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

  • Playwrights Foundation:
    6 Apr. 2024
    “ 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 ”
  • Lainie Vansant:
    3 Apr. 2024
    “ What a trip! This show has something fun for everyone -- from costume designers to actors to whoever gets to design that poop fan. With all that fun, Gonzalez doesn't shy away from saying the important things as well. This is a wonderful take on a classic Absurdist piece -- check it out! ”
  • Rachel Feeny-Williams:
    5 Mar. 2024
    “ The notes for this play advise "It’s a play, so play around." and I can definitely see performers and the director having a wonderful reign to do just that with this wonderfully funny and imaginative piece. It combines the wonderful world of storytelling with the live and in-your-face-ness of theatre! I can imagine it making a fabulously entertaining show for any audience and the fact that it has had multiple well received productions in its recommendations already is hardly surprising. More people should bring Escobar's Hippo to life! ”
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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
    20s - 30s,
    Latino or Afro-Latino
    ,
    Male
    Unkempt, messy, old clothes, fashionably poor with a Bohemian flair. Self-pitying. He feels the world owes him for his genius.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Dalia
    20s - 30s,
    Latina or Afro-Latina
    ,
    Female
    Waitress at the café Bernardo frequents. Sensibly dressed. Good spirits, and a desire to be part of something meaningful.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Juan
    20s - 30s,
    Latino or Afro-Latino
    ,
    Male
    Bernardo’s best friend. Smartly, but casually dressed. Well put-together, no-nonsense, does not like to waste time.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Escobar's Hippo
    Ageless,
    Colombian or Sub-Saharan African
    ,
    Any gender
    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.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Any gender
  • Town Mayor
    40s - 50s,
    Latinx or Afro-Latinx
    ,
    Any gender
    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.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      40s, 50s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Gender: 
      Any gender
  • The Narrator
    Any Age,
    Any Race/Ethnicity
    ,
    Any gender
    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
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Any gender
  • The Hipposapien
    Any Age,
    Any
    ,
    Any gender
    Part human, part hippo, all belligerence. Should have the head of a hippo and begins bipedal but ends on all fours.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Any gender
  • Chorus of Townspeople
    Various ages,
    Any
    ,
    Any gender
    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.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Any gender

Development History

  • 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

Semi-Finalist
,
Bay Area Playwrights Festival
,
The Playwrights Foundation
,
2023
Selection
,
Black and Latino Playwrights Celebration
,
Texas State University Department of Theatre and Dance
,
2023
Selection
,
Playwriting Symposium Plays-in-Progress
,
Mid-America Theatre Conference
,
2022
Selection
,
LTC Comedy Carnanval
,
HowlRound Theatre Commons / Latinx Theatre Commons
,
2022
Finalist
,
New American Voices Playwriting Festival
,
Landing Theatre Company
,
2021
Playwriting Competition Second Rounder
,
Austin Film Festival
,
2021
Second Rounder - New Visions
,
New York Classical Theatre
,
2021