The Pied Piper of Harlem

The Pied Piper of Harlem

book and lyrics .qy Don Kersey

music by Manford Abrahamson

~ . 'iJ

{AS THEY LEAVE A.J~ EJLfiT.Y stw.MBR SHOWER IS HEARD •• AND SEEN, IF POSSIBLE ••• A .. ·'m AS THE SBO~IER SUBSI.DES WE SEE THAT A GIRL JUMPING ROPE HAS BF..EN LEPr OJ\ 5rAGE)

TEENS IE Ir it rains all day and it rains all mght There 1 s oue thing you can bet The. streets round .here may not get clean )W.tthe street sure w:ill get · wet.

Bachel Honey, you jump rope more than any one girl 1 know.

Teensie Wba~ else ~ got to do?

Rachel Well, at least you could go jump in the playground. You don•·t have to j~p in the street.

:mmmmx. Tee.naie

Playground is too far away.

" Re.c.hal Wel~, at least you've got something to do. That's more than I can say for

me. Since school ended I have been B •• 0 •• R •• E •• D bored.

Teensie·

I ·thought you were going to work in Mr. Cossman's real estate office this

summer.

llachol I waa. Until I found out that Z.1r. Con!.;lllnn was more intereoiod in my hipo thllll

1n roy typine.

Teenoio Mr. Cosaman? Rnchel, ho must be at letuJt sixty ycnra old.

RacllOl Ho roay be sixty, but be nint dead.

Teensie want .to jump rope?

.Rachel SOURas ~emJitf.nc. --Bat, I ~e~e my ~pa aumpjng days az:s O!fe!'a

/')~I Teensie Okay. (she starts to jump again)

If it :rains all day and :t t rains all night

There's one thing you can bet

The streets round here may not get clean

·But the street sure will get wet.

Bachel

(singe)

WISH I HAD SO·

AND SHAKE MY YOU KJ50W

or"1 . ..

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_sums /'l CA~---;fe /'-s ·14firos ---'=-!) L.t J /, f- I b /rJ f(£ . 7'1 '1 . d te Ct"}r>1 s I"' It~ ,,.)

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) Mtuna

Teensio, you still out there? Thought I told you to hurr,y up.

Teell!lie IBm goins ri&ht now, J.tama.

Maroa Right now aint soon enou&}l. You should have- been gone.

Teensie Yea, Mama.

Mama (mimicking her) Yea, }lama. Child, "4i'&l'!!"lt~tiMill*t!!l!l!!l!!ji~·-~k!I!:O~s¥;!i{j~!l Sij:J,.~DilhBH+i!i&!li iia~g;8§1l!§lfi5~zg;ii~JS!i.efi:-=-~6l~iii~'ei'IP~·~·

~itrk hh -. get on over to. the store. I'm waiting. (to herself) weekends are suppossed to bo ~~ days of rest. I haven't had time to sit for more than two minutes since I got up this morning.

MAMA'S SONG (5 E f tf t9 j J.D.

~ Hey, Teenaie. I thought Mama sent you to the store?

.Teensie She did.

J.D. ~

Well, you better hurry up and go, or she's gonna get next to your ruot,y dusty.

Teensie .. When I want your · advice, brother dear, I' 11 ask for it.

Augie (to Rachel) Hey, baby. l·lhat•s happenin.

Conchata Hey, who wants to go to a movie?

Auc;ie Nobo~, wants to go to a movie.

Conchata Who naked you, Aucie?

AUB'ie you asked me, Conchita.

';/ 0 IJ I R. f.; N ()

f\R... S v"- £.,'

7

~ -f·· I hA · -

(

\ITS.!:! I HllD A J.~AID

SP.ECIJJ.!,Y 1(0\~ 'r.'llEH AJ.,L ~·.BE BEDS ADi t T HAD~

B~rom; I 'J.1 D!::CAYED

PUSHD\ UP .A Dl\ISY

\lJ.J;T ~.'0 SPEND A LAZY ·

gomuu JUST A SI'fTD~ AllOU11D :C \oflSH I l~r~.f A PLACE

'::!:E~r;.. I COUJ .. D FUT A SEJlT UP

JJiD Pl11' MY :F?!.El' UP

LISTEN TO HY VICTROLA

SIPPD; A :HUl'~ AND COLA

n~ TH£ SHAD~

rliSH I HAD A l·~AID

.-

··. ·.

. '

Conchata

~-l p.."'

~1Y n1Uile io Conchata., Concbata wiWl an 11a". Not Conchl ta. I know that you ~ dumb) but even you should be able to XH..Dlhllt..rxx remember a simple name.

· Augie Simple is right. conchi ta banana.

J.D. Why don't you cool it, Augie.

ConchAta Yeh. Cool it, Augie. Tr.Y ~ mother's deep freez~.

J.D Why_ don't you folk~ find something to do to keep your minds off each other.

Conchata We co3l].d play football ••• t;i th AU&ie 'e bead.

Teensie (' .Anybody want to play hops~ C h A(?. r:t d.£ ~ ,

Augie ' · . · ~HARAd!s~HOfeQe .. oiit Hey, _ somebody wrap that rope around her neck.

J.D. Teensie, the store.

""Song STREET GAMES. (s t £_ $"!')·) ( .RACHEL AND 1-!W.A Pl(,'K UP SINGING AGAIN· AND ''IE HEAR '!'HE THREE l>':ELODIES ·

AGAINST EACH OTHEH. THE MUS! C ·DIES AND WE HEAR TEENS IE ONCE AGAIN)

Teensie ·. If it rains all day and it rains all night

There's one thing you can bet The streets round here may not get clean .But the street sure will get wet.

Mama . Teensie, get on over to that store •

. ( LIGll'fS OU'£ ON J1AMA AND Sllli LI~VJ~S. 'fl!:gN~ll~ HUNS 01~1•' AND DEACON L~WIS WALKS IN)

Rachel Uh ob. Look who's coming ~e "'rtaY• None othor than Deacon r .. owio.

J.D. Hallelujah.

-:.-.o ... Htl'iett _...

llJ:.'Y, YOU /J.L

\Uu\~TA I'LAY BALL

CO:-~ m~ fl~AU LET'S DP.IEBLE

GIRLS

BEY, YOU ~"s- {:,A~

?trot.,/ Cll~!>5

J.D.

SHOOT IT D'J"'ll THE l·li DJJLE

.AIN'T I'.P NEAT

HERE IN 'fHE STREET

rtASTIN \·lAY TP.E Sm!r:ER

JUsT .A Bl.J!.liUl\ ANDI\SIT1'n~ AROUND

. THAT p.·~:~ Sffiod-2R SKY

TELLS J-;£ THAT I

AIN'T GOT lW .AJffiiTION

AIN'T NO JOB THAT I ClJl GET \<:ILL BEAT

PITCHDi PElmiE3 ON,..HA.Rl'..Di. STR::ET

. \;lHAT CJJ~ BE.AT

; j u ,'?, P.LAYlli IN THE STREETS ·- -.

Rachel !) He's hending up to see y~ur mother, I'll bet.

~ . .

J.D; It's a little early for him to be c~)J'Q.in nround. He usually trrunps in about dinner time lookin for a free meal. He plays it real cool. Manaees to arrive just as the food hits the table. Then says 'oh, my eoodness. It looks like I ' have come at a J!Jost inopportune timet. \;'ell, naturally Maroa has to invite him to join us for dinner.

RB.chel ~turall.y • .

J.D. SO he says, 'wel~, I don't know. I've been trying to tric my waistline a bit and.I don't like to go off my diet. But maybe just a bite won't hurt•. Then h~ sits down at the table and eats ~~t±rh~~ff~ so much chicken, you'd think he was on a one man campaign to ripe out the entire chicken population of New York.

Rachel Well, he sure is after your Mama. He 1 s been hangin around eTer Gince .your father died.

J.D. Well~ my mama sure doesn't need anythinc; as stuffy and creepy as ••• ( suddenly being confronted by tite deacon) l·Ir. Lewis. Good to see you.

Deacon .Afternoon J.D. Afternoon, Rachel.

Rachel Good afternoon, Jla-. Lewis.

