They just have her under observation I'm sure she'll be out by the morning
Is there no limit!?
Sounds like our director
Is there no limit!?
He got such her and just reviews
(Enter) is there no limit ,I ask you, to my unbridled brilliance
Chris where the hell were you tonight I've put a lot of money into the show as our director you owe to all of us
Oh be still your foolish mouth. nothing to be gleaned by watching ones show with the fraudulent audience of an opening night. went for a walk. past the Cathedral of the holy cross. when in. wildly spiritual- I tell you those Catholics really know how to put on a show. And right there in the middle of the Eucharist... I had an Epiphany. at this stage in the life of any musical one should refrain from inventing anything brilliant but simply eliminate all that's god awful. what I ask without fear of contradiction was the most God awful thing in our show
Jessica
(With them) Jessica of course Carmen I came back here to convince you to get rid of our star only have the casting for me she's in the hospital I see the hand of the Lord in this
They decided to dress to the nines and Tara combination opening and closing night party
Defeatists a lot of you. You've yet to hear my plan of action but here it ye shall Johnny come help me watch you move the piano (exit)
Hi sweetie well looks like we're all going to be heading back to New York a little sooner than we thought but if you and I going back together this is one flop that's a big hit with me
(Re-enters) eh bien mes enfants A brief demonstration of what's been wrong with the show from his very first love song
See George agrees with me
Nonetheless I've had a problem with it since our very first day of rehearsal. Georgia sing our leading ladies opening number
About Rob Hood
Precisely, Aaron play. Georgia sing Johnny put her in light cue 5
Like you 50 this is silly I haven't sung on a stage
Just sing
(Company applauds)
Well done Georgia
Listen Chris if you say something's been wrong with this tune since our firt rehersal, you'll have to tell me what
It's that we ever allowed Jessica Cranshaw to sing it.
Now look here everyone: I think it s a damn shame our leading lady collapsed at tonight's performance. She might have done it weeks ago and saved us a month of misery. But the cavity that Jessica has created must be appropriately filled-
May I speak? As Jessica's understudy, I'd feel terrible taking over under these circumstances
No need to feel terrible, Nicki
But-
No need because, you're still going to be the understudy, to Georgia
I...I don't know Chris.
You know the score and script better than anyone else, you sing the songs from your heart because that's where the words came from. I realize it's been quite some time since you traded in your tap shoes for a rhyming dictionary but-
Excuse me, but speaking for those of us in the chorus, I really think Niki should get the Role. She's talented and dedicated
And since you're Nikis understudy, if she gets the lead you get her part
#NAME?
Nice try Bambi. But either Georgia is in or I'm out. What do you say Oscar?
Chris, I'll put my money where your mouth is.
Launder it first. Aaron, I assume this move more than meets with your approval?
Chris, do you want to say something to the company about Jessica?
Well, shall be observe a minute of silence, to match the audiences response to Jessica's first number?
Chris!
Well alright, let's all form a semi-circle, boy-girl-boy-girl
(They shuffle)
Tallest on the inside-
(They re-shuffle)
No Bambi, you're blocking the entire right side of the house!
(Clears throat)
People:Jessica was part of our company and now we part company... but I'm sure we'll remember her in our thoughts and in our r�sum�s. And as thespians, I know you all would like to display your sorrow, as both a tribute and as Ana acting exercise. Sasha: F sharp minor.
You're more than welcome I have well I've done a little community theater myself oh nothing that fancy though my Billy Bigelow at the Brookline Barnhouse got a favorable review and in a Midsummers nights dream my bottom was very well received
Wait one moment. You say you're from Homicide?
I will yes based on preliminary autopsy it's clear that Jessica Crenshaw was murdered (company gasp)
And, and what are they doing with her killer? I mean, does he get some sort of trophy or a Pontiac convertible...?
Chris!
Sorry, pure reflex.
Drama at the back of the throat suggest you didn't take the So voluntarily now may I ask who's in charge here other than myself
Permit me, lieut. Im the critically acclaimed director Christopher Belling and Ill be blocking or investigation.
I hope that's not the case. But if you need to wrap things up with your cast, please go right ahead
Company! I know you'll give Georgia your support as she steps into the late Miss. Cranshaw's shoes-
Omg, that's brilliant
As one would expect from me. All those ready to press forward with Robbin' Hood and Georgia, give me a show of hands.
