overture - pbworks tonk angels... · web viewthis is the story of how me and two other gals became...

BAND: “Soldier’s Joy”

(The band finishes their song, lights shift, the trio enters and starts singing from C in triangle formation – Sue Ellen DR, Angela UC, Darlene DL, A-capella.)

ANGELA: SOME GLAD MORNING I’M A’ GONNA SOAR

ALL: I’LL FLY AWAY

I’LL SING MY SONG ON MUSIC CITY’S SHORE

ALL: AND I’LL FLY AWAY

I’LL FLY AWAY, OH GLORYI’LL FLY AWAYMY OH MY, HALLELUJAH BY AND BYI’LL FLY AWAY

(Band joins, Movement Begins-Diagonal Formation DL to UR)

WHEN THE BLUES OF YESTERDAY HAVE GONEI’LL FLY AWAY

(Trio pretzels out of formation and X to respective locations. Darlene and Sue Ellen sit in their locations at the end of the verse.)

LIKE A BIRD FROM PRISON BARS HAS FLOWNI’LL FLY AWAY

(Angela addresses audiences. Sue Ellen and Darlene cross and sit in respective places. Underscoring of “I’ll Fly Away” continues during Angela’s speech.)

ANGELA: Tonight is all about following your dreams. It’s also about angels, Honky Tonk Angels. Hi. My name is Angela, Angel-Uh – I am an honest to God real housewife from Waxahatchie, Texas and I have six kids, a wonderful mama, and my husband’s name is – Bubba! God bless him. He drives a beer truck – Lone Star beer, of course. And, I’m the queen of this here double-wide trailer. This is the story of how me and two other gals became Honky Tonk Angels.

(Angela X L, lights shift to Darlene, writing in composition book, sitting on the stump.)

Darlene. She’s the sweetest, little country girl you’ll ever meet. She comes from poor circumstances, but she’s got a heart of gold and a

- The Honky Tonk Angels - PROMPT SCRIPT - UPDATED 06/07/08

whole lot of courage to boot. She lives with her daddy in the Mississippi delta and… she’s an Angel – bless her heart!

(Angela X R, lights shift to Sue Ellen. She is putting on make-up.)

Sue Ellen. She’s a career girl out in Los Angeles – City of Angels – California. But underneath all that plastic, she’s all country, if you know what I mean.

ALL: This is our story!

(Girls X into C, diagonal opposite of earlier.)

JUST A FEW MORE WEARY HOURSAND THEN I’LL FLY AWAYTO A PLACE WHERE THE SONGS WILL NEVER ENDI’LL FLY AWAY

(A Cappella – Clapping, X D.)


(Pretzel back into C positions gradually)


(Clapping stops – Seeing each other for the First Time – Ending C, next to each other: Sue Ellen (R) – Angela (C) – Darlene (D).)

MY OH MY, HALLELUJAH BY AND BYI’LL FLY AWA-AA-AY!

(Darlene (L) and Sue Ellen (R) exit. Lights shift – Angela is C.)

(SFX: Children screaming and laughing.)

ANGELA: (Grabs ironing board, moves to center, grabs laundry basket and starts to fold on the table on the board.)

You kids behave! We’re leavin’ for your Mee-Maw’s in five minutes…

SOMETIMES IT’S HARD TO BE A WOMAN


GIVING ALL YOUR LOVE TO JUST ONE MANYOU’LL HAVE BAD TIMES,AND HE’LL HAVE GOOD TIMESDOING THINGS THAT YOU DON’T UNDERSTANDBUT IF YOU LOVE HIM,YOU’LL FORGIVE HIMEVEN THOUGH HE’S HARD TO UNDERSTAND,AND IF YOU LOVE HIM,BE PROUD OF HIM,‘CAUSE AFTER ALL,HE’S JUST A MAN

(Now ironing Bubba’s shirt.)

STAND BY YOUR MANGIVE HIM TWO ARMS TO CLING TOAND SOMETHING WARM TO COME TOWHEN NIGHTS ARE COLD AND LONELYSTAND BY YOUR MANAND SHOW THE WORLD YOU LOVE HIMKEEP GIVING ALL THE LOVE YOU CANSTAND BY YOUR MAN

(Phone rings. Angela answers; music underscores.)

ANGELA: Hello… Oh, hey, baby! Yes, Bubba, it’s me, who’d you expect… Marilyn Monroe. Ha ha he… hu…what?!You S.O.B…. You promised to take me out tonight. I’m ironing a shirt for you and kids are all ready to go to mama’s… Well, I have had it… Well, you have fun at your tractor pull you… scum suckin’ redneck! you…

(She hangs up. She sings angrily, throwing the phone and grasping the ironing board.)

STAND BY YOUR MANGIVE HIM TWO ARMS TO CLING TOKEEP GIVING ALL THE LOVE YOU CANSTAND BY YOUR MANBULLCRAP!!!

(After kicking the ironing board, Angela exits, R, takes off the ironing board.)

(Darlene enters L, Lights shift to Darlene, playing guitar on her stump.)

DARLENE: I WAS BORN A COAL MINER’S DAUGHTERIN A CABIN ON A HILL IN APPLE HOLLER


WE WERE POOR, BUT WE HAD LOVETHAT’S THE ONE THING THAT DADDY MADE SURE OFHE SHOVELED COAL TO MAKE A POOR MAN’S DOLLAR

(The band joins in.)

IN THE SUMMER TIME WE DIDN’T HAVE SHOES TO WEARBUT IN THE WINTERTIME WE’D ALL GET A BRAND NEW PAIRFROM A MAIL ORDER CATALOGUEMONEY MADE FROM SELLING A HOGDADDY ALWAYS MANAGED TO GET THE MONEY SOMEWHERE

(Key change - she stops playing guitar, stands up.)

DADDY LOVED AND RAISED US KIDSON MINER’S PAYMAMA SCRUBBED OUR CLOTHES ON AWASHBOARD EVERYDAYWELL, I’VE SEEN HER FINGERS BLEEDTO COMPLAIN THERE WAS NO NEEDSHE’D SMILE IN MAMA’S UNDERSTANDIN’ WAY

(Crosses DL lip of stage.)

YEAH, I’M PROUD TO BE A COAL MINER’S DAUGHTERI REMEMBER WELL, THE WELL WHERE I DREW WATERTHE WORK WE DONE WAS HARDAT NIGHT WE’D SLEEP ‘CAUSE WE WERE TIREDI NEVER THOUGHT OF LEAVIN’ APPLE HOLLER

(Crossing back towards the stump and sits on the stump.)

A LOT OF THINGS HAVE CHANGED SINCE WAY BACK THENAND I’D LOVE TO SEE OUR FIRST SWEET HOME AGAINNOT MUCH LEFT ‘CEPT THE FLOORNO ONE LIVES THERE ANYMOREJUST THE MEMORIES OF A COAL MINER’S DAUGHTER

(End of song. SFX: Country sounds, birds, etc. She takes the guitar off and leans it against the wall.)

DARLENE: Mama, ya know I ain’t been happy since what happened to my boyfriend. And Daddy’s turned mean since you passed on to heaven… maybe he’s just unhappy, too. I keep thinkin’ about everything. Sometimes my memories of Billy Jo scare me a lot. I have bad dreams at night about him.


(Stands up, crosses down.)

But during the day I got dreams in my heart and I know that I gotta sing those bad dreams away. So, Mama, I’ve just got to leave now… I want to go to a big city with tall buildings to make music!

(Darlene exits L.)

(Sue Ellen enters R with her purse and coffee mug, sets it on the desk.)

SUE ELLEN: TUMBLE OUT OF BEDAND STUMBLE TO THE KITCHENPOUR MYSELF A CUP OF AMBITIONAND YAWN AND STRETCHAND TRY TO COME TO LIFEJUMP IN THE SHOWER

AND THE BLOOD STARTS PUMPIN’OUT ON THE STREET THE TRAFFIC STARTS JUMPIN’WITH FOLKS LIKE MEON THE JOB FROM 9 TO 5

WORKIN’ 9 TO 5WHAT A WAY TO MAKE A LIVIN’BARELY GETTING’ BYIT’S ALL TAKIN’ AND NO GIVIN’THEY JUST USE YOUR MINDAND THEY NEVER GIVE YOU CREDITIT’S ENOUGH TO DRIVE YOUCRAZY IF YOU LET IT

9 TO 5 FOR SERVICE AND DEVOTIONYOU WOULD THINK THAT I MIGHTDESERVE A GOOD PROMOTIONWANT TO MOVE AHEADBUT THE BOSS WON’T SEEM TO LET MEI SWEAR SOMETIMES THAT MANIS OUT TO GET MEOOOOH!

(X back to the desk, sits on front edge.)

THEY LET YOU DREAMJUST TO WATCH THEM SHATTERYOU’RE JUST A STEPON THE BOSS MAN’S LADDERBUT YOU’VE GOT DREAMSHE’LL NEVER TAKE AWAY


IN THE SAME BOATWITH A LOT OF YOUR FRIENDSWAITIN’ FOR THE DAYYOUR SHIP’LL COME INAND THE TIDE’S GONNA TURNAND IT’S ALL GONNA ROLL YOUR WAY

WORKIN’ 9 TO 5WHAT A WAY TO MAKE A LIVIN’BARELY GETTIN’ BYIT’S ALL TAKIN’ AND NO GIVIN’THEY JUST USE YOUR MINDAND THEY NEVER GIVE YOU CREDITIT’S ENOUGH TO DRIVE YOUCRAZY IF YOU LET IT

(Climbs on top of the desk, types and pulls paper out.)

9 TO 5THEY’VE GOT YOU WHERE THEY WANT YOUTHERE’S A BETTER LIFEAND YOU THINK ABOUT IT, DON’T YOU?IT’S A RICH MAN’S GAMENO MATTER WHAT THEY CALL ITAND YOU SPEND YOUR LIFE PUTTIN’MONEY IN HIS WALLET

(Gradually starts to slip down from the desk to her chair again.)

