Family Plays Adam’S Diary Based on Mark Twain’S the Diary of Adam and Eve

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Family Plays Adam’s Diary Based on Mark Twain’s The Diary of Adam and Eve

Musical/Comedy adapted by Joseph G. Caruso and Mildred Kayden

Musical/Comedy. Adapted by Joseph G. Caruso and Mildred Kayden. Based on Mark Twain’s The Diary of Adam and Eve. Cast: 3m., 3w., plus extras (for child or adult actors). Adam and his pet lion and tiger are basking in Paradise without a care in the world until a new creature shows up with her pets. Almost everything Eve does irritates Adam. He tries to concentrate on writing a diary, but she wants to talk all the time. When Adam finally discovers the warmth and pleasure of being near her, it’s Eve’s turn to be aloof. The animals watch this game of he versus she with amusement and song. Then comes the serpent-like Mr. Grim with the apple business and impending doom. The fast- paced action and lively songs add up to a colorful audience- pleasing musical fantasy for family audiences. Approximate running time: 25 to 30 minutes. Code: AF9.

ISBN-10 0-88680-313-6 ISBN-13 978-0-88680-313-1

311 Washington St., Woodstock, IL 60098-3308 Phone: (800) 448-7469 / (815) 338-7170 Fax: (800) 334-5302 / (815) 338-8981

www.FamilyPlays.com Adam’s Diary

A Musical Fantasy in Two Acl<:

Book by JOSEPH GEORGE CARUSO

Music andlyrics by MILDRED KA YDEN

from Mark Twain's 'TheDiory AdtJmof and Eve"

Family Plays 311 Washington St., Woodstock, IL 60098

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ISBN: 978-0-88680-313-1

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“Produced by special arrangement with Family Plays of Woodstock, Illinois”

Cast ofCharacters

Adam Eve The Animals-any number The Grim Reaper

Place: The Garden of Eden Time: In the beginning

· � ·

First produced (as Garden Park) by Bill de Silva and Loomis C. Irish as an Equity Approved 16-perfonnance Showcase Production at the Nat Home Theatre in New York City, directed and choreographed by George Bunt. The original cast included Jacqui Ullendurf as Eve, Bill Nadel as Adam, with Dru Alexandrine, Lana Lou Boyd, Eddie Dudek, Linda Madama, G. Eugene Moose, and William Rohrig.

"Whimsical and Entertaining" the New York Daily News called the off-off-Broadway production of this script. Like Mark Twain's The Diaryof Adam andEve upon which the playis based, it provides some valid comments on the often-amusing, frequently hectic, but always vital relations between man and woman. From the day he jerks his frrst female ponytail, each Adam of our species spends his life wondering what the Eves of his world are all about. And Eve knows that he will never fmd out The book and score lend themselvesto a colorful, audience-pleasing musical comedy. Playing time is 60-90 minutes, depending on the amount of dancing and reprises. Joseph George Caruso is the author of several successful plays, including two others published by I. E. Clark: HAPPYVILLE, an ef fervescent comedy about the Old West, and PHANTOM OF THE OLD OPERA HOUSE, about a high school drama class presenting The Phantom of the Opera in a haunted theatre. His play LITTLE LIES en joyed a long run at Wyndams Theatre in London's West End. He has also written movie scenarios. He divides his time between an apartment in Manhattan anda country home in New Jersey, where he can fmd the peacequiet and he ne eds to write. Mildred Kayden, the composerand lyricist, has had her stage works produced in the United States and Europe, including New York, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., London, and Holland. Among them are IONESCOPADE, with sketches by Eugene Ionesco; STORYVILLE, the Dixieland Jazz musical with book by Ed Bullins; and thre e Russell Baker Comedy Cantatas based on his "Observer" columns in the New York Times. She is a former governor of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and was a member of the Music Faculty of Vas sar College.

ACT I

1. ' 'Paradis e Holiday"...... The Animals

2. "Who Is That He?" ...... •...... Eve

3. ''Forbidden Fruit" ...... •...... Adam 4. "Who Is That He?" (Reprise) ...... Eve

5. "Compatibility" ...... Adam & Eve 6. "Forbidden Fruit" (Reprise) ...... Eve

7. 'The Grim Reaper"...... Grim Reaper

ACT II

8. "SummerJoy" ...... The Animals

9. "Compatibility" (Reprise)...... The Animals

10. "In the Summertime" ...... Adam & Eve

11. "Paradise Holiday" (Reprise)...... • ...... The Animals & Eve 12. "I've Come For Eve" ...... Grim Reaper & Adam 13. Finale: ''ParadiseHoliday" (Reprise)...... The Company

A PianoNocal Score and a Demonstration/Accompaniment Tape are available from thepublisher.

