Rise (2018) s01e02 Episode Script
Most of All to Dream
1 Previously on "Rise" I know you need a new head of the theater program.
It's yours.
I'm taking over the theater department.
Excuse me? Rule number one, Mr.
Mazzu, do not cast football.
Hi, Daddy.
You know my dad had to move into a motel after your slutty mother threw herself at him? QB one is totally checking you out.
It's the third time this week.
- Hey.
- Hey.
I want to help you.
You put me back in the system, I'll just end up in some other districts.
This is Maashous, he's going to be staying with us for a couple days.
I found this in Gordy's room.
You got no car privileges, no money.
You come home - after practice, and that - I'm not an alcoholic! It deals with some mature material, but once people see it People are not going to see it, not at Stanton.
If I don't do the show, I don't play football.
Stanton Drama's made a decision.
We want Mr.
Mazzu to stay.
We want "Spring Awakening.
" [DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
I gave you the theater program, and then I told you to change the play to something more appropriate.
And your response was a mini revolution.
So, instead of being the bad guy and having this blow up further, I'm just gonna let you fail on your own.
- But Evan - Let's start with your impromptu performance.
The costumes and the set pieces that you destroyed were a property of this school, and you will pay for them out of your production budget.
- Evan - So your budget is now zero.
Break a leg, Mr.
Mazzu.
See you on opening night.
It's coming up, people.
Let's focus.
Sasha, why are you eating a banana? And five, six, seven ALL: Yeah, you're effed all right and all for spite You can kiss your sorry ass good-bye Totally effed, will they mess you up? Have you learned your lines? ALL: Well you know they're gonna try Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah What's going on with Gwen? Well, she's pissed that her role was stolen from under her.
She's still not over that? Sometimes that takes a while, Mr.
Mazzu.
Robbie, you should be up! Simon, perfect! ALL: Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah Totally [.]
Okay, okay.
That's coming along.
Let's clear the stage, everyone.
A lot to get through today.
Robbie? Is he really gonna make us do all this stuff? Like curse and Are you worried about kissing Jeremy? No, no.
Look, it's called being a professional.
Gwen, everything okay? Yeah.
Listen, I know you wanted a different role, but now is the time to let go of the role you wanted, and embrace the one you have.
Ilse has great moments in the show, and I know you're gonna kill them.
Okay.
Good talk.
Can I help you? Coach needs Robbie.
Yeah, we have Robbie Mondays.
- That's the schedule.
- Coach says he needs him now.
Sorry, Mr.
Mazzu.
["FIRE" BY BARNS COURTNEY.]
Lonely ghosts come a-crawling Lonely voices talking to me - Ready - ALL: Break! Ready Gone, now I'm gone Set go.
Hut! Now give me that fire Now give me that fire Now what the hell are we doing? Anybody block! [WHISTLE BLOWING.]
- What's up, Lou? - We have Robbie Mondays.
Well, we gotta get ready for Friday.
Waterboro changed up their defense football changes.
It's not just reciting lines.
Look, Sam, I go to every game.
And not just 'cause I'm waiting for you to put my son in.
I love football.
I respect what you do.
I don't want us to be enemies.
Yeah, well, you should've thought about that before you cast Robbie Thorne.
I was told to bring Robbie to practice whenever I need him.
I need him.
I'm just trying to do my job.
We done here? Cool.
[BLOWS WHISTLE.]
Bring it in! On me! Now give me that fire Now give me that fire, burn, burn, burn I'll make this simple.
We don't think this material's appropriate.
Stanton Drama has always been about families.
Young children attend these performances.
Please, Father.
We know he listens to you.
Well, Simon and I have always talked about ways that he can give back to his community in his works.
This is not his works, Father, this is trash.
- Robert.
- If this Lou Mazzuchelli wants to direct some kind of radical theater, let him go to New York City.
This is Stanton Drama.
These are our kids onstage acting this stuff out.
Have you read this? I have, yes, and I appreciate its message of the perils of living in a repressed society.
But it is quite provocative.
I suppose it comes down to trust.
Do you trust this director? Completely.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
[MUTTERING.]
[SIREN CHIRPS.]
Gordy? Gordy! I told you.
I needed some air, so I took the keys from the drawer, and I swerved and I skidded.
That's it.
That's all? That's all you have to say about being out in the middle of the night when you were grounded and you weren't supposed - to have your car? - Look, I wasn't drinking.
The breathalyzer showed that, okay? I'm done with that, I swear.
Where were you going? I told you.
For a ride.
In the middle of the night on a school night? - You were just going for a ride? - Yes, the breathalyzer showed Yeah, I know, you scared the hell out of us, Gordy! I'm sorry.
[SIGHS.]
Okay, let's just get some sleep, all right? We'll discuss this tomorrow.
[DOOR OPENS, CLOSES.]
Son of a bitch.
What are they charging us for those costumes, huh? And did they depreciate the value due to the fact that they've been around for 30 years? - I didn't get into the weeds on that.
- Oh, we're in the weeds.
We are deep into the weeds.
Thank God there's a district meeting this week.
Yeah, I know.
I got on the agenda.
Perfect.
We'll fight these bastards.
It's the only way to do it.
This is war.
No, no, no.
I don't want to ask for money.
This is my first meeting with the district as theater director.
I don't want to go there with my hand out.
Fine, I'll put my hand out.
No, Tracey, we are doing a show that's gonna make some people upset.
And we need to get out ahead of it, get the board on our side, okay? I want the district to understand our vision for Stanton Drama.
Get them excited, get them infected.
- I am telling you that - Please, please.
Let me do the talking.
I know what I'm gonna do.
All right, Jimmy Stewart.
Let's see how far this gets us.
[WHISTLE BLOWS.]
[INDISTINCT CHATTER.]
Go.
Talk to him.
It was a stupid idea.
What was I thinking? He's Robbie Thorne.
You had me wait out here for an hour.
I got like 50 mosquito bites.
- Let's just go.
- Robbie! Robbie! - I hate you so much.
- Go, go.
- Hey.
Hi.
- Hi.
I was just wondering if you wanted to make like a date appointment to run lines.
I just thought that you've been busy with football and stuff like that.
Plus this is like, my first time, so Acting.
It's my first time acting.
My first time anyway, do you want to like run lines maybe? Sure, tonight sound cool? Around 7:00-ish? - Yeah, cool.
- Great.
- Text me your address, okay? - Great, it's a date.
Appointment.
[CHUCKLES.]
Oh, God, I'm such an idiot.
[SIGHS.]
Sorry I decimated the chicken.
I think it tastes great.
We haven't eaten as a family in a while, so How'd rehearsal go? They get to your song yet? Not yet.
How anyone could cast Lilette Suarez over Gwen It was a mistake.
Lou Mazzu, what an idiot.
Plus he cast Robbie Thorne, screwed your entire football season.
I don't know how you let that happen.
Well, he wanted to do the play.
What was I supposed to do? How is he, anyway? He can't remember a single line.
Because he's untrained.
Lilette Suarez, totally untrained.
Okay, Mom, I just want to move past it.
We're not past anything.
People drop out of plays.
People get recast.
You need to go in there and show him what you're made of.
Honey, come on.
You're making it worse.
I'm sorry.
I'm making it worse? Lou Mazzuchelli.
Amateur hour.
["PETALS" BY TOPS.]
All I want to do Look who's getting all dolled up.
Shut up.
Robbie Thorne, that's a pretty big catch.
I told you, like, ten times it's not like that.
I dated my first football player when I was a sophomore, too.
Hm.
So, what's the play here? You want me to leave for a couple hours? Mom, we are just rehearsing lines.
Please don't bring this down to your level.
I'll make it worthwhile Oh.
What about this? Um I'd go with this.
- Okay.
- It brings out your eyes.
Killer.
He doesn't stand a chance, doesn't stand a chance.
Stop.
Go.
[LAUGHS.]
Got a phone full of numbers And a list full of names No one to call So, are you like, living here now? Are you gonna be like, my brother now? Maashous is just here for a few days.
Well, you'd be a much better brother than Gordy.
He's in the doghouse.
Big time.
- Sadie.
- God, you're so uncouth.
- What's uncouth? - You.
So, Maashous you play a little bass right? I saw you at lunch the other day.
I'm not really good or anything.
Well, you and Gordy should jam sometime.
Gordy's an amazing guitarist.
I don't play guitar.
Well, he hasn't picked it up in a while, but he's got this great arrangement of "Blackbird.
" You should hear it.
Actually, I won an award for my arrangement of "Blackbird.
" It was a huge national award.
- Wow, that's - Hm.
Wow.
He didn't really win an award.
That's just Gordy's humor.
- Right.
- Super dark humor.
May I be excused, sir? [SOLEMN MUSIC.]
[DOOR CLOSES.]
Hut, hut! High and outside.
Come on, DBs can swipe that.
I gotta call it.
What? We just getting started, man.
I got a thing.
Hold up, wait, wait, wait.
We got a game on Friday.
Where the hell are you, Robbie? I'm here.
Is it true you threatened to quit football for the play? - Who said that? - It doesn't matter, man.
Look, this is my senior year.
You suck, I suck.
I got scouts coming to the game on Friday.
This is my only way to go to college and get that official offer.
Look, man.
I'm depending on you.
My family's depending on you.
This isn't just some game to me, man.
So, yeah, you got a thing.
Whatever.
No, no.
Come on, run the corner route.
Hut, hut! Whoo! I'm going to go to bed.
Screw him.
There's plenty of other guys.
Honey.
And all shall fade The flowers of spring The world and all the sorrow She's way too big.
What is she trying to prove? She only has a couple moments in the show, so she's pushing.
- But still it stays - [SIGHS.]
Melchior Gabor? Wendla Brigham? Bergmann.
Like a tree - Nymph? - Nymph fallen from the trees - Branches.
- Branches.
I think it's your line.
No, your line isn't over.
"What are you doing alone up here?" What are you doing alone up there? - Here.
- Here.
And lighting cue.
And microphone.
Come cream away the bliss Travel the world within my lips Fondle the pearl of your distant dreams Haven't you heard the word Of your body? And lighting cue, and Simon, turn and Okay, try it again.
You gotta turn into him, okay? Hug into him.
Remember, this whole scene is a dance.
And this is the climax, okay? All right.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
Great, okay, then you'll kiss, and then after you kiss, the lighting cue, and then you'll both exit.
Okay.
Terrific.
Great work.
That's gonna be terrific.
So, how was practice? I'm still a scrub.
Other than that, great.
You should talk to Coach.
You're better than half those kids out there.
Coach isn't about words.
He's about actions, which I respect.
Not everything turns into some deep conversation about life.
Your father loves you and is only trying to help.
Yep.
I know, it's just [LAUGHING.]
He's always supposed to What? [LAUGHS.]
Gordy.
Have you been drinking? This just it's not you.
Oh, my God.
I want to smell your breath.
Oh, my God, are you serious? I told you I stopped drinking.
Do not leave this car.
Gordy! Hey, guys.
- Hey, Annabelle.
- Hey.
Simon, your scene today was so good.
Like, so good, you have the voice of an angel.
- Thanks.
- Anyway [CHUCKLES.]
Oh, Simon, you have the voice of an angel.
Stop it.
Hey, sorry again about last night I texted you.
Yeah, I saw.
You got busy.
Anyway, can we do a raincheck? I mean, obviously I need to run lines.
Listen, I had to change a shift to be there last night.
- Oh, I didn't - Realize? Yeah.
Anyway, I work every other night this week.
Okay, can we Look, if you want to run lines, you can meet me at the diner.
I get a break around 8:15.
- Got it.
- Let's go, Simon.
ALL: One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.
I grew up 40 miles away in Latrobe.
A proud product of public school education.
Like everyone in this room, I wanted to make a difference, to enrich my community.
But I've watched as Stanton Steel closed its doors.
As our unemployment rate spiked, our dropout rate tripled, and our opioid problem turned into a heroin problem.
Now, I still teach every day.
I still try to do my best.
But I'm up nights thinking that I'm not doing enough.
That's why I took over Stanton Drama.
