In the Time of Summer:
A single-act play adapted from the song “Summertime” by DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince.

DRAMATIS PERSONAE

Will, a charismatic young man with aspirations of royalty
Jeff, his loyal friend, confidant, and would-be lover

Act I

Scene I. The young men sit on a curb outside Will’s home. The sky is devoid of clouds, exposing a bright sun, centered over a blue sky.

Will: School is out and there is sort of a buzz.
Jeff: What is it? What is the buzz?
Will: Well, back then I did not really know what is was. But, now I am starting to see what it is. Jeff, do you really not know what it is?
Jeff: No, I do not. Please tell.
Will: It’s summer madness. Will stands and continues his speech to Jeff. The weather is hot and girls are dressing less and checking out the fellers to tell them who is best.
Jeff: Girls? I do not see any girls. It is just us here, Will.
Will: I know. But later we can ride around in your jeep or my benzo or in your Nissan and we can sit at Lorenzos.
Jeff: That sounds great. Let’s go.
Will: Or we could go to the Plateau, that is where everybody goes. Guys are out hunting and girls doing likewise. We could honk our horns at the honey with the light eyes.
Jeff: She will probably turn around to see what we are beeping at.
Will: I am telling you, Jeff – it is like the summer is a natural aphrodisiac.
Jeff: I am going to go change and then we will get going. Farewell, Will.
Will: Farewell, my dear friend.

Exeunt

Scene II. Will is alone, sitting in his room. The room is that of a typical teenager. A life-size poster of Mr. T. hangs on the far wall. A stack of CD’s cover his desk. On top is a copy of Ray Stevens: A Retrospective. As the curtain unfurls, Will stands and begins a soliloquy.

Will: It is late in the day and I have not been on the court yet. I also have to hustle to the mall to get a new short set. Yes, I am wearing sneakers, but I need a new pair. That is because basketball courts in the summer have girls there. Later, six o’clock will roll around. I will have just finished wiping my car down. It will be time to cruise to the summer time hangout. I can see it now… Will looks upward, but at nothing. He is deep in thought. It looks like a new car show. Everybody will be fronting and maxing and chilling in the car they spent all day waxing. I will lean through the side and not speed through, two miles an hour so everybody see you. There will be an air of love and of happiness. That is my new definition of summer madness. Will falls to his knees and begins to weep. Summer, summer, summertime!

CURTAIN

- Steve Smith