2017–2018 SEASON
Born Yesterday by Garson Kanin Directed by Pamela Hunt CONTENTS 2 The 411 3 A/S/L, HTH 4 FYI 6 B4U 8 RBTL 9 F2F 10 IRL 12 RMAI At The Rep, we know how to be the best audience ever! that life moves fast— Take your seat okay, really fast. But An usher will seat your class as a group, and often we have we also know that a full house with no seats to spare, so be sure to stick with some things are your school until you have been shown your section in the worth slowing down theatre. for. We believe that live theatre is one of those pit stops worth making and are excited that you are going to stop Silence is Golden by for a show. To help you get the most bang for your buck, Before the performance begins, be sure to turn off your cell we have put together WU? @ THE REP—an IM guide that will phone and watch alarms. If you need to talk or text during give you everything you need to know to get at the top of your intermission, don’t forget to click off before the show theatergoing game—fast. You’ll find character descriptions resumes. (A/S/L), a plot summary (FYI), biographical information (F2F), Break Time historical context (B4U), and other bits and pieces (HTH). Most This performance includes an intermission, at which time importantly, we’ll have some ideas about what this all means you can visit the restrooms in the lobby. Intermission is only IRL, anyway. 15 minutes though, so hurry back to your seat.
Snack Time There is no food or drink permitted inside the theatre, so make sure you finish your snacks in the lobby before you enter the house.
Now Hear This Just as you can see and hear the actors, they can see and hear you. Any talking, even whispering, can be heard by The Teacher’s those around you and those onstage, so please wait until Lounge the show is over to chat. No Paparazzi Please In an effort to make our The theatre is a camera-free zone. Flash photography educational materials accessible interrupts the action onstage and is prohibited by to students and easy for educators Actors’ Equity Association rules. You can sneak a peek at to incorporate into the classroom, our production photos on The Rep’s website at repstl.org. study guide is written in a student-oriented format. We hope that you will circulate this guide among your Take a Bow students in the weeks preceding your visit to The Rep, Let the actors know you respect their work by responding encouraging them to browse it before and after class and to the curtain call at the end of the performance. Show your as time allows, using it as a launch point for both pre- and appreciation for a job well done through applause. post-performance discussions.You may also want to visit our website, www.repstl.org, for additional information Thanks for being a great audience! including activity suggestions and behind-the-scenes information. Any materials, either from this guide or from our website may be reproduced for use in the classroom. As always, we appreciate your making live Rep Education Department theatre a part of your classroom experience and welcome your Director of Education Marsha Coplon feedback and questions. Associate Director of Education Sarah Brandt Education Programs Associate Brian Coats Harry Brock arrives in Washington, D.C. Harry’s lawyer, Ed Devery, helps to provide with the hope of gaining political influence by useful connections in Washington while buying politicians. attending to Harry’s business affairs.
Harry is accompanied by his girlfriend Billie Senator Norval Hedges meets with Dawn, a former chorus girl who has little Harry and Ed to discuss a business interest in anything other than money and arrangement for political favors. clothes. The senator’s wife, Anna Hedges, attempts Harry’s cousin Eddie also tags along, running to form a relationship with Billie, with errands and acting as his cousin’s personal somewhat mixed results. assistant.
Paul Verrall is a journalist who takes an interest in Harry’s business in Washington, and he also takes an interest in Billie.
Communist: a person who believes in the Schneider: to prevent an opponent from principles of communism, a political theory scoring during a game or match that advocates for public ownership of David Copperfield: a novel by Charles property and the absence of social classes, Dickens published in 1850 that tells the story money and a federal government of a poor child who becomes a successful Negligible: insignificant author Deductible: able to be subtracted from Concubine: a mistress taxable income or taxes to be paid. Fascism: a form of radical nationalism Racket: a slang term for an illegitimate characterized by dictatorial power, business that often works through bribery or suppression of the opposition, and control of intimidation industry and business Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.: an Coffee-klotch: the incorrect form of American jurist who served on the Supreme “coffee-klatch,” a social gathering for coffee Court from 1902–1932, retiring at the age of and conversation. 90; he died in 1935 Cartel: an arrangement of suppliers with Drip: a dull person the goal of keeping prices high and Yen: a slang term similar to “yearn,” eliminating competition meaning to strongly desire someone or Couth: cultured and well-mannered; something. refined Gin Rummy: a two-player card game Truculent: aggressively defiant and quick played with a standard card deck in which the to fight goal is to reach a total number of points Free enterprise: a system in which (agreed upon by the players) before the business operates in competition and largely opponent does outside of state control
3 spoiler alert!