IT’S THE SAME OLD GRINDWORKING 9 TO 5!

(Sue Ellen pulls cigarette and lighter out of purse, goes to light it but the phone rings, she picks up the right phone.)

SUE ELLEN: Yes, Mr. Walker. Is your wife out of town again? Well I just can’t tonight, sir. Uh… I’ve got to wash my hair – sorry!

(Hangs up phone on right phone, phone rings.)

No, Mr. Walker. I’m not daydreaming again (hangs up the phone on the right receiver). I don’t just dream during the day – I dream all the time.

(Phone rings, she picks up the left phone.)

Oh, hello, mother… I’m fine… just another boring day at the office. Please don’t argue. It’s too early! Yes… I know my sister-in-law is


about to drop another litter! Oh, please, can’t you just understand for once…

(Phone rings.)

Hold on a minute, mother.

(Picks up right phone, hangs up left phone on right receiver.)

No, Mr. Walker, I don’t need any help washing my hair! Ooooh!

(Hangs right phone on left receiver, realizes it, untangles and fixes the problem. Phone rings. She picks up the left phone.)

Yes, there are complications at work – I’m quittin’… yes, I’m leavin’ this place… yes, I have quit smokin’!

(Goes to light cigarette, next line with it in her mouth.)

No, I’m not comin’ home… No, I’m not getting’ married again.

(Phone rings.)

Hold on, I’ll call you back.

(Hangs up left phone on left receiver, picks up right phone.)

No, sir, not tonight, not tomorrow. Not NEVER Sir!

(Hangs up right phone on right receiver, takes cigarette and lighter and exits right. Darlene enters from behind unit SR and gradually X DL through the song.)

DARLENE: IT WAS THE THIRD OF JUNEANOTHER SLEEPY, DUSTY, DELTA DAYI WAS OUT CHOPPIN’ COTTONAND MY BROTHER WAS BAILIN’ HAYAND AT DINNER TIME, WE STOPPEDAND WALKED BACK TO THE HOUSE TO EAT.AND MAMA HOLLERED OUT THE BACK DOOR,“YA’LL REMEMBER TO WIPE YOUR FEET”AND THEN SHE SAID, “I GOT SOME NEWS

(Crossing DLC slightly.)

THIS MORNIN’ FROM CHOCKTAW RIDGETODAY BILLY JO MACALISTERJUMPED OFF THE TALLAHACHEE BRIDGE


(Singing out, acting as brother.)

MY BROTHER SAID HE RECOLLECTEDWHEN HE AND TOM AND BILLY JOPUT A FROG DOWN MY BACKAT THE CARROLL COUNTY PICTURE SHOW.AND WASN’T I TALKIN’ TO HIMAFTER CHURCH LAST SUNDAY NIGHT.I’LL HAVE ANOTHER PIECE OF APPLE PIE.YOU KNOW, IT DON’T SEEM RIGHTI SAW HIM AT THE SAWMILL YESTERDAYON CHOCKTAW RIDGE.AND NOW YOU TELL ME BILLY JO’SJUMPED OFF THE TALLAHACHEE BRIDGEMAMA SAID TO ME, “CHILD, WHAT’S HAPPENED TO YOUR APPETITE”

(X R, Now as Mama.)

I’VE BEEN COOKING ALL MORNIN’AND YOU HAVEN’T TOUCHED A SINGLE BITE.THAT NICE YOUNG PREACHER,

(X L, as Mama.)

BROTHER TAYLOR, STOPPED BY TODAYSAID HE’D BE PLEASED TO HAVE DINNERON SUNDAYOH, BY THE WAY,

(X R, as Mama.)

HE SAID HE SAW A GIRLTHAT LOOKED A LOT LIKE YOUUP ON CHOCKTAW RIDGEAND SHE AND BILLY JOWERE THROWIN’ SOMETHIN’ OFF THE TALLAHACHEE BRIDGE

(X L, then to stump, to pick up flower.)

A YEAR HAS COME AND GONESINCE WE HEARD THE NEWS ABOUT BILLY JOMY BROTHER MARRIED BECKY THOMPSONTHEY BOUGHT A STORE IN TUPELOTHERE WAS A VIRUS GOIN’ ROUND

(Kneels to get flower, then crosses D to tombstones.)


MAMA CAUGHT IT AND SHE DIED LAST SPRINGAND NOW DADDY DOESN’T SEEM TOWANT TO DO MUCH OF ANYTHINGAND ME, I SPEND A LOT OF TIME

(Drops the petals of the flower into the water and lays the rest of the flowers on the tombstone.)

PICKING FLOWERS UP ON CHOCKTAW RIDGEAND DROP THEM INTO THE MUDDY WATEROFF THE TALLAHACHEE BRIDGE

Billy Joe, you was a dreamer and your dream was the same as mine… to make music; but then one day you realized you’d never be able to leave this place and chase that dream of yours.

(X Center.)

So you went up there and what you threw away was your dream. I tried to stop you, but that old six string guitar that you bought for five dollars when you was 10 years old shattered into a thousand pieces when it hit that river… and so did your dream. And then I guess you decided to follow your dream into that dark water.

(X L to Billy Joe.)

Since then, I’ve made a decision. I’m not goin’ the same way. I’m not goin’ to be scared no more! I’m goin’ to get out of here, I’m gonna follow my dream down the highway and not sell it down the river like you did…

(Back to Billy Joe, placing the rest of the flowers on the tombstone.)

Billy Joe, I’ve picked my last flower on Chocktaw Ridge.

(X R slightly.)

Mama, I’ve talked it over with brother and Becky, and they’ll look after Daddy while I’m gone.

(She exits L.)

(Angela’s phone begins ringing, enter from behind the unit, SL, she frantically looks for it, it’s in the laundry basket.)

ANGELA: Hello? Uh huh…

(She hangs the phone up.)


WELL, YOU THOUGHT I’D BE WAITIN’ UPWHEN YOU CAME HOME LAST NIGHTYOU’D BEEN OUT WITH ALL THE BOYSAND YOU ENDED UP HALF TIGHT.BUT LIQUOR AND LOVE;THEY JUST DON’T MIXLEAVE THE BOTTLE OR ME BEHINDAND DON’T COME HOME A DRINKIN’WITH LOVIN’ ON YOUR MIND

(Phone rings. She answers and immediately hangs up, throws the phone in the laundry basket.)

NO, DON’T COME HOME A DRINKINWITH LOVIN’ ON YOUR MINDJUST STAY OUT THERE ON THE TOWNAND SEE WHAT YOU CAN FIND‘CAUSE IF YOU WANT THAT KIND OF LOVEWELL, YOU DON’T NEED NONE OF MINESO DON’T COME HOME A DRINKIN’WITH LOVIN’ ON YOUR MIND

NO DON’T COME HOME A DRINKIN’WITH LOVING ON YOUR MIND

(Phone rings.)

ANGELA: Hell-o! Oh… hey Mama… have you thought it over? I’ve got to do this.

(There is the sound of a chainsaw. She yells offstage.)

Tammy Lynn-quit chasin’ bubba jr. with that chainsaw! That’s your Daddy’s toy! For God’s sake!

The kids will be no trouble at all! ...and I won’t be gone forever… I’ve just got to leave for a while. I knew you’d understand, you are the best mama in the world. Okay, I’ll talk to you later, but! …Oh, Mama, I love you… bye, bye!

Okay, Bubba-you asked for it!!

(Dials and sings into the phone.)

YOU WINED ME AND DINED MEWHEN I WAS YOUR GIRLPROMISED IF I’D BE YOUR WIFE,YOU’D SHOW ME THE WORLD


S GO

S GO

S GO

BUT ALL I’VE SEEN OF THIS WORLDIS A BED AND A DOCTOR BILLI’M TEARIN’ DOWN YOUR BROODER HOUSE,‘CAUSE NOW I’VE GOT THE PILL!

(Hangs up the phone, goes to the couch, throws laundry basket on the ground, and climbs up onto the couch.)

MY OLD MATERNITY DRESSESARE GOIN’ IN THE GARBAGETHE CLOTHES I’M WEARIN’ FROM NOW ONWON’T TAKE UP SO MUCH YARDAGEMINI SKIRTS, AND HOT PANTS,AND A FEW LITTLE FANCY FRILLSYEAH, I’M MAKIN’ UP FOR ALL THOSE YEARS,SINCE I’VE GOT THE PILL

(Jumps off the couch, crosses DL and then moves across the stage towards C.)

I’M TIRED OF ALL YOUR CROWIN’,HOW YOU AND YOUR HEN’S PLAYTHIS CHICKEN’S DONE TORE UP HER NESTI’M LEAVIN’ HERE TODAYOLD ROOSTER YOU’VE CROWEDYOUR LAST TIMESO DON’T TRY TO MAKE A DEALI’M READY NOW TO STRUT MY STUFF‘CAUSE YOU KNOW I’VE GOT THE PILL.

THIS INCUBATOR IS OVERUSED‘CAUSE HE KEPT IT FILLEDBUT NOW I DON’T HAVE TO WORRY NO MORESINCE I’VE GOT THE PILL

(Goes and grabs her jacket, and puts it on during the last part.)

IT’S GETTIN’ DARK, IT’S ROOSTIN’ TIME,AND HE’S IN FOR A THRILL,AND HE WON’T KEEP ME HOME TO NEST‘CAUSE MAMA’S GOT THE PILLNO DADDY WON’T KEEP ME HOME TO NEST‘CAUSE MAMA’S GOT THE PILL OF YEAH!!!

(Angela exits SL, taking laundry basket with her.)

(Sue Ellen enters SR, then the phone rings. She picks up the left phone.)


No… Mother, listen, my boss is grabbin’ me all the time – he’s got bad breath! And, those hairs in his nose make you wanna puke!

(Phone rings.)

Hold on.

(She picks up the right phone.)

Yes.

(Hangs up the right phone, picks the left phone back up.)

Yeah, I just… Mother, are you there?? Mother? Mother?

(Hangs up the left phone. Phone rings. Picks up the right phone.)