Deacon Deacon Lewis. Call me Deacon Lewis. You too, J.D. I'm proud of ~y association. with the church. Want the world to knov it. \vant that •deacon• right out in front. Lord knows, there are more than enoueb sir.ners in the \olorld. we good people got to let them .know that we are here and rea~ to. fight.

R achel · Ready~ to fight for what, Deacon?

Deacon Woll, uh ••• uh •• To fiGht for what is riGht. Yeh, that's coood. To fiGht for what is ric}lt. I always had a way with words.

Rachel Aint it the truth.

7

Deacon You know, you young people shouldn't spend ·fio much time hanging around in the streets.

~~ J We agree with you, deacon. But ther~s nowhere ~lee to go.

})(!aeon Nonsense. Idle hands ~oon find wsys to diddle in thP. devils handiwork.

Rachel Oh, well, I sure wouldn't want to be caught diddlin with the deTil.,

J.D. You know, deacon; if tl1e deacon board at the church would do something about f~ing up that old .h.cll next to the church, the kids in the community could usc it as a recreation center. 'l'hen we wouldn't have to worry about idle hands.

Deacon Well, no~ J.D., ycu know the church doesn't have the money at this time to get involved :i..n any maj.or project like that at the moment. There are more important things to be done.

Rachel Name one.

Deacon liow, yo.u young people don't understand these things.

Rachel You1re right about that.

Deacon And besides, that old hall is infeatod with roachcao

Rachel. So what elae is new? Half of New York ia infested with roaches. .And Harlem is there emmigration point.

J.D. Thoro nro WlJYS to control u few ronches.

Deacon A foW? Now, J.D. don•t undereatimate tho problem. Thera nre enoueh roaches in that buildinG to overpowor the ltusai.D.n amy.

J.D. But •••

Den con J~aybe at oomo later dato we could consider the subjoct ,,,. in. :ruru1ing n.long.

Now, I rouot be

~·. Wf Rachel I'm heartbroken to hear it.

Deacon Oh, J.D., tell your mother th&t I~ll be stopping in later .on todar. I'm not sure when. Maybe around ••• oh •••

J.D. . .Around dinner . time •

.Deacon Yes, maybe I 1ll.do that. IT's been a long time since I. sampled any of your mama's good home cooking.

J.D. At least two days.

Deacon (not hearing him)

J?~! I'll see you later on. ~ bye, Rachel. (leaves)

Rachel (mimi~g the deacon) HOw, J.D., don't underestimate the problem, There are enough roaches in ·_that building to overpower .the Russian army.

~­~!' -~ J .. D. . pI A c £.. • . '

Come on. Let's go over to Koochie's lwleheoue:tte; I'll buy you a hamburger.

{THEY LEAVE. A TRU~J.C. ROLJJS OU 'THE STAG·E. TRE SIDES READ "P.P. EXTEPJIUNATING SERVICE". THE PIPER GETS OUT, LOOKS AROUND JJW ~YS""THIS t<1UST BE ~ PLACE". GETS BACK

IN£0 THE VEHICLE, liliD .DRIVES OFF. THE LIGHTS COHE UP Oll THE BUTLER 1iPAR'llffiNT. TEENS IE IS SETTING THE T.ABLE ~'OR. DDnlEh. )

J.1ama . /..flo' c ~A qs£ . 'PA·"' -ts . Teensie, nas that ~ gotten too small for you alreaQy?

Teenol.e . No, Mama. Wny?

Maroa Why?

-Po ft. eM I hemmed it.

,.,v .

Tcensio WCi1/l.$ .£~c~t-f5 /11'1"-' ~ 1 !--:' '1 J,c.v v ·-h> -f-h C7it_ (L:,v t-£, S · · ~bJlla, nobody ~.ek±rts> d-e~ anlH:-ea ~"llloro.

r.runa That okirt was not down to your nnklea.

lr

. 9

\.

_L 6 /1/J&-'t ' "'- .....

t~ S ha-t....f5 ·

/ . I '"""" __ ... '

Teenaio 5}-.,_.,e.-+ S /~ .. e+s .Long dret:3"Smrare out of style. Everybody ia wearing mini c~.

y~·

I'm not.

Teeneie Actually, this is still a little longa

~·~£Y . If ~ ge/P any shorter I'll be able to see your tonaild.

J.D. {entering) Hey, mama,

Matta Where have you been?

J.D. I stopped over at Koochie~s.

Mama Stuffin youraelt full o! hamburgers? You won•t want any dinner.

~ J.D. What ve got for dinner?

Mama Hamburger.

J.D • . Oh, I saw .Deacon Lewis. l:Ie said he 1 d be over sometime today.

Mruna Praise the Lord.

~eenaie

If we hurry up P.nd .eat before he gets l:c..zt:rx here, I bet he won't etay long.

Mama Teensie, thn.t wnan't nico. Lord knows; it's the truth. But I brought my children up to be ~oli~e, so don't let me pear you oay it ngain.

I··~

.J.D. Why'is he so dead net against fixi~ up thnt hall next to the church?

Mama Well, it's not hio decioion alone you YJlov.

J.D. Other piacea have recr~ation centers. 'flo nepd one too. And we could have one. Evorythir-c haa always cot to bo so hm·d m·ound hero.

/2..

1

~1ruM No worne than anyplace eloe. (suddenly) Teenaie, hand me that newopaper. (aho kill~ a roach with the paper) Got him.

J.D. Jesus Christ.

Mama Don't be taking the Lord's name in vain. Besides ~e c~,,t help this problem. nut if you got next to my cabinets with a can of !laid and a scrubbrush tonight, that Itight help.

J.D Mama., how can you be so calm about eveything?

Mama J.D. everybody has problema.

Teensie You mean they've got roaches on SUgar Hill?

Mama Honey, they've got roaches in the White House.

J.D. YEh, but they're not heal thy enough to cart off the kitchen table.

Mama J •. D., listen here.

SONG THE. GRASS I~ · AL~/AYS GREENER/-~ :; \.. _,. ._-

Blackout

( 'rr'llEN ·THE LIGHTS cor~ UP ?-~AHA IS TAI.JCING 'l'O THE D?4CON )

'· Deacon I hope you plan on being at the afternoon s~rvice tomorrow, Christina.

"We have a choir corning in from Philadelphia, and I understand tha t they can sing up a atom. Enou&h to 1nake th13 Anffcln want to otand up nnd Ghout • .

Mr..ma Well, we'll soe, · deacon.

Deacon t I

I

Don 1 t you think it 1 s about time you started calling I:lo Booker? That is my name.

Y.nma Yeu, I ' lmow. It's just that I'm co uocd to culling you doncon.

:;.:J;;m·~ .. (oi'd~)- / 3

10

hltE.li YOU CAl; 1 'f GST OV.:::t1 TO S2.C.:

RES\Jl./fS OF ii'EAT 'l'iffi LABOR

L!Tl'LE S?..E;)S YOU SOW

.A.J.l .. YU'LrP. Gl"U.SS

:::COli ~liLL GROW

IF YOU FIND

THAT SO!-~ TJlt!E

YOU GE'.r T.P..i~ UP.G~ TO EHVY sm~mo:>Y

LIK.S AS liCT

',vrL~T YO:.i GOT

~ /_ 'tHLL 1-:.A.KE THE Tl:!IltGS YOU E!!'IY S2~ A WEE BIT SRODDY

. IF YOU'RE COll~'E:.l~T \-liTH .ALL T~ LITfLE SS.EOO YOU SOh'

ALL YOUR GHA.SS

SOON WILL GRO'r:

.SO!o~E FOLKS THir~K

yorJtJ A l<~Il{l(

II<' YOU OO.N ''£ F'.LASH A POCi\ET OF !·:OiiJc::Y

"\li'HO l;EEOO Trlb.T

LIS'l'El~ '.ID 1-:E CLOS:.J..Y W'&:l·; I TF..J..L YOU SCHl\Y

HO;G'Y" C"i-JX GE'!'S YOU }~iU:ZHDS . T!~\T TR:.-:A_'.f YCU .nnarr

IF YCUR CO:ix'?~~."l' ~'ITH ALL ~"'18 LIT.fl.E SEEDS YOU SO"rl

ALL YOUR GRASS

SOON ..,._r:ILL GRO'il

..

