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The Nerd
Now an aspiring young architect in Terre Haute, Indiana, ex-GI Willum Cubbert has often told his friends about the debt he owes to Rick Steadman, a fellow ex-GI whom he has never met but who saved has life after he was seriously wounded in Vietnam. He has written to Rick to say that, as long as he is alive, "you will have somebody on Earth who will do anything for you," so Willum is delighted when Rick shows up unexpectedly at his apartment on the night of his thirty-fourth birthday party. But his delight soon fades as it becomes apparent that Rick is a hopeless "nerd," a bumbling oaf with no social sense, little intelligence, and even less tact. Rick stays on and on, his continued presence among Willum and his friends leading to one uproarious incident after another, until the normally placid Willum finds himself contemplating violence, a dire development which, happily, is staved off by the surprising "twist" ending of the play.
116 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1981
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
September 2, 2022
***SPOILERS HIDDEN***
Larry Shue knocked it out of the park with his hilarious 1985 play The Foreigner, but a few years before that, he wrote this failure. As a big fan of The Foreigner, I was surprised to find The Nerd simplistic, unengaging, and unfunny. Filled to the brim with wackiness, the play should be funny, but most of the humor strains hard and is as uninspired as dopey children’s jokes. I barely even smiled while reading this.
The little genuine humor that is in this play doesn't even stem from the nerd's foibles, as Shue had intended; it comes in the form of quick one-liners from Axel, a sharp-witted close friend of the main character, Willum. As proof of Shue’s talent for writing bitingly funny lines, Axel deserved the spotlight.
The only good thing about The Nerd is that its twist at the end instantly dampens some of the offensiveness. It's generally understood that a nerd is someone who’s equal parts intelligent and socially inept. This twist may have somewhat redeemed the play in one crucial way, but if the nerd depiction weren’t deeply flawed from the start, the play wouldn’t have needed saving.
It’s easy to see why The Foreigner is the more popular Shue play. It’s original, a must-read (or must-see) for all lovers of plays, and outrageously funny. The Nerd is doomed from the start, a painful reading experience that would be horribly awkward to watch performed. It deserves to gather dust on some forgotten shelf.
Larry Shue knocked it out of the park with his hilarious 1985 play The Foreigner, but a few years before that, he wrote this failure. As a big fan of The Foreigner, I was surprised to find The Nerd simplistic, unengaging, and unfunny. Filled to the brim with wackiness, the play should be funny, but most of the humor strains hard and is as uninspired as dopey children’s jokes. I barely even smiled while reading this.
The little genuine humor that is in this play doesn't even stem from the nerd's foibles, as Shue had intended; it comes in the form of quick one-liners from Axel, a sharp-witted close friend of the main character, Willum. As proof of Shue’s talent for writing bitingly funny lines, Axel deserved the spotlight.
The only good thing about The Nerd is that its twist at the end instantly dampens some of the offensiveness. It's generally understood that a nerd is someone who’s equal parts intelligent and socially inept. This twist may have somewhat redeemed the play in one crucial way, but if the nerd depiction weren’t deeply flawed from the start, the play wouldn’t have needed saving.
It’s easy to see why The Foreigner is the more popular Shue play. It’s original, a must-read (or must-see) for all lovers of plays, and outrageously funny. The Nerd is doomed from the start, a painful reading experience that would be horribly awkward to watch performed. It deserves to gather dust on some forgotten shelf.
January 9, 2025
خیلی سر این کتاب خندیدم. یک نماشنامه درباره آدمای عجیب و غریب در موقعیتهای عجیب و غریبتر و تصادفاتی که طنزش رو چند برابر میکنه. پایانشم غیرقابل پیش بینی بود. خوشم اومد.
March 3, 2024
It made me laugh out loud and had a fun little twist at the end!
May 28, 2024
Not super deep, but funny with an unusual premise that should feel mean spirited but doesn’t. I didn’t see the twist at the end coming at all. I imagine this would be a hoot to see live.
5m/2w, single set (apartment)
5m/2w, single set (apartment)
March 12, 2013
Well done, Mr. Shue. Well done.
A play that is funny even when read (and I'm certain down-right hysterical when seen), and one that affords each actor a chance to shine, even if it is for mere moments.
Willum Cubbert is a role which requires the actor to take on long monologues (he has three) and hold the show on his shoulders without actually drawing attention to himself. It requires preternatural emotional intelligence, often necessitating the expression of multiple emotions simultaneously with each emotion being nuanced and subtle. A truly difficult role, but a fantastic one nevertheless.