I bet you are a good boss… Mr. Walker. Well, you better watch out – I’m gonna find you!

(Stands up.)

YOU KEEP SAYIN’ YOU GOT SOMETHIN’ FOR MESOMETHIN’ YOU CALL LOVE BUT CONFESSYOU KEEP A MESSIN’ WHERE YOU SHOULDN’T BE MESSIN’WHEN YOUR WIFE AT HOME’S NOT GETTING ALL YOUR BEST

(X Around Desk, Travels from DR to DRC during the song.)

THESE BOOTS ARE MADE FOR WALKIN’AND THAT’S JUST WHAT THEY’LL DOONE OF THESE DAYS THESE BOOTS ARE GONNA WALK ALL OVER YOU

YOU KEEP PLAYIN WHERE YOU SHOULD’NT BE PLAYIN’YOU KEEP THINKIN’ THAT YOU’LL NEVER GET BURNEDWELL I JUST GOT ME A BRAND NEW BOX MATCHES – Hah!AND WHAT I KNOW YOU AIN’T GOT TIME TO LEARNTHESE BOOTS ARE MADE FOR WALKIN’AND THAT’S JUST WHAT THEY’LL DOONE OF THESE DAYS THESE BOOTS ARE GONNA WALK ALL OVER YOU

Are you ready boots? Ladies, I said are you ready boots? Well then, get up and… START WALKIN’!

(Small dance break, sliding across the desk, gathers herself at the end of the song, crosses to her desk to call her mom and write her note.


Darlene enters L with her guitar. Angela enter UL with her purse and note.)

DARLENE: Just a minute, Daddy.

SUE ELLEN: Mom?

ANGELA: Okay you kids, Mee-Maw’s on her way over.

(Sue Ellen doesn’t get a hold of her mother and exits R.)

DARLENE: MAYBE I SHOULD STAYBUT I MUST BE ON MY WAYAND SO I’LL GO, AND YET I KNOWTHAT I’LL THINK OF YOUEACH STEP OF THE WAY

(Sue Ellen reenters R, sits on the side of the desk.)

ALL: AND I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOUI WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU

(Sue Ellen X to sit at her desk. Sung while looking at her photo album, Darlene is writing her letter on her stump.)

ANGELA: BITTERSWEET MEMORIESTHAT’S ALL I HAVEAND ALL I’M TAKING WITH ME,

(Angela stands up X DC.)

AND SOGOODBYE, PLEASE DON’T CRYBUT YOU KNOWTHIS IS WHAT I NEED

(Sue Ellen X to the edge of her desk again.)

ALL: I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOUI WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU

ANGELA: Dear Bubba, It’s just not workin’ anymore and you know it. I love our kids and there’s a place real deep in my heart that still loves you, but I’ve got to go out on my own for a while. I hope you will understand… and I hope you can remember how to read. It’s time for me to fly.

(She tapes the note on the wall, exits to behind her unit.)


DARLENE: Dear Daddy, Saying goodbye to Mama was the hardest thing we’ve ever done, I know, but saying goodbye to you is just as hard. I know that life has not been easy for you, but I want you to know that you and mama always gave me faith to believe in a better way of living. So I’m gonna go now and try to find it. Don’t worry… I’ll make you proud, I promise. It’s time for me to fly…

(Puts the note on the tombstones. Darlene exits L to get her carpet bag, re-enters and put the bag on the stump at the end of Sue Ellen’s verse.)

SUE ELLEN: Dear Mother, I know I’ve been a disappointment for you and you would rather have a daughter who gave you a couple of grandkids instead of two divorces… but this time, I’m gonna take a chance. Maybe I’ll find myself. I hope you will understand… it’s time for me to fly.

(Puts the note in the “out” box.)

AND I HOPE LIFETREATS YOU KINDAND I HOPE THAT I HAVEALL THAT I DREAMED OFI WISH YOU JOY AND HAPPINESS

(Darlene and Angela re-enter for the last chorus.)

ALL: BUT MOST OF ALLI WISH YOU LOVEAND I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU OOHI WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU.WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU.

(All cross towards center, ready to move scenery.)

ANGELA: And so, with our bus tickets in our hands –

DARLENE: And our hearts in our throats –

SUE ELLEN: We decided to follow our dreams all the way to the end of that neon rainbow…

ANGELA: To a place everybody calls Music City, USA –

(The scenery shifts to the bus set-up, Sue Ellen is asleep on the last bench, her hat box in the luggage rack above. Angela is on the center bench, grabbing things out of her purse. She drops it on the floor – the bus jerks forward, waking Sue Ellen.)


SUE ELLEN: Where are we now?

ANGELA: Memphis. God, there are a lot of people on this bus.

SUE ELLEN: How long have I been sleeping?

ANGELA: Well, I got on in Dallas and you were asleep then.

SUE ELLEN: Good Lord, I feel like part of the upholstery of this old bus.

ANGELA: Yeah, you know what they say, “leave the drivin’ to us…” not the cleanin’. You want a baloney sandwich?

SUE ELLEN: No thanks.

ANGELA: Hi I’m Angela.

SUE ELLEN: I’m Sue Ellen.

(They shake hands, Sue Ellen gets something on her hand, Angela gives her a baby wipe.)

ANGELA: Where’re you from?

SUE ELLEN: L.A.

ANGELA: Lower Alabama?

SUE ELLEN: No honey, Los Angeles… California!

ANGELA: Well you should like you’re from…

SUE ELLEN: I’m originally from a little town in Texas.

ANGELA: Me too, where?

(Takes wipe from Sue Ellen.)

SUE ELLEN: Pasadena.

ANGELA: California?

SUE ELLEN: No honey – Pasadena, Texas.

ANGELA: Rose Bowl.

SUE ELLEN: Now, it’s more like a toilet bowl. But I haven’t been back in years.


ANGELA: Well you know what they say, once’t a Texan, always a Texan. THE EYES OF TEXAS ARE UPON YOU, TILL GARBIEL BLOWS HIS…

So, tell me a little somethin’ about yourself, honey. I’m all ears!Oh, come on honey, you look like the type who just loves to talk about yourself… bein’ from L.A. and all.

SUE ELLEN: Well, all right… I guess it will help to pass the time. See, I was born Sue Ellen Smith. When I was five years old I was crowned “Little Miss Country Music” at the county fair. Isn’t that cute? My mother was so proud of me! She thought I was going to be the next Tanya Tucker…

ANGELA: I just love her.

SUE ELLEN: …but my singing career stalled after that. Oh, I mean I occasionally got to sing a solo in my High School Choir. I had the cutest boyfriend - Cornell Crawford. Oooo-eee! What a man! But he left me for a “wrasslin” scholarship at ANM. Well I got so depressed that I broke three of my nails in typing class – so I graduated with a D+ in Secretarial Science, and nursed my heartache over Cornell by singing Gospel songs as the New Harmony Evangelical Episcopal Free Will Baptist Non-Denominational Tabernacle.

ANGELA: Halleluiah.

SUE ELLEN: But soon after that I got my “big break” as a singing, roller skatin’, cocktail waitress at the “Ten Pin Lounge” down at the local Bowl-a-Rama! That’s where I met my first husband, Mr. Bobby Barney. That’s right, Bobby Barney, the bowler.

ANGELA: Wow!

SUE ELLEN: Our marriage didn’t last too long. Too many headaches from all that noise and a deteriorating fashion sense from hanging around all those wives with hairdos twice as big as bowling balls.So, D-I-V-O-R-C-E number one.Then, I was invited to sing at the Kiwanis Club luncheon at the Ramada Inn Southwest, where I met my second husband, Chester Fife – proud owner of a string of pawn shops in Texas. When Chester asked me to move to Idaho with him to join one of those militia groups, well I just couldn’t see myself singing “I Will Survive” to a bunch of vagrant vigilantes. So D-I-V-O-R-C-E number two. My mother didn’t think any of this was very cute at all!

ANGELA: Well I can imagine.


SUE ELLEN: Anyway, I decided to move to L.A. after my second divorce! And, so there I was, Sue Ellen Smith Barney Fife…a non-singing secretary in that city of Devils! Hell! I feel like I’ve been rode hard and hung up wet!

ANGELA: Good Lord! Why in the hell did you take a bus clear across the country?

(Darlene enters with her carpet bag and guitar.)

SUE ELLEN: Actually, I’m afraid of flying… in airplanes!

ANGELA: Well, I didn’t think you meant on your broomstick!You mean to tell me you live out there with all them earthquakes, mudslides, forest fires and movie stars, and you’re afraid to fly!

SUE ELLEN: Now I’m moving to Nashville.

ANGELA: No kiddin’… me too.

SUE ELLEN: You gonna sing?

ANGELA: You bet I am.

DARLENE: Me too…and I’m scared to death.

SUE ELLEN,ANGELA: Me too!

DARLENE: I’m Darlene… Darlene Purvis.

ANGELA: You want a baloney sandwich, honey?

DARLENE: Sure, I’d love one, thanks!

ANGELA: I’m Angela and this is Sue Ellen.

Where ya from, honey? Come on, it’ll help to pass the time.

DARLENE: I was born in the mountains in a spit in the road called Apple Holler. I’ve only been back there once – that was when Mama died. I lived in those mountains until I was eight. Then Daddy lost his job when they shut down the coal mine and he moved us down to the Mississippi Delta to work the cotton fields. To me, it wasn’t much different. Only hotter… a lot hotter. I’ve been takin’ care of Daddy since Mama died… but now I’ve left him behind… I hope I did the right thing.

SUE ELLEN: I know what you mean…


And what about you Angela…what’s your story? I can’t believe I just asked that…

ANGELA: I’m just little ol’ Angela Bodine from Waxahachie, Texas – proud owner of a doublewide, mother of six and married to a truck driver named…

SUE ELLEN: Oh, don’t say it!

ANGELA: Bubba-I’m really not that special.

