"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 1.
CHARACTERS 1. Miss ALICIA LUKER -HEADMISTRESS/ AHAB. 2. NEW GIRL plays ISHMAEL. 3. HEAD GIRL plays STARBUCK. 4. SPORT CHAMPION plays QUEEQUEG. 5. FRED plays ELIJAH & CAPTAIN GARDINER. 6. SHIRLEY HOLMES plays a French Creole, FLASK. 7. WILD SCOTTISH GIRL plays STUBB. 8. POGO WATSON plays a Nubian chieftain, DAGOO. 9. BOYFRIEND plays PIP. 10. LOLITA plays ESTA , Ahab's wife. 11. SNOBBY GIRL plays TASHTEGO, a Navaho Indian. 12. HEAD OF SCIENCE DEPARTMENT plays MARY & PLACARD GIRL. LOWER FOURTH JUNIORS PREFECTS BOYFRIENDS
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 2.
ACT ONE- MOBY DICK. 2008
SCENE 1-SCRIM
SCRIM depicts a mountain side Chalet English finishing School in Europe, overlooking a beautiful alpine lake. The great stone gate, describes as; "St. Godley's Academy for Girls," and barbed wire bordered, hand made signs read; "DANGER! KEEP OUT!" NO CALLERS-EXCEPT THE OTHERS!" "PARENTS BY APPOINTMENT ONLY." LIGHTS down, bleed through scrim to;
SCENE 2- SCHOOL STUDY.
The boater wearing, cigar smoking , gin swigging dissolute savages of the LOWER FOURTH (usually 14 yrs,) occupy themselves, in different cliques, alongside the ridiculously sexy, thigh showing PREFECTS. The HEAD GIRL, a real fizzer and champion swimmer, enters through French windows still dripping, followed by JUNIORS (15 yrs,) SWIM CLASS (in goggles, flippers and outsized gym knickers,) while her heart stirring SPORTS CHAMPION colleague, teaches Health and Beauty exercises, (with hoops, medicines balls and stick ribbons,) filmed by a WILD SCOTTISH GIRL and equally hairy members of the FILM CLUB. The SCIENCE DEPT. nurture a gin distillery in the great fireplace, as SPIVVY FRED (a former boot boy) labels the bottles beneath a makeshift sun tanning machine, surrounded by a long row of dirty boots to be polished. Above him, a crude sign declares" SCHOOL CRÈCHE- THIS WAY!" pinned to a bookshelf. In the bay window ,a dare devil, tom boy NEW GIRL lies on the floor with a paper knife in her heart while the DRAMA CLUB ("Shirley Holmes and "Pogo" Watson",) examine her.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 3.
The drama is played out before a cobwebbed blackboard with the repeated lines;" I MUST DO GOODER," chalked over it. An objectionable GIRL "snogs" another girl,(who is actually one of several androgynous looking "boyfriends" disguised as a shapeless LOWER FOURTH,) while members of the MUSIC CLUB ,toe tap, to a spirited rendition of the finale of the NEW GIRL'S new musical, played on a bouncing upright, whose final chords are greeted with a smattering of applause while the curious MUSIC CLUB MEMBERS analyze the piano score and "brown paper covered" librettos with interest. At this point, an eccentric Headmistress, MISS LUKER, slips into the room, via a secret panel in the oak wall, with a sign reading "DO NOT DISTURB," (plus graffiti; "already disturbed,") added. She samples the gin.
HEADMISTRESS Not too much water, girls, and please be careful with the nitroglycerine, won't you? There's nothing gives a girl more aplomb and savoir-faire than when she's eager to show her pulchritude! Fred, we need to call a crisis meeting!
FRED stands to reveal "I AM SPARTACUS" across the front of his shorts.
FRED Do you mean to tell me you've gambled away the school fees again?
HEADMISTRESS Well, I didn't mean to, Fred, oh, if only I had the courage to surrender myself to the authorities.
FRED But how are we going to beat our creditors economically?
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 4.
HEADMISTRESS Well, as economically as we can, considering the cost of living.
FRED You do realize how calamitous this really is?
She corrects his grammar.
HEADMISTRESS How calamitous these really are!
HEAD GIRL But how shall we all survive?
HEADMISTRESS By fishing, foraging and most importantly, filling up on vast amounts of fresh air.
HEAD GIRL But freezing and starving us to death won't impress the Ministry of Education, Miss Luker. The staff has resigned and they're threatening to shut us down.
HEADMISTRESS Well, now you've got me into one of my moods, and its too late to place a bet with Tina. Ladies, take your feet off the radiators and stop what you are doing instantly.
The SCHOOL gather before their HEADMISTRESS.
HEADMISTRESS (cont’d) It is my melancholy task to announce the closure of this famous, nay, unorthodox school. Through circumstances which got out of control, it is no more! However, when I turn the lights out, if whosoever stole our championship trophy returns it, then we might be able to affect a reprieve!
HEADMISTRESS switches the lights off. Blackout. Pause. Turns them on again to reveal ALL the trophies missing!
HEADMISTRESS (cont’d) Well, in that case, Ladies, courtesy forbids me to tell you where you can all go, but I suspect it will involve a merciless world and home!
Boos.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 5.
BOYFRIEND But I thought this was home!?
Hand flies up.
HEAD GIRL Quiet, dummies! Have you anything to suggest?
A hand shoots up.
LOLITA Why don't we lower our standards?
HEADMISTRESS Why don't you remove the farmyard from your mind?
The DISTILLERS step forward.
HEAD GIRL Science department?
HEAD OF SCIENCE DEPT. Well, Miss, we've developed a contraceptive toothpaste?
HEADMISTRESS Well, that's frightfully advanced of you, girls, but on this occasion, I must brush it aside.
FILM CLUB surrounds HEAD GIRL.
HEAD GIRL Film club?
FILM CLUB We could premiere our new TV series.
HEADMISTRESS Entitled?
FILM CLUB "The little mosque on the Prairie!"
HEADMISTRESS Well, I don't know anything about that!
HEAD GIRL selects raised hand of the NEW (pregnant,)GIRL.
HEAD GIRL The scholarship girl, Headmistress?
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 6.
NEW GIRL The music department would like to suggest a benefit?
HEADMISTRESS Oh, well if you're keen. You've already made an exhibition of yourself. A benefit sounds very much on the spot? We are always very pleased to welcome all our newcomers from the mist- I mean, in our midst
SNOBBY GIRL This girl is a real addition to our number, Headmistress; in fact, she's just completed a brand new musical!
HEADMISTRESS Has she, well, we pride ourselves on offering our girls the advantages of a modern education. What is your chosen topic?
NEW GIRL "Moby Dick."
Consternation all round.
SHIRLEY HOLMES What a ghastly idea, Miss!
HEADMISTRESS Please don't elevate your nose at me! If I want your opinion I'll tell you what it is.
SPORTS CHAMPION Sounds more like a sports injury!
HEADMISTRESS Well, you're wrong, smart Alice. It's the name of a famous nautical saga by the American author Herman Melville, which, unhelpfully, is all about men, am I right?
NEW GIRL Actually, "Dick", Head, is about the whale's revenge on men!
Wild cheers.
HEADMISTRESS Well, that does touch some chord in my memory, but isn't it indescribably long?
NEW GIRL Yes, so I took the liberty to cut it!
(MORE)
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 7.
POGO WATSON What a nerve!
HEADMISTRESS Well, is there, I mean are there any role for Miss Luker?
SNOBBY GIRL Yes, filthy, you can play the ham roll.
FRED Yes and its now chopped ham!
HEADMISTRESS Because before I did time- I mean, joined the board of education- I used to be on the stage as a quick change artiste.
HEAD OF SCIENCE DEPARTMENT Why?
HEADMISTRESS Why, to make some quick change, of course, you silly girl.
SNOBBY GIRL Miss, weren't you ever tempted to take it up?
HEADMISTRESS What, acting, and give up three meals a day? No, no.
The theatrical NEW GIRL grabs the HEADMISTRESSES wrist in a warning grasp.
NEW GIRL But you won't be stumped if you portray the mad, bad, Captain Ahab who loses his right limb to a rogue white whale just as his crew mutiny? It would be you against us?
HEADMISTRESS Well, I wouldn't have a leg to stand on. But, I don't mind if you don't!
FRED Hang on, how are we going to depict a whale?
HEADMISTRESS Well, you're the caretaker, Fred, take care of it! For a start you can reopen the pool. In the meantime, seniors, I advise you to make the smaller people move about a
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 8.
Lot, copy theHEADMISTRESS(cont'd) script and let's get this "Dick down as fast as we can!
PREFECTS walk round in two's, hands held behind their backs.
HEADMISTRESS (cont’d) Prefects; telephone your parents, telegram your sugar daddies, tip off the pepperoni and announce to the entire world that it is cordially invited to a "benefit of Dick!"
GIN DISTILLERY blows up! TIME passes. An artistic LITTLE GIRL ,who is rarely more than half awake to all that goes on about her, crosses the stage with a placard announcing ,( in that old fashioned phrase for rehearsals,)"GETTING IT DOWN."
1. Moby Dick
ALL MOBY DICK THE MUSICAL
NEW GIRL MOBY DICK
ALL A WHALE OF A TALE! MOBY DICK!
NEW GIRL EVERYTHING THAT'S NAUTICAL
ALL MOBY DICK!- SO WHEN DO WE SAIL?
HEAD GIRL holds out antique DIVERS HELMET.
HEAD GIRL DIVE IN AND SEE WHO YOU SURFACE AS.
NEW GIRL I PLAY THE PALE ISHMAEL- OUR CLASSIC TALE'S NARRATOR
SPORTS GIRL I'M QUEEQUEG, TATTOOED MALE - A SOUTH SEA PEOPLE EATER.
WILD SCOTTISH GIRL I'M STUBB WHO RUNS THE SHIP
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 9.
BOYFRIEND A CABIN BOY CALLED 'PIP!'
HEAD GIRL I PLAY A QUAKER TRUE
LOLITA THE BEAUTIFUL 'ESTA'
Rest gather round the helmet picking many and varied roles.
ALL AND WE ARE THE REST-A--THE CREW! (THANK YOU HERMAN MELVILLE)
ALL (cont’d) MOBY DICK! MOBY DICK THE MUSICAL MOBY DICK! A TALE OF A WHALE! WHALE OF A TALE! MOBY DICK! EVERYTHING THAT'S NAUTICAL. MOBY DICK, WE'RE HAVING A WHALE A WHALE OF A TALE, WHALE OF A TALE TALE OF A WHALE!
THE PLAN IS CRYSTAL CLEAR
Mime "money."
ALL (cont’d) WE'RE AFTER ALL YOUR MULLAH! WE'LL DO THE SHOW RIGHT HERE; AND SCOTCH THAT CLOSURE RUMOUR.
SCIENCE DEPT. take publicity shots of HEAD GIRL in Esther Williams LIFE magazine poses. Different departments criss cross with COMPLETED SET, stolen nautical ANTIQUES (with price label still on,) a lethal punch is made called "dry dock", the GIRLFRIEND rehearse "selling kisses" as the BOYFRIEND loads a big flash camera, as the LOWER FOURTH parade cakes, jams, ices, and a work in progress COSTUME RACK.
ALL (CONT'D) (cont’d) WE'LL SELL OUR CAKES AND JAMS (KISSES IN OUR FISH NETS) MIX WELL OUR FRUIT AND DRAMS (LOOK UP MASSACHUSETTS)
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 10.
THE ODDS ARE REALLY STACKED BUT WE HAVE A STRONG WILL RELAX MISTER MELVILLE IT’LL BE PACKED WITH REAL CLASS ACT!
PREFECTS search for the novel.
PREFECTS DON'T KNOW A LICK BOUT MOBY DICK
LOWER FOURTH/JUNIORS NO MORE OF CHEMISTRY OR CALCULUS TO BORE US THEY SPEED READ IT.
PREFECTS LET'S TAKE A LOOK INTO THE BOOK
LOWER FOURTH AND JUNIORS NO MORE ZOOLOGY- WE HAVE A TEST BEFORE US.
ALL WE'LL SOON PARADE OUR AQUACADE IT'S COOL AROUND THE POOL WHICH ECHOES EVERY CHORUS; MOBY DICK. ALL HANDS ON DICK! HERMAN- RAISE THE CURTAIN!
The musical begins, played with great passion and sincerity, amusing only in its attention to detail, and the incongruity of the cast playing a roll call of well observed, weird and wonderful male characters. NO send up, no amateur dramatics, these are anarchic, not inept girls. Their comic invention matches the score which should always be played slower than you think to hear the words. If it gets into runaway train mode you are getting it all wrong. The NEW GIRL plays ISHMAEL; a young, bespectacled, teacher bored of city life.
ISHMAEL Call me Fishmeal!
Correction comes in chorus from back stage and Prompt.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 11.
PROMPT AND CO Psss...Ishmael!
Underscore - I Live And Breathe. ISHMAEL -wide eyed.
2. I Live and Breathe
ISHMAEL (CONT’D) I mean Ishmael. WHEN I PUT THE STUD IN STUDY SWELTERING IN A GRIZZLY CITY I CAN DAY DREAM INTO MEMORY OF MY BEST DAYS AT SEA.
ISHMAEL opens the bay window overlooking a grand lake, and sings romantically.
ISHMAEL (cont’d) I RECALL THE SIGNS AND WONDERS OF THE SEA CHARTS WET AND PALE AND THE GHOSTLY MISTS OF MORNING FROM PERCHES TOUCHING SAIL
ISHMAEL I REMEMBER FEELING HAPPY IN THE GREAT DOWNPOUR OF RAIN AND I WANT MY FEET TO WRINKLE LIKE A RAISIN ONCE AGAIN I LIVE AND BREATH FORBIDDEN SEAS WHERE THE FLOODGATES OF A WONDER WORLD SWING OPEN WIDE AND A THOUSAND NEWBORN FEELINGS ROLL UP WITH THE TIDE OH, THERE'S MAGIC IN THE WATERS AND THE MAGIC DRAWS US ALL FROM THE LAND, DOWN STREAM AND RIVER TO THE NEAREST
ALL HARBOUR WALL
ISHMAEL I REMEMBER CUDDLING PYGMIES AND THE LEAPS FROM SPAR TO SPAR AND THE PITCH-LIKE LIQUOR POTIONS WE DRANK WHEN UNDER PAR I REMEMBER MAKING BLOOD PACTS WITH THE HEATHENS FROM AFAR WITH THE DEVIL EVER GRINNING HOLDING EVERY DOOR AJAR! I LIVE AND BREATHE FORBIDDEN SEAS WHERE THE FLOODGATES OF A WONDER WORLD SWING OPEN WIDE AND A THOUSAND NEWBORN FEELINGS
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 12.
ROLL UP WITH THE TIDE OH, THERE'S MAGIC IN THE WATERS AND THE MAGIC DRAWS US ALL FROM THE LAND, DOWN STREAM AND RIVER TO THE NEAREST
ALL HARBOUR WALL
ISHMAEL WITH A BAG CUT OUT OF CARPET AND A SPRING INSIDE MY FATE I JOURNEY LIKE A POET
ALL IN AND OUT OF HEAVEN'S GATE! WE LIVE AND BREATHE FOR FORBIDDEN SEAS OH THERE'S MAGIC IN THE WATER AND THE MAGIC DRAWS US DOWN FROM THE LAND UPSTREAM AND RIVER MY DREAM CAN WELL DELIVER DOWN TO NANTUCKET, NANTUCKET TOWN, NANTUCKET TOWN!
ISHMAEL spins the large atlas.
SCENE 3 - NANTUCKET
LITTLE GIRLS turn a wind machine; shake a thunder sheet, cross with a smoke gun.
3. In Old Nantucket
ISHMAEL THOUGH FATE IS BLIND IT HAD A MIND TO FIND A FISHING MARKET AND, COLD AND WET, MY EYES WOULD SET ON CHALLENGES NOT MET YET.
Lights up on Nantucket harbour quay, dressed with lobster pots, where some members of an industrious LOWER FOURTH knit tennis court netting- in a fishing village setting redolent of Cornwall and laced in sea mist. For AHAB's arrival, look at the old G and S's Act One set of "Gondoliers". The SPORTS CHAMPION plays QUEEQUEG, (think Pink or young a K.D.Lang,) an exotic, tattooed, Polynesian cannibal who hawks shrunken heads. Once more- don't rush!
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 13.
QUEEQUEG WANDERING 'ROUND NANTUCKET TOWN TRYING HARD TO SELL MY SHRUNKEN HEAD: IT'S DEAD! THE BIG ISSUE IS THE RENT IS DUE AND IT'S TIME FOR MY BED!
The HEAD GIRL plays STARBUCK, an honest, God fearing Quaker.
STARBUCK WAITING FOR OUR BOYS TO SAIL IN THE QUAKER OWNERS OF THE WHALING FLEET, ALL MEET TO BLESS THE VESSELS AND INSPECT THEIR CARGO TREAT
The WILD SCOTTISH GIRL plays the bearded, pipe smoking, unsuspecting sea dog, STUBB.
ALL HARBOUR ADVENTURE BRINGING MEN TOGETHER QUAKERS FREE FROM SIN WHALING FOR THE NATION.
