Produced by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc.

"We're going to watch this apple core turn brown!"
Merriam Webster's Collegiate Dictionary describes the term "nerd" as "an unstylish, unattractive or socially inept person; especially one slavishly devoted to intellectual or academic pursuits." In other words, exactly the sort of person who would look up "nerd" in Merriam Webster's Collegiate Dictionary.

Whatever Noah Webster or Whatsisname Merriam have to say about it, we all have a pretty good idea of what a nerd is. A nerd is an outsider by reason of his or her inappropriate behavior. A nerd is not usually aggressive, but rather oblivious to social conventions and rules of decorum. One can become a nerd by trying too hard to fit in with the "in" crowd, or by not trying to fit in at all.

Like it or not, we have all been nerds, but we're in good company. Albert Einstein, Galileo, Eleanor Roosevelt, Stephen Hawking, Bill Gates, Amelia Earhart, Aristotle and Buddy Holly have all gone against the grain of the status quo, and have been ridiculed for it. It is nerds that move the world forward. They are the grains of sand that create the pearls of the world, and the geek shall inherit the earth.

But, let's face it, there is another kind of nerd in this world. Some nerds are unencumbered by intellect, talent or sensitivity. It is this kind of nerd that Larry Shue brings to life in his play: a hopeless oaf, a fashion disaster, a constant irritant with no apparent redeeming qualities. Nevertheless, it's possible that even this sort of nerd might create change for the good by making the status quo uncomfortable enough to move us to something better. Complacency may be our greatest enemy, because its seductive comfort does not challenge us to fight against it, to strive ahead.

Go ahead, laugh. Some people are deserving of our ridicule, and you should feel no reservations about heaping deserved derision on the nerd. But as you leave the theatre tonight, ask yourself who was the real object of your laughter. Enjoy the show.

-Sean Dillon