I GREW UP DIRTY AND I GREW UP POORTHE WOLF DIDN’T EVEN HANG ROUND OUR DOORNOT A CRUMB TO SPAREAND THE CUPBOARD BAREI HAD THE GIFT OF IMAGINATIONI COULD CHANGE MY SITUATIONANYTIME I CHOSEI COULD ALWAYS GO DOWN PARADISE ROAD

SUE ELLEN: I FOUND A KINGDOWN DEEP WITHINA PLACE TO DREAM AND TO PRETENDAND TO PREPARE FOR THE WORLD OUT THERE

DARLENE: A DREAM CAN DRESS YOU WHEN YOU’RE RAGGEDAND FILL YOU UP WHEN YOUR HUNGER’S NAGGIN’

ANGELA: AND I WARMED MY SOULWHEN LIFE WAS COLD ON PARADISE ROAD

ALL: PARADISE IS A STATE OF MINDTHE SUN SHINES WARM ALL THE TIMEAND THE RAIN DON’T FLOWAND THE WIND DON’T BLOWON PARADISE ROADA PLACE NO ONE CAN TAKE FROM MEA PLACE OF EVERLASTING PEACEWHERE DREAMERS GO, IT’S NEVER CLOSEDPARADISE ROAD

ANGELA: Well, ain’t we a sight! A career girl from L.A. whose been divorced twicet!

DARLENE: Oh my goodness! I ain’t never met anybody whose been divorced.

ANGELA: A sweet little country girl from a place that’s hotter than hell!

DARLENE: Oh my goodness!


ANGELA: Okay…Hades then! ...and me, the queen of a double wide trailer.

SUE ELLEN: Why am I not surprised!

ANGELA: And, you know what?

(Angela switches to sitting on her knees.)

I’m havin’ a pretty good time!

(Darlene moves to her knees and leans over the seat.)

DARLENE: So am I!

SUE ELLEN: I guess I am, too.

ANGELA: Want a pork rind?

ALL: A PLACE NO ONE CAN TAKE FROM MEA PLACE OF EVERLASTING PEACEWHERE DREAMERS GOIT’S NEVER CLOSEDPARADISE ROAD

(All move: Darlene leans on the back of her seat; Angela sits on top of her chair; Darlene and Angela takes hands; Sue Ellen stands and puts a hand on Angela’s shoulder.)

PARADISE IS A STATE OF MINDDOWN THE ROAD OF LIFE AND TIMEAND THE FRIENDS WE MEETMAKE THE TRAVELLING SWEETDOWN PARADISE ROAD PARADISE ROAD

DARLENE: Your fingernails sure are pretty.

SUE ELLEN: Well… thanks.

(SFX: “Next stop, Nashville, Tennessee!”)

(Darlene goes and takes her guitar out, starts playing around.)

ANGELA: Honey, you’ll wake up everybody on this bus! …go ahead!

SHE’S FORTY ONEAND HER DADDY STILL CALLS HER BABYALL THE FOLKS AROUND BROWNSVILLE


SAY SHE’S CRAZY

ANGELA: ‘CAUSE SHE WALKS DOWNTOWNWITH A SUITCASE IN HER HANDLOOKING FOR A MYSTERIOUS DARK HAIRED MAN

(Sue Ellen X to the girls, X DL slightly to sing her verse.)

SUE ELLEN: IN HER YOUNGER DAYSTHEY CALLED HER DELTA DAWNPRETTIEST WOMAN YOU EVER LAID EYES ONTHEN A MAN OF LOW DEGREESTOOD BY HER SIDEPROMISED HER HE’D TAKE HERFOR HIS BRIDE

(Singing together, they stand and huddle around Angela with the notebook.)

ALL: DELTA DAWN WHAT’S THAT FLOWER YOU HAVE ONCOULD IT BE A FADED ROSE FROM DAYS GONE BYAND DID I HEAR YOU SAYTHAT HE’S MEETING YOU HERE TODAYTO TAKE YOU TO HIS MANSION IN THE SKY?

(Darlene moves her capo to the 3rd fret to prepare for the next part.)

SUE ELLEN: It’s a sign! This is the song I sang when I won “Little Miss Country Music!” Thank you, God, and God bless you Tanya Tucker!

ANGELA: Amen! Let’s have us a hootenanny!

(Angela grabs her purse and X R to L to offer the other passengers sandwiches.)

Anybody want a baloney sandwich? I got a whole bunch. No, okay. You all know this one – so come on now let’s raise the rafters!

(Key change, Darlene plays the guitar. All move to the edges of the bus.)

ALL: DELTA DAWN WHAT’S THAT FLOWER YOU HAVE ONCOULD IT BE A FADED ROSE FROM DAYS GONE BYAND DID I HEAR YOU SAYTHAT HE’S MEETING YOU HERE TODAYTO TAKE YOU TO HIS MANSION IN THE SKY?

(A-cappella, clapping, spread evening across the unit.)


DELTA DAWN WHAT’S THAT FLOWER YOU HAVE ONCOULD IT BE A FADED ROSE FROM DAYS GONE BYAND DID I HEAR YOU SAYTHAT HE’S MEETING YOU HERE TODAYTO TAKE YOU TO HIS MANSION IN THE SKY?

(All move into Angela who conducts them through the last a-cappella section.)

TO TAKE YOU TO HIS MANSION IN THE SKY! OH YEAH!

ANGELA: Hey… we sounded pretty good.

SUE ELLEN: Yeah… why don’t we do it together? I can’t believe I just said that!

(Darlene X and puts her guitar away, sits on her bench.)

DARLENE: Do what? Sing together?

ANGELA: Yeah… why not? Misery loves company… Uh… there’s safety in numbers? Umm… birds of a feather, flock together! That one works…

SUE ELLEN: No, seriously, why not? We didn’t just end up on this bus by accident – I mean three fugitive women all moving to a strange new place…I don’t think this is just a coincidence. I think it was meant to be!

ANGELA: Well, I think it means we were either too poor or too scared to fly!

SUE ELLEN: Actually after surviving two divorces, earthquakes and movie stars, I’ve decided to start practicing a little faith in myself. Besides, I’m a little nervous about being on my own.

ANGELA: Me too.

DARLENE: Me too.

(Angela and Sue Ellen X to Darlene’s bench – Angela takes knee next to her, Sue Ellen stands next to them.)

ANGELA: Don’t worry, sugar. I bet our guardian angels are workin’ overtime lookin’ after us.

AMAZING GRACE, HOW SWEET THE SOUND

ANGELA,SUE ELLEN: THAT SAVED A WRETCH LIKE ME

ALL: I ONCE WAS LOST, BUT NOW I’M FOUND


WAS BLIND, BUT NOW I SEE

DARLENE: My mama taught me to always believe in a better place and we’re gonna find it.

THEN IT’S ONE FOOT,THEN THE OTHERAS YOU STEP OUT ON THE LONG HIGHWAY

(Darlene stands up, as does Angela. Darlene X DL.)

STEPPING ON THE ROAD… NOW WHICH WAY…NOW WHICH WAY?AND IT’S HOW LONG,AND HOW FARAND HOW MANY TIMESOH, BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE

ALL: CALLING ALL ANGELS,CALLING ALL ANGELS,

(Sue Ellen X to Darlene, Angela follows a couple lines later.)

WALK ME THROUGH THIS WORLDDON’T LEAVE ME ALONECALLING ALL ANGELS,CALLING ALL ANGELS

(Sue Ellen (L) and Angela (R) X DL and stand on either side.)

DARLENE: WE’RE TRYING, WE’RE HOPINGBUT WE’RE NOT SURE HOW THIS GOES

AH, BUT IF YOU COULD, DO YOU THINK YOU WOULDTRADE IT ALL, ALL THE PAIN AND SUFFERING

(Moments with each girl, then at the end of the verse, X D until the chorus.)

BUT THEN YOU WOULD’VE MISSED THE BEAUTYOF THIS LIFE UPON THIS EARTHAND THEN THE SWEETNESS OF THE LEAVING

(All X into diagonal: going DR to UL: Darlene, Sue Ellen, Angela. Turning forward to 45 degree angle facing L by the end of the chorus.)

ALL: CALLING ALL ANGELS,CALLING ALL ANGELSWALK ME THROUGH THIS WORLD


DON’T LEAVE ME ALONECALLING ALL ANGELS,CALLING ALL ANGELS

(Sue Ellen steps forward, Darlene X behind to end of circle/line.)

SUE ELLEN: WE’RE TRYING, WE’RE HOPING

(Angela steps forward into the line.)

ANGELA: WE’RE HURTING, WE’RE LAUGHING,

(Darlene is now at the back of the line: Sue Ellen, Angela, Darlene.)

DARLENE: WE’RE TRYING, WE’RE CRYING

(All take hands and sing the final line, then let go at the start of the dialogue.)

ALL: ‘CAUSE WE’RE NOT SURE HOW THIS GOES

ANGELA: I hope my babies are okay.

DARLENE: Got any pictures of them?

ANGELA: Yeah.

(All X back to benches – Darlene sits on the middle bench, Angela leans over her on the R with the photos, Sue Ellen leans in from the L.)

Bubba and I made six beautiful babies.

SUE ELLEN: God, it’s a litter!

ANGELA: I know my mama’s taking good care of them.

SUE ELLEN: She must be a saint.

ANGELA: She is.

DARLENE: So is mine up there in Heaven.

SUE ELLEN: Well you know she’s up there lookin’ after you.

DARELENE: Yeah, I believe she is… it’s my daddy I’m worried about. But, I think he’ll understand, eventually.

ANGELA: Well my husband won’t. He doesn’t even understand why I have to use hair spray.


(Sue Ellen goes back and sits on her bench and puts on make-up.)

SUE ELLEN: Oh my God! Well, I guess I’m lucky. I didn’t leave behind anything but an autographed bowling ball from my first ex, a couple of sawed off shotguns from my second ex, and a boss with hairs in his nose!

ANGELA: Yeah… Bubba has that problem, too!

SUE ELLEN: Gross!

(Darlene gets on her knees and faces backwards on her bench looking at Sue Ellen.)

DARLENE: I have a shotgun.

ANGELA: 8, 10, or 12 gauge?

