Transcription
BLACKNESS. THE OVERTURE BEGINS. SUDDENLY -EXT. BROADWAY -- BALMY SPRING NIGHTWe TILT down from a blazing MARQUEE that reads “ELEANOR! TheELEANOR ROOSEVELT MUSICAL!” to a purple carpet. A peppyREPORTER with a microphone holds court with actors dressed ingowns and tuxedos.FRANK DILELLAIt’s Frank DiLella with NY1’sOn Stage and we’re here for theopening night of “Eleanor! -- TheEleanor Roosevelt Musical,”starring the incomparable Dee DeeAllen.DEE DEE ALLEN turns from another interview. She is glamorousand a true legend who gave EVERYTHING she has to The GreatWhite Way.FRANK DILELLA (CONT'D)Dee Dee, you’re a Broadway star.Yes, I am.DEE DEEFRANK DILELLAYou have your choice of roles, whatdrew you to Eleanor?DEE DEEEleanor Roosevelt was a powerful,brave, charismatic woman that noone had ever heard of. Her storyneeds to be told. People need toknow it’s possible to change theworld, whether you are a homelymiddle-aged first lady, or aBroadway star.Dee Dee nods, moves down the line for more press. BARRYGLICKMAN enters the line talking to another hack.RED CARPET REPORTERAnd here’s Barry Glickman! You werebrilliant as FDR.BARRYI know. The moment I first steppedinto FDR’s shoes, and by shoes Imean wheelchair, I had an epiphany.(MORE)
"The Prom"2.BARRY (CONT'D)I realized there is no differencebetween the President of the UnitedStates and a celebrity. We bothhave power. The power to change theworld.DEE DEE(to another reporter)It’s a weighty responsibility.BARRYLet’s talk process.Barry begins to sing and dance down the red carpet, singinginto microphones, mugging for photos, sure of a Tony.BARRY (CONT'D)“WHEN I’M IN CHARACTER I GO INSANE,I STAGGER, I STAMMER, I SOB, I MAKETHE AUDIENCES FEEL MY PAIN AND IFTHEY DON’T LEAVE DEPRESSED, THENI’VE NOT DONE MY JOB.”He passes Dee Dee, singing now to a reporterDEE DEE“EACH TIME I FIND A ROLE LIKEELEANOR, THE ARTIST INSIDE OF METHRIVES! I PUT ON THAT WIG ANDTHOSE PROSTHETIC TEETH, AND KNOWI’M CHANGING LIVES!”INT. BROADWAY THEATRE -- NIGHTA rapt CROWD watches as Dee Dee (in Eleanor teeth and outfit)overacts her heart out.DEE DEE“BY THE TIME I GET TUBERCULOSIS, INACT TWO.”She coughs. Barry wheels by full of exuberance.BARRY“EVEN THE PEOPLE WHO ARE DEADINSIDE.”DEE DEE & BARRY“WILL SHOUT ‘BRAVO!” ON CUE!”AUDIENCE(leaping to their feet)“Bravo!”
"The Prom"3.INT. BROADWAY GREEN ROOM -- NIGHTDee Dee has changed post show into a glittering jumpsuit andlooks amazing. Well wishers abound. Barry enters as PRESSAGENT SHELDON stands on a chair.SHELDON(reading phone)The first review is in. The NewJersey Star Ledger.There’s a pause while everyone reads their phones.DEE DEEDon’t tell me! Unless it’s a rave.Or if it’s mixed-positive.BARRYIt says we’re a hit!EXT. BROADWAY -- NIGHTDee Dee and Barry dance cross the street to Sardi’s as othersfollow. The music vamps as they enter and -INT. SARDI'S -- NIGHTBarry turns to the adoring crowd, standing on a table.BARRY“WE’RE A HIT, AND I THINK WEDESERVE IT.”DEE DEE(also on a table)“THAT’S FOR SURE.”BARRY“ALSO IT MEANS THAT THIS TOUR DEFORCE, WILL NOT BE FORCED TO TOUR.”Dee Dee turns to the “ELEANOR!” marquee blinking across thestreet and perfectly framed through the second floor window.DEE DEE(raising a glass)To Eleanor! May she run foreternity!ALLTo Eleanor!DANCING WAITERS apparently plucked from a revival of “Hello,Dolly!” appear, lifting and moving Dee Dee and Barry.
