Rover Dramawerks Donors Crusader - $10,000 and above

City of Plano ▪ Gay, McCall, Isaacks, Gordon & Roberts, P.C. ▪ Texas Commission on the Arts

Trailblazer - $5000 to $9999 The Dale Wasserman Foundation ▪ Caitlin Schraufnagel

Pioneer - $2500 to $4999 Anonymous (2) ▪ David McCall ▪ Randy & Diana Wright of The Wright Solution

Explorer - $1000 to $2499 Curran Tomko Tarski LLP ▪ Mike Hathaway ▪ HP Enterprise Services ▪ Jason & Carol Rice ▪ Steven Shaw ▪ Robert R. Smith ▪ Ken Willingham

Adventurer - $500 to $999 Anonymous (2) ▪ Tim & Jane Birkhead ▪ Bridge Builder Academy ▪ Marion Brockette ▪ John

Caldwell ▪ Kelly & Russell Clarkson ▪ Communities Foundation of Texas ▪ Einstein Bros. Bagels ▪ Margo Lynn Hablutzel ▪ Hirsch’s Specialty Meats ▪ Lennox Corp.

Guide - $200 to $499 AlphaGraphics ▪ Robin Attaway ▪ The Auto Shop ▪ bHIP Global, Inc. ▪ Bud & Bonnie Barlow ▪ BJ’s Restaurant ▪ Melody & John Bock ▪ John Caldwell ▪ Nancy Day ▪ Deep Ellum Brewing Company ▪ Frito Lay ▪ Goodsearch.com ▪ Margo Lynn Hablutzel ▪ Alice and Bill Hobbs ▪ Paul James ▪ Bill & Terrie Justus ▪ Jerry Kezheya ▪ Mike & Sherry Kidd ▪ David King ▪ Kolache Station ▪ Photography by Misty ▪ Barry Schneider & Nancy Corley ▪ Tom Thumb ▪ Stella Vea ▪ John & Lee Ida Wacker ▪ Brian Wolf ▪ Rebecca Wright

Outrider - $100 to $199 Angela’s at the Crosswalk ▪ Anonymous (2) ▪ Janet Behning ▪ Gregory Boydston ▪ Roger Carver ▪ Edward Coyle ▪ Ruth DeNamur ▪ Mary Ann Dudko ▪ Richard Fiske ▪ Susan Fortin ▪ Dan & Claudia Gray ▪ Dale Gutt ▪ Julie Holmer & David Rankin ▪ Annika Horne ▪ Lindsey Humphries ▪ Sonya Jones ▪ Mary Kennard ▪ Doug & Debi Kilmer ▪ Howard & Joyce Korn ▪ Mirna Lynch ▪ Rich Machado ▪ Anne McGravie ▪ David & Mei Meermans ▪ Ron Miller ▪ Patricia Mitchell ▪ Ashley Morris-Johnson ▪ Howard & Brenda Moyes ▪ Raising Cane’s ▪ Joanne Rice ▪ Ron Seher ▪ In Memory of Frank Shirar ▪ Peter Van Leuvan ▪ Debbie Watson ▪ Elena Westbrook ▪ Richard Wills ▪ Mr. and Mrs. Russell Wright ▪ Sandy Yeh

Scout - $50 to $99 Anonymous (4) ▪ Carol Becker ▪ John & Melody Bock ▪ Michael & Teresa Bronsky ▪ Jackie Carey ▪ Carrabba’s Italian Grill ▪ John & Twylia Church ▪ Donald Cook ▪ Julia Costello ▪ Robbin Dill ▪ Dan & Cathy Donahue ▪ Cheryl Dorrance ▪ Jack & Patricia Forbess ▪ Doug Grace ▪ Carla Graham ▪ Andrea H. ▪ Genie Hammel ▪ Darlene Humphries ▪ Stephanie Kelly ▪ Debbie & Dave Marshall ▪ The Ronald ▪ In Memory of Caryl Scales ▪ Alasdair Seth ▪ James & Heather Shin ▪ Cathy Sims ▪ A Star Sushi & Seafood Buffet ▪ Tan Lines ▪ Pete & Marilyn Van Leuvan ▪ The Wickwares ▪ Kenny Wilson

