The Nerd
by Larry Shue

BroadwayWest End
The Nerd Book Cover
The Nerd Cover

Highlights

120 mins1970sUnit Set/Multiple SettingsPeriod CostumesAmericanComedy

What readers are saying

Readers find the play to be a hilarious light comedy with clever humor, making it enjoyable both in reading and performance. Many appreciate its entertaining nature and the chance for actors to showcase their talents, despite noting some dated elements in the story. There's a mix of reactions, with some feeling the characters could have more depth and the comedy may not resonate with everyone.

Extremely funny and cleverGreat for stage performancesCharacters have moments to shineSomewhat dated humorCharacters lack depth

Synopsis

THE STORY: Now an aspiring young architect in Terre Haute, Indiana, Willum Cubbert has often told his friends about the debt he owes to Rick Steadman, a fellow ex-GI whom he has never met but who saved his life after he was seriously wounded in Vie

Press Reviews

"The audience almost never stops laughing – handkerchiefs wiping away tears of merriment."

— Variety

"It is a beautiful and startling piece, beginning naturalistically before shifting gear into something magical, spiritual and touching."

— The Telegraph

"It’s one of those “golden nugget” scripts that community theaters and high schools regularly produce because it only requires one set and offers a fast farce paced work that seems deceptively simple to produce."

— BroadwayWorld

"Shue delivers a neatly crafted package that uses some classic comic forms to bring the audience to its knees, laughing."

— The Milwaukee Journal

Characters

Character
Tansy Mcginnis
Axel Hammond
Warnock Waldgrave
Clelia Waldgrave
Thor Waldgrave
Rick Steadman
Willum Cubbert

Videos

"The Nerd" at Weathervane Playhouse (Akron, Ohio)

Publication

Year1984
BindingPaperback
Pages72
PlaceNew York, N.Y
LanguageEnglish
ISBN-139780822208112
ISBN-100822208113
LCCN85150250
LCCPS3569.H763 N4 1984

The Nerd is a American comedy play written by Larry Shue and published by Dramatists Play Service in New York, N.Y (1984).

Community Reviews

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Rating

3.8

486 ratings·869 reviews

Review

Buy Play

Paperback

Dramatists Play Service · 1984 · 72 pp

From C$29.55 total

Performance Rights

Available for Licensing
Amateur & Professional
Fee:Minimum Fee: $130 per performance

Restrictions: Major Markets Plus (US) / Standard Plus Add'l Postcodes (UK)

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