Southwest Pacific

Cast (in order of appearance): Calvin, Miss Wormwood, Susie, Hobbes, Socrates, Mike Lawrence, Maestro Klein, Ronald, Brad, Ed, Jason, Stuart, Michael, Adam, Richard, Andy, Sherman

Summary
Calvin decides to audition for a school play.

Full plot
Miss Wormwood announces that another school play is coming up. Calvin decides not to do it as he still remembers getting stuck in his onion suit for the last play (a reference to a previous story arc from the comics). When Calvin returns home, Hobbes sees the details for the play, which is about a fast food employee who gets abducted by aliens. The next day, Susie reveals she's auditioning for the play, which makes Calvin want to do it less. Hobbes and Socrates convince him to do it, and Calvin goes to the auditions. When there, he sees Maestro Klein, and he reveals he used to be an actor. The audition goes well, and Calvin gets a part. However, he gets the role of Phil the alien. At the rehearsal, director Mike Lawrence asks the kids to say which part they are playing, and when people discover Calvin’s character name, everyone makes fun of it. The next day, Calvin and Hobbes rehearse the lines, with Socrates’ help, to Calvin’s dismay. But eventually, Calvin is memorized, revealing the show is ten minutes long and they only have one night to perform. The rehearsals go well except for Calvin keeps asking Mike how to do something and he says to do it by acting. Two days later, Andy and Sherman go to the school to see the show, seeing Calvin is in it. Calvin talks with Klein before the show and Mike instructs them to get in their places. The play goes smoothly, and Sherman critiques the lack of plot to himself. After the show, the gang congratulates Calvin as Sherman voices his criticisms. Andy tries shutting him up but Calvin agrees. Socrates notes another play similar to the one Calvin performed in written by the same guy is coming up. Calvin says he won’t do it, decides to keep the costume, and goes to destroy the set.

Transcript
Southwest Pacific Transcript

Trivia

 * This marks Maestro Klein's second appearance.
 * This is the only appearance of Mike Lawrence, played by Creed Bratton.