Well that's that's sort of what I'm paid to do I mean that's why have a badge in my own gun anyway being sequestered here will let you focus on fixing the show
Fixing?
Sorry Mr. Bernstein
Sydney it's been a God awful night
I hear you Chris
And I am turning in my resignation
Impossible I know but somehow I do it
If one of you is the killer, would you please take her next?
Folks detectable Farrell is here with the last delivery of clothes from your hotel rooms claim your bundle downstairs and in one half hour Lieut. Cioffi will begin questioning altos and tenors
Ah Herr lieut. Rising from your interrogation chamber to grace us with your presense?
I thought I'd stretch my legs. I've been stuck In the green room all day.
At least you got to sleep in your own bed last night.
Sorry about that
I-uhm-I intrigue you, don't i lieut.?
Damn
(Enter)lieut you must clear the stage immediately, I've just been informed I have less time to reinvent this show than Moses had to cross the Red Sea. And he had God on his side.
I'm getting reviewed tomorrow?
Niki, go fetch Bambi. I have no choice but to re-block In The Same Boat here and now.
You see what I'm saying? For such a big moment in the show, it is sort of mild-mannered
Strangely enough, I agree. We need a completely new compisition, one that catchier than pink eye.
Oh you want a hit.
Yes and not some song from one of your failed shows either Aaron- none of your Eine Kleine Trunkmusik
Your writing partner is my dancing partner in the star of the show if she doesn't get the Saloon number under her belt tonight we're all finished
And I need to see that very number in full dress regalia this instant. Johnny: tell the cast to change for the Act One finale from the final bars in the bar at the Bar B Bar Saloon-
Say again?
I can't say that again.
With Georgia now it's dynamic and uplifting leaving the audience champing at the bit for act two in the set who doesn't love red
Very good and as long as we're All in our positions, i want to fix our pose for the Act One curtain
Shoot. Mr Belling just go on with what you were doing
Yes, all right, so as I was saying, I want to see our pose for the Act One curtain so if you'll all
And because the best way for me to solve Jessica's murder is to keep the heat turned up in this pressure cooker of the theater and lastly because this could be a really good show take it Chris
Very good, so Company-
Heads up, we're striking the set!
(Outraged) what? No,Johnny, I'm not finished. I /still/ have yet to fix our pose-
Sorry
Never mind, let's have the last four bars! Bobby?
THATAWAY
Why is there no curtain?
We're having a little trouble with it.
I want it closed, now!
Alright, how's this?
Did you see something go up as the curtain closed?
Curtain
No close the curtain!
You can't sleep either?
Knowing someone in this company is going to change my blocking?
I thought I saw Aaron and Georgia sneaking around.
Yeah, song-writing teams are always plotting how to do in the director- and they're all quite, quite mad. I could easily believe /they/ did it.
Morning folks.
Welcome back lieut., to your marathon production of /No Exit/
I've just come from Sid Bernstein's autopsy-
Did they drive a stake through his heart, just to play safe?
Then it seems you three gentlemen are my first official murder suspects.
Well it's an honor just to be nominated.
And Daryl Grady of the Globe loved Bobbys dancing.
Bobby, can you improvise a short turn in time for tonight?
Well for gosh sakes, Bobby it's just losing a bandanna and putting on the mask, would it kill you to try?
We'll time it out now-Johnny, the Fort Henderson Square Dance number!
Excuse me everyone! I just had a thought
AH, how long we've waited for this day!
I'm ready
Carmen, Bambi's the spawn of /your/ loins. Yes or no?
I'm putting In The Same Boat into dry-dock for the time being!
Please Aaron, come back! When you have a new song. (Exit)
ITS A BUSINESS
(Enters)
Well I think my dance number could be very provocative
Sweetie, the only think you could arouse is suspicion.
Chris, the company's ready to run the square dance.
Oh joy beyond my wildest dreams.
May I?
And Carmen, how many more hours do we have left before we're re-reviewed by-
Daryl Grady of the Boston Globe.
Grady? /You're/- not what I expected. But then, I've never actually seen a picture of you.
Complete anonymity is a critics best tool
Well I suppose I shouldn't bite the hand that slaps me... but it's, it's unethical to review our /rehersal/
Poor Sidney. He would have died to get this much press and he did. The Green Room is yours Grady.
