TITLE:

The Advantage
by Alan David Perkins
Copyright © 1990

CLASSIFICATION:

One-act comedy.

SYNOPSIS:

Dr. Marvin Phillips, PhD, geneticist and world renowned scientist, awakens to find himself stranded on a tiny island in the middle of the ocean. Around him are a steamer trunk, a palm tree and a lounge chair. Little does he know that he has company: a duck. Dexter, the duck, was the result of Dr. Phillips' experiments that went wrong and now is his only hope for rescue.

CAST:

DR. MARVIN PHILLIPS - Male, late 30's, early 40's, maybe older.
DEXTER - A duck.

LENGTH:

25 - 30 minutes.

REQUIREMENTS:

The set is a small island about ten feet in diameter with a palm tree (optional), steamer trunk and lounge chair with umbrella. Suggested props include a few cocoanuts, a squirt gun, a rubber fish or two, a napkin and a gun.

Minimal costume should be used for Dexter. A beak and swim fins should do the trick.

AUTHOR'S NOTES:

I got the inspiration for this play from a "Far Side" cartoon. There was a tiny island with a scientist and a duck facing each other and the duck saying something like "Ah ha, Dr. Something, my nemesis. We meet again and this time the advantage is mine!" I hope I don't get sued by the Larson estate. I think I've changed enough of the text...

This little play has seen a rather full life. It was first produced by Developmental Stages, then went on to Music Theatre North for an acting class. From there Theatre on a Limb mounted it and then WBAI did a radio version of it as part of their show "Shelf Life." The Theatre on a Limb production deserves particular note because it starred the Auslander brothers; Jordan and Adam. Adam, a professional clown, played Dexter. He could do some amazing moves in flippers.

CONTACTING THE PLAYWRIGHT:

The entire script of The Advantage is available upon request from the playwright. No production of this play can take place without permission from the playwright.