The Chester County Automaton(s)
The First Uniform Church of Perpetual Joy and Humility is faced with its greatest fear, the local Scientist Doctor Metternich is in the process of creating an Automaton, a mechanical man. This horrific event can only mean that the “End Times” are at hand. Meanwhile, the young son of the minister finds himself abandoning all reason and sensibility as he pursues a one-sided relationship with Mary, a severely brain damaged hospital patient incapable of communication. Complicating matters her father, the puritanical Captain Swing, has decried the whole church as sinners without the devotion to truly look into the eyes of Satan. With the power of prayer, paranoia, and a pancake breakfast, there is little doubt that this demonic scientist will soon be launched back into his dark-hold in the hoary netherworld. Of course, all of this assumes that Metternich actually is the Anti-Christ.
5M 5F
. 90 min. Comedy
PRESS:
NKU STUDENT’S PLAY IMPRESSES AT Y.E.S. FESTIVAL OF NEW PLAYS
“Cupples is at his best when he’s zeroing in on small-town religious hypocrisy. He writes so well he makes it seem like he bugged a meeting and is simply transcribing it.”
“…I liked the fact the playwright made a run at some larger issues, primarily how extremists (of any kind) can be blissfully unaware that their belief’s and behaviors are in complete opposition”
-Jackie Demaline, Cincinnati Enquirer