First Watch - $20 to $49 Anonymous (8) ▪ Howard Barber ▪ Janet Behning ▪ Vicki Biddy ▪ Mark, Debbie & Aaron Blankenship ▪ Dan Brantley ▪ Heather Broughton ▪ Michael Brown ▪ Karen Click ▪ Julie Confalone ▪ Manuel C. Cruz ▪ Travis & Veronica Day ▪ Antoinette Degnan ▪ Kevin Dias ▪ George Elwell ▪ Kelly Ferguson ▪ Carlos Gallegos ▪ Adrian Giuhat ▪ Lawrence Groves ▪ Gayle Ormsby Hargis ▪ Rae Harville ▪ Keith Hoffmaster ▪ Robbi Holman ▪ Kelli Ivy ▪ Charlotte Kolls ▪ Jim Long ▪ Mirna Lynch ▪ Tom McCallister ▪ David Meermans ▪ Bill Naifeh ▪ Betty Nieczyporowicz ▪ Melissa O'Neal ▪ Dr. William Parr ▪ John Reas ▪ Jody Reed ▪ Laura Reyes ▪ Monica Salhuana ▪ Mark-Brian Sonna ▪ Linda & Frank Stepan ▪ Linda Stevens ▪ Lloyd Turney ▪ Beverly Wassberg ▪ Dale Wheeler ▪ Tracy Yost ▪ Melody Yuhn

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT! If we have failed to acknowledge you, please accept our sincere apology

and let us know so we can rectify the situation.

January 8-31, 2015

presents

Season sponsors:

by C.J. Ehrlich and Philip J. Kaplan directed by Carol M. Rice

Special Thanks

The Cupcake Conspiracy would not have been possible without the generous contributions of the following:

Our wonderful donors, season sponsors, and purchasers of program ads. Please visit those businesses whose ads you see here

and let them know you appreciate their support of the arts!

YOU, for being in our audience - with an extra special thanks to our season ticket holders!

Rover's Mission

Searching for treasures, new and rediscovered, for theatre "off the beaten path."

Rover Dramawerks produces lost or forgotten works of well-known authors,

revives excellent scripts that have suffered from lack of exposure, and discovers unknown gems of the stage.

Please turn off all cellular phones, pagers, wristwatch alarms,

tablets, and other noise and light making devices.

There will be no smoking or vaping in the theatre.

Jessica Adame Buttercream Duo

City of Plano Tom Cao

Cookies By Design C.J. Ehrlich

Sherry Etzel FLOWERAMA of Plano

Haggard Middle School Rich Hancock

Lindsey Humphries Philip J. Kaplan

Kolache Station Darcy Koss

Lil’ Monkeyz Cakes & Sweet Things Naifeh Photography

Pocket Sandwich Theatre Rommel Ranit

Stephen and Scott Rice Ruby Texas Cakes

Simon Santillanes Sprinkles Cupcakes

Adam Steczko Dave Tenney

Texas Commission on the Arts Ted Wesley

Get Involved!

