the merchant of pittsburgh: a comedy

8/19/2019 The Merchant of Pittsburgh: A Comedy

1/94

The Merchant of Pittsburgh

The Merchant of Pittsburgh: A Comedy

by John Freed

Playwright's website: (http://freed98.wix.com/johnfreedplaywright )

E-mail: ([email protected] )

dedicated to the spirit of August Wilson within us all

and James wherever you are

1

http://freed98.wix.com/johnfreedplaywrightmailto:[email protected]://freed98.wix.com/johnfreedplaywrightmailto:[email protected]


2/94


Synosis

!The Merchant of Pittsburgh: A Comedy" i! !et in an "#ity$ba!edtheatre in %itt!brgh& %enn!yl'ania in the early ninetie! and concern! afed$p Jewi!h board member who tae! o'er a! acting arti!tic director inorder to !tage a Shyloc#-friendly roduction of *he +erchant of

,enice- while being forced to confront hi! own !et of racial and ethnic prejdice!.

$ed Camuso& a critic from the ew chool for ocial 0e!earch& de!cribe!it& *hi! play i! a brilliant ma!h$p of hae!peare and 1g!t 2il!on&mixing hae!peare3! exploration of hman de!ire! and foible! in 3+er$chant of ,enice3 with the complex !ocial narrati'e! of or own time!.*hin 4anada3! 3ling! and 1rrow!3 meet! 4hicago3! 34lyborne %ar.3-

%ideo scenes from the San &rancisco ramatists (uild's staged readings:

1) from Act *+ Scene , Milt and Samantha:

http!://'imeo.com/5656576

.) from Act **+ scene . /eff+ /ames and Cherise:

http!://'imeo.com/56559698

.

https://vimeo.com/121213002https://vimeo.com/121192698https://vimeo.com/121213002https://vimeo.com/121192698


3/94


Cast of Characters

Milt Tannenbaum ;+ (in hi! ?3! to early 3!) !econd year boardmember of "*% the "#ity *heatre of %itt!brgh !elf$mademillionaire.

Samantha 0la#e ;1+1*A1> (any age o'er late 73!) the ew Bor ba!ed& aging ingene& "#ity actre!! and long term companion of the !oonto be former arti!tic director& %erry *homa!.

/eff &lannery ;J"FF> (comparable age to +ilt3! character) rban pioneer ,ictorian ho!e reno'ator/commnity de'eloper former college

"ngli!h in!trctor and fellow almn! of +ilt3! from 4ornell.

C) /) Clayton ;4A"0 (1frican$1merican in hi! 3!) 4heri!e3!father

eo 2 eonora ;="CC01> +ilt3! 58 year old !on at fir!t nerdy withgla!!e! and a bac pac. Ae i! a bndle of talent a teenaged Joel Drey

who ha! to loo rea!onably attracti'e when in drag throgh mo!t of the play.

Andrew &ric#-Carnegie+ *** ;1E0"2&


4/94


Clare E%erett ;4=10"> (early 63!) Denine ingene& 1frican$1merican actre!! friend of the director& 4heri!e& ca!t a! Je!!ica in+erchant of ,enice.-

0arbara udwig ;G10G101> (any age o'er late ?3!) 4ommne art!pace owner neighborhood commnity ad'ocate *hi! i! her fir!t boardmeeting.

7


5/94


ACT *

Scene 1

(eight weeks before opening night)

SETT*$(: It is eight weeks before the season's opening

night at the Euity !heatre of "ittsburgh in early summer

#$%$& !he corporate appearing oard oom is stage leftthe actual E!" *tage Area is stage right+ and there is a

wall on wheels with a door in it that will divide the set in

various proportions throughout the play& !here should be

impromptu activities going on on both sides of this divider&

!here is a large poster for the upcoming productions , one for -!he .erchant of /enice0 and the other for -.ore

Joyful .ysteries at *t& 1asparian's&0 2n -!he .erchant of

/enice0 poster is added the tag , -*hakespeare's most produced 1omedy0 2n the bottom of both posters is boldly

printed -"roduction *ponsored by 1arnegie ank&0

A modernist sofa large enough to lie down upon is across from the oard oom table and there is a sideboard along

the back wall where a *harper Image type stereo is playingthe music that we hear&

0egin laying /eff unn's #le5mer iece)

.ilt is sitting to the right of the head of the table bopping

a bit to the kle3mer music while flipping through the

bookkeeping ledger using an %4's electronic calculator and

taking notes on a yellow legal pad then changes to Ella 5it3gerald&

Continue laying Ella &it5gerald's !* o%es 8ou+ Porgy" htts:22www)youtube)com2watch9%ni/rT;


6/94


A bo6ed white microwave and e6pensive looking

cappuccino machine are brought into the oard oom fromthe *tage area by 7eno&

(E$=

*hat3! beatifl and !ad at the !ame time

M*T

Gt& !ee. *hat3! what pa!!ion i!. . . . 1nd a Jew wrote it. Eid yo nowthat

(E$=

0eally& < thoght it wa! a colored thing. 2here do yo want thi! !tff

M*T

Aow !hold < now 2ho ordered it

(E$=

=et3! !ee. Eeli'er care of %erry *homa!& 1rti!tic Eirector& "#ity *heatreof %itt!brgh& 5 "a!t orth 1'ene& %itt!brgh& %1.- *hat3! !.

M*T

*hat !chmc. %t them in the dmp!ter. o& better yet& pt them on the

booca!e o'er there& !o the "xecti'e Goard can appreciate them. Bowon3t need to nbox them.

8e hurriedly sets the microwave and coffee machine on the

bookcase and adroitly wheels the dolly out of the roomalmost running over 9ris 9wintowski who enters&

(E$=

2hoa KKK

4>*S (truly apologetic)

"xc!e me.

(E$=

Bo really oghta loo where yo3re going.

?


7/94


4>*S

Bo3re right. *S (sitting down && .ilt pretty much ignoring him)< am bearing great tiding! of good joy. . .

M*T

1nd they are . .

4>*S

*S

*hat3! where yo3re wrong.

8e holds up the bumper sticker which he reads&

Follow me to !ee E"GG


8/94


Eebbie 0eynold! to !tar in the whole rn of +ore Joyfl +y!terie! at t.

4a!parian3!.-

M*T

1nd what i! thi! dill- going to co!t !.

4>*S

Ae didn3t !ay.

M*T

Eon3t yo thin that that need! to be one of the mo!t important #e!tion!

4>*S

M*T


9/94


Eon3t tae offen!e.


10/94


M*T

2ith two critical exception!.

Enter Andrew I/ and III dressed like the bank e6ecutives

that they are& Andrew III reuires a cane&

A$>EB+ *3

< hate to interrpt yo two lo'ebird!& bt we3'e got important b!ine!! toattend to in a! brief a time po!!ible. *S

*hat3! it& !ir.

A$>EB+ *3

o& yo !ay it. . . . Ead& let me help yo.

8e escorts his rather doddering father to the chair at theend of the table&

4>*S (even more nasal)Eon *on.-

A$>EB+ *31nd don3t the blac! o'er here !ay or f !ide- for orth!ide +ilt& <ge!! yo3re !afe with #irrel Aill.- Aow el!e cold yo !ay that

M*T

2hy do yo thin that < li'e in #irrel Aill Geca!e that3! the goldenghetto where my- people li'e

A$>EB+ *3


11/94


A$>EB+ *3

"nogh chit chat. =et3! commence. 2hat3! the agenda

9ris hands out the agenda&

4>*S

J!t two item!. *he introdction of or newe!t execti'e board memberand an action item tabled from la!t meeting an exten!ion of or arti!ticdirector3! contract for three more year!.

M*T

2ait a minte < thoght there were three item!. Bo3'e cro!!ed one ot.

2hat happened to the annal financial report

4>*S

EB+ *3 (completing the sentence) ot ready.