STUBB IN OLD NANTUCKET, NANTUCKET TOWN TENSION MOUNTS AS NEWS FLIES ROUND A DISTANT SAIL HAS BEEN SIGHTED ON FAR HORIZON HOMEWARD BOUND! STARBUCK; BOLD AND CLEAR STUBB; ALMOST HERE ALL; --SONS AND LOVERS FOUND! KEEP FAITH, DON'T SIN AND YOUR SHIP WILL COME IN. A MODEL WHALING SHIP ARRIVES OUT IN THE UPSTAGE "BAY" ON THE BACK CLOTH. ALL SAIL HO! THROUGH SNOW THAR SHE BLOW WHISPERED IN AWE; (PRONOUNCED "PEEK WOW"). ALL "THE PEQUOD"! THE COMPANY FREEZE. AHAB HAS LEFT THE PEQUOD IN THE BAY AND HAS BEEN ROWED BY A SEPARATE ROW BOAT TO THE QUAY. WE EDIT THE REALITY, OF COURSE, BUT, INSTEAD SUGGEST IT AS NOW RAISED BOAT OARS ARE ROLLED ON, HIDDEN BY THE RAISED (AND HIDDEN STEPPED,) QUAY. A UNIFORMED OARS MAN ASCENDS STEPS ONTO THE QUAY AND STANDS GUARDSMAN TO AHAB'S ARRIVAL.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 14.
A GONG SIGNALS THE APPEARANCE OF DASHING CAPTAIN AHAB WHO BOILS UP BEHIND HIM WRAPPED IN AN ALL ENVELOPING AND DRAMATIC BOAT CLOAK, UNSUCCESSFULLY BATTERED BY A WIND MACHINE OPERATED BY LAB COAT SCIENCE DEPT. WHO WILL DEAL WITH ALL EFFECTS. AHAB ACKNOWLEDGES APPLAUSE. THE IVORY 'PEG LEG'(A SPORTS LEG PAD,) IS, (FOR NOW,) HIDDEN BENEATH THE CLOAK TILL THE REVEAL HAPPENS BEFORE ESTA. ALL (CONT'D) AHAB! THE CROWD CHEERS AND WAVE LITTLE BLACK WHALE SHAPED FLAGS, AS THE HEADMISTRESS PORTRAYS AHAB (A SEA CAPTAIN DESCENDED FROM AN AMERICAN INDIAN,) WITH DASHING SWAGGER. MEANWHILE, AS THE TOWNSFOLK SURROUND AHAB, BOOT BOY FRED ARRIVES TO PORTRAY A DEMENTED, ONE ARMED, WHITE HAIRED, PESSIMIST, ELIJAH, (THINK BEN GUNN,) WHO STANDS TO ONE SIDE, SCOWLING, SCARED BY THEIR VOYAGE. AHAB MY HEART IS BURSTING WITH PLEASANTRIES ANXIOUS FOR A NORMAL LIFE AWAY FROM SHIPPING INSANITIES I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE MY WIFE. KNIGHTS AND SQUIRES AHAB POINTS WITH DERISION AT CRAZY ELIJAH AHAB (CONT'D) DRUNKS AND LIARS! ELIJAH HALF THREATENS TO RAISE HIS KNIFE AT AHAB. ELIJAH I COULD SINK THIS KNIFE! BUT ELIJAH SKITTERS OFF TO HIDE, AS OTHER, MORE STABLE SEMEN, (CARRYING KIT BAGS,) ARRIVE TO HUG WIVES. AMONG THEM, THE SNOBBY GIRL PLAYS TASHTEGO, A SPECTACULAR LOOKING NAVAHO INDIAN. STUBB, STARBUCK, TASHTEGO AHAB; SHIPPING OAK. REFERRING TO FLEEING ELIJAH. STUBB, STARBUCK, TASHTEGO THAT OLD CRAB'S; THE TOWN JOKE.
BOYFRIEND enters playing PIP, a highly nervous, vulnerable, charmingly jittery, cabin boy, (black, in the original,) whose fundamental "jumpiness" takes him into a nervous breakdown.
PIP I'M PIP, THE LUCKIEST CABIN BOY EVER SAILED THE SEVENTH SEA MY CAPTAIN'S PRIDE AND JOY, I'M HIS BOY LIKE A SON TO HIM I'LL BE FAITHFUL, FAST, TO THE LAST FATHER FIGURE, HE NO MORE TO ROAM, WE'RE GOING HOME!
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 15.
The LOWER FOURTH create AHAB'S pony and trap with great ingenuity, using all manner of invention, after raiding the school stables.
ALL IT'S TIME TO CELEBRATE, CELEBRATE CAPTAIN AHAB'S SAFE RETURN HIS CARGO TOOK THE BAIT, TOOK THE BAIT BRINGING PROFIT TO THE TOWN
SHIRLEY HOLMES plays an untrustworthy French Creole and trouble maker, FLASK.
FLASK
AND IT FEEDS
ALL IT'S ONLY RIGHT
POGO WATSON, a dark beauty herself, plays a Nubian chieftain, DAGOO.
DAGOO ALL OUR NEEDS
ALL ITS PARTY NIGHT
PIP TIME TO TAKE HIM HOME
AHAB & ALL HOME SWEET HOME
PIP WE'RE GOING HOME!
AHAB Giddy-up there! Home! Home!
AHAB and PIP ride home, as the Pony-Show-rosette-wearing SCIENCE DEPT. jangle chains, clop tea mugs, and crack whip. LIGHTS FADE OUT. A squat, but vocally talented LITTLE GIRL, imitates a dog barking far off, as, with ski gloves on, she turns a SPOT UP onto ISHMAEL reading a map.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 16.
ISHMAEL WITHIN THESE BLIND ALLEYS WHERE ECHOES MOCK US STRANGERS DIRECTING STRANGERS ALONG BLOCKS OF BLACKNESS. IN SEARCH OF BOARD AND LODGING WITH EPIC LACK OF CROWN WHERE ARE THE GREEN FIELDS GONE NOW- IN THIS PART OF DOWN TOWN?
A sign descends which announces; 'Spouter Inn.' ISHMAEL bags the map, blows his fingers and bats himself to keep warm. The HEAD GIRL of the SCIENCE DEPT. (who has a facility to eat pears through a tennis racket,) plays landlord COFFIN, a friendly old coot, who meets ISHMAEL while replacing a barrel. This is a slow cakewalk not a fast rag.
ISHMAEL (cont’d) Oh, excuse me but- DO YOU HAVE A ROOM?
COFFIN No. SORRY HARPOONER HAD YOU COME SOONER? HOUSE FULL-BEDS GONE
Has idea. COFFIN (cont’d) 'LESS YOU SHARE ONE?
ISHMAEL LESS I SHARE ONE?
COFFIN SURE COLD AS ICELAND TAKE MY ADVICE AND STOP AND DROP ANCHOR HERE
ISHMAEL I DON'T THINK SO, BUT THEN ON QUICK REFLECTION I'VE NO OBJECTION. POOR YOUNG SAILORS CAN'T BE CHOOSERS
ISHMAEL follows COFFIN into the inn, eventually disappearing from view.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 17.
ISHMAEL (cont’d) THANK YOU I'M GRATEFUL THOUGH TWO'S A BED FULL AT LEAST IT'S AFFORDABLE!
LIGHTS UP on a SHADOW CURTAIN, with the top half evoking a winding road to a mansion on a hill. The bottom half is blacked out and is schoolgirl high to allow for puppeteers. A cardboard cut-out pony and trap gallops along the road, towards AHAB'S grand mansion. A flock of geese traveling in the opposite way, slowing up progress as they eventually pass. The Mansion is animated with cut-out figures, waltzing. Not an opportunity to be deliberately amateur. The ART DEPARTMENT will shine here. See D.V.D. "Enfant Du Paradis" for inspiration.)
ALL BEYOND NANTUCKET, NANTUCKET TOWN AHAB RACES TO HIS HOUSE HIS HORSE AND PONY TRAP THUNDERCLAP; UPTOWN TO HIS LOVING SPOUSE. ONE MILE MORE, TO HIS DOOR; CAESAR ENTERS ROME! AHAB'S GOING HOME! HE'S GOING HOME!
SCENE 4 - AHAB'S HOME
The shadow curtain is removed and that same vocally talented LITTLE GIRL creates sound of cicadas, (not vocally,) but with a nail and comb. LIGHTS UP on LOLITA who plays AHAB'S pretty, but highly strung, "Gone with the wind-like, wife, ESTA. She stands in a plantation mansion, (dripping with Spanish moss,) admiring a giant Gainsboroughesque portrait of AHAB (with both legs!) then opens a mini, designer, telescope to look beyond the audience.
4. A Man Happens
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 18.
ESTA BEYOND THE STARLIGHT, MY MAN'S COMING HOME TO HIS LITTLE HONEYCOMB AND MY TENDER TOUCH
Puts telescope down on antique table, picks up dainty fan to cool her.
ESTA (CONT'D) (cont’d) I WANT IT SO RIGHT, THE PERFECT WELCOME HOME THREE YEARS OF KEEPING CALM… I LOVE HIM SO MUCH
LITTLE GIRL shakes thunder sheet to create distant roll of summer thunder. In the murk of "backstage" everyone, without distracting, fans themselves to create, (subliminally) a feeling of sultry, storminess. Unlike today, a woman having a crush on a man was an earth shattering experience, and the LOWER FOURTH, especially, are, living vicariously through the passion affecting ESTA'S anticipations.
ESTA (CONT'D) (cont’d) 'COS A MAN HAPPENS TO A WOMAN AND SUDDENLY, SHE SEEMS TO BE A LITTLE CLOSER, TO LOVE. HOW WELL HE KNEW ME, BUT HOW MUCH HAVE WE CHANGED? AND ARE WE REARRANGED BY THE HAND OF TIME? MY LIFE'S A WHISPER, I HANG ON HIS EVERY WORD AND IN HIS SILENCE I HAVE HEARD ALL THAT HE'S THINKING-COS A MAN
Three excited-for-her- GIRLFRIENDS, (SENIORS with wrist fans,) run in to hand her a red wax sealed square of letter. She sits staring at it before finally opening it.
GIRL FRIENDS COS A MAN HAPPENS TO A WOMAN
ESTA AHAB! SUDDENLY, SHE SEEMS TO BE A LITTLE CLOSER, TO LOVE
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 19.
GIRL FRIENDS YOU KEPT ME WAITING, WAITING FOR LOVE! (RPTD.)
AHAB speaks, over music, off.
AHAB(V.O) "My Dearest wife Esta, I realize I've been away for three years and you've probably forgotten what I look like but it won't be long now. My ship …"
AHAB'S voice fades out as ESTA'S become more dominant.
ESTA …"'The Pequod' is due into Nantucket Harbour anytime this month and there is much to tell you. Your affectionate husband, venturer, and navigator- Ahab."
ESTA sighs, (GIRL FRIENDS squeal,) and clutches AHAB'S letter, to her breast.
ESTA (CONT'D) (cont’d) Oh, girls, that man hit me like a big green school bus. We're going to have so many children we'll have to feed them on onions so we can find them in the dark! Why? COS A MAN
GIRL FRIENDS COS A MAN
ESTA & GIRL FRIENDS HAPPENS, TO A WOMAN AND SUDDENLY, SHE SEEMS TO BE
ESTA A LITTLE CLOSER
GIRL FRIENDS A LITTLE CLOSER
ESTA TO LOVE!
GIRL FRIENDS CLOSER TO LOVE!
GUESTS YOU KEPT ME WAITING, WAITING FOR LOVE!
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 20.
ESTA dances to an instrumental break.
ESTA YOU KEPT ME WAITING, WAITING FOR LOVE!
5. Ahab's Homecoming
To a great fanfare, an extremely serious LITTLE GIRL, (who hates to be in the wrong, but keeps tripping up,) enters dressed as a FLUNKY, (with a periwig,) carrying candelabra as she heralds the entrance of AHAB's sea chest. The chest is overflowing with silks and gold, maybe other Ryder Haggard-like mementoes (tiger skins, etc, to denote exotic travels,) which is brought across the stage by DAGOO and FLASK, followed by PIP, who is in awe of the house. ESTA follows the chest upstage and, as it disappears, (off,) then suddenly freezes in the presence of her Lord and Master. AHAB has entered, (surrounded by GUESTS from the harbour, (replete with food and drink for a party,) who now congeal, as one, between ESTA and AHAB upstage, to watch their coy stand off,( with PIP in the middle,)and DAGOO and FLASK returning to join a romantic interlude, laced with tension.
ESTA (CONT'D) (cont’d) AHAB
GUESTS AHAB!
AHAB ESTA… GUESTS
ESTA! AHAB YOU LOOK BEAUTIFUL
ESTA YOU LOOK SOMEWHAT OLDER
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 21.
AHAB IT'S BEEN THREE LONG YEARS
GUESTS THREE YEARS!
ESTA NOW YOU'VE COME HOME TO ME, EVERYTHING'S…
ESTA & GUESTS PERFECT!
ESTA runs, (crying,) into AHAB'S passionate embrace, which the GUESTS applaud lightly, but, a hush falls when AHAB holds ESTA at arms length to explain something serious.
AHAB BUT I BEAR TRAGEDY ESTA BE STRONG FOR ME. A REVELATION WITHOUT JOY AND SPOKEN BY YOUR BROKEN TOY.
Allow musical air around this recit, as ESTA'S face twists from happiness to tears.
AHAB (CONT'D) (cont’d) OUR DREAM OF BOY OR GIRL IS NOW A WORTHLESS PEARL
AHAB (CONT'D (cont’d) Esta, dearest wife, you were so looking forward to having children. But my leg, everything
Deadly serious, no send up.
ESTA Everything? BUT HOW?
AHAB A ROGUE WHITE WHALE THE ELDEST SAILORS CALL…
ESTA and the GUESTS now ask the name of the sinister "star of the show," and they act "as if faced by an unexpected gun."
ESTA & GUESTS SAILORS CALL…?
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 22.
AHAB, can barely form the words from terror.
AHAB SAILORS CALL!
AHAB clutches his brow with his left hand as his mind relives the memory. The GUESTS hold hands to their faces, equally terrified at the prospect of the answer.
GUESTS SAILORS CALL?
AHAB turns his back on ESTA as he utters the name menacingly.
AHAB MOBY DICK!
GUESTS whisper to one another through corners of mouths.
GUESTS MOBY DICK?
Now, repeated fearsomely.
AHAB & GUESTS
MOBY DICK!
AHAB spins round to fling his cloak over his shoulder and reluctantly reveal his ivory stump! GUESTS and ESTA sing a musical SCREAM which cues instant chaos! Lightening strikes, the portrait flies out and the GUESTS vanish in a whirlpool of horror as ESTA, in high distress, runs out into...
SCENE 5- AHAB'S GARDEN.
...a stone walled garden on a hillock facing a glittering sea- scape. AHAB stands before her, seething with betrayal and brandishing a horse whip. ESTA circles a cut-out TREE which plays host to cut-out doves, as she avoids AHAB'S whip.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 23.
AHAB THANK YOU FOR YOU GREAT UNDERSTANDING
A sado-masochistic LITTLE GIRL creates the whip cracks but all concentrate on the scene.
AHAB (CONT'D) (cont’d) YOU HAVE MADE A SICK MAN FEEL WORSE
Whip crack!
AHAB (CONT'D) (cont’d) YOU DESERVE A THOROUGH MANHANDLING
Whip crack!
AHAB (CONT'D) (cont’d) BUT, WORSE, RECEIVE MY CURSE!
To place a public curse on someone in those days was common practice. See G & S RUDDIGORE. As AHAB utters each separate line of the curse, he forces ESTA (backwards,)up the embankment bordered by a dry stone wall.
AHAB (CONT'D) (cont’d) FROM HELL'S GATE I SPIT MY HEART AT THEE! WITH THIS SPELL I BLOW LAST BREATH AT THEE! CURSE YOUR FATE AND CURSE YOUR DESTINY! WIFE FROM HELL, YOU STAND THERE GUILTILY! CURSED BE!
But, with no where further to go, the wall gives way. Musical pause, as ESTA attempts to regain her balance, but the ground slips from under her, and she disappears over the cliff top (to land on a mattress, of course.)
ESTA NO, DON'T LET ME GO!
A traumatized AHAB runs up to the wall but he is too late. A LITTLE GIRL cries out...
LITTLE GIRL Splash!
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 24.
...then tosses a bucket of glitter or blue confetti up from the "sea" below.
AHAB ESTA? WHAT HAVE I DONE? SHE'S FALLEN
MOBY theme, as in the glittering moonlit seascape, we see a distant white whale surface and vanish. All the above played as hide- behind-the-sofa-melodrama upstaged by the ever presence of the malevolent whale.
ALL (VOICES OFF) AHAB!
AHAB AND VOICES ARE CALLING ME. VOICES THAT TELL ME I'LL SEE HER AT SEA.
AHAB holds his head in pain as all the LOWER FOURTH whisper oppressive babble in a form of round.
LOWER FOURTH "It's a tragedy that a simple minded feud should result in this. He'll never recover and since she is lost for ever he must go from here immediately!"
From this moment on, the HEADMISTRESS represents AHAB as a broken man, singing over the above.
AHAB (CONT'D) THERE'S A MADNESS TAKING OVER ME!
LOWER FOURTH MADNESS!
PIP becomes AHAB'S "lost leg" a human crutch to guide him away.
