Archipelago is divided into seven vignettes. The story seamlessly transitions between reality on the banks of a Scottish island and underwater fantasies, each vignette diving deeper into the cause and effect of Bosco and Marcelle’s profound grief for their son, Otter.

ICEBERG

In the damp and tranquil setting of a pond’s peculiar shoreside lakehouse, Bosco and his American half-brother, Cub, share a sundown dinner, gently mourning the loss of Bosco’s son, Otter, who went missing several years prior. Bosco’s wife, Marcelle, distressed and searching for Otter, interrupts their conversation. Bosco comforts Marcelle with a haunting lullaby and sends her inside the house. Cub expresses concern about Bosco's well-being, revealing signs of physical abuse. The tension escalates as Cub urges Bosco to leave Marcelle and join him in America. Bosco, torn between loyalty and the harsh reality, feeds a group of otters, expressing particular sorrow for Rebecca, an otter who “broke his son’s heart”. With two bottles of Pepsi, Cub and Bosco toast the lake, Bosco pouring a libation for his son and asking Rebecca to “bring him home.”

GOD'S BROTHER

Under the sea, Otter reveals to Mr. Toad and his grandmother, Miina, his secret plan to participate in the Double Diathlon, a sacred competition hosted each year by King Neptune—the winner of which receives a wish of any proportion to be granted by the King. Neptune and his secretary, Ms. Kriste, present the competition’s opening ceremonies, and the race unfolds with various challenges, in which Otter emerges as the unexpected winner. King Neptune grants Otter a wish—to “start over”—and the crowd celebrates the young boy's victory.

SCALLOPS AND IVORY

Auntie, a grotesque, decaying, and morbidly obese octopus, resides in a deep sea cavern, fixated on her television. Rebecca arrives with cookies in an attempt to bring a sense of normalcy to Auntie's deteriorating state. It is revealed Auntie's pregnancy has persisted for several years, and conversation becomes tense when Auntie insists Rebecca was involved in Otter’s recent disappearance. Rebecca responds with the questions of the mysterious absence of Uncle, which Auntie declines to answer. In stalemate, Auntie hints at impending events related to her prolonged pregnancy, concluding with an unsettling request from Auntie to Rebecca: to be absent when the birth occurs.

OTHER IVORIES

Otter is drawn into the mysterious office of Mother Inferi and her eccentric assistants, Acies and Infidele. Mother Inferi, with an uncanny knowledge of Otter's personal details, offers him a chance to transform himself. The scene concludes with a bizarre and elaborate musical number, "Mother Does It Best," showcasing Mother Inferi's unconventional methods and setting the stage for a new client, Marcelle, to make a deal with the enigmatic Mother I.

HOTEL GETHSEMANE

Ms. Kriste introduces Otter to his new luxurious Double-Double condo, his prize for winning the Double Diathlon. As Otter explores his new home, he finds an unexpected and unwelcome reunion with his past love, Rebecca.

NEW SALEM

Bosco and Cub discuss the lakehouse, Bosco's childhood home, interrupted with Marcelle’s flickering of the house’s porchlight. Bosco reveals that she believes the pond’s fireflies are stars, and that she communicates with them through the light, longing for them to take her away. Bosco discloses that their son did not run away, but in reality drowned in the pond. Despite Cub’s pleas for them to leave, Bosco insists on staying, emphasizing his profound connection to the land and the memories it holds. Cub notes that Marcelle is still flickering the lights, even though the fireflies have gone away.

THE EIGHTH DAY

During their antics, Mr. Toad witnesses Otter mysteriously disappear into the lake. Below the pond’s surface, Mother Inferi conducts a dark ritual with her followers in a chilling ceremony. Meanwhile, Toad and Miina frantically search for the missing Otter. Auntie, now in painful labor, desperately persuades Rebecca to find Otter and apologize, revealing she ate Uncle after conceiving, and that, after birth, the newborn octopi will consume her. Rebecca finds Otter’s body being mourned over at Neptune’s court. Rebecca, in tears, apologizes to Otter, causing him to magically wake. Elsewhere, Auntie in her cavern sings the familiar haunting lullaby as she births her children, accepting her fate with determination. Facing her own sacrifice, Marcelle cryptically speaks to Bosco about a pact made with the stars, one that will allow Otter a second chance. Marcelle is suddenly consumed by the stars, Bosco desperately calling for her return. The play concludes with Otter, a beacon of innocence and warmth, joyfully engaging in more playful antics around the lake. Toad, aged and shakier, watches the lad play, offering him a Pepsi as the boy exits the water. Toad calls out to Miina and Marcelle, who exit the lakehouse and watch Otter swim. As they watch with pride and fondness, Otter exits the lake and embraces his mother.

ORCHESTRATIONS

Archipelago features an original score that can optionally be performed by actor musicians.

PIANO

ACCOUSTIC GUITAR / ELECTRIC GUITAR

BANJO

MANDOLIN

VIOLIN 1

VIOLIN 2

CELLO

CAJON / PERCUSSION

AWARDS

Vera Hinckley Mayhew Creative Arts Contest - Winner, Best Overall Play

NATHAN HOLLEY (BOOK AND SCORE)

SAM PAYNE (SCORE)