"The Prom"4.ALL (CONT'D)“CHEERS TO A SHOW THAT’S SOINSPIRING, IT’S ALMOST TOO MUCH TOSIT THROUGH, AND IF WE RUN THATMIGHT MEAN ONE MORE THING.”BARRY“THAT IN TEN YEARS OR SO, WE’LL DOELEANOR TWO!”DEE DEE“I CAN PREDICT WHAT THE REVIEWSWILL SAY, BEFORE THE NEXT NOTICEARRIVES, IT’S IFE-AFFIRMING.”ALL“BREATHTAKING.”DEE DEE & BARRY“GUT-WRENCHING.”ALL“HEART-ACHING.”DEE DEE & BARRY“IN TWO WORDS IT’S.”ALL“HIST’RY MAKING!”DEE DEE & BARRY“THAT’S WHY EVERY ACTOR STRIVES.FOR ADULATION, AND COMPENSATION,THAT COMES FROM NIGHTLY CHANGINGLIVES!”BARRYIt’s just what we do!The opening number ENDS. Phones begin dinging. People startstaring at their phones.SHELDONThe rest of the reviews are comingin. The Post, Associated Press, TheNew York Times.
"The Prom"5.BARRYThe New York Times!The whole room reads in silence.Wow.SHELDONParty goers drift away, still reading the devastating review.DEE DEEWhat’s happening?SHELDONWow. This is not the review youwant when you’ve got shitty advancesales. This is going to close us.DEE DEEClose us? We just opened!BARRYWhat didn’t they like? Was it thehip hop?SHELDONYes, but not only that.BARRYSheldon, for God’s sake, just readit.SHELDONOkay. Just the highlights: “BarryGlickman’s FDR might just be themost insultingly misguided,offensive, and laughableperformance that this reviewer hasever had the squirming misfortuneto endure.”DEE DEEThat’s not so bad.BARRYDo her! Do her!SHELDON“Watching Dee Dee Allen’s EleanorRoosevelt croaking out a heavyhanded message of activism is likepaying an aging drag queen to shovea syrup-soaked American flag downmy throat.”
"The Prom"6.DEE DEEThat is not criticism; it’s apersonal attack!SHELDON“If you are considering buying aticket to this show, do yourself afavor; buy a few feet of good heavyrope instead and then go hangyourself.”BARRYJesus. Was the show really thatbad?SHELDONIt’s not the show. It’s you two.You’re not likable.What?BARRY & DEE DEESHELDONWe’ve been over this a milliontimes: nobody likes a narcissist.Leave it to me. I’ll go try tochange the narrative, once again.BARRYSo talking about yourself non-stopsuddenly makes you a narcissist? Ihate this world.Sheldon exits.DEE DEEThis is terrible. It hurts. Ithurts my heart. Wait, where dideverybody go?A waiter, TRENT OLIVER approaches Dee Dee.TRENTMy condolences, Dee Dee. Remember;you have friends.DEE DEEThank you. Who are you?TRENTA friend. Trent Oliver. We did fiveshows together.Dee Dee looks to Barry for help.
"The Prom"7.BARRYTrent. Went to Juilliard? Won’tshut up about it?DEE DEEOh Trent! Why are you dressed likea waiter?TRENTI’m between gigs. I feel adrift, asI did in the days before Juilliard.You see, my passions are fueled bythe power of Lady Theatre and howshe can, with her gentle touch,sculpt the human soul. But atJuilliard -BARRYMother of God.TRENT-- they taught me an actor is stillan actor even when fishing anearring out of a chocolatefountain. If I might soliloquizefor a moment.BARRYI’m aging. He’s aging me.TRENTIf you prick me, do I not bleed? Ifyou do not pay me, do I not stillact? Still, I’ve played Hamlet! Andyet I am known only as “that guy"on the beloved 90s sitcom “Talk tothe Hand.”INT. TITLE SEQUENCE -- TALK TO THE HAND -- DAYTrent turns to us, smiles and looks into camera as a titleannounces “And Trent Oliver as Uncle Mark.” He then gives the“talk to the hand” gesture and laughs uproariously. It’sawful.INT. SARDI'S -- NIGHTTRENTI question the very meaning of myexistence. Is a life on the stagereally any life at all?ANGIE, a LEGGY CHORINE approaches with drinks.
"The Prom"8.Hey guys.ANGIEDee Dee and Barry welcome the interruption.Angie!DEE DEE & BARRYANGIESorry your show closed on openingnight. Again.Thanks.DEE DEEANGIEWelcome to the world of theunemployed.BARRYI thought you were in “Chicago.”ANGIEI just quit. Twenty years in thechorus and they still wouldn’t letme play Roxie Hart. You know whothey have playing the role thesedays?Who?BARRYANGIETina Louise. You know, Ginger from“Gilligan’s Island”?BARRYMy God. Is she still alive?ANGIENot really, no.EXT. EDGEWATER, INDIANA -- HIGH SCHOOL -- NIGHTParents and others enter for a PTA gathering.INT. HIGH SCHOOL -- GYMNASIUM -- NIGHTMRS. GREENE bangs the gavel announcing the start of the vote.MRS. GREENELet’s just get to it. All in favor?Everyone raises their hands.