PRODUCTION NOTES

Properties

ACT I Sign on tree: FORBIDDEN FRUIT Big red apple-onTree Large ledger, writingquHI in ink pot--Adam's Tiger Straw broom-Adam's Uon Small cart with carry-all attached-Eve's Pets Ledger, quill-in carry-all Comb, hand mirror-Eve Sign: THE GARDEN OF EDEN-Adam Shelter made of leaves, bark, and branches. witl1 three sides and a roof carried on by Adam's Pets Assortment of boxes, suitcases, household articles-carried on by Eve's Pets

ACT II Strollers, baby carriages-Animals Shelter-altered as described on p. 15 2 well-worn rocking ch airs- in front of shelter Flower pots-Eve Bowl of apples-Eve 2 stools-placed on stage while traveler curtain is closed (p. 19)

Costumes

Adam: Act 1-pale blue jumpsuit. Act 11-overalls, plaid shirt, spectacles Eve: Act !-pretty pink jumpsuit. Act 11-denim skirt, shan-sleeve blouse. She may add additional accessories to indicate her various entrepreneurial activities (e.g., artist's smock, choir robe). Animals: Colorful jumpsuits; cartoon-like animal masks or make-up. (Choir robesoptional in Act II) Grim Reaper: Black shroud, dark sunglasses

Ug hts, Sound, and SpecialEff ects

Fanfares played on bazookas to announce the first entrances of Adam and Eve (p. 2) Single loud clap of thunder, lightning flash, falling rain (p. 9) Roaring thunder, heavy lightning, ferocious windstorm when Adam and Eve bite theApple (p. 12) Puff of smoke from behind rock preceding the appearance of the Grim Reaper (p. 12) and again when he disappears (p. 14) Rumble (or grumble) of thunder-a growl of displeasure when Adam men tions "origin of species·(p. 16) Crackling sound and puff of smoke from behind the Apple Tree preceding appearance of Grim Reaper(p. 23) Other effects ad lib.

(see TheSet, next page)

The Set

sky drop

1-Large rock 2-The Apple Tree 3-Large shrubwith colorful flowers

(All 3 set piecesmay be profilea.. t�uts)

ACT I

In the beginning there was Adam, Eve, the Animals, and the Garden of Eden . . . so it is written.

[The setting is a clearing in a jungle-like forest. The forest is very colorful and exaggerated,almost a cartoon of foliage andflowers. At Stage Right is a huge rock cut-out. At Left is a large shrub cut out with flowers painted on it. Up Center is a tree bearing one large apple. A sign tacked on the tree reads:FORBIDDEN FRUIT. The Adam of our story is costumed in a pale blue jumpsuit. Eve is costumed in a pleasing pink one. Adam has two male pets: a tiger and a lion. Eve also has two petr-tiger and lion, both female. Several other species of animals inhabit the forest. They should appear in pairs, costumed in colorfuljumpsuits; make-up or fantastic masksshould indicate the species. When the UGHTS come up, we find the ANIMALS singing anddancing andcavorting about]

Music No. 1: PARADISE HOLIDAY

ANIMALS. [Sing:] We al l need a day, A wonderful day No-worlc-and-all-play day, A real holiday, A no-holding-back day, A blowing-our-stack day Today is our paradise Holiday!

We al l need a day, A wonderful day A happy-event A real Heaven-sent day, A loving-your-friend day, An argument's-end day Today is our � Holiday!

You feel your blood tingling, Everyone's mingling, Your senses are reeling, How great you're feeling. The world is a treasure, Life is a pleasure. All together let's say . . .

We al l needa day, A wonderlul day No-work-and-all-play day, A real holiday, A no-holding-back day, A blowing-our-stack day. Today is our paradise, Heaven-sent paradise, God-given � holiday!

[When the song ends, we hear a FANFARE approaching offstage, played on a bazooka. The ANIMALSscamper in all directions, and from time to time peek out to observe what is taking place. ADAM'S TWO PETS enter first. The TIGER is carrying a large ledger and writing quill sticking out of an ink pot. The UON is carrying a straw broom; he sweeps clean a spot in front of the rock. ADAM enters and sits down on the clean spot. He is then handed the ledger, while inkpot andquill are placed before him. The PETS sit on either side of Adam, a short distance away. Just as ADAM is about to write, we hear another FANFARE played on a bazooka. EVE enters, reclining in a small cart pulled by HER TWO PETS. The cart stops in front of the clump of shrubs. Eve's PETS sit down and begin to assist EVE with her primping and preening. ADAM and HIS PETS restrain from looking at the trio. ADAM begins scribbling in his ledger, speaking the lines he sets down:]

ADAM. "Dear Diary.. . this new creature with long hairis a good deal in the way. It is always hanging around and following me and I don't like this. I'm not used to company. I wish it would stay with the other animals." [He closes ledger, glances at Eve, and shakes his head with contempt. He then inspects the sky] Cloudy today ... wind in the east I think we will have rain. [He stops abruptly] "We"! Where did I