M*T

< object.

A$>EB+ *3Aold yor hor!e!& +ilt. < thin we !hold inclde or new member in anyfrther di!c!!ion!. 2here i! !he

4>*S Bo !hold ha'e pa!!ed her in the hall.

A$>EB+ *3

2hat are yo waiting for (pretending to toss a ball&) Fetch her.

!here is an uncomfortable silence between .ilt and

Andrew+ I/ while 9ris is bringing arbara into the room& Andrew+ III is nodding off&

11


12/94


A$>EB+ *3 (standing up)Fir!t order of b!ine!! i! to welcome thi! beatifl lady& Garbaraude%ig.- (pronouncing her name in an affected accent using 7erman pronunciation&)

0A>0A>A (correcting him shaking his hand)

Garbara udwig.-

A$>EB+ *3 ( singing)=de'ig / =dwig. =et3! call the whole thing off.- +ind if < call yo

Garb

0A>0A>A

Bo can call me Garbara =dwig.-

A$>EB+ *3

C. . . H. . . . Garbara =dwig- among her many accompli!hment!operate! her own gallery and repre!ent! the Dreater orth!ide 1rt!4oncil. =et3! !ee if < do better with the re!t of the introdction!. 1t the far end of the table i! or former chairman& my father& 1ndrew Fric4arnegie& the third. Ead& Ead& (9ris shaking him awake) welcome

Garbara =dwig.

A$>EB+ ***

. . . =dwig.

A$>EB+ *3

Cn hi! right i! Hri! Hwin . . Hwin .. Hwin . .

4>*S

. . . tow!i. Hwintow!i.

A$>EB+ *3J!t call him Hri! with a H. Ae3! the committee3! !ecretary. 1nd to myright i! or e!teemed trea!rer and the heir to the great *annenbam crap+etal fortne. +ilton *annenbam. 1lthogh how yor family e'erac#ired the name of 4hri!tma! *ree&- < can not fathom.

1.


13/94


M*T+y father told me it wa! the pnch line to an "lli!

A$>EB+ *3

hoot.

M*T

Eo yo now why there are "pi!copalian!

A$>EB+ *3

o& +ilt& why are there "pi!copalian!

M*T (again in his :iddish accent)omebody3! got to pay retail.

arbara sprit3es out the water she is drinking&

0A>0A>A

Ch my& EB+ *3

e'er mind that. (looking toward 9ris) 2hat3! next on the agenda

4>*S

*he information item that Eebbie 0eynold! i! all !et to headline +oreJoyfl +y!terie!.-

8e passes out the bumper stickers then clips one to the

-.ore Joyful .ysteries0 poster&

A$>EB+ *3

%erry had tipped me off that thi! wa! imminent Dreat new! indeed. Gac

to the agenda.

16


14/94


4>*S

*abled from la!t meeting wa! yor motion to extend the contract of orarti!tic director& %erry *homa!& for three more year! with a 6M rai!e perannm.

M*T

EB+ *3

C& +ilt& relie'e yor!elf.

M*T

Fir!t. EB+ *3

< don3t thin that will be nece!!ary.

0A>0A>Aince


15/94


A$>EB+ *3

%erry !imply i! the be!t ew Bor #ality director we cold get.

M*T

Bo meant to !ay that he i! the be!t ew Bor director who coldn3t findany wor clo!er to ew Bor than %itt!brgh that we cold get.

0A>0A>A (laughing)*oche3

M*T

1ndrew& why not aim higher thi! time. =et3! try to lre one of that crowd

from Jer!ey 4ity at lea!t

0A>0A>A (whispering to .ilt)< now a director originally from the neighborhood who3! been maingan Franci!co theatre headline! for year!.

*he writes something down on the back of her agenda+

tears it off and slides it to .ilt&

A$>EB+ *3

+ilt& yo3re j!t mad beca!e %erry got yor goat abot thi! +ore Joyfl

+y!terie!- thing.

M*T (standing up and taking a magic marker he writes on the poster)Gefore the 'ote < ha'e one thing to add to the po!ter.

M*T

=et3! !top dancing arond the rhinocero! in the room. 1t the rate that %erryi! co!ting ! money& thi! theatre will go banrpt (referring to his notesand ledger) on or abot +arch 5!t of the coming year.

1,


16/94


A$>EB+ *3+ilton& how mch wold it tae to in!re ! another fll !ea!on beyondthat

M*T

*o flly in!re it inclding the Eebbie 0eynold! expenditre abot half amillion.

A$>EB+ *3

Ead& am < !afe in !aying that Cr Fondation can contribte a half milliondollar! to eep "*% afloat %ro'ided& of cor!e& that %erry3! contract i!

renewed.

M*T

< will !ee yor half million and rai!e a hndred tho!and if it3! notrenewed.

A$>EB+ *3

*hat3! not acceptable to me. 2e mae it three #arter! of a million.

.ilt writes out a check then slaps it down on the table)

M*T*here i! now a million dollar! !itting on thi! table a! an nre!trictedendowment in my wife3! name. he lo'ed thi! theatre and what itrepre!ented. < call for the #e!tion to 'ote p or down on %erry *homa!3contract renewal.

A$>EB+ *3

< want e'eryone to now that if thi! motion doe! not pa!! that < !hallre!ign from the board immediately and remo'e or ban from thi!theatre3! !pon!or!hip.

0A>0A>A< !econd the call for the #e!tion.

1?


17/94


4>*S

*he call for the #e!tion ha! been mo'ed and !econded. 1ll in fa'or ofrenewing %erry *homa!3 contract for three year! rai!e yor hand.

9ris and Andrew+ I/ raise their hands immediately&

1ll oppo!ed to renewing %erry3! contract rai!e yor hand.

.ilt's hand goes up immediately followed more slowly by arbara's& !hen the half slumped over Andrew III's hand

goes up&

M*T*he ay! ha'e itK

A$>EB+ *3

Ead& Eo yo now what yo j!t did

A$>EB+ ***

1 tho!and dollar! for a coffee maer. *hat3! bll!hit.

0AC4=DT

1@


18/94


ACT *

Scene .

(si6 weeks before opening night)

oard oom reveal, %4; E!" *tage Area reveal,


19/94


finer. < thoght M*T

o&


20/94


M*T: (going one by one) 2old yo lie me to introdce yo to my whole family (taking thechain from her starting with the largest colored one) Aere3! my great antadie& and thi! . . . (holding up ten of the same kind of brass paper clips)the whole +endlebam clan. 1nd (pointing out the last one) thi! little onehere wa! . Ae wold ha'e been my !econd co!in. < can3t remember hi!name.

1nd (holding up another large silver one) thi! one& they didn3t get mygrandfather +o!he who led ! to the promi!ed land of %itt!brgh.

Bo !ee what < want to do with or prodction of +erchant i! to !how thathyloc and hi! whole tribe are people lie them!el'e! not !ome goddamnheap of indi!tingi!hable paperclip!. ot j!t when yo ct !& we bleedlie yo& bt when we3re happy there3! m!ic and e'erybody dance!.

Jeff enters from stage left carrying /8* camera euipment+

tripod and lights&

/E&&

"xc!e me&


21/94


/E&&


22/94


,ictorian townho!e. "'er !ee the mo'ie *he +oney %it- "'erything

that happened to *om Aan! in that film happened to ! except not all atonce. Bo !ee a hndred year old ho!e ha! abot a! mch life left in it a!a hndred year old per!on. *he p!ide i! that < became a card carryingrban pioneer. 1lthogh to ot!ider! we might be mi!taen for !#atter!.J!t the other day a cop . . .

M*T (uickly losing interest)1nd how doe! yor wife feel abot thi! !itation

/E&&

ot really !re. he left a nmber of year! bac.

M*T


23/94


o < went to the local cable manager with my pitch to prodce a !erie! onthe pcoming theatrical prodction! of the "*%& and bam&


24/94


few minte! early to !top Jliet from !tabbing her!elf in!ring a happily

e'er after ending. Cr . . .

M*T

*hat3! it. 2hat < want yo to do i! be a !cript doctor for +erchant of,enice- !o that hyloc get! hi! happily e'er after ending.


25/94


/E&& ow do yo !ee why there are almo!t no accontant! who are playwright!

M*T

Aow wold yo do it

/E&&

Heep yor opening line to that !cene a! yo wrote it& then get on withhae!peare. Ai! hyloc i! an extraordinarily complex and articlatecharacter in hi! own right. ,ery mch le!! cold be !aid abot e'eryone

el!e except for %ortia.

hae!peare j!t might ha'e hidden a loophole for hyloc !imilar to theone that he in!erted for 1ntonio.

M*T

Bo3re hired. Gt remember one way or the other yo3'e got to deli'erhyloc3! happy ending.

/E&& (very bad :iddish accent) 2hat lie in a ma!!age parlor

M*T

1 comedian& yo3re not. Gt


26/94


ACT *

scene 6

(five weeks and si6 days before opening night)

oard oom reveal, @4; E!" *tage Area reveal, 4;&

.ilt is already seated at the board room table& Beo entersthe E!" *tage Area dressed like a prep school nerd with

horn?rimmed glasses carrying a school back pack& Beo

takes his tap shoes out and puts them on as well as the

1abaret costume& !here is also a bowling shirt with awoman's lace handkerchief in the bag for later in the scene&

(E$=

Aeh& id. o one3! allowed on the !tage.

E=

*SE (looking in from the door)

M*T (a little irritated)


27/94


CE>*SE"xc!e me. < thoght my appointment wa! at two.

M*T

1nd yo are

CE>*SE

4. J. 4layton

M*T

*SE

... that < wa! !o tall . . . !o female or. . . !o blac

/E&& (Cumping up)%lea!e come in and ha'e a !eat.


28/94


CE>*SE

1nd that i! . .

M*T

*hat yo ca!t my eighteen year old !on& =eo& in a featred role in the play.

CE>*SE

1nd what ind of !tage experience ha! he had

M*T

J!t high !chool.

CE>*SE4a!ting an amater completely !ight n!een in a !ignificant role *SE

+ilt& we are comfortable that we can find room for =eo in the ca!t& . . in afeatred role& bt < will only do thi! with two condition! of my own.

M*T

*SE2hen yo hire me a! the director of thi! play that


29/94


M*T

< ge!! he will be athoriIed to !pea for hae!peare a! well. Jeff now!my mindL < can li'e with that. Gt yo !aid there were two condition!.

CE>*SE

*he other one i! that yo !chedle and promote for next !ea!on the world premiere of a new play written by a friend of mine.

M*T

1nd i! that all of the #alification! that he need!& that he i! a friend ofyor!.

CE>*SE=ie yor !on being a !on of yor!& yo mean

M*T

1nd doe! thi! friend of yor! ha'e a name

CE>*SE

1g!t 2il!on.

M*T

1$D!t- (7erman pronunciation&) Ae3! not Derman i! he

/E&&

Bo3re idding& +ilt& yo3'e ne'er heard of him Ae3! greatL he3! from%itt!brgh& and thi! wold be a world premiere. *hi! i! the theatrical'er!ion of a hocey hat tric. +ae the deal& +ilt.

M*T (addressing Jeff)he3! a damn togh negotiator& bt there yo ha'e it an 1g!t for a=eo& and we ha'e a director.

8e shakes Jeff's hand first and then almost as an after?

thought 1herise's&

=et3! gi'e the id the good new!. 2hat part i! he going to play

.


30/94


CE>*SE

*hat will depend on what he can !how ! in hi! adition piece. Ae doe!ha'e an adition piece& doe!n3t he

M*T

Ae wa! p all la!t night rehear!ing.

/E&&

*hen bring him on in.

.ilt goes to the stage area and brings Beo into the oard

oom where Jeff and 1herise are now sitting on the sofa&

CE>*SE

C& =eo& !how ! yor !tff.

E=

*han yo !o mch for thi! opportnity.

Beo who already has his .1 costume and tap shoes on

begins to tap dance and sing Willkommen from -1abaret0&

(begins singing)

2illommen& bien'ene& welcomeFremde& etranger& !tranger Dllich I !ehen& je !i! enchante&Aappy to !ee yo& bleibe& re!te& !tay2illomen& bien'ene& welcome&


31/94


Beo removes his sparkly shirt revealing the classic *tanley 9owalski tee shirt that he is wearing underneath it& 8e will

use a wide?brimmed straw hat when he is playing lanche&

(Beo performing both parts)

0A$CE

Ch tanley& yo3re a 4apricorn the goat.

STA$E8

2hat !ign were yo born nder& Glanche

0A$CE

Ch& my birthday3! next month& the fifteenth of eptemberLthat3! nder ,irgo.

STA$E8

2hat3! ,irgo

0A$CE

,irgo i! the ,irgin.

STA$E8

AahK ay& do yo happen to now !omebody named haw

0A$CE

2hy& e'erybody now! !omebody named hawK

STA$E8

2ell& thi! !omebody named haw i! nder the impre!!ionhe met yo in =arel& bt < figre he m!t ha'e got yomixed p with !ome other party beca!e thi! other party i!

!omeone he met at a hotel called the Flamingo.

61


32/94


0A$CE


33/94


.ilt and Beo e6it to the *tage area+ where Beo changes histap shoes and .ilt demonstrates his admiration for his son&

1herise and Jeff glance at the list on the board table and

say at the same time&

CE>*SE and /E&&

eri!!a.

/E&&

now


34/94


5rom here on out we will only see Beo made up+ dressed

and acting like a young girl&

M*T

Ch my god& what ha'e < done

0AC4=DT

67


35/94


ACT *

Scene 7

(four weeks before opening night)

oard oom reveal, D4; E!" *tage Area reveal, 4;&

!he lights will go up on the oard oom side revealing a

prominently displayed poster for August Wilson's -Jitney0-"remiering =e6t *eason directed by 1herise 1layton0

F Note the picture on the poster should be of a brightly

colored two door 4's 1hevy sedanG and a radically

redesigned one for -.erchant of /enice0 which now hasbeen re?titled -*hylock's .erchant of /enice&0 !he

original -.ore Joyful .ysteries at *t& 1asparian's0 poster0 is between the two& .ilt is busy working on his

ledger books at the end of the table&

!he lights then go up on the E!" *tage side where 1herise

is beginning rehearsals with *amantha heavily made?up+

7eno and the female costumed Beo as Beonora wearing a

blonde wig but not much makeup& !here is a large foldingtable with a number of folding chairs around it as if set up

for a table?read& !here might be some other actors there aswell& 2n the far end of the table are the gold+ silver andlead bo6es+ the props for the casket scene&

CE>*SE

< thoght it be!t to !tart or rehear!al! with the newe!t member! of ortrope and or mo!t !ea!oned actor& amantha Glae. Gy the way <recently learned that !he had performed %ortia in a prodction at the%blic when Jo!eph %app him!elf wa! !till directing. he will be orgiding !tar.

SAMA$TA


36/94


CE>*SE

amantha& let me introdce yor fellow actor!. Deno +aII& (pronouncingit -ma3e0&)

(E$=

*SE

%ardoneI moi. Ae i!& of cor!e& yor Ga!!anio. Deno& < don3t now mchabot yor !tage experience !ince yo were hired by my predece!!or. Aowlong ha'e yo wored in the theatre

(E$=1bot three year! now at the "#ity.

CE>*SE

1nd what role! ha'e yo played

(E$=

one yet. Aowe'er& < helped bild e'ery damn !et they3'e had.

CE>*SE

Eo yo now what %erry wa! thining when he ca!t yo

(E$=

Ae !aid that amantha had !een my wor and had recommended me. 1ndone more thing he !aid that !he had 'olnteered to tae me in hand& <ge!!& i! how he pt it.

CE>*SE

amantha& yo naghty girl& bt a! the Gddha remind! !& the pni!hment for wanting !omething i! to get it.-


37/94


CE>*SE

1nd =eo $ =eonora& (i! it) =anca!ter i! eri!!a& yor e'er faithfl lady inwaiting. *hi! will be her profe!!ional !tage debt a! wellL !o we ha'e a lotof wor ahead of !.

Deno& before we !tart < want to gi'e yo a pop #iI to !ee if yo3'e doneyor homewor. =eonora& will yo place tho!e boxe! in front of him a!ceremonio!ly a! yo can

Beo as Beonora makes a girlish show of this proceeding

from lead to silver to gold , the gold one seemingly the

heaviest&

CE>*SE

Eo yo now why there are boxe! !itting in front of yo& Ga!!anio

(E$=

< gotta choo!e one of 3em.

CE>*SE

Dood. 1nd what will happen if yo pic the wrong one

(E$=

omething 'ery bad.

CE>*SE

1ctally it3! not in thi! !cene bt it ha! been e!tabli!hed that if yo choo!ewrongly yo m!t promi!e to high hea'en to ne'er marry or e'en cortanother woman. ot really !ch a horrible fate for a gay man& let3! !ay&now i! it Bo don3t ha'e to an!wer that& bt < thin that hae!peare fllyintended that in$joe for hi! clo!e male friend! a! part of the play3!!btext. 1nd what happen! if yo pic the right box

(E$= (thinking for a moment)

omething really great.

CE>*SE

1nd that wold be

6@


38/94


(E$=

A (stage whispering to him)

%ortia3! pictre.

CE>*SE

o cheating. Deno& do yo e'en now where Ga!!anio i! when he ha! tochoo!e the boxe!

(E$=

*hat3! ea!y. ,enice.

CE>*SE

Bo ha'en3t read the play yet& ha'e yo

(E$=

< thoght we were going to do that today.

CE>*SE

1nd !o we !hall. =et3! get to it. "!tabli!hing !hot %ortia3! magic ingdomof Gelmont. T*A - FSamanthaG

< pray yo& tarry: pa!e a day or twoGefore yo haIardL for& in choo!ing wrong&< lo!e yor company:

*rn away yor eye!&*hey ha'e o3erloo3d me and di'ided meLCne half of me i! yor!& the other half yor!&+ine own& < wold !ayL bt if mine& then yor!&

6


39/94


1nd !o all yor!.

0ASSA$*= - F(enoG

=et me choo!eFor a! < am& < li'e pon your rac.

(E$=

CE>*SE

Bo mi!read the line. *SE

Deno& eep yor !hirt on. o& < mean literally pt yor !hirt bac on.4ontine to read the !cene a! it i! written.

P=>T*A - FSamanthaG

Qpon the rac& Ga!!anioK then confe!!2hat trea!on there i! mingled with yor lo'e.

0ASSA$*= - F(enoG

*here may a! well be amity ;a$mity->

6


40/94


Getween !now and fire& a! trea!on and my lo'e.

Gt let me to my fortne . . ..

CE>*SE

top& !top. Deno& yo !ond lie a parrot.

(E$=

"xc!e me& 4heri!e& bt < got ab!oltely no idea what tho!e line! mean

CE>*SE

< gi'e p. Heep reading. < ge!! e'en a parrot can !ond lie a !ailor withenogh practice.

P=>T*A - FSamanthaG

< am loc3d in one of them: *SSA FeonoraG (singing)*ell me where i! fancy bred&0ASSA$*= - F(enoGooo ah . . . here choo!e


41/94


back and moves his hand to the lead one&

(E$=

2hy i!n3t !he in the gold box *hat doe!n3t mae any !en!e.

CE>*SE

Geca!e it i!n3t the gold oneL it3! the lead one. eri!!a ha! already tippedyo off in her !ong that it3! the lead one with all the word! that rhyme withlead.- bred& head& nori!hed+ engendered& fed- and the final wordlead- it!elf. =et3! re$do the !cene from the !ong. Gegin.

$E>*SSA FeonoraG(singing)*ell me where i! fancy bred&0ASSA$*= - F(enoG

1nd here choo!e *SE

Cn !econd thoght let3! eep it exactly the way yo two played it.


42/94


P=>T*A - FSamanthaG

Bo !ee me& =ord Ga!!anio& where < !tand&ch a! < am: yet& for yo< wold be tripled twenty time! my!elfL

1 tho!and time! more fair&ten tho!and time! more richLonly to !tand higher in yor accont!.

< am an nle!!on3d girl& n!chool3d& npracti!edL

Aappy in thi!& !he i! not yet !o oldGt !he may learnLhappier than thi!&he i! not bred !o dll bt !he can learnLAappie!t of all i! that her gentle !pirit4ommit! it!elf to yor!to be directed& (kneeling before assanio)1! from her lord& her go'ernor& her ing.+y!elf and what i! mine to yo and yor!


43/94


Aappie!t of all i! that her gentle !pirit

4ommit! it!elf to yor!to be directed&(kneeling before assanio)

1! from her lord& her go'ernor& her ing.+y!elf and what i! mine to yo and yor!

line! a! the awaening %ortia who will go on to control all the importante'ent! throghot the re!t of the play.

P=>T*A - FSamanthaG

Gt now < wa! the lordCf thi! fair man!ion& ma!ter of my !er'ant!&Reen o3er my!elf: and e'en now& bt now&

*hi! ho!e& the!e !er'ant! and thi! !ame my!elf 1re yor!& my lord: < gi'e them with thi! ringL

CE>*SE

*he ring thing i! her e!cape cla!e in the contract. %lay it p on !tage. 4ontine Ga!!anio. . . (uncomfortable pause) . . . Deno& when < !ayGa!!anio < mean yo.

(E$=

Bah& got it.

0ASSA$*= - F(enoG

+adam& yo ha'e bereft me of all word!&

Gt when thi! ring%art! from thi! finger& then part! life from hence:C& then be bold to !ay Ga!!anio3! deadK

76


44/94


CE>*SEAe !tep! right into her trap. Eon3t forget at the end of the cort room !ceneit i! %ortia in the gi!e of the lawyer who will get that ring from off hi!finger and bac onto her own. 1nd Deno& in !pite of all of yor prote!tation! here& yo do not die bt are merely permanently netered.Dood !tart. Deno& read the damn play.

7eno e6its.

1nd yo two& let3! meet in abot a half hor to come p with a ten daycra!h acting cor!e for or leading man.

Beonora follows 7eno off stage& ight& *amantha gathers

her make?up kit and knocks on the door between the *tage Area and the oard oom& while 1herise stays in the *tage

Area writing notes&

77


45/94


ACT *

Scene ,

*amantha knocks on the door between the *tage Area and

oard oom of the Euity !heatre of "ittsburgh& .ilt is

working at his desk&

M*T

4ome in.

*amantha enters the oard oom&

M*T

amantha.

SAMA$TA

+ilt& . . . wold yo do me a hge fa'or

M*T

ame it.

SAMA$TA2old yo breathe in my ear for a few !econd!.

.ilt hesitates but responds to *amantha's imploring hand

gestures by gently getting up and breathing into herupstage ear but trying to avoid any other bodily contact&

SAMA$TA

2e do that on !tage all the time to calm each other!3 ner'e!.

M*T

2hat broght that on

7,


46/94


SAMA$TA

2e had or fir!t read$throgh& and < realiIed what a hge mi!tae


47/94


M*T

Eo yo really Bo3re no longer twenty and drop dead gorgeo!L yet


48/94


M*TGt !erio!ly other than the !tc window! how are yoraccommodation!

SAMA$TA

pending the night in a cla!!room i! ind of !pooy and for !ome rea!onthey left the original chal board in the room with a fll array of coloredchal and old$!chool era!er!.


49/94


M*T

2hat did yo do

SAMA$TA

*he 'ery next day < waled o'er to the mall and boght her a companion.1ctally right now they3re both my only friend! in %itt!brgh.

M*T

Eid we j!t get way off trac 2hat3! the down !ide to the nit

SAMA$TA


50/94


SAMA$TA

Ch& oh. < forgot to mention Jimmy& who alway! !at in front of me in e'erycla!! beca!e we !at alphabeticalL he wa! al!o in the dream. Ae3! the onewho pnched me in the !tomach when he wa! a patrol boy while < wa!cro!!ing the !treet.

M*T

2a! that part of the dream

SAMA$TA

o& that actally happened. 2hat happened in the dream wa! that when <wa! done with my recitation and retrned to my !eat& < wa! hit with thi!

!trong rine !mell and pee wa! dripping down from the !eat in front of me.2hen < tapped Jimmy on the !holder and a!ed what wa! going on& he!miled and !aid that he had peed him!elf rather than interrpt my beatifl performance.

M*T

Cddly that3! al!o one of my bigge!t fear! a! we bring in an older and olderadience. *hat the play! will be !o entrancing that tho!e old gy! willforget them!el'e!.

SAMA$TA

1nd < wold accept it a! a great tribte.

M*T

*hat3! why yo3re the arti!t and


51/94


SAMA$TA ot a! !ch. +o!t actor!& married or not& engage in an acti'ity be!tde!cribed a! *heatre %olygamy. Eoe! that cont Bo were married& right&+ilt. Aow did that wor ot for yo 2a! marriage a new experience ormore lie the end of experience

M*T

=et me pt it to yo thi! way& < wa! ne'er bored a day in my life with mywife& 0achel. Gt or friend! were !re that we wold e'entally tear eachother to !hred!.

Gt if they had ob!er'ed more careflly& we completed each other!entence! and nobody or nothing e'er came between !. < ge!! if < hadto de!cribe or marriage in a metaphor it wa! a profe!!ional wre!tlingmatch where both conte!tant! delight in being in on the joe.

SAMA$TA

2hat happened

M*T

1lmo!t !ix year! ago& !he wa! 'i!iting

reco'ered wa! thi! little ring that < had gi'en her at !mmer camp whenwe were !ixteen.

8e holds up his left hand& !he ring is on his left little

finger& 8e is not wearing a wedding ring&

SAMA$TA

*hat brea! my heart. . . . o& !hold < marry %erry or no < don3t want to be the fi!h left behind in a %itt!brgh bidet.

M*T

+aybe what yo really !hold do i! tae tho!e fi!h ot of yor bidet andrelea!e them. . . . . . (another long pause)&

SAMA$TA

Eid yo e'er i!! an actre!!

,1


52/94


M*TCther than a hooer& no.

SAMA$TA

*hat i! what yo thin of !& i!n3t it

M*T

1 joe.

SAMA$TA

1 really bad one. < mean lie an actor i!!ing an actre!! in character.

2old yo lie me to demon!trate Aow wold yo lie to i!! +arilyn+onroe in *he e'en Bear


53/94


M*T (relieved)

4ome in.

E=$=>A

Eon3t let me interrpt& bt < needed to remind amantha that we3re!chedled to meet with 4heri!e to come p with a plan to !a'e ! fromDeno.

SAMA$TA

=et me get my thing!. +ilt& < !till am 'ery intere!ted in hearing yorad'ice.

*he gathers her make?up case and gives .ilt a hug who hasbacked up all the way to the edge of the oard oom table&

E=$=>A (whispering to *amantha)

1d'ice abot what

SAMA$TA

Aow to re!ce fi!h from a bidet.

*amantha and Beonora e6it to the *tage Area to Coin1herise&

0AC4=DT

*$TE>M*SS*=$

,6


54/94


ACT **

Scene 1

(three weeks before opening night)

As the lights go up on the oard oom of the Euity

!heatre of "ittsburgh+ there is a large poster for the

upcoming premiere production of August Wilson's -Jitney0and a-7iant Eagle0 grocery shopping cart filled with a

random array of cast?off toys topped by a large white

micro?wave oven& !here is a pile of rags on the couch&

Hnseen under that pile is James asleep&

.ilt enters the room and is bewildered by all of the Cunk inhis office& 8e starts to pull off the pile of rags and Cumps

back when they move and he discovers James' bare feet and

then the rest of him asleep on the sofa& 8e wakes up&

M*T

2ho the hell are yo 2hat are yo doing here

/AMES*hey call me 4lean p.- < clean p the !treet! and < clean p for the =ord.

M*T

Eo yo now where yo are

/AMES

2here the =ord want! me to be.

M*T

1nd tr!t me that i! not in the Goard 0oom of the "#ity *heatre of

%itt!brgh.

/AMES


55/94


8e gets up and goes right into his song in full voice ,

swaying as he sings&

Ch& Ch =ord& =ord& =ord my Dod


56/94


M*T1re yo !re that3! the =ord !peaing

/AMES

< now it i!.

M*T

2ell. . .

/AMES

1nd < fond ot that many& many& many time! when < ha'e !omething to

do and < go that way (pointing to the right) Dod !ay!& Do the other way.( pointing to the left&) 1nd < not nowing why Ae want! me to go that way.0ight after < !tart down that path& thi! white lady !ay!& on. 1nd < !ay& Be!&+a3am. 1nd !he !ay! < need yo to clean the yard p and when yo3refini!hed here3! the ey to loc p. 1nd mae !re yo lea'e the ey in themailbox. 1nd < ne'er !een her before in my whole life.

ow yo can3t tell me that ain3t the =ord. he !ay!& yor payment i! in theen'elope in the mailbox. 1nd < open the garage and < cold a been a thiefand too all the 'alable! that wa! in there. Gt !he new. he !aw the=ord wa! in me.

*hen < realiIed that i! what we call waling on blind faith. Eoing!omething that yo don3t now why yo are doing it.


57/94


/E&&

+ilt . . .

/AMES

Ae let me in.

/E&&

< thoght yo weren3t coming to wor ntil late thi! afternoon.

M*T

2hat craIine!!. o thi! nholy me!! i! !omehow my falt beca!e < cameto wor too early.

/E&&

=et me explain. 4lean Qp&- yo !it on the !ofa for a minte and try the!eon.

Jeff hands James the boots which are too large but he putsthem on &

M*T

Ai! name3! Jame!.

/E&&o yo had a chance to tal to him. 2hat3! hi! !tory

M*T

< don3t gi'e a !hit what hi! !tory i!. < want to now what yo were thiningwhen yo let him in here.

/E&&

0emember la!t night when that big thnder !torm hit arond eight *hatwa! right when < wa! lea'ing. 2hen < !tarted to !print acro!! the par& <got tripped p by hi! feet !ticing ot from the b!he!. Ae had rigged

!ome !ort of co'er ot of hi! !hopping cart. Cn !ch a night if he had beena !tray dog& < wold ha'e taen him in.

,@


58/94


M*T

1nd wold yo ha'e let a mddy wet dog into my office a! well 1re yont!

/E&&

< didn3t go that far. < let Jame! into the foyer to get him ot of the rain. Aeapparently wandered into yor office looing for a !oft place to lie down.

M*T (slapping the side of the microwave)1nd find !omething to !teal.

/E&&

Jame!& what were yo going to do with the microwa'e

/AMES

*aing the microway- to the =ight C3=ife- +i!!ion a! a 4hri!tma! pre!ent for all the thing! that they gi'e me. (pointing to the poster for the play -Jitney0) *hat ain3t no Jitney car Aow yo get anyone in the bac!eat of a car with only two door! 2ho thi! 4heri!e 4layton < had adaghter !ed to be called 4heri!e 4layton& bt < thin < be dead to her bynow.

/E&& (to .ilt)

Eo yo thin it3! po!!ible

M*T

*he way thi! day i! !tarting ot anything i! po!!ible. he3! in rehear!al!.

/E&&


59/94


ACT **

Scene .

!here is talking before the lights go back up& It is about

fifteen minutes after Jeff has returned to the oard oom

with 1herise&

/AMES

Bo can3t be my daghter. he only ten year! old. 2hat yo want fromme

CE>*SE

Eid yo e'er thin abot me when yo were gone < remember e'eryminte of the day yo left. < had chocolate mil for lnch at !chool and!pilled !ome of it on my blo!e. *he fir!t thing that < heard when < camehome wa! momma crying. < had ne'er heard her cry before or !ince.

< remember ptting on yor ba!eball cleat! o'er my !hoe! and plling thelace! !o tight that one broe. < wa! !o mad at yo and !tomped p anddown or wood floor! till momma caght me.

1ll < had were tho!e dent! in that floor to eep yo real for me. Eid yoe'er thin abot me e'en once when yo were gone

/AMES

Bo3re a grown woman what cold < thin abot a grown woman +ygirl3! ten& and < been ot collecting thing! for her.

James picks various toys out of his cart to show her&

CE>*SE (to the others)

2hat3! that arond hi! nec

/E&& (reading the tag)

+y name i! Jame! 4layton.


60/94


9 "a!t orth 1'e

%itt!brgh& %1

CE>*SE

%roperty of =ight C3=ife +i!!ion plea!e retrn. +y father3! wearing a tagthat yo wold pt on yor dog. . . . Ead what happened to yo

/AMES

*he =ord cho!e me to prai!e Ai! name.

/E&&

1! him what he now! abot jitney!. *he po!ter !omehow jogged

!omething in him that recogniIed yor name

CE>*SE

Ead& Eid yo e'er dri'e jitney

/AMES

*hat wa! my de!trction.

/E&&

Jame!& what happened with the jitney!

/AMESee& my friend 2illie and me li'ed in thi! room on the Aill for more year!than < can cont. 1nd thi! room j!t had the one bed. Gt that wa! allright beca!e we both dro'e Jitney for +i!ter Eari!. 2illie and me we3d!witch off


61/94


were hard women. < ne'er !aw a !ingle Bellow 4ab on the Aill all the time

< li'e there.

*hen !omething really bad happened.

CE>*SE (still very angry) 2or!e than waling away and lo!ing yor family

/AMES (protesting a bit)*he 2elfare made me do that. *he bad


62/94


=ord led me to the light of hi! mi!!ion and they feed me and gi'e me a

place to !leep mo!t e'ery night when it3! not too crowded with fol! wor!eoff than me. . . .


63/94


ACT **

Scene 6

(two weeks before opening night)

oard oom reveal, 4; E!" *tage Area reveal, @4;&

As the scene opens on the stage area Beonora is playing the 8atvikvah very softly on an upright rehearsal piano&

0egin iano laying htts:22www)youtube)com2watch9

%H6#ce$$eo.c )

*he is dressed in a medium length mini?skirt and stylishboots& *he is heavily made?up& 8er purse and a paperback

copy of -As :ou Bike it0 are on the top of the piano&

*amantha enters carrying her makeup kit+ purse and similar copy of -As :ou Bike It&0 all of which she puts

down on the folding table along with a boy's cap and bright

ribbon for Beonora as osalind to wear& F NOTE: Beonora

will perform the first part from -As :ou Bike It0 with thecap on+ and the second part with the ribbon tied on over the

cap with a large bow at the neck&G

SAMA$TA (touching Beonora's shoulder)

*hat3! awflly !omber. 2hy are yo down& little !i!ter& yor acting i! fir!trate

E=$=>A

Aow do yo now if yo3re pretty enogh

SAMA$TA

%retty enogh for what

E=$=>A

For !omeone to fall in lo'e with yo.

?6

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3kceNNeo2chttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3kceNNeo2chttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3kceNNeo2chttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3kceNNeo2c


64/94


SAMA$TA

1nd that !omeone might be

E=$=>A

Deno.

SAMA$TA

1ren3t yo two going ot already

E=$=>A

2e ha'e fn together& bt we3re !o mi!matched. Ae3! 1doni!& and


65/94


SAMA$TA (in a heavy *outhern accent)

Doodne!!& gracio!& !ae! ali'e& darlin3& 2ho e'er taght yo how to pton maep 2e don3t actally want to loo lie drag #een!& do we1lthogh there3! certainly nothing wrong with drag #een!. (dropping theaccent) %retty yong thing! lie yo need to re%eal not conceal. Eidn3tyor mother tell yo that

E=$=>A

+y mother died when < wa! 56.

SAMA$TA

A (alarmed stops her hands) Eon3t.

SAMA$TA: 1ren3t we the mode!t one.

!o distract her Beonora hands *amantha a small bo6 that

is on the piano&

?,


66/94


E=$=>A

Ch& < almo!t forgot. < broght yo a gift that yo can gi'e to +ilt the nexttime yo !ee him.

SAMA$TA (opening the bo6 and holding it up)2hat i! it

!he .e3u3ah should be a non?traditional one reflecting the

early nineties and Beo's taste&

E=$=>A

A

+eII$a not la)


67/94


1nother layer of pretending in thi! !cene i! that yo ha'e to con'ince !that yo3re in lo'e with a character who to yo appear! to be a yong manwho3! pretending to be yor 0o!alind. 1nd of cor!e in hae!peare3! timethat actre!! wold ha'e actally been played by a boy actor& performing a!a girl& dre!!ed a! a boy pretending !he i! the girl being corted by yo.Eid yo get that

(E$=

Hind of. Gt it !ond! !o gay.

SAMA$TA

1nd !o it i!. Gt we3'e all been retending for more than ? year! thatit3! not. 0emember& Deno& yo3re the de!perate lo'er in thi! !cene.0o!alind !tart! here in the gi!e of a boy.


68/94


>=SA*$ - FeonoraG

2hy& how now& CrlandoK where ha'e yo beenall thi! while Bo a lo'erK e'er come in my !ight more.

=>A$= - F(enoG

+y fair 0o!alind& < come within an hor of my promi!e.

>=SA*$ - FeonoraG

Grea an hor3! promi!e in lo'eKA$= - F(enoG

%ardon me& dear 0o!alind.

>=SA*$ - FeonoraG

ay& if yo be !o tardy& come no more in my !ight: <wold prefer to be wooed by a !nail.

=>A$= - F(enoG 1 !nail

>=SA*$ - FeonoraG

1y& a !nailL for thogh he come! !lowly& hecarrie! hi! ho!e on hi! headL a better offering< thin& than yo mae a woman.

Gt 4ome& woo me& woo me& for now < am in a holidaymood and lie enogh to con!ent. 2hat wold yo!ay to me if < were 0o!alind her!elf

=>A$= - F(enoG

=o'e me& 0o!alind.

>=SA*$ - FeonoraG

4ome& !i!ter& yo !hall be the prie!t and marry !.Di'e me yor hand& Crlando. 2hat do yo !ay& !i!ter

?


69/94


=>A$= - F(enoG%ray thee& marry !.

CE*A FSamanthaG (aside to osalind)Eo yo thin thi! i! wi!e < cannot !ay the word!.

>=SA*$ - FeonoraG

Bo m!t begin& 32ill yo& Crlando$$3

CE*A - FSamanthaG

Do to. 2ill yo& Crlando& ha'e to wife thi! 0o!alind

=>A$= - F(enoG

< will.

>=SA*$ - FeonoraG

1y& bt when

=>A$= - F(enoG

2hy nowL a! fa!t a! !he can marry !.

>=SA*$ - FeonoraG

*hen yo m!t !ay 3< tae thee& 0o!alind& for wife.3

=>A$= - F(enoG

< tae thee& 0o!alind& for wife.

>=SA*$ - FeonoraG

1nd < do tae thee& Crlando& for my h!band:

ow tell me how long yo wold ha'e herafter yo ha'e po!!e!!ed her in marriage.

=>A$= - F(enoG

For e'er and a day.

?


70/94


>=SA*$ - FeonoraG

ay 3a day&3 withot the 3e'er.3 o& no& CrlandoLmen are 1pril when they woo& Eecember when they wed:maid! are +ay when they are maid!& bt the !ychange! when they are wi'e!.

< will be more jealo!of thee than a Garbary coc$pigeon o'er hi! hen&more clamoro! than a parrot again!t the rain& morenew$fangled than an ape& more giddy in my de!ire!than a money: < will weep for nothing& and < will do thatwhen yo are di!po!ed to be merryL

< will lagh lie a hyena&and that when yo are inclined to !leep.

=>A$= - F(enoG

Gt will my 0o!alind do !o

>=SA*$ - FeonoraG

Gy my life& !he will do exactly a! < do.

SAMA$TA

=et3! !top there. 1nd yo =eonora do exactly what 0o!alind ha! done. <ha'e !ome wrapping paper to by.

E=$=>A (desperately)

4an < come with yo

(E$=

=eonora& can < !pea to yo for a minte

SAMA$TA: < ha'e to fre!hen p.


71/94


(E$=

2hy ha'e yo been a'oiding me e'er !ince < a!ed yo to come o'er fornday dinner < promi!e yo3ll lo'e it.


72/94


E=$=>A

C& C& j!t thi! once.

(E$=

Fair warning when her la!agna enter! yor blood !tream yo won3t be ableto li'e withot it. Ch& and one more thing. Bo might feel !omeawwardne!! at fir!t.

E=$=>A

2hy i! that

(E$=

< don3t thin there3! been a blonde per!on in the ho!e& e'er.

E=$=>A

< cold wear a dar wig if that wold mae yo feel more comfortable

(E$=

4old yo *hat wold be perfect. 1nd < cold teach yo a little A

A

1! long a! < re!er'e the right not to an!wer it& a! away.

(E$=

ince we lo'e each other !o mch& why won3t yo ha'e !ex with me


73/94


(E$=

Cn the contrary. < totally re!pect a girl who3! !a'ing her!elf for marriage.1lthogh < admit < ne'er met one before. < ge!! < oght to tell yo thereal rea!on why < want yo to come to dinner.

E=$=>A (tenderly turning her ear flaps toward him)


74/94


ACT **

scene 7

(three days before opening night)

oard oom reveal, 4; E!" *tage Area reveal, @4;& Bights go up where 1herise and Jeff are sitting down stage

on folding chairs on the E!" *tage Area side& Actors are

milling around up stage&

CE>*SE

*here are mice in the apartment.

/E&&

1nd 'oila < di!co'er once again that no good deed goe! npni!hed.

CE>*SE

Eon3t get me wrong. *SEAow wa! *4D at Go!ton

M*T (ignoring her speaking to Jeff)Aow i! he

@7


75/94


/E&&+yron i! going to be fine. Ae j!t !ond! a lot lie Jimmy tewart rightnow.

M*T

2hat happened

/E&&

Ae had a 'ery minor !troe while playing tenni!.

M*T

2hat3! a !e'enty year old man doing playing tenni!

/E&&

*rying to li'e to be !e'enty$one& maybe.

M*T

1 'ery minor !troe- 2a! that a diagno!i! or a comment on hi! bachand (finally addressing 1herise) 2ho3! going to replace him

CE>*SE

*hat3! what we wanted to tal to yo abot

M*T

2hy now Bo a!ed me to btt ot !ome time ago& and < btted ot.2hat do yo want from me at thi! late date

/E&&

%lay hyloc.

M*T

2hat

CE>*SE


76/94


M*T

*SEJeff made a copy of the !cript with yor part and entrance! and exit!mared which yo can tae on !tage with yo& and < a!ed amantha toread with yo the fir!t big di'ergence from the original. am& can yocome o'er here

*amantha is wearing very little make?up and the prosthetic

nose&

SAMA$TA

+ilt& yo loo a little pale. 2elcome to my world.

*amantha comes close to .ilt and breathes into his ear fora few seconds&

Gy the way& how do yo lie the no!e 4heri!e thin! it3! geni!. hega'e me the +ary 2oll!tonecraft !eal of appro'al. 2here !hold we begin

CE>*SE

tart with then m!t the Jew be mercifl.-

P=>T*A - FSamanthaG*hen m!t the Jew be mercifl.

SAMA$TA (pointing out where .ilt is to begin)Bo3re right here.

@?


77/94


S8=C4 - FMiltGCn what compl!ion m!t T*A - FSamanthaG

*he #ality of mercy i! not !trained&

1ntonio& (pausing for a moment) < !hall relea!e yo fromyor bond and will not drain from yo the life$blood thatyo !oght from me and my ind.

M*T (astonished)1nd that3! it hyloc forgi'e! him.

@@


78/94


/E&&

< belie'e that3! where hae!peare wa! headed all along. 2hy el!e write!ch a powerflly per!a!i'e !peech from %ortia right at thi! deci!ion point %ortia toche! e'eryone in the adience with that !peech& why nothyloc if he i! a! hman a! they

M*T

o hyloc fine!!e! the 4hri!tian!& by ot chri!tianing them. 1nd th! am< re'enged . . . . . < thin < am. (more enthusiastic) *hen where doe! the play go

/E&&


79/94


they3re !ed to !eeing e'eryday& bt thi! i! going to mae many of them

'ery p!et. *SE

*SEFnny& < j!t did.

1herise starts collecting her things and directs 1lare to do

likewise&

/E&&

*ime ot. Eon3t anyone tae another !tep. *hi! i! where < get to #ote myfa'orite %ogo line& 2e ha'e met the enemy and he i! !.- < want yo allto face me& clo!e yor eye! and !lowly tae fi'e deep breath!.


80/94


.ilt sits first& 1herise skips the chair ne6t to him and sits

on the third chair& *he directs 1lare to the fourth chair&

/E&& (moving Jessica from the end to the chair ne6t to .ilt) For thi! performance < need a!!igned !eating. +ilt and 4heri!e& are yocraIy =ie it or not& yo are both on the !ame !ide here again!t the race$hater! whether they3re aIi! or !la'e owner!. 1nd if yo yor!el'e! di'idehmanity along racial or ethnic line!& yo perpetate their agenda!. Bo become them.

1ll prai!e de to hae!peare& bt < did not wor on and 4heri!e certainlydid not ca!t the ind of play who!e 'ery exi!tence any raci!t& or !exi!t for

that matter& wold tolerate. Bo !ee& +ilt& in the theatre we are free tocreate the ind of world! we want to li'e in.

4a!e in point. Aow better to !how what we are abot than ha'e a hylocforgi'e and accept hi! prodigal and& in thi! ca!e& blac daghter bac intohi! family


81/94


ACT **

Scene ,

(two days before opening night)

oard oom reveal, 4; E!" *tage Area reveal, D4;&

!he lights go up on the oard oom side of the set where

James and Andrew III are uietly seated close to each other on the sofa& Andrew is in a vintage+ pin striped banker's

three piece suit James is wearing a similar three piece suit

that his daughter got for him at the !hrift *hop+ but it is

apparent that he is not wearing socks& !here is a cane on Andrew's side of the sofa& NOTE: !he me3u3ah is now

hanging on an angle to the right of the door that leads tothe *tage Area

.eanwhile actors will be arriving on the E!" *tage side of the set for the dresstech rehearsal that will start right after

this scene is finished&

Andrew III looks over at James slightly alarmed&

A$>EB+ ***Eo < now yo

/AMES

re do. 2e3re old friend!.