PIP MASTER?
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 25.
SCENE 6 - AHAB'S TEEPEE
AHAB lies on a sanatorium bed, in his teepee cabin, as PIP takes his rum bottle from his clutch and prays. This will be the first of several tableaux depicting historical catastrophes. Our PLACARD GIRL crosses the stage carrying announcing; "The Death of Chatterton," a famous painting of a dying poet
6. Love Will Always
PIP FATHER I STRETCH MY HAND TO THEE FOR WHERE ELSE COULD I GO SHOW ME A WORLD AS IT SHOULD BE NOT ONE THAT HURTS US SO.
AHAB TWISTS AND TURNS IN HIS MENTAL TORMENT, AS PIP MOPS HIS BROW.
PIP (CONT'D) HEARTACHES ARE CRUEL LOVE MAKES A FOOL OF THOSE WHO TAKE THE BLOW.
PIP uses a long handled brush to straighten AHAB'S hair.
PIP (CONT'D) (cont’d) MASTER… TALKING THE WHOLE NIGHT THROUGH
AHAB ESTA…
PIP TALKING TO YOU!
ALL LOVE WILL ALWAYS TRY TO MAKE FOOLS OF US ALL
PIP FOOLS OF US ALL
ALL LOVE WILL ALWAYS TRY TO MAKE FOOLS OF US ALL
PIP FOOLS OF US ALL.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 26.
ESTA YOU SEEM TO FILL HIS DREAMS ALTHOUGH YOU BROKE HIS HEART YOUR GREAT EXPECTATIONS BROKE LOVE'S SEAMS AND ALL SOON FELL APART.
ALL AHAB
PIP YOU WERE HIS LIVING PROOF
ALL ESTA…
PIP OF HONESTY AND TRUTH!
PIP abandons AHAB, for the stars, which finds him singing to the hairbrush, (no send up,) like an earnest pop star.
PIP (CONT'D) (cont’d) LOVE WILL ALWAYS TRY TO MAKE FOOLS OF US ALL
ALL FOOLS OF US ALL
PIP LOVE WILL ALWAYS TRY TO MAKE FOOLS OF US ALL FOOLS OF US ALL
ALL DISPOSSESSED SOULS WITH DESPERATE GOALS EXIST ON EVERY STREET, WE KNOW LOVE WILL ALWAYS TRY TO MAKE FOOLS OF US ALL
PIP FOOLS OF US ALL
ALL LOVE WILL ALWAYS TRY TO MAKE FOOLS OF US ALL
PIP FOOLS OF US ALL PIP HAS RETURNED TO AHAB'S SIDE AND SLEEPS AT HIS FEET. FATHER I STRETCH MY HAND TO THEE.
SCENE 7 -ROOM AT THE SPOUTER INN
LIGHTS UP on ISHMAEL'S creepy attic bedroom. A BED is trucked with a sign which says; 'Only four at one time, towels inclusive'.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 27.
ISHMAEL Mr. Coffin, who am I sleeping with tonight? Maybe I'll look him over before I sail into "Blanket Bay"?
COFFIN Your bedfellow is called Queequeg.
ISHMAEL removes his outer garments.
ISHMAEL Queequeg? Doesn't sound like an ordinary whale man to me?
COFFIN He's not. Queequeg's a Polynesian voyager from the magical islands of Hawaii. He's out trying to sell his shrunken heads right now to pay his rent.
ISHMAEL drops trousers. They stay down as he says;
ISHMAEL Let me get this straight; you want me to sleep with a cannibal- who missed supper?
COFFIN Look, Ishmael, don't get in a stew; He may be a cannibal but better to sleep with a sober Heathen than a drunken Christian?
COFFIN exits half dusting things as he goes.
COFFIN (CONT'D) (CONT’D) (cont’d) Sweet dreams.
ISHMAEL Well, just as long as he doesn't take a fancy to my head. That's not the kind of adventure I'm looking for.
ISHMAEL blows out the candle on the chair and attempts to sleep. In the moonlit "blackout", the fun, weird and exotic, young QUEEQUEG (covered in arm tattoo) enters with "his" own candle, and places his skull adorned harpoon (shaped like Melville's ink nib pen,) against the wall.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 28.
Now, as pre sleep ritual, he pulls out a pagan-ahem, well endowed,(but natural,)wooden 'god', places it centre-stage to chant to it.
QUEEQUEG Oh we oh wama wama paheena uwe hama ma hiye, ma hiye!
The chanting causes ISHMAEL to sit up , like a gun target, terrified, after which, he dives beneath the covers, as QUEEQUEG puts away his 'god' and slips into bed beside ISHMAEL. QUEEQUEG senses he has a bed fellow and feels her pregnant state above the blanket before revealing ISHMAEL'S face.
ISHMAEL Good evening.
Both SCREAM and leap out of the bed like SCOOBY DOO KIDS.
BOTH Agggh!
QUEEQUEG reclaims his harpoon, leaps back on top of the bed, and threatens to pin the quaking ISHMAEL like a butterfly, against the wall, hidden behind whale motif blanket, protecting ISHMAEL'S modesty.
QUEEQUEG Who you? What you do in my bed?!
ISHMAEL Landlord! Save me!
QUEEQUEG Speak or I killee!
ISHMAEL Mr. Coffin! Help! He's going to paddle me into a poi bowl.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 29.
COFFIN runs in, now dressed in night-shirt and cap and wrestles the harpoon off QUEEQUEG, swiftly,( pretends,) to hit his foot with the end of it, so the adolescent QUEEQUEG yelps, jumps off the bed, (hopping,) as ISHMAEL hides behind COFFIN showing a picture of his bum, illustrated on his nightshirt.
COFFIN Bless me, Ishmael; what's all this yelling and ejaculating going on? Keep it down! You'll wake the whole town!
ISHMAEL Well, it's just the usual shock of meeting a cannibal which is far too exciting to be greeted in silence!
COFFIN Sorry, Queequeg, this young teacher was in need of a bed, so I said he could share yours. Goodness me, Ishmael, you'll have shipmates far stranger than this friendly fellow.
ISHMAEL Friendly, I feel as if I have "today's menu" stenciled on my forehead. If I am going to end up as yesterday's rice, I'd prefer it if he wasn't so friendly!
COFFIN But islanders make the best whalers, lad, and Queequeg's a human being just like you.
ISHMAEL Yes, but a human being with an appetite for other human beings which is different to a human being who just hungers for knowledge.
COFFIN Well, its sign up day tomorrow, boys, you better get some sleep or else you won't be going anywhere.
COFFIN goes. QUEEQUEG attempts to calm ISHMAEL down.
QUEEQUEG You want sleepee in my bed?
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 30.
ISHMAEL Yes please, just as long as you fall asleep before I do..
BOTH slip tentatively back beneath the blanket. QUEEQUEG proffers ISHMAEL a shrunken head holding it by the hair.
QUEEQUEG For-you?
ISHMAEL Gee, no thanks; I've eaten.
QUEEQUEG tosses head over shoulder, tips coins onto bed and frenetically starts to divide the money equally.
QUEEQUEG We friends; we share money?
ISHMAEL Well, thanks Hedgehog, I mean er - Queequeg, that's very nice of you. Perhaps when I've become more used to you?
QUEEQUEG tosses money over shoulder, speedily produces TOMAHAWK PIPE. ISHMAEL shrieks.
ISHMAEL (cont’d) Agggh!
QUEEQUEG We share pipe of dreams?
ISHMAEL Okay, I've seen a peace pipe before; just never one in the shape of a tomahawk.
QUEEQUEG Suck and see.
ISHMAEL blows bubbles, (no real smoke,)then coughs.
ISHMAEL Well, that's clean gone straight to my head.
QUEEQUEG We big friends now. Share everything; same pipe, same money, same ship. Yes?
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 31.
ISHMAEL crosses his eyes and speaks in a funny voice.
ISHMAEL Shure, the shame ship, sheep dip, I mean Queequeg, but on the strict understanding that you come to the whalers Bethel to get blessed for the journey same as me; deal?
QUEEQUEG Big deal. Rub noses. We soul mates now.
They rub noses and settle back. QUEEQUEG picks up his old picture book with a whale cartoon on the front cover, licks finger and starts to turn the pages. ISHMAEL is bored.
7. Primitive
ISHMAEL IS IT A GOOD BOOK?
QUEEQUEG SURE, MUCH TO TURN; LOOK!
ISHMAEL shares the book.
QUEEQUEG (CONT'D) (cont’d) I KNOW PICTURES -
QUEEQUEG can't read.
QUEEQUEG (CONT'D) (cont’d) WORDS SAY?
ISHMAEL reads for him.
ISHMAEL OH, ER - "WHALERS".
QUEEQUEG TRUE, TRUE. I THANK YOU
ISHMAEL suddenly gazes admiringly at QUEEQUEG.
ISHMAEL QUEEQUEG, WHO ARE YOU? HAVE YOU MET CAPTAIN COOK?!
QUEEQUEG plumps up pillow, settles ISHMAEL back.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 32.
QUEEQUEG Relax, we go native. WHEN CAPTAIN OF SHIP SEE ME WHAT DO YOU THINK HE WILL SEE? A BOY WHO THROWS ACCURATELY! BOY FROM HAWAIIAN ISLAND. WITH SURF AND SAND IN MY BLOOD WITH SPEAR AND NET I THROW GOOD. THAT CAPTAIN MAKE ME HIS BUD! BOY FROM HAWAIIAN ISLAND.
ISHMAEL HAWAII
QUEEQUEG IS A PARADISE
ISHMAEL HAWAII
QUEEQUEG IT CAN ENTRANCE
ISHMAEL CAN THAT BE UKULELE SIGHS
QUEEQUEG YOU AND ME HULA DANCE?
BOTH THE HULA GIRLS SING SONG OF THE ISLANDS THE HULA BOYS COME OUT OF THE SURF WE'RE ALL IN HULA HEAVEN ON WHITE SANDS AND IT'S THE WETTEST SPOT HERE ON EARTH.
Sexually charged ISLANDERS, (see "Vargass Girls" and Gill paintings,) enter, kukui torches illuminate fantasy back drop of volcano, coral red island.
ISLANDERS THE HULA BOYS AND GIRLS GREET THEIR NEW KING HAWAII NIGH TIME IS WARM AND GOOD AGAINST THE SWOONING SURF THAT IS CRASHING THE MOONLIGHT POINTS DOWN TO ALL THAT’S GOOD. THE HULA BOYS AND GIRLS GREET THEIR NEW KING HAWAII NIGH TIME IS WARM AND GOOD AGAINST THE SWOONING SURF THAT IS CRASHING IS THE GREATEST STORY EVER HULAD.
Dance.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 33.
QUEEQUEG AND AFTER THEY "WHALING" TEACH NEW MAN RETURN TO HIS BEACH BIG CORONATION AND SPEECH CHIEF ON HAWAIIAN ISLAND.
ISHMAEL HAWAII
QUEEQUEG WE WILL DIVE FOR COINS
ISHMAEL HAWAII
QUEEQUEG AND SURF THE SEA
ISHMAEL/QUEEQUEG YOU'LL (I'LL) BE FREE TO TAN YOUR (MY) LOINS
QUEEQUEG ON WAIKIKI WITH ME.
ALL THE HULA GIRLS SING SONG OF THE ISLANDS THE HULA BOYS COME OUT OF THE SURF WE'RE ALL IN HULA HEAVEN ON WHITE SANDS AND IT'S THE WETTEST SPOT HERE ON EARTH. THE HULA GIRLS SING SONG OF THE ISLANDS THE HULA BOYS COME OUT OF THE SURF WE'RE ALL IN HULA HEAVEN ON WHITE SANDS AND IT'S THE WETTEST SPOT HERE ON EARTH.
SUB TROPICAL thunder in distance, ISLANDERS run off, (in different directions,) boys scamper to bed, QUEEQUEG puts affectionate arm round ISHMAEL.
ISHMAEL Oh? Aloha!
BLACKOUT, torrential rain.
SCENE 8 - SPOUTER INN
A low beamed BAR called "STARBUCKS- a MILK BAR" is run by Mr. Starbuck and his wife, Mary. Don't call it just STARBUCKS. Let the audience work it out! "BUOYS" on one toilet, "GULLS" on the other.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 34.
DAGOO, FLASK, STUBB act rowdily (but, in fact, only drink milk shakes.) PIP plays chess with STARBUCK, with MARY greeting an increasingly mad looking AHAB, who enters, blown in by a gale.
8. Revengers Tragedy
DRUNKEN SAILORS NA NA NANA NANA NA NA (WHOAH OH OH) NA NA NANA NANA NA NA (cont’d)
AHAB SORRY PIP TO RIP YOU FROM THIS...
Can't find the word-the others fill in.
PIP AND SAILORS ...PARADISE!
AHAB TIME TO CULL THE BULL THAT CUT ME DOWN...
AHAB, PIP AND SAILORS ...TO SIZE!
AHAB FEEL LIKE DOCTOR JEKYLL (PRONOUNCED JEKEEL) TURNING IN...
AHAB, PIP AND SAILORS ...TO HYDE
AHAB WAITING FOR MY WILLFUL CORE TO BLOW LIKE A VOLCANO!
All toast, clink milk glasses.
AHAB & PIP AND SAILORS LET'S DRINK TO HAPPY DAYS AND FAIRER WEATHER (WHOAHOHOH) AND CROSS THE BRIDGE OF EMPTY DREAMS TOGETHER A TOAST TO EVERY GHOST OF MISSING SAILOR (WHOAHOHOH) WHEN TROUBLE SAILS A FAST SHIP HELL FOR LEATHER! A MARITIME CRIME COST ME MY MARRIAGE AND ALL I HAVE LEFT IS ONE LAST PASSAGE THE PAST IS EVER PRESENT ON MY MIND! MEDICATES MIND WITH MORE MILK.
PIP AND SAILORS NA NA NANA NANA NA NA (WHOAH OH OH) NA NA NANA NANA NA NA
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 35.
Other HEATHENS enter, blown in by the gale..
AHAB LOVES GONE COLD AND I FEEL OLD AS...
PIP AND SAILORS ...TIME IT SELF.
AHAB TORN APART MY BROKEN HEART'S BACK...
PIP AND SAILORS ...ON THE SHELF.
AHAB STILL I'M FEELING VENGEFUL AS A..
AHAB, PIP AND SAILORS WILLFUL RED!
AHAB LOOKING FORWARD TO A HEAD TO HEAD
AHAB, PIP AND SAILORS SO I (YOU) CAN SEE HIM DEAD. UPON THE OCEAN BED!
AHAB hands PIP a contract scroll.
AHAB PIp, take this contract to the city elders and tell them Ahab's fit for their endeavors.
PIP exits, (against gale,) with his missive. AHAB conspires with his Heathen favorites.
AHAB (CONT'D) (cont’d) BUT MIDWAY OUT I'LL CHANGE OUR DRIFT TO ACTION! AND HUNT THE BEAST INSPIRED MY GIFT FOR FICTION!
AHAB & SAILORS THE WORLD WILL WATCH US SLIP AWAY AND LEAVE THIS TOWN ON CHRISTMAS DAY WITH ONLY ONE THING ON MY (HIS) FETID MIND! THE WORLD WILL WATCH US SLIP AWAY AND LEAVE THIS TOWN ON CHRISTMAS DAY WITH ONLY ONE THING ON MY (HIS) FETID MIND! A THOUSAND LEAGUES BENEATH THE SEA THE DEVIL IS AWAITING ME TO BLIND MY SEASICK, SCHIZOPHRENIC, MONOMEGLOMANIACAL MIND!
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 36.
Gale blows DOOR open on its own, HEATHENS attempt to close it, as AHAB orders more milk! NA NA NANA NANA NA NA (WHOAH OH OH) ETC. NA NA NANA NANA NA NA (WHOAH OH OH) ETC.
AHAB MARY? MORE DAIRY!
BLACKOUT.
SCENE 9- WHALERS BETHEL
Chapel bell tolls as daylight blooms and ISHMAEL and QUEEQUEG arrive, (singing to the audience,) as they join a gathering congregation.
11. Jonah Fell
ISHMAEL/QUEEQUEG AND IN THE FRESH SCRUBBED MORNING LIGHT OUT IN THE WINTER WEATHER WE LEAVE THE STRANGENESS OF THE NIGHT TO RUN TO CHURCH TOGETHER.
They are welcomed by FATHER MAPPLE and enter the Whalers bethel, (a simple, tiny, white interior church,) run by Quakers, the fleet owners of the town.
MAPPLE; DRAWN TO THE KNELL OF MY CHAPEL BELL A BLESSING THERE WILL BE! CONGREGATION GOOD DAY.
ISHMAEL/QUEEQUEG ONLY THE LONELY CAN BE
MAPPLE LET'S PRAY
ISHMAEL MY NEW BEST FRIEND AND ME!
The congregation settle (WOMEN and CHILDREN facing the MEN,) while FATHER MAPPLE stands behind a lectern shaped like a ship's prow.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 37.
After a brief musical sermon, please note you are about to sing a joyful Quaker hymn, not a gospel song.
