SUPERHERO iz MARK HARVEY Levine Superhero was first produced by ZJU Theatre Group (Le Angeles, California) in June 2002. It was directed by Mark Harvey Levine, with the following, cast: Rachel — Joan Giammarco; Leonard — Cary Dean Bazan. Superhero had is first Equity production as part of Cabfire For The Commer Man at The Phoenix Theatre (Indianapolis, Indiana) in May 2005. Bryan D. Fonseca was the artistic director. Ie was directed by Bryan D. Fonscea, with the following cast: Rachel Deborah Sargent: Leonard — Jon Lindley.tuffled from the gag help) (There isa led dhemp, the rmebedy manning i *t gets ons ofthe char, unlocks ber oon ay rc itank) Ty Ma. (She pu the oe bak ap (Nothing happens.) Sighing) Help, help RACHEL: (Continued. Cmmediatey, Leanard bur ee. His ceume is obviously, and rather pathenep LEONARD: (His sdogen.) I'm here to help RACHEL: Thank God you're here 1 picked up your cry for help. Luckily, I was inthe haem }e. What happened, citizen ‘our my garbage at the tim RACHEL: Rufflans! LEONARD: (Pie starts to untie her, not ne They tried to rob me. But they icing bow exsy tei) Ran? BACHE heard you and ra, LEONARD: They wonk get far (He starts to leave.) RACHEL: Leonard! Don't go!— ‘ARD: I'm not Leonard! Leonard is my friend. He helps mein ayo Buc I have to call you something RACHEL: Oh, sorry, sorry. | forg haven't picked out your name yet “ LEONARD: My name has 10 come from my powers. And I dost kno" they are — yer. I know I cant ly. (Obviously theresa story ht RACHEL: You'll figure it out MEONARD: (Preparing to leave again.) Seay strong, citizen ACTORS THE BEST 10-MINUTE PLAYS FOR TWOA\ 104 = 2007,ees: Ys: bat ln rime to wae ee: Well, bere sacri of? Timon da Superheroes cant sie down and eat a mea! very moment I'm locked im a terrible srogele with Claw you can prevent! Have some breakfist. You wang acre: Claw Woman? eewaao: ... You may know her as Esther asc: Oh yoaht Hee. With all the cats [HonAKD: She's a Grasping Harpy of Evil. Qur contest of wills has excalaed Only one of us will srvive acist: Well, you cant defeat her on thing yer? HONARD:-.. I had a bowl of frosted Makes. rou: Youre running around on nothing but cereal?! Now that isa crime Sie down. I've got apricot. HoNuD: Apricot . . . My favorite. Resistance . . . weakening ting... hungry... Muse... carn... away ucHeL: Wane me co heat ‘em up? g here with a mouth fall of HBONARD: No! What if evil seikes and I'm st 0 go. Stay stron tanning, in 316. snempty stomach. Have you eaten any (He goes to leave again.) Made: Oh wait, help! Sorry, sorry, theres one more thing. Ifyou donit mind. rowan: MONaRD: Your life had better be in danger. Bett: Well... um, I cant get co thar bulb wp there HOKARD: You wane me... co change a lightbulb?! Mo | choughe with your superheight, you could reach it. Sotry Rachel, you've got co stop calling me in, unless ian actual emer ‘ency! Vim a superhero! SUPERHERO + 105T think ahe has all of the ‘Ooo! Carefll Careful! attacking my planes. They lalled my feai. 1 must ave 4 comic book:) The bulb! nt reach i acitt: That's OK, that's OK, just ger down, gee down EONARD: You think I accept defeat so caily? ACHEL: (Completely panicked.) NO! DON NARD: What? Whats the matter with y EL: You're going to get hurt! Doni! SONARD: Rachel, please THE BEST 10-MINUTE PLAYS FORTfrome: Thats how ro. 1 always WAS on T ida’ know Te hidden from me acini: OK, OF, shh, shh relax honey. eons (Goning very worked up.)1 should have know, though. ll te Ginc- How come I always got the parking ticker Thoclace? How come [always arive JUST as theyre Hipp Ghat ys closed"? Why do they imitate my vole at wotk wh Tm