Kid-Simple: a radio play in the flesh

Kid-Simple: a radio play in the flesh by Jordan Harrison

(0)
Productions (65)
Comedy
|
90 - 100 minutes
3 W, 3 M, 1 Any (6-11 actors possible: 3-5 W, 3-6 M)
Content Notes: Adult language and content
Set: One large table with Foley props. Free-standing microphones.

Moll, a girl who invents things, wins the science fair with a machine for hearing sounds that can't be heard. But when a shapeshifting Mercenary steals the invention (and her heart), she must embark on a quest to save noise as we know it. Accompanied by the last boy-virgin in the eleventh grade, Moll crosses chasms and rafts rivers into a world where sound is always more than what meets the ear. A quirky fable of innocence and experience, featuring live sound effects, mutinous onomatopoeia, and a host of woodsy temptations.

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Pricing Information

Min. Performance Fee* $85
Standard Edition $13.99
Stage Manager Edition $24.99
Archival Video License $150

*The per performance fee begins at $85. Your per performance fee will be provided during the ordering process.


Playscripts is pleased to offer an Archival Video License for an additional $150 for full-length plays and $75 for one-act plays.

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Play Details

Moll, a girl who invents things, wins the science fair with a machine for hearing sounds that can't be heard. But when a shapeshifting Mercenary steals the invention (and her heart), she must embark on a quest to save noise as we know it. Accompanied by the last boy-virgin in the eleventh grade, Moll crosses chasms and rafts rivers into a world where sound is always more than what meets the ear. A quirky fable of innocence and experience, featuring live sound effects, mutinous onomatopoeia, and a host of woodsy temptations.

  • Comedy
  • |
  • 90 - 100 minutes
  • 3 W, 3 M, 1 Any (6-11 actors possible: 3-5 W, 3-6 M)
  • Content Notes: Adult language and content
  • Set: One large table with Foley props. Free-standing microphones.
  • Standard Edition ISBN: 978-1-62384-074-7

Published Reviews

"Stuffed with whizbang sight and sonic gags, sci-fi tropes, fanciful language and self-referential pokes at its own loopiness, Kid-Simple is the work of a fertile, rambunctious imagination...Harrison is an exhilarating wordsmith."

Misha Berson, Seattle Times

"Jordan Harrison subtitled his Kid-Simple 'a radio play in the flesh,' and, like the best radio dramas, it seizes and shapes the imaginations that are open to its brilliant virtues... Kid-Simple is a stunning collision of Firesign Theatre, John Cage, The Stinky Cheese Man and Sondheim's Into the Woods, a tribute to both the bangs and the whimpers with which the world ends."

Jay Weitz, Columbus Alive

"High double-crossing adventure, comic-book fantasy, and kaleidoscopic imagery...they're all found in Brown-grad Jordan Harrison's dizzying theatrical romp, now enjoying a must-see run at Perishable Theatre... Clearly, he is a playwright worth watching."

Channing Gray, The Providence Journal

"Jordan Harrison delivered the most inventive and satisfying piece [in the 2004 Humana Festival]...a thrilling abandonment of old-school literalism."

John Moore, The Denver Post

"In this story about Moll, a teenage girl who invents a device called the Third Ear, Harrison and [director Darron] West dare to make sound visible and visual elements auditory. It's a play that interlaces science and fantasy while delivering a cacophony of sounds until a world of discordant noise culminates in glorious silence."

Judith Egerton, Louisville Courier-Journal

"Jordan Harrison has written a rangy, complex and intellectually titillating play infused with the sheer joy of creation."

