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Absolutely Science Fiction!


Bradbury and Vonnegut Predict the Future at Word for Word

After watching Word for Word’s “The Veldt”, Ray Bradbury’s 1950 science fiction horror story, you might want to think again about purchasing that Roomba vacuum. 

George and Lydia Hadley have purchased a fully automated Happylife Home. But Lydia (multi-talented Nicole Odell) is starting to feel alienated from the children by the house that looks after their every need. The kitchen serves up meals for four, the nursery is a source of constant, glowing, entertainment. Scenic Designer, Kate Boyd creates shining orange compartments around the rooms that operate with pushbutton ease, perfectly depicting the sterile, yet enticing panels and sliding doors of the house.

As the children, Wendy (vivacious Hanah Mae Sturges) and Peter (energetic Christian Jimenez), gain more and more control over the nursery, their parents become alarmed and attempt to lay down the law. Father George (versatile Ryan Tasker) limits the time the children spend in the nursery and is met with protests by the spoiled brats. 

As a fan of radio dramas, I’ve enjoyed hearing “The Veldt” on the radio for years. Word for Word’s version seems to be plucked directly from my imagination where the ominous sounds coming from the nursery warn us about spending too much time in virtual reality.

In 1970, Americans began to realize they were facing an environmental crisis. Vonnegut’s “The Big Space Fuck”, addresses the problem in an outrageous, over the top story reminiscent of MAD Magazine. Projections at the opening of the story show us the heaps of garbage we’ve created. We’re told our water is polluted. And, that it was now possible in the United States of America for a young person to sue his parents for the way he had been raised. 

Ryan Tasker
The writings of Ray Bradbury and Kurt Vonnegut show how they were both highly skeptical of technology and disappointed by human nature. With an administration that doesn't recognize climate change, and tech giants in competition to build space ships to Mars, it's clear Vonnegut was on to something with "The Big Space Fuck".

Word For Word has created mesmerizing theater from short stories, poetry and chapters from novels for 33 years without changing a word of the texts. You will not be disappointed with "Absolutely Science Fiction!". You're in for a treat.

“Absolutely Science Fiction!” Stories by Ray Bradbury and Kurt Vonnegut, directed by Delia MacDougall, scenic design by Kate Boyd, sound by Cliff Caruthers, costumes by Nolan Miranda by Word For Word at Z-Space, San Francisco.

Info: http://www.zspace.org/wfwscifi  - July 19, 2026.

Cast: Christian Jimenez, Hannah Mae Sturges, Joel Mullennix, Nicole Odell, and Ryan Tasker.

Photo Credit: Jessica Palopoli
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