DANIEL JOHN KELLEY

Synopsis

In the year 3088, the Lord of Tears, Zorlan Morlan, has conquered the earth with his monster armies, and rules over all humanity. Only a rag-tag band of rebels resists his evil power. In order to crush the rebels forever, Zorlan plots to destroy the very spirit of humanity itself: He’ll send his monster armies into works of human literature, destroy them, and remake them in his image.

The only hope for humanity lies in Benjy Bleeglehorn- a 12 year old girl from a time long ago- and her sidekick, the dashing rebel hero Bravo Kirkwood. Only they can save humanity- and books- from destruction.

Episode 1: "Twas the Night Before...MONSTERS!"

The evil monster sorcerer, Zorlan Morlan, hates the spirit of the holidays and wants to destroy it- forever! To do this, Zorlan sends his monster armies into the poem “Twas the Night Before Christmas”, with one order: Turn the holiday spirit of kindness, giving and love into one of meanness, taking and hate! Only Benjy Bleeglehorn- a 12 year old girl- and her sidekick, the dashing Bravo Kirkwood, have the power to enter the poem and save the spirit of the holidays. If not, humanity- and books- are doomed!

Episode 2: Robin Hood: Prince of...MONSTERS

There’s something funny happening in Sherwood Forest. The evil Zorlan Morlan has used his magic to turn Robin Hood into a big old scaredy cat, and transform his band of Merry Men into a band of Merry…MONSTERS! It’s up to 12-year- old Benjy Bleeglehorn, and her dashing sidekick Bravo, to enter the story and turn Robin Hood back into his old self again- by teaching him what it means to be a hero.

Episode 3: The Secret Garden...OF MONSTERS!

When bratty orphan Mary Lennox is sent to live with her uncle at Misselthwaite Manor, she has no idea what MONSTROUS adventures lie in store for her! The Evil Sorcerer Zorlan Morlan is up to his old tricks again- this time entering Frances Hodgson Burnett’s classic novel “The Secret Garden” and turning its heroine- Mary Lennox- into A MONSTER! Only 12-year-old Benjy Bleeglehorn, and her dashing sidekick Bravo, have the power to turn Monster Mary Lennox back into a little girl- by helping her make The Secret Garden come to life!

Episode 4: The Emperor's New...MONSTERS!

When the evil wizard Zorlan Morlan steals Hans Christian Anderson’s classic story “The Emperor’s New Clothes”, it’s up to Benjy Bleeglehorn and her dashing sidekick Bravo Kirkwood to save the day! But can Benjy do it alone? This time, Zorlan has trapped Bravo inside the story by appealing to his one weakness: his desire to be awesome. Now Bravo is the Emperor, surrounded by new monster “friends” who promise to make him an awesome coat that only awesome people can see. It’s up to Benjy to show Bravo that there is no coat, that the monsters aren’t his friends, and that’s okay to be who you are, no matter what anyone says!

Performance History

The first episode of Monster Literature, "Twas the Night Before...MONSTERS!", was performed in December 2009 at the Brooklyn Lyceum, directed by Hillary Krishnan and Dara Malina, and produced by the Mainspring Collective.

The second episode of Monster Literature, "Robin Hood: Prince of...MONSTERS!" was performed in February 2010 at the Brooklyn Lyceum, directed by Dara Malina, and produced by the Mainspring Collective.

The third episode of Monster Literature, "The Secret Garden...OF MONSTERS!" was performed in April 2010 at the Brooklyn Lyceum, directed by Dara Malina, and produced by the Mainspring Collective.

The fourth episode of Monster Literature, "The Emperor's New...MONSTERS!" was performed in June 2010 at the Brooklyn Lyceum, directed by Dara Malina, and produced by the Mainspring Collective.

Press

"Hilarious and Action Packed!"

"Playwright Kelley has crafted a show that will educate as well as entertain."

-nytheatre.com

"Mainspring Collective clearly understands the idea that less is more — a concept many children’s productions have yet to master."

- Show Business Weekly