Kenny by Committee
Copyright © 2003 by Edward J. Thomas, all rights reserved
Original Production
By Grosse Pointe Theatre Workshop Program
November 2003
Directed by Ed Thomas
Original Cast
JESSICA PETERSON - Laura Hetzler
IAN PETERSON - John McClure
SHANNON ALGERS - Pamela Kendell
SCOTT WHITE - Chris Oakley
KENNY KENSINGTON - Noah Buddy
SYNOPSIS
Comedy
2 men, 2 women, each playing their own role AND Kenny
It's just a show about a wedding rehearsal dinner. But when the lead actor doesn't show up, and with no understudy, the show must go on!
JESSICA
I’m not going to do that. I would never…
SHANNON
Never? I think I mentioned before having seen you at parties…
JESSICA
Hey! That happened once! I was young… ger. Younger. And I was drunk. I barely remember it happening.
SHANNON
I still have the pictures I took, if you need a reminder.
JESSICA
You do not!
SHANNON
Yeah, I do.
JESSICA
(Comes at her playfully)
You’d better not show those…
SHANNON
(Getting away)
Oops, here he is. Now make with the flirting. I’ll leave you alone.
(JESSICA tries to say something, but SHANNON exits through the door. JESSICA steadies herself with her back turned toward where KENNY is coming. She waits a moment. Nothing happens. She turns her head slightly to see if she can see him out of the corner of her eye. Still nothing happens. She turns around, then realizes she shouldn’t do that, so she turns back. A moment later, SCOTT appears from where she was expecting KENNY. He is in his early to mid 30’s and dressed casually. He is a bit unsure of himself right now. This is because he’s not playing SCOTT at the moment. He’s playing KENNY. The actor “cast” in the role of KENNY never showed up, forcing SCOTT to take his place. For now)
SCOTT
(As KENNY)
Jessica…
JESSICA
(Turning to face him)
Oh, hi, Ken…
(Seeing him)
Scott?
(She looks around)
What are you doing here?
(Nervously)
I wasn’t expecting you. At least not for a couple of minutes…
SCOTT
(As KENNY)
I’m not Scott. I’m Kenny.
JESSICA
Don’t… Don’t be silly, Scott. You don’t look anything like Kenny…
SCOTT
(Aside, trying to keep the audience from hearing)
He’s not here.
JESSICA
Of course he’s not here. He’s probably still at the church.
SCOTT
(Aside)
No, I mean he’s not here at all. I’m playing Kenny.
JESSICA
(Aside)
But don’t you have to play Scott?
SCOTT
(Aside)
Yes, I do. This is what happens when you don’t have an understudy.
JESSICA
(Aside)
Do you know his lines?
SCOTT
(Aside)
Some of them.
JESSICA
(Aside)
Well this is just great.
SCOTT
(As KENNY)
Yes! It’s just great to see you again! That is, I just saw you at the church, but now I’ve seen you again.
JESSICA
Um, yes you have. So, uh, what did you think of the rehearsal?
SCOTT
(As KENNY)
It was good. Except the part where I dropped the ring. I hope that doesn’t happen tomorrow.
JESSICA
It won’t.
SCOTT
(As KENNY)
You promise?
JESSICA
I promise.
SCOTT
(As KENNY)
Good. I’d hate to… I’d hate…
(He fumbles for the line)
JESSICA
(Feeding him the line)
Hate to look like a fool…
SCOTT
(As KENNY)
I’d hate to look like a fool in front of a churchful of people.
JESSICA
Don’t worry. You’ll be the best Best Man ever.