Rick Steadman. Oh, Rick Steadman. The actor who gets to play Steadman is a lucky actor indeed. A role that requires one to get in touch with their inner child as well as their inner nerd. A role which requires prodigious vocal abilities (vocalists are needed in plays, too, not just musicals). The star of the show, so to speak.
Axel Hammond is my favorite of the characters. He's in every scene, and he gets the most laughs. His main function in the show is actually to illicit laughter from the audience with his endlessly quotable one liners: "He's a poster child for Planned Parenthood." The role needs an actor with phenomenal comedic timing and the ability to take the role of an acerbic asshole without too much seriousness.
Tansy is the first and most important female character in the show. While she has plenty of stage time, she rarely gets to use it. She mostly prances between the room and the kitchen, serving almost as a maid. She is similar to Cathy in Far From Heaven. However, there are a couple of moments where the actress can truly shine, such as in the beginning with the spaghetti.
Waldgrave is described in the stage directions as being a man who "hasn't smiled for forty-seven years". And it shows. While the actor isn't provided a ton of opportunity for success, he is given two distinct moments wherein he can steal the show. The first is near the end of the first act, when he breaks down momentarily in paternal emotion. The other is the end of the second act where he quietly rages to Rick.
Clelia perhaps is the funnest role to play, given that the actress is afforded the opportunity to do what we all wish to without suffering the consequences. Throughout the show, Clelia is seen breaking dishes to vent her anger. Breaking dishes. And isn't that a good enough reason to want to role?
Finally, we come to Thor. Plenty of productions deign to have the role played by a female and change the character's name to Thorina or Thora. However, regardless of the name of gender of the actor, Thor is a fantastic role that proves that one can do quite a lot with just a little stage time. Thor is on stage for maybe a total of five minutes, if that. But he is extraordinarily memorable nonetheless. What with his screaming and running and other antics, Thor is sure to be a crowd favorite.
Ultimately, The Nerd is a fantastic show that, despite its antiquated humor in places, remains a staple of comedic theatre.
A play that is funny even when read (and I'm certain down-right hysterical when seen), and one that affords each actor a chance to shine, even if it is for mere moments.
Willum Cubbert is a role which requires the actor to take on long monologues (he has three) and hold the show on his shoulders without actually drawing attention to himself. It requires preternatural emotional intelligence, often necessitating the expression of multiple emotions simultaneously with each emotion being nuanced and subtle. A truly difficult role, but a fantastic one nevertheless.
Rick Steadman. Oh, Rick Steadman. The actor who gets to play Steadman is a lucky actor indeed. A role that requires one to get in touch with their inner child as well as their inner nerd. A role which requires prodigious vocal abilities (vocalists are needed in plays, too, not just musicals). The star of the show, so to speak.
Axel Hammond is my favorite of the characters. He's in every scene, and he gets the most laughs. His main function in the show is actually to illicit laughter from the audience with his endlessly quotable one liners: "He's a poster child for Planned Parenthood." The role needs an actor with phenomenal comedic timing and the ability to take the role of an acerbic asshole without too much seriousness.
Tansy is the first and most important female character in the show. While she has plenty of stage time, she rarely gets to use it. She mostly prances between the room and the kitchen, serving almost as a maid. She is similar to Cathy in Far From Heaven. However, there are a couple of moments where the actress can truly shine, such as in the beginning with the spaghetti.
Waldgrave is described in the stage directions as being a man who "hasn't smiled for forty-seven years". And it shows. While the actor isn't provided a ton of opportunity for success, he is given two distinct moments wherein he can steal the show. The first is near the end of the first act, when he breaks down momentarily in paternal emotion. The other is the end of the second act where he quietly rages to Rick.
Clelia perhaps is the funnest role to play, given that the actress is afforded the opportunity to do what we all wish to without suffering the consequences. Throughout the show, Clelia is seen breaking dishes to vent her anger. Breaking dishes. And isn't that a good enough reason to want to role?
Finally, we come to Thor. Plenty of productions deign to have the role played by a female and change the character's name to Thorina or Thora. However, regardless of the name of gender of the actor, Thor is a fantastic role that proves that one can do quite a lot with just a little stage time. Thor is on stage for maybe a total of five minutes, if that. But he is extraordinarily memorable nonetheless. What with his screaming and running and other antics, Thor is sure to be a crowd favorite.
Ultimately, The Nerd is a fantastic show that, despite its antiquated humor in places, remains a staple of comedic theatre.
