Max is a precocious kid, overachieving and a little anxious, sure, but mostly well adjusted. She’s got a lot going on, but she’s on top of it. Adult supervision not required. Besides, it’s 1999, what could go wrong?
Dr. C is a child psychologist recently dubbed the ‘child whisperer;’ her professional life is on a steady upward trajectory. Unfortunately the same can’t be said for her personal life. Enter Max.
When Max starts receiving threatening notes at school, she embarks on a hunt for the culprit in this pre-Y2K whodunit that what asks us what it means to be a kid in a chaotic world, and leaves us wondering if we’ve been looking in the wrong place all along. Just let your eyes adjust, and you’ll see what you’ve been missing take shape.
Cast:
Max - 13, female, smart, over-achieving, anxious, tells stories, often acts like an adult, non-white
Obie - 13, male, an artist, sensitive, non-white
Jackie - 13, female, a pawn of the mean girls
Nick - 13, male, an overcompensating bully
Luke - 17, Max's brother, non-white
Christine - 30's, female, actress
Principal Canuto - 50's, nun
Mom - 40's, Max's mom, non-white
Dad - 40's, Max's dad
Dr. C - 30's, a child psychologist, non-white
Summer - Dr. C's ex
Coach McGlynn - 40's, Max's basketball coach
Director - 30's, director of a film Max is cast in
Obie's Mom - 40's, Obie's mom, trying to make ends meet
Obie's Stepdad - 40's, angry
Bill - Bartender
Race is open unless otherwise specified.
All roles except that of Max, Dr. C, and Obie will be doubled as follows:
Actor 1: Nick/Luke/Director
Actor 2: Dad/Obie's Stepdad/Bill/Coach
Actor 3: Jackie/Principal Canuto/Obie's Mom
Actor 4: Mom/Christine/Summer