Scrambled
Purdy, who runs her Showtime Café famous for such dishes as “Fistful of Dollar Pancakes” and “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Ham,” is getting ready for a food critic, hoping for a great write-up. But that’s the least of her worries when she learns her old boyfriend is back in town. She and Austin made a pledge that if they weren’t hooked up with anyone else in twenty-five years they’d get together. Amelia and Celia, two gossips, have it all over town in no time! Jeanie, the teen who works for Purdy, thinks it’s so romantic and soon she and Cody Barnes get engaged! Cody’s not too sure how that happened, and he’s been acting like a zombie ever since. Suddenly everything is in a twirl. Will the teens really get married? Will Purdy and Austin get together? And will the critic -- if he ever shows up -- love the café’s food? Oracle, almost a fixture at the place, says, “You know people in love. They walk around in a daze, never know what’s going on. My dad had a word for them: scrambled!”
Productions
Behind The Scenes
PLAYWRIGHT PAT COOK
TALKS ABOUT "SCRAMBLED"
Q: WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO WRITE THIS PLAY?
A: My wife, Rose Ann, came up with an idea about a cafe with show business names. In fact, she came up with "I Dream of Wienie." She also came up with the title, "Scrambled."
Q: WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE PART OR LINE IN THE PLAY? WHY?
A: This is always a tough one. Probably when Miles “unmasks” himself, dropping his fake moustache on the counter and Mag comes in later, sees it and swats it like a bug!
Q: WHERE DID THE CHARACTERS COME FROM?
ARE THEY BASED ON PEOPLE YOU KNOW?
A: Not really based on any specific individuals but these are the kinds of folk I grew up with. Oracle, especially, reminds me of SO many people from my childhood, people who've seen it all and comment now from their usual posts, either behind a domino game or at a cafe over a cup of coffee.
Q: WHAT DID YOU TRY TO ACHIEVE WITH THIS PLAY?
A: Actually, I just wanted to show a sort of slice of life of small town folks. I grew up with all sorts of lovely characters, each with their own brand of humor, some of it dry, some of it philosophical but all of it amazingly funny. I remember thinking back then, "Somebody ought to write this down!"
Q: DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO ADD?
A: I just hope when the show is done that the audiences enjoy it as much as I did in writing it. Add to that, I also hope the actors get a kick out of it as well.