Triple Threat
Babysitter Ariel Watson is watching the 13-year-old triplet daughters of a famous scientist and his wife. What Ariel does not know is that the triplets have a time-traveling device in their bedroom, which brings copies of themselves out of a parallel universe. Soon there are nine girls in the house and then twelve. Ariel does not believe what is happening, until the visitors begin telling her, a piece at a time, that her future self has had a terrible “thumb accident.” By the end of the story Ariel is frantic to get to the future and stop herself, much to the entertainment of the triplets and their friends who have pulled off the joke, in order to have a party right under the babysitter’s nose. Easy casting as the triplets are not identical. In fact, their physical differences may create even more humor.
Productions
Behind The Scenes
PLAYWRIGHT WILEY RUSSELL
TALKS ABOUT “TRIPLE THREAT”
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO WRITE THIS PLAY?
Honestly, I was looking for a scenario where there were parts for 10-plus girls. And a babysitter trying to handle time-traveling, duplicating triplets made perfect sense.
WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE PART OR LINE IN THE PLAY?
My favorite part is when the babysitter has completely lost it and is trying to transport herself forward in time by scurrying back and forth through the time-traveling device. My favorite lines are: CINDY: “Please, you can’t tell anyone. Daddy will go through the roof.” ARIEL:“Right…that you brought your doubles out of a parallel universe.” DORI: “No, that Cindy has four ounces of weapons-grade plutonium in her bedroom. It’s what powers the transporter device.” That bit of dialog always makes me laugh, probably because it may be the only known use of the words “Cindy” and “weapons-grade plutonium” in one sentence.
WHERE DID THE CHARACTERS COME FROM?
The characters were easy to create, because as triplets I wanted them to be one, yet have each of their personalities be a little askew, and be very linked; thinking alike and often finishing one anothers’ sentences. And have varying levels of shared nuttiness. They are composites of my mother, sister, niece, and friends. And since this is my family, and they define me to a degree, then you can see why the play is the way it is…Lord, help us.
WHAT DID YOU TRY TO ACHIEVE WITH THIS PLAY?
A really fun time, with a good laugh from the cast, crew, and audience, without ever writing down to any of them.
DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO ADD?
I’m not a “message” writer, but I can spin a funny tale like nobody’s business.