DESPICABLE ME Screenwriters' BUBBLE BOY Musical to Make Regional Debut in VA

Last week, hot Hollywood writers Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio (Despicable Me, Despicable Me 2, Horton Hears a Who, the upcoming Secret Life of Pets) traveled to Manitoba, Canada to see a production of their musical BUBBLE BOY by students at Crocus Plains High School. It was the fourth production they've personally attended in the past 18 months, having already visited Danville, Pennsylvania, Port Jefferson, New York, and Agoura Hills, California.

"As soon as Dramatists Play Service licensed the show, Ken and I made a vow to attend as many performances as we possibly could. The only one we've missed so far was in Australia, so we've done a pretty good job of keeping that commitment," said Paul. "And we've had a blast interacting with the kids," added Daurio.

In addition to attending the performances, the writers typically spend some time with the cast and crew, present special school assemblies to talk about their screenwriting careers, and hold Q&A sessions after the shows.

"Having Cinco and Ken here in our hometown led to the most community building experience of my life," effused Ramey Praznik, Crocus Plains' theatre teacher and the show's director. "The only problem now is figuring out what show to do next as it can't possibly equate to the remarkable experience we had with Bubble Boy."

Based on the 2001 Jake Gyllenhaal movie (which Paul and Daurio also scripted), BUBBLE BOY has yet to make it to Broadway, or even off-Broadway. But a production at Hamilton Stage in Rahway, NJ attracted the attention of DPS, who subsequently licensed the show, which Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Pippin) called "one of the cleverest, funniest, and most endearing musicals I've seen in a long time."

The show will get its first licensed regional theater production this fall, courtesy of Wolfbane Productions in Appomattox, Virginia. Paul and Daurio plan to attend and to make a presentation at a local school.

Any schools or theaters interested in licensing the show (and perhaps getting a personal visit from the writers!) should contact Dramatists Play Service, or check out the show's website at www.bubbleboythemusical.com.

To post a comment, you must register and login.