MAPPLE Wives, widowers, children and harbour men of Nantucket.. CRYSTAL CLEAR SKIES! BREATH ROBBING COLD! THIS IS THE KIND OF SURPRISE ALL SALTS OF THE SEA BEHOLD. BUT I WARN YOU PLAIN BETRAY YOUR SHIP'S OWNER A WISE MAN MUST PRAY TO OBTAIN FORGIVENESS -LIKE JONAH! JONAH FELL, INTO THE HELL OF THE WHALE UNTIL HE ASKED GOD TO SET HIM FREE! CONGREGATION PRAISE BE!
WHAT HIS TALE TELLS TO EACH GOOD FAMILY IS PUT YOUR FAITH IN GOD WHEN YOU'RE AT SEA AND HE'LL BE…
WITH YOU IN THE MORNING WITH YOU IN THE NIGHT WITH YOU WHEN IT'S POURING WITH YOU WHEN IT'S BRIGHT WITH YOU WHEN YOU'RE HAPPY WITH YOU WHEN YOU'RE GRIM AND ALL THAT YOU NEED HAVE TO DO
CONGREGATION IS LIVE- FOR HIM!
MAPPLE QUAKER FRIENDS, BEWARE OF HEATHEN TRENDS SATAN SENDS TEMPTATIONS FOR HIS OWN ENDS!
The CONGREGATION takes a minimal peek at QUEEQUEG but QUAKERS are an all-embracing people, their look is more curiosity about the strange harpooner's appearance.
CONGREGATION HIS OWN ENDS!
MAPPLE SERMON ENDS. LET US DISPERSE TO OUR HOMES AND PRAY OUR CHRISTIAN MISSION BLESSES ALL FOAMS
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 38.
MAPPLE (cont’d) WHERE GOD ROAMS…
CONGREGATION WITH YOU IN THE MORNING WITH YOU IN THE NIGHT) WITH YOU WHEN IT'S POURING WITH YOU WHEN IT'S BRIGHT WITH YOU WHEN YOU'RE HAPPY WITH YOU WHEN YOU'RE GRIM AND ALL THAT YOU NEED HAVE TO DO AND ALL THAT YOU NEED HAVE TO DO IS LIVE- FOR HIM! THE BLESSING!
GO TO SEA! WHALERS AT PERIL FOR ME MAY GOD GO WITH YOU AS I BLESS THEE. BLESS THEE!
CONGREGATION (cont’d) BLESS THEE!
Over the final play-out of the song, the LIGHTS FADE on the chapel as QUEEQUEG and ISHMAEL walk away towards the assemblage of different ships (over heads of the audience) evoked in shadow play across the stage. A LITTLE GIRL makes seagull noises.
SCENE 10 - NANTUCKET HARBOUR
ISHMAEL Which boat would you like to sail on Queequeg, "let's see now, we got the" Devil Damn"...
QUEEQUEG That one!
ISHMAEL The "Pequod?"
QUEEQUEG Name of Native American tribe; good fighter.
ISHMAEL Okay, the "Pequod" it is.
STARBUCK and STUBB are quick to pounce on new assignees.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 39.
STARBUCK Can we be of any assistance?
ISHMAEL I hope so. Where do we sign, Captain?
STUBB He's not the Captain. He's below deck. Sick.
STARBUCK But fairing better every day. I'm Starbuck, first mate, and this is Mr. Stubb, third in command. So, why dost though want to sign up?
ISHMAEL Well, I've been on five voyages with the Merchant Navy, already?
STUBB Ha! Call that going to sea? Have you seen Captain Ahab? Clap eye on Ahab and thou will find he only has one leg.
ISHMAEL Oh, what do you mean, sir, did a whale lose the other leg?
STARBUCK Devoured, chewed, and crunched up by the biggest monster living on the planet!
ISHMAEL Really?
STUBB Over a thousand hands high!
ISHMAEL Wow, so, how much is that in fingers?
QUEEQUEG elbows ISHMAEL.
ISHMAEL Oh, by the way, do you take Pagan?
STARBUCK Only if they can throw!
ISHMAEL Well, I don't mind telling you, Queequeg here is like the Action Man I never had. He can throw for Hawaii.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 40.
STARBUCK Well, we can offer you both a whole one thousandth share of the profits.
ISHMAEL You can? A entire one thousandth? Well, I'm lost for words?
QUEEQUEG Oarsome.
ISHMAEL That'll cover it. Sign us up!
10. Sign Up.
STARB, STUBB, QUEEQUEG, ISH HAIL PROFITEERS TO A RICH THREE YEARS PUT YOUR SIGNATURE RIGHT HERE
ISHMAEL signs ledger,
STARB, STUBB, QUEEQUEG, ISH (cont’d) AHAB HAS SWORN ANCHOR UP AT DAWN THEN YOU'LL START YOUR NEW CAREER
QUEEQUEG makes his mark.
STARB, STUBB, QUEEQUEG, ISH AS WHALERS. IT'S DONE SIRS.
STARBUCK and STUBB retreat.
11. Pequod.
ISHMAEL speaks over introduction.
ISHMAEL And that was that. At the stroke of a quill we were now staring at what would become our new home; The Pequod! And my goodness, what a ship it was! TRAPPED ON AN ISLAND WAITING FOR MY LIFE TO START SEARCHING FOR SOMEONE TO BE SITTING 'ROUND A WEARY HEART AN ANCIENT INSPIRATION A NOBLE CRAFT OF THE SEA WHITE IVORY COMPANION SUN-BEATEN MYSTERY ATTRACTS MY FULL INSPECTION
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 41.
ISHMAEL (cont’d) NAUTICAL EMPEROR YOU'RE THE SHIP FOR ME!
ISHMAEL & QUEEQUEG PEQUOD
QUEEQUEG WITH SAILS THAT TOUCH THE SKY!
ISHMAEL & QUEEQUEG PEQUOD
ISHMAEL YOU CAUGHT OUR WANDERING EYE!
QUEEQUEG SAILING A DRAGON CHARIOT OF ICE AND FIRE I'LL TOUCH THE ROCKS OF THE WORLD CHASE HORIZONS, NEVER TIRE AND FROM A COUNTRY SIMPLE I'LL DRINK THE LIGHT OF OLD KINGS SEE MOLTEN MOUNTAINS TREMBLE HEAR JUNGLE CANOPIES SING SEARCH OUT EACH HOLY TEMPLE KISS EACH OASIS OF KNOWLEDGE WHEN THEY SPRING…
LIGHTS DOWN, as a red light fills AHAB'S CABIN, and he pours over sea charts.
AHAB PEQUOD, WITH SAILS THAT TOUCH THE SKY PEQUOD, YOU MAKE OLD SEA DOGS SIGH! A FORCE OF RETRIBUTION MY BLACK HEART PUMPS THROUGH YOUR BEAMS, MY SNOW CAPPED INSPIRATION TO SAIL WITH DEMONS IT SEEMS. AND COME THE NEXT DAY YOU WILL PLAY MY SHIP OF SCHEMES! PEQUOD
ISHMAEL & QUEEQUEG PEQUOD!
AHAB WITH SAILS THAT TOUCH THE SKY
ALL WITH SAILS THAT TOUCH THE SKY
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 42.
AHAB PEQUOD
ALL PEQUOD!
AHAB YOU CAUGHT MY WANDERING EYE
ALL YOU CAUGHT MY WANDERING EYE
AHAB PEQUOD
ALL PEQUOD!
AHAB YOU MAKE OLD SEA DOGS SIGH
ALL YOU MAKE OLD SEA DOGS SIGH
AHAB ISHMAEL & QUEEQUEG PEQUOD!
ALL PEQUOD!
WATER F.X. on ISHMAEL and QUEEQUEG as LITTLE GIRLS make water lapping sounds as well as boardwalk creaking noises as an old fashioned drop roll depicts a never ending wharf of oil barrels, before which a sinister encounter ensues.
ISHMAEL I don't know about you, Queequeg, but I'm not sure I like signing up with a Captain I've never set eyes on.
QUEEQUEG Come, we better search out rest of crew.
But jealous ISHMAEL holds QUEEQUEG back.
ISHMAEL Please, Queequeg-don't make any more friends. I only have you.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 43.
Suddenly, a voice from the auditorium makes them jump!
ELIJAH Ahoy there shipmates! Going aboard?
ISHMAEL Aye, we've signed articles. Why?
ELIJAH Then you sail on the devil's business. Anything down there about your souls?
ISHMAEL Our souls?
ELIJAH Or perhaps ya don't have none? I know many sailors who don't.
ISHMAEL Let's go, Queequeg, this guy is crackers.
ELIJAH joins them on stage and blocks heir path.
ELIJAH Have you seen Captain Ahab?
ISHMAEL No, not yet. They say he's sick but will be all right before too long.
ELIJAH All right before too long? Look ye, when Captain Ahab is all right then this arm of mine will be all right.
Shows lost arm.
ELIJAH (CONT'D) (cont’d) Did you know Captain Ahab's mother was an Indian squaw and that there is a curse on his biblical name?
QUEEQUEG looks concerned. ISHMAEL placates him.
ISHMAEL He can't help what his mother called him can he, Queequeg?
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 44.
It's important that someone puts an image of Moby Dick in the audience's mind. This is that moment.
ELIJAH Nothing about losing his leg on the last voyage? According to the prophecy; the thing that happened to him off Cape Horn on the Pequod? How a rogue white whale as vast as the deepest breath, tore off his stump and marked Ahab in and out - mischief done to his soul? The words "vast as the deepest breath" are amplified with creepy reverb.How his torn body and gashed soul bled into one another and - interfusing - made him stark, starin' mad?!!!
QUEEQUEG Him mad; you daft as badger!
ISHMAEL Look, stranger, all I know is that any minute now we're sailing to the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, and other Yvonne De Carlo countries, and we would prefer not to be detained. If you have something to say then cough it up, it's easy for a man to look as if he has something important to say.
ELIJAH But I have lad - I have!
The LOWER FOURTH enter to show off their Irish folk dancing skills as JUNIORS gather to witness the commotion. PLACARD GIRLS crosses announcing "THE PROPHECY."
12. At Sea One Day
ELIJAH (cont’d) AT SEA ONE DAY YOU'LL SMELL SOME LAND WHERE LAND THERE MAY NOT BE AT HAND AND ON THAT DAY YOU'LL ALL BE DAMNED FOR ALL, SAVE ONE, WILL DIE! I KNOW YOU MAY NOT WANT TO KNOW THIS SORT OF THING BEFORE YOU GO BUT STILL, I THOUGHT YOU OUGHT TO KNOW IN CASE YOU WONDERED WHY;
His prophesy! So, spell it out!
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 45.
ELIJAH (CONT'D) (cont’d) AT SEA ONE DAY YOU'LL SMELL SOME LAND WHERE LAND THERE MAY NOT BE AT HAND
ALL AND MAY WE ASK YOU WHY?
ELIJAH COS WHEN DRY DOCKED I SOON GET CROCKED WITH A SKIN FULL OF HOOCH I SLUMBER
He begs for a drink.
ALL PA!
ELIJAH AND AS I DREAMT THE DREAM I DREW WAS AN INSIGHT INTO THE FUTURE!
They give him a drink.
ELIJAH (cont’d) HA! I WOULD NOT LIKE TO GO TO SEA AND TEMPT THIS AWFUL PROPHECY BUT I'M NOT YOU AND YOU'RE NOT ME AND WHAT WILL BE WILL BE AT SEA ONE DAY
ALL AT SEA ONE DAY
ELIJAH YOU'LL SMELL SOME LAND
ALL WE'LL SMELL SOME LAND
ELIJAH WHERE LAND THERE MAY NOT BE AT HAND
ALL TELL US IT'S A LIE!
ELIJAH NO, ON THAT DAY,
ALL WHAT, ON THAT DAY?
ELIJAH YOU'LL SINK LIKE STONES
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 46.
ALL WE'LL SINK LIKE STONES?
ELIJAH EXCEPT THE BONES OF ONE SMALL FRY!
ALL WHO'S THE LUCKY GUY?
ISHMAEL AFORE WE GO BEFORE THE MAST TO CHASE THE WHALE AT LAST, SIR YOUR NAME I'D RATHER LIKE TO ASK…
ELIJAH ELIJAH, SIR'S, MY NAME
ALL ELIJAH!
ISHMAEL IS A PROPHET'S NAME!
ALL ELIJAH!
ISHMAEL PROPHECY'S HIS GAME!
ALL ELIJAH!
ELIJAH I'M REALLY NOT TO BLAME,
ALL THEN ARE WE ALL TO DIE?
QUEEQUEG THIS CRAZY'S MADE UP OF TROUBLE AND GLUE AND PLANT SEED OF GOSSIPY RUMOR HE SCARE UP SHADOWY THINGS FROM THE BLUE IN HOPE WE GO NO FURTHER!
ELIJAH AT SEA ONE DAY
ALL AT SEA ONE DAY
ELIJAH YOU'LL SINK LIKE LEAD!
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 47.
ALL AND SEE SEA BED! THIS ONE ARMED FIBBER'S OFF HIS HEAD HIS PROPHECY'S A LIE!
ELIJAH I KNOW THE TRUTH IS HARDLY PROOF AND HONESTY'S A VIRTUE
The CREW call up to AHAB'S illuminated cabin and ELIJAH flees, (only to return for his stylized bow,)
ALL WE'LL HIT THE ROOF IF YOU DON'T MOVE BEFORE THE CAPTAIN HEARS YOU. AT SEA ONE DAY WE'LL SMELL SOME LAND WHERE LAND THERE MAY NOT BE AHOY! AT SEA ONE DAY, AT SEA ONE DAY, HOY!
Applause, as snow fall scatters everyone to other duties and CAROLERS sing two lines of "Good King Wenceslas," off. Sailors assemble. A medium scale evocation of the Pequod rolls on stage and becomes alive with high activity.
13. Building America
STUBB Welcome aboard, lads. Excited?
ISHMAEL Scared to death.
STUBB Well, just follow me, boys. Old sailors never die, they just smell that way. Besides, we're farming the ocean, lad. And do you know what we're building?
ISHMAEL I don't, sir, indeed I don't.
STUBB WE'RE BUILDING AMERICA ACCRUING OIL TO LIGHT THE LAMPS OF A DARKENED WORLD
STUBB, FLASK AND WE WILL HAND REEF AND STEER OCEAN FRONTIER
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 48.
STUBB, FLASK (cont’d) BLUNDER BORN DISCOVERERS AND MARINERS TAKE CHEER!
STUBB, FLASK, DAGOO ROLL ON THOU DEEP AND DARK BLUE OCEAN, ROLL ON SAIL ON, OH UNION STRONG, SAIL ON AFTER PERIL'S GATE
STUBB, FLASK, DAGOO, STARBUCK BROTHERS OF FATE GREAT OCEAN STATE DEEP ENCHANTED LABYRINTHS OF TREASURE TROVES AND CORAL COVES AWAIT!
CREW HAUL IT UP, HAUL IT UP KNOCK THE ICE FROM THE PROW
WIVES FAREWELL BOYS FAREWELL
CREW RAISE THE SAIL, SPIN THE WHEEL LIGHT TRIPODS NOW!
WIVES HOPE YOU FAVOUR WELL
CREW EVERY HAND ON THE DECK EVERY EYE ON THE DAY
WIVES WITH YOUR MODERN FISHERY
CREW WITH A CATCH IN THE NECK WE'RE UNDER WAY!
WIVES BRING US BACK NEW CORSETRY!
We celebrate what the whale yields, either with school slides or using the same items made from the whale, to add to the skeleton of Pequod and make it whole. Here is an interesting list of those things NOT mentioned in the song;
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 49.
lamps,(domestic, street, shop,)springs in first typewriters, lipstick, detergents, nitroglycerine for bombs, brushes, brooms, linoleum, medical trusses, oil cloth, drum skins, sword hilts, scabbards, tennis racket strings, riding crops, buttons, tanning leather, wax crayons, golf bags, varnishes, fertilizer, skin cream, stock cubes, cattle fencing mah jong counters, insulin, fish bait, cattle meal, dog and cat food, cooking fat, hair treatments, shortening, bath essence, ear rings , brooches, cuff links, cigarette holders, shoe horns, car wax, fishing rods, machine oil, shoe polish,
ALL WE'RE BUILDING AMERICA WITH NO-HOLDS-BARRED WE'RE WAGING WAR ON THE WORLD'S BACK YARD AS WE REPLENISH OUR STOCKS THE FREE WHALE UNLOCKS MARGARINE, AND GLYCERIN, WITH CANDLE, SOAPS, AND CROPS IT GIVES US SPRINGS, AND BUSKS AND FINE BODICES IT GIVES US SAUSAGE SKINS, AND CHESSMEN, AND SHOE LACES. IT GIVES US SURGICAL STITCH, VITAMINS RICH, ANTI FREEZE AND PIANO KEYS AND REMEDIES FOR STIFFENED BONES THAT SEIZE.
ISHMAEL speaks over a sotto voce version of above.
ISHMAEL While unaware of the terrors out at sea, one of the greatest Christmas gifts I ever received was to hear Mr. Starbuck's first command! STARBUCK AVAST, YE SONS OF BACHELORS, ALL ASTIR STUBB ALL ASTIR! ALL SIR! STARBUCK DRIVE 'EM AFT AND MUSTER THEM STUBB SPRING SHEEP HEAD! JUMP SAILOR! ALL YEAH! STARBUCK SAY YOU'RE LAST AND LUCK TO YE CLIMB YE MONKEYS AND LET SAIL OUT
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 50.
