Escobar's Hippo

by Franky D. Gonzalez

A Colombian town along the Magdalena River plunges into chaos after a flatulent, destructive, easily offended, and adventurous hippo comes to town and wreaks havoc. The crisis worsens when people begin transforming into hippos themselves causing, not only chaos, but the beginnings of a revolution where humans are trampled by these new Hipposapiens. As this shifting of civilization unfolds, three friends try to...

A Colombian town along the Magdalena River plunges into chaos after a flatulent, destructive, easily offended, and adventurous hippo comes to town and wreaks havoc. The crisis worsens when people begin transforming into hippos themselves causing, not only chaos, but the beginnings of a revolution where humans are trampled by these new Hipposapiens. As this shifting of civilization unfolds, three friends try to figure out how to deal with the transforming population and solve the connection between the hippos and a notorious drug lord. An homage to the works of Ionesco (namely Rhinoceros and The Killer), this play explores through absurdity and comedy the very serious and deadly consequences that come with the surrendering of humanity in favor of bestial urges and self-gratification.

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Escobar's Hippo

Recommended by

  • Lizz Mangan: Escobar's Hippo by Franky D. Gonzalez
    “

    One of the quickest, wittiest plays I've ever had the pleasure to read! Gonzalez creates the most interesting uninteresting characters you will ever meet, and manages to bring artistry back into bathroom humor. While the comedy thrives, the underlying themes of conformity and revolution simmer, waiting to throw an arepa at any given moment.

    One of the quickest, wittiest plays I've ever had the pleasure to read! Gonzalez creates the most interesting uninteresting characters you will ever meet, and manages to bring artistry back into bathroom humor. While the comedy thrives, the underlying themes of conformity and revolution simmer, waiting to throw an arepa at any given moment.

    ”
  • Steven Hayet: Escobar's Hippo by Franky D. Gonzalez
    “

    I was lucky to see a reading of this play at Repertorio Español and it was an education: Not just about Hippos’ intense mating rituals or their 360 degree dung spreading techniques, but about humanity and our desire to pursue happiness.

    Equally poignant and vulgar, absurd and heartfelt. Just a wonderful piece. Escobar’s Hippo would be a blast to stage and you’ll have a very happy cast as every role has their moments to shine. Query!! When is this play going to get its first production?

    I was lucky to see a reading of this play at Repertorio Español and it was an education: Not just about Hippos’ intense mating rituals or their 360 degree dung spreading techniques, but about humanity and our desire to pursue happiness.

    Equally poignant and vulgar, absurd and heartfelt. Just a wonderful piece. Escobar’s Hippo would be a blast to stage and you’ll have a very happy cast as every role has their moments to shine. Query!! When is this play going to get its first production?

    ”
  • Playwrights Foundation: Escobar's Hippo by Franky D. Gonzalez
    “

    The community of National Committee readers for the 46th Bay Area Playwrights Festival advanced ESCOBAR'S HIPPO as a Semi-Finalist at Playwrights Foundation. We appreciated the strong stylistic choices and the adaptation's current political questions, as well as the comic frustration amongst the three central characters. We leaned into the question if there is a meaningful way to retain one's humanity in the face of overwhelming destructive power and the seduction of simply acting as you will. We hope this play is considered for further development and investigation, and finds dedicated...

    The community of National Committee readers for the 46th Bay Area Playwrights Festival advanced ESCOBAR'S HIPPO as a Semi-Finalist at Playwrights Foundation. We appreciated the strong stylistic choices and the adaptation's current political questions, as well as the comic frustration amongst the three central characters. We leaned into the question if there is a meaningful way to retain one's humanity in the face of overwhelming destructive power and the seduction of simply acting as you will. We hope this play is considered for further development and investigation, and finds dedicated collaborators in this play’s journey towards production. #BAPF46

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    ”
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Character Information

Townspeople may double as army of Hipposapiens.

Inquire for versions of this play with three or four townspeople instead of the standard five.
  • Bernardo
    Unkempt, messy, old clothes, fashionably poor with a Bohemian flair. Self-pitying. He feels the world owes him for his genius.
    20s - 30s
    Latino or Afro-Latino
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Dalia
    Waitress at the café Bernardo frequents. Sensibly dressed. Good spirits, and a desire to be part of something meaningful.
    20s - 30s
    Latina or Afro-Latina
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Juan
    Bernardo’s best friend. Smartly, but casually dressed. Well put-together, no-nonsense, does not like to waste time.
    20s - 30s
    Latino or Afro-Latino
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Escobar's Hippo
    A hippopotamus of either sub-Saharan or Colombian descent. Can’t say for sure. Is descended from Pablo Escobar’s private collection of hippos and may even be one of Pablo Escobar’s original hippos. Again, can’t say for sure. But it’s definitely a hippopotamus and probably immortal.
    Ageless
    Colombian or Sub-Saharan African
    Any gender
  • Town Mayor
    Self-important, bureaucratic, but not smart enough to actually be a bureaucrat. Overcomplicates the simplest of matters and jams up the power of government to do something useful. You know, like in real life.
    40s - 50s
    Latinx or Afro-Latinx
    Any gender
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
  • Chorus of Townspeople
    A group of five people always suggesting, always questioning, and never really doing anything except complain. As such, they are the most powerful and influential voting bloc in the town, and therefore the most important people at town halls and gatherings.
    Various ages
    Any
    Any gender
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
  • The Hipposapien
    Part human, part hippo, all belligerence. Should have the head of a hippo and begins bipedal but ends on all fours.
    Any Age
    Any
    Any gender
  • The Narrator
    A commentator on the inner lives of the characters. Think David Attenborough if he was watching the end of humanity with fascination and a little excitement
    Any Age
    Any Race/Ethnicity
    Any gender
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+

Development History

  • Reading, Repertorio Español, 2024
  • Reading, South Texas College Theatre, 2024
  • Workshop, Stages Repertory Theatre, 2024
  • Workshop, Sewanee Writers Conference, 2024
  • Workshop, Black and Latino Playwrights Celebration, 2023
  • Reading, HowlRound Theatre Commons / Latinx Theatre Commons, 2022
  • Workshop, The Playwrights Center, 2021
  • Reading, Latinx Playwrights Circle First Draft Series, 2020

Awards

  • Sin Muros: A Latinx Theatre Festival
    Stages Repertory Theatre
    Selection
    2024
  • Play Reading Series
    Repertorio Español
    Selection
    2024
  • STX Latinx New Play Festival
    South Texas College Theatre
    Finalist
    2024
  • Black and Latino Playwrights Celebration
    Texas State University Department of Theatre and Dance
    Selection
    2023
  • Bay Area Playwrights Festival
    The Playwrights Foundation
    Semi-Finalist
    2023
  • LTC Comedy Carnanval
    HowlRound Theatre Commons / Latinx Theatre Commons
    Selection
    2022
  • Playwriting Symposium Plays-in-Progress
    Mid-America Theatre Conference
    Selection
    2022
  • Second Rounder - New Visions
    New York Classical Theatre
    2021
  • Playwriting Competition Second Rounder
    Austin Film Festival
    2021
  • New American Voices Playwriting Festival
    Landing Theatre Company
    Finalist
    2021