"The Prom"9.MRS. GREENE (CONT'D)All against?Not a single hand.MRS. GREENE (CONT'D)The motion is passed.She hits the gavel again, she likes the gavel.EXT. HIGH SCHOOL -- GYM -- NIGHTSTEADICAM: Mrs. Greene is followed by a couple of reportersas she walks to her car.MRS. GREENELook, the PTA has an accepted setof rules concerning the prom: youngladies must wear non-revealingdresses, young men must wear suitsor tuxes, and if a student choosesto bring a date, that person mustbe of the opposite sex.INDIANA REPORTERCan’t you just ban this student?MRS. GREENEWe have been advised that there maybe some legal repercussions if weprevented this girl from attending.So although it breaks my heart, wehave no choice: there won’t be aprom this year. Thank you.RACK FOCUS. The girl causing all this controversy -- sweetkind EMMA -- watches leaning against a wall. MR. HAWKINS thesympathetic principal looks on. We CUT BACK TO:INT. SARDI’S -- NIGHT (LATER)The foursome have closed the place down. Several martiniglasses are in front of Dee Dee and Barry; Angie has downedat least twenty glasses of rose. They ruminate.DEE DEEWe’re wasting our lives.ANGIEIt’s true. Oh, well. At least we’reall in the same boat.
"The Prom"10.TRENT“Misery acquaints a man withstrange bedfellows.”(a beat)It’s from “The Tempest.”BARRYOkay. One: shut up. Two: No! Irefuse to give up. We’re stillcelebrities. We have power.TRENTBut The Times has castrated you asit were.ANGIEHe wrote you off as “agingnarcissists.”BARRYWell, we have to show the worldthat we’re not that.DEE DEEWhat, aging?BARRYNo, narcissists! People who are inlove with themselves.DEE DEEI still don’t understand what’swrong with that.BARRYWait a minute. I know how we canstill love ourselves, but appear tobe decent human beings. We’llbecome celebrity activists!Brilliant!ANGIETRENTThat avoids The Times completely!BARRYAll we need is a cause.DEE DEEA cause celebre!
"The Prom"11.BARRYExactly. Everybody think of somecauses.TRENTUm.poverty?Too big.BARRYANGIEWorld hunger?BARRYAgain. That’s a major thing. I’mtalking about something we canhandle. What’s the biggest problemin America right now? Go.ANGIEWell, I think it’s the electoralcollege. It needs to be abolished.DEE DEEAs an exercise, just assume wedon’t know what it is and explainit to us.ANGIEWell, the electoral college wascreated to allow the smaller statesto have power in a Federalistgovernment. If the amount ofelectoral college votes a state’sreceived was -BARRYOh my God. So bored!DEE DEEThis is hard.TRENTLet’s think of something lessdaunting.DEE DEEYes. A little injustice that we candrive to.ANGIE(taking out her phone)Let me see what’s trending.(flipping through twitter)(MORE)
"The Prom"12.ANGIE (CONT'D)Trump. Trump. Trump. Kanye. Kanye.Trump. Hey. What about this girl?What girl?BARRYANGLE, DOWN ON PHONE: A new story about Emma.ANGIEIt’s all over Twitter. She lives ina small town called Edgewater,Indiana. She’s a lesbian and shewanted to take her girlfriend tothe high school prom and the PTAwent apeshit.BARRYThey cancelled Prom? How could theydo that?ON THE PHONE: Mr. Hawkins stands with Emma and addresses thepress corp. It’s LIVE on Twitter. WE INTERCUT:HAWKINSThe first thing I’m going to do iscontact the Indiana State’sAttorney. This isn’t about schoolrules; this is a civil rights case.EMMAWhat? Seriously?HAWKINSI’m betting pressure from theState’s Attorney will stop thesebigots cold. It better, becauseI’ll tell you this much: if wordgets out, people are gonna get mad.BARRYThis pisses me off!HAWKINSNext thing you know, some modernday Eleanor Roosevelt is going tomarch down here and all hell isgoing to break loose.Dee Dee’s ears suddenly go back with urgency.DEE DEEWe have got to go down there andraise holy hell!
"The Prom"13.BARRYWe are going to be the biggestthing to happen in Indiana since.whatever’s happened in Indiana!TRENTSo this is it? This is our cause?BARRYYes! It checks all the boxes, andas a bonus it’s gay, which issomething I can relate to! Are youall with me?Yes!TRENT, ANGIE & DEE DEEDEE DEEWe’ll have a rally. We’ll carrypicket signs!ANGIEAnd make T-shirts!BARRYI’ll get Sheldon to tag along. Hecan find us a venue.ANGIEWow. Can we really do this?BARRYYou bet your sweet MILF ass we can.(then)“WE'RE GONNA PROVE THAT IN THIS DAYAND AGE, BEING GAY ISN'T A CRIME,THIS IS OUR MOMENT TO CHANGE THEWORLD, ONE LESBIAN.”TRENT“LESBIAN.”DEE DEE“LESBIAN.”ANGIE“LESBIAN.”ALL“AT A TIME!”
