Books for All Times

by Joe David

“Funny, racy and frightening” 

Dwayne Day WWWV-Radio Charlottesville

“Wonderfully humorous”

 Mike Bowler The Baltimore Sun

“Twistedly comic” 

Sam Weller New City (Chicago)

“On target” 

Spectrum Magazine Lake Forest College

… are what they said about Joe David's Teacher of the Year, the novel. Wait until you hear what they’ll be saying about Teacher of the Year, the play.

Discover for yourself. Step into the madcap world of “education” and meet the unforgettable characters…

Erda Von Schwantz, the sex educationist, who has mastered the art of penetrating the minds of her students and who then uses the information to write the definitive book on adolescent perversion; Roger Murphy, the ‘vitamin” pill distributor for a Jamaican manufacturer, who also is a movie producer of adult bookstore art films; Borlinda Borgia, the born-again Christian, who through the guidance of Roger and Erda learns to use her body for God’s work; Pepe/Pepita Noriega, the transvestite school principal, who uses Roger’s vitamins to seduce Niko Papalodopoulos the straight counselor before he can save Pepe/Pepita from him/herself; Phyllis Jaffe, the bullish superintendent, who gives up her worldly ways and dedicates her life to Bible readings, teas, and Borlinda’s mother. But most importantly, meet the greatest teacher alive, a teacher of impeccable heritage and education, a teacher whose infinite wisdom saves the public schools from scandal. Meet the one and only ... 

Frank Hamme, teacher of the year!

This paced, focused play will deliver one hell of an evening of laughs. Each scene connects to a strong, fun storyline that will keep audiences riveted and laughing, and (forgive me!) thinking. None of the characters are stock; each is an actor's dream, waiting for the right talent to give it theatrical life.  

The Cast

An aging Harrison Ford type will work very well as the lead character, teacher-of-the-year Frank Hamme. Such an actor can do an excellent job at giving straight delivery to some really funny lines and scenes. The transvestite principal, Pepe/Pepita Noriega, can be any burly and manly cross-dresser, and the born-again-Christian, Borlinda Borgia, works best as a 17-year-old Marilyn Monroe look-alike with lots of tits and brains. Her boy friend, Roger Murphy, is a typical teen-age idol who knows how to use his good looks and body to manipulate others.  The educationist, Erda Von Schwantz, comes off best as a physically fit, sensuous black or white woman who is woman enough to reduce a Harrison Ford type to his knees with her "charms."  

Of course, there are other characters (totaling nine, not including a few minor doubles).  All of them play off each other with verve and style, and in such an amusing way that they will turn this original play with its cerebral twists into a money-maker that will please both those who just want entertainment and those who need more. 

In 2005, the National Press Club of Washington had a reading of the play to a full house of educators, media types and Washingtonians. Michael Harrison, publisher and editor of Talkers Magazine, read the lead part. After tightening the dialogue and the plot, the author has turned the story after studying the reviews of the play into what it is today, a breezy, two-act comedy with a swift, clear focus that will win its share of accolades from critics, anywhere!

WARNING: Teacher of the Year is politically incorrect!

A published script is currently available

through Amazon and other prominent booksellers globally