All right then, company, the Fort Henderson Square Dance, Bambi auditioning a new section with Bobby-
Keep all your fingers crossed
So let us follow the yellow brick road in the wrong direction, all the way to "Kansasland".
Sasha: ye haw
By the way don't you think Bobby should play his dance much further down stage
I was planning to have the same idea
Coiffi, you're gunna protect me right? There's already been two murders committed on this stage
Three if you count the integrity of musical theatre. (Exit)
Whatever you're playing, it's not from the score of thi show
Come here my sweatheart...come here...
Who's that
Don't be afraid... I won't hurt you...
Look, this is no time to joke; we've had to people die!
(Belling appears from the pit with a cat) oh sorry dear fellow, didn't mean to put a fright into you. Give us a hand, will you? Trying to catch poor Ophelia here, been with this theatre for eons apparently. Chased a mouse into the pit and got stuck amid the percussion instruments. I'll put her in her basket just down the stairs. (Exit)
bro dies
Don't you think we're too easy a target up here in the flies, lieut.? Especially with the entire cast rehearsing directly below us?
I found the gun used on Johnny in the orchestra pit in Nikki found the gunfire to Carmen I'm sort of hoping the killers has run outguns that by now
Buts it's been hours since poor Johnny was juddered. AGrhis point, what purpose could you have for dragging me up here?
The last time I talked with Johnny you were the topic of conversation I don't want you out of my sight until I figure out his dying message
Dying message?
Johnny knew his killer he only have seconds to live couldn't write couldn't speak his blood stains on the stage to see Dragon stuff to get his call book and ripped out one page which he'd written the word to drop in planet earth
Well, "Drop in" is simply the term we use for scenery that's lowered from up here in ge flies.
Exactly mountain drops in skyline drops in
MARY MARTIN DROPS IN...
There's a drop of the Earth at the end of in the same boat
There will /never/ be an end to "In The same Boat
THE THUNDERS CLAPPIN A LOT JUST HEAR IT ROAR (over this)
Listen. They're rehearsing the latest version now! Same bloody orchestra part, third new melody. Collect the entire series!
My god my god that's it! Of course. I've solved it. Come on, we have to get down from here, fast
This way. Retreat after me. (Exit SR)
Sasha stop the music
(Runs on) what on earth is going on, no pun intended. Niki, you must have pushed him.
Me? Why would you say that?
Because you and I were the only ones up there with him and I've almost entirely ruled out myself.
Then if all three songs fit the same arrangement they must all fit with each other that's what will give this number the kick in the derri�re it's been eating the whole company singing three different songs at the same time it'll make for you for tim horn
But what about the murder?
BOAT
Congratulations, Lieutenant, you've greatly improved the number, as well as the likelihood that I'll take credit for it.
I'm sure the answer must be in the clue Johnny gave us... "Drop In Planet Earth".. The Earth on this stage... the world on a stage.
All the world's a stage? Shakespeare?
Shakespeare... "These our actors were all spirits and are melted into air..." Oh. Yes, my God, that what Johnny meant. CHRIS!
I DID IT!!
(beat)
Sorry, reflex, I always take credit for everything. What do you want?
I need to see the final moment of the show, when Jessica collapsed.
The Company Bows? My God, that's the /last/ thing we need to be rehearsing!
You think I don't know that? please.
Oh very well. Places for the Company Bows, people!
No... not everyone was on the stage at that moment, Niki. Where were you... Mr. Belling?
Taking a walk alone, as you damn well know!
Before and after the show (kiss, exit)
Any additional notes before we open the curtain, Lieutenant?
Actually, Chris, Niki and I did have a dream of an idea about a new finale for the show.
I'm sure we'll be singing a different tune, if you think that we should (starts to leave, stops) Oh and, by the way; bravo the great detective.
Brao the great director
(exit)
BUT WE'RE SELDOM IN DOUBT ABOUT WHAT WE FEEL
(appears from behind curtain) Lieutenant, you're experienced with assault and battery, I think Bobby may need some first aid. He's a bit wobbly on his feet from betting hit on the head by Grady.
Let me take a look at him.
We've only hours before the curtain goes up and I'm afraid he may not rise to the occasion