"The Prom"14.BARRY“WE'RE GONNA HELP THAT LITTLELESBIAN, WHETHER SHE LIKES IT ORNOT, WHEN YOU'RE A LEGENDARYTHESPIAN.”DEE DEE“FIRST YOU HELP THE DISTRESSED.”TRENT“THEN YOU HELP THE DISTRAUGHT.”BARRY“WE’RE GOING DOWN TO WHERE THENECKS ARE RED, AND LACK OFDENTISTRY THRIVES, WHY SING ANDDANCE WHEN YOU CAN TAKE ASTANCE.”BARRY, DEE DEE, TRENT“AND KNOW YOU’RE TRULY CHANGINGLIVES.”DEE DEEOh! We’ll need an anthem.ANGIELike “We Are The World.”BARRYYeah. But about being an angrylesbian.TRENTStephen Sondheim will writesomething for us. He’s a huge fanof my Sweeney Todd. Leave it to me.ANGIEWait! How will we get there?TRENTI just booked a non-equity tour of“Godspell” that goes throughIndiana. You can join us on thebus.BARRYYou see? It’s all coming together!EXT. BROADWAY -- NIGHTThe foursome link arms and march down the wet, blazingavenue.
"The Prom"15.ALL“WE'RE GONNA MARCH UNTIL THAT TOWNLOOKS LIKE, THE END OF ACT ONE OF“LES MIZ,” YOU DON'T GOTTA HAVE APHD IN PSYCH, TO KNOW THAT PEOPLEKOWTOW TO US FOLKS IN THE BIZ.”BARRY“WE’RE GONNA TEACH THEM TO BE MOREP.C. THE MINUTE OUR GROUPARRIVES.”ALL (EXCEPT BARRY)“THAT’S RIGHT.”BARRY“THOSE FIST PUMPING.”DEE DEE“BIBLE THUMPING.”TRENT“SPAM EATING.”ANGIE“COUSIN HUMPING.”BARRY“COW TIPPING.”DEE DEE“SHOULDER SLUMPING.”TRENT“TEA BAGGING.”ANGIE“JESUS JUMPING.”ALL“LOSERS AND THEIR INBRED WIVES,THEY’LL LEARN COMPASSION.”DEE DEE“AND BETTER FASHION.”ALL“ONCE WE AT LAST START CHANGINGLIVES!”BARRYNow let’s go help that dyke!
"The Prom"16.INT. HIGH SCHOOL -- DAYA bell rings. The students of James Madison High pour intothe halls on the way to their lockers and to their nextclass. Emma emerges from the crowd. STUDENTS purposely bumpinto her as they pass her. Emma makes it to her locker. Sheopens it. A pink teddy bear swings out of it. “LEZBO” iswritten inside.EMMANice.(to the students)This would be a death threat, Iguess. Way to take the high road,guys.Two girls, KAYLEE and SHELBY, walk up behind her. ALYSSA, anintelligent looking girl, lingers behind them.KAYLEEDo you like the bear?EMMAYeah. You know, I’m pretty surethis breaks a few laws. Violatingmy privacy, threatening my life.KAYLEEIt’s our way of saying “thank you,Emma.”SHELBYThank you so much for cancellingProm.EMMAI didn’t cancel Prom, your parentsdid!ALYSSACome on, guys. Lay off her.KAYLEEOh, are you on her side?ALYSSANo. I’m just not in third grade.Let’s go.SHELBYUnlike your social life, this isnot over.
"The Prom"17.They go. Alyssa gives Emma an apologetic look as she goes. AsEmma walks and sings -EMMA“NOTE TO SELF, DON'T BE GAY ININDIANA, BIG HEADS-UP, THAT’S AREALLY STUPID PLAN. THERE AREPLACES WHERE IT'S IN TO BE OUT,MAYBE SAN FRANCISCO OR THEREABOUT,BUT IN INDIANA WITHOUT A DOUBT, IFYOU'RE NOT STRAIGHT THEN GUESSWHAT’S BOUND TO HIT THE FAN?”INT. HIGH SCHOOL INDOOR POOL -- DAYEmma dives with FOUR OTHER GIRLS. We follow her UNDERWATER.As she surfaces and gasps for oxygen -EMMA“JUST BREATHE, EMMA, NOT EVERYONEIS THAT REPRESSED, JUST BREATHE,EMMA, IT WOULDN’T BE HIGH SCHOOLWITHOUT A TEST, JUST CLOSE YOUREYES AND COUNT TO TEN, GO TO YOURHAPPY PLACE AND THEN TRY NOT TOCOMBUST, JUST BREATHE.”NICK & KEVIN in Speedos accost her as she exits the pool,shivering and wrapping a towel around herself.NICKHey, Emma, who is this girl youwere going to bring to Prom anyway?I didn’t know we had more than onelesbo in town.EMMAYou don’t know her. She’s new here.KEVINLike an exchange student?Maybe.EMMANICKWell, then, why don’t you, like,exchange her for a guy?KEVINDude. Nice!Nick and Kevin exit. She pulls off her swim cap, furious.