James comforts him by putting his hand on his leg& Andrew

puts his arm on James's arm&

A$>EB+ ***

Aa'e yo e'er heard of Doldfi!h

/AMES

2hat lie in an a#arim or !omething lie that


82/94


A$>EB+ *** o& lie in a bag.

8e reaches in his inside Cacket pocket for a snack si3ed bagof 7oldfish and starts eating them&

EB+ ***

(speaking very slowly as if figuring out a pu33le)*hat doe!n3t !eemright. . . .. yo now . . . EB+ ***

2atching yo wal.


83/94


James gets up and walks fancily around the room ending in

soft shoe dance steps&

/AMES

For yo.

A$>EB+ ***

Bo are magnificent. 2hat < woldn3t gi'e to do that right now. (bangingthe floor with his cane&) . . . Bo now !ince we3re !ch old friend! maybewe !hold form a partner!hip.

/AMES

2hat yo mean

A$>EB+ ***

Bo be my leg! and help me get to and get away from my car& and


84/94


ACT **

Scene ,

SETTING: !he E!" *tage side is set up for techdress

rehearsal with actors in costume and props for the Jessica

and Boren3o moonlit garden scene and the choosing thecasket scene with =erissa and assanio&

!he three bo6es , gold+ silver and lead , are now

prominently arranged on a sideboard covered with atapestry?like cloth&

As the lights come up+ Jessica and Boren3o are off to one

side miming the rehearsal of their lines& 1herise with her

clipboard and Jeff are seated stage front discussingblocking concerns& =erissa and assanio are standing on

opposite sides of the table& =erissaBeonora is trying very

hard not to make eye contact+ and assanio7eno is trying

to engage her attention&

(E$=: (wolf whistle)Aeh& beatiflK 0emember me

Beonora looks in the opposite direction while 7eno cups his handsto make a megaphone and speaks with a mock echoing effect&


85/94


*hat mae! more !en!e& doe!n3t it& Jeff

/E&&

Bep.

CE>*SE

=eonora why don3t yo !ing while tan i! fiddling with the light!

(E$=

2hat do yo want me to do

CE>*SEJ!t !tand there and try not to !cratch yor!elf.

(E$=

*he!e tight! itch.

CE>*SE

*hey woldn3t if yo wore nderpant!.

(E$=

Dot it.

CE>*SE

=eonora& yo can !tart !inging now.

E=$=>A (beginning to sing)

*ell me where i! fancy bred&


86/94


A (interrupting her singing) o yo thin


87/94


E=$=>A (opening the lead bo6 and pounding on the bo6) =ead& lead& lead.

(E$=

Bah& that one. 2hat < wi!h i! that thi! wa! not pretend and that yor pictre wa! in that box and yo had to marry me beca!e that wa! thedeal.

8e reaches for the picture& Beonora comes closer to hand it to him

and he puts his right hand around her waist+ embraces and kisses

her& Beonora resists for a few seconds+ breaks away and then

returns to kiss him back&

E=$=>A (stepping back)2e can3t go any frther down thi! path withot my telling yo the trthabot my!elf.

(E$= (impetuously) Bo3re dying of an incrable di!ea!eL yo3re an illegal alienL yo3'e gotcrab!L < now yo got pregnant from a toilet !eat once. 1m < gettingwarm

E=$=>A o actally a mch greater impediment.

(E$=

< don3t care what it i!. 0ight here& right now < 'ow& before yo !ay anotherword& that < will marry yo whate'er it i! and will lo'e yo fore'er . . .(brief silence because there is no response) & & pl! one day.

E=$=>A (breathing deeply to gain courage)Deno& my lo'e& the big !ecret i! . . . (starting to lift up the front of her skirt but then thinking better of it) *he big !ecret i! . . . that


88/94


CE>*SE *hat3! it for yo id!.

Beonora e6its in the opposite direction from 7eno&

tan& do yor magic to bring moonlight into or garden. Cpen with the!oft !pot on =orenIo then a! Je!!ica !pea! expand it to inclde her. tartthe 'iolin . . . (violin begins) play more !oftly a! if coming from in!ide theho!e. =orenIo& begin.

=>E$I= - F4risG

*he moon !hine! bright.


89/94


=>E$I= - F4risG

*SE

1t thi! point < thin yo two !hold i!!.

=>E$I= F4risG 2ith plea!re.

!hey kiss&

weet !ol let3! in.1nd yet no matter: why !hold we go in2e !hold bring the m!ic forth ot into the air.

The man that hath no music in himself+

2ho i! not mo'ed by the concord of !weet !ond!&

*he motion! of hi! !pirit are dll a! night.$o such man should be trusted)

CE>*SE

,ery good. =et the m!ic play on for a bit& and then let3! brea. (music plays on) *hat3! it. (to the lighting director) < prefer a darer ble tintfor moonlight. (to Jeff) Aow do yo thin it3! going

/E&&

0ight on cor!e it !eem! to me& bt


90/94


CE>*SE

Ae3ll deal with it. Jeff& . . . ha'e yo e'er i!!ed a blac woman

/E&&

o& bt


91/94


ACT **

Scene ?

(2pening night)

2n the oard oom side of the stage James and Andrew III are sitting ne6t to each other on the sofa& Cherise and

Jeff are sitting at the board room table& 2n the E!" *tage side the play is in progress in a sort of dumb show with the

Jewish wedding canopy being set up& Jessica takes off the

necklace that she is wearing and hands it to *hylock&

*hylock will hug her& *hylock then helps Boren3o put on thekittel (special white men's wedding garment) !hen hands

Boren3o the badeken , (the bride's veil) and shows himhow to place it over Jessica's head&

"ortia enters with assanio Antonio (Andrew I/) istrailing them& *he is dressed rather plainly and is wearing

her prosthetic nose&

P=>T*A - FSamantha >


92/94


ring that she has taken from her own hand which Boren3o

will put on Jessica's inde6 finger of her right hand&

=>E$I= - F4risG

Gehold yo are betrothed nto me with thi! ring accordingto the law of +o!e!.

P=>T*A - FSamanthaG

1nd the!e are the Gle!!ing! that thi! wedding bring! to !.

Dod& gladden the heart! of the!e belo'ed friend!& a! yomade the fir!t man and woman rejoice in the garden of

"den long ago. Gle!!ed are Bo& Dod& who ca!e! thegroom and bride to rejoice.

Gle!!ed are Bo& Dod& who light! the world with happine!!and contentment& lo'e and companion!hip& peace andfriend!hip& bridegroom and bride. =et the montain! danceK=et the gate! ring with the !ond! of joy& the !ong ofmerriment and delight.

*hylock turns the couple to face the audience and placesthe linen wrapped glass that =erissa hands him on the

stage floor& Boren3o stomps on it&

P=>T*A - FSamanthaG

+aIel *o'K trie p the bandK

0egin the 4le5mer band wedding dance

htts:22www)youtube)com2watch9%BHd$1.b>>=

!he fiddler and 9le3mer clarinet player lead everyone in a

choreographed wedding dance that flows into curtain calls withrhythmic clapping from the audience& .ilt at first stands out of the

way but is brought forward by Beo to stand ne6t to *amantha then

goes back to bring 7eno forward to stand ne6t to *amantha&

.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQdN12bRRO0https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQdN12bRRO0


93/94


SAMA$TA (aside to .ilt before Beo returns)2ell& +ilt& what3! next

M*T

o& ha'e yo e'er played a %oli!h nn

Beo brings 7eno up to stand ne6t to *amantha and makes a formal

introduction&

E=

amantha and Deno&


94/94

the merchant of pittsburgh: a comedy

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