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.

Preview Script Add Script(s) To Cart Apply For Rights Add To Wish List

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.

Media Gallery

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
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
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

Similar Plays / Customers Also Purchased

Act A Lady

by Jordan Harrison

The Museum Play

by Jordan Harrison

Finn in the Underworld

by Jordan Harrison

Too Much Light Makes The Baby Go Blind (30 plays in 60 minutes)

by Greg Allen

The Trojan Women

adapted by Ellen McLaughlin

Community Garden

by Justin Borak

If All the Sky Were Paper

by Andrew Carroll

I Heard You Were Dead

by Don Zolidis

Biz Town (full-length)

by Rachel Bublitz

A Rock Sails By

by Sean Grennan

The Grown-Up

by Jordan Harrison

Maple and Vine

by Jordan Harrison

Exit, Pursued by a Bear

by Lauren Gunderson

They Promised Her the Moon

by Laurel Ollstein

Seven Minutes in Heaven

by Steven Levenson

Mircalla

by Mora V. Harris