Welcome to our new theatre and the second show of our 15th Anniversary Season! Rover Dramawerks is pleased to present seven exciting mainstage shows and two One Day Only 10-minute play festivals in our new home again this coming season, as well as unique Adventure Nights programming on Fridays and Saturdays between our mainstage shows. Join us as we grow, won’t you? Volunteers make all of this possible. We are a business. We are an art. We are a community. If you have ever been a part of any of these things, you have the skills we’re looking for! We’re looking for people to join our dynamic Board of Directors, help us write grants, network on Rover’s behalf with local businesses, build sets, join our new guild - if you’ve got a talent, we can probably make use of it! Just give your contact information to the box office or a roving board member and we’ll take it from there. You can also send an email to Rover’s Artistic Director Carol M. Rice at carol@roverdramawerks.com for more information or with kudos, questions, or concerns about anything Rover related, too! If you don’t have a lot of extra time, you can still help us out. Use GoodSearch.com when surfing the web (instead of Google), and Rover gets a penny per search. Use GoodShop when you shop online, and we get a percentage of your purchase! There’s even a nifty toolbar you can download that will tell you when you’re visiting a shopping site that will benefit Rover! With COUPONS! Also a part of the GoodSearch family: GoodDining, which benefits Rover when you eat out at participating restaurants. Check it out today and register, and you can support us without even thinking about it! You can also link your Tom Thumb Reward Card to Rover. Just fill out an application at the store including our account number, 10965, and we’ll get a percentage every time you buy groceries! Every little bit ads up! Another easy way to support Rover is to visit the businesses whose ads appear in our program, and let them know you’re there because you saw them here! You can even buy an ad for YOUR business! Rates start at just $50 for a quarter page, and we have season ads available, too. Perfect timing since our new season is about to start! Be a show sponsor! You can sponsor the whole run, be a co-sponsor, or even just sponsor an opening night, closing night, or any special night during the run of any show in our season! And of course you can donate to Rover, and we don’t just need money (although that’s the BEST way to help) - you can also donate goods and services! More than anything though, we love it when you’re here in our audience. We need and appreciate your support and hope to see you again SOON. Be sure to make your tax-deductible donations and buy your season tickets!

Rover Dramawerks ♦ 221 W. Parker Rd., Suite 580 ♦ Plano, TX 75023 972-849-0358 ♦ www.roverdramawerks.com

Bavarian Grill Authentic Bavarian Food, Bier,

Wien, Schnapps, and Fun in Plano since 1993

Highest rated German restaurant in Texas by the ZAGAT Survey® 2006, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12 and 2013

221 W. Parker Rd, Plano, TX 75023 (972) 881-0705

The Cast Max...................................................................................................Gary Eoff Natasha...................................................................................Jessica Adame Alvin......................................................................................Robert San Juan Suzie.............................................................................................Kristi Smith Bouncer/Vince/Old Lady..............................................................Matt Stepan Hot Dog Vender/Ignatz/Old Lady.................................................Dale G. Gutt Marshmallow............................................................................................Blue

The Production Staff Director.…..................................................................................Carol M. Rice Stage Manager..............................................................................Darcy Koss Fight Choreographer..........................................................Joseph L. Taylor II Set Designer………………..…………………………….........Erica Rémi Lorca Lighting Designer.…..……….....………….....................................Jeff Mabray Costume Designer...……….…….............................................Cynthia Beene Sound Designer.............................................................................Jason Rice Properties Designer.….....................….........................................Jack Piland Dance Choreographer........................................................Mark-Brian Sonna Light and Sound Board Operators.............................................Darrell Martin Elena Martin Backstage Crew.................................................................Joseph L. Taylor II Program.................……………………………………..................Carol M. Rice Box Office…………………………………..................................Kim Wickware Show Logo Design..................................................................Mike Hathaway

About the Play

Max is a timid nebbish who sneaks out on a blind date behind his soon-to-be ex wife’s back and due to a case of mistaken identity at the top of the Empire State Building, he finds himself up to his neck

in a terrorist plot involving cupcakes. Really evil cupcakes. His date with the sultry Natasha should have gone

to a mysterious man-of-a-thousand-identities but instead, it could be the most exciting night of Max’s life.

All he has to do is foil Natasha’s plot, keep her henchmen at bay, and, most importantly, keep his wife from finding out!

The Cupcake Conspiracy was Rover’s 2014 New Play Contest Winner

and is produced by special arrangement with the playwrights.

There will be one 15-minute intermission.

Who's Who Jessica Adame is excited to be back on the Rover stage. She was last seen in Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Jersey Lily as Mrs. Tory. Recent credits include Road to Nirvana at the Black Box Theater and Lobby Hero, where she portrayed the character Dawn. Other credits include On the Verge and The Learned Ladies. Cynthia Beene is excited to return to Rover, having recently portrayed Miss Evans in Who Was That Lady I Saw You With? and designed the costumes for The Fourth Wall. She graduated from Texas A&M University Commerce in May with her BS in Theatre Education, where she played Louise Melton in Hollywood Arms. She received her AA from North Lake College where she played Hester Swayne in By the Bog of Cats. Other credits include Maria in The Heiress at Mainstage Irving-Las Colinas (currently running!), Catherine in Proof and Titania/Hippolyta in A Midsummer Nights Dream. Cynthia is also a theatre teacher at Garner Fine Arts Academy. Blue makes his theatre debut with this show. He wants to thank Scott Rice for making it all possible. Gary Eoff is pleased to be returning to the Rover stage. Most recently, you may have seen him as the villainous Rhett Herring in the critically-acclaimed comedy Silver Screen Slayer with Camp Death Productions and the Pocket Sandwich Theatre. Represented by the Kim Dawson Agency, Gary also appears in film and TV where you may see him in the upcoming comedy series The Bush House where he portrays a goofy, under-qualified Head of Security for George W. Bush. He would like to thank Carol for this fun opportunity, this incredible cast for all of the laughs, and his family and friends for their continued support. Dale G. Gutt is honored to be working for the sixth time with Rover Dramawerks, and is very excited to be a part of such an extremely talented cast and crew. C.J. Ehrlich and Philip J. Kaplan have written such a great play that The Cupcake Conspiracy really allows the creativity and laughter to come out in everyone. Most recently Dale reprised his role in A Christmas Carol, narrating the tale as Charles Dickens for the McKinney Repertory Theater; and appeared as the English butler Alfred Mellox in the Frisco Community Theater's whodunit Death by Chocolate. Dale has also been fortunate to appear as one of the comedic producers in Silver Screen Slayer, also directed by Carol Rice, for both Camp Death Productions and the Pocket Sandwich Theater. He would like to thank Carol, for her true dedication and endless support. He would also be remiss if he didn't thank you for supporting the arts by attending this performance. ILYE Darcy Koss was spotted by director Jason Rice several years ago while she was working at the Habitat ReStore. He was immediately taken by her innate organizational talent and asked her to become involved with Rover behind the scenes. She has lost count how many times she has worked with with Rover previously (most recently as stage manager for The Fourth Wall, Bloody Murder, Same Time, Next Year, and WRENS), but she loves it! “Thank you for this opportunity and for continuing to make it fun!” Erica Rémi Lorca designed the sets for Rover’s Written in Time, Epic Proportions. and A Murder, A Mystery & A Marriage. Some of her favorite set designs in the past include Noises Off, Sabrina Fair, A Comedy of Errors, and Towards Zero. She also designed the props for Bloody Murder last season, and has previously designed props for Inherit the Wind and Taming of the Shrew. Thank you for supporting live theatre!

