The Last Smoker in America
by Bill Russell, Peter Melnick

Name: The Last Smoker in America
Brand: Bill Russell
SKU: 9780573701306
Rating: 2 (1 reviews)

The Last Smoker in America Book Cover — The Last Smoker in America Cover

Highlights

Female

Male

90 mins Present Day Strong Role for Leading Man (Star Vehicle) Interior Set Contemporary Costumes/Street Clothes

Synopsis

The Last Smoker in America is a raucous, irreverent and unfiltered new musical comedy, with book and lyrics by Tony Award nominee Bill Russell ( Side Show ) and music by Drama Desk nominee Peter Melnick ( Adrift in Macao ). Enter an America where the government is in your kitchen, sniffing for outlawed cigarettes!

The extreme anti-smoking laws test the sanity of one suburban family.

Pam is having an impossible time trying to quit.

Her husband Ernie retreats to the basement to relive the rock star dreams of his youth, while their teenage son, Jimmy, only turns away from his videogames to explore his gangster rapper persona.

Adding to the dysfunctional dynamic is anti-smoking fanatic Phyllis, the neighbor who can’t keep her nose out of everyone else’s business.

This original and hilarious new musical will leave you craving for more!

Press Reviews

"Hilarious socio-political satirical musical farce!"
— Curtain Up

"A freedom-loving musical!… If critics get insulted, then the musical has proven its point: America’s just way too uptight."
— Entertainment Weekly

"A lovechild of George Orwell and vintage Mad Magazine."
— Show Business Weekly

"A smokin'-hot new musical!… Catchy melodies that will stick in your head like peanut butter… The pop-rock score is terrific."
— The New York Times

"Ferociously energetic… Russell and Melnick have keen instinct for parody."
— Show Business Weekly

Characters

Character	Gender	Age	Description
Ernie Pam’s husband, also middle-aged. He is a frustrated rocker with a spotty employment history and anger management issues. He tries to do the right thing by his wife and son despite his annoyance with them.	female	—	Pam’s husband, also middle-aged. He is a frustrated rocker with a spotty employment history and anger management issues. He tries to do the right thing by his wife and son despite his annoyance with them.
Jimmy Pam and Ernie’s teenage son. His ADHD runs rampant if he forgets to take his medication, which happens frequently due to his complete immersion in video games. He listens to so much rap and hip-hop he’s convinced he’s Black.	male	—	Pam and Ernie’s teenage son. His ADHD runs rampant if he forgets to take his medication, which happens frequently due to his complete immersion in video games. He listens to so much rap and hip-hop he’s convinced he’s Black.
Phyllis A nosy next-door neighbor in her 30s or 40s. She is an African-American who has spent much of her life trying to be white; a right-wing Christian, anti-smoking zealot, joyous in her addiction to the Lord.	female	30s	A nosy next-door neighbor in her 30s or 40s. She is an African-American who has spent much of her life trying to be white; a right-wing Christian, anti-smoking zealot, joyous in her addiction to the Lord.
Pam Middle-aged, teaches English Comp at a small university while trying to take care of her family and quit smoking – neither of which is possible. She’s smart and sensitive which only exacerbates her awareness that her life is coming apart at the seams.	female	—	Middle-aged, teaches English Comp at a small university while trying to take care of her family and quit smoking – neither of which is possible. She’s smart and sensitive which only exacerbates her awareness that her life is coming apart at the seams.