I believe our students need a place to express themselves, laugh, cry, exalt in joy, and most of all to dream.
To dream big.
To discover the greatness within them.
Because in my heart I-I do believe every single one of these kids has greatness inside of them.
I know we all believe that.
I know that's why we're all here.
I cede the floor.
[APPLAUSE.]
Thank you.
[CLEARS THROAT.]
Thank you, Mr.
Mazzuchelli.
Okay, so then let's move on.
Next up we have the athletic department.
Thanks a lot.
This is gonna be far less flowery than Lou's speech.
I'm just gonna go ahead and turn things over here to Grady McKendree, the head booster, who's got some great news about the jumbotron.
- Thanks, Sam.
- Are you kidding me? We've gone back to our private donors for one final round of fundraising, and I'm happy to say that this incredible, state-of-the-art jumbotron can be ours for a price of $117,000 to the school.
- [CROWD MURMURING.]
- Is that all? That's half the cost of where we were at last year, and this is gonna knock the socks off any other football field in the state of Pennsylvania.
Excuse me, are you serious? Jumbotron? This isn't the NFL.
This is high school.
Excuse me, Stanton Drama has ceded the floor.
I haven't ceded nothing.
Excuse me.
Last year it was the new turf.
The year before that it was the bleachers, but that isn't enough? Now you need a jumbotron? Yet I have to beg for months for money to put a coat of paint on our stage.
Everyone else gets money.
Everyone.
There's money to plant 30 more trees.
You know what? I'll be honest here, we have enough damn trees, okay? Trees give me allergies.
[LAUGHTER.]
This is our theater.
Our theater.
And you treat us like complete crap.
You know, you fat cat district people need to get your heads out of the sand and stop sucking up to football.
It's just a dumb game that's been blown astronomically out of proportion.
The arts.
The arts is what separates us from the apes.
It makes us understand life and death and love and everything that's important to us.
What does football do but give these kids concussions? [CROWD MURMURING.]
[SOLEMN MUSIC.]
We need $20,000 to produce this show, but we'll make it work for 14.
14 will suffice.
Thank you.
I cede the floor.
I think we need to involve the school.
You said you didn't know for sure.
Which is exactly why we need to check.
We need to find out for certain.
If he's drinking at school, this is far worse than we thought.
Yeah, and what if we don't find anything? Then we lose his trust.
Isn't he the one who lost our trust? We need to face the situation we're in here.
There is a genetic disposition to alcohol abuse in our family.
Gail.
He's not my father.
I never said that.
My father is a narcissist and a liar.
And that is not our son.
- I didn't say he was your dad.
- Okay.
I'll talk to Gordy, all right? I will deal with this.
- Lou.
- [DOOR OPENS, CLOSES.]
We had a plan for how we were gonna handle the meeting.
- You agreed to it.
- Yes.
That's before I knew about the Jumbotron.
- Infuriating.
- Okay, look.
- If this is going to work out - If what's gonna work out? You and me.
- Are you thinking about firing me? - No.
- Well, it sounds like you are - Tracey, I am dealing with a lot right now, okay? I-I just need you to support me and not be a liability.
- Liability? - I didn't mean Don't try to take it back.
Hold on.
Just Tracey.
ALL: Mama who bore me Mama who gave me Come on, ladies, give me some energy, please.
ALL: Mama the angels Who made me so sad Mama who bore me Mama who gave me Annabelle, nice.
Sasha, better.
Gwen is way too big again.
She's all I can see.
Yeah, well, you know, we're just getting started.
The scene is about Wendla.
I-I don't even see her.
Yep.
I'm working on it.
Gwen, move upstage left.
ALL: And some just lie there crying No, I meant the other way.
Okay, well, this is upstage left.
This is stage left, this is stage right anything else? Yeah, just just give me a little less.
Okay, less? What do you mean? You're a little central.
Central? I don't know what that means.
You're taking focus from everyone else.
Okay, I'm just doing what I'm being told to do.
Be less good, is that what you mean? Is that my motivation? [CLEARS THROAT.]
No.
Forget it, it's pointless.
- Gwen, do not - No, it's amateur hour.
Everyone take five! That's nice.
That's our best actress who just ran off in tears.
Gwen Gwen.
- Mr.
Mazzu.
- What? - Sorry I'm late.
- No, it's okay, what is it? I was just wondering.
I've been changing in the utility room.
And this is the theater, you know the troupe and all.
I feel weird having a separate space.
So, where do you think you should change? I guess the boy's dressing room.
Okay, good.
Let me just talk to the guys.
Oh, no.
That's okay.
I don't want it to, like, become a thing.
- Right, I get that.
- Yeah.
You'll come and talk to me if you need any help.
- Will you do that? - Yeah.
Thank you.
[INDISTINCT CHATTER.]
Hey.
Can we chat for a minute? I need to finish lunch because I have three classes straight and then I go right to practice.
Yeah, and I need to talk to you.
What is this? About yesterday? I wasn't drinking.
Mom's going off the deep end.
Gordy, I know there's this whole other side to who you are.
What is that supposed to mean? You're such a creative guy.
You've got your photography, your guitar playing, I just I wish you wouldn't shut off that side of yourself.
- Especially now.
- What do you mean by that? You're struggling with drinking.
I told you I stopped doing that.
Were you drinking yesterday at school? No.
What about when you took the car? Were you driving to buy alcohol? With what money? You took my wallet, remember? Look, we need to be honest with each other.
Everything else we can get through, we can figure it out, but you gotta be honest with me.
Okay, I'll be honest.
I'm not an artist.
I'm not a photographer.
And I'm not a musician.
I don't want to sing show tunes in the car.
Show tunes make me puke.
And I know this makes me a huge disappointment to you.
That doesn't make you a disappointment.
Then why are you constantly trying to make me pick up a guitar or a camera? I'm not like Kaitlin or Sadie, or the new kid that you brought in to replace me.
- Gordy - And I took that photography class because it was easy, and that isn't my arrangement of "Blackbird," it's Paul McCartney's.
I play it the same as Paul McCartney and 20 million people on YouTube.
I'm not like you.
I'm not like anyone in this family.
