 WHEN THE COOKIE CRUMBLES
YOU CAN STILL PICK UP THE PIECES
A revue in 1 act:
A collaborative effort written by Michael
Abbott, Lynn Ahrens, Roo Brown, Douglas J. Cohen, David Crane, Sir
Edward Elgar, Frank Evans, Stephen Flaherty, Carey Gold, Jeff Harris,
Allison Hubbard, Marta Kauffman, Michael Kessler, Annie Lebeaux,
Henry Machtay, Jimmy Roberts, June Siegel, Jeff Silver, Michael Skloff,
Tom Toce, Sarah Weeks, Ed Weissman, William Young: Conceived and
Originally Directed by Jay Harnick
A right-up-to-the-point revue about divorce, this show is an engaging
collaborative effort involving a team of over 30 gifted writing talents.
It is a kaleidoscopic look at the pressure, fears, guilt and loneliness
that divorce can bring to children. It is surprisingly upbeat but it
is also an honest exploration of the subject using skits, music and comedy
and common sense to help youngsters (and adults) understand and deal
with fragmented childhoods.
Synopsis
This honest and direct musical revue about divorce uses
skits, songs, humor and common sense to explore an issue which is growing
more timely every day. Full of hope and heart, this show helps children
and adults to understand and cope with the pressures, fears, guilt, and
loneliness that often accompany divorce. The songs and dialogues stress
that no matter how painful the experience is, there is life—and
love—after divorce.
"D-Word"
In order to address the many issues surrounding divorce,
it is important to get over the first obstacle--saying
the "D" word. We can’t talk about it, if
we can’t say it. "Divorce!" There. See,
it wasn't so hard.
"Dad Said, Mom Said"
Friends are always asking Robert how he feels about his
parents’ divorce. In this song, Robert discusses
how it all happened, how he is coping with the fact that
his parents never got back together, and how he feels about
his parents seeing other people. In the end, it is clear
that Robert has emerged strong and is doing just fine.
"Josh and Emily"
If parents can divorce, why can’t siblings? Josh
and Emily are a brother/sister pair asking that very question.
As the two contemplate their separation, however, they
stumble upon a variety of details that need to be worked
out, including how they would split allowance money, who
gets to keep the dog, and who is going to move out of the
house. Luckily, Josh and Emily realize that despite their
differences, it might be best if they stick it out and
stay together.
"Home #1"
Richie is nervous about his first day at a new high school.
His parents recently divorced and he has moved with his
mother to California. Despite his homeroom teacher’s
attempts to have the class make him feel welcome, Richie
feels very uncomfortable. When two girls look at him and
giggle, Richie is certain that they are making fun of him.
The opposite is true, of course, but he is too nervous
to see that.
"Fairy Tale Family"
Is there such a thing as living happily ever after? Well,
in this comic skit and song, the son of Prince Charming
and Snow White fears that his perfectly matched parents
may be headed for trouble. Fortunately, his relationship-wise
friends are able to explain to him that while
“everyone wants to be a fairy tale family,” disagreements
are inevitable and certainly don’t mean that the
end is near.
"Amy"
While the word "stepmother"
often has negative connotations, Carla, in this song, explains
that her relationship with her stepmother is one filled
with care, concern, and love. Amy can never replace Carla's
real mother, and she doesn’t try to. They share
a unique bond that Carla realizes is separate from her
love for her mother.
"Home #2"
Richie has been attending his new school for ten days
and is still miserable. Janet volunteers to help him catch
up with all the work he missed before his "big move," but
Richie is completely apathetic. As far as he is concerned,
his parents will be getting back together soon and he'll
return to New York. Even though Janet attempts to get him
to interact with others, Richie has lost interest in all
things social.
"Tap A Tin Can"
Once a parent leaves the house, many children worry that
they will lose their other parent as well. As a result,
many kids try to keep their parents’
attention focused on them at all times. While mother is
in the kitchen preparing a meal, two small children enjoy
pounding on a metal pot. The kids know they are driving
their mother crazy, but they also know they have her full
attention and that provides them with the sense of security
that they require.
"Ken & Barbie"
In this scene, a young girl recreates a difficult situation
between her and her parents with her Barbie and rag dolls.
Alternating the pitch of her voice, she reenacts her parents
aggressively competing for her affection. This scene is
sure to make any parent think twice about what they say
in front of their children.
"Middle of Nowhere"
At a designated Seven-eleven, in the middle of nowhere,
a young boy is dropped off by his stepfather to meet his
father for the weekend. This weekly exchange is awkward,
painful, and poignant for everyone involved, and, in this
song, we understand that one’s true thoughts and
emotions are often difficult to express.
Home #3
Richie's third week at school becomes a bit more routine.
Janet is at Richie's house, helping him with his history
homework when he tells her that since his parents are getting
back together, he and his mom are moving back to New York.
Unfortunately, when Richie's mother hears this, it is revealed
that this is not the case at all. In reality, both of his
parents are seeing other people. Richie is in a total state
of denial. Janet helps Richie deal with the realities of
his situation.
"Circumstance"
A young girl at her junior high graduation has attempted
to get her parents back together by having them sit next
to each other in assigned seats. Now, they can talk and
maybe even smile at each other. Unfortunately, when she
looks out at the audience, she sees that the two seats
she reserved are empty.
"Step By Step"
Suzanne and Jeffrey are Dad's kids. Elizabeth and Freddy
are Mom's kids. Just what happens when these youngsters
who never even liked each other before are now stepbrothers
and stepsisters? Taking it "step-by-step,"
they learn to play, share and tolerate each other. It isn't
easy, but in the end it can be accomplished.
"I Met Ronnie Today"
In this song, a young boy is introduced to his mother’s
boyfriend Ronnie. The boy tries desperately not to like
Ronnie, even though he thinks it’s kind of cool that
he’s a cop, that he bought him ice cream, and that
he let him win at checkers. Nevertheless, when a woman
at a newsstand mistakes the boy for Ronnie’s son,
the boy runs away and punches Ronnie in the stomach. When
Ronnie responds with compassion and understanding, the
boy comes to terms with the fact that Ronnie is not such
a bad guy.
"It's Not My Fault"
While kids are constantly told by parents and professionals
that they are not the cause of their mom and dad’s
divorce, this can be difficult to believe. In this song,
a group of kids take the audience on a mental journey through
feelings of guilt, helplessness, and finally acceptance
and growth.
Musical Numbers:
The D Word
Dad Said/Mom Said
Josh And Emily
Home
Fairy Tale Family
Amy
Tap A Tin Can
The Middle Of Nowhere
Circumstance
Step By Step
I Met Ronnie Today
It's Not My Fault
Cast:
3 + female; 3 + male
Characters: cast members use their own names |
