This skit introduces Phileo as a somewhat irreverent but definitely friendly boy puppet. It encourages audience interaction, so be sure to have your ad lib armor on.
Mario steps up to the puppet screen and introduces himself, then prepares to introduce Phileo, but Phileo is nowhere to be found.
Mario: Hi everybody. My name is Mario, and I’d like to introduce you to my little buddy, here, Phileo.
He looks over and Phileo is not there. Snoring can be heard.
Mario: (Apologetically to audience) Excuse me a minute.
(A loud whisper) Phileo. Phileo. Where are you? (looks over top of screen)
Mario: (To audience) Uh, oh, it looks like Phileo has overslept.
Phileo, Wake up. Its time to come out and meet everybody. Phileo.
Phileo: (snorts, yawns, stretches, peeks over the top)
Uh Oh. I’ll be there in just a minute.
(singing & gargling noises can be heard: one familiar line from each of several well known songs, such as I’m forever blowing bubbles, Dig, dig, dig, Rubber ducky, etc.)
(Mario nervously taps his foot, looks at his watch, looks at the sky, gives an embarrassed smile to audience, paces. On the musical cue of Rubber Ducky, he breaks in on Phileo’s solo)
Mario: Are you ready yet, Phileo?
Phileo: Yep. Here I come. (Phileo bounces up as if he is running up steps) Hi Mario.
Mario: Hi Phileo. Glad you could make it.
Phileo: (turns to the audience) Hi everybody. (back to Mario) What are we gonna do today, Mario?
Mario: Well, I thought maybe we could sing a song.
Phileo: Just a minute—(makes vocal warm-up noises) mi, mi, mi. Harum. That’s better. OK. What should we sing?
Some Tips:
These relatively short skits can be combined or you can use them with new material surrounding them. If you are combining one skit with another, then, for example, at the end of the eye test, go on to the next segment instead of saying good bye.
Be sure to practice cues and work on timing so that there are no awkward pauses.
At the places where Mario interrupts Phileo, Phileo should practice continuing the line ad lib so that if Mario is late in interrupting, Phileo will still be talking.
Mario should be sure to have the lines and music memorized. For Phileo, you can pin words, cues, etc to the inside of the screen. Be sure it is in a convenient place because when you have one arm up in the air, you don’t have much room to turn to look at something if it is not placed correctly.
To save your posture, the puppet screen should be tall enough to let you stand without the top of your head showing, then simply lift Phileo up above the edge.
Be sure to ham it up and have fun!