The Best Show Never Seen
Summer St. Silver, an ultra-avant-garde director, is asked by Ms. Francis, the overly positive counselor of the middle school, to bring its students together by putting on a play for the state competition. Summer accepts, not knowing the trials and tribulations she will endure. It’s an ultimate clash of personalities from the hilarious auditions, the disastrous rehearsal process, to the cast’s big blowup. Each character offers his or her unabashed thoughts and ridiculously critical opinions in the form of “confessionals” to the audience. When Summer decides to quit the show, the cast pulls together one last time to convince her to stay on and help them win the competition. Even the writer, who had quit over “artistic differences,” returns. In the end, they do perform their play at the festival, only to find out that they performed in the wrong – and empty! – theatre, thus making it the best show never seen! Running time: approximately 45 minutes.
Productions
Behind The Scenes
PLAYWRIGHT ALAN HECKNER TALKS ABOUT
“THE BEST SHOW NEVER SEEN”
Q: WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO WRITE THIS PLAY?
A: I wanted to do a play that hadn't been done before to my theatre students and one that was specifically catered to their mentalities and talents. What better subject to write about than theatre? And what better way to enjoy theatre than by poking fun at ourselves and all of our eccentric, melodramatic characteristics.
Q: WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE PART OR LINE IN THE PLAY? WHY?
A: All of them.
Q: WHERE DID THE CHARACTERS COME FROM?
A: All of the characters came from all of the people I know, have known, and have learned from in my life.
Q: WHAT DID YOU TRY TO ACHIEVE WITH THIS PLAY?
A: I wanted for people, in theatre or otherwise, to be able to see parts of themselves on stage, and learn to laugh at themselves.
Q: ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO ADD?
A: Sure, numbers. :)