© Family Plays ACT I 3 get that word? I remember.That new creature uses it all the time. [He shouts up to Heaven] I want you to know that my life is not as happy as it was ! [Mutters to himself:] How am I ever going to concentrate on my book! I've got to record all important events and statements for posterity. [He glances once again toward Eve, then addresses the audi ence:] I'll ignore it! That's the only solution. [He goes back to his writ ing. EVE snaps herfingers, giving orders for HER PE TS to retrieve her ledger andquill from a carry-all attached to thecart. She makes an entry, speaking thelines she sets down:] EVE. "For the record: I have decided to do some recording of my own, since that is al l I ever se e the Creature doing. There are two sides to every story." [She turns page, clears throat, and writes:] "Sixth Day: I am almost a whole week old now, and I think I'm an Experiment. In fact, I feel exactly like an Experiment ... but I don't think I'm the whole of it. No, I think not. But ... I'm quite sure that I am the main part." [She closes ledger with a forlorn sigh and looks over at Adam]

Hello! Yoo-hoo .•.hello ! If you want to know what to call me in your book-the name is Eve. And .. .you can call me anytime ... [ADAM ignores her] ADAM. [To audience:] Eve! [Shrugs shoulders] I have no objec tions. [Enters in ledger:] "It says I'm to call it 'Eve' when I want it to come." [Closes ledger and speaks to audience:] I'll never have any reason for that I just want it to go away and stop talking so much! [To his pets:] I'm really going to ignore it, and I advise you to do the same about the lioness and tigress- [HIS PETS agree] EVE.[To herpets:] Did you hear that?! It called you a lioness, and you, a tigress.Of all things! [HER PETS show their indignation. EVE calls over to Adam] Hey-yoo-hool Yoo-hoo-Creaturel Who ever gave you the job of giving names to things? I'd really like to know! ADAM.It's none of your business! EVE. It certainly is! If we are supposed to be an Experiment, then I have a right to know! ADAM. [To pets:] There's that word "we" again.[ADAM'S PE TS and EVE'S PETS react to the crossfire conversation. EVE impatiently awaits an answerfrom Adam] EVE. W-e-1-l?! ADAM. All you have to know is thatI give names to everything I see. EVE. Why you?

ADAM. Because I was here first. Now, buzz off and don't bother me! EVE. Well, I like that! [ADAM goes back to writing. EVE confers with her pets] I ' m going to name a few things, too .. . [HER PETS smile in agreement] First thing is the Creature. I think I'll call it "Carrot." [She turns to her tiger] What do you think? [HER TIGER dis approves] Well-what about "Pumpkin"? That's what its head looks like.[She turns to her lionfor comments. HER UON is halffor it] Let me see -it's got frowsy hair, and blue eyes, and it hasn't got any hips

-neither does a reptile. That's what I'll call it-"Snake ." [HER PETS agree. EVE writes in her diary:] "The other part of the Experiment is a reptile . . ." [ADAM stops writing and looks over at Eve] ADAM. You can scratch that out! I am not a reptile ... I'm a man ... a "he" ... EVE. Oh? Then what am I? ADAM. You're a "she"-that's "he" with an "s" stuck on. And by the way, my name is Adam. EVE. [To her pets] It said its name is Adam. Not very original. [HER PETS agree. EVE scratches what she haspreviously written and makes a new entry] "It also said it's a 'man'-a 'he'." [She makes an other entry, then putsdiary and quill down]

Music No. 2: WHO IS THAT HE?

EVE. [She looks over at Adam and sings:] Who is that he? What's he for? Who is that he? He's a bore. If he is a "he" And I'm a "she" Then why won't He look at me?

Who is that he Who doesn't care That I am a she-- And that's not fair. If he'd take a look, He'd like what he'd see.

Thatboring he Really needs me.

He sits there and works all day long While I want to explore or sing a song, Enjoying the life the Creator gave us Enjoying life- That can't be wrong.

Who is that he? He's a bore! I'm not a she To ignore. I'll fmd a way To make him see Together we'll explore The Creator's mystery, Together we'll create Our own history.

Together, together We're''we"- It's better together As "we" ... [Spoken:] I thinkI know how to take his mind off of that diary.[EVE wanders over to where Adam is seated. ADAMcatches a glimpse of the approachingEve. He turnshis eyes to Heaven] ADAM. What now? EVE.[Playfully] My, you're always so busy. Don't you ever have any fun? [ADAM answers without lookingup from diary] ADAM. 0-o-o-g! [EVE looks out at audience] EVE. The man's vocabulary is very limited. [To Adam] Wouldn't we like to take a nice long walk through the meadows? ADAM puts diaryand quilldown. He appearsexasperated] ADAM. We are not going to do anything together. So get "we" right outta your head! EVE. My, you're a grouch, aren't you? And to think I was made fromone of your ribs! ADAM.You were not! [Examining ribs] I'm not missing any thing! EVE.Wanna bet?