Script & Lyrics by Doug Cooney
Music by Deborah Wicks La Puma
Based on the book by Marlee Matlin & Doug Cooney
Synopsis
Fourth grade is not easy and after spending a year planning her “positively purple” birthday party, Megan finds herself at odds with new student Alexis. To Megan, Alexis has it all: beauty, brains, and athletic – she’s practically perfect in every way. Though Megan tries to be nice to her, Alexis is anything but friendly, making Megan wonder, “Does she not like me because I’m deaf?” When they’re forced to collaborate on a science project, Megan discovers Alexis’s secret.
Based on the children’s book by Academy Award® winner Marlee Matlin (Best Actress, Children of a Lesser God) and Doug Cooney, this exciting new musical – performed simultaneously in spoken English and American Sign Language – is an important reminder that despite first impressions, nobody’s perfect.
A NEARLY PERFECT MUSICAL!
Youthful gusto and a generous heart. Outstanding production values and top-notch cast…An infectious score” – The Washington Times
History
Nobody’s Perfect was originally co-commissioned with VSA arts and the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. It premiered at the Kennedy Center in 2007 under the direction of Coy Middlebrook, with ASL Translation by Alexandria Wailes, and subsequently toured across the country. It received its youth cast premiere at the Norris Center for the Performing Arts in Palos Verdes, California in 2009 with a cast of 24 young performers, aged ten-thirteen years.
Click here to watch the Very Special Arts feature on the making of the 2007 Kennedy Center premiere.
Click here to watch a video feature of the 2009 Youth Cast premiere.
PRE-ADOLESCENT ANGST, WITH HARMONY…
Nobody’s Perfect delights with comic numbers and an excellent young cast. The songs are not only catchy but also infectiously performed. Bright ‘n’ lively!” – The Washington Post
Musical Numbers
Buy the original cast album from Bandcamp.
Featuring Tami Lee Santimyer (Megan), Florrie Bagel (Bethany), Rachel Brennan (Cindy), Jennifer Irons (Alexis), Omoro Omioghe (Keisha) and Kip Pierson (Matt).
2009 Parents’ Choice Award Winner
2009 iParenting Best Children’s Audio Award
Production Elements
Cast: 5 women (one being deaf or hard-of hearing), 1 man, with optional chorus
Female:
MEGAN – 9, a rambunctious, irrepressible deaf girl
CINDY – 10, her best friend who speaks sign. (Soprano)
KEISHA – 9-10, her 2nd best friend, very bright. (Alto)
BETHANY – 9-10, Megan’s 3rd best friend, just behind the curve. (Mezzo)
ALEXIS – 10, the new girl, practically perfect — but shy. (Soprano)
Male: (all parts can be played by the same actor – non-singing)
MATT – 12-13, Megan’s big brother who speaks sign language.
MR. MORGAN – 30’s, a classroom teacher
JUSTIN – 5, Alexis’s little brother with autism
TONY ROSENBLOOM – 9-10, Cindy’s science partner
ZIPPITY – a hamster of indeterminate age
Music: Pop Score for Piano, Bass, Drums, Trumpet, Sax/Flute and Trombone. Accompaniment tracks available.
Musical Difficulty: Moderate
Technical Requirements: Minimal
Suggested Audience: Young Audiences/Families
Authors
Purchase
Buy the original cast album from Bandcamp.
Featuring Tami Lee Santimyer (Megan), Florrie Bagel (Bethany), Rachel Brennan (Cindy), Jennifer Irons (Alexis), Omoro Omioghe (Keisha) and Kip Pierson (Matt).
2009 Parents’ Choice Award Winner
2009 iParenting Best Children’s Audio Award
