The Bergerac Simulation

by Mora V. Harris

FULL LENGTH: Burdened with a prodigious nose and useless playwriting degree, Sara (No-H) Bergerac is thrilled to be contracted by a well-funded virtual reality startup to assist in their research into human emotions and the facial expressions that come with them. She finds herself working alongside Kris a gorgeous but socially awkward computer scientist. When Kris confesses that she’s falling for Rocky, the...

FULL LENGTH: Burdened with a prodigious nose and useless playwriting degree, Sara (No-H) Bergerac is thrilled to be contracted by a well-funded virtual reality startup to assist in their research into human emotions and the facial expressions that come with them. She finds herself working alongside Kris a gorgeous but socially awkward computer scientist. When Kris confesses that she’s falling for Rocky, the handsome actor they’ve hired to make faces, the two women hatch a scheme in which Sara writes the script for Kris’ flirtation. But when Sara’s feelings for Rocky become more reality than virtual, the three find themselves in an emotional uncanny valley; at a glance the romance seems perfect, but deep down there’s a flaw in the code.

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The Bergerac Simulation

Recommended by

  • Pittsburgh Public Theater: The Bergerac Simulation

    Commissioned in 2020 and broadcast as a part of our Classics N'at reading series in 2021! With THE BERGERAC SIMULATION, Mora skillfully accomplishes what every successful adaptation should. Her rich play not only stands on its own as a wildly imaginative and thoughtful update of Rostand's but also inspires us to revisit and reevaluate the source text with renewed interest. Sara is a virtuosic role, as funny as she is authentic. This is a story for modern audiences with a classical twinkle in its eye.

    Commissioned in 2020 and broadcast as a part of our Classics N'at reading series in 2021! With THE BERGERAC SIMULATION, Mora skillfully accomplishes what every successful adaptation should. Her rich play not only stands on its own as a wildly imaginative and thoughtful update of Rostand's but also inspires us to revisit and reevaluate the source text with renewed interest. Sara is a virtuosic role, as funny as she is authentic. This is a story for modern audiences with a classical twinkle in its eye.

  • David A. Miller: The Bergerac Simulation

    There is so much to love about this play. It's a smart, heart-filled, funny modern adaptation of Cyrano with Sara Bergerac at it's center. It doesn't just transpose the story to modern day but instead has a very specific point of view and stands on it's own as a play. The exploration of the artist's conundrum is so great, e.g. The playwright whose plays are actually funny, and therefore unproduced. References to rhinoplasty, "non-dis-nose-sure agreement", the female head scientist wears fake glasses to look smarter, the observation that "You cant just write emotions." are all gems.

    There is so much to love about this play. It's a smart, heart-filled, funny modern adaptation of Cyrano with Sara Bergerac at it's center. It doesn't just transpose the story to modern day but instead has a very specific point of view and stands on it's own as a play. The exploration of the artist's conundrum is so great, e.g. The playwright whose plays are actually funny, and therefore unproduced. References to rhinoplasty, "non-dis-nose-sure agreement", the female head scientist wears fake glasses to look smarter, the observation that "You cant just write emotions." are all gems.

  • Alec Silberblatt: The Bergerac Simulation

    Mora V. Harris is genuinely funny. Her characters and her dialogue are truly funny, so adapting Cyrano makes complete sense. Mora brings this classic into our age and plays with virtual reality in a clear and accessible way. It is fun. It is touching. It makes me laugh out loud.

    Mora V. Harris is genuinely funny. Her characters and her dialogue are truly funny, so adapting Cyrano makes complete sense. Mora brings this classic into our age and plays with virtual reality in a clear and accessible way. It is fun. It is touching. It makes me laugh out loud.

View all 6 recommendations

Development History

Awards

  • Neukom Institute Literary Arts Award for Playwriting
    Northern Stage
    Finalist
    2022
  • JL Smith New Play Festival
    York College of Pennsylvania
    Winner
    2022
  • Austin Film Festival Playwriting Competition Second Rounder
    Austin Film Festival
    2021