DARLENE: 12!

ANGELA: Me too!

DARLENE: I’ve never been bowlin’ though, but I watch it all the time on TV with my Daddy… his favorite bowler is Bobby Barney!

SUE ELLEN: Well that’s nice, honey, let’s just hope we can leave the past behind and find better lives.

ANGELA: Yeah, with a little luck, a good honky tonk to sing in, and help from our guardian angels.

DARLENE: The Honky Tonk Angels!

SUE ELLEN: What?

DARLENE: That’ll be the name of our singing group… the Honky Tonk Angels… I like it!

ANGELA: Me too!

SUE ELLEN: Me too!

ANGELA: Watch out, Nash Vegas, here we come!

(Each steps forward on their lines below.)

Bubba…

SUE ELLEN: Mr. Walker…


DARLENE: Billy Joe…

ANGELA: This song’s for Y-E-W!

All: You!

(Angela X DL, Sue Ellen and Darlene are making up choreography UR.)

ANGELA: I’VE BEEN AROUND FOR YOU,BEEN UP AND DOWN FOR YOUBUT I JUST CAN’T GET ANY RELIEFI’VE SWALLOWED MY PRIDE FOR YOUI’VE LIVED AND LIED FOR YOUBUT YOU STILL MAKE MEFEEL LIKE A THIEFYOU’VE GOT ME STEALINGYOUR LOVE AWAY‘CAUSE YOU NEVER GIVE ITPEELING THE YEARS AWAYAND WE CAN’T RELIVE IT.I MAKE YOU LAUGH,YOU MAKE ME CRY

(Angela X back to C.)

I BELIEVE IT’S TIMEFOR ME TO FLY.

(All C, doing their choreography.)

ALL: TIME FOR ME TO FLYGOT TO SEE MYSELF FREETIME FOR ME TO FLYTHAT’S HOW IT’S GOT TO BEI KNOW IT HURTS TO SAY GOODBYEBUT IT’S TIME FOR ME TO FLY

SETH: Welcome to Nashville!

DARLENE: OH, GLAD MORNINGNOW THIS RIDE IS O’ERI’LL FLY AWAY

(All X to get their bags packed and get props: tambourine, baby-wipes.)

I’LL SING MY SONG ON MUSIC CITY’S SHORE


I’LL FLY AWAY

(All put jackets over the back of their benches.)

ALL: I’LL FLY AWAY, OH GLORYI’LL FLY AWAYMY OH MY, HALLELUJAH BY AND BYI’LL FLY AWAY

(Angela is now on top of the bench, the other girls are on either side of her on the floor – baby wipes are everywhere.)

DARLENE: NOW THE BLUESOF YESTERDAY HAVE GONEI’LL FLY AWAY

(Angela jumps off the middle bench, and continues throwing baby-wipes everywhere.)

LIKE A BIRDFROM PRISON BARS HAS FLOWNI’LL FLY AWAY

ALL: TIME FOR US TO FLYWE’RE GONNA SET OURSELVES FREE!TIME FOR US TO FLYTHAT’S HOW IT’S GOT TO BE

(All X back to put jackets on.)

‘CAUSE WE’LL FLY AWAY, OH GLORYWE’LL FLY AWAYMY OH MY, HALLELUJAH, BY AND BYWE’LL FLY AWAY

(All grab their bags and X DC for their end positions – line across the front of the stage.)

I KNOW IT HURTS TO SAY GOODBYEBUT IT’S TIME FOR US TO FLYAND WE’LL FLY AWAY!

(SFX: “Thank you for riding Greyhound where you leave the drivin’ to us, but not the cleaning…”)

ANGELA: Come on honey, I’ll explain it to you later…

(All exit R with bags in hand, end of Act I.)


ACT II(The band starts playing in blackout, girls enter in darkness while Seth says the announcer lines.)

SETH: Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to The Country Music Heaven. Tonight we are proud to present for their final performance after a great six week run… The Honk Tonk Angels!

(Lights up on girls, in triangle formation: Darlene UR, Angela DC, Sue Ellen UL. Angela comes down more on first line; Darlene and Sue Ellen switch places during the second half of Angela’s verse.)

ANGELA: I’VE NEVER SEEN THE INSIDE OF A BARROOMOR LISTENED TO THE JUKEBOX ALL NIGHT LONGBUT I SEE THESE ARE THE THINGSTHAT BRING YOU PLEASURESO I’M GONNA MAKE SOME CHANGESIN OUR HOME

(Darlene takes lead, crossing from UL to DR; the other girls counter.)

DARLENE: I’VE HEARD IT SAIDIF YOU CAN’T BEAT ‘EM JOIN ‘EMSO IF THAT’S THE WAYYOU WANTED ME TO BE

(Sue Ellen takes lead at C, other girls counter, and get into new triangle formation during verse: Angela UR, Sue Ellen DC, Darlene UL.)

SUE ELLEN: I’LL CHANGE IF IT TAKES THATTO MAKE YOU HAPPYFROM NOW ON YOU’RE GONNA SEE A DIFFERENT ME

ALL: BECAUSE YOUR GOOD GIRL’SGONNA GO BADI’M GONNA BE THE SWINGINGEST SWINGERYOU’VE EVER HADIF YOU LIKE ‘EM PAINTED UPPOWDERED UPTHEN YOU OUGHTA BE GLAD,BECAUSE YOUR GOOD GIRL’S GONNA GO BAD

(Sue Ellen takes the lead again, crossing slight down left and back center at end. Other girls sway and switch places during the second half of the verse).


SUE ELLEN: I’LL EVEN LEARN TO LIKETHE TASTE OF WHISKEYIN FACT, YOU’LL HARDLY RECOGNIZEYOUR WIFE.I’LL BUY SOME BRAND NEW CLOTHES,AND DRESS UP FANCYFOR MY JOURNEY TOTHE WILDER SIDE OF LIFE

(New triangle formation: Darlene UR, Sue Ellen C, Angela UL.)

ALL: BECAUSE YOUR GOOD GIRL’SGONNA GO BADI’M GONNA BE THE SWINGINGEST SWINGERYOU’VE EVER HADIF YOU LIKE ‘EM PAINTED UPPOWDERED UPTHEN YOU OUGHTA BE GLAD,BECAUSE YOUR GOOD GIRL’S GONNA GO BAD

(All girls X 3 steps DL, slight diagonal.)

BECAUSE YOUR GOOD GIRL’S

(3 steps X to DC positions.)

I SAID BECAUSE YOUR GOOD GIRL’S

(3 steps X to UC positions.)

GOOD GIRL’S GONNA GO BAD, OH YEAH!

(Song ends, go into Nightlife – all turn front, let hands drop. Darlene takes the lead, X DL.)

DARLENE: WHEN THE EVENING SUN GOES DOWNYOU WILL FIND ME HANGING AROUNDAND THE NIGHT LIFE AIN’T NO GOOD LIFEBUT IT’S MY LIFE

(Sue Ellen takes lead, X DC.)

SUE ELLEN: MANY PEOPLE JUST LIKE ME,DREAMING OF OLD USED TO BE’S…AND THE NIGHT LIFE AIN’T NO GOOD LIFEBUT IT’S MY LIFE

(Transition to diagonal ULC, Darlene motions towards band.)


DARLENE: LISTEN TO THE BLUES, THEY’RE PLAYINGLISTEN TO WHAT THE BLUES ARE SAYING,

(Angela X DRC, other girls turn focus on her, part way through the girls X and join Angela.)

ANGELA: MINE IS JUST ANOTHER SCENEFROM THE WORLD OF BROKEN DREAMSAND THE NIGHT LIFE AIN’T NO GOOD LIFEBUT IT’S MY LIFE

(Now back in formation C.)

ALL: AND THE NIGHT LIFE AIN’T NO GOOD LIFE,BUT IT’S MY LIFEMY LIFE

(Angela does her introduction, others X to table UR, get hats, put mics down, stand in front of chairs. Darlene R, Sue Ellen C, Angela L.)

ANGELA: Hey everybody! I’m Angela, this is Darlene, and back there is Sue Ellen – and we are The Honky Tonk Angels! Thanks for being here for our final performance!

(Angela X and joins other girls.)

SUE ELLEN: Tonight we’ve got some special songs that’ll let you know what Honky Tonk Angels are all about.So let’s go girls – and watch out boys!

(They all sit down during intro music, into cowboy positions.)

ALL: AS I SIT HERE TONIGHTTHE MUSIC’S PLAYINGSOME TUNES ABOUT THE WILD SIDE OF LIFEAS I LISTEN TO THE WORDSTHEY ARE SAYING

ANGELA: IT BRINGS MEMORIES OF WHENI WAS … A TRUSTING WIFE

(Now facing forward.)

ALL: IT WASN’T GOD WHO MADEHONKY TONK ANGELSAS THEY SAY IN THE WORDSOF THEIR SONGS


(Girls stand, X C. End of verse, get into triangle position for dance break triangle formation: Darlene UR, Sue Ellen C, Angela UL.)

TOO MANY TIMES MARRIED MENTHINK THEY’RE STILL SINGLETHEY HAVE CAUSED MANY A GOOD GIRLTO GO WRONG

(Dance break, then Sue Ellen takes lead, other girls hang U and switch places during verse.)

SUE ELLEN: IT’S A SHAME THAT ALL THE BLAMEIS ON US WOMENIT’S NOT TRUE THAT ONLY YOU MENFEEL THE SAME

DARLENE: FROM THE START MOST EVERY HEARTTHAT’S EVER BROKENWAS BECAUSE THERE ALWAYS WAS

(Other X D; Angela DR, Sue Ellen DC, Darlene DL.)

ALL: A MAN TO BLAME

IT WASN’T GOD WHO MADE HONKY TONK ANGELSAS THEY SAY IN THE WORDSOF THEIR SONGSTOO MANY TIMES MARRIED MENTHINK THEY’RE STILL SINGLETHEY HAVE CAUSED MANY A GOOD GIRLTO GO WRONG,THEY HAVE CAUSED MANY A GOOD GIRLTO GO WRONG!

