That'll Learn Ya!
The little Western town of Possum Trot has been under a gypsy spell for two hundred years, a spell that turned the whole village into nincompoops who are so clueless they sweep with the wrong end of a broom and put themselves in jail. They've never been smart enough to progress with the rest of the world. Seymour Justice, the guilty gypsy's great-grandson (seven generations later), wants to break the spell once and for all. His perseverance pays off when he and his best friend, Edmund, finally stumble upon the lost village. The secret to breaking the spell is buried in a metal box somewhere in the town. So the search is on and Seymour and his buddy seek the citizens' assistance—such as it is! If the spell isn't broken by midnight, not only will the town remain in the dark cave of ignorance, but Seymour and Edmund will become nincompoops too, and consigned to remain in Possum Trot for the rest of their lives. Silly situations, one-liners and sight gags galore are all rolled into one funny misadventure. Approximately 85 minutes.
Productions
Behind The Scenes
PLAYWRIGHT EDDIE MCPHERSON
TALKS ABOUT "THAT'LL LEARN YA!"
Q.: WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO WRITE THIS PLAY?
A.: My students. Last year I gave my drama students an assignment: Come up with a sketch with stereotypical characters. One group came up with the stereotypical cowboy sketch with the sheriff, the outlaw, etc. That sketch remained in the back of my mind until I wrote this play which is chock-full of tremendously stereotypical characters.
Q.: WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE PART OR LINE IN THE PLAY? WHY?
A.: I like the gypsy scene where Seymour and Edmund are performing a "sideshow" in order to prove to the residents that they come from a gypsy family. Ah ya ya ya!
Q.: WHERE DID THE CHARACTERS COME FROM? ARE THEY BASED ON PEOPLE YOU KNOW?
A.: From every Western movie I've seen, every Western book I've read and every Western T.V. show I've watched. If you put all these into a can, shake it up and pour it out, you'd have this play.
Q.: WHAT DID YOU TRY TO ACHIEVE WITH THIS PLAY?
A.: This little lesson: Get an education! Just kidding (well, sort of). There's just something funny about an actor in a cowboy hat, saying "Y'all." By forming the washboard band, it gave students who were more talented in the singing department to shine as well.
Q.: DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO ADD?
A.: Producing this show was lots of fun for me. It gave many of my first-time students a chance to shine on stage and just as many seasoned actors to really let their hair down and have fun without too much sweat. I think this is a perfect piece for actors and/or directors who are just getting their feet wet in the theatre world. I really hope you enjoy producing this show.