O, Possum!

by Val Dunn

The climate is in crisis, and so is the Mammalian Exhibit at Jumping Cholla Community Park — where a Park Ranger ‘deals’ with her feelings of inadequacy by biting off more than she can chew, looking longingly at her mate-me-be-me hero Thorn, and munching peyote with her best friend — the titular Opossum. But a bake sale gone awry turns out to be the last [single-use plastic] straw for our under-appreciated Park...

The climate is in crisis, and so is the Mammalian Exhibit at Jumping Cholla Community Park — where a Park Ranger ‘deals’ with her feelings of inadequacy by biting off more than she can chew, looking longingly at her mate-me-be-me hero Thorn, and munching peyote with her best friend — the titular Opossum. But a bake sale gone awry turns out to be the last [single-use plastic] straw for our under-appreciated Park Ranger… who promptly punks out. At a park without a Park Ranger, things get wild: Opossum proposes eating our young, gluten-free = anarchy, and everyone remains cognizant always that the great hurtle toward death continues. How will the community of Jumping Cholla Community Park ever survive if they don’t work together as a community?!… seriously, how?… a balladeering Tumbleweed wants to know.) O, Possum! A (bleak) comedy about climate change, friendship, and dealing with the consequences of our inactions.

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O, Possum!

Recommended by

  • Shaun Leisher: O, Possum! by Val Dunn
    “

    I loved this whimsical and gut-wrenching play about climate destruction.

    I loved this whimsical and gut-wrenching play about climate destruction.

    ”
  • Julie Zaffarano: O, Possum! by Val Dunn
    “

    Val Dunn's O, Possum! is a powerful play about climate change and activism. Set in the failing Jumping Cholla Community Park, this community tries desperately to save their piece of the world. Not only their physical world, but their community as well. And talking a talking opposum, rattlesnake, cactus, and tumbleweed. Hope to see this play in production.

    Val Dunn's O, Possum! is a powerful play about climate change and activism. Set in the failing Jumping Cholla Community Park, this community tries desperately to save their piece of the world. Not only their physical world, but their community as well. And talking a talking opposum, rattlesnake, cactus, and tumbleweed. Hope to see this play in production.

    ”
  • Dave Osmundsen: O, Possum! by Val Dunn
    “

    Immediately, I fell for the bold, funny, and theatrical voice on display in this piece. Park Ranger and Opposum have a deeply felt and genuine friendship-- you find yourself caring about them when things take a turn for the worst. The play also challenges its audience to think about their complicity in the destruction of the world around them. However, the play also acknowledges a harsh truth: That action is difficult, and sometimes humans fail. Despite this brutal honesty, the play ends on a hopeful note. Definitely check this one out!

    Immediately, I fell for the bold, funny, and theatrical voice on display in this piece. Park Ranger and Opposum have a deeply felt and genuine friendship-- you find yourself caring about them when things take a turn for the worst. The play also challenges its audience to think about their complicity in the destruction of the world around them. However, the play also acknowledges a harsh truth: That action is difficult, and sometimes humans fail. Despite this brutal honesty, the play ends on a hopeful note. Definitely check this one out!

    ”
View all 4 recommendations

Character Information

Flexibility for double casting or larger ensembles. The actors you cast should be of many races, abilities, sizes, etc — because the strongest ecosystems are diverse! :)
  • Park Ranger
    a sexually frustrated park ranger who wishes she was doing more to help the environment
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • Opossum
    a marsupial who has recently migrated from West Philly to Tucson; the o is silent
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American,
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American,
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American,
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic,
      Middle Eastern, North African, or Arab American,
      Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander,
      South Asian or South Asian American
  • Tumbleweed
    a plant of dry regions that breaks off near the ground in late summer and is tumbled about by the wind, thereby dispersing its seeds; lead vocalist of Tucson's premiere punk-stomp-and-holler band Ecosystem of a Down; also plays Bossman & Ensemble
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
  • Rattlesnake
    a perpetually misjudged serpent; keeping the beats for Ecosystem of a Down; also plays Bored President & Ensemble
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
  • Cactus
    a Saguaro cactus; slays electric guitar and or banjo for Ecosystem of a Down; also plays American Tourist & Ensemble
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+

Development History

  • Reading, Temple Arts, 2021
  • Reading, Azuka Theatre, 2020
  • Reading, Azuka Theatre, 2019
  • Workshop, New Pages @ Azuka Theatre, 2019

Awards

  • Kernodle New Play Award
    University of Arkansas Department of Theatre
    Winner
    2022
  • New Comedies Festival
    B Street Theatre
    Semi-Finalist
    2020
  • National Theatre Conference
    Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center
    Semi-Finalist
    2020
  • Bay Area Playwrights Festival
    Playwrights Foundation
    Finalist
    2020