By Zeus! Olympus’ Got Talent

One-Act
Cast: 3 M, 9 F, 5 flexible (Doubling possible.)
Performance Time: Approximately 45-60 minutes, 45 pgs.

SPOOF. Good evening, satyrs and dryads, nymphs and centaurs. Live from Mount Olympus, home of the gods, welcome to the reality TV show, “Olympus’ Got Talent.” There’s more talent here than a Hydra can have heads…and that’s a lot! Gods and demigods alike will demonstrate their diverse and amazing talents for your viewing pleasure. Zeus will break dance, Circe will attempt to turn audience members into animals, Aphrodite will “sing,” and Athena will recite the entire periodic table. Tune in next week for semifinals!

Available through Big Dog Plays.

Read a free preview here.

By Zeus! Olympus’ Next Top Hero

One-Act
Cast:  11-22 females, 3-4 males, 0-5 either (14-31 total cast)
Flexibility: 0-10 extras, doubling possible, gender flexible
Running Time: Approximately 45-60 minutes, 45 pgs.

COMEDY.  Various ancient Greek heroes and heroines compete on the reality show Olympus’ Next Top Hero. Hosted by sun god Apollo, stage managed by goddess of wisdom Athena, and judged by huntress Artemis, lord of the dead Hades, and queen of the gods Hera, mortals and immortals alike compete to be Olympus’ Next Top Hero! The judges don’t really believe that Perseus has the head of Medusa in his sack and he can’t vindicate himself without turning the entire audience to stone. The Furies scare away hero Theseus. Hercules has little time to discuss his Heroic deeds as he is chased by his adoring fans. The Muses think that they should win, because what could be more heroic than inspiring the arts? In the end, it seems that perhaps the stage manager, goddess of wisdom, Athena, might be the unsung hero behind every great Greek hero.

Available with Brooklyn Publishers!

Read free preview here.

Dancing with the Olympians

One Act Play
Running Time: 30 minutes
Speaking Cast: 6-16 females, 3-8 males, 6 either, 15-30 total cast
Flexibility: doubling possible, gender flexible

COMEDY.  Hold on for a hilarious spoof on the popular television show, Dancing with the Stars. Instead of Hollywood’s elite competing, on Dancing with the Olympians, Greek gods and goddesses boogie and swirl their way to the top. Hosted by Hermes, messenger of the gods and trickster, the show’s judges are the nerdy and prudish Athena, goddess of wisdom, accompanied by her close companion, the cheer-leading goddess of victory, Nike, surfer dude Poseidon, god of the ocean, and motherly Hestia, goddess of the hearth and home. Although a dancing competition, relatively little dancing happens. Zeus and Hera, king and queen of the Olympians, don’t see the need to dance. Aphrodite refuses to dance with a partner, and the evil enchantress, Circe, turned her partner into a pig. Terpsichore, the muse of dance, can’t actually dance, and the Furies just showed up to torment the losers. Dancing with the Olympians is a zany comedy full of fun, over-the-top characters and provides an excellent way to educate students about Greek mythology.

Available through Brooklyn Publishers.

Read a free preview here.

Olympic Idol: A One-Act Parody of “America Idol”

Cast: 13F, 9M, 6 M OR F (13 Players with doubling)
Time: About 35 minutes

Characters from Greek mythology come to life in this TV talent show parody. It’s hosted by Poseidon, the surfer dude Sea God, and Hades, the stage manager. All the Greek gods and goddesses compete to see who’s the ultimate hero based on audience text message voting. Judges include rock star Apollo and goddesses Artemis and Hestia. Zeus and his illegitimate son Perseus keep Medusa’s head covered to save the audience from turning to stone, but they run off when Zeus’  wife Hera shows up. Nike runs in with a victory cheer, but sad messenger Hermes is obsolete due to text messaging. Appearances are made by Athena, Medea, Odysseus, Aphrodite, Atalanta, Ares, Calliope, Clio, Circe, and other gods, muses, and heroes. All explain who they are and why they should win. But the texts say that humble Hestia’s homemade cookies rock, so she’s the ultimate hero. A fun way to introduce students to the characters of Greek mythology. Easy to stage.

Available through Pioneer Drama.