I

J.D. JJiD ·rs~;.r~si£

·.~.·J;t: SLJ~: IS /J/1/AYG EHIG1:TER

Oll 'Dill O'!'EEH SID;; OF 'l'HE llOA.D

Ti!A'l" S ril iY THJ<; Clil C:{.'SN CROSS:...:D IT

HE T'riOUGJl'.r HE K£GH1' HAVE LOST IT

. J.D.

1.IE SAT JJ\D CRO"t:ED, "IF I m;r,y HlJ> KlW't.'ED"

J.D •• !Jm T£.EllSIE IF .YC!J IRE CON'l'ENT \'I'l'H ALL THE LI'ITLE S~EDS YOU ~..rrrx sow

ALL YOUR GHASS

SOOJl l-l!LL G:tOi'l

. Glt!:Et:F..R GnEENER GR.E:BNER GREEl\ER

T.AKE .A TIP . '

J ,D. J.!.J.J·lA' S niP

J.:AJ{A !'Vi~ GOT A PROV£U PP~GTICAL TnEOPJ

·You c ... w • T .lc,nm

PEACE OF 1-ITND c

THDxKn;G THAT T:-!£ Lll'"E YOU. LEAD IS DA..l1K Al!D DRr-:ARY

: LIFE IS l·:.BAJiT FOR LIVD;G, BUT BE. CAREFUL DEAR! IE

ALL Tllli Y£EDS .ARE ALWhfS GROi'l!Jl

SO KEi-~p YOUH l·iO'r,3R J.!O'n'll:

IF YOU' F:E COK'f'il('f \liTH .ALL TliE LITTLE SB:::DS l'OU SOW

ALL YOUR GHA.SS

SOON r:ILL GROvl

GREENER GRE5:!\ER GP2!JiER CREEl~

GRSEN IS .HOi\' YOUR GRASS IS GOXllA GRO:.I.

(0..15

J.D. (entcri~) I1arca, I finished cleanina thoso cabinets. I'm ~ing over to Koochie•s.

Deacon That place is becoming a reeular hanrrout.

Mama I can think of worse places they could go.

J.D. l·1aybe if that hall were.: ••

Deacon Now, J.D., ~e've been all through that before.

Mama Exactly why is it the deacon board is ao against firing up that hall for the young people in the nei&hborhood2

Deacon Fixing coste money. And the place is buggy. 'Roaches on top of roaches.

J.!Bllla' · Well, why can't. the young folks fix it up themselves. If they want ·to use it all that bad, they certainly ou~~t to want to help.

J.D. Yeh, 11ama. That's talkin.

Deacon Still takes money.

J.D. Well, we'll raise the money.

Deacon How?

J.D. Well ••• t;e can have a block party. Or a bazaar. Or something like that. Hey M3IIIll.. I 111 bet Nias Sprig would h~lp us~

Deacon l-tias who?

J.D. :t-tr E~lish teacher. l·!iss Sprig. \\'ben nchool ended for the term she said if any of uoxbju~ needed ruly help over the Bwruuqr, to just call.

Deacon Cull where'!

If

I\

.·

) J-1ama She's woir~ over at the state building for the summer. She should be easy to reach.

Deacon .And what. kind of help is she going to be?

J.D. Lots. She helped us organize a dance at school last year when all the other teachers copped out.

}!am a She just started teaching at the high school last year. I think she's right out of school. Looks like one of the students herself.

j.D. What do you say, Deacon Lewis?

}1ama Yes ••• Booker ••• what do you say?

.Deacon t/ell; ISm· a fair man, and I say yes •••

J.D ,Yeh, men.

Deacon I

But, I couldn't allow it unless there "Were som,w~ to get rid of those rosches.

Mama They aren't any problem. ( J.D;has picked up a newspaper and he swats a roach )

J.D. Hissed him.

(THERE IS A KNOCK AT THE DOOR)

Teensie (off) I'll get it •

.Deacon No recreation conter unless wo ~et rid of tho roaches.

Tcerusie ( enterine with Piper) ~1ruoa. Did you call an exterminator?

Nama A what?

Is-

0 ~pe?!' • £cod m·e~"S', .Mr. aRd· W,ra. .-Ameiie~

.J)ear;o..a lle eeW:ftas }; lee ae is ~

Piper I under s tand that you need an exterminator. · And I am an exterminator supreme. Come to rid you of your roaches.

Mama-Look. Mr. SUpreme •••

Piper JoT fuP~~~_.Mr. Piper. Of tlie P.P. Exterminating service.

..

(

Teennie P.P.?

Piper Pied Piper.

J.Jama Mr. Piper, I did not call for an exterminator. The roaches up here · are immune to your sprays and gadgets. They just roll over and shout' sock it to me' when you come in with your spray eun.s.

Piper liell, my order card gave this· address. It said you needed to get rid of some roachea in a church ball that you wished to use as a recreation center.

J.D. . llow did y~ know that?

Piper \'bat does it matter how I know? Is it true?

J.D. Well, yes.

Piper . ~1\ Good. now I ruo prepared to rid yoar hnll ofl\ ito roncht~s and no an extra bonus I '11 get them out of the whole nciehborhood.

Deacon .ll.nd hou do you propoao to uo that?

Piper ~~~ !-1ind your businesa. I've eot my waya •

(t

~ . ~Jllllltl

Well, if you're so &ood. You must be mighty· expensive?

tx P£N s-,v ~ ~

( '

Piper. J. tJ ?O~I\~ P. M \}Gil-~ True./\ But in this case, l shall make an i'ifty dollars •

exception. 1 s,hall charge only a modest , ... • . \

.Deacon rfuat•s ·so roodest about that?

Piper Provided that the hall gets used as a recreation cent~r. After all, the young people will probably put a lot of work into the bazaar. ~

~

~

J.D. You know about that too?

· Teenaie \~.'hat bazaa~

··'

Piper 1 think that thei need some guarantee ~hat their work will not be in ·vain.

J.D. What about it,deacon?

Deacon Let hini get rid of the roaches and we'll see.

Piper Not good enough • . :C

Deacon All rie;ht. Yes. Yeso

. Teensie What bazaar?

JD.

I tVt..f.o

:F'irot thine Nondi'\Y morning I'll cull Hiss Spri~. (tho Piper slipo out ) And tomorrow !IUl line up everybody th:.1t ...-ants to work on iho party. Wni t till l tell Rachel. I'm headinc for Koochio' ~, tlnmn.

~Jt..Jt.Xip.xx

J1ru:m D.?n't stcy out all ni~:ht.,

I 7

Teennio ~ (as J: .. D. is leaving) What 'bazaa.I7

l-lama Teensie, pu child 'IOhat aro you screami.~ about?_., Go fix the deacon. some coffee.

Now where ciid that mr. Piper get to? Teensie

(Leavina) Whpt bazaar???????????

MB.lii8. I think it's a fine thinS you're doing, d~acon ••• I mean, Booker.

Deacon Well, I really have a heart of gold. I'd make some woman a good husband.

·Mama Yes, I'm sure you would •• Some woman.

Deacon Since your husband passed on, haven't you ever thought of remarryipg?

Mama Well, Booker •••• deacon •• I

DEACOU LEWIS SINGS "FINE UPSTANDING 1-'.AN" G [_ 'i . l3LACKOUT

( A LIGHT PICKS UP HELENA SPRIG ON THE PIIO~"E)

Miss Sprig J.D., that sound6 like a wonderful idea. I'm eo ~lad you called roe. I really am eoing to have fun helpinc out. And I have lots of ideas going through my head Rlready. I ·just love 9arni vals and bazltll.I'S. NoH, we have to have a plnnning meeting ••••••• yea ••••••• this afternoon is fino. Now , I won't be free until about :two. How • e that? •••••••••• • •••••••• Alrich t. ~·:here? •••• ~11ere? •••••• And where io Koochie'v? ••••••••••••••••••• Oh, I oco. Well, alriGht. You got everyone toeothor and I'll Jneet you there nt two-thirty .. Hyc.