"The Prom"18.EMMA“NOTE TO SELF, PEOPLE SUCK ININDIANA, LEAVE TODAY, PRAY THEGREYHOUND ISN’T FULL.”INT. GYM -- DAYEmma navigates a game of dodgeball. MEAN GIRLS aboundincluding Shelby and Kaylee. SLOW MOTION of their MEANTWISTED faces as they aim at Emma.EMMA“WHO KNEW ASKING OUT A GIRL TO THEPROM, WOULD GO OVER JUST LIKE ANATOM BOMB, AND MAKE THINGS MUCHWORSE WITH YOUR DAD AND MOM, ANDWHO'D HAVE EVER THOUGHT THAT COULDBE POSSIBLE? JUST BREATHE, EMMA,PICTURE A BEACH WITH GOLDEN SAND,JUST BREATHE, EMMA, PICTURE A XANAXIN YOUR HAND.”Emma grabs a ball, done with the bullying, and THROWS ITright at Shelby’s face. Off Shelby’s surprise -INT. SCHOOL HALLWAY -- DAYEmma heads for another class.EMMA“TRY JOURNALING OR START A BLOG,JUST END THIS INNER MONOLOGUE,SEETHE IF YOU MUST, BUT JUSTBREATHE.”Emma heads into class. Hawkins appears, interrupting her.HAWKINSOkay. I just got off the phone withthe State’s Attorney. Like Isuspected, she thinks this is acivil rights issue. This is a bigdeal, Emma.EMMASo what are you saying: I’m a gay,white Rosa Parks?HAWKINSNo. I am absolutely not sayingthat. I’m just saying that I’mexcited to be involved withsomething like this. And I’m reallyglad you’re not on Meth.
"The Prom"19.What?EMMAHAWKINSI got a friend who’s a principal inChattanooga, all he deals with isMeth. Meth all day long.EMMAWell, I’m not on Meth. Not yet.We’ll see how the PTA meeting goes.HAWKINSIt’s not going to be fun. We’ll getthrough it. Take a sec. Relax. Comein when you’re ready.Hawkins exits.INT. CLASSROOM -- DAY (CONTINUOUS)Emma enters a classroom, where the kids are being unruly. Shesits and looks out the window wistfully.EMMA“JUST BREATHE, EMMA, REMEMBER THATTHING CALLED OXYGEN, JUST BREATHE,EMMA, LOOK AT THE CRAZY STATEYOU’RE IN.JUST SMILE AND NOD,ALTHOUGH THEY’RE JERKS, SAY NAMASTEAND PRAY IT WORKS, AND LIKE WE’VEDISCUSSED, JUST BREATHE.”INT. BUS -- DAYA rented bus makes its way to Indiana. It’s a loud,unpleasant ride. Trent sits with a bag in his lap, lookinggreen. The Godspell kids are busy making picket signs. Theysing while they work; an awkwardly harmonized version of DayBy Day. Barry sits with Angie, who is struggling to make aphone call, and Dee Dee who is shifting uncomfortably in herseat. Barry is trying to block out the music.BARRYOkay enough! Stop singing!I’m sorry, but you’re making mehate god! And those signs arepathetic. We’re not teamsters,we’re the gay cavalry! Put someglitter on them, for Christ’s sake!Angie, who has finished her phone call, turns to Barry.
"The Prom"20.ANGIEYou’re scaring them.BARRYWell they’re scaring me.ANGIE(to the kids)Just sing something else. Lessgratingly. Thanks.Barry slumps back into his seat. The Godspell kids rehearsethe harmonies in Save the People, more softly this time.ANGIE (CONT'D)The hotel is booked. Breakfastisn’t included, but there’ssomething called a “Waffle Shed”across the street.BARRYSounds delicious.Dee Dee pulls out a mink blanket, snuggles into it. She giveshim a look. He notices.BARRY (CONT'D)I don’t like school buses. Badassociations.DEE DEECheer up. We are doing somethinggreat here. We are being greatpeople. This is all great.This is going to get me my thirdTony Award.(off his raised eyebrow)You know how the Tonys work: it’sall politics. They don’t vote foryou, they vote for your brand. Mybrand is tarnished, as you know -BARRYBecause of the infamous tirade atthe Longacre Theater.DEE DEEWhen a cell phone goes off in themiddle of a performance I can’t beheld responsible -BARRYIt was your cell phone.