PIP SAIL OUT!
STUBB PULL IN THE GANGPLANK, CAST OFF THE MOORINGS AND GIVE OUT A HEARTY SHOUT!
STARBUCK AND FLASK FAREWELL LOVED ONES THINK OF ME ALWAYS I WILL YOU DON'T FORSAKE ME, I WILL RETURN FROM THE BLUE
STARBUCK and his wife, MARY, say their farewells.
STARBUCK & MARY GOD KEEP YOU UNDER HIS HOLY PROTECTION
STARBUCK NOW I MUST LOVE YOU AND LEAVE YOU LOOKS LIKE THE MOMENT HAS COME
FLASK HAS COME!
STUBB HIP HIP!
ALL HUZZAH!
STARBUCK HIP HIP!
ALL HUZZAH!
STARBUCK & STUBB HIP HIP!
ALL HUZZAH! WE'RE BUILDING BRAND NEW EMPIRE ACCRUING OIL TO LIGHT THE LAMPS OF A DARKENED WORLD! AND IN OUR WINDOWS WE'LL YEARN FOR HEROES RETURN EVERY STAR AND STRIPE AS RIPE AS ANY FLAG UNFURLED!
ELIJAH dashes from one person to another with his prophecy of doom.
ELIJAH AT SEA ONE DAY…
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 51.
ALL PEQUOD WITH SAILS THAT TOUCH THE SKY
ELIJAH YOU'LL SMELL SOME LAND…
ALL PEQUOD YOU CAUGHT MY WANDERING EYE
ELIJAH WHERE LAND THERE MAY NOT BE AT HAND!
ALL ROLL ON THOU DEEP AND DARK BLUE OCEAN- ROLLS ON! AS SHIP AND SHORE DIVERGE WE PLUNGE BLINDLY ON WITH FATE INTO THE GREAT ATLANTIC-WE'RE GONE!
AHAB shakes a fist at the sea as the man size model of the PEQUOD rolls off stage.
AHAB Moby Dick, I'm coming!
PIP crosses forestage pulling miniature replica of "Pequod", (a la 'Gulliver's Travels,") on undulating wheels, then, followed by PLACARD GIRL announcing: 'Gone Fishing'.
END OF ACT ONE.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 52.
ACT TWO
As the intermission draws to a close, with home made jams and cakes sold (allergy warning on ice cream pots; "Made from a farm that handles nuts!" the LOWER FOURTH make their way up the aisles ringing hand bells and carrying buckets of fake notes that read: 'Save St. Godley's!' Do NOT attempt to solicit money from the audience, it makes them uncomfortable. If you are using the show to raise funds for your own cause, the money should be raised through the price of tickets or concession ideas and the amount announced (without cast) at the conclusion of the show. Keep the show on the stage. LIGHTS DIM as the late violin playing ORCHESTRA LEADER, (unknown to her, a stretch of hard paper toilet roll emanating from her visible knickers,) rides her bike before the front row and hands it over into the pit, (colliding with brass section and drum kit,) before she clambers onto the CONDUCTOR'S podium to raise her (lit "up" bulb on the end of her baton,) to kick start a necklace of Merry England toned reprises. A SPOTLIGHT finds HEAD GIRL of the SCIENCE LAB. who walks before the scrim.
HEAD GIRL OF SCIENCE DEPT. Before we continue our creatures of the deep, the science department would like to present to you a brand new phenomena; Live Three D! Place the special goggles you have on your nose and sit back as you experience the school girl fantasies of Heroine addiction within the gay Arcady which is girlhood!
14. Living shadows.
Behind the scrim, a line up of physically mature SENIORS perform HEALTH AND SAFETY EXERCISE.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 53.
They run UPSTAGE towards, (and over,) a single RED AND GREEN SPOT (placed side by side,) which are both directed upstage onto the back of the SCRIM, facing the audience. This creates a necklace of mischievous living shadows to a parody of the KEEL ROW. JUNIOR GIRLS then substitute them by placing their backs to the scrim, to throw a MULTIPLICITY of balls, paper darts and confectionery, etc (from cloth bags at their feet,) beyond the two lights again, as the music of the DAM BUSTERS is parodied. Finally, the LOWER FOURTH wear kilts and stag antlers to perform a ludicrous Morris dance,( with sticks,) to highland fling music! PLACARD GIRL enters announcing "THIS IS A STICK UP!" This little 3D show is very short and it's all about how much the audience are getting out of it. Once you come to the stag dance, you can rest assured they got the idea and you can move swiftly on to the drama.
SCIENCE DEPT. You can put your glasses away now everybody. Well, what do you expect with this government? On with culture!
DRAMATIC MUSIC Q. BLEED THROUGH SCRIM to reveal deck of the Pequod. See Act Two set for G & S's H.M.S.PINAFORE.
SCENE 11 - ON DECK. NORTH POLE.
The LOWER FOURTH are dressed in mandatory school swim wear, (beneath sow 'esters and oil coats.) The PREFECTS are in fashionable Esther William range swim wear, hidden, (in this first scene,) beneath a variety of fur coats. The JUNIORS are discovered skating, (on heeleys I.E; shoes with wheels,) across the iced over LAKE (i.e.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 54.
the sea,) throwing snowballs, fishing through ice holes, and building a Polar Bear snowman. The PREFECTS warm hands round a brazier as one very objectionable LITTLE GIRL circles the PEQUOD, (centre stage,) in a wooden motorboat fashioned from a large pedal car.
15. Mr. Starbuck.
ALL FOR CREW OF VOODOO CAPTAIN LIFE CAN BE CRUEL WE NEVER SEE HIM AND HE TREATS US LIKE MULE ALL DAY AND NIGHT WE HEAR HIM SCUFFING ABOUT OUR VOODOO CAPTAIN NEEDS A WOMAN NO DOUBT.
A small school "DINNER" gong sounds as AHAB surfaces, gaunt and fearsome, (in fish scale cloak and frozen snow-king hair,) from months alone in his cabin. He has to get adjusted to the light and for a moment is blind.
AHAB MR. STARBUCK?
STARBUCK comes to his aid.
STARBUCK SIR?!
AHAB CALL ALL MEN DOWN!
STARBUCK MAST HEADERS DOWN!
PIP runs to AHAB.
STUBB/STARBUCK MAST HEADERS DOWN!
AHAB PIP, IT'S TIME TO SIP A NIP OF HOT BEEF TEA
PIP runs off for the TEA.
AHAB (CONT'D) (cont’d) IT'S A FEELING HOMESICK REMEDY.
Cheer.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 55.
ALL Hurrah!
ISHMAEL THE SMALL AVAILABLE JOYS OF HOT BEEF TEA!
PIP runs in with a school tea pot. AHAB pours tots of tea personally.
AHAB WHAT D'YA DO WHEN IT'S YOU SEES A WHALE LAD?
PIP SING FOR IT?
ALL AYE, SING FOR IT.
AHAB Exemplary, Pip! Right, men?
AHAB fills upturned spear head for DAGOO next, then FLASK.
AHAB (CONT'D) (cont’d) BUT WHAT IS THE TUNE THAT YOU PULL AND YOU ROAR TO?
FLASK mimes twisting neck.
FLASK THE 'DEAD WHALE!'
DAGOO mimes pulling oars.
DAGOO OR 'THE HEAVE SONG!'
AHAB FULL MARKS.
AHAB gives ISHMAEL tea which ISHMAEL inadvertently spits out over AHAB.
ISHMAEL SORRY CAP'N. I GUESS, YOU EITHER LOVE BEEF TEA OR HATE IT.
PIP takes over the tea distribution as AHAB takes ISHMAEL by the ear.
AHAB SO TELL ME FIRST TIMER WHEN YOU DO SPOT A TAIL PRAY THE PREY'S A 'GREY' ONE.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 56.
ISHMAEL Whales are black aren't they, sir? But yours is white, right?
AHAB Right.
Steps away from ISHMAEL addressing the audience down centre.
AHAB (cont’d) AS BIG AS A MOUNTAIN OF SNOW WITH GILLS AS SCARRED AS JERUSALEM'S HILLS!
AHAB holds up a sports shield ,glitter ball effect.
AHAB (cont’d) AND SEE THIS GOLD DOUBLOON? IT'S GOOD AS YOURS AS SOON AS SOMEONE SEARCHES OUT THOSE JAWS 'WHITE ONE'S' MARK YE, THEN IT'S YOURS!
AHAB pushes past the converging whalers and pretends to hammer the velcrosed, 'shield' to the mast.
AHAB (CONT'D) (cont’d) A SPANISH OUNCE FOR HE WHO'LL POUNCE AND NAIL
Three hammer blows with the music - bang, bang, bang! Glitter ball effect stops.
ALL NAIL THE ROGUE WHITE WHALE!
The CREW cheers and crowd in on the "doubloon."
FLASK OO LA LA! A YEAR'S WAGES TO MOST.
The experienced HEATHER HARPOONERS boast they may have seen this rogue whale.
TASHTEGO CAPTAIN AHAB, THAT WHALE'S SICK, THE ONE SOME CALL 'MOBY DICK'?
AHAB YES HE'S TOP OF THE PROSPECTUS, MEN.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 57.
FLASK DOES HE FANTAIL A LITTLE ODD?
DAGOO AND IS IT A SHOCK OF WHEAT HE SPOUTS?
AHAB Yes, and he's unaccountably thick. You've seen him then? They've seen that white brimful of mischief, Starbuck. He! He! He!
AHAB laughs maniacally but realizes that STARBUCK is not by his side, but standing away from the rest, looking miserable. STARBUCK dares to challenge AHAB.
STARBUCK Captain Ahab; was it not Moby Dick who broke thy heart?
Sharp intake of breaths.
AHAB Who told you that?
AHAB addresses all his crew.
AHAB (CONT'D) (cont’d) Yes, it was he who razored and dismasted me before the gaze of America, but now, my dander's up!
STUBB intervenes between STARBUCK and AHAB.
STUBB AND THIS IS WHAT YOU'VE SHIPPED FOR MEN TO SAIL THROUGH HELL AND BACK AGAIN TO FIND THE FIEND AND TIRE HIM OUT TILL HE SPOUTS BLACK BLOOD AND ROLLS FIN OUT!
ALL! A GREAT REWARD FOR THOSE WHO GOURD THAT DICK ON A HARPOON STICK!
AHAB escapes STARBUCK's obvious disapproval by frightening the now "fevered" CREW by involving them in a devilish ritual.
AHAB HARPOONERS! THE HEATHENS STEP FORWARD
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 58.
AHAB (CONT'D) (cont’d) CROSS YOUR LANCES!
With their harpoons, the HARPOONERS form a wigwam shape above AHAB's head. AHAB grabs the point at which the harpoons cross and begins to tremble as if possessed. ISHMAEL sneaks back up to the crow's nest. The rest of the CREW look on in stylized terror.
AHAB (CONT'D) (cont’d) NOW, LET ME TOUCH THE AXIS!
AHAB feigns power, filling him from the ritual as the LITTLE GIRLS circle him as if clamped by an Alien message married to a wicker dance. PIP skips, terrified, round the ceremony with his ribboned tambourine. The JUNIORS drop to their knees and bow to AHAB like Red Indians might. First half is intense, accelerating into a zombie like frenzy!
ALL CAN YOU FEEL IT? AHAB'S SPIRIT CAN YOU FEEL IT FILL THE AIR? CAN YOU FEEL THE BOLT ELECTRIC? PLEDGE FOREVER, DRINK AND SWEAR! COMMEND THE MURDEROUS CHALICE TO MY BREATH
PIP raises a refreshment hut green cup and saucer to AHAB's lips. AHAB stretches his hands over the whalers
AHAB (CONT'D) AND GOD HELP US IF WE CANNOT HUNT MOBY DICK!
ALL MOBY DICK
AHAB TO HIS DEATH!
The HEATHENS stomp their harpoons with each pledge
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 59.
ALL DEATH TO MOBY DICK! DEATH TO MOBY DICK! DEATH TO MOBY DICK!
ISHMAEL, in the crow's nest, has becoming hysterical as he spots his first whale.
ISHMAEL THAR SHE BLOWS!
AHAB A white one?
ISHMAEL No Captain, black as knickers.
STARBUCK Where?
ISHMAEL Starboard bow Mr. Starbuck.
STARBUCK How many?
ISHMAEL Two! No! No, four of them! Six, seven of them! There are three dozen of them, sir! Look, look, look Captain Ahab, a hundred! Can't anyone see?
QUEEQUEG No, we look at you!
STARBUCK attempts to be friendly with AHAB.
STARBUCK Another time, Captain Ahab, Dick isn't here!
AHAB No, Mr. Starbuck, but I'll be needing him before long. For I've got bigger fish to fry - a fish with balls! For now-, the ship is yours.
As AHAB goes below. CREW emit an old fashioned Red Indian cry, patting palms against mouth, and wearing Indian stuff. (CREW) Wow, wow, wow, wow!
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 60.
STARBUCK Aye, Aye, Captain, lower the boats Mr. Stubb!
SCENE 12 -WHALE HUNT
16. Heave Away
LITTLE GIRLS bring a school racing boat on (the sort of thing Oxford and Cambridge race in,) held high above their heads. The PREFECTS sit in it and use lacrosse sticks to row. QUEEQUEG stands in the rear with his harpoon and regatta flags on rope. The PREFECTS mime a "peck"-and- "abs"-straining whale chase becoming almost self conscious, and "pouting to audience",(as if glamorous models,) while the stubby, hero worshipping SCIENCE DEP. make their luscious hair rise, as they point WIND MACHINES at them. As with all these songs, let it run away with you, and it won't mean a thing. Do it so you can hear EVERYTHING and it will appear to be to be as fast as you think it should be! In fact, an incredibly intelligent LITTLE GIRL will beat a water topped OIL DRUM, (with whale bones,) to ensure the correct tempo! Slower than you think!!!
STUBB, STARBUCK (AND CREW) BOATS DOWN (LOWER BOATS) INTO THE WATER JUMP MEN (GRAB YOUR OARS) HEAVE AWAY (HEY!) CHASE THEM (CUT THEIR THROATS) START THE SLAUGHTER RACE THEM (WITHOUT PAUSE) ALL THE DAY (HEY!) STAND BY (HARPOONER) AIM STEADY QUEEQUEG!
QUEEQUEG READY!
STUBB, STARBUCK & CREW SPEAR HIS SIDE!
QUEEQUEG emits TARZAN- cry.
QUEEQUEG Ahahahahahaha!
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 61.
As QUEEQUEG pretends to throw his HARPOON, (which ANOTHER LITTLE GIRL, behind him, makes disappear,)he actually throws a weighted regatta flag rope instead, which,( caught OFF STAGE,) is pulled tight to give the effect of QUEEQUEG, (as he leans back,) WATER SKIING behind a MOTORBOAT.
STUBB, STARBUCK & CREW HOLD ON [TO THE WHALE] TILL WE TIRE HIM ON OUR [NANTUCKET] SLEIGH RIDE! MOBY DICK IS OUT THERE, HEAVE AWAY (WHOAH-OH-OH) BIG AND QUICK AND SOMEWHERE ON HIS WAY MOBY DICK IS CUNNING, THAT'S A BET (WHOAH-OH-OH) YES THAT DICK IS DANGEROUS WHEN HE'S WET! TRAWL THE [BUTCHERED HAUL] BACK TO THE PEQUOD TELL THE [DECK HANDS] HANG HIM HIGH! (HEY)
To evoke the butchery, chopping up, and boiling down of the whale into oil, the SCHOOL depicts all this symbolically. They hang a HORRIBLE GIRL, (a replica of course,) while another NASTY GIRL is beheaded.
STUBB/STARBUCK & CO CHOP THE [BLUBBER UP) AND TAKE THE JELL-O
A fake FIRE is lit to boil a STOCKY GIRL, (with a sensible, cheery face,) in a cannibal pot, (happily using a loofer as if its bath time!)
STUBB/STARBUCK & CO (CONT'D) (cont’d) BOIL IT [IN A POT) FIT TO FRY!
Other greedy LITTLE GIRLS,(with Chef hats on,) pour "whale oil" ,from a kitsch bottle, into a frying pans to sizzle sausages.
STUBB/STARBUCK & CO (CONT'D) (cont’d) MOBY DICK IS OUT THERE, HEAVE AWAY (WHOAH-OH-OH) BIG AND QUICK AND SOMEWHERE ON HIS WAY
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 62.
MOBY DICK'S ABOUT THERE, THAT'S A BET (WHOAH-OH-OH) YES THAT DICK IS DANGEROUS WHEN HE'S WET! WHEN HE'S WET!
The devilish LOWER FOURTH conspire over sausages.
LOWER FOURTH GONNA GET HIM GONNA GET HIM! TAKE A CROQUET MALLET TO HIM! BRING TO ORDER MISTER ORCA AND WIN THE GOLD! CATAPULTERS, BOOBY TRAPPERS DO YOUR WORSE WITH KNUCKLE DUSTERS BRING YOUR HOPPOS AND THEIR PILLOWS KNOCK HIM OUT COLD!
The original novel of MOBY DICK is extremely surreal and here is a moment you shouldn't be frightened of being the same. The LOWER FOURTH indulge in a pillow fight, (throwing handfuls of loose FEATHERS as they go,) then they curl on the floor on either side of a makeshift cat walk, as JUNIORS sit ,with straight backs, on tiny barrels behind them, applauding the glamorous PREFECTS, who model a range of furs, ripping velcrosed strips to drop blood red aprons.