Darrell Martin is working on his third production with Rover. After getting started with the now infamous classic, Dr U, he has returned after a forced break caused by "real life". Darrell is a mild-mannered pricing supervisor day, but at night he's the wannabe super hero known as "El Gordo Nino". He's thrilled to be working with his daughter again, even though she thinks she knows more than he does. Descending from such amazing genetic stock as her dad, it's no wonder that Elena Martin has been asked to return once again to work with Rover. After running the boards for Camp Death Productions’ hilarious romp Santa Claus vs. the Martians, she's looking forward to working with true professionals once again. However, in the meantime she's just as happy to work with the folks at Rover. Elena is a high school sophomore, and dreams one day of working at Starbucks while she pursues her dream job of writing. Jeff Mabray is happy to be back working again with Rover. Past Rover productions include Wonder of the World, Something’s Afoot, Around the World in 80 Days, and Black Comedy. He would like to thank his wife Johanna and children Grayson, Brynna, and Ella for allowing him out of the house long enough to be a part of this production. Jack Piland returns for his sixth production (the first doing props!) with Rover Dramawerks, as he previously designed the set for The Fouth Wall and lights for Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Jersey Lily, Same Time, Next Year and These Two Couples Went to Italy... and appeared onstage as David Williams in Who Was That Lady I Saw You With? He also recently did the lighting design for the remount of Silver Screen Slayer at the Pocket Sandwich Theatre. He thanks the powers that be for giving him the ability to once more do this thing called theatre. Carol M. Rice is the Artistic Director of Rover Dramawerks, as well as one of the co-founders. For Rover, a few of the plays she has directed include Who Was That Lady I Saw You With? Written in Time, The Crowd You’re in With, Morphic Resonance (both in 2003 and 2010), Epic Proportions, and Shakespeare in Hollywood. She most recently directed Silver Screen Slayer at Camp Death Productions and Pocket Sandwich Theatre. Also a playwright, she is proud to say that Rover has produced her world premieres of Around the World in 80 Days in 2008 and Murder at the Orient Burlesque in 2011. Several of her plays are published through Next Stage Press (www.nextstagepress.com). Her next projects will be playing Emily Brent in Theatre Britain’s And Then There Were None, hosting a staged reading of her new play Left Alone in the Garden for 365 Women A Year, and directing Hotel California for MBS Productions. Despite her absolute love of theatre, her favorite roles are Wife to best friend Jason and Mommy to Stephen and Scott. Jason Rice has been on the Rover board since it was founded and is the current Board President. He has designed sound for such shows as Who Was That Lady I Saw You With?, The Remarkable Mr. Pennypacker, Written in Time, The Crowd You’re in With, Adventures in Mating, Mary’s Wedding, The Compleat Works of Wllm Shkspr (abridged), and Night Must Fall. He has received awards for acting and sound design, and he has written several custom murder mysteries and one-act plays. Jason has composed music for both live theatre and video, receiving the Aegis Award for his original composition for Matt Kaufman’s film short Willoughby. Some of the plays he has directed for Rover include WRENS, More Fun Than Bowling, Premiere!, Around the World in 80 Days, The Runner Stumbles, and War of the Worlds. As much fun as theater is, Jason’s favorite role is Daddy to Stephen and Scott. “What’s my motivation for ‘Because I said so!’?”

Robert San Juan last appeared in These Two Couples Went to Italy… for Rover. Since then, he has also appeared in Theatre Britain’s Out of Order and Mainstage Irving-Las Colinas’ The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940. He would like to thank his family and friends for their support and patience but mostly for their belief in him. Having enjoyed performing in multiple venues and shows across the Metroplex, Robert hopes that this particular show is one where both the audience and the cast and crew can have a good laugh and forget the craziness of the world, if for just a moment! Enjoy! Kristi Smith is excited to be making her Rover Dramawerks debut! She has a BS in Acting and Directing from Texas A&M Commerce and recently received her MA in Drama from Texas Woman's University. Some of her favorite roles include Elle Woods (Legally Blonde), Raskova (The Night Witches), Raymonde (A Flea in Her Ear), Becca (Rabbit Hole) and Cassie (A Chorus Line). Kristi would like to thank everyone at Rover for being so welcoming and supportive. Thanks to her family and friends; she couldn't do any of this without you. Matt Stepan is thrilled to be returning to Rover Dramawerks after previous roles including Mr. Cooper in Love in E Flat, Gregg in The Saturday Night Picky Eaters Club (One Day Only 19), and director of Blow to the Head (One Day Only 22) and the recent Adventure Night staged reading of The Star-Spangled Girl. He was most recently seen on stage as Moncharmin in The Phantom of the Opera: The Melodrama at The Pocket Sandwich Theatre. Matt holds a BFA in theatre with an emphasis in acting and directing from Sam Houston State University. In addition to acting Matt also works as a substitute teacher and box office associate. He invites you to visit him online at http://www.mattstepan.com. Joseph L. Taylor II would like to thank you for blessing us with your patronage at Rover Dramawerks. He says “You are the most important part of this production. I would like to personally thank Darise Error, Charles Self, Michael Robinson, Lisa Devine, and Carol and Jason Rice for all the wisdom they have shared with me, plus my girlfriend, Cindy Few, for all her love and support. I'm so glad to work with an exceptional talented cast who give 100%. Thank you for coming out and seeing what we love to do then I urge to share that love with everyone you come in contact with on your travels.”

