Will the Real Superman Please Stand Up?

 

 

a play in two acts

 

 

 

 

 

 

First performed July - August 2000 at the Minnesota Fringe Festival

© 1997 Mark Schuller - Revised 2001, all rights pending

 

 

This play is dedicated to a true super-hero: activist, editor, friend, Heather Henderson (1973 - 2000).  May this tribute be worthy of your memory.


Cast of Characters

(In Order of Appearance)

LOIS LANE  -     Hard-working, pull-no-punches, feminist/ activist writer for the Daily Planet, newspaper of record for the city of Metropolis

JIMMY OLSON -     Photographer and receptionist for Daily Planet

MICHAEL WESTERBURY -     President of Acme Inc., leading manufacturer in Metropolis

    

SUPERMAN -                 The Man of Steel, superhero from planet Krypton and resident of Metropolis

PERRY WHITE -      Cynical but upwardly mobile editor of Daily Planet

CLARK KENT -      Superman's meek alter ego, new reporter for the Daily Planet

MAITRE D -                 Snobby receptionist at the 73rd Annual Acme Foundation Gala

 

LEX LUTHOR -      Superman's nemesis, all-too-bright and highly calculating who also has a major power fetish

 

FRED MANFRED-JENSEN -        Young new President of Acme, Inc.

 

Playwright's note: As the play gets peformed, please keep in mind the issue of gender and racial parity.  Given the racism of mainstream America when Superman became popular beginning in the middle of the century, there are no non-European American characters, and very few women in powerful roles.  Lois Lane, powerful though she is, serves to underscore Superman's immensity in the traditional Superman story.  I am taking a snapshot of the power imbalances in the media, corporations and non-profit world of 1990's America, as I see them.  And gender-switching would be difficult in this play, given the story line in places, as will become evident.  The other option - to present a falsely diverse view of life - tends to "whitewash" the problem.  Just be aware that there is a racial component to casting.  Also, keep in mind the distinction between powerful woman and a bitch.  It’s a problem inherent in the Superman Story with only one woman.  I would have made Westerbury female, but that would also be unrealistic.

Finally, as a play about media, try to use current events wherever appropriate; during every re-write I have done, I have added and updated the cultural references. 


If you would like a copy of the script, please e-mail me.

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updated 6/18/02