Scapino (Binder)
by Jeffrey Binder

Scapino (Binder) Book Cover — Scapino (Binder) Cover

Highlights

Female

Male

105 mins Present Day Strong Role for Leading Man (Star Vehicle) Unit Set/Multiple Settings Contemporary Costumes/Street Clothes Comedy

Synopsis

The runaway hit, based on Molière’s 17th-century French comedy – which originally took place in Naples, Italy – has been rewritten and re-imagined by Broadway veteran Jeffrey Binder as a mafia comedy now set in the “dangerous streets” of sunny Naples, Florida.

This physical comedy is a blend of slapstick and doubletalk, combined with a hysterical mix of political comedy and all-around satire.

In this modern take, the dons of two notorious mob families agree to avert a war between their families by marrying off their children.

Except (whoops!) one of their kids has already secretly married the woman of his dreams and enlists the mob's crafty but disgraced consigliere, Scapino, to get them out of this deadly jam and reconcile the two families before they all whack each other.

Hilarity ensues.

Press Reviews

"High energy and breakneck dialogue... a fun and funny night at the theater."
— Pittsburgh City Paper

"Jeffrey Binder... adapted Molière's classic with quick-hit comedic daggers for audience members, who roared throughout Saturday's opening night performance."
— Naples Daily News

Characters

Character	Gender	Age	Description
SCAPINO A con artist and a trickster. Also a lawyer.	—	—	A con artist and a trickster. Also a lawyer.
SYLVESTER SCAPINO’s anxious sidekick but OCTAVIO’s number two.	—	—	SCAPINO’s anxious sidekick but OCTAVIO’s number two.
DON JERRY GERONTE (pronounced GERONT-EE) – The brutal, bull-headed, skinflint boss of one of the most notorious crime families in Naples.	—	—	(pronounced GERONT-EE) – The brutal, bull-headed, skinflint boss of one of the most notorious crime families in Naples.
DON ALBERT The brutal, calculating, coiffed boss of one of the other most notorious crime families in Naples.	—	—	The brutal, calculating, coiffed boss of one of the other most notorious crime families in Naples.
OCTAVIO DON ALBERT’s handsome, devoted, very emotional and self-obsessed son. In love with CHLOE.	male	—	DON ALBERT’s handsome, devoted, very emotional and self-obsessed son. In love with CHLOE.
CHLOE	—	—	—
LEO DON GERONTE’s large and dangerous son. Also devoted puppy dog in love with FEATHER.	male	—	DON GERONTE’s large and dangerous son. Also devoted puppy dog in love with FEATHER.
FEATHER A free spirit. The fiery and socially aware lover of LEO.	—	—	A free spirit. The fiery and socially aware lover of LEO.