Other editions of book Zap: A Play

“High-school theater departments willing to experiment with something new might try this as an alternative to the same old reruns of Grease and Romeo and Juliet.” —Kirkus ReviewsNewbery Medalist Paul Fleischman has considered the advice of performers and producers in this refreshed and thoroughly updated edition of a high-school tour de force. When high school drama departments are not dusting off the old classics—over and over—they are constantly in search of new material. But what play could possibly suit the sound bite attention span of kids who flit from text messages to social networks throughout their day? Cue the lights for Zap, a nonstop farce that juxtaposes seven different plays—performed simultaneously—with comic genius. An extensive author’s note provides information and insight on the plays and playwrights spoofed in Zap.

“High-school theater departments willing to experiment with something new might try this as an alternative to the same old reruns of Grease and Romeo and Juliet.” —Kirkus ReviewsNewbery Medalist Paul Fleischman has considered the advice of performers and producers in this newly refreshed and thoroughly updated edition of a high-school tour de force. When high school drama departments are not dusting off the old classics—over and over—they are constantly in search of new material. But what play could possibly suit the sound bite attention span of kids who flit from text messages to social networks throughout their day? Cue the lights for Zap, a nonstop farce that juxtaposes seven different plays—performed simultaneously—with comic genius. An extensive author’s note provides information and insight on the plays and playwrights spoofed in Zap.

Aimed at a generation of short attention spans and a taste for razor-sharp comedy, the rapid-fire Zap is a smart, farcical play for high-school students that's ready to bring the house down.When they're not dusting off the old classics — over and over — high-school drama departments are constantly in search of new material. But what play could possibly suit the point-and-click attention spans of kids born with remote controls in their cribs? Cue the lights for Zap, a nonstop farce that juxtaposes seven different plays — performed simultaneously — with a comic genius reminiscent of masters from Monty Python to the Marx Brothers. Combining spot-on parodies of Anton Chekhov, Agatha Christie, Tennessee Williams, Samuel Beckett, Neil Simon and performance art and throwing in scenes from Richard III for good measure, Zap flicks rapidly back and forth from play to play, with hilarious results. As characters from one play end up on the set of another, their befuddlement, exasperation, and brave attempts at improvisation are truly priceless. A hoot to read, Zap is a dream to perform — as high schools in California, New York, and Florida have already discovered.

"Zap offers a new intriguing option for young adults tired of the usual fare performed in high school auditoriums." — PUBLISHERS WEEKLY"High-school theater departments willing to experiment with something new might try this as an alternative to the same old reruns of GREASE and ROMEO AND JULIET." — KIRKUS REVIEWS "A wildly innovative play that fuses seven different dramatic genres to get the audience thinking, and laughing." — PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE