Brooklyn

The Musical

by

Mark Schoenfeld
&
Barri McPherson
 BROOKLYN 1./1a/2 (7/28/06)

BROOKLYN The Musical

PRESET:
A ravaged street corner in Brooklyn. Scaffolding, down right
and left, frames a streetlamp, a garbage can, and the remains of
an old tenement building with a chain-link fence. A sign on the
building shows that there are '15 minutes until showtime’.

A soundscape of city sounds: traffic, cab horns, subway squeals,

etc.

The street performers break through the

fence onto their sidewalk stage and begin
preparing for their 8:00 PM show under
the Brooklyn Bridge.

An empty guitar case is placed at the

foot of the streetlamp with a sign that
reads “Give Only What You Can”.

We HEAR a bass & percussion groove coming

from a boombox carried by a CITYWEED
(CLEAVANT). Soundscape fades, groove
continues.

CLEAVANT
(riffing at top of number – may adlib “One More
Time”)

Yeah, sure look like we got a good crowd goin’

here tonight on Streetsinger’s Row (I said it
sure looks like we got a good crowd going here
tonight... yeah, Streetsinger’s Row- that’s where
we do our little sidewalk show. Look like every
star out in heaven is shining down on Brooklyn
tonight...
 BROOKLYN 3. (4/26/06)

SONG: “HEART BEHIND THESE HANDS”

CLEAVANT
(singing)
THERE’S A HEART BEHIND THESE HANDS
THERE’S A SOUL BENEATH THESE CLOTHES
We HEAR the sound of loose change
being tossed into the empty guitar
case. “Thank yous” from the
troupe.

THERE’S A STORY BEHIND THESE EMPTY EYES

THAT NO ONE WANTS TO KNOW

BUT IF YOU HAVE THE TIME TO LISTEN

JULIE
Ya'll got the time.

CLEAVANT
THEN YOU JUST MIGHT UNDERSTAND
THAT YOUR VERY LIFE LIES IN THE HANDS OF FATE
LIKE THE HEART BEHIND THESE HANDS

Sound of loose change is HEARD

again. More “Thank yous” from the
troupe.

LIKE THE HEART BEHIND THESE HANDS

I ONCE HAD ME A FORTUNE-TELLER

TELL ME ABOUT MY LIFE

MELBA
SHE SAID, “IF NO ONE’S EVER LOVED YOU, CHILD, THEN EVERYONE PAYS
THE PRICE...”

DIANA
SHE SAID, “LOVE IS ALL WE LIVE FOR”

JULIE
“IT’S GOD’S ONE AND ONLY PLAN”

LEE
BUT EVEN GOD MAY STILL ABANDON YOU
LIKE THE HEART BEHIND THESE HANDS
 BROOKLYN 4.(4/26/06)
CLEAVANT
(singing to LEE)
NO, NO BROTHER
HE’S THE ONE TO PULL YOU THROUGH
HIS LOVE IS YOUR COMMAND...
SOMEBODY HELP ME SING IT
THE CITY WEEDS
THERE’S A HEART BEHIND THESE HANDS
THERE’S A SOUL BENEATH THESE CLOTHES
CLEAVANT THE CITY WEEDS
THERE’S A STORY BEHIND THESE EMPTY EYES AAAAHHHHH
THAT NO ONE WANTS TO KNOW
MELBA
AND OH IF YOU FEEL THE SPIRIT MOVE YOU
LEE
GIVE ONLY WHAT YOU CAN
DIANA
AND I’LL SING MY SONG
GOOD AND STRONG
I’M GONNA SING IT
CLEAVANT
YEAH, YOU CAN SING IT
MELBA
I’M GONNA SING IT, SING IT, SING IT
LEE
I’M GONNA SING IT
(JULIE riffs vocally)

THE CITY WEEDS

FROM THE HEART BEHIND THESE HANDS
FROM THE HEART BEHIND THESE HANDS
Song Ends.
More loose change is HEARD:
ka-ching, ka-ching.

CLEAVANT
(to gathered crowd)
Thank you, thank you sir, God bless you ma’am, you
and your family. You see, we’re a family of sorts
too... maybe not like the Mom and apple pie kind,
nah, we’re more like the cluster of weeds here
sproutin’ right up through these concrete streets.
Yeah, that’s what we are...
(they pose in a Kodak moment)
 BROOKLYN 5/5a (4/26/06)

CLEAVANT & THE CITY WEEDS

“The City Weeds.”
(they clap in unison)

The sound of loose change again.

They all look.

MELBA
Now you didn’t just throw some monopoly money in
there, now didja boss? I mean we ain’t in the
Real Estate bid’ness, but we in bid’ness for
real... pullin’ ourselves up by our own
bootstraps... okay.

DIANA
(singing)
YEAH, WE’RE GONNA SING FOR OUR SUPPER...

LEE
And tell y’all a story...
CLEAVANT
Yeah, we're gonna tell you our own little
sidewalk fairy tale.
THE CITY WEEDS
Sidewalk fairy tale.
CLEAVANT
It's a tale of family, fame, faith, and fate.
And every fairy tale holds a little truth...
Ahhh, but whose truth...
City Weeds hold for a few beats.
And who knows, maybe one day us Weeds will rise
above this here little patch’a ground and be
tellin’ our tales and singing our songs across
this here bridge...
JULIE
Yeah, we be playin’ all the great stages...
DIANA
...Carnegie Hall...
MELBA
...Radio City...
LEE
...Madison Square Garden!
 BROOKLYN 6. (4/26/06)

CLEAVANT
Yeah, from the streetlight to the spotlight, who
knows y'all...
A CHANGE IS ON THE WAY, I CAN FEEL IT FOR ME
Cuz when you're in America's lost and found, you
gotta believe anything is possible.
PARADICE
I know that's right.
JULIE
You ain't lyin' tonight.
CLEAVANT
Ladies and Gentlemen...
Plug it in, plug it in...
Cleavant adjusts the sign on the tenement
building to indicate that it is...
...Showtime!
ALL
... Sceeeeeene One.
The troupe makes drum roll noise as Lee
sprays “Scene 1” on the brick wall.
During the course of the play the troupe
will continue to spray paint the wall,
keeping tally of the scenes for the
street crowd.
SCENE 1
CLEAVANT
Once upon a time...
A young American went to Paris with nothing but a guitar
and a dream. His name was Taylor Collins...
TAYLOR (LEE)
I play Taylor Collins.
CLEAVANT
...and he dreamed of being a singer, a poet, a
writer of songs. He dreamed of Fame...
(Kevin struggles with a guitar riff)
Keep dreamin’. It was June, 1969, he was
backpacking through France when he walked into
this small, this little Parisian café right in
the shadow of the Eiffel Tower... and there he
met a beautiful, young waitress with dreams of
her own. Her name was Faith...
 BROOKLYN 7. (6/04/06)

FAITH (JULIE)
I play Faith.

CLEAVANT
...and Faith would be a dancer and one day hoped
to play the New York stage... yeahhh, love was a
song and life was a dance... Why, it was as if
their very fate was sealed within the pages of a
fairy tale. And with every fairy tale comes a
lullaby, so Taylor was writing one. One that
would follow these young lovers for the rest of
their lives...
TAYLOR
... LA LA LA LA, LA LA, LA LA LA LA
LA LA LA LA ... OUR LOVE WILL STAY STRONG
... LA LA LA LA, LA LA, LA LA LA LA
LET OUR FATE WRITE WORDS TO THIS SONG
That’s all I’ve got so far.

CLEAVANT
... but even fairy tales come to an end. And
before that lullaby was finished...
...he had to go back home.
(Cleavant hands Taylor a draft letter)
He kissed her goodbye.
(Taylor and Faith kiss.)
A kiss with a promise to love her for eternity.
A kiss with a promise to bring Faith to America.
A kiss with a promise to finish the unfinished
lullaby.

TAYLOR
I promise.
 BROOKLYN 8. (4/26/06)

CLEAVANT
But he never kept that promise. She never heard
from him again. Faith had his child. But Taylor
- he never knew...
and Faith named her little girl for Taylor’s home
far away. She named her... Brooklyn.

SCENE 2

BROOKLYN
(crying like a newborn)
Waaaahhhhhhhh!!!!!
Melba adds to the scene tally.
Underscore: “UNFINISHED LULLABY”

CLEAVANT
She would rock baby Brooklyn to sleep with that
simple, unfinished lullaby...

FAITH
(cradling her baby)
...LA LA LA LA, LA LA, LA LA LA LA...
LA LA LA LA... OUR LOVE WILL STAY STRONG...

FAITH AND BROOKLYN

(as Faith wraps Brooklyn in skirt)
...LA LA LA LA, LA LA, LA LA LA LA

BROOKLYN
LET OUR FATE WRITE WORDS TO THIS SONG
I play Brooklyn. But don't worry - I grow up in a few
minutes.

CLEAVANT
Well, soon Faith became the dancer she hoped to
be. Known throughout the City of Lights as the
Parisian Butterfly...

(FAITH points to herself)

...she played all the grande stages, her name on

every marquee... Ahhhh, but there was no joy in
fame for this delicate young beauty, for the
singer, the poet, the writer of songs never
returned. So for the next five years, little
Brooklyn would watch her mother reveal her broken
heart in dance...
 Brooklyn 9. (4/26/06)

Lights up on Faith and Brooklyn in

dressing room of Club Le Grande Jete.

STAGE MANAGER (Melba)

5 minutes, 5 minutes till show time.
BROOKLYN
Merry Christmas Mommy!
(Brooklyn gives Faith a rose)
FAITH
(kissing her)
Thank you Brooklyn.
BROOKLYN
Mommy, will I get to meet my Daddy this year?
Faith puts the rose in her hair and
begins to cry.

Mommy, please don’t cry.

FAITH
Always remember, Brooklyn, sometimes with our
tears we can water roses.
BROOKLYN
(puzzled)
Huh?
Through the window, snow begins to fall
outside.

BROOKLYN (cont’d)
Oh Mommy look! It’s snowing...
SONG: “CHRISTMAS MAKES ME CRY”

FAITH
(at her dressing table)
PEOPLE OUT THERE GIVING
CELEBRATION IN THE AIR
MIDNIGHT BELLS ARE RINGING
IT’S SNOWING EVERYWHERE
BROOKLYN
Do you think it’s snowing where Daddy is?
FAITH
EVERYONE’S WITH SOMEONE
BUT FOR YOU AND I
I COULDN’T WAIT FOR CHRISTMAS
NOW CHRISTMAS MAKES ME CRY
 Brooklyn 10. (4/26/06)

CLEAVANT
But far from Paris, in the land of the free and
the home of the brave...another voice cries
out...

TAYLOR
(sitting high atop NYC scaffolding)
SANTA CLAUS IS JUST A MAN
WEARING FUNNY CLOTHES
RUDOLPH’S JUST A SONG
SOMEBODY HAS COMPOSED

Brooklyn helps Faith get into her

costume.

PEOPLE ARE A’CAROLING

BUT I WON’T EVEN TRY
I USED TO SING AT CHRISTMAS
NOW CHRISTMAS MAKES ME CRY

CUZ EVERYONE’S WITH SOMEONE

WHO THEY LOVE

FAITH
EVERYONE’S WITH SOMEONE
WHO THEY LOVE

TAYLOR AND FAITH

EVERYONE’S WITH SOMEONE
BUT FOR YOU AND I

I USED TO LAUGH AT CHRISTMAS

TAYLOR
NOW CHRISTMAS MAKES ME CRY

M.C. (MELBA)
Mesdames et Messieurs, Le Grande Jete is proud to
present the Parisian Butterfly in her tour de
force -- “The Unfinished Lullaby”.

Faith performs “The Unfinished

Lullaby” in dance as Cleavant
narrates.
Taylor continues singing “CHRISTMAS
MAKES ME CRY” as underscoring.
 BROOKLYN 11. (4/26/06)

CLEAVANT
The only prop on stage... a hangman’s noose.
Placing the coarse rope around her neck, she
would ascend to unknown heights.
Suddenly she would drop from the rafters, swaying
in dance at the end of a noose, then floating to
the stage like a summer butterfly.
Audiences would cheer “Bravo! Magnifique!”

CITY WEEDS
Bravo! Magnifique!
CLEAVANT
But all that love and adulation could not fill
the hole in Faith’s young soul... a soul left
empty by Taylor Collins.
TAYLOR
I USED TO LAUGH AT CHRISTMAS
NOW CHRISTMAS MAKES ME CRY
CLEAVANT
And so on a cold, snowy Christmas night, Faith,
the Parisian Butterfly... ended her dance...
BROOKLYN
Mommy?
CLEAVANT
(drum roll)
...in death.

BROOKLYN
(screaming)
Mommy !
SONG: “NOT A SOUND”
ALL BUT BROOKLYN
(a capella)
AAHHH AAHHH AAHHH AAHHH....
JULIE CLEAVANT, MELBA, LEE
A BEAUTIFUL LITTLE GIRL OOOH
MELBA
BORN OF MUSIC, MADE OF DREAMS
CLEAVANT
HER WORLD, JUST FIVE YEARS OLD
 BROOKLYN 12. (4/26/06)

JULIE
UNRAVELING
LEE
AND AS THE SNOW FALLS DOWN
MELBA
ON THE COLD, HARD GROUND
LEE
THERE’S NOT A WORD
NOT A WHISPER
NOT A SOUND
ALL EXCEPT BROOKLYN
AND AS THE SNOW FALLS DOWN
ON THE COLD, HARD GROUND
BROOKLYN
THERE’S NOT A WORD
NOT A WHISPER
NOT A SOUND
SCENE 3
Julie adds to the scene tally.

CLEAVANT
Motherless and Fatherless... little Brooklyn was
sent off to an orphanage - The Sisters of
Charity.
MELBA
Guess who’s the sister?
CLEAVANT
Then two years to the day her mother died... A
seven year-old Brooklyn walked into the orphanage
chapel. And though her hands had never touched
the church organ before ... She began to play.
Underscore: “UNFINISHED LULLABY”
on the organ. We see Brooklyn at
the church organ.
She began to sing the “Unfinished Lullaby”.
BROOKLYN
LA LA LA LA, LA LA LA LA...
LET OUR FATE WRITE WORDS TO THIS...
 BROOKLYN 13. (4/26/06)

Brooklyn slams her fists on the organ

keys. We hear a distorted crash of organ
tones.

SONG: “BROOKLYN GREW UP”

THE CITY WEEDS

BROOKLYN GREW UP

JULIE CLEAVANT, MELBA, LEE

LOOKING IN THE MIRROR AAHH
NEVER KNOWING WHO SHE REALLY WAS
OOOHHH
WITH A HAIRBRUSH IN HER HAND LIKE
A MICROPHONE AAHH
SHE WOULD SING THE SONG
THAT HER MOTHER WOULD SING AAHH
BROOKLYN
(angrily)
LA LA LA LA, LA LA, LA LA LA ...
THE CITY WEEDS
FROM THE DAY SHE WAS BORN
BROOKLYN SANG OUT THIS SONG
CLEAVANT, JULIE, MELBA, LEE
AH AAHH
BROOKLYN
MY DADDY DON’T KNOW AH AAHH
THAT I WAS EVER BORN
THIS PAIN IN MY HEART
IS GETTING STRONGER
THE CITY WEEDS
STRONGER
BROOKLYN
AND I DON’T THINK DON’T THINK
I CAN TAKE IT ANY LONGER I CAN TAKE IT ANY LONGER

THIS WEIGHT IN MY HEART WEIGHT IN MY HEART

THIS ACHE IN MY SOUL ACHE IN MY SOUL
THIS YEARNING IN MY HEART YEARNING IN MY HEART
JUST KEEPS ON GOING ON KEEPS ON GOING ON
‘CAUSE MY DADDY DON’T
THE CITY WEEDS
DADDY DON’T
 BROOKLYN 14. (4/26/06)

BROOKLYN
DON’T EVEN KNOW
NO, MY DADDY DON’T KNOW NO, MY DADDY DON’T KNOW
THAT I WAS EVER BORN THAT I WAS EVER BORN
DADDY! DADDY!
THERE’S A VOICE DEEP INSIDE VOICE DEEP INSIDE
AND IT CRIES AND IT CRIES AND IT CRIES AND IT CRIES
SOMEONE IS CALLING ME FAR AWAY OOO OOO OOO OOO
FAR AWAY OOO OOO
We hear streetnoise.
Music begins:“ONCE UPON A TIME” Brooklyn
hums as she writes her poetry and music
on the bedroom wall.
CLEAVANT
You see, as Brooklyn found music, she found a way
to rid the torment from her soul ... A soul
filled with musical gifts passed down to her from
a father she never knew.
Faith appears as an angel.
FAITH
Brooklyn...
BROOKLYN
Mommy?
(Music starts)
Mommy!
FAITH
Brooklyn, I’m sorry I didn’t give you a happy
ending. I know I stole that from you... But
always keep the Lullaby close to your heart...
learn the truth about your father, it will help
you heal.
BROOKLYN
But... how, where would I even begin to...
FAITH
Trust the voice inside you, Brooklyn ... Follow
it ... to America.
Brooklyn connects her melody with
her poetry for the first time.
Song: “ONCE UPON A TIME”
BROOKLYN
HAS ANYONE EVER SUNG YOU A LULLABY...
 BROOKLYN 15. (4/26/06)

FAITH
...there’s magic in your music...through your
music your father, he'll hear you...

BROOKLYN
YOU CAN FLY ABOVE THE RAIN CLOUDS, CLOSE YOUR EYES...

FAITH
...just let the melody carry you, leave all your
fears behind...

BROOKLYN
LET THE MELODY CARRY YOU, LEAVE ALL YOUR FEARS BEHIND...
FAITH
...and ‘once upon a time’... will find you.
BROOKLYN
AND FLOAT ACROSS THE RAINBOW SKY TO ONCE UPON A TIME

FAITH
ONCE UPON A TIME

BROOKLYN
I BELIEVE IN MIRACLES
FAITH
ONCE UPON A TIME

BROOKLYN
I BELIEVE LOVE WILL CONQUER ALL

FAITH
ONCE UPON A TIME
BROOKLYN
I BELIEVE ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE
BROOKLYN AND FAITH
NOW ONCE UPON A TIME
HAS NEVER FELT MORE RIGHT
CLEAVANT
And soon Faith’s beautiful little girl became a
famous young woman. Famous for a song, a song
that finds the lost child in all of us. Oh, and
now she’s famous where it counts, where nothing
but fame counts... America.
Brooklyn’s bedroom transforms into
Carnegie Hall.
 BROOKLYN 16. (4/26/06)
SCENE 4
Julie adds to the scene tally.
M.C. (LEE)
Ladies and Gentlemen, Carnegie Hall proudly
welcomes “Paris’ Amazing Grace”, Brooklyn!
BROOKLYN
HAS ANYONE EVER READ YOU A FAIRY-TALE
AND TAKEN YOU TO PLACES MAGICAL
WHERE HOMES ARE MADE OF GINGERBREAD
AND SKIES ARE ALWAYS BLUE
WHERE PUMPKINS TURN TO COACHES
AND WISHES ALL COME TRUE
HAS ANYONE EVER SUNG YOU A LULLABY
YOU CAN FLY ABOVE THE RAIN CLOUDS
CLOSE YOUR EYES
LET THE MELODY CARRY YOU
LEAVE ALL YOUR FEARS BEHIND
AND FLOAT ACROSS THE RAINBOW SKY
TO “ONCE UPON A TIME”
THE CITY WEEDS
ONCE UPON A TIME
BROOKLYN
I BELIEVED IN MIRACLES
THE CITY WEEDS
ONCE UPON A TIME
BROOKLYN
I BELIEVED THAT LOVE WOULD CONQUER ALL
THE CITY WEEDS
ONCE UPON A TIME
BROOKLYN THE CITY WEEDS
I BELIEVED
ANYTHING WAS POSSIBLE OOOOHHHHH
BROOKLYN
AND I BELIEVED AGAIN
THE MOMENT WHEN
I SAW YOU HERE TONIGHT
NOW
BROOKLYN AND THE CITY WEEDS
ONCE UPON A TIME
 BROOKLYN 17. (4/26/06)

BROOKLYN THE CITY WEEDS

HAS
NEVER FELT MORE RIGHT AAAAAHHHHH

THE CITY WEEDS

ONCE UPON A TIME

BROOKLYN
I BELIEVED IN MIRACLES

THE CITY WEEDS

ONCE UPON A TIME

BROOKLYN
I BELIEVED LOVE

THE CITY WEEDS

ONCE UPON A TIME

BROOKLYN
WOULD CONQUER ALL
I BELIEVED

BROOKLYN AND THE CITY WEEDS

ANYTHING

BROOKLYN
WAS POSSIBLE

THE CITY WEEDS

AAAHHHHH

BROOKLYN
ONCE UPON A TIME

THE CITY WEEDS

WE BELIEVED IN MIRACLES

BROOKLYN
ONCE UPON A TIME

THE CITY WEEDS

WE BELIEVED THAT LOVE WOULD CONQUER ALL
 BROOKLYN 18. (4/26/06)

BROOKLYN THE CITY WEEDS

OH YES
I BELIEVED THAT ANYTHING WAS POSSIBLE OOO OOO OOO

AND I BELIEVED AGAIN THE MOMENT WHEN

I SAW YOU HERE TONIGHT
NOW ONCE UPON A TIME
HAS NEVER FELT MORE
RIGHT AAAAHHHHHH
NEVER FELT MORE
MORE RIGHT
AAAAHHHHHH
Carnegie Hall breaks into
applause.

Brooklyn, in dim light.

CLEAVANT
Oh yeah, they say if you were in attendance that
night, then you my friend were a witness to
history, aaahhh but with a touch of mystery...
You see, before her final bow, Brooklyn would
always sing the “Unfinished Lullaby”...

BROOKLYN
(singing “UNFINISHED LULLABY”)
LA LA LA LA, LA LA, LA LA LA LA,
LA LA LA...

CLEAVANT
...though she would never sing the words.

(Brooklyn continues singing

a capella “LA LA LA LA,
LA LA, LA LA LA LA”)

Y’see, if you remember, only one other person

knew those words and she longed to hear his voice
sing them back to her... but where’s he been for
the past twenty years? (beat) God only knows.
 BROOKLYN 19 (4/26/06)

SCENE 5
Lee adds to scene tally.

CLEAVANT (cont’d)
And so Brooklyn would use her new found fame in
America to call for her father.
Aaahh...but fame in the land of the Pilgrims’
Pride ain’t no fairy tale. You see, a lot of
people want it, few get it, and once you got it,
you ain’t never gonna give it up. Oh and people
lemme tell ya, nobody knew that better than the
Brooklyn born and bred Ms. Paradice –
(A mattress falls to reveal Paradice)

PARADICE
Now this may come as quite a little shock to you
all, but I didn’t know my daddy either.

CLEAVANT
A force of nature, a natural born world shaker.
Born on Mean Street right across from Ugly Road,
honed on hustle and raised on riot. Educated in
the Red Hook Projects, got her Ph.D. in survival,
and would do whatever it takes to remain
America’s Diva of the Decade.
(beat)
Oh and people, lemme tell you, don’tchu ever
misspell her name, that’s P.A.R.A...
PARADICE
(in her dressing room at Radio City Music Hall)
...D.I.C.E. ‘cause I was born with nothin’ but a
pair-a-dice around my neck. And from that pair-a-
dice, I built me a paradise.
And no one...
The Band plays in a low rumble as M.C.
introduces Paradice

M.C. (LEE)
Faster than a speeding bullet...
PARADICE
No how...
M.C. (LEE)
More powerful than a locomotive...

PARADICE
No way...
 BROOKLYN 20 (4/26/06)

M.C. (LEE)
Able to devour all superheroes with just one
single kiss...

PARADICE
...will invade my domain! ‘Specially no French-
vanilla import who has the audacity to call
herself “Brooklyn”.

M.C. (LEE)
Ladies and Gentlemen, Saturday morning was never
like this. Radio City Music Hall is proud to
present the one, the only, Mzzzzzz Paradice.

Paradice, center stage, Radio City

Music Hall.

SONG: “SUPERLOVER”
PARADICE
WELL, SUPERMAN
AIN’T PACKIN’ NO ROCKET
‘CAUSE HIS RED SHINY CAPE
HANGS IN MY BEDROOM CLOSET
NOW I HEAR MISS LANE
WANTS TO EVEN THE SCORE
WELL I SWING BOTH WAYS, LOIS
COME KNOCK ON MY DOOR
I’M YOUR SUPERLOVER
I’VE GOT SPECIAL POWERS
YOU’LL BE WEAK AND HELPLESS
MY LOVE WILL DEVOUR
(speaking/vamping over groove)
Like Sampson and Delilah, like Adam and Eve,
women like me bring men to their knees
Read about it... it’s in your Bible.
THE ITSY BITSY SPIDERMAN
CLIMBED UP THE WATER SPOUT
WITH THE POWER OF SEDUCTION
I TOOK THAT SPIDER OUT
HE’S NO LONGER SPINNING WEBS
TO SAVE HUMANITY
HE’S JUST SPINNIN’ BENEATH MY SHEETS
IN INSECT-UAL-ITY
 BROOKLYN 21. (4/26/06)

LEE, JULIE & DIANA

I’M YOUR SUPERLOVER HOO
SUP-SUPERLOVER
I’VE GOT SPECIAL POWERS HOO
AH AH AH AH AH
YOU’LL BE WEAK AND HELPLESS HOO
SUP-SUPERLOVER
MY LOVE WILL DEVOUR HOO AAAHH

LEE, JULIE & DIANA

POW! WHAM! BAM! KABOOM!

LEE
HOLY CUNNILINGUS!

JULIE & DIANA

BATMAN’S SHAKIN’ THE ROOM!

PARADICE
BATMAN!

I’M GONNA STEAL HIS CAR

I’M GONNA STEAL HIS THUNDER
AND WHEN I’M THROUGH
I’M GONNA DO THE BOY WONDER

PARADICE
(speaking over the groove)
Now what’s this I hear about parents and teachers
picketing this very theater, saying that I’m
robbing their children of their innocence... like
I’m some wicked witch of the hood, or somethin’.
Well, take a look at your children - they’re
having unprotected sex, are they not? And that
could be costly, could cost them their lives.
Now, me? I’m just having a little friction with
fiction, baby. Hi Ho Silver...

WELL, THE OL’ LONE RANGER

GOT A BRAND NEW HOBBY
TONTO’S ON THE WARPATH
I’M THE NEW KIMOSABE

AND SOME SAY THIS GIRL

AIN’T UP TO THE TASK
WHY DON’T YOU DO Y’SELF A FAVOR
AND ASK THE LONE RANGER
WHILE I SIT ON HIS MASK
 BROOKLYN 22. (4/26/06)

PARADICE (cont’d) LEE,JULIE & DIANA

I’M YOUR SUPERLOVER HOO
SUP-SUPERLOVER
I’VE GOT SPECIAL POWERS HOO
AH AH AH AH AH
YOU’LL BE WEAK AND HELPLESS HOO
SUP-SUPERLOVER
MY LOVE WILL DEVOUR HOO AAAHH

PARADICE
And as far as losing innocence, America, you lost
yours long before I came on the scene. And no
little Virgin Mary from Gay París is gonna bring
it back home to ya. I mean, ‘Give me your tired,
your poor, your huddled masses yearning to
breathe free...’ You ain’t no melting pot... you
a crock! A country of immigrants, and you all
hate immigrants. White hates Black, Black hates
Jew, and you all hate anyone new! And you think
your kids don’t see that? I mean, we got crack on
the street...
(to street crowd)
...but brother I know you got a coupla’ six-
packs in your icebox and baby, get yourself to AA
‘cause I can smell the liquor on your breath from
here...you think your kids don’t see that?
And let’s not kid ourselves, America, you
sometimes go to war just ‘cause it’s good for the
old pocketbook; and AIDS...? Hmmmm, sounds like
genocide to me.
I mean, you got priests raping little boys, you
got third graders walking to school with crayons
in one hand and an AK-47 in the other. Well you
look at me, America, look at me and look at me
good! You see, you created me. And I am nothin’
if not a true blue, red-blooded, home-grown,
pull-yourself-up-by-the-bootstraps American Hero!

PARADICE
AHHHH..... LEE, JULIE & DIANA
I’M YOUR SUPERLOVER SUPERLOVER
SUP-SUPERLOVER
I’VE GOT SPECIAL POWERS SPECIAL POWERS
AH AH AH AH AH AH
YOU’LL BE WEAK AND HELPLESS WEAK AND HELPLESS
SUP-SUPERLOVER
MY LOVE WILL DEVOUR!!!! WILL DEVOUR
AH AH AH
 BROOKLYN 23. (4/26/06)

SCENE 6

Melba adds to scene tally.

Brooklyn is seen walking the
streets of Brooklyn.

CLEAVANT
Now while Paradice was causing her usual mischief
and mayhem, it was the little orphan girl from
Paris who had captured the heart of America.
Brooklyn!
(he snaps Brooklyn’s picture; camera flash)
But all the love and adulation in the world could
not fill the hole in Brooklyn’s young
soul...Nooo, you see she needed the love of only
one, but he never answered her call...
So she crossed over this here bridge to walk the
very same streets her father once upon a time
called ‘home.’ She rode the A Train...Had a slice
of Junior’s Chocolate Mountain Cheesecake,
breathed the Coney Island air... had one of
Nathan’s Famous, mmm mmm mmm, smothered with
onions and relish.
Y’see, while Brooklyn was busy trying to feel the
very soul of the city that bears her name, the
Press was rolling into Flatbush like a battalion
of tanks for Paradice was being immortalized...

Music as the Wall of Fame is set.

Immortalized on the “Brooklyn Wall of Fame.”

Lights up on Paradice, in all her glory,

posing in front of the “Brooklyn Wall of
Fame.” An artist is adding her portrait
to the throng of famous faces.

A barrage of flashbulbs explodes on

Paradice. Mics and cameras are
everywhere. The Press surrounds her,
their voices coming from a boom box that
Cleavant controls.

PARADICE
... George Gershwin, Barbra Streisand, Jackie
Robinson, and me. What a thrill this is. To
love me where I live is the highest honor one
could ever bestow on me.
 BROOKLYN 24.(4/26/06)

PRESS #1 (BOOM BOX)

(interrupting)
Paradice, how's it feel to be eclipsed by
America's newest obsession, Brooklyn?
PARADICE
(ignoring Press)
It humbles me to see my face between Henny
Youngman and the incomparable Abe Vigoda.
PRESS #2 (BOOM BOX)
Faces of the past, Paradice...Brooklyn’s the face
of the future.
Paradice gives a look to kill.
All freeze.
CLEAVANT
Yeah, what took fifteen long years for Paradice
to achieve would take Brooklyn a mere fifteen
days. For you see, on that very same day, on
that very same wall, Brooklyn was also being
inducted.
Music as the Wall of Fame turns
180 to reveal Brooklyn’s
portrait.
BROOKLYN
This is such an honor...I would like to thank
this wonderful community for making me feel like
I belong...
Boom box: applause. Paradice
reappears and presses ‘stop’ on the
boom box.

PARADICE
Belong?! There ain’t no part of you that belongs
on these streets. And as for your face on this
wall, honey, don’t be too proud- in sixteen
minutes, you’ll just be another face in the
crowd.
Boom box: oooos.
BROOKLYN
Ladies and Gentlemen, Ms. Paradice is a legend
and I respect her feelings but my father’s from
these streets... I have Brooklyn in my blood.
 BROOKLYN 25. (4/26/06)

Boom box: thunderous applause.

PRESS #1 (BOOM BOX)

Brooklyn, any word from your father?

BROOKLYN
No, not yet, but I’ll keep singing the Unfinished
Lulla...

PARADICE
Oh Puhleezzzz...the Lullaby?
(singing/sarcastic)
LA LA LA LA, LA LA... Do you know the words?
(feigns crying)
DADDY!?
(sarcastic)
If you believe all this cry-baby horse-shit then
I got a bridge to sell ya.
(they all look up)

PRESS #1 (BOOM BOX)

Ms. Paradice, you're past your prime. Even Don
King couldn't promote your behind.

PARADICE
(beat)
Boys, if you gonna talk about my behind, let me
put it on the line and offer up this: me and
Brooklyn, in competition, on one stage - like
heavy weights in the ring.
(to Brooklyn)
So whaddaya say Mon Cherie, time to put on the
gloves?

BROOKLYN
Excuse me?
 BROOKLYN 26/27/28/29. (6/01/06)
PARADICE
(to street crowd)
Did I stutter?
(to Brooklyn)
Time-to-put-on-the-gloves. You and me singing
like a coupla mothas and America chooses one or
the other. But, here’s the catch, my little
French Fry: Winner take all! I’m talking movie
rights, record sales, product endorsements, a
payday so big it will have more Os than Cheerios.
I’m talking the greatest stage on earth: Madison
Square Garden! It'll be a war of words! A war
of style! A war of song! I’m talking... THE WAR
THAT ROCKED THE WORLD!
Scene continues without music.
BROOKLYN
Ms. Paradice, I accept your challenge.

PARADICE
Atta girl.

BROOKLYN
Madison Square Garden.

PARADICE
The greatest stage on earth.

BOTH
Winner take all.
(A NY Times Drop is raised onstage)

PRESS #1 (BOOM BOX)

Brooklyn! What are you going to do with the
money if you win?

BROOKLYN
(to street crowd)
Gods work. I’ll give it all away... give it all
to charity.

PARADICE
CHARITY?! "Charity begins at home," sister.

BROOKLYN
And if you don't have a home?

PARADICE
A-haaaa, the homeless.
 BROOKLYN 30. (5/27/06)

BROOKLYN
That's right.

PARADICE
Ladies and Gentlemen, The Mother Theresa of Show-
bid’ness...
(beat)
PARADICE (cont'd)
Well, need I remind you, you in my home now- The
United Streets of America– and we print the name
of God on all our money and I don’t hear Him
complainin’.
(to street crowd)
When I win, let it be known that I will keep
every - last - dime.

BROOKLYN
Ms. Paradice, I will find my father and together,
on that night, on that very stage, we will finish
the Unfinished Lullaby and make sure you never
see ONE – LAST – DIME!

Song: “Reprise Superlover”

PARADICE
YEAH.
IM YOUR SUPERLOVER
I’VE GOT SPECIAL POWERS
YOU’LL BE WEAK AND HEPLESS
MY LOVE WILL DEVOUR.
 BROOKLYN 31. (5/23/06)

SCENE 7
Diana adds to the scene tally.

A melancholy Brooklyn continues to

walk the streets looking for her
father.

REPRISE: “BROOKLYN GREW UP”

BROOKLYN
THIS WEIGHT IN MY HEART
THIS ACHE IN MY SOUL
THIS YEARNING IN MY HEART JUST KEEPS ON GOING ON
THERE’S A VOICE DEEP INSIDE
AND IT CRIES AND IT CRIES ...
 BROOKLYN 32. (6/16/06)

CLEAVANT
(beat)
Well, it seems our little heroine has backed
herself into a corner, now don't it. Our cunning
villain, Ms. Paradice, threw down the gauntlet
and Brooklyn took the bait... accepting a
challenge, promising to deliver the father she
has yet to find... and all this to help the
homeless.

PARADICE
Ugghhhhh!

Diana adds to scene tally

CLEAVANT
Man, it sure feels like this next scene is jus'
beggin' for me to play a part. Cuz I jus' can't
bear to see that little girl hurtin' no more.

SONG: “MAGIC MAN”

YOU CAN CHANGE THE WORLD BY CHANGING SOMEONE

AND MAYBE THAT’S WHAT WE’RE PUT ON EARTH FOR
I KNOW THAT’S WHAT I’M ON EARTH FOR

I’LL MAKE THIS RUSTY OLD CROWBAR A GOLD SAXOPHONE

AND LIKE A MAGICAL WAND , I’LL WAVE MY MUSIC ON YOU
CAUSE WHEN YOU CHANGE SOMEONE’S LIFE
YOU’RE CHANGING YOUR OWN
AND BABY AIN’T THAT WHAT WE’RE ALL HERE TO DO?
I KNOW THAT’S WHAT I GOT TO DO

(Cleavant plays a sax lick)

Now in Cinderella they had a fairy Godmother, right? But

in my show...

I’LL BE YOUR MAGIC MAN- IN THIS FAIRY TALE

I’LL BE YOUR MAGIC MAN- TONIGHT
AND FROM THIS PATCH’A GROUND
I’LL MOVE THE STARS AROUND
AND SHOWER YOU IN LIGHT
 BROOKLYN 32a. (4/26/06)

CLEAVANT THE CITY WEEDS

SO I’LL BE YOUR MAGIC MAN-
MAGIC MAN
OO OO
IN THIS FAIRY TALE
I’LL BE YOUR MAGIC MAN-
MAGIC MAN
TONIGHT
AND FROM THIS SIDEWALK STAGE,
I’LL SET THE SKY ABLAZE AHH AHH
AND FROM THIS SIDEWALK STAGE, AHH AHH
I’LL SET THE SKY ABLAZE AHH AHH

TILL EVERY STAR OUT IN HEAVEN SHINES ON BROOKLYN...TONIGHT

CLEAVANT THE CITY WEEDS

MAGIC MAN, YEAH, YEAH, YEAH, YEAH
SHINING DOWN FROM THE
HEAVENS
MAGIC MAN, YEAH, YEAH, YEAH, YEAH
ALL OVER BROOKLYN
MAGIC MAN, YEAH, YEAH, YEAH, YEAH

Now, every life needs a little magic, right?

(sax lick)

Cleavant has become the Streetsinger

and continues playing sax licks.

We hear the sound of coins being

dropped in bucket. Brooklyn watches
Streetsinger work his patch of
ground.

Thank you, ma'am.

I CAN SEE THE SUN PEEKING OUT FROM THEM CLOUDS
I HEAR A CHOIR OF SPARROWS SINGING OUT FROM THEM TREES
(sound of coins)
Bless you, sir.
CAUSE A CHANGE IS ON THE WAY
I CAN FEEL IT IN ME.

(sax lick)
 BROOKLYN 33. (4/26/06)

We hear Brooklyn drop money into

his bucket.

STREETSINGER (cont’d)
Thank you, and Merry Christmas to you young lady.

Brooklyn removes her scarf and

offers it to Streetsinger.

BROOKLYN
Merry Christmas.

STREETSINGER
Oh, no, no, don’tchu worry ‘bout me none, noooo,
I’m just like these here weeds, sprouting right
up through this concrete. Yeah, that’s me
alright... strong as a city weed.

BROOKLYN
Weeds? I only see roses.

Streetsinger looks at Brooklyn a

little more closely.

Faith, as an angel, appears in the

broken tenement window behind
them.

STREETSINGER
I been waitin’ for you. You’re that famous little
girl been lookin’ for her daddy, now ain’tcha.

BROOKLYN
(softly)
And who are you?
 BROOKLYN 34. (4/26/06)

STREETSINGER
They call me “The Streetsinger"...

AND I'LL BE YOUR MAGIC MAN - IN THIS FAIRY TALE

Streetsinger magically begins to

play “UNFINISHED LULLABY” on his
crowbar sax. Brooklyn follows the
music, which leads her to a
rundown, twenty-four hour bar on
Flatbush Ave. called “Nobody’s.”

TAYLOR
(from offstage)
...OUR LOVE WILL STAY STRONG

Brooklyn hears a man’s voice

singing the secret words to the
Unfinished Lullaby. She realizes
this must be her father.

TAYLOR BROOKLYN
... LA LA LA LA, LA LA,
LA LA LA LA... LET OUR FATE ...LA LA LA LA...
WRITE WORDS TO THIS SONG

REPRISE: “ONCE UPON A TIME”

STREETSINGER, MELBA & JULIE

ONCE UPON A TIME

BROOKLYN
I BELIEVE IN MIRACLES

STREETSINGER, MELBA & JULIE

ONCE UPON A TIME

BROOKLYN
I BELIEVE LOVE WILL CONQUER ALL

STREETSINGER, MELBA & JULIE

ONCE UPON A TIME
 BROOKLYN 35. (4/26/06)

BROOKLYN
I BELIEVE ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE
AND I BELIEVED AGAIN
THE MOMENT WHEN
I SAW YOU HERE TONIGHT
BROOKLYN & STREETSINGER
NOW ONCE UPON A TIME
HAS NEVER FELT MORE RIGHT
BROOKLYN
NOW ONCE UPON A TIME
HAS NEVER FELT MORE RIGHT
Thank you, Streetsinger.
(He has vanished.)
Streetsinger?
SCENE 8
Cleavant adds to scene tally.
Brooklyn enters Nobody’s. Taylor strums
the Unfinished Lullaby, humming. Beside
him: a near empty whiskey bottle.

TAYLOR
... LA LA LA LA, LA LA, LA LA LA LA
LA LA LA LA... OUR LOVE WILL STAY STRONG
... LA LA LA LA, LA LA, LA LA LA LA
LET OUR FATE WRITE WORDS TO THIS SONG
BROOKLYN
(interrupts - softly; sweetly)
Hello.
(beat)
I wondered if I’d ever find you.
(beat)
Do you know who I am?
TAYLOR
(shocked, his mind scrambling)
I know who you are. I’m not your father.
BROOKLYN
But you know the words... No one else knows them
but him.
TAYLOR
(stumbling)
I... I knew your father. We were in the army
together - best friends. He taught me that song,
that lulla ...
 BROOKLYN 36. (10/26/06)

BROOKLYN
What’s his name?

TAYLOR
Taylor Collins.

BROOKLYN
Taylor Collins.
(beat)
Where is he? Do you know where he is?

TAYLOR
Your father’s dead.

SONG: REPRISE - “NOT A SOUND”

CLEAVANT
(a capella)
AND AS THE SNOW FALLS DOWN...
BROOKLYN
Dead?
MELBA
(a capella)
ON THE COLD HARD GROUND

BROOKLYN
When? How did it happen? Tell me something ...
Anything...

JULIE
(a capella)
THERE’S NOT A WORD ...
NOT A WHISPER ...
TAYLOR
(after several beats)
He talked about your mother all the time...

BROOKLYN
(upset)
Well, did he know my mother killed herself
because of him?
The little life left in Taylor drains
from him. His eyes well up as he tries
to conceal his pain from Brooklyn.
 BROOKLYN 37. (4/26/06)
TAYLOR
No...No, he didn’t...
(beat)
But I know he loved her more than life itself.

CLEAVANT
(a capella)
NOT A SOUND...

Brooklyn, crying, runs out of

Nobody’s and stops just outside
the open door.

TAYLOR
(crying)
I’m sorry...I’m sorry.

Brooklyn can’t help but watch Taylor

through the open doorway.

SONG: “LOVE WAS A SONG”

TAYLOR (cont’d)
LOVE WAS A SONG
ONCE TENDER AND WARM
LIKE THE BREATH OF A COOL SUMMER MORNING

AND LIFE WAS A DANCE

ONCE GRACEFUL AND SWEET
LIKE A TUMBLING LEAF
A TUMBLING LEAF

A young Faith appears in the broken

tenement window.

TAYLOR (cont’d)
THEN FATE, LIKE THE WIND
SWEPT IT AWAY
AND LEFT ME WITH NOTHING
TO SING OR TO PLAY

IS IT ALL BY DESIGN
OR SIMPLY BY CHANCE
LOVE WAS A SONG ONCE
AND LIFE WAS A DANCE

Taylor hallucinates Faith appearing

in front of him. He reaches out to
her.
 BROOKLYN 38. (4/26/06)

TAYLOR (cont’d)
(loudly whispered)
Faith...

LOVE WAS A SONG

LIKE MIST IN THE SPRING
MY FINGERS WERE YOUNG
AND COULD DANCE ON THESE STRINGS

AND LIFE WAS A DANCE

AN ENDLESS BALLET
SUSPENDED IN TIME
AND THEN SWEPT AWAY

FATE, LIKE THE WIND

WILD, UNTAMED
LEFT ME WITH NOTHING BUT SHAME

Music stops.

Whispering above the silence we HEAR

strange words whirling about Taylor.

Taylor appears shaky, nervous,

fearful, as the whispering grows more
intense. Taylor taps his arm in
search of a vein. He draws out a
syringe...

V.O. (TAYLOR)
Hey, Preacher man? Sugar? Beans? Beans?

We HEAR an explosion as Taylor jabs

his arm and leans his head back, then
closes his eyes.

V.O. (TAYLOR)
(screaming)
FAIIIIIIIIIIITH....

The music resumes.

TAYLOR
IS IT ALL BY DESIGN
OR SIMPLY BY CHANCE
LOVE WAS A SONG ONCE
AND LIFE WAS A DANCE

LET OUR FATE WRITE WORDS TO THIS ... SONG

 BROOKLYN 39. 4/26/06

Taylor passes out, his limp body on the

cold, dirty floor.

Lights up on Brooklyn still outside the

door of Nobody’s.

SONG: “I NEVER KNEW HIS NAME”

BROOKLYN
Taylor Collins...

I NEVER KNEW HIS NAME

BUT I IMAGINED WHAT HE’D LOOK LIKE
IMAGINED HOW HE’D SMILE
A HUG, TIGHT
A KISS GOOD NIGHT
THE WAY A FATHER HOLDS HIS CHILD
I NEVER KNEW HIS NAME
BUT I IMAGINED HIM A HERO
A BRIGHT AND SHINING KNIGHT
AND DADDY’S EYES WOULD STOP MY CRIES
AND MAKE EVERYTHING ALL RIGHT
AND DADDY’S EYES
WOULD STOP MY CRIES
AND MAKE EVERYTHING ALL RIGHT
I NEVER KNEW ...
I NEVER KNEW HIS NAME
Brooklyn, upset, turns and re-enters
Nobody’s.

Taylor Collins.
Taylor instinctively looks up.
Underscore: “THE TRUTH” on bass guitar.

TAYLOR
Yeah?
(realizing that Brooklyn caught him in his lie, he looks
away)
Oh, shit.
BROOKLYN
Can’t you even look at me?
TAYLOR
What do you want from me, huh?
BROOKLYN
The truth.
 BROOKLYN 40. (4/26/06)

SONG: “THE TRUTH”

TAYLOR
The truth.
FROM THE TIME WE’RE VERY YOUNG
WE’RE TAUGHT THE TRUTH IS SOMETHING PRECIOUS
SOMETHING NOBLE, SOMETHING REGAL
IT WILL LIFT US LIKE THE WIND
AND GIVE US WINGS JUST LIKE THE EAGLE
THE CITY WEEDS
BUT THAT’S THE FURTHEST THING FROM THE TRUTH
TAYLOR
FROM THE TIME WE’RE VERY YOUNG
WE’RE TAUGHT THE TRUTH IS LIKE A BEACON
SOMETHING HOLY, LIKE A SPIRIT
IT WILL FREE US FROM OUR FEARS
THE CLOSER WE GET NEAR IT
THE CITY WEEDS
BUT THAT’S THE FURTHEST THING FROM THE TRUTH
BROOKLYN
DID YOUR HEART BELONG TO SOMEONE
OTHER THAN MY MOTHER
DON’T I HAVE A RIGHT TO KNOW?
HAVE I A SISTER OR A BROTHER?
THE CITY WEEDS
(to Taylor)
DON’T I HAVE A RIGHT TO KNOW?
DON’T I HAVE A RIGHT TO KNOW?
BROOKLYN
(angry)
Huh?!!
TAYLOR
THE TRUTH IS BUT A FLAME
THAT ENGULFS THE BUTTERFLY
IT DESTROYS ALL THINGS OF BEAUTY
KEEP YOUR ILLUSIONS AND YOUR LIES
TAYLOR & THE CITY WEEDS
AND WALK OUT THAT DOOR
THE CITY WEEDS
FROM THE TIME WE’RE VERY YOUNG
FROM THE TIME WE’RE VERY YOUNG
FROM THE TIME WE’RE VERY, VERY,
VERY, VERY, VERY, VERY, VERY,
VERY, VERY, VERY YOUNG...
 BROOKLYN 41. (4/26/06)
BROOKLYN
FROM THE TIME THAT I WAS YOUNG
I THOUGHT THE TRUTH WAS LIKE A MIRROR
I WANNA FACE IT, I WANNA FEEL IT
I WANNA FIND OUT WHO I AM
BUT LIKE A COWARD YOU CONCEAL IT
THE CITY WEEDS
BUT THAT’S THE FURTHEST THING FROM THE TRUTH
TAYLOR
Look, I don’t know you. And you don’t know me.
You know nothing of me!
BROOKLYN
I know this...
YOU LEFT A WOMAN AND A CHILD
HAVE YOU NO SENSE OF SHAME
WERE YOU SO YOUNG AND SELFISH
IT’S MY MOTHER THAT YOU BLAMED
WHAT COURAGE DOES IT TAKE
TO LOOK ME IN THE EYES
YOU CAN’T BURY ‘TRUTH’ IN SILENCE
LIKE A TREE IT’S GONNA RISE
THE CITY WEEDS
LIKE A TREE IT’S GONNA RISE
LIKE A TREE IT’S GONNA RISE
LIKE A TREE IT’S GONNA RISE
LIKE A TREE IT’S GONNA RISE
TAYLOR
THE TRUTH IS BUT A WIND
THAT ROBS THE AUTUMN FROM THE TREES
(holding the syringe)
IT LEAVES THINGS EMPTY LIKE THIS NEEDLE
NO, THE TRUTH WON’T SET YOU FREE
TAYLOR
SO
TAYLOR AND THE CITY WEEDS
WALK OUT THAT DOOR
THE CITY WEEDS
(to street crowd)
FROM THE TIME WE’RE VERY YOUNG
FROM THE TIME WE’RE VERY YOUNG
FROM THE TIME WE’RE VERY, VERY,
VERY, VERY, VERY, VERY, VERY,
VERY, VERY, VERY YOUNG...
 BROOKLYN 42 (4/26/06)

TAYLOR AND BROOKLYN

FROM THE TIME WE’RE VERY YOUNG

ALL
WE’RE TAUGHT THE TRUTH IS ALL THAT MATTERS

BROOKLYN
IT GIVES YOU STRENGTH
IT MAKES YOU WISE

TAYLOR
BUT IN TRUTH IT ONLY SHATTERS
SO DON’T LOOK INTO MY EYES
DON’T YOU LOOK INTO MY EYES

Taylor turns his back to Brooklyn.

Brooklyn, angry, turns him around

to face her.

SONG: “WANNA BUY A MEMORY”

CLEAVANT
But to find the truth, Brooklyn had to look into
those eyes. She looked past the poisons, past
the emptiness, she looked back to a time when
young men were called upon to serve their
country...

Taylor crawls along the ground as

if in combat. In his mind he
relieves a suppressed memory.

Brooklyn watches his memory come

to life.

MELBA, CLEAVANT & JULIE

DOES ANYBODY WANNA BUY A MEMORY...
IT’S THE ONLY THING LEFT WE OWN...
SINGING OUT OUR PAIN LIKE A SYMPHONY...
 BROOKLYN 43. (4/26/06)

MELBA, CLEAVANT & JULIE

...BUT EACH OF US SINGS ALONE
Taylor is now with his old army
buddies: Sugarfly, Beans, and
Preacher Man.
We HEAR the sound of a chopper flying
overhead.

SUGARFLY (JULIE)
Someone’s going home, man.
TAYLOR
(to himself, longingly)
Home...
BEANS (MELBA)
Hey, play that song again will ya, Taylor?
SUGARFLY AND PREACHERMAN
(ad libs)
Not that lullaby again!, Oh no that song sucks,
etc.
TAYLOR
Just a minute, Beanzy - I’m almost done.
PREACHER MAN (CLEAVANT)
(to Taylor)
Damn!
Preacher man snatches the letter from
Taylor.
TAYLOR
Hey...
PREACHER MAN
How many letters you gonna write before you get
one back? Man, you write more than William
Shakespeare.
SUGARFLY (JULIE)
Shakespeare, yeah man, that's you.
BEANS (MELBA)
Shoot- you 0 for 19, brother!
SUGARFLY (JULIE)
(reading the letter sarcastically)
“My beautiful Faith...
Just the thought of you dancing is keeping me
safe...”
TAYLOR
Come on, Sugar.
 BROOKLYN 44 (4/26/06)

BEANS (MELBA)
Man, she’s really got a hold on you Shakes...

SUGARFLY (JULIE)
Yeah, carving her name into that ukulele of
yours...

TAYLOR
(finishing the letter)
I’ll never stop loving you Faith...Private First
Class Taylor Collins.

BROOKLYN
(to herself - taking the letter)
But I thought she never heard from him.

CLEAVANT
(to audience)
She didn't. Because there was someone who saw to
it she never would. Not one love letter ever
reached her eyes.
Cleavant tears up the letter.

Underscore: “Christmas Makes Me

Cry”

Across the stage a suitcase flies

through a window, landing at the
feet of a young, pregnant Faith.

Brooklyn watches this other truth.

 BROOKLYN 45.(4/29/06)

FAITH
(inconsolable)
Papa, please! I love him. Where will I go?
Please...

Papa, please! He loves me! He’ll come back for

me!
The window slams shut. The word “Whore”
is written on it.
Faith wanders the streets of Paris alone.

FAITH
OH OH OH OH OH OH OH
OH OH OH OH OH
OH OH OH OH OH OH...
We see her enter a door with a cross on
it that reads: ‘Sisters of Charity’ and
‘with our tears we can water roses.’

BROOKLYN
(to herself)
Sisters of Charity!
TAYLOR
(reading his letter with pride)
Private First Class Taylor Collins.
Underscore ends. Back to Vietnam.

BEANS
C’mon Shakespeare, play that song again will ya?
TAYLOR
All right fellas...here we go...
(he raises his guitar in the air, with the
word “Faith” carved into it)
To home!
BEANS, SUGARFLY, AND PREACHER MAN
(ad libs)
Yeah! To Home! Home, brother...
TAYLOR WITH BEANS, SUGARFLY, AND PREACHER MAN
(happy and drunk)
LA LA LA LA, LA LA, LA LA LA LA, LA LA...
Taylor and his friends continue to
sing.
Brooklyn continues to watch, trapped
within the memories.
Suddenly, we HEAR an explosion.
 BROOKLYN 46. (4/29/06)

TAYLOR
(crawls to Preacher Man, whispering, fearful)
Hey, Preacher? Preacher Man?
CLEAVANT
Dead.
TAYLOR
(crawls to Beans)
Beans? Beans? Wake up Beanzy!
CLEAVANT
Dead.
TAYLOR
(crazed with anger)
Sugar? Sugar, oh man ... Sugar!
CLEAVANT
Dead.
Taylor grabs his M16 and starts firing
wildly.

TAYLOR
(screaming)
Aaaahhhhh!!
Silence. Taylor hears a twig crack
behind him. He starts firing his M16
again.
Aaaahhhhh!!
We HEAR the cries of women and children
screaming.
Taylor spins around firing with insanity
in his eyes. The screaming stops.
Silence. We hear the solitary cry of an
infant. Taylor crawls to the infant.

TAYLOR
(cradling the baby)
It's OK. It's OK. What are you doing here...
Where's your Mommy... where's your Da...
Looking around, he realizes
he just massacred families.

TAYLOR
(mumbling in horror)
Oh God, oh my God... what... what have I done...
Taylor screams in agony.
TAYLOR
FAAAIIIITHHHH!!!!! Help me Faith...
 BROOKLYN 47. (4/29/06)

REPRISE: “HEART BEHIND THESE HANDS”

MELBA, CLEAVANT & JULIE

THERE’S A HEART BEHIND THESE HANDS
THERE’S A SOUL BENEATH THESE CLOTHES
CLEAVANT
THERE’S A STORY BEHIND THESE EMPTY EYES
THAT NO ONE WANTS TO KNOW
TAYLOR
(holding himself in pain)
Forgive me Faith, I can’t come back. I just
can’t...
BROOKLYN
Why, soldier, why?
CLEAVANT
(ceremonially)
For gallantry above and beyond the call of duty,
Private First Class Taylor Collins is hereby
awarded the Silver Star...
TAYLOR
I'll never forgive myself. I don't deserve you,
Faith.
CLEAVANT
OH YOUR VERY LIFE
LIES IN THE HANDS OF FATE
TAYLOR
...I'm a monster. I'm a monster.

BROOKLYN
You're my Daddy.

CLEAVANT
LIKE THE HEART BEHIND THESE HANDS
Brooklyn understands now and embraces
Taylor. Taylor’s mind comes reeling
back to the present, and slowly,
hesitantly, embraces Brooklyn.

We HEAR the subway rumble through as

the lights come up on CLEAVANT. He
seems lost in the memory.
 BROOKLYN 48. (4/29/06)

CLEAVANT
Ain't it funny the things we come to value in this
life... A stone that shines and sparkles can make a
young girl an old man's wife... I said the right
piece of dirt in the right part of town can make you
lord of the land... and if you happen to be born in
just the right home, you've got the future in the
palm of your hand... but a memory... a memory is just
a worthless thing... with every year the price goes
down... until it's dusted off and sold for what you
can get... in America's lost and found.
The sound of a coin toss finally
pulls him out of the moment.
(to street crowd)
This is the moment y'all been waiting for. Father
and daughter have finished the Unfinished Lullaby
and Ms. Paradice is about to- Ah well, I’m gonna
let y’all see that for yourselves.
(beat)
All you need to know is Madison Square Garden.
Backstage. Moments before showtime... now how
did the Post put it...? Oh yeah –
SCENE 9
Backstage, Madison Square Garden.
Lights up on Paradice, entering her
dressing room reading headline story
in newspaper.
PARADICE
(aloud to herself)
... “Fairy Tale Ending In The Garden Tonight”
Brooklyn, the Parisian orphan who has captured
the heart of America, will unite with her long
lost...
CLEAVANT
...father, an American War Hero, in hopes to...

PARADICE
...win the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow,
a pot of gold that will...

CLEAVANT
feed and shelter all of America’s homeless...

PARADICE
...and as for the aging Ms. Paradice ...

CLEAVANT
...well, you know what they say, “Old Divas never
die...
 BROOKLYN 49. (6/04/06)

As Cleavant begins to exit, Brooklyn

enters.
BROOKLYN
(reading NY Post)
...They just fade away”...
(to Paradice)
But it doesn’t have to be that way.
PARADICE
(without facing Brooklyn)
Ya know, for five years I went looking for my
daddy and no one cared. But that’s all right,
that’s all right.
Cleavant adds to scene tally.
BROOKLYN
Did you ever find him?
PARADICE
(beat)
Sometimes it’s better to love the thought of
someone than the real thing.
(turning to Brooklyn)
Did you come in here just to read me the paper?
Dontchu go believin’ all you read, honey. ‘Cause
the only thing fadin’ around here tonight is that
halo around your head.
BROOKLYN
Look, Paradice, there's no need for us to
compete. Let's just go out there, put on a great
show, and in the end, give the money away to
those who need it most.
PARADICE
Oh, please.
BROOKLYN
Look, I know it's not the money you want.
PARADICE
So whadda I want?
BROOKLYN
What everyone wants.
STAGE MANAGER (JULIE)
Ten minutes till showtime.
BROOKLYN
Thank you.
(to Paradice)
Think about it. When you change someone's life,
you change your own.
Brooklyn exits.
 BROOKLYN 50. (4/29/06)

SONG: “RAVEN”
PARADICE
GOLIATH WAS A GIANT, TOUGH AND MEAN
DAVID WAS A SWEETHEART, SQUEAKY CLEAN
BUT IT STILL TAKES TWO TO TELL THAT STORY
SO I’LL PLAY MY PART, AND IN ALL MY GLORY
I’LL FLY LIKE A RAVEN IN A SKY OF DOVES
I’LL MAKE YOU LOVE TO HATE ME
BUT THAT’S STILL LOVE... IT’S STILL LOVE
LOVE IS WHAT I WANT, LOVE IS WHAT I NEED
YOU SEE, BENEATH THIS SUIT OF ARMOR
I STILL BLEED
I STILL BLEED
HE USED TO HOLD ME LIKE A FLOWER
KISS ME OH SO SLOW
AND WE’D TALK ABOUT FOREVER
BUT THAT WAS LONG AGO
AND NOW FOREVER’S JUST A PLACE
IN SOMEONE ELSE’S STORY
AND THOUGH MY HEART STILL BREAKS
I’M GONNA FIND MY GLORY
AND FLY LIKE A RAVEN IN A SKY OF DOVES
I’LL MAKE YOU LOVE TO HATE ME
BUT THAT’S ALRIGHT BECAUSE IT’S STILL LOVE... IT’S STILL LOVE
AND LOVE IS WHAT I WANT, LOVE IS WHAT I NEED
YOU SEE, BENEATH THIS SUIT OF ARMOR
I STILL BLEED, SO I’LL
FLY JUST LIKE A RAVEN IN A SKY OF DOVES
I’LL MAKE YOU LOVE TO HATE ME
BUT THAT’S STILL LOVE... IT’S STILL LOVE
AND LOVE IS WHAT I WANT, LOVE IS WHAT I NEED
YOU SEE, BENEATH THIS SUIT OF ARMOR
I STILL BLEED
OH I, I STILL BLEED
Song ends.

SCENE 10
Diana adds to scene tally.

Backstage, Madison Square Garden. We see

Taylor in his dressing room. Shaking.
Sweating. Strung out.
Paradice enters.
 BROOKLYN 51. (5/27/06)
PARADICE
Ya know Private Collins, before I arrived at the
Garden tonight, escorted by New York’s finest... Oh,
you don’t mind if I call you Private, now do you?...
Well, like I was saying…
TAYLOR
(strung out)
What do you want?
PARADICE
I’m here to save you baby.
TAYLOR
Save me...
PARADICE
Mmm hmm.
TAYLOR
...from what?
PARADICE
The slings and arrows of outrageous fame. You
think war was savage? The press is gonna rip
your life open for all to feast upon. Oh yeah, I
can just see them headlines tomorrow mornin':
“Brooklyn’s Amazing Dis-grace”... “Daddy’s Little
Heroin”... which reminds me, I come bearing
gifts...
She drops a gift box heroin in front of him.
Just a little something to soothe them opening
night jitters...
(beat)
Ooooh looks like you jonesin’ reeeeal bad,
Private.
(pushing the box closer to him)
Pure as the driven snow.
(beat)
You don’t wanna go out on that stage tonight,
humiliate your daughter, shame her. Lookatcha
self...lookatcha self... the whole world’s
watchin’, this is what you want them to see? A
main linin’, crack smokin’, booze guzzlin’, “I’ll
work for food” hustlin’, degenerate and
despicable shell of a man?
 BROOKLYN 52. (4/29/06)

STAGE MANAGER (JULIE)

(poking her head into dressing room)
Five minutes to show time!

PARADICE
(to Stage Manager)
Ok, sweetie.

Paradice pushes the box even

closer to Taylor.

(back to Taylor)
...here, this will get you right, then you’ll see
that I’m right. The stage ain’t the place for a
man like you, Shakespeare.

SONG: “SOMETIMES”

TAYLOR
THE WORLD IS A STAGE

TAYLOR & THE CITY WEEDS

AND WE ARE THE PLAYERS

TAYLOR
SOMETIMES A VILLAIN
SOMETIMES A SAVIOR

DO WE CHOOSE OUR OWN ROLES?

DO WE WRITE OUR OWN LINES?
A LIFETIME OF ASKING
I’M LEFT... WITH ‘SOMETIMES’

TAYLOR & THE CITY WEEDS

‘SOMETIMES’ HAS COME

TAYLOR
WHAT ROLE DO I PLAY

TAYLOR & THE CITY WEEDS

‘SOMETIMES’ IS NOW

TAYLOR
WHAT WORDS DO I SAY?
EVERY STAR OUT IN HEAVEN
SHINES ON BROOKLYN TONIGHT
DO I STAY IN THE SHADOWS
OR STAND IN THE LIGHT?
 BROOKLYN 53. (4/29/06)

THE CITY WEEDS

DO YOU BELIEVE IN HAPPY ENDINGS?
TAYLOR
ONCE UPON A TIME I DID
THE CITY WEEDS
DO YOU BELIEVE IN HAPPY ENDINGS?
TAYLOR
ONCE UPON A TIME I DID
THE CITY WEEDS
DO YOU BELIEVE IN HAPPY ENDINGS?
TAYLOR
ONCE UPON A TIME I DID
THE CITY WEEDS
ONCE UPON A TIME
ONCE UPON A TIME
ONCE UPON A TIME
TAYLOR
I SAW MY OWN EYES WHEN I LOOKED INTO HERS
SUCH A BEAUTIFUL CHILD
SHE’S ALL YOU ONCE WERE
LIKE AN ANGEL SHE’S FLYING
MUCH TOO CLOSE TO THE GROUND
DID YOU SEND HER TO FIND ME, FAITH?
I’M FINALLY FOUND
‘SOMETIMES’ HAS COME
WHAT ROLE DO I PLAY?
‘SOMETIMES’ IS NOW
WHAT WORDS DO I SAY?
EVERY STAR OUT IN HEAVEN
SHINES ON BROOKLYN TONIGHT
DO I STAY IN THE SHADOWS
OR STAND IN THE LIGHT?
EVERY STAR OUT IN HEAVEN
SPELLS OUT BROOKLYN TONIGHT
DO I STAY IN THE SHADOWS
OR STAND IN THE LIGHT
HMMM HMMM HMMM
Taylor looks at Paradice’s gift,
contemplates, then grabs it and
leaves.
 BROOKLYN 54. (4/29/06)
SCENE 11
Julie adds to scene tally.
The Band plays in a low rumble as the
lights slowly rise to show the stage as a
boxing ring.

M.C. (JULIE)
Ladies and Gentlemen! Madison Square Garden
welcomes you to the night we’ve all been waiting
for...
By calling in and casting your vote, you decide
the destiny of these two divas and hanging in the
balance, the biggest purse in the history of
histories.
Storming into the ring right now, a native
citizen of the United STREETS of America, and
she’s about to prove to you tonight that grace is
sometimes a breathtaking display of lightning.
It’s a majestic eruption of a volcano. Yes, grace
is sometimes even a raging fire. Brothers and
Sisters, I give you the Prophet of Paradise,
MZZZZZZ PARADIIIIIIIIIICE!
The band kicks into a nasty funk groove as
Paradice pushed in a grocery cart. Fearless.
Ferocious. Flamboyant. She owns the stage.
SONG: “LOVE ME WHERE I LIVE”
PARADICE
I WAS BORN ON MEAN STREET, BABY
RIGHT ACROSS FROM UGLY ROAD
YOU WERE BORN ON SWEET LANE, BABY
HAD THEM THINGS I’VE NEVER KNOWN
NOW I GOT WHAT YOU WANT BABY
AND IF YOU WANT ME TO GIVE
SACRIFICE YOUR PARADISE
LOVE ME WHERE I LIVE
(spoken with a laugh)
Trash never looked so good.
I WAS RAISED ON HUSTLE, BABY
YOU WERE RAISED ON SUNDAY SCHOOL
I WAS RAISED ON RIOT, BABY
YOU WERE RAISED ON GOLDEN RULE
NOW I CAN RAISE YOUR HEARTBEAT, BABY
CAN YOU TAKE WHAT I CAN GIVE
SACRIFICE YOUR PARADISE
AND LOVE ME WHERE I LIVE
(speaks to a member of the street crowd)
I call it Salvation Armani.
 BROOKLYN 55. (4/29/06)

THE CITY WEEDS

YOU CAN’T GET ME OFF WITH DIAMONDS
NO, NO, NO
MY JEWELRY IS DICE
MY BODY’S RICH FOR WHAT YOU ITCH
BUT YOU GOTTA PAY MY PRICE...
AAAHHHH
LOVE ME WHERE I LIVE...
(speaking to street crowd)
Ya know, I been hearing some rumblings out there,
sayin’ my time is done, that I should just accept
my fate. Funny thing, it seems whenever me and
fate go toe to toe, it’s always fate that does
the... no show.
I’LL WALK INTO A LIGHTNING STORM
WITH METAL IN MY FIST
DARING FATE TO STRIKE ME DOWN
BUT YOU KNOW IT’S GONNA MISS
I’LL CURSE INSIDE THE HOUSE OF GOD
OR ANY CHURCH I PLEASE
‘CAUSE I DON’T BOW TO NO ONE, BABY
NOTHIN’ GETS ME ON MY KNEES

AND YOU LIKE ME FOR THAT...

THE CITY WEEDS

I LIKE YOU FOR THAT

PARADICE
(solicits audience and raises the roof)
I WANNA HEAR YOU LIKE ME FOR THAT

THE CITY WEEDS

I LIKE YOU FOR THAT
PARADICE
OH, YEAH, YOU LIKE ME FOR THAT

THE CITY WEEDS

I LIKE YOU FOR THAT

PARADICE
YEAH, BABY, LOVE ME WHERE I LIVE

YOU CAN TIE ME TO A RAILROAD TRACK

AND LET THAT DIESEL RUN
 BROOKLYN 56. (4/29/06)

PARADICE (cont’d) THE CITY WEEDS

DO DO DOO
BUT YOU’LL NEVER SEE A DROP OF SWEAT
‘CAUSE TEMPTING FATE IS FUN
DO DO DOO
I’LL TAP DANCE ON A MINE FIELD
AND NEVER FEEL A THING
DO DO DOO
YOU CAN THROW ME IN THE LION’S DEN
BUT GUESS WHO COMES OUT KING

AND YOU LIKE ME FOR THAT

THE CITY WEEDS

I LIKE YOU FOR THAT

PARADICE
I WANNA HEAR YOU LIKE ME FOR THAT

THE CITY WEEDS

I LIKE YOU FOR THAT

PARADICE
OH YEAH, YOU LIKE ME FOR THAT

THE CITY WEEDS

I LIKE YOU FOR THAT

PARADICE
OH BABY LOVE ME WHERE I

Well hello there Mr. Four-car garage, suburban

home, 1 wife, 2.3 kids, 2 dogs, 1 cat, 1
mistress, Armani wearin’, Wall Street Journal
bearin’, Cuban smokin’, Republican votin’
magnanimous and magnificent hunk of a man!

I know what you're thinkin'...

Ms. Paradice... is one baaaad motha”...

THE CITY WEEDS

Shut yo’ mouth!
 BROOKLYN 57. (4/29/06)

PARADICE
And you like me for that...

HEY, BURY ME IN REDHOOK, BABY

RIGHT THERE IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD
AND WHEN YOU DIE, I KNOW YOU WANNA
REST IN PEACE IN HOLLYWOOD

BUT YOU AIN’T RESTIN’ NO HOW, BABY

‘TIL YOU GOT A PIECE OF THIS
SACRIFICE YOUR PARADICE THE CITY WEEDS
AND LOVE ME WHERE I LIVE LOVE ME WHERE I
YOU GOT TO LOVE ME
YOU GOT TO LOVE ME
 BROOKLYN 58. (4/29/06)

PARADICE
SACRIFICE YOUR PARADISE THE CITY WEEDS
AND LOVE ME WHERE I LIVE LOVE ME WHERE I
YOU GOT TO LOVE ME
YOU GOT TO LOVE ME

PARADICE
SACRIFICE YOUR PARADISE
AND LOVE ME WHERE I LIVE LOVE ME WHERE I

THE CITY WEEDS

(continuous chanting)
P-A-R-A-D-I-C-E
P-A-R-A-D-I-C-E
P-A-R-A-D-I-C-E…

PARADICE
Well, America, I sung for you. I danced for you.
I bared my soul for you. I made you laugh. I made
you think. I made you mad. You loved me and you
loathed me and you made me rich... And that’s the
American way... And I play that game well.

AAAHHH, BUT I GOT A MESSAGE FOR YOU THIS EVENIN’...

... If you turn your back on me now, if you turn

your back on me now, if you turn your back on me
now, America... you can all kiss my black ass!

PARADICE AND THE CITY WEEDS

SACRIFICE YOUR PARADISE
LOVE ME WHERE I LIVE!

Song ends.
 BROOKLYN 59. (4/29/06)

M.C. (JULIE)
Ladies and Gentlemen. Ladies and Gentlemen. She
came to America looking for the lyric to her
life.
And so tonight, Madison Square Garden is proud to
bring you the long awaited, much anticipated
union of father and daughter. Performing tonight
for the very first time on this stage, the
greatest stage on earth, I give you Paris’
Amazing Grace, Brooklyn.

UNDERSCORE: “ONCE UPON A TIME”

into “FINISHED UNFINISHED LULLABY”

Brooklyn, alone, takes the stage.

SONG: FINISHED UNFINISHED LULLABY

BROOKLYN
SHE WAITED TABLES
IN A SMALL CAFE
IN PARIS, 1969

HE WAS A SINGER
FROM BROOKLYN U.S.A.
I HEAR
IT WAS A SPECIAL TIME

LOVE FELL LIKE RAIN

FROM THE WARM PARIS SKY
THIS SONG HE SANG
AS HE KISSED HER GOODBYE

LA, LA, LA, LA,

LA, LA,
LA, LA, LA, LA...

