News > What If Productions Presents “The Practice Child”

Ever heard of the “practice child”? Maybe you were one, subject to a childhood full of new-parent mishaps, like that one time they turned their backs for just one second and you rolled off your crib, or fell into the neighbor’s swimming pool. Blil, one of the protagonists of this quirky play written by Tyler Stuart, suffered just this same “practice child” fate. By the time his younger brother Bill came around, his parents knew how to raise a child right. So Bill grew up to be handsome, successful, and generally perfect…that is, until the doctors discovered his malignant brain tumor. The play centers around Bill’s hospital bed as the family reminisces on his older brother’s unusual childhood, full of things like dog attacks, anti-freeze cocktails and ice cream truck accidents. Throw in some eccentric characters like the grown menʼs totally antiquated pediatrician serving as Bill’s cancer surgeon and a mysterious homeless man named Ted Danson, who claims to be an astronaut and the boysʼ long lost father, and the recipe for the innovative and hilarious comedy is complete.

“The Practice Child” is the winner of last year’s PlayWrights Festival and has melded quite snugly into the What If Productions repertoire due to its quirky and off-center vibe. There will be many other events accompanying the premiere of “The Practice Child” during the 2nd annual PlayWrights Festival. Us folks at Art Mag are co-hosting the opening event, a medically-themed opening night party complete with a chance to take photos with props on the play’s hospital set. The weekend will also include an exclusive Q & A with winning playwright Tyler Stuart and other events such as play readings, score composition competitions, and improvised short play writing. Be sure to pick up a festival pass for the event to participate in fun, food, and creativity! And don’t miss “The Practice Child” – opening this Thursday (July 11)!

words: Nash Steele