Keys and Parrots

1m, 6w, 1 either
1m 40s; 3w 50s, 2w 40s, 1w teen; 1 either pre-teen

The members of the Krebs family (mother, father, and two children) are all going their separate ways. When Mom gets stuck with creating props for a pirate show put on by the local community theatre, the family starts to pull together. Obstacles to family unity come from the pretentious director of the show, the sour stage manager, a contentious neighbor, and a soccer mom friend overly proud of her four children.

While Keys and Parrots concerns prop-making, the only props needed are household items (books, book bag, papers, plates, cups, pizza box, remote control), along with home video game equipment and some keys of various types. The set consists of a typical family room, with perhaps portions of a kitchen and/or hall visible.

The show depends heavily on light and sound effects from an unseen television. If technical capabilities permit the creation and display of videos, an actual television set may appear onstage, but care must be taken that it does not steal undue focus. Sample scripts for the video segments are included in an appendix.

When a family-friendly comedy is wanted, consider Keys and Parrots, whose title is a Spoonerism for the theatrical phrase "peas and carrots," uttered during crowd scenes to create an onstage hubbub.