1996 Miracle Yearbook

THE NERD by: Larry Shue When Willum learnsthat Rick Steadman, the man who saved his life during the Vietnam War, plans to visit, he is elated...until Rick tactlessly ruins his career and his sanity. He possesses no heroic qualities, but instead turns outto be an exasperating nerd. By humiliating and tormenting Willum's boss and fam- ily, then -editing" the hotel blueprint, Rick ends his friend's job. No longer torn between loyalties, Willum finally succeedsin kicking Rickoutof his home. The unexpected twistcomes when Alex, Willum's good friend, has the house to himselfand invites a colleague. In walks the nerd - dressed normally and speak- ing intelligibly. Alex and he had con- spired to ruin the job that Willum dis- liked anyway,so that he would move to Virginia for another job offer. They trumped this new job up as well. Thus he could live close to Tansy, who was moving to Washington, D. C. In an unforgettable way, Alex weaves sarcasm throughout the play. causing continual laughter from the audience. In response to a challenge by Tansy. he plans the greatest -random act of kind- ness"she could have desired. His inge- nious creation of the -strange tradi- tion," intended to expel Rick. brings out the ludicrous side of Willum's personal- ity. The play is a humorous reminder that unexpected twist of fate can drasti- cally alter the course of life. Keturah Stork