This synopsis contains spoilers about the story of the show. If you wish to be completely surprised by what you see on stage, Born Yesterday (2018). Andy Prosky and Ruth Pferdehirt. Photo by Patrick Lanham. you may want to wait until after the play to As the play begins, Paul Verrall, a journalist Billie re-enters, dressed to meet the congressman read this article. with The New Republic, finds himself waiting and his wife, and Devery asks her to sign some in a luxurious hotel suite in Washington, D.C. papers. Harry leaves to go get changed, and Billie He is expecting to meet Harry Brock, the signs the papers, without much thought as to millionaire owner of a junkyard from New Jersey, what they are. As a multiple corporate officer, she who is arriving in town for business. When Harry has some control in Harry’s business, though it is arrives, he is accompanied by his girlfriend, Billie clear that she doesn’t know how much. Tired of Dawn, a former chorus girl, and his cousin, Eddie, being reminded that she must be presentable, who waits on him hand and foot. Harry snubs Billie threatens to stay upstairs and not see the Paul, who makes a quick exit. The flurry of the congressman at all, but she’s too scared of Harry group’s arrival is interrupted when Ed Devery, to actually do so. Harry’s lawyer, arrives to welcome him to Washington. Devery has secured a congressman Congressman Norval Hedges and his wife arrive, to meet with Harry very shortly, but before he and Billie tries to make a good impression; does so he wants him to sit down for an interview however, she just doesn’t know enough to with Paul. engage in the conversation. Harry is also trying to make a good impression, but his brutish attitude Paul returns, and he and Harry discuss business. comes through at times. He explains to Hedges Harry is very evasive, refusing to answer questions that he wants to take all of the scrap iron that is directly and turning the conversation over spread around Europe (a result of World War II) multiple times. Devery re-enters the room with and bring it back to the US to sell while avoiding Billie and introduces her to Paul. Billie, trying to pesky laws and regulations. The Hedges leave sneak a drink upstairs, is stopped by Harry, who and Billie goes upstairs, leaving Harry and Devery wants her to be presentable for the congressman alone. They wonder what to do about Billie, and his wife. They yell at each other and in his whose ignorance might create problems for them rage, Harry assaults Devery. Paul exits, telling in Washington. Devery encourages Harry to marry Harry that he’s staying right down the hall if he Billie to help improve their image, but Harry needs anything. refuses. However, he does suggest that Paul educate Billie to help make her more presentable, and calls Paul back to the hotel suite.
4 spoiler When Paul arrives, Harry offers him $200 a week Harry, who comes back downstairs. Billie and alert! to educate Billie, and Paul accepts. Harry calls Harry get into an argument, which scares Billie Billie back downstairs and leaves the two of them into signing the papers. Then, Harry tells her to This synopsis alone. Devery, who thinks this is a bad idea, tries leave until she can remember her place. Billie contains spoilers to object, but Harry won’t listen. When left alone, exits the hotel suite. about the story of Billie and Paul come to an agreement about the the show. If you wish Eight hours later, Billie has not returned, and arrangement, and Billie decides she would like to to be completely Harry is worried. He sits down and tries to read a learn to speak better. They begin to flirt, but Harry surprised by what book, but has little luck. He goes up to bed. Billie you see on stage, and Devery re-enter before it can go too far. quietly enters the suite with Paul, and the two of you may want to wait Devery and Paul leave, and Billie and Harry play them gather paperwork from the desk. They say until after the play to what is clearly their nightly game of Gin Rummy. their goodbyes, and Paul asks Billie to marry him. read this article. Billie wins and forces Harry to pay her on the spot. She says no, but they kiss. Eddie comes in, having He does so, then goes up to bed. The door been downstairs searching for Billie. He tells Paul buzzes and Billie opens it to find Paul, who has to leave and goes to wake Harry. When alone, brought her some newspapers and books. They Billie calls for a porter to come and collect her share an intimate kiss and Paul leaves. Billie goes things. up to bed singing a song from her days as a chorus girl, ending Act One. Harry comes in and tells Billie that they are going to get married, but Billie rejects him and tells him When Act Two begins, two months have passed she’s leaving. Harry calls for Devery to remove and Billie is busy reading a newspaper. Paul Billie from all the business, but Paul has taken the enters and the two discuss Billie’s father, who has paperwork. Billie says that he’s going to publish it. written to her. She tells Paul that she hasn’t really Paul is called to the room, but does not have the thought about her father in years, and that he paperwork on him. Harry tries to threaten him, but didn’t approve of her life with Harry. They enter doesn’t have control of the situation. Senator into a discussion about Harry’s selfishness and Hedges arrives, but also has no power against how a person’s selfishness helps to corrupt Paul’s threats. Harry, in a rage, assaults Paul, but powerful people and those that rely on them. The Devery calms him enough to continue the conversation moves to their relationship, which conversation. Harry tries to bribe Paul, but Paul is Billie claims will never go any further than their uninterested. Billie explains the situation: since friendly student-teacher dynamic, but Paul isn’t so she controls a lot of Harry’s money, she’s going to sure. Harry enters, and Paul and Billie continue give it back to him in installments, but only if he their lesson, with Harry now inserting himself stays in line and leaves them alone. If he fails to do when he feels he knows more than Billie. She and so, Paul will publish his unlawful dealings and Harry get into a battle over who knows more, and Harry will go to jail. Paul and Billie make a Paul leaves. triumphant exit, and Harry, along with Devery and When alone, Billie asks Harry about his business in Hedges, is left with nothing but a drink. Washington, but he avoids answering her. Devery and Senator Hedges enters giving Harry some bad news: their business is going to take longer than expected. Harry angrily storms upstairs, leaving Billie with Devery and Hedges. It is mentioned that Billie has never voted, and the two men encourage her to become more involved in politics. When Hedges leaves, Devery tries to get Billie to sign more papers, but she says that she wants to read them first. He goes to tell
5 A Washington Walking Tour Billie Dawn has come to Washington, DC for the first time, and she certainly has a lot to see and do! There are many references to some well-known Washington locations throughout the play, but the city has even more to offer. Below are some places that you have to see when taking a tour around our nation’s capital.
The White House The official residence of the President of the United States since 1800. The West Wing of the White House, as well as the Eisenhower Executive Office Building next door, is the workplace for the Executive Branch of the United States of America.
United States Capitol The home of the United States Congress and the seat of the Legislative Branch of the United States of America, featuring chambers for the House of Representatives and the Senate. The building was completed in 1800. The House Chamber is where the President delivers the annual State of the Union Address.
United States Supreme Court Building The seat of the Supreme Court and the Judicial Branch of the United States of America. The Supreme Court Building was not completed until 1935, significantly later than the seats of the other branches of the US Government.
National Gallery of Art One of the largest museums in North America, this national art museum is located on the National Mall and was established in 1937, only 10 years before the events of Born Yesterday. It is free and open to the public, and features major works of art that trace all the way back to the Middle Ages, as well as the only painting by Leonardo da Vinci in the Americas.
6 The Smithsonian Institution Established in 1846 “for the increase and diffusion of knowledge,” the Institution is composed of 19 museums, nine research centers and a zoo, most of which are located in Washington, DC. The Smithsonian Institution Building is also sometimes referred to as “the Castle” and opened in 1855.
Library of Congress As the name suggests, this research library serves the United States Congress and is considered the national library of the United States. It has a staff of over 3,000 and is run by the Librarian of Congress. You may recognize the library from the 2007 blockbuster, National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets.
