The Inferno
A HOT New Comedy
The Inferno is based on the true escapades of Chris Sherman’s travels in Italy.
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Welcome to Florence, Italy! Ben and Annie Sussman, a seasoned middle-aged couple on vacation, are joined by Annie’s brother, Joey, and his fiancée, Karen—eager first-time travelers who have never ventured beyond New Jersey. But their dream trip takes an unexpected turn as they find themselves trapped in a beautiful Airbnb apartment, prisoners of the oppressive summer heat. While Florence’s rich history and vibrant culture await just outside their door, the scorching temperatures keep them confined indoors. Joey and Karen’s excitement quickly sours when they realize they’re essentially housebound by the relentless heat.
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For Ben, this forced downtime becomes the perfect backdrop for a full-blown midlife crisis. Restless and uneasy about his looming retirement, he spirals into a frantic search for purpose, imagining everything from humanitarian missions in Africa to joining an elite think tank—even entertaining the wild notion of having another child. Annie watches with growing concern as Ben’s existential crisis takes center stage.
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As temperatures rise, so do tempers. Tensions reach a boiling point as expensive Italian knick-knacks shatter, the refrigerator spews ice uncontrollably, and one air conditioner after another fails. The final blow comes when a massive blackout plunges all of Tuscany into darkness, shutting down hotels, restaurants, and supermarkets. Trapped together with no escape from the heat or each other, Ben, Annie, Joey, and Karen must navigate frayed nerves and broken dreams in this unforgettable Florentine fiasco.
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If the heat doesn’t kill them, they may just kill each other. Will anyone survive The Inferno?
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To read the full script: