Tattered Capes

"Watchmen meets Othello." - Michael Gordon Shapiro, Author of 'The Bully Problem'

It’s Kevin and Stephanie Connolly’s fifth wedding anniversary, and Kevin has a night of celebration planned for them. Of course, this means he won’t be going out on his regular patrol of Metro City as his alter-ego, M-Pulse, the self-appointed Eminence of Electromagnetism. But things should be...
"Watchmen meets Othello." - Michael Gordon Shapiro, Author of 'The Bully Problem'

It’s Kevin and Stephanie Connolly’s fifth wedding anniversary, and Kevin has a night of celebration planned for them. Of course, this means he won’t be going out on his regular patrol of Metro City as his alter-ego, M-Pulse, the self-appointed Eminence of Electromagnetism. But things should be fine without him for one night, right? Wrong.

One would think that there could be no secrets left between a husband and wife after five years of matrimonial bliss, but when a powerful supervillain’s attack interrupts Kevin and Stephanie’s date, a hero’s unmasking bears significant consequences for the Connollys. Consequences that will resonate and redefine their relationship forever.

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Originally a 10-minute play commissioned as a part of Theatre Unleashed's Play/Time one-act festival in 2014, where writers birthed a new scene every week for six weeks, the script re-emerged at the inaugural Short+Sweet Festival in Hollywood in 2016. Shortly after the festival closed, Greg began the process of expanding the script into a full-length story through the artistic crucible that is Los Angeles' Serial Killers at Sacred Fools. The script made it to the playoffs, but was "killed" in its fourth episode. The script is now entering its fifth draft, and is slated to have a workshop production at the 2019 Hollywood Fringe Festival.
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Tattered Capes

Character Information

  • Stephanie Connolly / StarChild
    20s-30s,
    Any
    ,
    Female
    Stephanie is Kevin’s wife, and tonight is her 5th anniversary. Years ago, before she’d even met Kevin, Stephanie was in a car accident. While hovering at death’s door, Stephanie’s soul encountered the StarForce. The StarForce bonded itself to her, restoring her body and turning her into the world’s most powerful telepath. A year after the accident, she used the StarForce to singlehandedly repel an alien invasion of earth. This put her on the radar of a group of incredibly powerful and heroic Capes, who recruited her to their cause. Assuming the name of STARCHILD, she’s had one universe-saving adventure after another. She has known about Kevin’s abilities and identity all along, and tonight, circumstances force her to reveal these secrets to him, and more. Think Jean Grey/Phoenix, but if she actually kept her identity secret and never went Dark.
  • Kevin Connolly / M-Pulse, the Eminence of Electromagnetism
    20s-30s,
    Any
    ,
    Male
    Kevin is Stephanie’s husband, and tonight is his 5th anniversary. Back when he and Stephanie were dating, before they got serious, he was struck by lightning. He survived, but now he can’t touch an iPhone without bricking it, and sometimes flatware sticks to him. More to the point, he discovered that he can now control the electromagnetic fields around him. Today, he uses these abilities to protect Metro City as M-PULSE, THE EMINENCE OF ELECTROMAGNETISM. He thinks he’s managed to successfully keep his dual identity secret from his wife all this time. He has no idea just how wrong he is. Think 1980’s Avengers-era Yellowjacket Hank Pym (there’s a reason why that reference is so specific – worth looking up.) that wants to be a Spider-Man, but if he was hit by lightning instead of bitten by a radioactive spider, and never told Mary Jane about his secret identity.
  • Lal-El / Maximus
    20s-40s,
    Any
    ,
    Any
    Leader of The Five. Faster than a speeding bullet. More powerful than a bullet train. Sees no point in jumping over bullets, because Maximus is bulletproof. A stranger in a strange land. Think Superman, but if he came to Earth already an adult and never learned how to relate to people.
  • The Owl
    30s-40s,
    Any
    ,
    Female
    The World’s Greatest Detective, with a sense of humor drier than an L.A. riverbed. She’s 3D-chess boxing while fools are playing checkers. Always has a backup plan. Possess a genius-level IQ, black belts in seven martial arts, patents on over two hundred individual inventions designed to assist Capes, and more money than god. Think Batman, but on the Autism Spectrum.
  • Jonathan Strong / Twitch
    20s,
    Any
    ,
    Male
    Ironically, The World’s Fastest Man, Jonathan Strong is the youngest of The Five. He is very close with Stephanie, as if she was his older sister. Currently between costumed identities at the moment due to a series of Cease and Desists for copyright infringements. Comedic, but possess a wisdom beyond his years. Think Jimmy Olson, but with super powers.
  • Lady Voodoo
    30s-40s,
    Any
    ,
    Female
    Mistress of the Arcane Arts, able to transmute, evoke, conjure, and bend reality to her will. She has seen it all before, and knows she’ll see it all again. If The Owl is the brains of this operation, Lady Voodoo is its soul. Strong, wise, passionate in her beliefs. Think Dr. Strange played by Stevie Nicks.
  • The Shadows
    Any,
    Any
    ,
    Any
    The shadows are an integral part of creating the superhero world. This will be a physical role that will give this show super powers. Shadows will be creating a The Matrix-meets-The-Cursed-Child atmosphere throughout the show, and fleshing out the rest of the universe. INTENSELY PHYSICAL/ATHLETIC ROLES. Stunt/dance/martial arts experience strongly preferred.

Development History

  • Reading
    ,
    Theatre Unleashed
    ,
    2019
  • Reading
    ,
    Theatre Unleashed
    ,
    2018
  • Workshop
    ,
    Serial Killers at Sacred Fools
    ,
    2016

Production History

  • Fringe
    ,
    Theatre Unleashed at the Hollywood Fringe Festival
    ,
    2019
  • Community Theater
    ,
    Theatre Unleashed at Short+Sweet Hollywood (10-minute play version)
    ,
    2016
  • Community Theater
    ,
    Theatre Unleashed (10-minute play version)
    ,
    2014

Awards

Selection
,
Pick of the Fringe
,
Combined Artform & Fringe Management
,
2019
Winner
,
The Fringe Award for Dance & Physical Theatre
,
Hollywood Fringe Festival
,
2019
Winner
,
The Encore! Producers Award
,
Combined Artform & Fringe Management
,
2019
Runner Up
,
No Room in The Green Room Award
,
MB Stage Productions
,
2019
Selection
,
Critics' Choice
,
Better Lemons
,
2019
Winner
,
Double Sweet Award
,
Better Lemons
,
2019