I don't need you to be an artist.
Now who's not being honest? [SOLEMN POP MUSIC.]
Look, look, look.
Just tell me the truth.
When Mom picked you up yesterday, were you drinking? Yes or no? No! Come on I can show you [DOOR OPENS, CLOSES.]
And when the dust settles When it all comes out You okay, Lou? This has nothing to do with the show.
This has to do with my son.
I need your help.
It's the only way to know We have an arrangement with a residential substance intervention program just outside of Clarion.
Residential? What, so you're taking me out of school? It's three to six weeks at the program's discretion.
- Are you kidding me? - Gordy.
What? I made one mistake.
I don't get a warning or a chance? It wasn't just one mistake.
It won't happen again.
Everyone at school drinks.
I don't think that's a great point.
Yeah, but it's true, so why am I being singled out? Because you have a drinking problem.
You have a dependency.
- Gail.
- What? Just Gordy, could we have a minute, please? Look, is Clarion the only option here? - Lou.
- I just think - to send him away - Is exactly what he needs.
I've had other kids sent to Clarion.
I've never seen it work.
Ever.
It's just the beginning.
It's a wake-up call.
It's a good kick in the butt.
So what? We just kick the problem down the road? Shouldn't the school stay involved, do something? - Isn't that our job? - I want the kid.
Lou's right.
Clarion, they're not gonna do nothing for him.
He's on my team, that's what the team is for.
- I want him.
- Sam, we have protocol.
I like that kid.
He's been on the team two years, haven't played a down of football.
But he always shows up, he's always ready to work hard, ready to pitch in.
He's a good boy.
- He's got a great attitude.
- He does? Give me a chance with him.
[SIGHS.]
[BELL RINGS.]
- Hey.
- Uh, hey.
I can't believe he's giving another pop quiz next week.
I know.
Rehearsal yesterday was terrifying.
I thought Mazzu was gonna make us kiss right there.
- Ah.
- I mean, I admire you as an actor.
I feel lucky we got cast together.
Yeah.
Yeah, me too.
You want to study together? Study? Yeah, I just mean Mr.
Kranepool's pop quizzes are legendary, so - Oh, uh - Only if you want.
I mean, I'm kind of busy lately.
Maybe Saturday? Sure, I guess, yeah.
- Around 8:00? - Uh-huh.
Cool.
I just don't want Jeremy to get the wrong idea.
Studying on a Saturday night? What if he tells people that we hung out on Saturday night? Simon, no one cares.
One second.
Hey, can I talk to you? Just for a sec? Yeah.
You were right about my mom and your dad.
I saw it.
It's true.
And I know it sucks for you more than it sucks for me, but it still sucks.
Anyway, I just wanted you to know that I'm not my mom.
I just wanted you to know that.
Yeah, okay.
["YOU SAW SOMETHING (IN ME)" BY RUDDEN+BRIDGE.]
Okay, I've got two apple pies.
And ta-da, for the lucky lady, our famous walnut sundae.
Thank you.
I'm gonna take my break now.
Yes, you are.
- Let me just get my script.
- Cool.
It was the most peculiar feeling I have ever had And for a while it really seemed [GERMAN ACCENT.]
Wendla Bergmann.
That is not right.
[GERMAN GIBBERISH.]
Just read it.
Wendla Bergmann.
Like a tree nymph falling from the branches.
What are you doing alone up here? That was actually really good, yeah.
You saw something in me Something I have never seen It had the feeling of a dream It was the only real miracle I've ever seen You saw something in me Something I have never seen You saw something in me No one else has ever seen BOTH: Just too unreal, all of this Watching his world slip through my fist Playing with her in your fantasies You want to go on a date Saturday? Oh, my God, yeah.
That sounds amazing.
Yeah.
Yeah, me too.
BOTH: Oh, I'm gonna be wounded Oh, I'm gonna be your wound Oh, I'm gonna bruise you Oh You're gonna be my bruise [CLEARS THROAT.]
750 clams.
Turns out the school didn't need to plant all those trees after all.
It's not enough to produce our show, but it is a start.
And I'm pretty sure bringing in actual money makes me an asset, not a liability.
We may have different styles, but don't take me for granted.
You're gonna need me, Mr.
Mazzu.
Good night.
[INDISTINCT CHATTER.]
Um everyone.
I'm gonna be changing in here with you from now on, if that's okay.
Yeah, that's cool.
[STIRRING MUSIC.]
Okay.
Why didn't you cast me as Wendla? You just cast Lilette to be different.
I've been training for this my entire life.
I started dancing when I was five.
And I started singing when I was eight.
It just doesn't seem fair.
I saw something in Lilette.
That's all.
And you're right.
It's not fair.
So you can spend the next three months hating me, or we can get down to the business of finding Ilse.
Playing Ilse, it's about pain, and betrayal, and longing.
You need to find that pain within yourself, that place in you that you're most afraid to go.
That's where you'll find Ilse.
You're not a normal director, you know that? I don't even understand what you're saying half the time.
Well, you're right.
I am new at this.
I may not know stage left from stage right.
I may never know.
It's really confusing.
But I think I could help you dig deeper.
And as good as you are, I think you could be better.
I think you can be extraordinary.
Okay.
Okay.
And all shall fade The flowers of spring The world and all its sorrows At the heart of everything But still it stays The butterfly sings And opens purple summer With the flutter of its wings The Earth will wave with corn The gray-fly choir will mourn And mares will neigh With stallions that they mate Foals they've borne And all shall know The wonder Of purple summer [SOLEMN PIANO MUSIC.]
And yet I wait The swallow brings A song too hard to follow That no one else can sing The fences sway The porches swing The clouds begin to thunder Crickets wander, murmuring The Earth will wave With corn The gray-fly choir Will mourn And mares will neigh - With stallions that they mate - Everything all right? Your mother and I spoke to St.
Francis Prep.
They have an opening for you.
- What? - It's far superior to Stanton.
It's an amazing opportunity.
We enrolled you.
I don't understand.
Mom Honey, it really is a great school.
The song of purple summer And all shall know the wonder I shall sing The song of purple summer [CRYING.]
