A Real Boy

by Stephen Kaplan

PRODUCTIONS: 59E59, Last Act Theater, This Is Water Theatre; SEMI-FINALIST: PlayPenn, Ashland New Play Festival, Dayton Playhouse FutureFest and MTWorks’ Newborn Festival.
Mary Ann and Peter Myers, both puppets, differ on how to best raise their kindergarten-bound human son, Max. When Max starts growing strings his human kindergarten teacher, Miss Terry, decides to take over as his parent to ensure he stays a...

PRODUCTIONS: 59E59, Last Act Theater, This Is Water Theatre; SEMI-FINALIST: PlayPenn, Ashland New Play Festival, Dayton Playhouse FutureFest and MTWorks’ Newborn Festival.
Mary Ann and Peter Myers, both puppets, differ on how to best raise their kindergarten-bound human son, Max. When Max starts growing strings his human kindergarten teacher, Miss Terry, decides to take over as his parent to ensure he stays a real boy, igniting the Myers’ own sets of parenting beliefs and what is really best for Max.

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A Real Boy

Recommended by

  • Max Moline: A Real Boy by Stephen Kaplan
    “

    A Real Boy is a beautifully theatrical piece about family, diversity and the choices of children that jumps off the page and into your heart. This show is a director's, puppeteer's and designer's dream all in one!

    A Real Boy is a beautifully theatrical piece about family, diversity and the choices of children that jumps off the page and into your heart. This show is a director's, puppeteer's and designer's dream all in one!

    ”
  • Chelsea Frandsen: A Real Boy by Stephen Kaplan
    “

    Diversity and acceptance are topics that we are *finally* beginning to have real conversations about, and Kaplan's "A Real Boy" is a wonderfully artistic addition to those conversations. It's funny and heartfelt. And there are puppets!

    Diversity and acceptance are topics that we are *finally* beginning to have real conversations about, and Kaplan's "A Real Boy" is a wonderfully artistic addition to those conversations. It's funny and heartfelt. And there are puppets!

    ”
  • Nick Malakhow: A Real Boy by Stephen Kaplan
    “

    A super compelling and original satire that examines parenting, the school/teacher/parent relationship continuum, acceptance of difference and unconventional families, and much more. The use of puppets and puppeteers is bold and exciting, and it would be a treat to see it realized onstage. The extended metaphorical connection to LGBTQ families or other "outside the norm" family dynamics was brilliantly executed. Funny, poignant, and unique.

    A super compelling and original satire that examines parenting, the school/teacher/parent relationship continuum, acceptance of difference and unconventional families, and much more. The use of puppets and puppeteers is bold and exciting, and it would be a treat to see it realized onstage. The extended metaphorical connection to LGBTQ families or other "outside the norm" family dynamics was brilliantly executed. Funny, poignant, and unique.

    ”
View all 12 recommendations

Character Information

In the world of this play, some humans have a puppet part of themselves that comes out at some point in their lives. The puppets we see are realistic-looking marionettes that look like their human counterpart (the puppeteer)…so PETER puppet resembles PETER puppeteer…etc.
  • Max Myers
    While an actual 5-year-old could work great, having had a 5-year-old myself, this may not be the best choice - especially in light of what MAX needs to do as a puppeteer as the play progresses. I’ve seen the show work with an 11-year-old, an 8-year-old, and a 27-year-old who looked younger – but none of which was clearly a 5-year-old. All worked in their own unique ways.
    5
    Any
    Any
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Child,
      Teens,
      20s
  • Peter Myers
    Max’s father. He is a puppet.
    20s-50s
    Any
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Mary Ann Myers
    Max’s mother. She is a puppet.
    20s-50s
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Miss Terry
    Max’s kindergarten teacher
    20s-60s
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Principal Klaus
    the principal of the school
    30s-60s
    Any
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Jilly Lambert
    The Myers’ family friend, a lawyer.
    20s-50s
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Rebecca Landel
    United States Congresswoman, District 7.
    30s-60s
    Any
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman

Development History

  • Workshop, State of Play Theare & Ivy Theatre Company, 2016
  • Reading, Athena Theatre, 2014
  • Reading, StrangeDog Theatre, 2014
  • Reading, Dramatists Guild, 2013

Production History

  • Professional, Last Act Theatre, 2018
  • Professional, 59E59 Theatre - Ivy Theatre Company & Athena Theater Company, 2017
  • Professional, This Is Water Theatre, 2014

Awards

  • Dayton Playhouse's FutureFest
    Semi-Finalist
  • Ashland New Play Festival
    Semi-Finalist
  • MTWorks Newborn Festival
    Semi-Finalist
  • PlayPenn Development Conference
    Semi-Finalist