March 6, 2012
Larry Shue’s play THE NERD was written in 1980 – back before cell phones – when we were using answering machines instead of voicemail to communicate with each other. This is important, as an answering machine plays a central part in this really funny play. The nerd is Rick Steadman, a man who saved the life of fellow soldier Willum Cubbert in Viet Nam. The grateful Cubbert writes to Steadman and in his appreciation says that he owes him everything.
THE NERD has been presented from Milwaukie (where it originated) to Great Britain and to Broadway.
One day Rick Steadman shows up at the door of Willum Cubbert and inserts himself in Willum’s life. Rick’s social ineptness leads to many misunderstandings and some hysterical conversation between them and Willum’s friends and colleagues. Willum desperately tries to think of a way to get rid of Rick.
I really did laugh out loud many times in reading this play. Axel, Willum’s friend, is especially witty and my favorite character.
If you’ve never read a play I encourage you not to dismiss them. They can be a great source of entertainment and don’t take much time to get through.
For all of the entertainment THE NERD gave me, I highly recommend it!
THE NERD has been presented from Milwaukie (where it originated) to Great Britain and to Broadway.
One day Rick Steadman shows up at the door of Willum Cubbert and inserts himself in Willum’s life. Rick’s social ineptness leads to many misunderstandings and some hysterical conversation between them and Willum’s friends and colleagues. Willum desperately tries to think of a way to get rid of Rick.
I really did laugh out loud many times in reading this play. Axel, Willum’s friend, is especially witty and my favorite character.
If you’ve never read a play I encourage you not to dismiss them. They can be a great source of entertainment and don’t take much time to get through.
For all of the entertainment THE NERD gave me, I highly recommend it!
December 20, 2019
A funny play about Rick (the nerd) coming to see William. Although they never met, Rick saved William’s life in Vietnam. After an AK47 shot and knocked out William, Rick dragged him for a mile to a base. William promised Rick that he would help him anytime as thanks for saving his life. Well, the day arrived that Rick arrived at William’s place as a social outcast nerd, set in the eighties. Much comedy and many funny lines flow from there, although I do not enjoy farce and there was too much of that.
The play, as written here, offers enough of a surprise ending. The director of The Rep’s recent production added a surprise on top of that surprise in the book, which induced some chair-squirming light gasps in my section of the theater, everyone trying to be cool about it.
The Milwaukee Rep produced this play almost forty years ago, written by the in-house playwright, Larry Shue.
My sister saw that first production, I saw all three of the next versions, including the one that just closed. But this is the first time I saw the play before seeing it on stage.
The play, as written here, offers enough of a surprise ending. The director of The Rep’s recent production added a surprise on top of that surprise in the book, which induced some chair-squirming light gasps in my section of the theater, everyone trying to be cool about it.
The Milwaukee Rep produced this play almost forty years ago, written by the in-house playwright, Larry Shue.
My sister saw that first production, I saw all three of the next versions, including the one that just closed. But this is the first time I saw the play before seeing it on stage.
July 21, 2015
Fun, funny, and suspenseful! And motivational! I can't wait to direct this!
July 7, 2022
This made me LAUGH just reading it to myself. If I saw it onstage I'd be screaming with laughter it is hilarious! Not to mention a comedy set in the Midwest is a play after my own heart.
February 9, 2017
The play's humor, although funny, in its context it is uncomfortable.
Most likely it’ll pass over older patrons’ head who may not care // be educated on the states of the mentally ill, and there is a twist at the end that could lead the audience to forgive the context of the humor, but the majority of the play's humor is about the extrication of an abandoned mentally ill war hero from the main character's home simply because he's annoying // weird // can't interact with other humans, and at no point does any character address his PTSD (which was still growing in national consciousness in 1985), nor try to get the character help or understand the character. So basically, it portrays the mentally ill // PTSD victims as an inconvenience that needs to be kicked out before they ruin normal peoples' lives. Again, there is a twist ending that could rectify that for some -- but it still leaves a bad taste as far as context goes.
However, the only people who will complain about this play are the relatives of mentally challenged persons, or relatives of soldiers undergoing PTSD, or the young and educated, as the play hasn't aged well in our current cultural climate.
Luckily, it is funny. There are some very funny sets. Even though the context of the humor was uncomfortable, I was laughing out loud quite a bit while reading. Would recommend you to read and see for yourself if it fits your tastes.
Most likely it’ll pass over older patrons’ head who may not care // be educated on the states of the mentally ill, and there is a twist at the end that could lead the audience to forgive the context of the humor, but the majority of the play's humor is about the extrication of an abandoned mentally ill war hero from the main character's home simply because he's annoying // weird // can't interact with other humans, and at no point does any character address his PTSD (which was still growing in national consciousness in 1985), nor try to get the character help or understand the character. So basically, it portrays the mentally ill // PTSD victims as an inconvenience that needs to be kicked out before they ruin normal peoples' lives. Again, there is a twist ending that could rectify that for some -- but it still leaves a bad taste as far as context goes.