The National Mall This park is located in the downtown area of Washington and is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the nation’s capital. At the west end sits the Lincoln Memorial and the east end is home to the US Capital. The Washington Monument lies in between the two.
The Pentagon This building, named and noted for its shape, is the headquarters for the United States Department of Defense. It is one of the world’s largest office buildings and has a pentagon-shaped courtyard at its center known as “ground zero.”
7 Corruption in Politics The Happy Peasant One of the themes that the play hinges on is the A motif that appears throughout the play and is a major corruption of politicians in Washington, D.C. Harry source of discussion is the idea of the “happy peasant.” Brock’s sole purpose in traveling to Washington is to After reading a piece entitled “After Visiting the Tomb find senators and representatives that he can buy for of Napoleon” by Robert G. Ingersoll, Billie finds herself political favors. However, the play straddles a fine line struggling to understand this concept of a “happy of being too critical of the government. There is a farmer.” While the play only begins the discussion recognition of corrupted individuals in Washington, but before switching topics, Paul briefly explains that it there are very few (Senator Hedges seems to be one of introduces the choice between a life simply lived and the only ones) because most men in Congress are too an endless fight for power and influence (like “honest,” according to Ed Devery. Those that are Napoleon). How do the characters of the play fit into depicted as corrupt are also depicted as miserable or this motif? Categorize each of them as “Napoleons” unintelligent, and they don’t exactly succeed in their or “happy farmers”? What traits determine their corrupt endeavors. Think about how different this place? In looking at the final decisions of the play would be if it was set in 2018. Would it still characters, how does Ingersoll’s piece inform the work? What would be the major differences? What play’s narrative ending? How do Ingersoll’s piece might be able to stay the same? and Born Yesterday connect to your own life? The People’s Government While the play spends a lot of time discussing the individual people that make up the United States Federal Government (check out F2F for more in-depth information), there is also discussion about the purpose of the federal government and who it really serves. Over the course of the play, Billie learns about how everything that happens in Washington, D.C. is meant to serve the people of the United States, and that the people of the United States are the ones with all the power. American citizens vote for their representatives and have the ability to hold them accountable for the work that they do in service of the nation. What, if any, is the connection between what Billie discovers about the world through her lessons with Paul and what Billie discovers about herself as a person? Do you feel that America represents a “power to the people” mentality? Why or why not?
8 The People of the United States Government
Harry Brock comes to Washington, DC with the intention of buying a senator (or two), but finds that most politicians in the capital are too honest to become involved in his sordid business affairs. The United States Federal Government is broken into three branches, which work together through a system of checks and balances to govern the citizens of our country. Below is a layout of those branches and the people that work within them.
Legislative Branch This branch creates the laws of the nation. It is made up of the United States Congress, which consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate. Here are some people you would meet in Congress: • 435 Representatives—elected from each state (a different number for each state determined by population)
• 6 Non-voting Representatives—represent Washington, DC, Puerto Rico, and other US territories • Speaker of the House—presides over the House of Representatives • 100 Senators -—2 elected from each state
Executive Branch This branch enforces the laws of the nation that are written by Congress. It is made up of the President of the United States, the Vice President of the United States, the Cabinet, and independent federal agencies. The Executive Branch employs more than 4 million Americans. Here are just some of the people you would meet in the Executive Branch: • White House Chief of Staff—oversees the Executive Office of the President • Director of the Office of Management and Budget—assists the preparation of the Federal budget • Press Secretary—provides daily briefings to the media regarding the President’s activities. • National Security Council—advises the President foreign policy and national security • Secretary of Defense—part of the Cabinet and head of the Department of Defense • Secretary of Education—member of the Cabinet and head of the Department of Education • The Attorney General—the head of the Department of Justice • Secretary of State—a member of the Cabinet and head of the Department of State • Secretary of the Treasury—Cabinet member and head of the Department of the Treasury
Judicial Branch This branch of government interprets the laws of the nation that are written in the Constitution and how they should be applied. It is made up of the Supreme Court and other federal courts. The nine justices (one Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices) chosen for the Supreme Court are not elected by the American people, making this the only branch not reliant on nationwide voting. Supreme Court Justices also serve for life (or until they retire).