(LIGHT OU'l' ON ~HSS SPRIG AND UP ON KOOTCHIE' 3 )

Concha to. (to AUsie) Hey, double uely. Get your fe~!t off the tnblo. \·:hero do yoa think you are~

(f}'

l-IT liOnvSCOPB IS B!ll!·::'.IliG l•t!Tii. LUCXY OY...El;s

. T~ ·cJJ. THAT CA'l'":i?.S 'i'O 1~

n'lBT '1UR'I'l.3 wvn:c \-TILL GBT ALL OF !fi ClUU.STI:J\ LOYIJ:G

STHAIGHT AllD l!01~T J .. S JJ~ ~P.ROW

YOU CJJl BSLIEVE Tl!AT I'D Nl:."VER TE.l..L A LIE

- YOU CAN BB sum-; ~·P~.T I

\.'OULD J3E r!ALKII\G 01; THE · STRAIGF.T JJiD llMU10il

·.

JCEVER TO STRAY ALOl~G Ti!E PATHS THAT TilE D:VILS LAY

\','ill~ TH£ RIGH'r.r:cus -:lAY

- I GOT J.. SOUL TiiX.i" S FULL 0}, '1~--IE HE.AV 'HLY FIRE

I OON' T GO H3SSI!~G JJWUJ\D ~UTH C.-\.R?\AL SIJ~\H:G

I GO~l' A LCCK Tl!.AT HITS YOU ~.'IT?. HOT DESIR£

THE SIST'LRS 5£.:: ~:E ;Jm TEEl~

ADJUST Tr~IH CAJlilAGE

ST.AUl\CH JJW SOB:C:R AS A P!BACJ:ER

AND JUST .!.S .FUE .l.S THS FUIB AJ;D DRIVEN S!W\~

SAYS I'H S•:ART .AND SHOULD HAVE .BEEH A Tt.;ACJi3R

CIVHIG .A LIFT TO .ALL THE \J'ORLD :iiTii EY GOLD::N GIFT

00 IOU G1:.'T T"riE DRIPl'

. I'M A .F'IliE UPST./J'iDING, FlUE UPS1'AltDil~G 1-::\N

YOU OUGHT-". CONSID:::R .DXM TnE ~·iEDDH;G B..\..~S, GET }-;E \\'lil.I.E IOU C./Jl

I' H A I'I!~ UPSTAlU::D:G, FD;E UPST.'•.J'\DlliG :1-:All

A liAli DSOr:S, A1iD D.:J'l~R, Jl:D Cl!CCOLA T3 T:U:

.Fll l'l." u=·TAJ'!)I'"" ,. ',. \.:. ~: u \ J\\7 • ..J;...u 1 A Fil8 UPSTANDING 1-~Ji.

r

AuGie %:f.,y..xr:~rl-..in.x \'lhy did Koochio h<1ve tp hire ll~r to work hero? 'fhin&s aren 1 t bad enou~,;n in the world.? I got to be hassell eel ;d th · &ruuclti±~ banana brain everyti.me I want a lousy st&ak saBth:i:eh~ hA"""' but~1 ~ 1

Conchata You d.GR 1 t stGp cdligg me nruaee, YG\.1' ll get 1i buckle eandwieb.­~ o ....- dON' ..j- l, \L t,_. ~ -t- "? {:n. -+-o T") C.. .1:> P 1'-' tt> I d 1 .S '

.Augio · You see? It's enough to turn me into a teenage ·alcobolin.

·B\ltelde KAc • .lt.- L You're that anyway.

Raeael Xe~ 're Ret still faa] i ug around drinking thc:.t cheap Jd.nB.,-a~et:t-1lttgi-e-r---

:A.llbie Cool ;it, Rfteael. You dig?

.leehel I dig. I <::ePtainly do. Wlnrtever1mppenned-to -the tima-when-Thunderbird- was­

....s.omcthi ng with four 'Nheels and aft engineer-

(J.D. AlW TEENSIE ENTER)

J.D •. Hey, man. Howb it going? Rache~j Sprig not here yet?

-Bnt• L~ow ;-fur ;f. (to Teensie) Bey, pipsqueek.

Rachel Not yet.

Teensie (to~h) You're always soundin on somebody.

i7"flf.-Concha ta 6 u /!jt/!. Here's your &Mui ;i;aa';. Do the world a favor and choke on it.

Hies Spng WoU, I rrueo"', I'm here.

Hachol }'~sa Sp:::-ig. Wcl cor:1e to Koochi<.> 'a.

fb

( ~ .

•.

:Hiss Spr:i.ff I never kne"' thia plnco was richt around the corner from school .•

A\llP.e Well, thie iGn' t exactly tho kind· of neighborhood where somebody like you would go explorin.

J.D. AUBie •• oshut your fnce~

Rachel We 1 Ve eot everJthing kind of mapped out in our minds already, J.1iss Sprig.

Augio You. know r since it 1 s summer. .And there's no school. And you ·being eo young. \'lhy don 1 t we just cull you Hel<:na instead of Miss Sprie;?

Conchata 'tlhy don 1 t we just call you dUillb'l

Aueio I'd prefer· it if you didn't call me at all.

- - - - - ----- ------·- . _ _ : ·_.c" ,.J c.-k ~-+ ~ --·- J'-1&> (?lto ~k~

J.D Will you two can it.

·Miss Sprlg

I '

Well, to tell you the truth, red probably like it better if you did call me Helena. But you'd have to I·emember not to slip and call me that in school. I don't think .the principal ia quite ready for it.

J.D. Let's «et to work.

Miss Sprig The first thina we •ve got to decide is when to have thio thill{r. Nxxx

~;~ Soon.

J-lise Sprig Now Thursd.<3Y might 'ce a good dAY.

Rachel l'Jo, it wouJd have to be n Saturday.

Hiss ~'pria Why iG that'?

l_O

10

Rnchel · Well, people nrc n lot looser with their money on SD. turd.ny night. Especially up here in Barlem. 'fhoy .ill.ight put oP. airo and act eedi ty the rest of the lleek, but com~ ~aturday night ••• they get colored.

Miss Sprig Is that a fact7

J.D •. Miss Sprig ~ I guarantee that after you have a~ent the evening here Saturday, hyou will \tant to be colored every Saturday night for the rest of your life.

Hies Sprig Oh come on. Yo~•re not trying to tell roe that nobody has fun on Saturday night unless they're Black.

Rachel You don't understand the message, Miso Sprig.

SONG GOTTA BE CO LOllED ON SATURDAY NIGHT . ( > f i-: I '6 t'r)

( THE SONG DEVELOPS INTO A DANCE DuRING \\'HIGH KOOCHIE 'S IS STRUCK .AllD THE BAZAAR IS SET UP .. TifrJ CAST ·ALSO CHAl~GES CLOTHES AS PART OF TillS DAl~CE SO THA'f WE SUDD;.;NLY :!.<"'IUD OURSELVES AT THE FUND P.AISIHG BAZAAR OH SATURDAY NIGHT. ) .

llama Bookc~, just look at this place. Theyive made it look real festive.

Deacon I've never really liked block parties. I like to keep~ festivities inside.

Mama Don't want D.DYbody to see whnt you're doing, huh?

Deacon Yeh. ••• ( realizing what she means ) No.

T~enoie ~ffA (entcrin& with ~ Hir ~\runa.

~~nm.'l Are you all ready"? Ii.'n crcttin6 late. People nrc eoine to otart sworming around hero like flies aoon.

Tecmsie ( \o.'e•rc nll aet up and ready. I just have to put on a little liloro lipnticl:: • ...........

21

r ... ;ci::L llil;;.; 'lD iT\t: •... him: ·ro FIVE

IOU:\ lWJ\Dt.Y 'l'iUtOUGli F.P.ID.AY ET.I~Ti::ief.

HCt!E J..T SIX

. T.HEll roR h'ICKS

YOU SIT ~;D YOU VATCH TH3 T.V.

Stnlm.YS T.b3 J)!u :F'OR SI'l'TIN Il~ C!:URCB RELO{fiHG

VEN'l'IliG .A.LL OF TF.:.: SIHS THE PREACEEP.SAYS NE~D REPEllTDJG '" . .

