JACK AND DEAR RAVEN: A new 10-minute 2-person comedy/drama
Jack is known as being a “dull boy” around the village. But would a “dull boy” impulsively climb up a random giant beanstalk that grew up in his back yard over night and then once he reached cloud-level, suddenly miss his mom and turkey and fence post, want to go back home, and now be too scared or stuck to climb back down?
Um…Maybe…
At least, this is one of Jack’s worries (besides being pecked to death, falling to death, starving to death—stuff like that!). He has something to prove to his village. He IS more than the boy who chased a baby bear thinking it was a sack of gold coins. He may get into more pickles than the average fairy tale boy, but he also always finds ways to get out of those pickles. He’s made it up this giant beanstalk because he has the spirit of adventure inside of him—and that passionate spirit will ultimately get him off this beanstalk too. It’s just might happen in the order he thinks it will…
In Jack and Dear Raven, high in the clouds, Jack begs for the help of a raven passing by—the only creature who has shown Jack any attention as he’s clung to this slippery beanstalk through the wee morning hours. This bird, whom Jack quickly dubs “Dear Raven,” has their own worries in raising a brood of birdlings while trying to finish their novel, Aviary Ethics (which no other bird seems to care about). Dear Raven is not only curious about this human in the sky, but also irritated as Jack and his giant beanstalk are blocking an important flight path. Jack and Dear Raven need to figure out a way for Jack to get off this beanstalk. Now. Before the hawks and eagles come to peck out his eyes after their morning mice.
Mohammad Saleem and Susan Kay in Free Space Theater’s production of Jack and Dear Raven, as part of When Fairy Tales Falter, directed by Nathan Flower, Costume Design by Georgia Evans.
Jack and Dear Raven is a comedy/drama about a boy finding his purpose in life; it’s about self-doubt and gaining courage. It’s about turning challenges into strengths. It’s about helping others, facing problems head-on, and about trust. This is a 2-person play, great for teens, young adults, or a mixture of both. Casting is 1 male (Jack) and 1 male/female/inclusive (Dear Raven). Set can be as minimal or extensive as desired. It takes place outdoors, and easily adapts to outdoor theater, as well as traditionally staged theater. This play crosses entertainment ages as it is suitable for family theater, children and youth theater, as well as adults.
Jack and Dear Raven was inspired from an older play of mine, The Beanstalk. While the basic story is similar, the play is entirely new and The Beanstalk is no longer available (unless by specific request). Jack and Dear Raven was originally performed as part of When Fairy Tales Falter, a collection of 4 disrupted fairy-tale tangent plays.
Click here to read an excerpt of Jack and Dear Raven.
CLICK below for a complete digital copy of JACK AND DEAR RAVEN (once purchased, you will be given a link to download the script):
Jack and Dear Raven, as performed in When Fairy Tales Falter: The Prettiest Duckling and Other Moral Ambiguities, directed by Nathan Flower. Featuring Mohammad Saleem and Susan Kay, produced by Free Space Theater. Photo credit: JCP Images.