"The Prom"21.DEE DEEI didn’t know it at the time!Anyway, all the good will we willget from this thing will wash meclean. I’ll win no matter what mynext project is.BARRYYou’re just greedy. I would behappy with one Tony. I thought Ihad a shot with FDR. I needsomething to go right for once. Theshow is dead, my love life’sdeader.DEE DEEWhat happened to Andre?BARRYAndy. Much like the show he’sperforming in, his heart is Frozen.I caught him making out with theguy who sells t-shirts in the St.James lobby. The goddamn t-shirtguy!DEE DEEThat’s disgusting.I know!BARRYDEE DEEI mean Trent. He’s puking again.Sorry, you were saying?BARRYI need a win. I’m so sick of all ofthe rejection. I’m no Dee DeeAllen. They don’t write Tony worthyroles for chubby, short guys. Youknow how not fun it is to besurrounded by chorus boys with 0percent body fat and abs that couldgrate cheese? They eat what theywant, screw like rabbits. I hatethem.DEE DEEA lot of bile.BARRYWell, I’m angry at life.
"The Prom"22.DEE DEENo, Trent again. He’s retching.Sorry, go on.BARRYI went into this business because Iloved it, yes, but also to prove toeveryone who doubted me -- myteachers, the kids on the schoolbus, my horrible parents -- that Icould do something important.DEE DEEThat’s exactly what we’re doing:something important.BARRYYes. I just hope we don’t screw itup.Dee Dee considers this. They both sigh. The Godspell kidsdive into Day By Day with gusto as Barry dies a little.INT. HIGH SCHOOL -- GYM -- NIGHTWe are in a raucous PTA meeting.MRS. GREENEYou’re telling us that the State’sAttorney is forcing us to hold aprom?HAWKINSThe State’s Attorney wants us tohold an inclusive prom, yes,because that’s what they feel bestreflects America’s values.MRS. GREENEThis is not America. This isIndiana.HAWKINSJust to be clear, this is America.PARENT #1My son will not be forced to go toa homosexual prom.HAWKINSAgain, it’s not a homosexual prom;it’s an inclusive prom and youdon’t have to attend if you don’twant to.(MORE)
"The Prom"23.HAWKINS (CONT'D)Look I’m sorry you’re upset, butthe organization of the prom iswithin the purview of the StudentCouncil. Let’s hear what they haveto say. Alyssa?ALYSSAWell, we want Prom to go on,obviously. It’s supposed to be acelebration, for all students -MRS. GREENEThis is not a student matter. Thisis about government tearing ourcommunity apart. This is biggovernment taking away our freedomof choice.HAWKINSOkay. This is not about governmentintervention. Emma? What is thisabout?EMMAI just want to go to Prom like anyother kid.HAWKINSBut you can’t. And that’s why thecourts are involved. Now I know theunfamiliar can be frightening, butthe fact is a young girl at thisschool -- an honor student -- stoodup and asked us all to take acloser look at our beliefs. So,let’s do that. Ask yourself exactlywhat is it that you find sofrightening about homosexuals?At that very moment, the doors to the gym burst open andBarry, Trent, Angie & Sheldon and the Godspell Group rush in,picket signs in hand.BARRYHold it! Hold it! Hold it! What youare doing is wrong!Everyone is shocked.MRS. GREENEExcuse me.who are you?
"The Prom"24.BARRY(to Mrs. Greene)Seriously? I’m Broadway’s BarryGlickman! Where’s the lesbian kid?(Emma raises her hand)Hi, I’m Barry. What’s your name?Emma.EMMABarry hugs her.BARRYEmma! Don’t you worry, Emma. You’renot alone! I’m as gay as a bucketof wigs -(the crowd gasps)A bucket of them! And I have comeall the way from New York City tosave you! Tomorrow we’re going tohave a rally! There’s going to bebanners! Choreography -HAWKINSExcuse me -BARRYShame! Shame on you!(pointing to the parents)Shame!BARRY, ANGIE & TRENTShame! Shame! Shame! Etc.MRS. GREENEWhat is going on? Who are youpeople?TRENTWe’re liberals from Broadway.ANGIEAnd we’ve come to pry open yourtiny little minds! You see, thefive of us.(notices Dee Dee ismissing)Wait, where the hell is Dee Dee?Dee Dee makes a dramatic entrance and strides across thestage, stopping at the podium.
