The Nerd

Set in Terre Haute, Indiana in 1979, The Nerd revolves around the relationship between one of theater’s oddest couples.

The title character is a Wisconsin factory inspector named Rick Steadman. While serving in Vietnam, Rick rescued fellow soldier Willum Cubbert, now a talented but unassuming architect. Willum has therefore long promised to do anything for Rick; as The Nerd begins, Rick is about to cash this IOU.

Rick is a tactless rube with no life; Willum is a nice-to-a-fault guy who’s life is in a rut. Rick is an unevolved linear thinker; Willum has a playful and vivid imagination. Rick is clueless and insensitive about people, places and things; Willum is so sensitive and attentive to others’ needs that he frequently ignores his own.

Little wonder that within a week of Rick showing up for a stay at Willum’s apartment, Willum is going out of his mind – while nevertheless afraid to tell this man who saved his life how he truly feels. That leaves Willum’s two best friends – a drama critic named Axel and a onetime flame named Tansy – to concoct a scheme to set Willum free.