P.ACK UP THE B.ALLS IT'~ ALL JUST A GA!'.E :FOR PLAYDf

lffi'!GliDl YOUR DAY lX)\-:N

TIUT I I \"E }'()Ult!)

TH..~T SIX OF THE DAYS \~ILL GO ffnEU YOU JGlO'i THE IJI.ST OJIE

vliLJ, r:IPE oUT· THE G~·~S ICU'VE HAD TO PLAY ml THE FAST OJ\ES ·.

THE LAST CC!;ES

AJm SSTS THE \\'HOHGS OF THE WEOLE r~EK _RIGliT

Oll S~'i'URDAY Iii Gh'"T.

--

I 0//

RACJ~

G!;'f l'.i.' TCGl:~EJ~n

~liD~TiiBR Y <.:U 'iill RE.;DY OR NOT

-co:~ oN JJ;D , -• I [.• - - -,_, c>t.J-. F. ~· t •

BUGALOO BABY, J-I.AYBE YOU'LL LIKE lT A LOT

YOiJ1 VE GOT ~"0 PUT YOUR KEY IN YOUR CADILLAC CAR

AltD 1\'HER.t..~}{ YOU B~

DRIVE ON UPl'O~m ,.•r.

fN BEi:.O%tYOURSELF i''.RO!I. YOUR COKFORTABLE Sli~

t.1 ~DRESS UP KEl~\

YOU' HE LOO:UN CLEAN /JW FINE

~~~ .READY W PARTY -· .. -"' , .

REAJJY ron PI CKIN

CHI (]-~EH .AND BJJrS£CTJE 'fOO

----· COJ.:E 011 IT'S

TDlE roR H!n'OR'fiil, SFOR'fHl YOUR S!.'YlJRDJiY '00'

-I • ~sr.n: GOOD Nm'l' "'

Y~r!r;.:;~·;.'I-Tol J;.N-<-~~~d-~~T/ w1IST.2ER YOU'RE JED OR YOU'RE YELLOI! CR 'I.'HITE

~J8L.QP-... =:.~~~?~\Rr"ll'.L:t't~~'f f/ YOU CAN BE GAAEN .AlW IT'S STILL .4LRIG5T

BUT YOU }.lliT S=:Ell

OUE GOOD SATURDAY

LESS YOU B}:;~I~

.ACTIU ~'HATAWAY

_ YEll, I l-IE .All

COLORED ON SATURD~Y lliGlrr.

R. C'l"·'L 'I'L'J.'rc-Ir cc)l;cw.J·_A ., "' .. • , w . j '..J • , • ~

SUJ:.!)_W Is A 'tiAS'rE

l:OlmAY YOU .HAC}:;

JU~.f TO GET llAC'.tC TO 'l'!-J~ ~.J:::&-L-LY PlLCE .

.AllD !1::> IT GOES

Ul-iTIL YOU YJ\0\f

THE w.c:J:X IS OOHE

SATURDAY'S ccr.all

RACHF..L ron1 J_ TJJ\GO

JUS., SPRIG DO A FJJ·;D-~\GO AlW l10VE

DOYS WALTZil:G IS .FIHE .1-"'0R J.. FRIDAY

FRIDAY AillT UY DAY TO GROOOVE

JJ..LL RUH IT OO't.'!i nml

RACHEL You CAl~ Go JIGGn; LI:<£ roi-:EBODY • s FOOL

TlilltKD( YOU' P ... 'S DIG Gill l'lHJ-.T 1 S REALLY · CCOL

~.l~

.ALL YOU A~T SEZN

RACHEL OH'E GOOD SATURDAY

.ALL -

lESS YOU BEEI;

RACHEL ACTHl 'J'P..ATAfi;;!

SPRIG COLORBD Oll SATURDAY JUGh"T.

J ,

L

:armx J1runa A little more lipstick? For what?

Teensie Well, i•m helping out at the kissing booth. And I want people to have something to show that thcy•ve been kissed. (leaves)

J.1D.Dia kissing booth2' %.rm Theresa Butler I don't rewember hearing about your -,orking at any kiosing booth.

:BatGh A\..•~ i& Don't worry, ~ Hrs. Butler. The only way somebody will want to kiss her, is if she offers to pay them. (leaves)

l-lama ~·as he trying to say my child rr:.X is homely or something?

Miss Sprig {entering) Mrs. Butler. How are you?

Mama Hi there, Miss Sprig.

Y..iss. Sprig J.D. has . done such a good job on the planning and the fixing •••• oh, I just knou it 1 s going to be a big success.

l~ama

Well, it w~ nice of you to help them out . so much.

Miss Sprig Oh. •• it ••••

. l1s:na The young people . just think the world of you. Why I 'hear them tnllcing and oayil1g that if all the :teachers at thd high school '~'ere like you, they wouldn • t mind studying at all.

Deacon Wba t 1 o that you • ro carry in&'?

l1i:lS Sprig Oh, this is a ai{Pl that we•r~ putting up at tho end of the block. Right do~~ thero. You want to oee it?

Mama Yo B.

~ ~

(

J.1iss Spri~ (to Deacon) Could you just help me to unroll thio?

( J.USS SPIUG AHD THE D!!:!ACON UNROLL THE LONG CLOTH DANNER ~'FIAT SPRIG HAS BEEN CAHRYil~G )

Mruna (reading) Help stamp out Roaches.

11iss Sprig That • s tho theme of the bazzaar.. We thought it sounded more universal than'help fix up the hall'. And a lit"tle catchier. (as she talks she rerolla the sign) Help otamp out roaches. It'n got a nice rin& to it. Kind of like • keep .Aillerica gre«?n' • Or 'Liberty or deat1ll You ·know what I mean.

. l1ama Yea.

NISS SPRIG S1'ARTS TO SIN~ 'HELP. STAJ·lP O~T ROACHES t. AS SHE OOES THE ID".ll'UX CQr.1P.A.NY z.;oVES ON AND THE SONG . DEVELOPS Il\'TO A CELEBRA1'ION OF RIDDillG. l1\RI,.El'1 OF ROACHES.

END AfJr I

Z.:J :.;.-; ::;i>RIG ~ '. ; l!:·:LP ::;·.:.•:J·:.P OUT no..:~CJES

JJ;D liELP ST!J·!P OUT ROACliES

A THULl ~:o;CD.ERFUL CAUSE

.RUIN liFPRCACh'ES

SO TAKE A 1-!(J!.!.Eifl' To PAUSE

J&J l!ELP STAJ•:P Otrr ROACliES

A TRULY WONDEJl.FUL CAU~

C011C:.vi.TA (spol:en) That's r.ot exactly ~tamping I:!USic. (Singing) Help (\t!!p o~t. roaches ..... (spokcr.) See? That's no good. You got to \:-;:rrk fast. (she de~onstrates) .

l!iss Sprig (spokr.n) Oh, but that's not l-i'hat I meant. 1 •••

COi~CEATA

You move that slow,the roaches llill al~ get nway.

(SD~GS)

EELP ST.IU•:P OlJf ROACHES . .

TAKE JUS!' A z.:o:~!~T TO PAUSE • • • AKD ST./'J•!P

l:!ELP ~)'.f_/i!·ll> OUT ROACEES

BEli'Ol!E 'J.'ilEY OVERRUil OUR BE.~UTD'UL NNl~ON

RIJIU APPRO.t.GEES

TAKE JUST _\ lf;CIGNT TO PAUSE ••• AJ'lD .HELP

'J."'HE o:;:e; YOU liELP IS G0};1~A BE YOURSELF

HELP ST.IJ·ll> OUT ROACHES

B}:CAUSE ~'HE Ill SECT l'QPLTI.ATIOl~ BOF.SIP T BRt..""'ED Ili 1m DERATION

AliD ?HEY ' LL SOON BEGIN TO . STAMP OUT YCU ..

UTE IU TilE E"~'ENIKG \:.1-.:Ell I ':rl READY FOR SLU~·:BER

OU'r CO!~ 'l'EE ROACHES IX>ll\G V.APlJ"SYI!J.R 1\Ui-:BEHS

Lll~D UP AND KI=::KI.NG LIKE ITS R~IO CITr

Sct·~ONB T.AY..:.: r-rr ON H£.

~ .. P/7

) '·

I(

JJ.JJ li:~Ll' ~·i'J.:·l.P OiJT ROACHES

T.AKE JUS'f .A. J.:C!:ENT TO PAUSt:: ••• J.IW STJJ·lP

m:LP ST,\!·;P .OUT ROACill':S b ;_A-t-;_ · .. ~i , ·­:nEFCRE ~1HEY' OVERHUN OUlt":tiATION ! ·

Rl."Ili A.Fl'ROACHES

THE OJ(g YOU HELP IS GOJinA BE YOURSELF

( DAl~CE Bf~.AK)

J-liSS SPRIG Ol'Yf.E:ll AT SCHOOL 'iHEU I .A?l TEACHilR; MY CLASSES

I RA~ CQi.:PL.A.IliTl:G BUT IT RUn:s !-IT LESSOU

WHEN HO.hClJES ARE ~·iESSI.N OJi ?!£.

ALL

HELP ~ ST!I·~P OUT ROACl~S c

T.AKE JUST A !>:O!OOiT TO PAUSE •• • Alm ~'T.Afll'

HELP ::>".t'lJ·1P OUT ROACHES .: r

BEFORB THEY OVERRlJN CUR •NATION ,I

RUIN APPROACHES ·