All shall know the wonder Of purple summer [SNIFFLING.]
Yeah.
Like that.
It's yours.
I'm taking over the theater department.
Excuse me? Rule number one, Mr.
Mazzu, do not cast football.
Hi, Daddy.
You know my dad had to move into a motel after your slutty mother threw herself at him? QB one is totally checking you out.
It's the third time this week.
- Hey.
- Hey.
I want to help you.
You put me back in the system, I'll just end up in some other districts.
This is Maashous, he's going to be staying with us for a couple days.
I found this in Gordy's room.
You got no car privileges, no money.
You come home - after practice, and that - I'm not an alcoholic! It deals with some mature material, but once people see it People are not going to see it, not at Stanton.
If I don't do the show, I don't play football.
Stanton Drama's made a decision.
We want Mr.
Mazzu to stay.
We want "Spring Awakening.
" [DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
I gave you the theater program, and then I told you to change the play to something more appropriate.
And your response was a mini revolution.
So, instead of being the bad guy and having this blow up further, I'm just gonna let you fail on your own.
- But Evan - Let's start with your impromptu performance.
The costumes and the set pieces that you destroyed were a property of this school, and you will pay for them out of your production budget.
- Evan - So your budget is now zero.
Break a leg, Mr.
Mazzu.
See you on opening night.
It's coming up, people.
Let's focus.
Sasha, why are you eating a banana? And five, six, seven ALL: Yeah, you're effed all right and all for spite You can kiss your sorry ass good-bye Totally effed, will they mess you up? Have you learned your lines? ALL: Well you know they're gonna try Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah What's going on with Gwen? Well, she's pissed that her role was stolen from under her.
She's still not over that? Sometimes that takes a while, Mr.
Mazzu.
Robbie, you should be up! Simon, perfect! ALL: Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah Totally [.]
Okay, okay.
That's coming along.
Let's clear the stage, everyone.
A lot to get through today.
Robbie? Is he really gonna make us do all this stuff? Like curse and Are you worried about kissing Jeremy? No, no.
Look, it's called being a professional.
Gwen, everything okay? Yeah.
Listen, I know you wanted a different role, but now is the time to let go of the role you wanted, and embrace the one you have.
Ilse has great moments in the show, and I know you're gonna kill them.
Okay.
Good talk.
Can I help you? Coach needs Robbie.
Yeah, we have Robbie Mondays.
- That's the schedule.
- Coach says he needs him now.
Sorry, Mr.
Mazzu.
["FIRE" BY BARNS COURTNEY.]
Lonely ghosts come a-crawling Lonely voices talking to me - Ready - ALL: Break! Ready Gone, now I'm gone Set go.
Hut! Now give me that fire Now give me that fire Now what the hell are we doing? Anybody block! [WHISTLE BLOWING.]
- What's up, Lou? - We have Robbie Mondays.
Well, we gotta get ready for Friday.
Waterboro changed up their defense football changes.
It's not just reciting lines.
Look, Sam, I go to every game.
And not just 'cause I'm waiting for you to put my son in.
I love football.
I respect what you do.
I don't want us to be enemies.
Yeah, well, you should've thought about that before you cast Robbie Thorne.
I was told to bring Robbie to practice whenever I need him.
I need him.
I'm just trying to do my job.
We done here? Cool.
[BLOWS WHISTLE.]
Bring it in! On me! Now give me that fire Now give me that fire, burn, burn, burn I'll make this simple.
We don't think this material's appropriate.
Stanton Drama has always been about families.
Young children attend these performances.
Please, Father.
We know he listens to you.
Well, Simon and I have always talked about ways that he can give back to his community in his works.
This is not his works, Father, this is trash.
- Robert.
- If this Lou Mazzuchelli wants to direct some kind of radical theater, let him go to New York City.
This is Stanton Drama.
These are our kids onstage acting this stuff out.
Have you read this? I have, yes, and I appreciate its message of the perils of living in a repressed society.
But it is quite provocative.
I suppose it comes down to trust.
Do you trust this director? Completely.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
[MUTTERING.]
[SIREN CHIRPS.]
Gordy? Gordy! I told you.
I needed some air, so I took the keys from the drawer, and I swerved and I skidded.
That's it.
That's all? That's all you have to say about being out in the middle of the night when you were grounded and you weren't supposed - to have your car? - Look, I wasn't drinking.
The breathalyzer showed that, okay? I'm done with that, I swear.
Where were you going? I told you.
For a ride.
In the middle of the night on a school night? - You were just going for a ride? - Yes, the breathalyzer showed Yeah, I know, you scared the hell out of us, Gordy! I'm sorry.
[SIGHS.]
Okay, let's just get some sleep, all right? We'll discuss this tomorrow.
[DOOR OPENS, CLOSES.]
Son of a bitch.
What are they charging us for those costumes, huh? And did they depreciate the value due to the fact that they've been around for 30 years? - I didn't get into the weeds on that.
- Oh, we're in the weeds.
We are deep into the weeds.
Thank God there's a district meeting this week.
Yeah, I know.
I got on the agenda.
Perfect.
We'll fight these bastards.
It's the only way to do it.
This is war.
No, no, no.
I don't want to ask for money.
This is my first meeting with the district as theater director.
I don't want to go there with my hand out.
Fine, I'll put my hand out.
No, Tracey, we are doing a show that's gonna make some people upset.
And we need to get out ahead of it, get the board on our side, okay? I want the district to understand our vision for Stanton Drama.
Get them excited, get them infected.
- I am telling you that - Please, please.
Let me do the talking.
I know what I'm gonna do.
All right, Jimmy Stewart.
Let's see how far this gets us.
[WHISTLE BLOWS.]
[INDISTINCT CHATTER.]
Go.
Talk to him.
It was a stupid idea.
What was I thinking? He's Robbie Thorne.
You had me wait out here for an hour.
I got like 50 mosquito bites.
- Let's just go.
- Robbie! Robbie! - I hate you so much.
- Go, go.
- Hey.
Hi.
- Hi.
I was just wondering if you wanted to make like a date appointment to run lines.
I just thought that you've been busy with football and stuff like that.
Plus this is like, my first time, so Acting.