ALL MOBY DICK IS OUT THERE, HEAVE AWAY (WHOAH-OH-OH) BIG AND QUICK AND SOMEWHERE ON HIS WAY MOBY DICK IS CUNNING, THAT'S A BET (WHOAH-OH-OH) MOBY DICK IS DANGEROUS WHEN HE'S WET! GONNA GET HIM, GONNA GET HIM, CHASE AND NET HIM, GONNA GET HIM YET!
A slide becomes blood filled (see, DON'T LOOK NOW movie) as red pen ink is flicked onto it.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 63.
Another TABLEAU of historical catastrophes evolves as LITTLE GIRLS fire harmless Styrofoam arrows, using real bows, across the back drop, in one rainbow effect, as STARBUCK fakes an arrow in her eye, while our usual PLACARD GIRL, dressed as WILLIAM THE CONQUEROR, (with a string of onions around her neck,) crosses the stage with a placard announcing; "The Battle of Hasting."
BLACKOUT.
SCENE 12 - ON DECK
The LOWER FOURTH GIRLS are exhausted but can't sleep. SENSIBLE malingers round book shelves.
SENSIBLE GIRL Well, which books would you like to read; "REINFORCED CONCRETE SIMPLY EXPLAINED," "ELEMENTARY HYPERBOLICS," "HARRY'S RASH WISH," "THE DANGERS OF CRUISING," ""WHAT TO DO WHEN ITS CATCHING," "LEATHERS OF THE MOZAMBIQUE," "TRUE MEN AS WE NEED THEM,""GREAT BANGS OF THE 21st CENTURY, a study in Terrorism." "HOW TO SPOT LEPROSY"?
TIMID GIRL We're not supposed to read in bed.
WISE GIRL Well, we must keep heart and mind in busy service somehow.
WILLFUL GIRL Come on, Pip, give us a dance and remind us of the ladies back on the village green.
ALL Aye!
A small hamper offers ginger pop, sardines on rich cake, fruit, jellies.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 64.
17. Deck Dance.
PIP ON THE PEQUOD, SLEEPLESS AND BORED
ALL WE KNOW A CABIN BOY WHO DANCES ABROAD.
PIP MESSMATES AHOY, THE MOON IS BEGGING A JIG
ALL SO DO YOUR DECK DANCE, DO IT JOLLY AND BIG.
PIP drapes a tennis net round him, wears a pineapple hat, a coconut bra, and hokes up a Carmen Miranda moment to a love hungry CREW.
PIP YES, HARD ON THE DAY,
ALL A SHIP'S CABARET
Cheer.
PIP YOU LOOK LIKE SHIP WRECKS, SO IT'S TIME TO PLAY
ALL LET'S CLEAR THE DECKS
PIP THE CAT'S AWAY! WITH NO PREFECTS.
PIP (cont’d) JUST- HIGH SEAS LADIES; WHO TEASE AND SQUEEZE AND PLEASE. THESE HIPS, THESE LIPS THIS TREASURE CHEST OF PIP'S WILL WIN YOUR VOTE
ALL FLOAT OUR BOAT!
PIP ON THE PEQUOD, RED SKY AT NIGHT
ALL CROSSING EQUATOR IS A BALMY DELIGHT.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 65.
PIP MESSMATE AHOY THE MOON IS BEGGING ROMANCE
ALL SO FIND A PARTNER AND BE IN WITH A CHANCE.
PIP THE BREEZE IN THE AIR
ALL IS ALL WE CAN BEAR
PIP WE ENTER FREELY INTO FANTASY
ALL NO WANNABE
PIP WE'RE ALL AT SEA
ALL THE ENEMY-REALITY!
ALL (cont’d) HIGH SEAS LADIES; WHO TEASE AND SQUEEZE AND PLEASE. THESE HIPS, THESE LIPS THIS TREASURE CHEST OF PIP'S JUST HYPNOTISE.
PIP WELL, BLESS MY EYES! CONCERTINA LED GIDDY DANCE.
ALL ON A LONG HAUL - TIME IS NO BALL AND CABIN CRAZY YOU CAN CRAWL UP THE WALL FROM SNOW TO TROPIC CAN BE BAD FOR YOUR HEALTH! YOU MUST GO OVERBOARD AND RESCUE YOURSELF!
PIP LET NO BED BUGS BITE
ALL WE WON'T SLEEP TONIGHT NANTUCKET WHALERS, ITS BLACK AND WHITE, A KISS, A FIGHT, WHATEVER GETS YOU THROUGH THE NIGHT! DECK DANCE, ROMANCE, A CRUSH, A RUSH A TRANCE SEA DOGS ARE WE, TRUE FLYING FISH AND FEELING FREE! FREE! FREE! FREE! FREE!
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 66.
PIP is raised above heads.
PIP That's me!
After applause, AHAB surfaces, and the LOWER FOURTH creep away abandoning PIP to get under his Captain's feet. A Captain who now fears fondness for his cabin boy might under mind his hatred of the white whale.
AHAB Any bones broken?
PIP No, but Ishmael fell into a blowhole and Queequeg had to dive in and rescue him. Flask has made a kill and Dagoo got four! Tashtego got three. Oh Master, there's oil to light a hundred lamps of America.
AHAB takes PIP aside. He doesn't want to say the next words.
AHAB Boy, you must not speak to me again.
PIP is devastated.
PIP Why not Cap'n?
AHAB has to place PIP on a higher level, on his eye line.
AHAB Pip, there is that in thee which I feel too curing for my malady, and for this hunt my malady becomes my most desired health. You must sleep on deck from now on.
PIP jumps down and hugs AHAB'S stump, tearful.
PIP But master... the sharks, the sharks!
AHAB raises a hand to PIP.
AHAB Weep so and I will murder thee!
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 67.
PIP freezes in submission.
AHAB (cont’d) Have a care foolish Pip, for Ahab too is mad!
He places a shaky hand on PIP'S shoulder.
AHAB (cont’d) God bless thee, and if it comes to that - God forever save thee; let what will, befall.
AHAB tries to make light of it.
AHAB (cont’d) See, you can lie in that nest of rigging.
AHAB abandons PIP for his cabin.
18. Vulnerable.
PIP A MYSTERY HE WALKED OVER ME I SIT WITHIN HIS AIR WITH VACANT STARE AND ALL AT SEA AN OCEAN OF DESPAIR! HIS LONG LOST LEG WAS ME, I BEG, BUT WITH NO IVORY FRIEND I'M WAITING AT WORLD'S END FOR WHALE TO SHOW AND NO HERO HIS ONLY BRETHREN WILL BE GONE IN ONE SWALLOW.
Looks around for AHAB.
PIP (cont’d) I'LL WAIT FOR HIS CALL AND WARMING SHAWL. I'VE NEVER SLEPT ALONE TO MOAN AND GROAN; A PIECE OF BARK DROPPED OFF THE ARK. SO VULNERABLE! SO VULNERABLE! NO FOOT ON THE TABLE NO LONGER HIS MASCOT I'M SO
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 68.
The earnest members of the SCHOOL ORCHESTRA make a vocal contribution here, as if, (with cellos between their legs, and violins on fire, from passion,) they are spontaneously expressing their own adolescent angst, as a Stag might suddenly cry out for a mate. Seriously!
WITH BAND VULNERABLE! SO- VULNERABLE!
PIP I'M LOST AND UNSTABLE I'LL THROW IN MY LOT
WITH BAND I'M SO VULNERABLE! SO- VULNERABLE!
PIP BUT HERE I'M CAST BEFORE EACH MAST IN JAIL MY JAILER THE VIEW OF BOTTOMLESS BLUE A SMILE, THE PAST. MY DANCING THROUGH. SO- VULNERABLE SO- VULNERABLE!
MUSIC Q. LIGHTS UP on LOWER FOURTH who lie around frothing at the mouth, stunned by a relentless, pounding sun,(with coloured stick- on red spots covering each face.) The limp acting JUNIORS, attempt to inhabit duties,( tiny hand mirrors in their palms, reflect flashes of light at the audience.) The PREFECTS, however, lie on sun beds, replete with sunglasses, acquiring a sun tan. A future ZOO KEEPER mimes being an iguana and an egg fries on the banister. But in the centre of the stage, our main focus is QUEEQUEG, who sits cross legged, throwing knuckles of BONES (invisibly strung together so as not to lose them,) which he then reads as portents of the future.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 69.
19. Bones/Storm
ISHMAEL WARM CLIMES NURSE CRUEL FANGS AND A TYPHOON MIGHT BURST FROM THIS CLOUDLESS SKY AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT. BUT SAILOR'S TALES SAY WINDLESS SAILS ARE ACCURSED AS CREWMEN FRY AND ALL MINDS TWIST IN TORMENT!
QUEEQUEG BONES TELL QUEEQUEG NO ONE WIN TELL CARPENTER CARVE COFFIN PUT ME AND HARPOON WITHIN; ALL THIS I READ IN BONES! SHIP CURSED BY RELENTLESS DROUGHT NO WIND TO HELP SAIL SWELL OUT WE DIE LIKE A FLAPPING TROUT!
CREW ALL THIS HE FEELS IN HIS BONES!
FLASK rises, pausing in the act of sharpening his pencil. A roll of summer thunder cues the sail to start to flap, then a porthole window flap, and the cabin door, black waves jockey for height, creating the FX of an increasingly turbulent sea.
FLASK What do you say, mes amis? The ship is cursed…we should throw the sea a sacrifice to break the spell and I think it should be the weakest, Pip!
FLASK circles the ailing PIP, menacingly, with his pencil, as he lies, defenseless, baking in his rigging basket but ISHMAEL, in a wild fury, grabs FLASK from behind.
ISHMAEL Maybe it should be you Flask!?
Suddenly STARBUCK breaks the fight up by firing a musket in the air.
STARBUCK (CONT'D) Oh, to work with such a heathen crew! Great God, for one instance - show thyself!
On cue, AHAB appears.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 70.
AHAB Baton down the hatches, men, it's a storm!
21. Storm.
The sudden STORM is a great relief for the increasingly pent up LOWER FOURTH as PREFECTS man the thunder sheet and wind machines!
AHAB (cont’d) BLOW ILL WIND BLOW WITH YOUR TEMPER SO FRIGHTENING
AHAB orders the JUNIORS to hand him the lightening rods which attracts bolts of lightening to strike him alone.
AHAB (cont’d) AND THROW, GREAT GODS, THROW EVERY BRIGHT BOLT OF LIGHTENING AND LIGHTING THESE RODS TO GLOW!
The storm erupts! MR. STUBBS'S ships wheel, (on castors,) rolls, (guided by him,) from left to right, then from right to far left, (and repeated,) whilst the mock- staggering CREW mirror it and the cloth waves rise higher.
AHAB AND ALL MASTER (MASTER) COMMANDER (COMMANDER) DO NOT, SIR,(SURRENDER) BUT KEEP DAVY JONES AND HIS LOCKER AT BAY. SO STRIKE ME (WHILE WE FLEE) ATTACK ME! (TO SAFETY) JUST WATCH ME DEFEND YE! AND HALT EVERY BOLT AND ASSAULT NIGHT AND DAY!
At the same time, the lifeless PIP, on his nest of rope, (also on castors,) is pulled off, (by a hidden rope,) but in the first stagger right, PIP disappears offstage, while the nest of rope returns, conspicuously empty! PIP has slipped overboard, unnoticed! Before the STORM subsides, coaster lights rush down the lightening 'rods', which, in turn, cue two flash pots to explode.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 71.
During the flashes, a strange light illuminates the mast like a strip of green neon. The HEATHENS drop to their knees cowering at what they see as a bad sign. The LOWER FOURTH, recover from much puffing and mysterious panting. The PREFECTS stand behind STARBUCK.
DAGOO Mr. Stubb, look aloft! Lightening has struck the middle mast!
QUEEQUEG 'St Elmo's fire'! It's an evil omen!
STARBUCK Turn back old man, the heavens are against thee.
AHAB All your oaths to hunt the white whale are as binding as mine, look you, thus I shall blow out this flame.
AHAB blows at the glowing mast, (as a LITTLE GIRL maneuvers a wind machine behind him,) St. Elmo's fire pulsates and slowly fades out.
AHAB (CONT’D) (cont’d) See. I still run this ship!
AHAB pats the "doubloon!" Glitterball erupts then goes.
AHAB Remember the gold, men!
STUBB Aye, aye, Captain.
ISHMAEL Man overboard!
All look up, then, out to sea, (hands cupped over eye!)MUSIC Q.
STARBUCK Man overboard!
AHAB Who is it?
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 72.
ISHMAEL It looks like… Pip.
AHAB Pip? They dash to boats right side.
QUEEQUEG The sharks!
FLASK grabs a Chinese umbrella to chase off sharks as CREW rail.
CREW Hiiiiiii!!
STARBUCK This will drive the poor boy mad.
ISHMAEL They've got him!
EVERYONE runs to left side of the boat as the SCIENCE LAB set up field camp centre stage and DAGOO and TASHTEGO arrive with frozen PIP on a stretcher.
DAGOO Make way, make way!
HEAD OF SCIENCE DEPT. He has fever.
TASHTEGO The freezing water has sent him into shock.
AHAB is genuinely alarmed at PIP'S condition.
AHAB Would he have died or I...
HEAD OF SCIENCE DEPT.
He's not making any sense Captain.
AHAB What does he say with that look of his?
PIP "I look, you look, he looks, we look, ye look, they look."
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 73.
HEAD OF SCIENCE DEPT. Upon my soul, he's been studying your copy of 'Murray's Grammar', sir ! Improving his mind as you asked.
PIP "I look, you look," Where do I look now? PIP has gone mad and AHAB, hands clasped over his ears, moves away.
STUBB Pip's spirit has sunk so deep, no grapples or hooks can ever fetch it back.
Now PIP hears the angels calling him out front.
PIP (CONT'D) Hush!
PIP reaches up to the skies.
PIP (CONT'D) (CONT’D) (cont’d) Listen... God goes among the worlds-black berrying. I'll help, sir…
PIP strains upwards to the heavens then, as if a broken marionette, his strings snap and dies in FLASK'S arms. A muffled snare drum is played. EVERYONE gathers round PIP, creating another tableaux of historical catastrophes; PLACARD GIRL (wearing a black arm band,) but dressed as NAPOLEON, crosses announcing; "The death of Nelson." The CREW glare at AHAB, aided by STUBB, who scuffs, like a Zombie, into his cabin. The SCHOOL weeps while preparing for the burial at sea.(They stitch PIP into a hammock, slide him to the ocean.)
22. Vulnerable. (Reprise)
LOWER FOURTH A STORM AT SEA LOST ALL THAT WE HELD DEAR EACH PASSING YEAR. A GREAT CAREER. THE DECK WILL BE A SADDER PLACE TO BE. PEACE TAKE HIS HAND ON SHIFTING SAND
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 74.
LOWER FOURTH (cont’d) TO SHAKE HIS DREAMLAND TREE WHERE HE'LL BE FREE BACK IN THE SWIM. REMEMBER HIM! SO VULNERABLE! SO VULNERABLE!
SLOW FADE in candlelight LIGHTS UP on PLACARD GIRL, (parades sign which reads; "STAFF EVENING".) AHAB opens door to greet STARBUCK. STARBUCK enters, accepts drink and canapé. Other PREFECTS wear prefect jackets too.
SCENE 13 - AHAB'S CABIN
21. Can't Keep Out the Night
AHAB Ah, Mister Starbuck, I have been meaning to ask you; SOMETHING HAS GONE OUT OF YOUR SUN, THE FUN AND MAGIC HAS GONE AWAY WHAT IS THIS SERIOUS FACE ARE YOU NOT GAME FOR THE CHASE…PLEASE SAY?
STARBUCK I CAME HERE TO HARVEST WHALES NOT MY MASTER'S VENGEANCE TO CHART AND BLAZE NEW BUSINESS TRAILS NOT ACT AS SATAN'S AGENT!
AHAB If money is the be-all and end-all, this planet of ours belongs to bookkeepers! And the stars are only there to be counted and banked! The conversation hardens.
STARBUCK Vengeance on a dumb brute that simply smote thee from blind instinct? Madness! To be enraged with a dumb thing seems blasphemous! In time with music; apoplectic.
AHAB Don't talk to me of blasphemy! I'd strike the sun if it insulted me! And of our 'business' let's be clear; vengeance will fetch great premium here!
He points to his heart on the word premium.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 75.
AHAB (CONT'D) (CONT’D) (cont’d) There is one God that is Lord over the earth, and one captain that is Lord of the Pequod.
A very sophisticated response from HEAD GIRL, STARBUCK.
STARBUCK Thou hast outraged, not insulted me, Sir. But for that I ask thee not to beware of Starbuck - (thou wouldst but laugh). But let Ahab beware of Ahab… Beware of thyself, old man.
Barely audible, restrained, but certainly there, camp response.
PREFECTS Ooooooooo!
AHAB shoos everyone out.
AHAB That's it. Party's over. Out!
PREFECTS unsure it's a joke.
AHAB (cont’d) What part of blow don't you understand? The old man is obviously too dusty for late nights, but be warned, gentlemen, the night is coming to get us all. You can't keep it out!
