The Nerd is a two-act comedy written by American actor/playwright

Playwright

A playwright, also called a dramatist, is a person who writes plays.The term is not a variant spelling of "playwrite", but something quite distinct: the word wright is an archaic English term for a craftsman or builder...

 Larry Shue

Larry Shue

Larry Shue was an American playwright and actor, best known for writing two often-performed farces, The Nerd and The Foreigner.-Early life:...

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Plot

Set in Terre Haute, Indiana

Indiana

Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...

 in late 1979, The Nerd presents the story of Willum Cubbert, an unassuming young architect, friends Tansy and Axel and unexpected houseguest Rick, who had saved Willum's life in Vietnam

Vietnam War

The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...

. Over the years, Willum and Rick had exchanged occasional letters and greeting cards, though they never met. Willum has promised Rick that he could come to him for help at any time. While Willum is hosting a dinner party for his boss, Rick shows up. His awkward manner and inappropriate behavior throw the occasion into shambles. Rick decides to move in. Eventually at his wit's end, Willum decides to take a chance on Axel's plan to get rid of Rick.

First presented by the Milwaukee Repertory Theater in April 1981, author Shue played the role of Willum Cubbert.

The play ran on Broadway for 441 performances (March 22, 1987 - April 10, 1988), starring Mark Hamill

Mark Hamill

Mark Richard Hamill is an American actor, voice artist, producer, director, and writer, best known for his role as Luke Skywalker in the original trilogy of Star Wars. More recently, he has received acclaim for his voice work, in such roles as the Joker in Batman: The Animated Series, Firelord...

 and directed by Charles Nelson Reilly

Charles Nelson Reilly

Charles Nelson Reilly was an American actor, comedian, director and drama teacher known for his comedic roles in theater, movies, children's television, animated cartoons, and as a panelist on the game show Match Game....

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Characters

• Willum Cubbert: Willum is an architect and a pushover. He's kind and intelligent, but "could use a little gumption." He lacks the backbone to stand up for himself.

• Tansy McGinnis: Willum's on-again, off-again girlfriend. She's been offered her dream job in Washington, D.C., and feels guilty for leaving Willum behind. Idealistic, perky, weather woman, and is just as kind as Willum.

• Axel Hammond: Willum's best friend, he lives in Willum's basement, He's a pretentious, often-inebriated drama critic, always ready with a sarcastic comment.

• Rick Steadman: The titular "nerd." He's oblivious to insult and lacks manners or sensitivity. Works as an inspector at a chalk factory in Wisconsin.

• Warnock Waldgrave: A boisterous, slightly dim businessman with no creativity and no tact.

• Clelia Waldgrave: Mr. Waldgrave's high-strung, put-upon wife. She holds back all of her emotions, and only releases her stress when she can break "something small."

• Thor Waldgrave: The Waldgraves' terror of a son. "Poster child for planned parenthood." Spends most of the play hiding in a closet or bedroom.