TAKE JUST A lWl1EliT . TO ?AU SE AND HELP

THE OUE YOU HELP IS GQJ;;·:.A BE YOuRSELF.

ALL HELP SV.HP OUT ROACHES ·

COllCRATA

.·

nECAUSE T& Il~SECT FOPUL!~TION DOESNtT BJBED IN 1-::0DBR~TIOU

.Al-iD Tffi.'Y rLL SOON B:t;GIN TO ST.Al•:P ON YOU.

lE,LP ••• ETC.

!v f----c$ r vz- uS 1

c ("-.O ~ t.i ) I • 1 ;

;_:... ~. (!

., .

ACT II

MID'I'IAY THROUGH THF. ENTR' AC!ru A LIGHT PIC.:lS UP '.I'll£ PIPER PLAYING ON iUS PIF~ llND DRA',UNG OUT THE HOJ..CHES FROM THEIR .OOl·:ICILES. w'HEN 'J.'I!E LIGHT F .. ar.::s '!liE EU'I'R' ACTB nESUI'.ES. A'l' 'rilE F.ND OP 'l'JIE BN'frt' ACTE '!'HE LIG_HT CO~rES UP 011 l1Al1A AND DEACON LEWIS IN ·'!'HE BUTLER 110l·1E.

Hams llow, -Booker, you can't be aerioua about this.

De aeon Chriatina., we 1v0 considered this very carefully •

Ham.a . ilell, I don•t think you•ve considered it carefully enough.

( there is a knock at .the door)

Deacon Christina, we•ve got to look at all aspects of the situation.

Mama I am.

J.D. {entering with the Piper) Mama, Mr. Piper is here.

Piper Good evening, friends~

Deacon Good evenin~, Mr. Piper •

. ~lama J1r. Piper, I don't lmow holf you did it, but I have not eeon ono single roach all weekend.

J.D • .And the only bugs over at the hall are roosqui toea.

Whatever you uoo, Mr. l'iper curo ousht to bo on tho ouponnnrkot oholveo. you could mako a fortune • .

Pip~r

I don't need n fortune, JJrl':'. })\1 tler~ l-tJ• fifty dolluro will do. Deacon, my money and I chall be on my way •

) Deacon Sir, there io a olil;ht problem •

. ····-~-..... ....,_..._. _____ .... ~. ··-·.

-. \ ;,/

~ 14:7

~ ~.;.tl

(

Piper Pl-oblem ? What'o that? . I eot rid of your ronchea, didn't r? Deacon Well, yes •• e

Piper c~ot.• Fo~ a..- (V\o~VJ+ r ~0'-'1"-t- -c- w~s 5ltff'cN>~. -ilmn I 111 take my money.

Deacon Well, I made a decision on my o\m that I shouldn't have made.

liama Dooker, atqp beat~ around .the buah. If you're going ~o be a wolcher~ thon come right out and say it&

J.D. A welcher?

Deacon ~leU, after consultint> l.'ith the other members ·of· my board, we have decided that fift.Y dollars is too much money.

Piper . Too much?

.Deacon Of courae, I donrt know your methoda of exterminating, but I would o.ss~e that you dienrt wor1c more than an hour, and fifty dollars for one hour•a work ~s a truly inflationar,y prico.

Piper · now much do you think is fair?

Do aeon Well, how about twenty-five?

Mama Booker, you should be asha.u:ed of yourself.

Piper 11r. Lewia. purpooe of accept the

WlDU\

NonnR.l.ly, I would refuse yonr offer, houcvcr, oince tho prlmary thio vontu.ro \lllR to e:<~t a recreation hall for. the comnununi ty, I shall twenty-five dollara.

You better tell him what elso your. board decided, Booker.

Piper ~'here' D niore?

-'

DeA.COn Well, you know that hall docs belong to the church •••

J.D. nut they don't use ito

Dee.con ••• and ve•re not so sure that it should be used for ball playin« and pool shootirig and dancing and paxtyi.ng •••

J.D. l·1a.ma., what's he scyi.ngl

Deacon And now that the roaches are gone, it ~rould be a nice place for church dinners and meetings and maybe an occassional Bingo game. Young folks like Bi.ngo

1 don•t they?

Piper And what about the money that they raised to f~x up the hall?

Deacon Well, we thought that maybe the ypung folks might like to make a donation to the building fund. That would be a nice Christian thing to do.

,T.D. \~t do you know about being Christian?

l~a

J.D.

Piper Mr. Lcllie, I think that you and your friends should reconsider.

Deacon I don't think tha~'s possible at this time.

Piper I think that they ldll regret thelir decision.

Deacon . )l;ro you threatening mo, yonna JBaft~ s,.e.: ~

Pipor Hro. · Butler, I run truly corry that thin hod to happen. ( ho lcavoo )

Mama l1r. Pipor.

2.£

(

Den con . I think he waa threatening me. io.'hat is thin world coming toil · Pooplo going aroWld threatening a deacon of the chUrch.

JD. You aint a deacon of nothing.

Deacon What?

Hama· Now, J.D.

J.D • .And if you· think you're getting yo~ hands on one sinrrl~ penny of that coney we raised, you are out of your kinlcy headed mind. That hall rbm can stand there and l~t. But not one of us will lift a hand to drive a nail or

.~_... ,

paint a lick. Not if the place falls dow around you and buries you under it. (leaves)

J1ama (calling after him) J.D ••••.

Deacon Did. you hear that?

Mama Yes, Booker. I'm not deaf.

Deacon Yowlg peopla nowadays just don't have tho respect that they should, Christina. In our day, wo respected our eldera. ~hat boy is just getting out of hand. Christina, are you listening to.me?

11ama . (looking off after J.D,) Yes, I'm listening.

' y~~

( SHE SINGS AS.-.: GOES Olf TAIY..IllG)

HEA.R YOU TALK.Dl, DUT I CAN'T IIEAR THE WORDS YCU'lfE SAYIN, l\0, 1 FEAR THA'l' DOY YCU t RE l~J\OCKIN CAN DO NO WRONG ron HE llli'D J1Y :.:;ou ••• LIK.I~ lH SUN::.:llllm.

SRI~ HH1 \llALKIN, liB'S W.ALKlll TJ..LL, AND .I KEF.P PRAYIH JU~ t.'ON'T .l<'ALL, .AND LOOKJN A'£ JUU JJ..L '.rJIA'!' I CAll ~ IS 'fl.IE HAll: ••• LJ.XE lll RAil:J~.o·,o

c

(

c

) S'l'UJ3IlORN ••• SOJ1r~TIHES LAZ'f. ••• NOW AND THEN BU'..L' liB LOVES l·~ · ALWAYS .AND 'l'HAT MAKES UP FOR r!HEN HE'S STUBBORN AND LAZY AND ANY'niiNG ELSE HE CAN BE CAIPT YOU SEE

THAT liE'S SPECIAL, AND EVERY DAY 'CALLS· FOR SO!·iE HEIGHIN OF WHAT I LAY · ON ~'!iOSE STRONG YOUNG SHOULD;:::RS ! JJ f ~ +- ~ Bffil'l'E-ft-!I!Hii!- STfk'd11- SHOUI.D-BE-1'.INE j-~ '{ ) f. L .. l .... ;f_ HE 1 S MY SON ••• LIKE IN SUNSJllNE

~JmliX

Deacon

q tv(..

I • ) • •

••• and I just don't w1derstand the lack of respect for an adult decision. Maybe you need some help with him, Christina.

