The (Unofficial) Nightman Cometh

The show is an interactive comedic rock opera and satire based on a fictional production of the same name featured in the television series ‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’.  The production is structured in 4-5 segments of performance detailed below. (Timings are approximate and may vary slightly). [This is an adapted and expanded performance of ‘The Nightman Cometh’ originally written and devised by Charlie Day, Rob McElhenny, and Glenn Howerton.]

1.  ​A pre-show interactive experience with cast members welcoming the audience and the ‘waitress/bartender’ character appearing behind the bar. [Until the audience arrives and settles 30-40 minutes]

2.  ​The On-Stage Performance begins, with an onstage performance of the rehearsals. [20 minutes]

3.   Costume Change Interval (15-20 minutes)

4.  ​‘The Nightman Cometh’ is introduced and performed. [25 minutes]

5.  A DJ set hosted by the characters ‘Dayman’ and ‘Nightman’. [60 minutes]

The plot focuses on a group of people who are recruited by their friend to produce a terrible musical with the intention of wooing an unwitting waitress/bartender whom the play’s director has an unhealthy obsession with.  This, of course, goes terribly wrong with the cursed play proving to be unclear and troubling in its content, narrative, and characters. The director’s sweet intentions become crude in their presentation. (A process shown through pre-performance video logs depicting the production’s downfall in rehearsal projected onto the set before the main show).

These factors result in the director rebelling against his actors, including his own song in a final attempt to capture the heart of the bartender, this cements the director’s failure and the bartender leaves vowing never to see the director again.

The show’s finale features all characters returning onstage with an audience singalong reprise of ‘Dayman’ (the show’s main song).

Characters.

[All characters play a secondary caricature version of themselves as well as their stage character]

The Director – An illiterate janitor who has taken to writing a play in a desperate attempt to prove his devotion to the Bartender/Waitress. He has written, produced, directed, and starred in his play and will do anything to make his failing artistic vision a reality.  His failsafe plan is that he’s going to replace the lead actor at the end anyway…what could go wrong?

The ‘Co-Director’ – The B-Team of the group, she has translated and helped produce the production, although her delusion seems to have clouded her reality…She hasn’t really done much but ruin The Director’s credibility.

The Bartender/Waitress – An innocent bystander caught in the crossfire of this madness, they are the reason this production exists, but the only one present against their will.  

Boy/The Dayman – A friend of the director and brother of the actress playing ‘The Princess’, who is also his love interest. He is the slave of the ‘Troll’ who owns the boy’s soul. Once transformed he becomes ‘The Dayman’, the hero of the tale, and the fighter of his nemesis…The Nightman.

The Nightman – The villain of the story, he covets the ‘Boy’s’ soul and will do anything to get it. He is also a master of karate…

The Princess – A shallow on-stage tribute to the ‘Waitress/Bartender’ and reluctant love interest of ‘The Dayman’, who is played by her brother. Although she is allegedly the best actor, she is treated the most poorly by all.  

Troll – An evil creature who owns the ‘Boy’s’ soul, and ally of ‘The Nightman’. He lives for his toes being scratched by those he enslaves.