It's my first time acting.
My first time anyway, do you want to like run lines maybe? Sure, tonight sound cool? Around 7:00-ish? - Yeah, cool.
- Great.
- Text me your address, okay? - Great, it's a date.
Appointment.
[CHUCKLES.]
Oh, God, I'm such an idiot.
[SIGHS.]
Sorry I decimated the chicken.
I think it tastes great.
We haven't eaten as a family in a while, so How'd rehearsal go? They get to your song yet? Not yet.
How anyone could cast Lilette Suarez over Gwen It was a mistake.
Lou Mazzu, what an idiot.
Plus he cast Robbie Thorne, screwed your entire football season.
I don't know how you let that happen.
Well, he wanted to do the play.
What was I supposed to do? How is he, anyway? He can't remember a single line.
Because he's untrained.
Lilette Suarez, totally untrained.
Okay, Mom, I just want to move past it.
We're not past anything.
People drop out of plays.
People get recast.
You need to go in there and show him what you're made of.
Honey, come on.
You're making it worse.
I'm sorry.
I'm making it worse? Lou Mazzuchelli.
Amateur hour.
["PETALS" BY TOPS.]
All I want to do Look who's getting all dolled up.
Shut up.
Robbie Thorne, that's a pretty big catch.
I told you, like, ten times it's not like that.
I dated my first football player when I was a sophomore, too.
Hm.
So, what's the play here? You want me to leave for a couple hours? Mom, we are just rehearsing lines.
Please don't bring this down to your level.
I'll make it worthwhile Oh.
What about this? Um I'd go with this.
- Okay.
- It brings out your eyes.
Killer.
He doesn't stand a chance, doesn't stand a chance.
Stop.
Go.
[LAUGHS.]
Got a phone full of numbers And a list full of names No one to call So, are you like, living here now? Are you gonna be like, my brother now? Maashous is just here for a few days.
Well, you'd be a much better brother than Gordy.
He's in the doghouse.
Big time.
- Sadie.
- God, you're so uncouth.
- What's uncouth? - You.
So, Maashous you play a little bass right? I saw you at lunch the other day.
I'm not really good or anything.
Well, you and Gordy should jam sometime.
Gordy's an amazing guitarist.
I don't play guitar.
Well, he hasn't picked it up in a while, but he's got this great arrangement of "Blackbird.
" You should hear it.
Actually, I won an award for my arrangement of "Blackbird.
" It was a huge national award.
- Wow, that's - Hm.
Wow.
He didn't really win an award.
That's just Gordy's humor.
- Right.
- Super dark humor.
May I be excused, sir? [SOLEMN MUSIC.]
[DOOR CLOSES.]
Hut, hut! High and outside.
Come on, DBs can swipe that.
I gotta call it.
What? We just getting started, man.
I got a thing.
Hold up, wait, wait, wait.
We got a game on Friday.
Where the hell are you, Robbie? I'm here.
Is it true you threatened to quit football for the play? - Who said that? - It doesn't matter, man.
Look, this is my senior year.
You suck, I suck.
I got scouts coming to the game on Friday.
This is my only way to go to college and get that official offer.
Look, man.
I'm depending on you.
My family's depending on you.
This isn't just some game to me, man.
So, yeah, you got a thing.
Whatever.
No, no.
Come on, run the corner route.
Hut, hut! Whoo! I'm going to go to bed.
Screw him.
There's plenty of other guys.
Honey.
And all shall fade The flowers of spring The world and all the sorrow She's way too big.
What is she trying to prove? She only has a couple moments in the show, so she's pushing.
- But still it stays - [SIGHS.]
Melchior Gabor? Wendla Brigham? Bergmann.
Like a tree - Nymph? - Nymph fallen from the trees - Branches.
- Branches.
I think it's your line.
No, your line isn't over.
"What are you doing alone up here?" What are you doing alone up there? - Here.
- Here.
And lighting cue.
And microphone.
Come cream away the bliss Travel the world within my lips Fondle the pearl of your distant dreams Haven't you heard the word Of your body? And lighting cue, and Simon, turn and Okay, try it again.
You gotta turn into him, okay? Hug into him.
Remember, this whole scene is a dance.
And this is the climax, okay? All right.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
Great, okay, then you'll kiss, and then after you kiss, the lighting cue, and then you'll both exit.
Okay.
Terrific.
Great work.
That's gonna be terrific.
So, how was practice? I'm still a scrub.
Other than that, great.
You should talk to Coach.
You're better than half those kids out there.
Coach isn't about words.
He's about actions, which I respect.
Not everything turns into some deep conversation about life.
Your father loves you and is only trying to help.
Yep.
I know, it's just [LAUGHING.]
He's always supposed to What? [LAUGHS.]
Gordy.
Have you been drinking? This just it's not you.
Oh, my God.
I want to smell your breath.
Oh, my God, are you serious? I told you I stopped drinking.
Do not leave this car.
Gordy! Hey, guys.
- Hey, Annabelle.
- Hey.
Simon, your scene today was so good.
Like, so good, you have the voice of an angel.
- Thanks.
- Anyway [CHUCKLES.]
Oh, Simon, you have the voice of an angel.
Stop it.
Hey, sorry again about last night I texted you.
Yeah, I saw.
You got busy.
Anyway, can we do a raincheck? I mean, obviously I need to run lines.
Listen, I had to change a shift to be there last night.
- Oh, I didn't - Realize? Yeah.
Anyway, I work every other night this week.
Okay, can we Look, if you want to run lines, you can meet me at the diner.
I get a break around 8:15.
- Got it.
- Let's go, Simon.
ALL: One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.
I grew up 40 miles away in Latrobe.
A proud product of public school education.
Like everyone in this room, I wanted to make a difference, to enrich my community.
But I've watched as Stanton Steel closed its doors.
As our unemployment rate spiked, our dropout rate tripled, and our opioid problem turned into a heroin problem.
Now, I still teach every day.
I still try to do my best.
But I'm up nights thinking that I'm not doing enough.
That's why I took over Stanton Drama.
I believe our students need a place to express themselves, laugh, cry, exalt in joy, and most of all to dream.