Dominic Papatola, The St. Paul Pioneer Press

Production History

OCT 18, 2024 - OCT 26, 2024
Towson University Department of Theatre Arts
Towson, MD United States
 Towson University Department of Theatre Arts Towson, MD United States
OCT 09, 2024 - OCT 13, 2024
Texas Woman's University
DENTON, TX United States
 Texas Woman's University DENTON, TX United States
NOV 19, 2022 - NOV 20, 2022
Grindstone Theatre
Edmonton, AB Canada
 Grindstone Theatre Edmonton, AB Canada
MAY 10, 2021 - MAY 10, 2021
Bridgewater College
Bridgewater, VA United States
 Bridgewater College Bridgewater, VA United States
APR 15, 2021 - APR 17, 2021
Texas Lutheran University
Seguin, TX United States
 Texas Lutheran University Seguin, TX United States
DEC 04, 2020 - DEC 05, 2020
Columbia Basin College
Pasco, WA United States
 Columbia Basin College Pasco, WA United States
OCT 23, 2020 - OCT 25, 2020
University Of Houston
Houston, TX United States
 University Of Houston Houston, TX United States
FEB 20, 2020 - FEB 24, 2020
Loyola University Maryland
Baltimore, MD United States
 Loyola University Maryland Baltimore, MD United States
DEC 13, 2019 - DEC 13, 2019
Mitchell High School
Denver, CO United States
 Mitchell High School Denver, CO United States
NOV 07, 2019 - NOV 09, 2019
Mitchell High School
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO United States
 Mitchell High School COLORADO SPRINGS, CO United States
APR 11, 2019 - APR 14, 2019
Miami University Hamilton Theatre
Hamilton, OH United States
 Miami University Hamilton Theatre Hamilton, OH United States
NOV 02, 2017 - NOV 12, 2017
University Of Denver
Denver, CO United States
 University Of Denver Denver, CO United States
SEP 29, 2017 - OCT 08, 2017
Vanderbilt University Theatre
Nashville, TN United States
 Vanderbilt University Theatre Nashville, TN United States
JUL 18, 2017 - JUL 19, 2017
ArtMEAT
Austin, TX United States
 ArtMEAT Austin, TX United States
JUL 17, 2017 - JUL 17, 2017
William Alexander Middle School 51 Drama Program
Brooklyn, NY United States
 William Alexander Middle School 51 Drama Program Brooklyn, NY United States
APR 29, 2016 - MAY 22, 2016
Swandive Theatre
Minneapolis, MN United States
 Swandive Theatre Minneapolis, MN United States
APR 21, 2016 - APR 24, 2016
Cedar Crest College
Allentown, PA United States
 Cedar Crest College Allentown, PA United States
MAY 15, 2015 - MAY 17, 2015
Savannah College Of Art And Design
Savannah, GA United States
 Savannah College Of Art And Design Savannah, GA United States
NOV 21, 2013 - NOV 24, 2013
University of Maryland Baltimore County, Department of Theatre
Baltimore, MD United States
 University of Maryland Baltimore County, Department of Theatre Baltimore, MD United States
NOV 15, 2013 - NOV 24, 2013
UC Berkeley
Berkeley, CA United States
 UC Berkeley Berkeley, CA United States
OCT 17, 2013 - OCT 20, 2013
Theatre Arts & Performance Studies
San Diego, CA United States
 Theatre Arts & Performance Studies San Diego, CA United States
AUG 01, 2013 - AUG 01, 2013
Buckingham Browne & Nichols School
Cambridge, MN United States
 Buckingham Browne & Nichols School Cambridge, MN United States
FEB 21, 2013 - MAR 02, 2013
Beloit College Theatre Dept
Beloit, WI United States
 Beloit College Theatre Dept Beloit, WI United States
OCT 05, 2012 - OCT 27, 2012
Convergence-Continuum
Cleveland, OH United States
 Convergence-Continuum Cleveland, OH United States
JUL 13, 2011 - JUL 14, 2011
Walnut Hill School
Natick, MA United States
 Walnut Hill School Natick, MA United States
MAY 13, 2011 - MAY 16, 2011
Todd Wehr Auditorium
Milwaukee, WI United States
 Todd Wehr Auditorium Milwaukee, WI United States
FEB 18, 2011 - MAR 26, 2011
CoHo Theater