First Friday INSIDERS

What’s better than being a VIP? Being a Rover Dramawerks INSIDER.

Sure VIPs receive special treatment, but INSIDERS not only receive special

treatment but are also treated to the additional perks that only INSIDERS get.

What perks, you may ask?

Following the show on the First Friday of each new production, INSIDERS are treated to a private soirée with food, drink, and the chance to hobnob with

actors, directors, and designers.

And for The Cupcake Conspiracy, you’ll even get to meet the playwrights, who are in town from New York!

Congratulate them on winning Rover’s 2014 New Play Contest!

If you already have tickets for another performance but wish to attend the First Friday and become an INSIDER, call or send us an email. We will gladly

move your existing tickets to the First Friday.

Tickets for the INSIDER meet and greet with food and beverage following the production are only $10.00 and may be purchased online or at the box office.

Whose Yummy Cupcakes are These? Rover Dramawerks is pleased to partner with several local bakeries to bring you cupcakes at our performances of The Cupcake Conspiracy! Here’s who we have at YOUR performance: Thursday, January 8 - Ruby Texas Cakes Friday, January 9 - Sprinkles Cupcakes Saturday, January 10 - Cookies By Design Thursday, January 15 - Jenny Layne Bakery Friday, January 16 - Jenny Layne Bakery Saturday, January 17 matinee - Buttercream Duo Saturday, January 17 - Lil’ Monkeyz Cakes & Sweet Things Thursday, January 22 - Ruby Texas Cakes Friday, January 23 - Lil’ Monkeyz Cakes & Sweet Things Saturday, January 24 - Sweet Arlene’s Thursday, January 29 - Ruby Texas Cakes Friday, January 30 - Buttercream Duo Saturday, January 31 - Cookies By Design All of these cupcakes were graciously donated to us, so please patronize these wonderful bakeries and let them know how much you appreciate their support of the arts. And tell them you heard about them through Rover!

Summer’s on the Way

Believe it or not, summer isn’t that far off...which means Rover has got another awesome session of CAMPS lined up!

We even have a spring break camp - sign up NOW for

Break a Leg! Spring Break Drama Camp at Plano Leisure Online!

Summer signups at Plano Leisure Online will begin

February 28 for Plano residents and March 2 for non-residents. All Plano Leisure camps will be held at the Cox Building.

We’ll also have several camps right here at Rover Dramawerks,

and you don’t have to wait - sign up NOW at www.roverdramawerks.com! At Rover, we’ll have sessions of

Break a Leg! (our most popular camp), Break Your Other Leg! (continuation of the skills learned in Break a Leg!)

and Musical Theatre!

NEW at the Cox Building are half day camps for

Stage Combat SFX Makeup & Creature Features

and Musical Theatre Dance Workshop!

Our Advanced Acting and Young Writers camps are being

completely revamped for this summer, so be sure to check those out as well.

Also at the Cox Building we’ll have old favorites like Break a Leg!,

Break Your Other Leg! Musical Theatre Improv to Acting

and Improv, Characters and Performance

Make plans NOW to sign your child up for your favorite camps!

PLUS, keep an eye on the Rover website for some NEW ADULT CLASSES

starting this spring!

Up Next For Rover Dramawerks

by Jerry Sterner

February 19 - March 14, 2015

5 short plays from concept to curtain in JUST ONE DAY!

March 28, 2015 at 8:00 and 10:00 p.m.

Plus Adventure Nights!