(End of song, Sue Ellen exits R with mic.)

DARLENE: You know, just a few months ago we all moved here from different parts of this great country! And after praying real hard and sharing a lot of baloney sandwiches we decided to form this little group.

(Darlene exits L with mic.)

ANGELA: And we just knew that Country Music Heaven was the place for us to sing… being “Honky Tonk Angels” and all. So we asked for a sign. Well ya won’t believe it but when we asked to see the manager of this place for an audition, we found out that his name was a combination of Sue Ellen’s boss, Darlene’s deceased boyfriend, bless his heart, and my husband. That’s right, the manager of The Country Music Heaven


is none other than “Billy Jo Walker” and his friends all call him, you guessed it, “Bubba!” You know, when we first got here to Nashville, we found out that they have a Hall of Fame for just about everything right here. There’s the Country Music Hall of fame, the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame, the Stock Car Hall of Fame, The High Heel Shoe Hall of Fame, and the Ham Biscuit and Barbeque Hall of Fame. I bet they even have a Hall of Fame Hall of Fame. And so we decided to start something called the Honky Tonk Angel Hall of Fame. And here are the first recipients of that auspicious honor! Our first inductee comes from way down in the delta and she gave us a hysterical perspective, I mean historical perspective on what it meant to be the very first Honky Tonk Angel.

(Angela exits R w/ mic; Sue Ellen enters R, X C during first few lines.)

SUE ELLEN: WELL, I SAID HE HADA LOT OF POTENTIALHE WAS ONLY MISUNDERSTOODI KNOW HE DIDN’T MEANTO TREAT ME SO BAD,HE WANTED TO BE GOODAND I SWORE ONE DAY,I WOULD TAME HIMEVEN THOUGH HE LOVED TO RUN HOG WILD JUST CALL ME, CLEOPATRA,EVERYBODY ‘CAUSE I’M THE QUEEN OF DENIALI KNEW HE DIDN’T HAVE ANY MONEYAND THAT’S WHY HE COULDN’T BUY ME A RINGAND JUST BECAUSE HE BOUGHT HIMSELFA BRAND NEW PICKUP TRUCKREALLY DIDN’T PROVE ANYTHINGAND HE NEVER HAD TO SAYHE LOVED MEI COULD SEE IT EVERY TIME HE SMILEDJUST CALL ME, CLEOPATRA, EVERYBODY‘CAUSE I’M THE QUEEN OF DENIAL

(Angela enters R, Darlene enters L – with fans, X C.)

QUEEN OF DENIALBUYING ALL HIS ALIBISQUEEN OF DENIALFLOATING DOWN A RIVER OF LIESYEAH,

(Dance break, all are C in triangle formation – Darlene UR, Sue Ellen C, Angela UL.)

NO I’M NOT GOING TO JUMP TO CONCLUSIONS AND


THROW AWAY THIS PERFECT ROMANCEEVEN THOUGH I SAW HIM DANCING LAST NIGHTWITH A GIRL IN LEOPARD SKIN PANTS.OH, HE’S PROBABLY STUCK IN TRAFFICHE’LL BE HERE IN A LITTLE WHILE,

DARLENE,ANGELA: JUST CALL HER CLEOPATRA, EVERYBODY

‘CAUSE SHE’S THE QUEEN OF DENIAL

ALL: JUST CALL HER CLEOPATRA, EVERYBODY‘CAUSE SHE’S THE QUEEN OF DENIAL

(Song ends C in triangle formation, Angela exits R – quick change. Darlene exits R.)

SUE ELLEN: Well, Cleo graduated from denial to de tomb; and someday in the afterlife I guess we’ll find out if she made it to be a Honky Tonk Angel for real… But then we decided to honor some more contemporary girls for our Hall of Fame and it was hard to choose. We considered Ivana Trump, Crystal Gale, Tammy Faye Baker, Billy Ray Cyrus…

SETH: I thought he was a boy…

SUE ELLEN: Oh. But they just didn’t have the true spirit of the real Honky Tonk Angel. So we decided on these next two special ladies. So, without further “hairdo,” our next “angel” is Mrs. Johnson who later became famous as the Texas Cheerleader Murdering Mom…

(Sue Ellen exits L, Angela enters R X C and sings from there)

ANGELA: I WANTA TELL YOU ALL A STORY‘BOUT A HARPER VALLEY WIDOWED WIFEWHO HAD A TEENAGER DAUGHTERWHO ATTENDED HARPER VALLEY JUNIOR HIGHWELL, MY DAUGHTER CAME HOMEONE AFTERNOONAND SHE DIDN’T EVEN STOP TO PLAYAND SHE SAID, “MOM I’VE GOT A NOTEHERE FROM THE HARPER VALLEY PTA”WELL, THE NOTE SAID, “MRS. JOHNSONYOU’RE WEARING YOUR DRESSESWAY TOO HIGHIT’S REPORTED YOU’VE BEEN DRINKINGAND RUNNIN’ ROUND WITH MENAND GOIN’ WILDAND WE DON’T BELIEVE YOU OUGHTA BEA BRINGIN’ UP YOUR LITTLE GIRL THIS WAY”


AND IT WAS SIGNED BY THESECRETARY, HARPER VALLEY PTA.

(Angela X DC and then L.)

WELL, IT HAPPENED THAT THE PTAWAS GONNA MEET THAT VERY AFTERNOONAND THEY WERE SURE SURPRISEDWHEN MRS. JOHNSON WORE HER MINI-SKIRTINTO THE ROOM

(X back to C, then as she calls people out, X DR to DLC.)

AND AS I WALKED UP TO THE BLACKBOARD,I CAN STILL RECALL THE WORDSI HAD TO SAYI SAID, “I’D LIKE TO ADDRESS THIS MEETINGOF THE HARPER VALLEY PTAWELL, THERE’S BOBBY TAYLOR SITTIN’ THEREAND SEVEN TIMES HE’S ASKED ME FOR A DATE

Yes you did!

AND MRS. TAYLOR SEEMS TO USEA LOT OF ICE WHENEVER HE’S AWAYAND MR. BAKER, CAN YOU TELL USWHY YOUR SECRETARY HAD TO LEAVE THIS TOWN

(X back to C.)

AND SHOULDN’T WIDOW JONES BE TOLDTO KEEP HER WINDOW SHADESALL PULLED COMPLETELY DOWNWELL, MR. HARPER COULDN’T BE HERE ‘CAUSE HE STAYED TOO LONG AT KELLY’S BAR AGAINAND IF YOU SMELL SHIRLEY THOMPSON’S BREATH,YOU’LL FIND SHE’S HAD A LITTLE NIP OF GIN

AND THEN YOU HAVE THE NERVE TO TELL ME

(X slighty UC, throwing cigarette on floor, then X DR to DC – ending C.)

YOU THINK THAT AS A MOTHER I’M NOT FITWELL, THIS IS JUST A LITTLE PEYTON PLACEAND YOU’RE ALL HARPER VALLEY HYPOCRITES.NO, I WOULDN’T PUT YOU ON BECAUSEIT REALLY DID, IT HAPPENED JUST THIS WAYTHE DAY I REALLY SOCKED IT TO


THE HARPER VALLEY PTATHE DAY I REALLY SOCKED IT TO HUH…THE HARPER VALLEY PTA!

(Songs ends, Angela X and picks up cigarette.)

ANGELA: Keep America beautiful! Well, you know my daughter became captain of her cheerleading squad and is now working full time at our local Hooters. I am so proud of her!But our Honky Tonk Hall of Fame would not be complete without this final Honky Tonk gal who, from the beginning, was destined for greatness…

(Angela exits L, Darlene enters R, put boa on chair, sings from there.)

DARLENE: I REMEMBER IT ALL VERY WELL LOOKING BACKIT WAS THE SUMMER I TURNED 18WE LIVED IN A ONE ROOM, RUNDOWNSHACK ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF NEW ORLEANS

(Darlene X to C.)

WE DIDN’T HAVE MONEY FOR FOOD OR RENTTO SAY THE LEAST, WE WERE HARD PRESSEDTHEN MOMMA SPENT EVERY LAST PENNY WE HADTO BUY ME A DANCING DRESSMAMA WASHED AND COMBED AND CURLED MY HAIRAND PAINTED MY EYES AND LIPSAND I STEPPED INTO A SATIN DANCING DRESSTHAT WAS SPLIT ON THE SIDECLEAN UP TO MY HIPSIT WAS RED VELVET TRIM AND IT FIT ME GOODAND STARING BACK FROM THE LOOKING GLASS THEREWAS A WOMAN WHERE A HALF GROWED KID HAD STOODHERE’S YOUR ONE CHANCE, FANCY,DON’T LET ME DOWNHERE’S OUR ONE CHANCE, FANCY,DON’T LET ME DOWNLORD, FORGIVE ME FOR WHAT I DOBUT IF YOU WON’T I WILL, NOWIT’S UP TO YOU…SO DON’T LET ME DOWNYOUR MAMA’S GONNA HELP YOU TO MOVE IT UPTOWNMAMA DABBED A LITTLE BIT OF PERFUMEON MY NECK AND THEN SHE KISSED MY CHEEKAND I SAW THE TEARS WELL UPIN HER TROUBLED EYES WHEN SHE STARTED TO SPEAKSHE LOOKED AT OUR PITIFUL SHACKAND LOOKED AT ME AND TOOKS A RAGGED BREATH.


“YOUR PA’S RUN OFF, AND I’M REAL SICK,AND THE BABY’S GONNA STARVE TO DEATH”SHE HANDED ME A HEART SHAPED LOCKET THAT SAID“TO THINE OWN SELF BE TRUE.”AND I SHIVERED AS I WATCHED A ROACHCRAWL ACROSS THE TOE OF MY HIGH HEEL SHOEIT SOUNDED LIKE SOMEBODY ELSE THAT WAS TALKING, SAYING “MAMA, WHAT DO I DO?”SHE SAID, “JUST BE NICE TO THE GENTLEMEN,FANCY, AND THEY’LL BE NICE TO YOU”HERE’S YOUR ONCE CHANCE, FANCY,DON’T LET ME DOWNHERE’S OUR ONE CHANCE, FANCY,DON’T LET ME DOWNLORD, FORGIVE ME FOR WHAT I DOBUT IF YOU WON’T I WILL, NOWIT’S UP TO YOU…NOW GET ON OUT, GIRL,YOU BETTER START MOVIN’ UPTOWN.