STARBUCK is last to leave.
AHAB (cont’d) Besides, "Obsession" isn't just a perfume?
Slams door on STARBUCK, but her face remains in the porthole window and AHAB has to draw a little curtain across it.
AHAB (CONT'D) (cont’d) I'LL ADMIT I'M WRONG THROUGH MY CLENCHED TEETH I'M OBSESSED THAT'S ONE THING I'LL OWN SNEAKING ROUND MY SHIP LIKE A CHEESE THIEF I TAKE THE WATCH ALONE.
IT'S JUST I CAN'T KEEP OUT THE NIGHT I MUST STAY AWAKE ANOTHER NIGHT CAUGHT NAPPING COULD BE MY LAST MISTAKE. CAN'T KEEP OUT THE NIGHT.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 76.
AHAB (cont’d) FEEL VIOLENTLY SICK THREE YEARS AT SEA AND STILL THERE'S NO SIGN OF DICK. FREE FROM THE CHAINS OF SOCIETY I DO WHAT I MUST DO THEY PLOT AGAINST ME; THE OLD MAN OF THE SEA BUT WHAT'S A GHOUL TO DO?
CAN'T KEEP OUT THE NIGHT I KNOW IT'S INSANE ALL SUMMER I'VE BEEN MAD WITH ALL THE OLD PAIN. CAN'T KEEP OUT THE NIGHT BUT NO SLEEP'S THE TRICK I'LL NOT BE COUNTING SHEEP TILL I'VE SPOTTED DICK.
FOR I FEEL HIS PRESENCE GROW BIGGER HEAR HIS BREATHING BENEATH THE SHIP WHY DO I REJOICE THAT HE'S NEARER? WHEN ALL I NEED IS KIP! KEEPS DROOPING, WASHES FACE. SOME BED AND ZED?
CAN'T KEEP OUT THE NIGHT THOUGH RIVERS RUN RED AND GREMLIN IN MY CABIN SAY GIVE HIM UP FOR DEAD. I CAN'T KEEP OUT THE NIGHT MY EYES ARE ON STALK AND IN UNCERTAIN TWILIGHT I'M NO NIGHTHAWK!
Hits head on table to keep him awake but he knocks himself unconscious.
AHAB (CONT'D) (cont’d) MUST KEEP WIDE AWAKE!
He passes out end of song.
SCENE 14 - CREW QUARTERS
WOOZY SPIRAL FX. STUBB and STARBUCK meet conspiratorially centre stage.
STARBUCK Stubb, I've made a decision, I have to take that insane Captain Ahab down a peg or two?
STUBB Well, that'll floor him; but how?
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 77.
LIGHT'S UP on CREW in various pink and fluffy night attire, brushing hair and preening themselves at a high camp Baby Doll, pizza strewn, pajama party. STUBB and STARBUCK enter and STARBUCK searches for something during the WOO intro until he finds a musket.
22. Whale of a Tale
CREW WOO WOOO WOOO WOOO WOO WOO WOOO WOO WOO WOO WOOO WOOO WOOO WOOO WOOO BA BA BA BA BA BA BA BA BA BA ETC
CREW screams at musket.
CREW (cont’d) Aggggh!
STARBUCK THE TRIP'S IN TROUBLE LORD THE CAPTAIN'S POSSESSED THE SHIP'S GONE OVERBOARD FOR MOTIVES UNBLESSED OUT PILOT'S SHOWN HIS COLOURS THE DYE HAS BEEN CAST THE QUESTION FACING US IS HOW LONG CAN I LAST? SHALL I GO
CREW SHALL HE GO?
STARBUCK DOWN BELOW?
CREW DOWN BELOW?
STARBUCK WITH A GUN?
CREW OFF YOU GO… (STARBUCK) YES OR NO?
CREW (cont’d) WE DON'T KNOW!
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 78.
STARBUCK GIVE ME MORE OF THE LONG STROKE BOYS SAVE YOUR LAST HARPOON
CREW FOR THE DEVIL WHO'S SAILING TO HIS LAST HIGH NOON
STARBUCK IT'S COMING SOON CAN'T YOU SEE WE SHOULD MUTINY WILL YOU GIVE ME YOUR VOTE?
CREW OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS OR DO WE ALL MISS THE BOAT?
STARBUCK IT'S A WHALE (IT'S A WHALE) IT'S A WHALE (IT'S A WHALE) IT'S A WHALE OF A TALE IT'S A WHALE (IT'S A WHALE) IT'S A WHALE OF A TALE ARE YOU REALLY BEHIND ME GIRLS? YOU'RE MY LAST HARPOON
CREW FOR OUR ROTTEN COMMANDER SAILING TO HIS LAST HIGH NOON
STARBUCK WE'RE CHANGING HIS TUNE. CAN'T YOU SEE WE SHOULD MUTINY? PUT HIS HEAD IN A NOOSE TIME TO STAND AND BE COUNTED AS MY BOYS
CREW BOYS!
STARBUCK GIRLS!
CREW BOYS!
STARBUCK GIRLS ON THE LOOSE! IT'S A WHALE (IT'S A WHALE) IT'S A WHALE (IT'S A WHALE) IT'S A WHALE OF A TALE IT'S A WHALE (IT'S A WHALE) WHAT A WHALE OF A TALE! IT'S A WHALE IT'S A WHALE OF A TALE!
STARBUCK (CONT’D) (cont’d) Well, mess mates? Are you with me?
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 79.
ISHMAEL I'm one thousand percent with you!
STARBUCK I'm afraid that's not enough.
ISHMAEL Yes, I know how you feel.
STARBUCK leads the CREW, on tip toe, to a PORTHOLE over AHAB'S bed. He councils the CREW that it is either now or never.
STARBUCK Men, just in there- Ahab is sleeping. Sleeping, aye but still alive, and soon awake! We must end it now.
AHAB suddenly snaps up and talks in his sleep, which frightens off the CREW.
23. Sinking Man
AHAB STERN ALL! LITTLE PIP! WE ARE NEAR HIM! SOON I'LL RAISE HIS HEART TO THE SKIES. I WILL SURE LET RIP WHEN I SPEAR HIM;
AHAB droops back to sleep. STARBUCK goes it alone.
AHAB (CONT'D) (cont’d) STARBUCK IS VERY WISE!
Alone, a troubled STARBUCK kneels, looking down on sleeping AHAB, divided.
STARBUCK GREAT GOD WHERE ART THOU NOW FOR ME? (I'M TRAPPED WITHIN A SPELL) WOULD I A COMMON MURDERER BE? ONE TOUCH - AND STRAIGHT TO HELL?
STARBUCK aims pistol at AHAB.
STARBUCK (cont’d) A SHOT UNIMPAIRED, THE SHIP WOULD BE SPARED BUT EVERYTHING'S AT STAKE.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 80.
The illfated STARBUCK is now distracted by a weird voice (on reverb) emanating from the auditorium. (I.E; at sea.)
MOBY'S VOICE AHAB!
STARBUCK reluctantly re-aims, his hand, which begins to shake, he adds a left hand to steady the pistol.
STARBUCK I CAN DO NOTHING BUT SHAKE
MOBY'S VOICE AHAB!
STARBUCK I FEEL HIS OLD HEART BREAK!
Q WHALE SOUNDS. STARBUCK surrenders all initiative, drops pistol and retreats into the murk, demoralised, SL. AHAB rises, sleep walking, from his bed, wrapped in an Indian blanket from top to foot.
AHAB VOICES? VOICES?
MOBY'S VOICE AHAB YOUR TIME ON EARTH DRAWS NEAR AND SO I OFFER HOPE YOUR LONG LOST GUINEVERE IS HERE, BEYOND THE RIGGING ROPE
AHAB wanders the ropes until STARBUCK surfaces to wave a hand before his eyes, but AHAB, asleep, fails to respond to.
STARBUCK Oh my poor Captain.
AHAB What is it? What nameless, inscrutable, unearthly thing is it commands me against all natural loving's and longings, so I keep pushing, pushing myself all the time? Is Ahab- Ahab?
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 81.
AHAB (cont’d) SHADOWS OF THE DEEP, HAUNT A SINKING MAN WALKING IN MY SLEEP NO GOLD IN MY PAN. MONARCH OF ALL I SEE, IN MY HOLLOW CROWN
Lifts arm to sky, lowers it, very conscious of his action.
AHAB (CONT'D) (cont’d) IS IT I, OR HE LIFTS THIS UP OR DOWN?
STARBUCK MY CAPTAIN, NOBLE SOUL
AHAB WHAT IS IT COMMANDS?
STARBUCK FORGET YOUR GOAL.
AHAB AHAB'S CRAZED DEMANDS?
STARBUCK WHY SHOULD ANYONE GIVE CHASE TO THAT FISH WHEN WE COULD HOMEWARD BOWL? GRAND OLD HEART, LETS FLY THESE WATERS? EMBRACE OUR DAUGHTERS.
AHAB HOT PURSUIT OF MY BEAUTIFUL ESTA WHO LIVED …
AHAB senses a vision of his lost wife materialize behind him, as ESTA, in her in wedding dress dripping with shells, sea horses and seaweed, floats towards him through sea mist.
AHAB (CONT'D) (cont’d) AND -BREATHED. ESTA!?
ESTA AHAB…
AHAB THERE IS MY DREAM OF YOUTH.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 82.
ESTA AHAB…
AHAB THERE IS THE LIVING PROOF!
ESTA DARLING I THOUGHT WE OUGHT TO MEET CLOSURE IS AT YOU FEET.
AHAB, imagines returning to better days,realizes his lost leg has been returned and spins,in a waltz, to marvel.
ESTA (cont’d) THE BROKEN CIRCLE NOW COMPLETE LOOK ROUND AND MARVEL AT IT ALL BACK AT YOUR WEDDING BALL TAKE ME IN YOUR ARMS BACK HOME IN OUR BALLROOM SUMMON UP OLD CHARMS- YOU'RE BRIDE AND MY BRIDEGROOM. JUST NEVER RELEASE ME YOU BELONG WITH ME; WITH ME.
Reprise, now a grand waltz.
GUESTS WE LIVE AND BREATHE, FORBIDDEN SEAS WHERE THE FLOODGATES OF A WONDER WORLD SWING OPEN WIDE AND A THOUSAND NEWBORN FEELINGS ROLL UP WITH THE TIDE OH THERE'S MAGIC IN THE WATERS AND THE MAGIC DRAWS US ALL FROM THE LAND DOWNSTREAM TO RIVER TONIGHT WE ARE TOGETHER BACK IN THE MANSION HALL.
AHAB SHE LIVED AND...
LIGHTS DIM slowly to blackout as ball and ESTA evaporate. AHAB retreats;
AHAB (cont’d) ...BREATHED!
BLACK OUT. Slowly orange LAMPS come on in ice blue night.
ISHMAEL SAIL HO; SHIP IN THE FOG!
(cont’d)
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 83.
STARBUCK Whereaway? What's its name, Mister Stubb?
STUBB The "Rachel."
STARBUCK A British ship.
STUBB Looks sadder than twin beds, I'll get the Captain.
GARDINER (OFF) Ahoy there, Pequod, Ahoy! Can we come aboard for a chin wag?
STARBUCK shouts through a SCHOOL MEGAPHONE.
STARBUCK By all means 'Rachel', come aboard.
A sad bell tolls as the prow of the green ghost-like ship 'The Rachel' (think "The Flying Dutchman,") noses onto the set, whereupon AHAB reappears, replete with his usual peg leg.
24. The Rachel.
STUBB CAP'N SIR, VISITOR, A CAPTAIN GARDINER
GARDINER is piped aboard (but it comes out like a wolf whistle,)and given a mug of beef tea. He sits on a barrel to engage with the PEQUOD'S CREW surrounding him, as his own sad CREW, in different colours, cap in hand, stand to one side.
AHAB WELCOME CAPTAIN GARDINER
GARDINER LONG TIME NO SEE, SIR. BUT AVAST THERE ALL AIN'T A SOCIAL CALL FOR I NEED TO SHARE YOUR SAIL
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 84.
AHAB YOU LOOK UPSET AND YOUR ARM IS WET
GARDINER reveals a lost hand replaced by a harpoon head. AHAB shows off his own trophy; his ivory leg. Snap!
GARDINER WELL, I FOUGHT WITH A ROGUE WHITE WHALE. AHAB IS MESMERISED BY GARDENER.
AHAB NAY? TELL ME, PRAY?
AHAB AND PEQUOD CREW DID HE GET AWAY?
GARDINER SUCH A CIRCUS HORSE KIND O' BEAST OF COURSE WITH A NOSE LIKE A BATTERING RAM BUT HE PULLED A TRICK AND RETREATED QUICK AND KIDNAPPED MY WHALEBOAT 'SAM'.
BOTH CREWS WELL, TODAY THEY (WE) RAN FROM LEVIATHAN WHICH WAS WHITE AS A STICKY BUN BUT THE(OUR)CAPTAIN LOST AT THE GREATEST COST A BOAT AND DEVOTED SON.
GARDINER ALL THROUGH THE DAY I HAVE HUNTED AND YET
ALL HUNTED AND YET- HUNTED AND YET
GARDINER DARKNESS CAME ON AND THE RECALL LIGHT SET
RACHEL CREW SIGNALS WERE SET - NOTHING AS YET.
GARDINER & RACHEL CREW TWELVE TO A WHALEBOAT AND GONE WITH THE SUN SNATCHED BY A MONSTER THAT LED THE BOAT ON
GARDINER ONE OF THE TWELVE IS MY TWELVE-YEAR-OLD SON! TWELVE-YEAR-OLD SON - MY LITTLE ONE.
AHAB produces charts.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 85.
GARDINER (cont’d) AHAB, MY BOY HAS GONE. MY ONLY BOY
He cries.
GARDINER (cont’d) HAS GONE!
ALL IN THE NEXT WHALEBOAT HE LET THE BOY SLIP
ISHMAEL GONE WITH THE SUN
ALL SNATCHED BY A MONSTER FROM HIS FINGERTIP
ISHMAEL HIS PRECIOUS ONE
STARBUCK CAPTAIN, HIS BOY IS NO OLDER THAN PIP!
AHAB is mortified but digs deeper into his madness. We hear the ghost of PIP'S tambourine.
STARBUCK (cont’d) WE MUST GIVE CHASE.
TASHTEGO IN GREAT HASTE
ALL AND RETRACE
ISHMAEL AT A PACE
CREW kneel before AHAB.
ALL THE VAST WASTE SEARCH FOR HIS BRETHREN AS (IF HE WERE THINE) LOST AND AWASH AND (ADRIFT IN THE BRINE)
STARBUCK AS WE LOVE CHRIST, WE MUST THROW HIM A LINE!
STARBUCK plea is soon paralysed by AHAB'S death ray eyes. GARDINER proffers a pouch of silver behind preoccupied AHAB.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 86.
GARDINER I'LL CHARTER YOU.
ALL THIS WE MUST DO.
QUEEQUEG HE DO SAME FOR YOU.
The CREW move to actions station, AHAB freezes them by singing one note.
AHAB HOLD TOUCH NOT A ROPE YARN!
The CREW remain defiantly motionless, then, as one, deliberately turn their back on AHAB whilst crossing arms. AHAB tears them to pieces!
AHAB (cont’d) Oh? Swerve me? Thou cannot swerve ME! Thou swerve THYSELF. The path of thy fixed purpose is laid within iron railings, where upon my soul is grooved to run over unsounded gorges, through rifle hearts of mountains and I say NAUGHT IS an obstacle! Naught's an angle for the IRON WAY!
Stands beside GARDINER with back to audience, clutches GARDINER'S left hand, whispers.
AHAB (cont’d) God bless you, man, in your search and may god forgive me mine.
AHAB retreats with charts.
AHAB (cont’d) He waits for me here, a day away , near the Isle of Bashee. Japan! Sail on!
The CREW pick up a devastated CAPTAIN GARDINER and wave him off into the mist.
ISHMAEL AND AS THE RACHEL WENT HER WAY
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 87.
STUBB MESSMATES YOU'RE SOLD
ALL HAUNTING THE DAY
DAGOO SOLD ON THE GOLD
ISHMAEL STILL WITHOUT COMFORT SHE WEPT
PEQUOD CREW WEPT FOR HER CHILDREN SHE LOST
RACHEL CREW LOST FOR HER CHILDREN NOW GONE
FADE TO BLACK, a finger of dawn awakens the ship.Q-JAPANESE MUSIC. AHAB emerges to call ISHMAEL.
AHAB (CONT'D) Why don't you call out for him boy?
ISHMAEL I don't see anything, sir.
AHAB Well, he's close. Don't you smell him, boy?
ISHMAEL No, but I smell…land, sir?
CREW point to imaginary birds in sky, LOWER FOURTH, make bird sounds.
CREW Squawk! Squawk! Squawk!
AHAB Yes, the birds are up. You smell bird food, lad, you smell Moby Dick's back!
ISHMAEL AT SEA ONE DAY, YOU'LL SMELL SOME LAND WHERE LAND THERE MAY NOT BE AT HAND…
QUEEQUEG Elijah's prophecy!
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 88.
AHAB Avast aloft; boy, blister your lungs. Keep him nailed. Sing out for me every time!
ISHMAEL suddenly spots MOBY.