To dream big.
To discover the greatness within them.
Because in my heart I-I do believe every single one of these kids has greatness inside of them.
I know we all believe that.
I know that's why we're all here.
I cede the floor.
[APPLAUSE.]
Thank you.
[CLEARS THROAT.]
Thank you, Mr.
Mazzuchelli.
Okay, so then let's move on.
Next up we have the athletic department.
Thanks a lot.
This is gonna be far less flowery than Lou's speech.
I'm just gonna go ahead and turn things over here to Grady McKendree, the head booster, who's got some great news about the jumbotron.
- Thanks, Sam.
- Are you kidding me? We've gone back to our private donors for one final round of fundraising, and I'm happy to say that this incredible, state-of-the-art jumbotron can be ours for a price of $117,000 to the school.
- [CROWD MURMURING.]
- Is that all? That's half the cost of where we were at last year, and this is gonna knock the socks off any other football field in the state of Pennsylvania.
Excuse me, are you serious? Jumbotron? This isn't the NFL.
This is high school.
Excuse me, Stanton Drama has ceded the floor.
I haven't ceded nothing.
Excuse me.
Last year it was the new turf.
The year before that it was the bleachers, but that isn't enough? Now you need a jumbotron? Yet I have to beg for months for money to put a coat of paint on our stage.
Everyone else gets money.
Everyone.
There's money to plant 30 more trees.
You know what? I'll be honest here, we have enough damn trees, okay? Trees give me allergies.
[LAUGHTER.]
This is our theater.
Our theater.
And you treat us like complete crap.
You know, you fat cat district people need to get your heads out of the sand and stop sucking up to football.
It's just a dumb game that's been blown astronomically out of proportion.
The arts.
The arts is what separates us from the apes.
It makes us understand life and death and love and everything that's important to us.
What does football do but give these kids concussions? [CROWD MURMURING.]
[SOLEMN MUSIC.]
We need $20,000 to produce this show, but we'll make it work for 14.
14 will suffice.
Thank you.
I cede the floor.
I think we need to involve the school.
You said you didn't know for sure.
Which is exactly why we need to check.
We need to find out for certain.
If he's drinking at school, this is far worse than we thought.
Yeah, and what if we don't find anything? Then we lose his trust.
Isn't he the one who lost our trust? We need to face the situation we're in here.
There is a genetic disposition to alcohol abuse in our family.
Gail.
He's not my father.
I never said that.
My father is a narcissist and a liar.
And that is not our son.
- I didn't say he was your dad.
- Okay.
I'll talk to Gordy, all right? I will deal with this.
- Lou.
- [DOOR OPENS, CLOSES.]
We had a plan for how we were gonna handle the meeting.
- You agreed to it.
- Yes.
That's before I knew about the Jumbotron.
- Infuriating.
- Okay, look.
- If this is going to work out - If what's gonna work out? You and me.
- Are you thinking about firing me? - No.
- Well, it sounds like you are - Tracey, I am dealing with a lot right now, okay? I-I just need you to support me and not be a liability.
- Liability? - I didn't mean Don't try to take it back.
Hold on.
Just Tracey.
ALL: Mama who bore me Mama who gave me Come on, ladies, give me some energy, please.
ALL: Mama the angels Who made me so sad Mama who bore me Mama who gave me Annabelle, nice.
Sasha, better.
Gwen is way too big again.
She's all I can see.
Yeah, well, you know, we're just getting started.
The scene is about Wendla.
I-I don't even see her.
Yep.
I'm working on it.
Gwen, move upstage left.
ALL: And some just lie there crying No, I meant the other way.
Okay, well, this is upstage left.
This is stage left, this is stage right anything else? Yeah, just just give me a little less.
Okay, less? What do you mean? You're a little central.
Central? I don't know what that means.
You're taking focus from everyone else.
Okay, I'm just doing what I'm being told to do.
Be less good, is that what you mean? Is that my motivation? [CLEARS THROAT.]
No.
Forget it, it's pointless.
- Gwen, do not - No, it's amateur hour.
Everyone take five! That's nice.
That's our best actress who just ran off in tears.
Gwen Gwen.
- Mr.
Mazzu.
- What? - Sorry I'm late.
- No, it's okay, what is it? I was just wondering.
I've been changing in the utility room.
And this is the theater, you know the troupe and all.
I feel weird having a separate space.
So, where do you think you should change? I guess the boy's dressing room.
Okay, good.
Let me just talk to the guys.
Oh, no.
That's okay.
I don't want it to, like, become a thing.
- Right, I get that.
- Yeah.
You'll come and talk to me if you need any help.
- Will you do that? - Yeah.
Thank you.
[INDISTINCT CHATTER.]
Hey.
Can we chat for a minute? I need to finish lunch because I have three classes straight and then I go right to practice.
Yeah, and I need to talk to you.
What is this? About yesterday? I wasn't drinking.
Mom's going off the deep end.
Gordy, I know there's this whole other side to who you are.
What is that supposed to mean? You're such a creative guy.
You've got your photography, your guitar playing, I just I wish you wouldn't shut off that side of yourself.
- Especially now.
- What do you mean by that? You're struggling with drinking.
I told you I stopped doing that.
Were you drinking yesterday at school? No.
What about when you took the car? Were you driving to buy alcohol? With what money? You took my wallet, remember? Look, we need to be honest with each other.
Everything else we can get through, we can figure it out, but you gotta be honest with me.
Okay, I'll be honest.
I'm not an artist.
I'm not a photographer.
And I'm not a musician.
I don't want to sing show tunes in the car.
Show tunes make me puke.
And I know this makes me a huge disappointment to you.
That doesn't make you a disappointment.
Then why are you constantly trying to make me pick up a guitar or a camera? I'm not like Kaitlin or Sadie, or the new kid that you brought in to replace me.
- Gordy - And I took that photography class because it was easy, and that isn't my arrangement of "Blackbird," it's Paul McCartney's.
I play it the same as Paul McCartney and 20 million people on YouTube.
I'm not like you.
I'm not like anyone in this family.
I don't need you to be an artist.
Now who's not being honest? [SOLEMN POP MUSIC.]
