Not Another Bedtime Story!
Katie and Max Grimm are tired of having to listen to their mom’s bedtime stories about fluffy hamsters and magic smiles. When they tell her they've outgrown them, she asks for one more chance to tell the best bedtime story ever. Their dad, who loves to write zombie fan fiction, overhears and wants in on the challenge to tell the "King of Bedtime Stories"! Katie and Max have some tricks up their sleeves, however, since telling their own scary stories at summer camp. Zombie bunnies! Evil scientists! Gloomy gamma rays! Post-apocalyptic survivalists! One thing is for sure -- this is NOT another bedtime story!
Productions
Behind The Scenes
With Playwright Bobby Keniston
What inspired you to write this play?
I wrote this play to revisit some characters from my play, "Are We Scared Yet?" (Also published by Eldridge.) I wrote that play for a summer drama camp, and it was so much fun and the campers loved it. It was also very easy to rehearse-- it gave plenty of time to rehearse individual scenes, but gave the kids time for other camp activities throughout the day, too! And I do love plays about storytelling!
What's your favorite part or line in the play? Why?
I have to confess, like the character Fred, I am kind of a horror movie geek, so I like a number of his lines, especially explaining the different types of zombies. I also like the idea in his story of a zombie family, with the zombie father telling his son that if he ruins his chance of eating these humans' brains that he'll be "Grounded for two weeks!" The idea of a zombie father grounding his zombie son seemed appropriately silly.
Where did the characters come from? Are they based on people you know?
Well, as I mentioned above, I am a little bit like Fred. In truth, though, I can see a lot of myself in the kids, too. Dr. Gloomy Gus was probably inspired by a certain teacher I once had, but I won't mention any names.
What did you try to achieve with this play?
I wanted a fun play, easy to rehearse, that kids would enjoy watching. I also wanted it to be fun for all the kids involved in the production. In a way, I almost think of this play, as well as "Are We Scared Yet?" the same way I like to think of R. L. Stine's books. I like them because they are silly and funny, but also have some spooky elements, too. And again, I really like the idea of a family learning to have fun telling stories together.
Do you have anything else you'd like to add?
Only that I hope people have fun with this show! I have seen a lot of positive feedback to "Are We Scared Yet?" and I hope people will enjoy revisiting with the characters Max and Katie, and will enjoy the stories they tell this time!