ISHMAEL There! A long sleek on the sea, directly and lengthwise ahead, dazzling as polished steel! It's Moby Dick!
MUSIC Q. AHAB removes gold doubloon, (I.E; the shield,) drops it out of sight and pretends to throw it up to ISHMAEL. ISHMAEL, in turn, catches a second (hitherto concealed,) shield, (glitterball fx,)which he has thrown upwards to catch for himself.
AHAB Behold the winner of the gold, men!
CREW Boo. Swizz!
LIGHTS focus on two areas of space; STARBUCK and STUBB, (with the collectively nail- biting LOWER FOURTH) around the ship's wheel. Then, (forestage, JUNIORS and PREFECTS create the final whale hunt, AHAB at front of that boat, with his spear. They use lanterns on whaleboat.
25. Heave Two
ISHMAEL THAR SHE BLOWS!
AHAB A HUMP LIKE A SNOW HILL?
ALL MOBY DICK!
AHAB & CREW SILVER (SPARKLING BACK) GOD UPRISING GLARING (EYE TO EYE) SEIZE THE DAY (HEY!) PULL THERE! (BREAK YOUR BACK) LET'S SURPRISE HIM HOLD HARD (ATTACK) HEAVE AWAY!
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 89.
AHAB & CREW CHASE HIM (WITH THE LIGHT) HELTER SKELTER RACE HIM ("FOLLOW ME") THROUGH THE FOAM FACE HIM (AND HIS BITE) THERE'S NO SHELTER ONE LAST (FINAL FIGHT) THEN IT'S HOME!
AHAB is in full Red Indian mode and the FILM CLUB could project some black and white footage of a galloping buffalo over him.
AHAB AND CREW THERE'S A MADNESS TAKEN OVER ME (WHOAH-OH-OH) WOULD I COULD TURN BACK MY MEMORY EVERY SUNSET USED TO SOOTHE MY (HIS) BROW EVERY SUNRISE SPURRED ME (HIM) ON, BUT NOW… GIVE ME (ONE CLEAR THROW) UPON HIS CARCASS. DEAL THE (BITTER BLOW) AND BE DONE! NO, THE (SO AND SO) IS TURNING ON US. STOW THERE, (MATELOT) TURN AND RUN!
AHAB points in the opposite direction and the BOAT CREW row the opposite way till they stop exhausted. AHAB twists around and raises his spear as the whale passes the prow of the WHALEBOAT, and we see, through the eyes of the CAST, (who have to convince us MOBY DICK is as big as three houses!!! Can you do that?) A grand "shadow" FX wipes across the faces of the crew as he passes them. Once MOBY has passed, the wake of the water makes the boat rock violently from side to side. You mime this. AHAB points where he sees the whale vanish beneath the water.
AHAB SEE, HE'S FLEES, BY THUNDER, TAKING FLIGHT!
AHAB SEARCHES THE OCEAN'S BRIM WITH A TELESCOPE. A WHISPERED VOICE CREEPS ROUND THE NECKS OF THE AUDIENCE.
MOBY'S VOICE THAT'S THE LAST YOU'LL SEE OF ME TONIGHT …
AHAB watches MOBY become faint pencil lines in the far horizon.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 90.
AHAB JUST THE HEM OF HIS OLD GOLDEN ROBE
ALL RUSTLING O'ER ENCHANTED ANCIENT GLOBE!
AHAB shakes a fist at MOBY until BLACKOUT. In the blackout, the LOWER FOURTH collect their special umbrellas off stage. A giant MOON silhouettes the BOAT CREW.
QUEEQUEG LOOKEE CAP'N; THE WHALE TURN!
FLASK SACRE BLEU - HE'S A COMIN' BACK!!!
26. Ahab's death.
AHAB Aye, breech your last to the sun Moby Dick, thy hour and thy harpoon are at hand!
AHAB slaps his forehead with palm challenging MOBY DICK.
AHAB (CONT'D) (cont’d) FOREHEAD TO FOREHEAD, I MEET THEE MOBY DICK!
ISHMAEL NOTHING IN THE WORLD HAD PREPARED ME FOR HIS JOYOUSNESS NOTHING IN THE WORLD, NOTHING IN THE WORLD! NOTHING IN THE WORLD COMPARED REPOSE WITH SWIFTNESS. NOTHING IN THE WORLD! NOTHING IN THE WORLD! BUT MOBY DICK CAME FORWARD, STILL WITHHOLDING FROM SIGHT THE FULL TERRORS OF A SUBMERGED TRUNK, YES, MOBY DICK CAME FORWARD ENTIRELY HIDING THE WRENCHED HIDEOUSNESS OF HIS JAW STILL HALF SUNK, BUT NOTHING IN THE WORLD PREPARED ME FOR WHEN THE GRAND GOD REVEALED HIMSELF AND SHOT STRAIGHT TO THE STARS NOTHING IN THIS WONDERFUL WORLD PREPARED ME TO STAND AND WATCH HIS BANNERED WAVE AT PLANET MARS.
The whale now leaps up (sounded,) over and beyond them. If possible "Dancing water jets" shoot up from the floor around the boat.
ISHMAEL (cont’d) ...WHEN HE SOUNDED...
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 91.
BOAT CREW duck, turn, and leap up into the air, as one, as MOBY crashes back into the ocean.
ISHMAEL (cont’d) ..THREE HOUSES HIGH HE THEN REBOUNDED, TO PLUNGE, AND DIVE INTO THE BLUE! WHEN NOTHING IN THE WORLD COULD SAVE THAT CREW!
AHAB'S whale boat rocks wildly in the ensuing wake. The BOAT CREW traces a panicky circle, as MOBY circles them. Screams!
AHAB Quiet, men, he's under us! See his glittering mouth yawning beneath the boat like an open- doored marble tomb?
He addresses the heathens.
AHAB (CONT'D) What say ye, Pagans? Will ya give as much blood as will cover my barb?
QUEEQUEG/DAGOO/TASHTEGO/FLASK AYE!
The HEATHENS mime cutting wrists (releasing three palmed, weighted red ribbons) as AHAB applies "blood" to the spear. AHAB pivots round to raise the spear out front; a red spot on the spear suggests blood.
AHAB Ego non baptizo te in nomine patris, sed in nomine diaboli!
STUBB What's he say, Mr. Starbuck?
STARBUCK "I baptise thee in the name of the devil"!
ISHMAEL claps for attention and places index finger to lips.
ISHMAEL Shhhhh! An hour!
Total silence, LITTLE GIRLS do clock ticking noises.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 92.
The BAND pauses too. It is unnerving. After eight seconds, ISHMAEL speaks.
ISHMAEL (cont’d) Then - the breeze freshened and the sea began to swell.
BAND/ CHOIR resume underscore.
DAGOO THE WHALE!
TASHTEGO THE SHIP!
QUEEQUEG HE'S TURNING ON THE PEQUOD!
MOBY'S advance on Pequod is suggested by the sound of a ship churning through water, (maybe a paddle steamer?)
STUBB He's coming at us Mr. Starbuck. Captain Ahab, burst in on him! Change his course!
AHAB Dash on my men, will ye not save the Pequod?!
The BOAT CREW doubles the rowing speed -like a cartoon.
STARBUCK Save us!
QUEEQUEG Ishmael! Jump! Save yourself!
A SPOTLIGHT whip pans to where ISHMAEL normally is... but he has vanished!
AHAB Dear glorious ship! Must thou perish without me?
AHAB beats his chest.
AHAB (CONT'D) (cont’d) But here I am Moby Dick!
AHAB crooks a finger at him.
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AHAB (CONT'D) (cont’d) Come - oh lonely death on lonely life!
DAGOO Save the ship!
TASHTEGO Too late!
QUEEQUEG The jaw!
FLASK The hearse!
STARBUCK drops knees to pray.
STARBUCK My God, stand by me now!
The PEQUOD is destroyed. We hear a "tree felling and cracking" S.F.X. as visually, the mast (on a hinge,) snaps in two, and a large sail is flown in, to drop to the floor. During all this, STARBUCK slumps over the rails and STUBB over the wheel- both dead! "LITTLE GIRLS" stand in bowls of water, to one side, and use several silver hula hoops to evoke drowning. The BOAT CREW stops rowing and face one another as at the start of a ritualistic sequence. They throw their "oars" back and forth three times to one another. (The trick is to throw the oars UP so you have time to catch them as they descend.) After three exchanges, they then swing them over their shoulders and bring them down like a fairground mallet, making a percussive thwack on the stage floor. They then grab the ends of two oars before them, crouch down and undulate the oars as if a lapping (albeit wooden,) sea surface. QUEEQUEG ceremoniously walks through the "wooden waves" to represent, as it were, 'the unknown sailor'.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 94.
If your BOAT CREW are strong, QUEEQUEG should now fall back onto the bed of oars and be raised above the CREWS heads and "turned" as if an element of shipwreck. This surrealistic sequence represents the destruction of the WHALEBOAT. QUEEQUEG is carried off into the darkness. Three LITTLE GIRLS wander the deck of the PEQUOD wearing "tragedy masks" and speak together as if some moronic Greek chorus.
LITTLE GIRLS AHAB! AHAB! AHAB!
As AHAB rails at the hiding whale, the LOWER FOURTH slow march on (like Girl Guides,) to gather around AHAB. AHAB now rejects all help from the heavens.
AHAB THOU DESTROYER! THUS I TURN MY BACK TO THE SUN!
With LOWER FOURTH at the front, they are joined by taller PREFECTS, in a second row.
AHAB (CONT'D) (cont’d) TOWARDS THEE I ROLL, THOU-ALL DESTROYING BUT UNCONQUERING WHALE; TO THE LAST I GRAPPLE WITH THEE.
AHAB sings out-front.
AHAB (CONT'D) (cont’d) FROM HELL'S GATE I SPIT MY HEART AT THEE! LIFELESS BLANK I BLOW LAST BREATH AT THEE!
With Olympic cadences. AHAB (CONT'D) THUS ---I GIVE UP---THE S-P-E-A-R!
AHAB throws his spear and, at this precise moment, the SCHOOL open up the shell encrusted beach umbrellas to create an image of our grand sea beast; four on ground level, four behind,( providing a second tier,) with two on either side, creating the curve of the whale.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 95.
ESTA stands well behind this image, waving a bannered 'tail' of the whale like a big Les Miz flag. PLACARD GIRL, dressed in a French artistes smock, and wearing a beret with upturned moustache, rushes on to dab two black whale "eyes" on two umbrellas, then stands back to admire her handy work, before speedily exiting. AHAB, collapses under this sudden dominating creation, and is dragged, (screaming, of course,) under the umbrellas, and out of sight. FRED hides behind the 'whale' to pull and guide AHAB through the umbrellas and maybe through a trapdoor or secret door to vanish for a quick change. The COMPANY quivers the umbrellas for TEN SECONDS, after which we hear a distant prerecorded belch. The SCHOOL collapses the umbrellas and all drop, swiftly, (as one student body,) to the floor, ( which is cross lit,) to pretend to be dead bodies on the water, rocking from side to side, hugging the umbrellas. ISHMAEL enters wearing a hobbyhorse round his neck designed like QUEEQUEG'S COFFIN. This is what has saved him from drowning. He uses a baking spoon to paddle.
ISHMAEL ALL, ALL WENT DOWN BELOW AND THE GREAT SHROUD OF THE SEA ROLLED ON AS IT ROLLED FIVE THOUSAND YEARS AGO.
FADE TO BLACK. We now enjoy a SOUND INTERLUDE of the sea collapsing in an epic fashion. (Record any waterfall in a municipal baths.)During this, the SCHOOL half rise and, slowly, roll the, (now, half open,) umbrellas off stage, right, which (painted with white U.V.) will evoke a scroll of surf as the SCHOOL exit. Move slowly. Milk it. Wait for applause.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 96.
ISHMAEL (CONT'D) (cont’d) THE DRAMA'S DONE. IN THE WORDS OF JOBE, I ONLY AM ESCAPED ALONE TO TELL THEE.
ISHMAEL acts cold and scared
ISHMAEL (CONT'D) (cont’d) SO, FLOATING ON THE MARGIN OF THE SCENE OF THE DESTROYED SHIP AND IN FULL SIGHT OF IT, I, ISHMAEL, DID REVOLVE ON QUEEQUEG'S COFFIN. THE UNHARMING SHARKS GLIDED BY AS IF WITH PADLOCKS ON THEIR JAWS
PLACARD GIRL circles ISHMAEL announcing a "shark" then scoots off.
ISHMAEL (cont’d) THE SAVAGE HAWKS CIRCLED WITH SHEATHED AND NO CAWS.
Same PLACARD GIRL runs on from different side, announcing "SEA HAWK" and circling ISHMAEL the opposite way, scoots off too. A STAR FIELD erupts and ISHMAEL yawns and falls asleep. A finger of dawn hits ISHMAEL'S face, when he stretches and suddenly sees something far off.
ISHMAEL (CONT'D) (cont’d) ON THE SECOND DAY, A SAIL DREW NEAR.
"He" rubs eyes in disbelief
ISHMAEL (CONT'D) (cont’d) NEARER!
Emotions boil up.
ISHMAEL (CONT'D) (cont’d) ... AND SAVED ME FROM MY TRIAL!
Laughs and cries simultaneously.
ISHMAEL (CONT'D) (cont’d) IT WAS 'THE RACHEL' THAT IN HER RETRACING SEARCH AFTER HER MISSING CHILDREN, ONLY FOUND -A-N-O-T-H-E-R O-R-P-H-A-N!
A smiling CAPTAIN GARDINER reappears and stretches a hand towards ISHMAEL, who mirrors him.
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 97.
They stretch out to one another-a lonely father now finding a lost son to love. SLOW FADE. PLACARD GIRL announces "FINIS". The school's musical is over. The CAST are heard, (off,) cheering. A "School disco" is unveiled playing the finale vamp. HEADMISTRESS enters in dressing room turban and gown.
HEADMISTRESS Thank you for attending our little hydro therapy, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls. We were determined to get that money out of you, even if we had to use a stirrup pump! So, I think it's time you all snapped some elastic too, don't you? So, stuff art, let's dance!
27. Moby Dick Finale
ALL CAPTAIN AHAB'S DEAD, IN HIS BED, THE SEA BED! WHILE HITTING HIS STRIDE! COS IF YOU WANT A THING, CHASE A THING, GET THAT THING YOU CAN STILL BE DENIED! ANOTHER SUICIDAL STORY ANOTHER TALE OF DEATH OR GLORY BUT HEY, EVERYTHING'S JUST HUNKY DORY WE'RE SAVING THE SCHOOL BY PLAYING THE POOL TONIGHT, TONIGHT, TONIGHT! WOO-OO, WOO-OO, WOO-OO-OO-OOO MOBY DICK! MOBY DICK THE MUSICAL MOBY DICK! A WHALE OF A TALE MOBY DICK! EVERYTHING THAT'S NAUTICAL MOBY DICK, WE'RE HAVING A WHALE… WHALE OF A TALE WHALE OF A TALE WHALE OF A TALE! WE SANG AND PLAYED OUR PARTS WE BROUGHT TO LIFE THE DRAMA FROM NOW IT'S UP THE ARTS! AT EVERY CHANCE, HEREAFTER. SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR GLEE (WE WORE SOU'WESTER) AND GENEROSITY (THEN WE ADDED WATER) OF ALL THE BOOKS TO PICK THE BENEFIT OF A THEATRICAL GALA DID THE TRICK! WITH MOBY DICK! TONIGHT, TONIGHT, TONIGHT, TONIGHT, TONIGHT, TONIGHT, TONIGHT, TONIGHT, TONIGHT, TONIGHT, TONIGHT, TONIGHT!
"MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 98.
The LOWER FOURTH arrive as a school of fish, darting this way and that, (as one,) before they bow. The PREFECTS arrive, in a "croc", as bathing beauties, holding number cards at their hips, which have their own personal telephone numbers on them EX; Whitehall 4545 or Grosvenor 7777. PIP descends sitting on a giant anchor. FRED enters dressed (inexplicably,) as a jockey,(own fantasy.)STUBB enters playing bagpipes. STARBUCK arrives to a battery of camera flashes, then, ISHMAEL, the pregnant NEW GIRL, who can't stop crying at her momentous achievement, ends up dangling her legs over the footlights, until, suddenly, she is violently still, where-upon the LOWER FOURTH drag her ,unceremoniously, back behind green field screens, as busy bee JUNIORS arrive, (dressed in midwife hats,) and the PREFECTS watch, in awe as, by silhouette, the NEW GIRL gives birth to a - baby white whale, which,(amidst, the general distribution of cigars ,) is shown first to the ORCHESTRA then audience, (to the CONDUCTOR'S fury.) Suddenly, the stage plunges into darkness, and the orchestra is galvanized into playing a swirling introduction, to herald the appearance of the HEADMISTRESS,(now in glamorous attire ,) clutching a bouquet of flowers, who the entire school, (en-masse,) run toward, to escort her down for her rapturous applause,(from both school and audience. This is finally derailed, when a giant picture frame drops in, and everyone is seated for a school photo, whereupon, at the "flash", an amazing curtain of rising bubbles obliterates them all from our sight until next time!
CURTAIN. "MOBY DICK 2008-STAGE MUSICAL" 99.
JANUARY 25TH 2008. R.LONGDEN.