(Darlene X to L.)

WELL, THAT WAS THE LAST TIMEI SAW MY MATHE NIGHT I LEFT THAT RICKETY SHACK‘CAUSE THE WELFARE PEOPLE CAMEAND TOOK THE BABY, MAMA DIEDAND I AIN’T BEEN BACK.BUT WHEELS OF FATE HAD STARTED TO TURNAND FOR ME THERE WAS NO WAY OUT ANDIT WASN’T VERY LONG ‘TIL I KNEW EXACTLYWHAT MY MOMMA HAD BEEN TALKIN’ ABOUTI DID WHAT I HAD TO DO,BUT I MADE MYSELF A SOLEMN VOW,THAT I WAS GONNA BE A LADY SOMEDAYTHOUGH I DIDN’T KNOW WHEN OR HOWI COULDN’T SEE SPENDING THE REST OF MY LIFE

(X U to UC to DC by the chorus.)

WITH MY HEAD HUNG DOWN IN SHAMEI MIGHT HAVE BEEN BORN JUST PLAIN WHITE TRASH,BUT “FANCY” WAS MY NAME.

HERE’S YOUR ONE CHANCE, FANCY, DON’T LET ME DOWNHERE’S YOUR ONE CHANCE, FANCY,DON’T LET ME DOWN


(X R, put boa back on.)

IT WASN’T LONG AFTER THAT A BENEVOLENT MANTOOK ME IN OFF THE STREET.AND ONE WEEK LATER I WAS POURIN’ HIS TEAIN A FIVE ROOM HOTEL SUITE.

(X L to C, ending at C.)

I CHARMED A KING, A CONGRESSMAN,AND AN OCCASIONAL ARISTOCRAT,AND I GOT ME A GEORGIA MANSIONAND AN ELEGANT NEW YORK TOWNHOUSE FLAT,AND I AIN’T DONE BADAND I AIN’T DONE BADAND I AIN’T DONE BADAND I AIN’T DONE BAD

(Darlene X UR, slams mic on table, sits to take shoes off – gets one off only; Sue Ellen enters R; Angela enters L.)

SUE ELLEN: Oh Darlene! That was wonderful! We are so proud of you!

ANGELA: Darlene, honey, what’s wrong?

DARLENE: Leave me alone.

SUE ELLEN: We are right in the middle of our last show Darlene!

DARLENE: I don’t care!

ANGELA: Can I get you something? Did you eat today? Would you like a nice spam sandwich?

DARLENE,SUE ELLEN: Yuck!

ANGELA: Well, at least we’ve upgraded from baloney!

DARLENE: It’s just that it’s our last night together and well… I’m just upset.

SUE ELLEN: I know, but we’ll be back. Angela needs to see her kids again – and I need – well, actually I’ve got some important unfinished business to take care of.

DARLENE: Like what?

SUE ELLEN: Never mind about that! Right now, the show must go on!


DARLENE: But look at us – (stands up) doing all these songs about all of these… SLUTS!

SUE ELLEN,ANGELA: Darlene!

DARLENE: We are really good girls who like to sing country songs. My mama would be so ashamed of me!

(Darlene takes falsie out, throws it at them, exits R – quick change.)

ANGELA: Darlene… come back!

SUE ELLEN: Darlene, Darlene!

(Sue Ellen exits R with mic, shoe – quick change, Angela X C to ad-lib until end of quick change.)

ANGELA: What are we gonna do now? A bunch of non-slutty songs… about good girls? Are there any?Any of you cowboys got any ideas?

(Sue Ellen enters R with washboard and thimble, X to C during verse.)

SUE ELLEN: Howdee!

WISH THAT I WAS ON OLD ROCKY TOPDOWN IN THE TENNESSEE HILLSAIN’T NO SMOGGY SMOKE ON ROCKY TOPAIN’T NO TELEPHONE BILLSONCE I HAD A BOY ON ROCKY TOPHALF BEAR – THE OTHER HALF CATWILD AS A MINK, BUT SWEET AS SODA POPI STILL DREAM ABOUT THAT

(Darlene enters R with jug, puts it on the table, X to C with Sue Ellen.)

DARLENE,SUE ELLEN: ROCKY TOP YOU’LL ALWAYS BE

HOME SWEET HOME TO MEGOOD OLE ROCKY TOPROCKY TOP, TENNESSEE – ROCKY TOP TENNESSEE,

(Angela enters R, Sue Ellen and Angela sit at table during her verse – during moonshine. Darlene sings the verse DL.)

DARLENE: ONCE TWO STRANGERS CLIMBED OLE ROCKY TOPLOOKIN’ FOR A MOONSHINE STILLSTRANGERS AIN’T COME DOWN FROM ROCKY TOP


RECKON THEY NEVER WILLCORN WON’T GROW AT ALL ON ROCKY TOPDIRT’S TOO ROCKY BY FARTHAT’S WHY ALL THE FOLKS ON ROCKY TOPGET THEIR CORN FROM A JAR!

ANGELA,SUE ELLEN: YEE-HAW

(All X to ULC and do a team bounce and scoop up.)

ALL: ROCKY TOP YOU’LL ALWAYS BEHOME SWEET HOME TO MEGOOD OLE ROCKY TOPROCKY TOP, TENNESSEE – ROCKY TOP TENNESSEE,

(Dance break, C triangle formation: Sue Ellen DR, Anglea UC, Darlene DL. Sue Ellen X to get instruments from table, hands bottle to Darlene. They X and change sides during Angela’s verse, then come to C together and sing the last chorus.)

ANGELA: I’VE HAD YEARS OF CRAMPED UP CITY LIFETRAPPED LIKE A DUCK IN A PENALL I NOW IS IT’S A PITY LIFECAN’T BE SIMPLE AGAIN

ALL: ROCKY TOP YOU’LL ALWAYS BEHOME SWEET GOME TO MEGOOD OLE ROCKY TOPROCKY TOP, TENNESSEEROCKY TOP, TENNESSEEROCKY TOP, TENNESSEETENNESSEROCKY TOP

SUE ELLEN: Take it away boys!

BAND ROCKY TOP SOLO

(Sue Ellen exits R to quick change, Angela and Darlene entertain us on stage during the band’s solo – at end before exiting R, Angela brings the stool C. Darlene exits L.)

ANGELA: Let’s hear it for our moonshine band!

(Sue Ellen enters from R, sits in the chair for the beginning of her song – crossing DC, DLC the song.)


SUE ELLEN: The one any only thing that I ever wrote on a bathroom wall was about my high school wrestler sweetheart. He was my one and only true love.

I AIN’T NEVER GONNA LOVE NOBODYBUT CORNELL CRAWFORDHE IS THE ONE THAT TURNS ME ONHE’S GONNA PICK ME UPIN HIS PICK-UP TRUCKTAKE ME DOWN THE ROADTO HAVE A LITTLE FUNHE’S GOTTA PACK OF “CAMELS”HE’S GOT A QUART OF WHISKEYAND IT’S ALL WRAPPED UPIN A BROWN PAPER BAGI AIN’T NEVER GONNA LOVE NOBODYBUT CORNELL CRAWFORDI’D GO TO HELL FOR CORNELL

(Darlene (L) and Angela (R) lean in from sides of the stage and say their line, and immediately duck out afterwards.)

DARLENE,ANGELA: Sue Ellen, Hades!

SUE ELLEN: I AIN’T HAD MUCH LUCKWITH GOOD OLD CHUCKALL HE EVER WANTS TO DOIS GO TO THE MOVIESOH BABY, HE’S DUMB AND DIRTYAND HE’S WAY OVER THIRTYHONEY, I’M TOO PRETTYTO WASTE MY TIME ON HIMOH, BUT THAT CORNELL’S SO SMOOTHWHO KNOWS WHAT HE’LL DOHE KNOWS HOW TO MAKE ME FEEL GOODOH I KNOW SOMEDAYHE’S GONNA TAKE ME AWAYIT WILL JUST BE ME AND C.C.

Ya’ll, I ain’t never gonna love nobody but who?

BAND: Cornell Crawford!

(Crossing to the chair, flash dance pose on the chair, spin. At end, walking DC to ending pose.)

SUE ELLEN: HE IS THE ONE WHO TURNS ME ONWE’RE GONNA STOP;


WE’RE GONNA PARKWE’RE GONNA GET DOWN TO IT AND SPARKI AIN’T NEVER GONNA LOVE NOBODYBUT THAT MAN IF I CANI AIN’T NEVER GONNA LOVE NOBODYBUT THAT MAN!

I sure did love him, but this one… now she loves her husband more…

(Angela enters R, Sue Ellen exits L. Angela X to the chair C as she sings the first couple of lines.)

ANGELA: LAST NIGHT, ALL ALONE IN A BARROOMMET A MAN WITH A DRINK IN HIS HANDHE HAD BABY BLUE EYESAND COAL BLACK HAIRAND A SMILE THAT A GIRL UNDERSTANDSTHEN HE CAME AND SAT DOWN AT MY TABLEAND AS HE PLACED HIS HAND OVER MINEI FOUND MYSELF WANTING TO KISS HIMFOR TEMPTATION WAS FLOWING LIKE WINEAND I WAS ALMOST PERSUADEDTO STRIP MYSELF OF MY PRIDEALMOST PERSUADEDTO PUSH MY CONSCIENCE ASIDE

(Angela stands, X DC.)

