THIS PLAY HAS STRONG SEXUAL CONNOTATIONS IN ACTION AND LANGUAGE. ACTORS CONSIDERING THESE ROLES SHOULD BE UNINHIBITED. HOWEVER, NO NUDITY SHALL BE REQUIRED
SYNOPSIS
In the devoutly religious, relatively quiet small town of Cypress, Texas, Margery is a widow whose husband has recently died. To keep her occupied, her minister, Pastor Greg, has asked her to run the puppet club. Fundamentalist Christian congregations often use puppets to teach children how to follow the Bible and avoid Satan. The teenage members of the club are her son Jason, Jessica, the girl next door that Jason has a crush on, and Timmy, the neighborhood troublemaker whose mother is attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings at the church. Pastor Greg wants the puppet club to put on a performance at the church next Sunday. The characters become sexually attracted to each other. Jason’s hand puppet, Tyrone, takes on a life of his own, announces that he is Satan, leads them into sin, and expresses secrets that the characters would rather have left unacknowledged.
Female, late 30s-40s, mother of Jason. Margery is a religious woman experiencing the grief of losing her husband recently; she has turned to teaching a puppetry class to the youth of her church.
Male, adult, roughly the same age as Margery within a couple of years. Pastor in charge of the church Margery and Jason belong to. Pastor Greg is an enthusiastic pastor who happens to have his eye on Margery.
Male, “teenager,” rebel without a cause type. Timmy is even more troubled than Jason. He is a bully to Jason and Jessica and, overall, not pleasant to be around.
Female, “teenager,” who attends Margery's class. The only rational person in the whole show. She shows compassion and grace to Jason even when he acts out.