Ladies and Gentlemen, my father...

With joy and anticipation she

turns for her father’s entrance.

Taylor does not appear.

 BROOKLYN 60. (6/06/06)

Awkward and desperate silence.

Paradice appears in broken

tenement window.

PARADICE
Do I smell a forfeit?!
(beat.)
Isn’t this rich, the Phantom Daddy is M.I.A.
(with towel)
Well, I got a towel... wanna throw it in?

STREETSINGER (V.O.)
YOU CAN CHANGE THE WORLD BY CHANGING SOMEONE
AND MAYBE THAT'S WHAT WE'RE PUT ON EARTH FOR

PARADICE
Who the hell is that?

Streetsinger appears from the

crowd. He walks ringside
singing...

STREETSINGER
I KNOW THAT'S WHAT I'M ON EARTH FOR

BROOKLYN
Streetsinger, what are you doing here?

STREETSINGER
Like I told you before,
I'LL BE YOUR MAGIC MAN IN THIS FAIRY TALE...

BROOKLYN
(to Streetsinger)
What happened? Where did he go?
 BROOKLYN 60A. (6/06/06)

STREETSINGER
Oh Brooklyn, fate has an agenda all it’s own...
And war makes orphans of us all.

PARADICE
Who the hell are you?

STREETSINGER
(to Paradice; with surprise in his voice)
Ohhh, you must be the famous Ms. Paradice I've
heard so much about. But'cha seem a little
troubled there Grandma.

PARADICE
Grandma? I gotchyo Grandma.

STREETSINGER
Oh, don'tchu you worry none, cause
A CHANGE IS ON THE WAY I CAN FEEL IT FOR YOU.

They call me the Streetsinger.

PARADICE
I call you 'wastin' my time'. So what's little
Mother Theresa gonna do now? Look like all them
po' homeless folk gotta pull themselves up by
their own bootstraps... just like I did. Well...
we're all waiting.
(swinging the towel)

STREETSINGER
Brooklyn.

BROOKLYN
Ms. Paradice, Streetsinger and I would like to
use my time and turn the greatest stage on earth
into a little patch of ground on Flatbush Avenue.

PARADICE
As far as I'm concerned baby, you can sing with
the Mormon Tabernacle choir, but I warn ya, this
is America, and the winners always win.
 BROOKLYN 61. (5/27/06)

BROOKLYN
Ms. Paradice, the gloves are comin’ off.

PARADICE
Excuse me?

BROOKLYN
(with attitude, to street crowd)
Did I stutter?
Ladies and Gentlemen... On every corner of this
great city, roses can sprout up through the
concrete streets.

SONG: “STREETSINGER”

BROOKLYN (cont’d)
HE TOOK THE STREET ALONE
JUST AN OLD COAT AND A SAXOPHONE
AN’ OLE BEAT UP CARDBOARD SIGN
THAT’S WHAT HIS NAME WAS SCRAWLED UPON

MY NAME WAS UP IN LIGHTS

HIS SOUL LIT UP THE NIGHT
A VOICE ON A SIDEWALK STAGE
HE HELD THE CROWD AMAZED

AND THE SOUNDS THAT HE PLAYED

WERE TENDER AND STRONG
AND THEN HE SANG HIS SONG

Brooklyn takes Streetsinger by the

hand and leads him into the ring.
 BROOKLYN 62. (5/27/06)

STREETSINGER
I CAN SEE THE SUN
PEEKIN’ OUT FROM THEM CLOUDS
I HEAR A CHOIR OF SPARROWS
SINGIN’ OUT FROM THEM TREES
THERE’S A NEW CONSTELLATION
OH, I’M GONNA SING IT OUT LOUD
OH, A CHANGE IS ON THE WAY
I CAN FEEL IT IN ME
BROOKLYN
ON A STREET IN THE HEART OF TOWN
A COLD WIND, THE SUN GOES DOWN
A CROWD STARTS TO GATHER ‘ROUND
AND HE’S SINGING FOR FREE
A SOUL THAT CAN MOVE THE STARS
SLEEPS ON SIDEWALKS AND SUBWAY CARS
THE PRINCE OF THE BOULEVARD
AND HE’S DOWN ON HIS KNEES
THERE WAS HOPE, JOY, AND PAIN
IN EVERY REFRAIN
WHEN HE SANG HIS SONG AGAIN
STREETSINGER
NOW WE ALL ARE SINNERS
IF WE LOOK INSIDE OURSELVES
AND LOVE CAN SAVE THE WRETCHED
FROM LIFE’S MISERY
WE ARE BORN IN HIS GOODNESS
WE CAN SHARE IN HIS WEALTH
YES A CHANGE IS ON THE WAY
I CAN FEEL IT FOR YOU
BROOKLYN
AND THE STREETSINGER SHOWED ME
THAT LIFE JUST AIN’T FAIR
SOME PEOPLE GO FAR AND SOME GO NOWHERE THE CITY WEEDS
DO DO DOO
SOME LIVE WITH LOVE AND SOME NEVER DO
BROOKLYN AND STREETSINGER
(riffing off each other)
AND A CHANGE ON THE WAY
I CAN FEEL IT FOR YOU
A CHANGE (IS) ON THE WAY
I CAN FEEL IT FOR YOU ...
(riffing continues)
 BROOKLYN 63. (5/27/06)

THE CITY WEEDS

YES A CHANGE
ON THE WAY
I CAN FEEL IT FOR YOU
YES A CHANGE
ON THE WAY
I CAN FEEL IT FOR YOU
YES A CHANGE
ON THE WAY
I CAN FEEL IT FOR YOU
YES A CHANGE
ON THE WAY
BROOKLYN I CAN FEEL IT
I CAN FEEL IT
STREETSINGER
FEEL IT, FEEL IT, FEEL
IT, LITTLE GIRL
I CAN FEEL IT FOR
BROOKLYN & STREETSINGER
I CAN FEEL IT FOR
YOU YOU
Piano continues as Brooklyn speaks.

BROOKLYN
Thank you, thank you so much.
I want you all to know...
That I still believe in happy endings.
Thank you New York! Goodnight! I love you!
As the music swells, Brooklyn blows a
kiss to the crowd and exits.

THE CITY WEEDS

THERE'S A CHANGE
ON THE WAY
I CAN FEEL IT FOR
FEEL IT FOR YOU
EPILOGUE
Outside the Garden; lights up on
Cleavant.

CLEAVANT
The crowd roared... the votes poured in. But
y'see magic isn't forever. Paradice won.
 BROOKLYN 64. (5/27/06)

PARADICE
And I’m gonna keep every – last - dime!
GOD BLESS AMERICA, LAND THAT I LOVE...

CLEAVANT
Brooklyn was no longer news.
Just another face in the crowd, on her way back
home to Paris.

Lights up on Brooklyn, suitcase in

hand.

But you see, there's something we all have that

lasts longer than magic... (beat) For in that
crowd...
Taylor enters, holding a single rose.
...was another face.

TAYLOR
(to Brooklyn)
Brooklyn...

REPRISE: “ONCE UPON A TIME”

MELBA, CLEAVANT & JULIE

ONCE UPON A TIME
WE BELIEVED IN MIRACLES

TAYLOR
Forgive me. I’ve spent a lifetime on these
streets... I, I just couldn’t. I couldn’t be
there with you, not on a world stage...

Brooklyn sets down her suitcase.

MELBA, CLEAVANT & JULIE

ONCE UPON A TIME
WE BELIEVED THAT LOVE WOULD CONQUER ALL

TAYLOR
I can’t pretend to finish something that ...
(beat)
... that in my heart will forever remain
unfinished. I’m not the same man your mother fell
in love with.
Taylor approaches but Brooklyn pulls
away. He places the rose on
Brooklyn’s suitcase and starts to go.
 BROOKLYN 65. (5/27/06)

MELBA, CLEAVANT & JULIE

ONCE UPON A TIME
WE BELIEVED ANYTHING WAS POSSIBLE
BROOKLYN
My mother fell in love with a man who loved her
so much that he sacrificed his life for her
happiness. And she ended her life for she could
find no happiness without him...
MELBA, CLEAVANT & JULIE
AND I BELIEVED AGAIN THE MOMENT WHEN I SAW YOU HERE TONIGHT
Brooklyn picks up the rose and
turns to him.
BROOKLYN
And with our tears we can water roses.
BROOKLYN & TAYLOR
NOW ONCE UPON A TIME
HAS NEVER FELT MORE RIGHT
MELBA, CLEAVANT & JULIE
OH OH, ONCE UPON A TIME
HAS NEVER FELT MORE RIGHT
Brooklyn and Taylor embrace.
CLEAVANT
(to street crowd)
So you gotta ask yourself... Do you believe in
happy endings?
REPRISE: “HEART BEHIND THESE HANDS”
DIANA, LEE, JULIE, & MELBA
THERE’S A HEART BEHIND THESE HANDS
CLEAVANT
You wanna know something? Once upon a time, I
did.
DIANA, LEE, JULIE, & MELBA
THERE’S A SOUL BENEATH THESE CLOTHES
CLEAVANT
(looking up, holding back tears)
I’ll never stop loving you Faith.
DIANA
(to Cleavant, revealing his true identity)
Hey Taylor...Taylor... come on, man.
 BROOKLYN 66. (6/01/06)

CLEAVANT
You know, everyone always wants to know if this
is really my story. I tell them every fairytale
holds a little truth. And every truth... a
little fairytale. Now Faith... was truth.
Everything else we like to call... Brooklyn.

CLEAVANT (cont’d)
THERE’S A STORY BEHIND THESE EMPTY EYES
THAT NO ONE WANTS TO KNOW

MELBA
AND OH, IF YOU FEEL THE SPIRIT MOVE YOU

LEE
GIVE ONLY WHAT YOU CAN

DIANA
AND I’LL SING MY SONG
GOOD AND STRONG
I’M GONNA SING IT

MELBA
I’M GONNA SING IT, SING IT, SING IT

LEE
I’M GONNA SING IT

THE CITY WEEDS

FROM THE HEART BEHIND THESE HANDS
FROM THE HEART BEHIND THESE HANDS
 BROOKLYN 67. (5/27/06)

Blackout. In the dark we HEAR the

sound of coins being tossed into
the guitar case, then more and
more.

We HEAR ad libs from the City

Weeds “Thank you, thank you sir,
God bless you ma’am. You and your
family”

THE END