THEN WE DANCED AND HE WHISPERED“I NEED YOU. LET ME TAKE YOU AWAYAND BE YOUR MAN.”THEN I LOOKED INTO HIS EYESAND I SAW IT,THE REFLECTION OF MY WEDDING BANDAND I WAS ALMOST PERSUADEDTO LET STRANGE LIPS LEAD ME ONALMOST PERSUADED

(Angela X back to chair and puts a hand on it before leaning into the chair on her last line.)

BUT YOUR SWEET LOVE MADE MESTOP AND GO HOME.

Bubba…

(Music for “Front Porch” starts. Darlene enters L w/ mic, sings C. Darlene takes the stool and puts it back in front of the table and exits R.)


DARLENE: I REMEMBER A TIMEWHEN THE BLOOM WAS ON THE COTTONWHEN OUR HEARTS CHASED THE CLOUDS,LIKE THE SWALLOW ON THE WING,

(Darlene X R, in front of table.)

WHEN OUR CARES WHICH WERE ALREADY FEWWERE SOON FORGOTTENSITTIN’ ON THE FRONT PORCH SWING.

(Sue Ellen enters L and stands next to Darlene.)

SUE ELLEN: OH WE’D SIT EVERY SUNDAYAND WATCH THE MARRIED LADIESAND WE’D DREAM OF WHITE DRESSESAND CHURCH BELLS IN THE SPRINGAND THEY’D TALKAND PAINT THEIR NAILSAS THEY LET US HOLD THEIR BABIES SITTIN’ ON THE FRONT PORCH SWING.

(Darlene X C.)

DARLENE: WHERE WAS I WHEN THE TIME CAMETO JOIN THE MARRIED LADIESWHY DID I PAINT THE NAILWHEN THE FINGER HAD NO RING?

(Sue Ellen X LC.)

SUE ELLEN: WHY DO I SIT AT MY AGEAND LONG TO HOLD THEIR BABIES,SITTIN’ ON THE FRONT PORCH SWING?

(Angela enters L, sings L.)

ANGELA: WHEN THE MIND LONGS TO FOLLOWBUT THE MEMORY ERASESAND THE LIPS FORM THE WORDSBUT THE HEART NO LONGER SINGS

(Darlene X to her chair, stands in front of it. Sue Ellen X and stands UL of Darlene.)

ANGELA,SUE ELLEN: WHEN THE LEAVES IN THE HOLLOW

HAVE BEEN DYED TO MATCH THE FACES


SITTIN’ ON THE FRONT PORCH SWING.

(Darlene sits on her stool, as the others X and sit in their stools: Sue Ellen (L), Angela (R).)

DARLENE: OH, WE’LL DREAM OF THE TIMEWHEN THE BLOOM WAS ON THE COTTONWHEN OUR HEARTS CHASED THE CLOUDSLIKE THE SWALLOW ON THE WING

(All sway until the last word.)

ALL: BUT THE WORDS TO RHYMEARE NOT THE ONLY THING FORGOTTENSITTIN’ ON THE FRONT PORCH SWING.SITTIN’ ON THE FRONT PORCH SWING.

(Sue Ellen stands and X DL slightly.)

DARLENE: Sue Ellen?

SUE ELLEN: I just got a glimpse of my guardian angel… and I think she was trying to tell me something.

(Darlene stands and slightly X towards Angela.)

DARLENE: That it’s time… time to fly?

(Angela stands and slightly X also.)

ANGELA: Yes ma’am, it sure is.

(Sue Ellen addresses the audience.)

SUE ELLEN: See, Darlene, Angela and I have been able to make this dream come true, but now it’s time for us to pursue our other dreams.Now, my unfinished business comes down to this. First, I’m going back to Texas and visit my mother – tell her just how much I do love her. Mend some fences, you know. You girls have taught me how important a “mama” can be. Through all our troubles I know she really cares. Then I’m goin’ back to L.A. and get me a big sexual “hair-assment” settlement from hairy-nosed Mr. Walker – with that money, I’m settin’ up my own beauty business “Nails By Sue Ellen.”

ANGELA: Yeah and before long everybody’s gonna know you as “The Texas Chainsaw Manicurist.” Just kidding! I know you are gonna be a big success.


SUE ELLEN: I was gonna try to hookup with my high school sweetheart Cornell Crawford, but the bartender just told me that he heard Cornell is now a wrestler living in West Hollywood with his boyfriend!

ANGELA: Ain’t life weird? I can’t wait to get back home and see Bubba, Mama, and the kids and to spend quiet evenings in our Lazy Boy loveseat rocker recliner eatin’ baloney sandwiches and watching reruns of Roseanne – I just love her.

DARLENE: Daddy’s so proud of me – and he can’t believe I met the ex-wife of Bobby Barney!

SUE ELLEN: Well that’s nice, honey!

ANGELA: Darlene, we feel like you’ve found your spot right here in Country Music Heaven.

SUE ELLEN: …and before long, you’re gonna be making quite a name for yourself – so watch out Reba!

ANGELA: That’s right – you are destined to be a big star and I’m gonna see your world tour at the Waxahachie gospel wrestlin’ dome and pre-formed arts facility!

SUE ELLEN: But don’t forget we’re doing our reunion concert right here in just a few months.

ANGELA: That’s right, our manager, Billy Joe “Bubba” Walker has invited us back for the Honky Tonk Angels Holiday Spectacular and all you can eat buffet. My whole family’s excited about our vacation. We’re goin’ to splurge and stay at the Motel 6!

ANGELA,SUE ELLEN: So ya’ll come back now, ya hear!

DARLENE: I’ll sure miss you.

ANGELA,SUE ELLEN: We’ll miss you too, Sugar.

(Darlene X DC to address the audience, sings from there.)

DARLENE: You know folks, for the last six weeks I have been singing with my two best friends in the whole world, Angela Bodine and Sue Ellen Smith Barney Fife.I will always remember them and be thankful for what the angels they have been to me… So without further “hairdo,” here’s a song I want to dedicate to them with all my love…


OH, I BELIEVE THERE ARE ANGELS AMONG USSENT DOWN TO US FROM SOMEWHERE UP ABOVETHEY COME TO YOU AND MEIN OUR DARKEST HOURSTO SHOW US HOW TO LIVETO TEACH US HOW TO GIVETO GUIDE US WITH THE LIGHT OF LOVE

ANGELA: WHEN LIFE HELD TROUBLED TIMESAND HAD ME DOWN ON MY KNEESTHERE’S ALWAYS BEEN SOMEONE TO COME ALONG AND COMFORT MEA KIND WORD FROM A STRANGERTO LEND A HELPING HANDA PHONE CALL FROM A FRIEND JUST TO SAY I UNDERSTAND

(Sue Ellen takes the lead DC – they are not spread across the stage – Darlene (R), Sue Ellen (C), Angela (L).)

SUE ELLEN: AIN’T IT KIND OF FUNNY, AT THE DARK END OF THE ROADTHAT SOMEONE LIGHTS THE WAYWITH JUST A SINGLE RAY OF HOPE

DARLENE: THEY WEAR SO MANY FACESSHOW UP IN THE STRANGEST PLACESGRACE US WITH THEIR MERCY IN OUR TIME OF NEED, OH

(They come even closer together and sing the last chorus together, hands together or hand on shoulder.)

ALL: I BELIEVE THERE ARE ANGELS AMONG USSENT DOWN TO US FROM SOMEWHERE UP ABOVETHEY COME TO YOU AND MEIN OUR DARKEST HOURSTO SHOW US HOW TO LIVETO TEACH US HOW TO GIVETO GUIDE US WITH THE LIGHT OF LOVE

(Darlene X slightly DR, the other girls look on, Darlene looks back.)

DARLENE: TO GUIDE US WITH THE LIGHT OF LOVE

(Sue Ellen takes Angela and her own mic to UL (by the band), Darlene exits R with her own mic and gets her guitar. Angela is C.)

ANGELA: Well, as I said at the beginning, it’s all about followin’ your dreams, and it’s all happened because we believed our guardian angels brought us together.


So, every time you pass a doublewide, paint your nails, or sing a song, be sure to thank your heavenly friends. And, remember, with their help, you too can follow your dream.

(Darlene enters with her guitar from R – doing a step touch to C.)

DARLENE: I WAS RIDING THROUGH THE COUNTRYON A COLD AND CLOUDY DAY

(The girls join Darlene center.)

WHEN I HEARD TWO LADIES SAYINGCOME AND JOIN US ON OUR WAY

ALL: WILL THE CIRCLE BE UNBROKENBY AND BY LORD, BY AND BYTHERE’S A BETTER HOME A WAITINGIN THE SKY LORD, IN THE SKY

(The girls are now spread across the stage – Angela R, Sue Ellen C, Darlene L. Darlene and Angela switch sides during Sue Ellen’s verse.)

SUE ELLEN: WITH THE HELP OF HEAVEN’S ANGELSWE SANG SONGS OF LIFE AND LOVEAND WE THANK THOSE HOLY SPIRITSFOR LOOKING O’ER US FROM ABOVE

(All X to new positions: Angela DR, Darlene C, Sue Ellen DL.)


(Angela takes the lead, X DL; Sue Ellen is DR; Darlene is C.)

ANGELA: SO OUR STORY NOW HAS ENDEDBUT OUR LOVE IS HERE TO STAYAND WE KNOW THAT HIS SWEET ANGELSWILL KEEP SHOWING US ALL THE WAY.

(Angela X DR, Sue Ellen X UL to get her tambourine.)



WILL THE CIRCLE BE UNBROKENBY AND BY LORD, BY AND BYTHERE’S A BETTER HOME A WAITINGIN THE SKY LORD, IN THE SKY

(All start getting into end positions UC.)

WILL THE CIRCLE BE UNBROKENBY AND BY LORD, BY AND BYTHERE’S A BETTER HOME A WAITINGIN THE SKY LORD, IN THE SKYIN THE SKY LORD, IN THE SKY

(X D from end positions – to the edge of the stage. Darlene C with her guitar; Sue Ellen R; Angela L.)

IN THE SKY, IN THE SKY LORD, IN THE SKY

Curtain Call


overture - pbworks tonk angels... · web viewthis is the story of how me and two other gals became...

Documents