Portland, OR United States
 CoHo Theater Portland, OR United States
DEC 03, 2010 - DEC 12, 2010
Oakton Community College
Des Plaines, IL United States
 Oakton Community College Des Plaines, IL United States
NOV 10, 2010 - NOV 14, 2010
Freimann Stage, Harper Joy Theatre
Walla Walla, WA United States
 Freimann Stage, Harper Joy Theatre Walla Walla, WA United States
MAY 13, 2010 - MAY 15, 2010
Jones Residential College-Northwestern University
Evanston, IL United States
 Jones Residential College-Northwestern University Evanston, IL United States
MAR 18, 2010 - MAR 22, 2010
The Community College Of Baltimore County
Baltimore, MD United States
 The Community College Of Baltimore County Baltimore, MD United States
NOV 13, 2009 - NOV 14, 2009
Piedmont High School
Piedmont, CA United States
 Piedmont High School Piedmont, CA United States
OCT 30, 2009 - NOV 15, 2009
Holland Productions
Boston, MA United States
 Holland Productions Boston, MA United States
OCT 08, 2009 - OCT 10, 2009
Southwestern Oklahoma State University
Weatherford, OK United States
 Southwestern Oklahoma State University Weatherford, OK United States
MAY 04, 2009 - MAY 05, 2009
Boise Contemporary Theater
Boise, ID United States
 Boise Contemporary Theater Boise, ID United States
MAR 05, 2009 - MAR 07, 2009
Sarah Lawrence College
Bronxville, NY United States
 Sarah Lawrence College Bronxville, NY United States
MAR 05, 2009 - MAR 14, 2009
The University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA United States
 The University Of Iowa Iowa City, IA United States
FEB 26, 2009 - MAR 01, 2009
USC Dept. Of Theater And Dance
Columbia, SC United States
 USC Dept. Of Theater And Dance Columbia, SC United States
FEB 06, 2009 - FEB 28, 2009
Macha Monkey
Seattle, WA United States
 Macha Monkey Seattle, WA United States
OCT 09, 2008 - OCT 11, 2008
Yale University Dramatic Association
New Haven, CT United States
 Yale University Dramatic Association New Haven, CT United States
AUG 31, 2008 - SEP 13, 2008
Azuka Theatre
Philadelphia, PA United States
 Azuka Theatre Philadelphia, PA United States
APR 18, 2008 - APR 26, 2008
Saint Louis University Theatre
Saint Louis, MO United States
 Saint Louis University Theatre Saint Louis, MO United States
FEB 26, 2008 - FEB 26, 2008
Webb City High School
Webb City, MO United States
 Webb City High School Webb City, MO United States
OCT 17, 2007 - OCT 20, 2007
South Eugene High School
Eugene, OR United States
 South Eugene High School Eugene, OR United States
APR 20, 2007 - APR 24, 2007
Department Of Dramatic Art
Chapel Hill, NC United States
 Department Of Dramatic Art Chapel Hill, NC United States
APR 06, 2007 - APR 06, 2007
The American School Of The Hague
Wassneaar, Netherlands
 The American School Of The Hague Wassneaar, Netherlands
MAR 15, 2007 - MAR 17, 2007
Denver School Of The Arts
Denver, CO United States
 Denver School Of The Arts Denver, CO United States
MAR 03, 2007 - APR 01, 2007
Boston Latin School
Boston, MA United States
 Boston Latin School Boston, MA United States
MAR 02, 2007 - MAR 25, 2007
Forum Theatre & Dance
Washington, DC United States
 Forum Theatre & Dance Washington, DC United States
NOV 10, 2006 - NOV 11, 2006
Kenyon College
Gambier, OH United States
 Kenyon College Gambier, OH United States
SEP 02, 2006 - SEP 16, 2006
Emigrant Theater
Minneapolis, MN United States
 Emigrant Theater Minneapolis, MN United States
AUG 03, 2006 - AUG 26, 2006
Open Plan Productions
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
 Open Plan Productions Edinburgh, United Kingdom
JUN 01, 2006 - JUN 25, 2006
Mad Cow Theatre
Orlando, FL United States
 Mad Cow Theatre Orlando, FL United States
MAR 10, 2006 - MAR 18, 2006