Look, look, look.
Just tell me the truth.
When Mom picked you up yesterday, were you drinking? Yes or no? No! Come on I can show you [DOOR OPENS, CLOSES.]
And when the dust settles When it all comes out You okay, Lou? This has nothing to do with the show.
This has to do with my son.
I need your help.
It's the only way to know We have an arrangement with a residential substance intervention program just outside of Clarion.
Residential? What, so you're taking me out of school? It's three to six weeks at the program's discretion.
- Are you kidding me? - Gordy.
What? I made one mistake.
I don't get a warning or a chance? It wasn't just one mistake.
It won't happen again.
Everyone at school drinks.
I don't think that's a great point.
Yeah, but it's true, so why am I being singled out? Because you have a drinking problem.
You have a dependency.
- Gail.
- What? Just Gordy, could we have a minute, please? Look, is Clarion the only option here? - Lou.
- I just think - to send him away - Is exactly what he needs.
I've had other kids sent to Clarion.
I've never seen it work.
Ever.
It's just the beginning.
It's a wake-up call.
It's a good kick in the butt.
So what? We just kick the problem down the road? Shouldn't the school stay involved, do something? - Isn't that our job? - I want the kid.
Lou's right.
Clarion, they're not gonna do nothing for him.
He's on my team, that's what the team is for.
- I want him.
- Sam, we have protocol.
I like that kid.
He's been on the team two years, haven't played a down of football.
But he always shows up, he's always ready to work hard, ready to pitch in.
He's a good boy.
- He's got a great attitude.
- He does? Give me a chance with him.
[SIGHS.]
[BELL RINGS.]
- Hey.
- Uh, hey.
I can't believe he's giving another pop quiz next week.
I know.
Rehearsal yesterday was terrifying.
I thought Mazzu was gonna make us kiss right there.
- Ah.
- I mean, I admire you as an actor.
I feel lucky we got cast together.
Yeah.
Yeah, me too.
You want to study together? Study? Yeah, I just mean Mr.
Kranepool's pop quizzes are legendary, so - Oh, uh - Only if you want.
I mean, I'm kind of busy lately.
Maybe Saturday? Sure, I guess, yeah.
- Around 8:00? - Uh-huh.
Cool.
I just don't want Jeremy to get the wrong idea.
Studying on a Saturday night? What if he tells people that we hung out on Saturday night? Simon, no one cares.
One second.
Hey, can I talk to you? Just for a sec? Yeah.
You were right about my mom and your dad.
I saw it.
It's true.
And I know it sucks for you more than it sucks for me, but it still sucks.
Anyway, I just wanted you to know that I'm not my mom.
I just wanted you to know that.
Yeah, okay.
["YOU SAW SOMETHING (IN ME)" BY RUDDEN+BRIDGE.]
Okay, I've got two apple pies.
And ta-da, for the lucky lady, our famous walnut sundae.
Thank you.
I'm gonna take my break now.
Yes, you are.
- Let me just get my script.
- Cool.
It was the most peculiar feeling I have ever had And for a while it really seemed [GERMAN ACCENT.]
Wendla Bergmann.
That is not right.
[GERMAN GIBBERISH.]
Just read it.
Wendla Bergmann.
Like a tree nymph falling from the branches.
What are you doing alone up here? That was actually really good, yeah.
You saw something in me Something I have never seen It had the feeling of a dream It was the only real miracle I've ever seen You saw something in me Something I have never seen You saw something in me No one else has ever seen BOTH: Just too unreal, all of this Watching his world slip through my fist Playing with her in your fantasies You want to go on a date Saturday? Oh, my God, yeah.
That sounds amazing.
Yeah.
Yeah, me too.
BOTH: Oh, I'm gonna be wounded Oh, I'm gonna be your wound Oh, I'm gonna bruise you Oh You're gonna be my bruise [CLEARS THROAT.]
750 clams.
Turns out the school didn't need to plant all those trees after all.
It's not enough to produce our show, but it is a start.
And I'm pretty sure bringing in actual money makes me an asset, not a liability.
We may have different styles, but don't take me for granted.
You're gonna need me, Mr.
Mazzu.
Good night.
[INDISTINCT CHATTER.]
Um everyone.
I'm gonna be changing in here with you from now on, if that's okay.
Yeah, that's cool.
[STIRRING MUSIC.]
Okay.
Why didn't you cast me as Wendla? You just cast Lilette to be different.
I've been training for this my entire life.
I started dancing when I was five.
And I started singing when I was eight.
It just doesn't seem fair.
I saw something in Lilette.
That's all.
And you're right.
It's not fair.
So you can spend the next three months hating me, or we can get down to the business of finding Ilse.
Playing Ilse, it's about pain, and betrayal, and longing.
You need to find that pain within yourself, that place in you that you're most afraid to go.
That's where you'll find Ilse.
You're not a normal director, you know that? I don't even understand what you're saying half the time.
Well, you're right.
I am new at this.
I may not know stage left from stage right.
I may never know.
It's really confusing.
But I think I could help you dig deeper.
And as good as you are, I think you could be better.
I think you can be extraordinary.
Okay.
Okay.
And all shall fade The flowers of spring The world and all its sorrows At the heart of everything But still it stays The butterfly sings And opens purple summer With the flutter of its wings The Earth will wave with corn The gray-fly choir will mourn And mares will neigh With stallions that they mate Foals they've borne And all shall know The wonder Of purple summer [SOLEMN PIANO MUSIC.]
And yet I wait The swallow brings A song too hard to follow That no one else can sing The fences sway The porches swing The clouds begin to thunder Crickets wander, murmuring The Earth will wave With corn The gray-fly choir Will mourn And mares will neigh - With stallions that they mate - Everything all right? Your mother and I spoke to St.
Francis Prep.
They have an opening for you.
- What? - It's far superior to Stanton.
It's an amazing opportunity.
We enrolled you.
I don't understand.
Mom Honey, it really is a great school.
The song of purple summer And all shall know the wonder I shall sing The song of purple summer [CRYING.]
All shall know the wonder Of purple summer [SNIFFLING.]
Yeah.
Like that.