For more information on the United States Federal Government and the specific duties of those working within it, visit whitehouse.gov or usa.gov.
9 Having a Voice and Making It Matter
When Billie Dawn is left alone to speak with Ed Devery and Senator Hedges in Act Two, she reveals to them that she has “never voted for anybody.” For someone like Billie, who doesn’t really pay attention to newspapers and current events, this really isn’t that shocking. She states she wouldn’t know how to make a choice between two candidates, and that can oftentimes overwhelm a potential voter into deciding not to vote. However, like Devery and Hedges tell Billie, there are ways to feel a little more certain about whose ideals might line up more closely with your own: you listen and you read, and then you make up your own mind.
One of the greatest rights of an American is the ability to have a voice in how the country is run, and who gets to run it. Every American, at the age of 18, is given the right to vote. Like Billie, many of them don’t take advantage of this right, with only about 61% of Americans showing up to vote for the 2016 presidential election—and that was a record number! It is important to be an informed and active member of democracy to ensure that your government is working for you, which is its job, after all.
Ignore the “fake news” and get the facts!
We are currently in an age of information overload. In order to get the best information, make sure you Thousands of articles are written every day by a are aware of any political biases from the sources variety of sources, each one with a different goal or you are accessing. Here are some sources that motive in publishing a piece. Some websites just are considered to be the most fair and in-depth want people to click on their headline to rack up sources available: Time, The New York Times, views; these “clickbait” outlets hardly ever present The Wall Street Journal, The Associated Press and an accurate and fair perspective. They might NPR. Just remember, you can take a look at these pick out only the most interesting (or scandalous) first, but make sure to check more sources to try to information and sensationalize it. This isn’t real news, understand the full complexity of the issue. If you but a marketing ploy to gain viewership and make only see a piece of information once, it might not be money. However, it can be extremely hard to tell the most factual. the difference, so it is important to check multiple sources in order to get a sense of the truth. Another good place to look, specifically when determining the best political candidate to vote With the thousands of sources for information for, is ISideWith.com. This site analyzes the political available through a quick internet search, it can be stances of every candidate on a large number of really hard to gauge who is telling the truth. Not only major political issues for every upcoming election. are some people writing just for clickbait headlines, They also provide links to sources for every piece of but a lot of news sources have a bias that skews the information, so you can double check that everything facts to suit their own narrative. When discussing is grounded in facts. It’s a multi-step process, but politics, a left-leaning source may present a liberal having a voice in a democracy is no small thing, and candidate in a better light than a conservative it is worth it to put in a little bit of work! candidate, and vice versa for right-leaning sources.
10 There is a good chance that you are not yet 18, and therefore are not yet able to vote. However, if you are currently in high school, you will more than likely be able to vote in the 2020 presidential election, and it is never too early to start paying attention to the major issues that might present themselves in an upcoming campaign. It is also important to note that while the presidential election is highly regarded, there are elections that occur every two years that can be just as game-changing. If you are 18 now, or very near to it, you may be able to vote in an election sooner than you think!
So, how do you go about making an informed decision? Here are a few steps that might help you to gain confidence in your place in America’s democracy. However, everyone’s process towards making their
Determine your stance on major issues In order to vote for someone whose ideas and opinions more closely align with your own, first you have to know where you stand on issues. This can be one of the hardest things to do, as your opinion will constantly change as you learn and grow. The best place to start is by knowing the news - reading about it in newspapers or online, or watching it on television. What are people discussing, and how do you feel about it? Look at multiple sources to try to get a really good sense of the complexity of the issue. Your opinion may change the more informed you become, and that’s a good thing!
Determine the stance of the candidates Even if there is not an election coming up soon, it’s still good to see what kind of opinions are out there already. A lot of what determines a good candidate is their history - not just what they are saying when they have a spotlight on them, but what they have actively fought for and against their entire career. You can start gathering that information now. It might be best to start with those that are currently in office - who represents you in the House of Representatives? In the Senate? How do you feel about the President and the Vice-President? What about your state’s government? It is possible that these people might run for re-election when it’s your turn to vote, so paying attention to them now is incredibly important.