However, the only people who will complain about this play are the relatives of mentally challenged persons, or relatives of soldiers undergoing PTSD, or the young and educated, as the play hasn't aged well in our current cultural climate.
Luckily, it is funny. There are some very funny sets. Even though the context of the humor was uncomfortable, I was laughing out loud quite a bit while reading. Would recommend you to read and see for yourself if it fits your tastes.
June 29, 2023
My friend's daughter stage managed a production of this. When my friend returned after watching it, she decisively declared how much she hated it. I was enthralled.
Larry Shue is probably best known for The Foreigner and gives another play where you better hope that your main dude is damn good or you're gonna be in a hurt of trouble. There are also other humorous moments that don't even revolve around the nerd, Rick Steadman. The classic red-faced boss who has to pay his child to behave and the dry, acerbic lines for Axel, our protagonist's buddy.
Firstly, the nerd isn't really a nerd. Unless that's what nerd meant back in 1981. Rick Steadman is a social disease who says the wrong thing and is a pest. I think the creativity for Rick Steadman to be the ultimate person who sucks is a lot of fun. (For example, Rick's job is that he inspects chalk).
It gets to the point in Act 2 where you don't know who to be more annoyed with: Rick the Pest or Willum, the kind soul who hasn't thrown his ass out yet. But by the end, it all becomes clear and The Nerd either is viewed as a delightful little comedy of oddballs or an annoying evening.
Larry Shue is probably best known for The Foreigner and gives another play where you better hope that your main dude is damn good or you're gonna be in a hurt of trouble. There are also other humorous moments that don't even revolve around the nerd, Rick Steadman. The classic red-faced boss who has to pay his child to behave and the dry, acerbic lines for Axel, our protagonist's buddy.
Firstly, the nerd isn't really a nerd. Unless that's what nerd meant back in 1981. Rick Steadman is a social disease who says the wrong thing and is a pest. I think the creativity for Rick Steadman to be the ultimate person who sucks is a lot of fun. (For example, Rick's job is that he inspects chalk).
It gets to the point in Act 2 where you don't know who to be more annoyed with: Rick the Pest or Willum, the kind soul who hasn't thrown his ass out yet. But by the end, it all becomes clear and The Nerd either is viewed as a delightful little comedy of oddballs or an annoying evening.
August 5, 2021
I can't believe I'm giving this 4 stars. I mean, honestly, this is not great American theatre repertoire material. Nobody is ever going to mistake it for a play written by Tennessee Williams or Eugene O'Neill or Arthur Miller or Edward Albee.
But, it is the funniest, laugh out loud, knee-slapping play I have ever read. I used to think the funniest play ever was Paul Rudnick's I Hate Hamlet. Nope. This is it. Not only funny - but has the most outrageous and mind-blowing twist ending ever. It's not a mystery - but this ending is right up there with the Agatha Christie oh-I-don't-believe-it final curtain!
If you get a chance, read this play. It will only take you about an hour or so to read it. And trust me. I dare you to read the paper bag scene and PICTURE IT in action and not howl with laughter!
But, it is the funniest, laugh out loud, knee-slapping play I have ever read. I used to think the funniest play ever was Paul Rudnick's I Hate Hamlet. Nope. This is it. Not only funny - but has the most outrageous and mind-blowing twist ending ever. It's not a mystery - but this ending is right up there with the Agatha Christie oh-I-don't-believe-it final curtain!
If you get a chance, read this play. It will only take you about an hour or so to read it. And trust me. I dare you to read the paper bag scene and PICTURE IT in action and not howl with laughter!
February 26, 2021
1.5: To be honest, this play isn't all that bad, it just really isn't for me. I didn't like the characters very much. Axel is a weird manipulator. The second hand embarrassment I experienced while reading was awful. And the comedy didn't strike me as all that funny. I don't really care about this play, and that's why it has a very low rating.
May 31, 2017
One of the funniest plays of modern times. It's a laugh out loud read; must be hysterical on stage.
September 22, 2018
Pretty funny!
April 21, 2023
I'm in this play. It has potential, but I can't see much depth in Shue's female characters...
March 13, 2017
Funny and I liked the ending.
