Superman & the City of Tomorrow | Part One - "Last Son"

After his father sends him away in a last attempt to save him from his doomed home world, baby Kal-El crash lands on planet Earth. Upon being adopted by a kindly couple, the boy is given the name Clark Kent. Now, years later, Clark finds himself on the cusp of manhood as his high school graduation draws ever closer. However, as the rest of his friends begin planning their future, Clark struggles to get his feet off the ground. Secretly possessing superhuman abilities, the young man questions his place in the world, and ponders what he was truly meant for. 

The voice for Clark Kent, and by extension Superman, is a nuanced one. When reading these lines, keep in mind that this is not a man that is defined by his strength. Clark is defined by his character. A gentle giant, a man who above all seeks out hope and optimism. The beauty of Superman is not that he can defeat gods and monsters, it's that while he's capable of completing these feats, he also sets aside the time to help you and me. Helping a young girl rescue her cat from a tree, ensuring that those on the street don't take advantage of one another. I'm not specifically looking for someone with a voice that's deep and powerful, but rather one that's kind, that's understanding. 

I'll link here some examples of the type of voice I'm looking for:

https://youtu.be/l_jHoe-7ANE?si=LpPVL550D0Kxx9WQ&t=21

https://youtu.be/wtgCFKb0kU4?si=RE3rVbspJiZpt6tA&t=12

The adopted father of Superman, Jonathan Kent didn't know what to think when he saw a rocket ship fall from the sky and land in his field. He certainly didn't know what to think when he found a baby inside said rocket ship. 

Jonathan Kent is a simple farmer that seeks to provide for his family. When faced with the difficulties of raising a son with a purpose no doubt greater than anything he could ever imagine, Jonathan instills in his son three things: love, a work ethic, and a drive to help others.

Keep this in mind: even though you may not have the answers a young man with a greater purpose may be seeking, you'll never stop trying to help your son.

Clark Kent's best friend and the girl next door, Lana Lang and the young Superman have a deep connection. Despite a lifetime friendship, both secretly hold a deep love for each other, and while the two may hope for a future together, the revelation of Clark's abilities places a hard reality on Lana's conscious.

Loneliness often plays a key role in Superman stories. This chapter focuses on a unique point in Clark's life as we get a glimpse of a time where he wasn't lonely. Him and Lana have a clear bond and whereas the people of Metropolis only see Superman as he appears, a larger-than-life figure, she knows the real Clark. She remembers the young man from Smallville who shared her uncertainty of her place in the world.

Lana is a fun character. She cracks jokes and enjoys the simple things of life; swimming with her friends, having conversations about the future, but she's not a character that is defined by her humor. She's not specifically comedic relief, because her emotions and her feelings can get the better of her sometimes, and those play a big part in how her and Clark interact. This isn't just a coming of age story for the two of them, it's a love story. 

An incredible scientific mind, Jor-El warned the Kryptonian science council that constant harvesting of the planet's natural resources would result in global catastrophe. He was laughed out of the conference, but months later the nightmare came true. Faced with imminent and hopeless destruction, Jor-El devises a plan to save his son from annihilation.

Though he's a minor character in the chapter of this story, Jor-El and his wife unknowingly create the greatest hero the world has ever known. Cursed with the knowledge that he could have prevented the destruction of his people, Jor-El carries a heavy burden. This is paramount in his decision to send away his son.

The biological mother of Kal-El and wife of the scientist Jor-El, Lara Lor-Van stands by her family in their final moments. When Jor-El presents the idea to send away their son, she's eventually convinced. A loving mother by nature, the idea of parting with her only son is painful, but the guarantee of a new life for him is too precious for her to ignore. Consider these heavy emotions in your performance.