"The Prom"25.HAWKINS(recognizing Dee Dee)Oh my God! You’re Dee Dee Allen.DEE DEEYou bet your ass I am.HAWKINSWhat.What are you doing here?DEE DEEI am changing the world.(shooing him away)Excuse me.(then)“I WANT TO TELL THE PEOPLE OFWHATEVER THIS TOWN'S CALLED,I KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON HEREAND FRANKLY I'M APPALLED.”“I READ THREE-QUARTERS OF A NEWSSTORY, AND KNEW I HAD TO COME,UNLESS I'M DOING “THE MIRACLEWORKER,” I WON'T PLAY BLIND, DEAFAND DUMB!”“LISTEN YOU BIGOTED MONSTERS, JUSTWHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? YOURPREJUDICE AND YOUR OPPRESSIONWON'T GET PAST THIS BROADWAY STAR.STEALING THE RIGHTS OF A GIRLWHO IS AN L.G.B.Q. TEEN, I’VE BEENFAR TOO ANGRY TO GOOGLE WHAT THOSELETTERS MEAN. BUT IT'S NOT ABOUTME, IT'S ABOUT POOR.”“Emma.”BARRY, TRENT, SHELDON & ANGIEDEE DEE“FOR CAN'T YOU SEE, THE RAW DEALSHE'S BEEN DEALT? SO HEAR MY PLEA,OR HERE'S YOUR NEXT DILEMMA, HOW DOYOU SILENCE A WOMAN WHO'S KNOWN FORHER BELT?”BARRYSing it, Eleanor!DEE DEE“HER BELT! BUT IT’S NOT ABOUTME.”
"The Prom"26.MRS. GREENEGet them out of here! Now!DEE DEE“GO ON AND THREATEN TO RIOT, ITWON’T FAZE ME IN THE LEAST, IUNDERSTAND FURIOUS TOWNFOLK, I DID“BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. I'M NOSTRANGER TO SLANDER SO, MY DEAR,YOU'RE NOT ALONE, THE POST ONCESAID I WAS TOO OLD TO PLAY EVAPERON, EVA PERON! BUT IT'S NOTABOUT ME, IT'S EMMA'S STORY, DAMNIT! EQUALITY SHOULD BE THISCOUNTRY'S NORM TO A PICTURE TAKER.NO PHOTOGRAPHY UNLESS YOU INSTAGRAMIT, USE HASHTAG DEE DEE TAKES LOCALYOKELS BY STORM, BUT IT’S NOT ABOUTME. I DIDN’T COME HERE TO MAKE ASCENE, BUT I KNOW HOW EMMA'S HEARTACHES, AND THIS IS HOW ACTORSINTERVENE, THROUGH FIERY SONGS ANDDANCE BREAKS!”Dee Dee does a fiery dance break. Barry and Angie join her.Trent plays the cowbell. The crowd watches in horror.DEE DEE (CONT'D)“BUT IT'S NOT ABOUT ME, ALTHOUGHI'M RICH AND FAMOUS. PUBLICITY ISNOT MY FINAL GOAL.”STUDENTS & PARENTS“CALL SECURITY!”DEE DEE“YOU NEEDN'T BE SOME BACKWOODSIGNORAMUS, JOIN ME AND WE'LL STARTFIGHTING. COULD I GET SOFTERLIGHTING? WAIT, THIS.”(thanking the lightingperson)Thanks!(Back to singing.)“IS NOT.”BARRY, ANGIE, SHELDON & TRENT“NOT, NOT, NOT.”DEE DEE“ABOUT ME.”BARRY, ANGIE, SHELDON & TRENT“THIS IS NOT ABOUT.”
"The Prom"27.ENSEMBLE“WHAT IS HAPPENING?”BARRY, ANGIE, SHELDON & TRENT“THIS IS NOT ABOUT.”ENSEMBLE“WHAT IS HAPPENING?”BARRY, ANGIE & TRENT“THIS IS NOT ABOUT.”DEE DEE“IT’S ALL ABOUT EMMA AND NOT ABOUTME!”INT. HIGH SCHOOL -- HALLWAY -- MOMENTS LATERThe gym empties out. Mrs. Greene exits yelling at Hawkins.MRS. GREENEWho was responsible for that? Wasit you?HAWKINSMe? No! I have no idea what justhappened in there.MRS. GREENEStrangers burst in hurling insultsat the parents, and you do nothing?What kind of a school are yourunning here, Mr. Hawkins?Mrs. Greene leaves. Dee Dee emerges.HAWKINSExcuse me. Miss Allen, may I speakto you for a moment? I’m Tom. TomHawkins. I’m the principal. Ijust.uh, what are you doing here?DEE DEEWe have come to show this communitythat gay people and gay-positiveicons like myself are made of thesame flesh and blood as they are.We’re not monsters.BARRY(emerging, to a parent)And I’ll tell you something else.I’m half Jewish too! The Poppas!The Poppas!