not around? Why such a large conspiracy vo destroy only be one reason! I'm dangerous to them! pacint: Afiaid,) Yes, you are, honey, you ae. you ae. Trosaxo: Now. I don't know what my powers are, but I do know thas I'm brave! Strong! Invincible! LEONARD: (Coming at her.) Vn afraid of nothing? ici: (Backing into a cormer,) Vin a litle afraid of you, I'm afd LEONARD: Youre afraid of everything! Just like Leonard HACIA: Ics true, t's erue! Tim a chicken! I'm afraid of bugs, and microwave Rod Seewart and fucleat war— out you se? It's juse what happened ed ‘ovens, and cancer and subways and Hoan: They did this to you, Rachel! Do te Leonard, When you were in school. were you the last person P for the team? ica: Alway UoNaKD: When you stand at the deli, does the lady ft space like you're not even there? Ibchind the counter stare SUPERHERO + 107RACHEL: Yes LEONARD: Have you been ignored, insule acttEL: Yes! Me ht cred Yur iy LEONARD: Rachel! You'te a superhero! RacitL: (Laughs nervously) Oh no no ne, LEONARD: You are, and you don't know ie RACHEL: Oh, no. Please. Are you kidding me? Pm LONARD: That's what I thought. But you'l know on. Try it RACHEL: Oh, no, no, thats all ight, really — TEONARD: I'm serious. (Asin a comic book,) You have no nobody, He 700 tie dea the feel — pure energy coursing through your veins! a ys al Lndicosl root Merabnapy, YM yee RACHEL: No, thanks. pet LEONARD: Come on. ao RACHEL: . .. Well, maybe just the cape. (ae (He removes bis cape and puts it on her) La LEONARD: There. How do you feel? yoo RACHEL: Likea lady in a cape. ona LEONARD: You have to have the gloves, oo, ciel (He removes bis gloves, she puts them on. During this — ) ss LGONARD: They go with the cape. ox RACHEL: And very smartly, too. be (He hand: her the underwear.) He RACHEL: Um ow LEONARD: I've only worn these on the outside, mat RACHEL: Sorry, I had to ask. ON (She puts them over her slacks.) ee LEONARD: OK . . . now . .. the mask. RACHEL: Is that OK? LEONARD: I... . I guess so. I mean, if you want to get the whole effex “Al (Leonard removes his mask. Rachel smiles at him. Leonard looks pees po and she realizes what she’ supposed to do.) RACHEL: My God! Leonard! It’s you! u LEONARD: Yes... .I¢3 me. Thad to conceal my identity from you, foryou'e™ safety. But now . .. well, there are no secrets between supeter=s RACHEL: Oh, honey... 'm not a superhero. LEONARD: Aren't you? Put on the mask. yee (She does. She now has Leonard's costume on, and he is more © ‘mally dressed.) 108 + 2007: THE BEST 10-MINUTE PLAYS FOR TWO ACTORScos Te tse as ues Compleely sidculous. Leonard, | dont hink ‘2 046 be a walking aroun, rad, With Purpose! Fis, im back, ou tp over ya BOfeane roa. be wags hn rong wt this ferLcnad Tm ju the ay wh ves cro he bl want yo can come over and have breakfast romana Ft! Have it your wat And you ean pnd the et fou Me eng he pking ke he ley facts andthe dad po Bec yout lose! A fur! You SHOULD te pte a team! You shouldbe laughed at and passed over and ignored a (Quit: udder Rachel slg him inthe jus, surprising heels wal eg il fom you. Ifyou p: (From the flor)... Nicely done ‘OhmiGod! Are you OK2T'm so sorry dont know why I did that In great pin) Sute....No problem ... Doi forge, asuper- tiero. And so are you. Feels good, hub? act: I've never hie anyone before! Wall you're... . doing swell, fora beginner Lan believe I — ind: Congratulations. Teday, forthe frst time, you Fought back against the fores of evil! Idd? inside you? I've got one, too. Ofcourse, SUPERHERO + 109LeoNARD: What?! RACHEL: You saved my life (Lights fade.) END OF Piay M0 + 2007: THE BEST 10-MINUTE PLAYS FOR TWO ACTORS