Frequently Asked Questions
Piratesof
theChemotherapy
A Dramatic Comedy by Paul Schutte © 2009
P.O. Box 576, Williamsburg, VA 23187 paulschutte@mac.com
http://www.piratesofthechemotherapy.com
Version 11
How big is the cast? 6 females Ages 25 to 65
How long is the play? About 1 hour and 45 minutes not counting intermission
Does it require a set? No. The play works well on a bare stage or black box. What few changes for rooms can be achieved using lighting. Of course, a set can be built.
What props are required? A coffee/card table with two coffee urns, chocolates and pastries. Six chairs. One wheelchair. 6 costume pirate hooks. 6 costume pirate eye patches. 6 costume pirate swords. A pirate flag. A bicycle horn. The prologue requires a sheet, doctor smocks and masks and a large fake apple, a large fake battery, and a large fake breast (best if very cartoonish).
What about costumes? The play has 7 scenes which each take place at different times. In theory, each character would change outfits every scene. However we have found that some clever costuming works with just a few items being changed between scenes. Scarves and bandanas are a must. Peace will require an elaborate pirate costume for Act 2 Scene 1. Others can have things like pirate hats. It’s really up to the director.
Should this be a special show or in our line-up? Your season line-up. The best advertising for this show is word of mouth. People see it and tell others and the audience increases. If you have a set number of guests and season subscribers that will come fill the seats early on, you will have good crowds later. If you have just a one or two night showing, your results may vary.
Is the play a downer or a ‘message’ play? No. See John Porter’s review at http://www.piratesofthechemotherapy.com/john-porter-wcve-public-radio-review/ for an objective opinion. Pirates is a play about dealing with the hardships of life and overcoming them with humor and love. The subject matter of breast cancer is simply ‘the hook’. That said, there is information about breast health in the play and many women have left the play saying that they were going to schedule their mammogram. So not only is it entertaining and uplifting – it can save lives.
We only do well-known plays in our season line up. Why take the risk on this little known play? Most well-known plays started out in obscurity. Read the play and decide for yourself whether this play will become well-known. Audiences love it and actresses love it.
Why do you say it’s cheap? Because it is. I only ask for royalties of $40 per show. I give you a PDF of the script that you can reproduce for your cast and crew so there are no scripts to buy. There are no sets to be built and the props and costumes are relatively cheap. In addition, if you donate a portion (up to you) of your proceeds to a breast health/cancer charity (preferably local to your theater), the royalty costs go down to $10 a show! Also, if your theatre has sponsors for your shows, I feel that it will be easy to get a sponsor from the medical community (e.g., cancer centers, women’s centers, OB/GYNs) because the play does raise awareness of the topic. At the performance in Richmond, VA, we had a Cancer Surgeon see the play and after seeing it he bought advertising for the play – on his own.
Where has the play been performed? There have been about 25 performances in Williamsburg, Hampton, Smithfield, and Richmond Virginia, and in Bethesda Maryland and Bowling Green Kentucky. See the web site for a full list.
Why are you marketing community theaters? I want to see the play performed. I don’t need to get rich or become famous. I am talking with folks in NYC about performing the play and that may get me noticed by publishers. But I like this direct approach into communities better.
If you aren’t trying to get rich, why are you charging at all? Two reasons. First, I have already put a lot of time and money into this play. I would like to get something out of it. The second reason is simple psychology, people think that they are getting what they pay for. If you don’t charge something, they tend to think it’s worthless.
Does the play offend cancer sufferers or their care-givers? No. The feedback that we have received from women who have had breast cancer is that we got it right on the money. We have received enthusiastic support from the Breast Health Support Group, Beyond Boobs! here in Williamsburg. No audience member has ever expressed disapproval.
Is the show for everyone? I would give it a PG-13 rating. There is nothing in the show that isn’t on prime time TV, but Doris can get a little risqué at times! J
How did you come up with the idea? I saw a woman who was undergoing chemotherapy wearing a scarf over her baldhead along with hoop earrings. I thought of a pirate and that led to the idea of a support group called The Pirates of Chemo. It stuck in my head. After researching the topic, I realized what an apt metaphor pirates were for breast cancer survivors. They have lost parts of them like pirates and they fight fierce battles.