365 Woman A Year play festival March 20-22, and our 10-minute play contest winners April 3-18!

About the Playwrights

C.J. Ehrlich’s one-acts have been produced in 21 states around the US and internationally, on five continents, winning numerous Audience Choice and Best of Fest awards. Some favorite partners: the Samuel French Off-Off-Broadway Fest (NYC), Boston Theatre Marathon (MA), Little Fish (Los Angeles), Source DC/Cultural DC, Heartland (IL), Atlanta-Theatre-to-Go (4-month tour), Grin Theatre (Liverpool UK), Boqete Players (Panama), Pakriti Foundation (Chennai, India). Published in Smith & Kraus’ annual Best Ten-Minute Plays anthologies (2011-2015): Noir in Second Class, The Ninth Circus of Hell, Intervention, and 2+1=Murder. Heuer Press: Home Sweet Homeland Security. Heideman Award finalists: The Lilac Ticket and Secondhand Gifts. C.J.’s full-lengths include This Time We’ll Make It Work, Zane to Gate 69, Musical Musical, and The Cupcake Conspiracy (with Phillip J. Kaplan). C.J. is a proud member of the Dramatists Guild, but she has never been to Arkansas. Thanks ZBGA and Rover Dramawerks for this premiere production. www.CJ-Ehrlich.com

AUTHORS’ NOTE The Cupcake is under attack today, and when one attacks the Cupcake, one attacks America. Lest there be any doubt that the call is urgent, let us go directly to the words of Pierre Alonze-Fondant du Flambe´, the insane French chef who, from his vile underground lab in the bowels of the Cordon Bleu, invented the world’s first fully weaponized dessert, the petit moussannolli, a calorie-bomb of of petit fours, chocolate mousse, and cannoli. When no one could pronounce that he came out with the cronut. Like the tyrant Stalin, Flambe´ realized that a pastry revolution can not be carried out peacefully, within the framework of a calorie-conscious democracy, but no, my friends, stealthily, and with lots of butter. Like Stalin, his motto: A moment on the lips, forever on the hips. Fortunately the US stands tall with deterrents such as the DFRVCC (Deep Fried Red Velvet Cupcake). But we cannot be complacent! In the shadowy darkness of this secretive war lurks an even more treacherous menace. Who can say whether it wafts in from the east or slinks in from the west, emboldened to hide in our midst. Either way, it smells pretty good. But the danger is lurking as we speak, in a heinous conspiracy involving cupcakes. Really evil cupcakes. Ladies and gentlemen, can there be anyone tonight who is so blind as to say that the war is not on? Can there be anyone who fails to realize that our enemies, with their buttercream frosting and cherry filling, have said the time is now? Yet it is. So sit back, be warned, turn off your cell phones and remember: visit the concession stand during intermission.

Philip J. Kaplan is the author of Hollywood Musicals: Best, Worst and Most Unusual. His ten minute play Dante’s Inferno: The Motion Picture was published in Best Ten Minute Plays 2011, and The Proxy and Detective Stories were included in Best Ten Minute Plays 2014 (Smith and Kraus). He’s a frequent contributor to The Furious Gazelle http://thefuriousgazelle.com. Full Lengths include, The Cupcake Conspiracy (with C.J. Ehrlich), World Premiere Rover Dramawerks (2015), Getchell Contest Finalist (2013), Mountain Playhouse International Comedy Playwriting Contest Finalist (2012), I, Vermin: A Hollywood Success Story, NY Fringe Festival (2002), and Violent Overthrow of the Government (And Other Family Matters). His short plays have been produced at many theaters, including The Acme Theatre (MA), Wordsmyth Theatre (TX), Mildred's Umbrella (TX), Driftwood Players(WA), Spokane Stage Left WA), 10 x 10 in the Triangle (NC), DC Cultural Source (DC), Old Library Theatre (NJ), Heartland Theatre (IL), Future Ten (PA) and American Globe theatre (NY). http://philipkaplan.weebly.com

AUTHOR’S NOTE

The evil cupcakes depicted in The Cupcake Conspiracy are fictional. It was not our intention to attack the many good cupcakes out there, trying to make the world a better place and if any cupcakes are offended, we apologize. (Except for Red Velvet cupcakes and they know why.)