January 13, 2016
Willum is a successful young architect who won't commit to his girlfriend as much as his career, and so she's about to move on. Still, she likes him, and with their glibly funny theater critic friend Axel has prepared a surprise birthday party. But Willum is a Vietnam vet (the story is set in the early 80s), whose life was saved by a man he never met, Rick Steadman. As the party is about to start, the trio discover that Rick is on his way for a visit. When he arrives, it turns out that Rick is a major nerd, who would be happy to become Willum's permanent houseguest. Willum, out of loyalty, doesn't want to tell him to go away, no matter how terrible life with Rick becomes.
Enough about the plot. Don't think "nerd" in the sense of a Big-Bang-Theory type who loves science fiction and fantasy, but a real old-fashioned poindexter, portrayed in the way we thought about such people before the adoption of their culture by the mainstream, before we understood anything about life "on the spectrum." If you can do that, you'll love this, because it's hilarious, especially when Rick is clashing with Willum's somewhat literal and uptight boss.
I look forward to seeing a good production of this. The actors who play Rick and Axel would each have to have the right kind of comic chops, and the rest of the cast would have to be good at convincing you they were reacting to a first class oddball for the first time, but if they pull that off, I don't see why an audience wouldn't love this comedy, even after 30 years.
Enough about the plot. Don't think "nerd" in the sense of a Big-Bang-Theory type who loves science fiction and fantasy, but a real old-fashioned poindexter, portrayed in the way we thought about such people before the adoption of their culture by the mainstream, before we understood anything about life "on the spectrum." If you can do that, you'll love this, because it's hilarious, especially when Rick is clashing with Willum's somewhat literal and uptight boss.
I look forward to seeing a good production of this. The actors who play Rick and Axel would each have to have the right kind of comic chops, and the rest of the cast would have to be good at convincing you they were reacting to a first class oddball for the first time, but if they pull that off, I don't see why an audience wouldn't love this comedy, even after 30 years.
November 7, 2013
The story is a little dated, now, but a lot of scenes are still very dramatic. And funny. I was trying to pick out a character that I'd like to be, if I were cast in this show, and I think I could do a good Rick Steadman, but being Axel Hammond would be a lot of fun, too. My face is probably too expressive to be Warnock Waldgrave, but that role has some really great dry humor, too.
The version of the book I read has a few pictures from the productions of the play. Plays are best seen rather than read, and the photos do help set the scene somewhat. Even better would be to have a video page in the book where you could see the whole show, but I don't think the technology is there yet.
The version of the book I read has a few pictures from the productions of the play. Plays are best seen rather than read, and the photos do help set the scene somewhat. Even better would be to have a video page in the book where you could see the whole show, but I don't think the technology is there yet.
October 20, 2011
Pretty funny, this one, though I think I prefer Larry Shue's "The Foreigner." In both plays, there is an odd duck, a fella that doesn't quite fit in. In "The Foreigner," Charlie was darling, and endeared himself to the audience easily. In "The Nerd", however, the title character Rick was SO obnoxious, I could easily see audiences feeling really uncomfortable with his presence . . . which, I suppose, was Shue's purpose in creating him. Perhaps it's just that I personally don't care for that much discomfort while I'm being entertained. Good play, though. Very clever!
February 22, 2010
I banged this out in a few hours and of all the plays I've read it's definitely one of them. I found myself tripping over the character names in addition to feeling like the exposition was dropped on me like a ton of bricks. There was less unfolding of story line and more trying to quench my thirst by drinking from the fire hose. I know comedies tend to be fast paced, but at the same time they're only funny if the audience gets to laugh. I am excited to see this directed well.
April 23, 2010
Very, very funny play! It made me laugh out loud many times, chuckle frequently, and I smiled almost the entire time. There is an odd mix of emotions: on one hand, I was extremely frustrated for Willum who had to endure all of Steadman's antics, but on the other hand, the situations were so funny that I could not help but laugh. And the turn of event at the end? Wonderful! This would be such a fun show to see performed!
June 8, 2009
dated comedy about forgiveness, and relationships, and self worth. cute! good scenes for man/woman.
October 20, 2009
Hilarious, extremely clever
January 7, 2011
Just finished reading this with my high school Drama kids. I want to direct it. Like, right now.
July 19, 2011
I loved these characters! Hilarious, laugh out loud read. So funny.
December 14, 2011
Cullen and I went to this play 5 or 6 years ago and we still laugh about it. I got my hands on a copy and cried due to laughing so hard.
May 13, 2013
Acted int his twice. A VERY funny play.
January 31, 2013
I hope it plays as well as it reads.
April 28, 2013
Read this a long time ago. Never saw it performed. Larry Shue was REALLY FUNNY.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews