Ren Rats
"And they go to the Renaissance Faire aaaaaaaaaaaaallllll the time!"
Synopsis - Fantasy, fanatics, jesters and jousting. Colorful gowns and even more colorful banners whip and fly over the turkey leg-eating and mead-drinking crowd. This, the world of the Renaissance Faire, is the setting for Ren Rats. Actors from NYC are hired to play historical characters. Michael Huffman, who plays Sir Robert Dudley, is quite enthusiastic; Karen and Johnny – not so much. Enter the Ren Rats, Sheldon and Connie, avid patrons of the Faire. They’ve spent months preparing. Connie has made costumes that they squeeze into. They’ve practiced speaking with thees and thous. They’re ready to impress everyone; most importantly, the Faire’s director, the lusty and clearly delusional Liz. All does not go as planned. Has Connie become romantically interested in the handsome Michael Huffman? As Sheldon’s blood boils, Karen and Johnny meddle and make things worse. How far will Sheldon go to win back his lady's heart?
Multiple Locations, 3 male, 3 female characters, Comedy.
Multiple Locations, 3 male, 3 female characters, Comedy.
Characters -
SHELDON - character type, mid-30s to 40s, possibly over weight. An avid fan and patron of the local Renaissance Faire, he longs to be a leading man and resents the world for not seeing him that way. Not in shape or well-groomed. Intense, insecure, at times vulnerable.
CONNIE - character actress, 30s to early 40s, possibly over weight. Avid Renaissance Faire fan: she gets caught up in a crush on the Faire’s leading man but remains a sympathetic and devoted wife to Sheldon. Not in shape or well groomed. Warm, enthusiastic, deeply kind.
MICHAEL - 20s-30s. Athletic build, very handsome. He is a professional actor who plays the leading man at the Renaissance Faire. English accent, experience with Shakespeare/verse, and stage combat. (He plays Sir Robert Dudley at the Faire.)
LIZ - 40s. Formerly a Shakespearean actress, she now directs the Renaissance Faire. Strong, imposing, seductive.
KAREN - 20s-30s Attractive actress, rebounding from a bad relationship and acting at the Renaissance Faire for the first time. (She plays Lady Lettice Knowles at the Faire.)
JOHNNY - 25. A gay musical theatre performer who plays the role of, Boyash, the gypsy jester at the Renaissance Faire. Ironic, flamboyant. (Gypsy accent and/or Scottish/Cockney when playing the jester).
SHELDON - character type, mid-30s to 40s, possibly over weight. An avid fan and patron of the local Renaissance Faire, he longs to be a leading man and resents the world for not seeing him that way. Not in shape or well-groomed. Intense, insecure, at times vulnerable.
CONNIE - character actress, 30s to early 40s, possibly over weight. Avid Renaissance Faire fan: she gets caught up in a crush on the Faire’s leading man but remains a sympathetic and devoted wife to Sheldon. Not in shape or well groomed. Warm, enthusiastic, deeply kind.
MICHAEL - 20s-30s. Athletic build, very handsome. He is a professional actor who plays the leading man at the Renaissance Faire. English accent, experience with Shakespeare/verse, and stage combat. (He plays Sir Robert Dudley at the Faire.)
LIZ - 40s. Formerly a Shakespearean actress, she now directs the Renaissance Faire. Strong, imposing, seductive.
KAREN - 20s-30s Attractive actress, rebounding from a bad relationship and acting at the Renaissance Faire for the first time. (She plays Lady Lettice Knowles at the Faire.)
JOHNNY - 25. A gay musical theatre performer who plays the role of, Boyash, the gypsy jester at the Renaissance Faire. Ironic, flamboyant. (Gypsy accent and/or Scottish/Cockney when playing the jester).
Development - Originally presented as an Equity Showcase at Hunter Playwrights Festival 2013. Directed by Jason Jacobs and featuring Kendall Lloyd, Suzanne Smart*, Angela Rambourg, Alex Cunningham, Norman Dillon, Katherine Wessling. *Member of Actors Equity Association