.Ma.nm l•tr name is Hrs. Butler, Deacon Lerlio. .tu1d I don•t . need. any help bri..Dgi.ng up my children.

Deacon (f""1" Did you hear lfhat he said?

' Mama Yes, anq. I'm sorry that I didn't say it firnt. Now, I don•t want to hear anymore about it. Good-bye, welcher.

Deacon (leaving) I know you'll change your mind· You don't want to raise a stubborn youn~ man.

l·lama Yes, he's stubborn. Like hie daddy beforo him.

. (resumes singing)

LAZY ••• NOW AND THEl'l BUT lD~ LOVJ~S Jvjg AL\·lAYS JJm THA'.L' NAlillS UP .!!'OR \·,'JjEN HE 1 S S'I'lJDDOill~ AND LAZY AND ANYTlliNG F..LSI~ HE CAlf DE C.t.N '.T YOU SEE

THAT HE'S SPECIAL, AND BVEHY DAY CALLS l:i'OH ZOi~E \\'I::!ClUN OF \·!HA'f I LAY Ol1 THOSE ~'l'Hl'l\G YOUJ;G SI!OULDSHS ~U ~·m S'.fH.I\..lN SHOlilrJ> BZ l'illiE liE'S MY JOY ••• 'l'HAT DOY

t · HY SOU ••• IJIIili IN SUN~HINE. -rc; ,.

(THE LIGllTS FADE ON }mS. BUTLER AND CO}iE UP ON THE' PIPER PLAYING HIS PIPE)

Teen6i~ (entering and scoing tho piper) Oh,hello.

Piper Hello.

Teensie Did you just hear someone calling out?

Piper calling out?

Teensie Yes. I . could .have sl>t·orn I heard ~OilleOM calling."feHe .. 1&0$.. r+ So Ll tV c/ t d

L- t \~ ~ ~ ""1 0 f/7..£ ~a .. A .. fl ,.., I .'' Fv u; w ,.... f, 'r. , . Piper Well, what do you know. 'klt~id it sound-J..a~

~e sings)

-Follow, fol J ow,Jgl J w, fnJJ:~

Teensie ~ Yea, tba.t'e -it. .A.nd i:t'e fwnzy. I ...didn't r..eally.....:want.....to-fo))ow,-but I felt-

r '

~g;;rr.~ Oh, f/ell ••

(SHE STARTS TO LEAVE,BOT THE PIPER SINGS AGAIN AND SUE SroPS)

/ .5 i-i · \ SONG FOLLOW 1-lE l "2- \o· ,4 )

(ONE BY OKS AlL THE KIDS AHE CALLF:D OHSTAGE AND THE GROUP SINGS AND DANCES ITS \·lAY OFF 'l'O WHBRE THE PIPER LEADS)

BLACKOUT

(TJJE LIGJl'.fS COY£ UP OH Jms. DUTLER. ~Ill~ IS ON TIIR PHO.l\'1~.)

J.tnmn Mra. Gonzales, I'I!l sorry. I rlon't. know nnyrooro thnn you do ••••••• No, I don't think no. • •• l:nv~ you triou Koochio • o plm:o nt~ltin? •••••• Well, if I henr nnythine, I'll let you lmow ••• Ycs. Goodb~e. ( bonao up ) ( there is n knock at ~he door ) come in.

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- Deacon (entering) Christina, what is going on?

Hrooa Oh, Deacon, 'tlhat do you want? I •m in no mood to be bothered.

Deacon . Deacon Simpson said his daughter, Rachel, didn't como home last night. And I been eetting the same ator,y about lots of other children in the neighborhood.

~tama.

II ~1

Don't you think r· alrendy Y~O\~ I havon•t seen J.D. or Teonaio since they loft here yesterday afternoon. .I.' v l- 6vt.N ~It, d --l:k.. Po (' <- ~ .... .

. Deacon I don't underotand.. It seems that all .tho children that were worldng on that block party are missing. It's like they are deliberately trying to start eomethincP

Mama . MY children wouldn't just up and leave that way. They wouldn't worry me that way.

De::.con Well, I don•t kno"'• I saw how back talki.ng that son of yours can be.

~~ama

Deacon, if you just came around here to be a pain in tho neck, thon go. cause I don't need it today • xU;fJmrt..gkpc~Jbtttxhxx· ( TIIE PIPER CQ}!ES IN~ ~ lrouldn' t be surprised if you were ret:!ponaible for this in some way • .

Piper Nei thor would I-, rll fl. $ · i3 "'f-1 Ut..

Mam.~

Mr. Piper.

Deacon Don't they believe in knocking whe~ you come from?

Piper Tho door was open.

Marna Booker, did you leave my door awingin wido open?

~

Piper ~lra. Butler, you needn't worry about Y?ur children.

•

~truna

What do you mean? Do you know whore they aro?

Piper Ies, I do•

Deacon Well?

Piper Well, what, J.tr. Lewis?

Deacon Where are they?

Piper I can't tell you that ••• ~ not yeto .

Deacon Then maybe you can tell th~ police.

Piper Mr. Lewis you certainly are one for getting excited over nothing.

Mama I ·don't consider my children nothings, .Mr. Piper.

Piper I apologize Krs. Butler. I _nm truly sorry that .this bad to happen. But I have been cheated. I was promised a·fee for a servico. ·I perfonned my se~ce but I didn't recieve ~ fee. so, I took a substitute fee.

Deacon A substitut() ?

Piper · (. ...

Yea. The children. ·

lofiaa Sprig (cnteringj I'm sorry to just come in, Hra. Dutler. But tho door "1-taa open.

~truua Yes, I lmo\f.

J1ias Sprig ~

Mrs. Butler, I don•t understand what•o goin~ on. iione uP t:he pcople-that­worhed-&n-t-he-baEa.~UZ-li"ci:eJn ochool todll:£.. an~ -no--one-con 6eem "to -chcrd-z:my-l±~ht-- ...

-&n-j~here-th~-nro.--

Dencon Sorueonci can.

J1ios Sprig What?

Piper I lmow whuero they are.

Deacon Yeh. :aut he aint t~cing.

Piper Buti~will.

l'JlllliB. You will?

Piper (Pulling out some pDpera) Just as soon as tho good deacon signs these papers.

~ Den con 'What arc thoY?

Pip_er JUst ·en agreement stating that the church hall will be converted into a recreation

-. hall for the use of the young people of the community and that 1 all of the money

.. raised at tha bazaar will be used to purchase oquip:nent for .sa!d' center. -fl..t..

Deacon Now just a minute.

J.lama For '1-rhat, Booker? Si&"'l that paper.

Deacon How do we knoi1 he •a telling the truth? How do i·T~ lmow that he even knous where tha children are •

. Piper You want proof.

DeAcon Yeh. WhY not.

Piper ·.111rlcht. I'm a roaaouabl e IDD.Il• (he takeo out hio pipe) Clon!t your oyeB.

(

:00.,. .:~ Mama

lo.'hat ·for'?

Piper I'm going to help you to see.

Deacon nr cloaing"our eyes?

Mama JUst do what the man aa:y~.

Miss Sprig I don't understand any of thia.

( THEY CLOSE THEIR EIES .hND THE PIPER STARTS TO PLAY• AS HE DOES SO THE LIGHTS TAKE ON A DREAHLIKE QUALITY AND ThEY Dnr ON TEE SCENE AS THEY COHE UP ON THE CHILDREN DID:: ~iliO AHE IN A GREIDt\'liCH VILLAGE APT • . )

