Forever Poppy

A magical realist play that intertwines history, fantasy, and family legacy.

Forever Flor William Isla Baptiste Poppy is a curious, imaginative nine-year-old girl born in New Orleans to loving, eccentric parents-Maricela "Sky Spirit" and William "Coco." They run an experimental bakery and tattoo parlor, infusing their lives and community with love and whimsy.

The play opens with a Shakespearean prologue: a legendary lost manuscript by William Shakespeare is stolen by John Blackwood, sparking a centuries-long feud with his twin brother, Robert. Shakespeare curses the brothers with immortality until the manuscript is returned. This mythic theft echoes across time, ultimately connecting to Forever Poppy's modern-day story.

In New Orleans, Forever's life is full of joy, storytelling, and baked goods until tragedy strikes: her parents perish in a mysterious explosion-possibly linked to the Blackwoods' ancient curse. Orphaned, Forever is taken away from the loving motorcycle gang community that embraced her, thrust into an uncertain future as dark forces (including Helmut Schmidt, John Blackwood in disguise) close in, still seeking Shakespeare's manuscript.

Through rich language, playful characters, and heartfelt emotion, the play celebrates legacy, imagination, and resilience. Forever emerges as a new kind of heroine: the spiritual and familial heir of Shakespeare's creativity and her parents' generosity. The message is timeless-stories, love, and honor can defy even the most powerful curses.

Cast: Six characters (three females, three males)

Setting: A wooden platform stage like Shakespeare's Globe Theater. A place that is magical and transformative.

Running Time: 70 minutes.

Target Audience: Elementary, middle and high school students