"The Prom"28.The parent runs off with Barry following.HAWKINSWell.this is not the way to doit. I almost had those parentsconvinced to reinstate Prom and youdisrupted everything.DEE DEEWell, that’s exactly what we camehere to do.Dee Dee starts to leave.I’m a fan.HAWKINSDEE DEEWhat? You’re a fan?Yes. I am.HAWKINSDEE DEEWhat kind of fan? A big fan, or asmall fan, or a scary, stabbyfan.?HAWKINSYou could say I’m a big fan, yes.DEE DEEReally? That’s surprising. You’renot my usual demographic.HAWKINSYou mean black?DEE DEENo. Straight. You are straight,right?HAWKINSI am. Straight people like Broadwaytoo.DEE DEEYou know I’ve heard that, but Ialways thought it was a fairytale.So to speak.
"The Prom"29.HAWKINSWell, it’s true. I’ve been a fansince I saw you in the show forwhich you won your first Tony.DEE DEEYou saw “Swallow The Moon”?HAWKINSSure. That song you sing at the topof the second act: “The Lady’sImproving”? Chills.DEE DEEThat song made me a star.HAWKINSAnd it made me a fan.Trent and Sheldon reappear.TRENTDee Dee, we must make haste.SHELDONSome of the larger inbreds aretrying to tip over the bus.Trent and Sheldon leave. Dee Dee starts to follow but -HAWKINSMiss Allen. This is a delicatesituation. I’m asking you and yourfriends to back off for a few days.DEE DEEBack off? Backing off is exactlywhat we’re not going to do. I seewhat’s happening here. You’retrying to disarm me with flattery.Well it won’t work, Tom. Flatteryonly makes me stronger. It fuels myego.Dee Dee exits as Emma enters, followed by Angie who isfrantically taking pictures with her phone.EMMAStop taking my picture!ANGIEWe need a poster for the rally.Angie takes the photo. Leaves.
"The Prom"30.EMMAWho are these people?HAWKINSActors. Famous Broadway actors.They’ve come to help you.EMMAWell, they’re not helping me! Thisis a nightmare!HAWKINSOh, it’s not a nightmare. You canwake up from a nightmare. I’ve gotto go deal with the riot in theparking lot.EXT. HIGH SCHOOL -- BLEACHERS -- NIGHTAlyssa runs up to Emma, here for a forbidden clandestinemeeting.Oh my God.I know.ALYSSAEMMAALYSSAIt’s like everybody’s gone insane.I’m freaking out.EMMADon’t freak out. We have a plan,remember? We get dressed up, go toProm and be together, in public.Not hide anymore.ALYSSAI don’t know. My mother’s goingballistic. I’ve gotta go. I toldher I was just coming back for mybooks.EMMAThis is not my fault, you knowthat, right?(then)“I DON'T WANT TO START A RIOT, IDON'T WANT TO BLAZE A TRAIL, IDON'T WANT TO BE A SYMBOL, ORCAUTIONARY TALE.(MORE)
"The Prom"31.EMMA (CONT'D)I DON'T WANT TO BE A SCAPEGOAT, FORPEOPLE TO OPPOSE, WHAT I WANT ISSIMPLE, AS FAR AS WANTING GOES. IJUST WANNA DANCE WITH YOU, LET THEWHOLE WORLD MELT AWAY, AND DANCEWITH YOU, WHO CARES WHAT OTHERPEOPLE SAY, AND WHEN WE'RE THROUGH,NO ONE CAN CONVINCE US WE WEREWRONG, ALL IT TAKES IS YOU AND ME,AND A SONG.”EXT. HIGH SCHOOL -- FOOTBALL FIELD -- NIGHTThe big STADIUM LIGHTS THUMP ON, revealing the girls walkingtogether down the center line as football players play aroundthem. It’s magical and fantastical.ALYSSA“I DON'T NEED A BIG PRODUCTION,STREAMERS HANGING IN THE AIR, IDON'T NEED TO SPEND THE NIGHT WITHCONFETTI IN MY HAIR, I DON'T NEED AROOM OF PEOPLE THAT I DON'T REALLYKNOW.”EMMA“I JUST WANT TO HOLD YOU.”EMMA & ALYSSA“AND NEVER LET YOU GO.”EXT. HIGH SCHOOL -- PARKING LOT -- NIGHTEMMA & ALYSSA“I JUST WANNA DANC
middle-aged first lady, or a Broadway star. Dee Dee nods, moves down the line for more press. BARRY GLICKMAN enters the line talking to another hack. RED CARPET REPORTER And here's Barry Glickman! You were brilliant as FDR. BARRY I know. The moment I first stepped into FDR's shoes, and by shoes I mean wheelchair, I had an epiphany.
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