Lincoln Community Playhouse
Lincoln, NE United States
 Lincoln Community Playhouse Lincoln, NE United States
NOV 03, 2005 - NOV 05, 2005
Cheyenne Mountain High School Black Box Theatre
Colorado Springs, CO United States
 Cheyenne Mountain High School Black Box Theatre Colorado Springs, CO United States
OCT 14, 2005 - NOV 20, 2005
Meadows Basement
Los Angeles, CA United States
 Meadows Basement Los Angeles, CA United States
APR 08, 2005 - APR 09, 2005
Clemson University Brooks Center For The Performing Arts
Clemson, SC United States
 Clemson University Brooks Center For The Performing Arts Clemson, SC United States
JAN 12, 2005 - JAN 29, 2005
PCPA Theaterfest
Santa Maria, CA United States
 PCPA Theaterfest Santa Maria, CA United States
DEC 03, 2004 - DEC 12, 2004
University Of Washington School Of Drama
Seattle, WA United States
 University Of Washington School Of Drama Seattle, WA United States
FEB 16, 2005 - MAR 10, 2005
American Theater Company
Chicago, IL United States
 American Theater Company Chicago, IL United States
JUL 13, 2004 - JUL 18, 2004
Summer Play Festival (SPF)
New York, NY United States
 Summer Play Festival (SPF) New York, NY United States
JUN 01, 2004 - JUL 31, 2004
Sledgehammer Theatre
San Diego, CA United States
 Sledgehammer Theatre San Diego, CA United States
MAY 01, 2004 - MAY 31, 2004
Perishable Theatre
Providence, RI United States
 Perishable Theatre Providence, RI United States
MAR 01, 2004 - APR 30, 2004
Actors Theatre of Louisville
Louisville, KY United States
 Actors Theatre of Louisville Louisville, KY United States
MAR 01, 2002 - MAR 31, 2002
Brown New Plays Festival (workshop production)
Providence, RI United States
 Brown New Plays Festival (workshop production) Providence, RI United States
No upcoming productions.
APR 29, 2016 - MAY 22, 2016
Swandive Theatre
Minneapolis, MN United States
 Swandive Theatre Minneapolis, MN United States
OCT 05, 2012 - OCT 27, 2012
Convergence-Continuum
Cleveland, OH United States
 Convergence-Continuum Cleveland, OH United States
FEB 18, 2011 - MAR 26, 2011
CoHo Theater
Portland, OR United States
 CoHo Theater Portland, OR United States
MAY 04, 2009 - MAY 05, 2009
Boise Contemporary Theater
Boise, ID United States
 Boise Contemporary Theater Boise, ID United States
AUG 31, 2008 - SEP 13, 2008
Azuka Theatre
Philadelphia, PA United States
 Azuka Theatre Philadelphia, PA United States
MAR 02, 2007 - MAR 25, 2007
Forum Theatre & Dance
Washington, DC United States
 Forum Theatre & Dance Washington, DC United States
SEP 02, 2006 - SEP 16, 2006
Emigrant Theater
Minneapolis, MN United States
 Emigrant Theater Minneapolis, MN United States
JUN 01, 2006 - JUN 25, 2006
Mad Cow Theatre
Orlando, FL United States
 Mad Cow Theatre Orlando, FL United States
JAN 12, 2005 - JAN 29, 2005
PCPA Theaterfest
Santa Maria, CA United States
 PCPA Theaterfest Santa Maria, CA United States
FEB 16, 2005 - MAR 10, 2005
American Theater Company
Chicago, IL United States
 American Theater Company Chicago, IL United States
JUL 13, 2004 - JUL 18, 2004
Summer Play Festival (SPF)
New York, NY United States
 Summer Play Festival (SPF) New York, NY United States
JUN 01, 2004 - JUL 31, 2004
Sledgehammer Theatre
San Diego, CA United States
 Sledgehammer Theatre San Diego, CA United States
MAY 01, 2004 - MAY 31, 2004
Perishable Theatre
Providence, RI United States
 Perishable Theatre Providence, RI United States
MAR 01, 2004 - APR 30, 2004
Actors Theatre of Louisville
Louisville, KY United States
 Actors Theatre of Louisville Louisville, KY United States

Awards (3)

Weston Prize

Jerome Fellowship

Princess Grace Award finalist

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