Countdown to 40 by Mark Lambeck
#2007-0012ISBN
#1-933159-95-2

Cast Requirements
ANDY: A copywriter, 39…turning 40
MIKE: Andy’s best friend, 35
DOROTHY: Andy’s mother, 66
*LAUREN: Andy’s estranged wife, 36
**DEIRDRE: A purchasing agent and yoga practitioner, 28
*CHELSEA: A nursery school teacher and kickboxing enthusiast, 28
**KRISTIE: An interior designer, 29
* Lauren &
Chelsea may be played by the same actress or single cast
** Deirdre & Kristie may be played by the same actress or single cast

Synopsis
In this comedy, Andy, a stressed-out
copywriter, takes inventory of his life as the countdown to his 40th
birthday begins. When his wife leaves him for the Iranian terrorist who
kidnapped her, Andy thrusts himself into the dating scene by signing up for
yoga, kickboxing, and salsa classes and volunteering at a shelter. Just as
he’s getting his personal act together, his life takes a turn. While friends
and family accuse him of having a mid-life crisis, the truth is that Andy’s
life is in turmoil as he winds down his 39th year -- he crashes his new car,
his once-supportive mother discovers a life of her own, he inadvertently
alienates some of the women he’s been dating, and finds out he’s being laid
off. Life’s lessons are tough and Andy makes a conscious effort to re-direct
his destiny even as fate throws obstacles in his path.

The
Setting
One chair. The action takes place in various settings:
Andy’s apartment, a yoga studio; a kick-boxing class, etc.

Costumes
ANDY: Casual pants, polo shirt, sneakers
MIKE: Cut-off ‘muscle’ T-shirt, jogging shorts, sneakers
DEIRDRE: Yoga leotard and tights (optional wrap around skirt)
CHELSEA: Workout clothes
KRISTIE: Gauzy top over skin-tight Capri pants, neck scarf, belt scarf, hair
clip, chunky,
big-heeled shoes
NOTE: Clothes for Lauren and Dorothy are the director’s choice.

Props
DOROTHY: Oven mitts, large soup pot covered with foil,
laundry basket with folded clothes,
box of birthday candles
DEIRDRE: Two yoga mats
CHELSEA: Boxing gloves
KRISTIE: Small shoulder bag, compact, lipstick