Teensie

3D

J.D., I want to go h~e. It was fun being here )ast night, but I want to go home now.

~Cs~!. i I

Yeh, ·Sleeping on this floor last night wasn't too comfortable.

Augio Well, if you want to go home, uhy don't you just get up and go?

Conchata You know, that's the first intelligent. thing I've ever heard you say. WhY don't we just get up and ~?

Rachel Easier said then dono.

Augie What do y~u menn?

J.D. While you woro olecpinc lnat ni6ht, nnchcl and I triod to get out. All of tho dooru in thio place nro cloCJeio.

~t~!J~lWUl.XJ.l/J".xJL>LrtV.X Rtl.cbol 'tla triod nll of the dooro, but nono of ihem lenda £1.11~\fbero.

))

\

Conchnta Hol( do you like thnt, Au[;ic? You finally come up with a cood iclca and :lt turns out to be a dumb idea.

Teensie J.D., I ~ant to leave.

(they sing)

song

(THE LIGHTS FADE ON THE ClliLDREN AND COHE UP ON THE BUTLER . AFT.)

Piper Well?

I· lama

. .

Booker, get out your pen.

(DEACON LEWIS T.AKES OUT A PEN AND SIGNS THE PAPER )

Piper This copy tooo (ripo off one pape.r) You keep thie: copy }lrs. Butler. Just to make sure he keeps his word this time.

Deacon Uhen do "the children come back?

Piper liell there is one oth~r thing, Mr. Lewis.

· Deacon What?

Piper There is that matter of my money.

Deacon Your lOoney?

Piper

J

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And bocauco o! all tho troul)le I •vc had gottins i ~. 1 feol thnt I 1m cnti tlod to sot a:ny fi&'Ul'e that I cl.:.l.:m;nx: chooso.

Do aeon This is blacbnail.

Hnma \vhat' s tho fiaure. no •n pay.

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JJW I "'ILL Y..ISS T.:iE GROUliD FR011 NICHOLAS TO JJ·:STE!lD.m

_ JJ\D I' !..L GO SC.a~.;:ITl( toim COLU:·!SUS JUST ~m1 GL.AD I .Hl

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l1ama nut, that's imposaiblo ••• ~here•s Teensie ?

J.D. outside jumping rop~ and making a general nuisance of heroelf.

Mama But, I saw you. •• I mcan ••• that other place without the doors •••

J.D. J.1ama, are you feelirl8" alright'?

. ' l·1ama (·throwing her anna around ~m) I@..m. fino. .I o.m juot fine.

J.D • . Hoy, hey, J.1ruua. You aint bear hugged me like that in. a long time. A>Pe yett tstt:re ~u and the d-.1laven• t >beea-Q.oj.n1ij;t1~ne.~ jn. bel%.1) ··Mris~v~

Mama ~nmt~s the matter with a little hug? I don•t hug~ children near enough.

J.D. . . f \ . Hey, Mama, I •m gonna run over to Koochie 1 s and grab a sandwich. I •m Lftt; N 1'f "'7 starving. Funny, I don•t even remember eating dinner ••dsth Oh, and Mama, I think I heard a mouse out in the hall. J.1aybe we should call that exterminator back again. He did such a good job on the roaches.

Mama Exterminator?

Deacon Bite your tongue~

Mama }loney, if we cot mice, you junt ru.."l on down to the hardware store and pick up a 'couplc of trap3. nut leave that exterminator alone.

Deacon J\Jllon.

( J.V. LOOKS l'OZ7 ... Llm .. SHHUGS HIS SHOULD:ms .AND LEAVES. THE VOlCES OUTSIDE AUE HEARD SIHGil\G AGAIN AIH> WE SEE •rm:n PLAYII~G .Ai'ID ~lALlaN\1 IN THE STH.!m'l'. .AND 'ID ~'HE

SOUNDS O.F' !J!'lti::ET G/I!·U"~S 'l'llE LIGH'l'S lo'ADJ~ )

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rn AMERICAN THEATER ARTS FOR 'tOUTH,INC. 1511 Walnut Street

Philadelphia, PA 19102 215-563-3501

PIED PIPER OF HARLEM CAST LIST

RALPH COLE, JR. (J.D.) 20 8th AVE. I2B BROOKLYN, N.Y. 11217 212-783-0738(H) 212-799-9099(S) 212-687-1290 (W)

TRUDY CRAIG 223 W. HORTTER ST. PHILA., PA. 19119 849-0461 (H) 212-242-4623(S)

BOB JOHNSON (DEACON) 504 W. 110th ST. APT.6-D NEWYORK, N.Y. 10025 212-666-5089

ROB IN KERSEY 765 S. 2nd ST. APT. D PHILA., PA. 19147 755-9948

MICHAEL MEYERSON (AUGIE} 302 W. 51st ST. NEW YORK, N.Y. 10019 212-582-2656

DAVID MULHOLLAND (PIPER) 6105 HEGERMAN ST. PHILA., PA. 19135 333-3426

ROBIN PEASE 39 GRANBY LN. WILLINGBORO, N.J. 08046 609-877-8160

MARENDA PERRY (MAMA) 446 CENTRAL PARK WEST APT. 5-C NEW YORK, N.Y. 10025 212-222-5866

KATHY ROBINSON (MISS SPRIG) 404 W. 51st ST. APT. 1-C NEW YORK, N.Y. 10019 212-757-7977

STEVE STEPHENSON (STG. MGR.) 831 E. CHELTEN AVE. PHI!A., PA 19138 843-7261

MICHAEL DEVON (l•IDS. DIR.) 126 W. 25th ST. APT. 2-R NEW YORK, N.Y. 10001 212-255-6271

-- -STEVE-WELOON (COSmMES)-------- 1-fORRIS-IDTEL-(JIZ.R-iY CALDWELL)-113 SUTCLIFFK LN. 311 S. 13th ST. CONSHOHOCKEN, PA. 19148 PHILA., PA. 828-1794(H) 735-2181 649-9100 (W)

G":!SJ AMERICAN lHEATER ARTS FOR )OUJH,INC. 1511 Walnut Street

Philadelphia, PA 19102 215-563-3501

PIED PIPER OF HARLEM CAST LIST

RALPH COLE, JR. (J.D.) 20 8th AVE. #2B BROOKLYN, N.Y. 11217 212-783-0738{H) 212-799-9099{S) 212-687-1290{W)

TRUDY CMIG 223 W. HORTTER ST. PHILA., PA. 19119 849-0461(H) 212-242-4623{S)

BOB JOHNSON (DEACON) 504 W. !lOth ST. APT.6-D NEWYORK, N.Y. 10025 212-666-5089

ROBIN KERSEY 765 S. 2nd ST. APT. D PHILA., PA. 19147 755-9948

MICHAEL MEYERSON {AUGIE) 302 W. 51st ST. NEW YORK, N.Y. 10019 212-582-2656

DAVID MULHOLLAND (PIPER) 6105 HEGERMAN ST. PHILA.; PA. 19135 333-3426

ROBIN PEASE 3 9 GRANBY LN. WILLINGBORO, N.J. 08046 609-877-8160

MARENDA PERRY (MAMA) 446 CENTRAL PARK WEST APT. 5-C NEW YORK, N.Y. 1.0025 212-222-5866 rf'f'<f- ?oJ 1

CH7 $!37 KATHY ROBINSON {MISS SPRiG) 404 W. 51st ST. APT. 1-C NEW YORK, N.Y. 10019 212-757-7977

STEVE STEPHENSON (STG. MGR.) 831 E. CHELTEN AVE. PHILA., PA 19138 843-7261

MICHAEL DEVON (MUS. DIR.) 126 W. 25th ST . APT. 2-R NEW YORK, N.Y. 10001 212-255-6271

- - -STEVE-WELDON (COSTUMES)- - - - - - - - MORRIS-HOTEL-{:JIMMY CALDWELL) -113 SUTCLIFFE. _J..N. 311 S. 13th ST. CONSHOHOCKEN, PA. 19148 PHILA., PA. 828-1794{H) 735-2181 649-9100{W)