Register to Vote In order to vote on Election Day, you must first be registered to vote. When you turn 18, you can go ahead and register, which will allow you to vote in upcoming elections. You only need to re-register to vote if you’ve moved, changed your name or haven’t voted in the past four years. A quick internet search on how to register in your specific state should provide you with all of the information that you need to get registered for state and federal elections.
Use your tools There are tools available to you to help you become a more informed and active citizen. Major speeches are available on the internet and shown on television, there are thousands of articles online from a variety of sources, and you have adults in your life who can be great guides. Ultimately, what is most important is that you make the right decision for yourself; your choices and your reasoning’s for making a choice does not have to be the same as anyone else. This is about your voice, and it matters too.
11 Check out these novels, plays and films, chosen by St. Louis County Librarians to enhance your expeirence. Or join Billie’s book club and try RMAI your hand at some of the texts Paul recommends for her education.
The beekeeper’s apprentice / Laurie R. King David Copperfield / Charles Dickens
A chance meeting with a Sussex beekeeper turns into a The eighth and reportedly favorite work of the renowned pivotal, personal transformation when fifteen-year-old novelist, this work was first published as a serial and then as Mary Russell discovers that the beekeeper is the reclusive, a book in 1850. Many elements of the story follow events retired detective Sherlock Holmes, who soon takes on the of Dickens’ own life, and it is often considered a veiled role of mentor and teacher. autobiography. Narrated by the main character as an adult, the novel traces the life of a young man from an impoverished and miserable childhood in England to The list: a novel / Karin Tanabe becoming a successful and famous author. A debut novel about a young journalist at D.C.’s hottest and most cut-throat political rag who uncovers a scandal Common Sense / Thomas Paine sure to turn the Beltway inside out. This pamphlet, published in 1776, addressed the main issues concerning America, its place in the world and Pygmalion / George Bernard Shaw operation under British rule. The author also criticized British politics, highlighting the lack of democracy under A stuffy professor of phonetics takes a bet that in six the crown. He urged colonists to fight for independence, months time he can turn a Cockney flower seller into a lady as they could not be a country founded on freedom if they he could pass off as a duchess. did not have democracy.
So close / Emma McLaughlin & Nicola Kraus Democracy and Social Ethics / Jane Addams Amanda Beth Luker has spent her whole life desperately This social worker, political activist and essayist was one of looking for someone who can show her the way out of her the co-founders of the first settlement house in the United trailer park Florida town. And then, finally, help arrives in States (Hull House in Chicago) and was on the front line of the form of Tom Davis, a successful lawyer with political women’s rights and the fight for equality. While she wrote aspirations who grew up just a few towns over from many books, this 1902 publication was her first. In this Amanda. But it’s his wife Lindsay who really captures collection, she identified a spirit of alienation pervading Amanda’s imagination. Strong, smart, and determined, she modern life, and as an antidote offered active involvement gives Amanda something she’s never had: a role model. in the project of establishing a more humane public order.
My Fair Lady / Warner Brothers Pictures, 1964 An Essay on Man / Alexander Pope Arrogant, irascible, and misogynistic professor of This philosophic and inspirational poem, written in phonetics Henry Higgins believes that the accent and tone couplets, was designed to express the author’s system of of one’s voice determines a person’s prospects in society. ethics. Presented as four epistles, the sections explored He boasts to a new acquaintance, Colonel Hugh the relation between humans and the universe, man as an Pickering—also an expert in phonetics—that he could individual, the individual and society, and the individual’s teach any woman to speak so “properly” that he could potential for happiness. The poem was written around pass her off as a duchess at an embassy ball. He chooses as 1734 and was praised for its ability to address complex an example a sassy, young working-class London flower themes and ideas. seller from the slums, Eliza Doolittle, who has a strong Cockney accent. Can Higgins turn Eliza into a duchess? When the humble flower girl blossoms into the toast of London’s elite, her teacher may have a lesson or two to learn himself.