

I’m talking to you! But I’ll tell you what, because I’m such a stand-up person, I’m going to help you pay attention by giving you jobs to do. Today, the actors might choose you to help in their storytelling. If you are picked and are willing to help, then I ask that you perform with the most energy you can muster! Can you do that?

(NARRATOR waits for a response from the audience and reacts appropriately.)

And even if you don’t get picked, you still have a big job to do! Hey, Page Holder!

(PAGE HOLDER enters frustrated. They carry a large pile of signs)

PAGE
Look, I’ve told you one hundred times already. My name isn’t Page, it’s *

NARRATOR
Yeah, okay, no one cares. Anyway, Page here is going to hold up signs that tell you what to say throughout the performance. When Page holds up a sign, you loudly say whatever the sign says. Got it?

(PAGE holds up a sign that says, “Got it.” Everyone should say, “Got it.”)

Very good! You’re naturals! I knew you could do it! Now, before I bring out the rest of the cast, I want to show you two more of the signs we’re going to use.

(NARRATOR pulls out a sign that says “Yay. Woo-hoo, Huzzah, Applause”)

This sign is used when something good happens. What you do for this one is choose one of the things the sign says or pick whatever exciting word you’d like to say and go crazy with an overabundance of joy. Are you ready to try it? Here we go.

(NARRATOR hands the sign to PAGE, who then holds it up.)

And lastly, for now at least, if we have a sign for when something GOOD happens, we need one for when something BAD happens!

(NARRATOR pulls out a sign that says “Boo, Hiss, Off-Off” and hands it to Page.)

You’re going to give me the biggest reaction you can! Ready?

(NARRATOR hands the sign to PAGE, who does not hold it up.)

Wait for it!

(Beat)

Let the suspense build to a…

(PAGE holds up the sign. PAGE and NARRATOR react to what the audience does.)

Very nice! It sounds like some of you use those words quite often. Now, what do you say? Should we meet the rest of the cast?

(Allow time for audience reaction.)

Alright then, here they come!

(ACTORS 1, 2, 3, and 4 enter. Throughout the next line, the NARRATOR points at each of them.)

Everyone, this is Actor 1, Actor 2, Actor 3, and Actor 4!

(ACTORS 1, 2, 3, and 4 are visibly upset. ACTOR 4 addresses the audience.)

ACTOR 4
Actually, my name is…

NARRATOR
Yeah, no one cares.

ACTOR 4
How rude? Of course, people care about what…

(NARRATOR motions to PAGE, who holds up a sign that says “Shhhhh.” ACTOR 4 glares at NARRATOR and then returns to ACTORS 1, 2 and 3.)

NARRATOR
Now, with that squared away, let our story begin!

(NARRATOR sits in the chair, grabs the book, and begins to read. As they read, ACTORS 3 and 4 act out what the NARRATOR says. ACTOR 3 is Princess Peppermint, and Actor 4 is the Candy Cane Queen.)

Once upon a time, there lived a young fair maiden named Princess Peppermint. She was a lovely young woman who loved everything and everyone.

(NARRATOR looks up from the book and then looks puzzled at the actors.)

ACTOR 4
What?

ACTOR 3
Oh, dear, I didn’t do anything wrong, did I?

NARRATOR
No, no, that isn’t that. I’m just wishing there was a way to make you look more… “princessy.” Let me look in the trunk really quick.

(NARRATOR looks through the trunk and then pulls out a princess hat.)

Ah ha! This should do the trick!

(NARRATOR places it on ACTOR 3’S head. They awkwardly smile.)

Now, let’s go on, shall we?

ACTOR 4
I thought you’d never ask.

NARRATOR
So, the princess lived with her mother, the Candy Cane Queen. Now the queen was known for her personality being that of a candy cane. Which is to say, she was most certainly sweet and sugary but also had a layer of spice.

(ACTOR 4 glares and snarls at the audience. PAGE holds up the sign that says “Boo, Hiss, Off-Off”.)

The Candy Cane Queen wanted to ensure that her daughter never knew of any sweets other than peppermints and candy canes (and really anything outside of her control.) So, Princess Peppermint spent most of her days in her room.

(PAGE holds up the sign that says “AWW”. The NARRATOR looks at the book to continue reading but then looks at the actors. He speaks to Actor 3.)

Uhm, yeah Actor 3, you’re doing a great job. There’s just one thing I need you to change. See, in the book, the picture shows Princess Peppermint’s room being in a high tower. So uhm,

(NARRATOR motions to one of the rehearsal cubes. ACTOR 3 sighs and then stands on top of it.)

Great! Excellent. Thank you. Now, where were we? Ah, yes, Princess Peppermint stayed in her room most of the day. But she loved looking out the window to see the villagers below. One day, she peered out her window to see a strapping young knight!

(ACTOR 2 stands center stage in a heroic pose. NARRATOR rises and stomps his feet.)

No, no, no!

ACTOR 2
What?

NARRATOR
You’re supposed to be a strapping young knight! Where is your armor?

ACTOR 2
Oh yeah, sorry.