Juliet - Script
Juliet - Script
ACT I
THE ENSEMBLE starts to enter the stage. They all carry a program. We see a big sign
at the back spelling "ROMEO & JULIET" but "ROMEO" is missing a few letters and its
lights are broken.
WOMAN INTRO 1
Welcome to Shakespeare on Broadway!
MAN INTRO 1
He's the greatest playwright of all time! And he's here! So, please, give him some love!
ENSEMBLE
ALL YOU PEOPLE CAN'T YOU SEE, CAN'T YOU SEE
HOW YOUR LOVE'S AFFECTING OUR REALITY
EVERY TIME WE'RE DOWN
YOU CAN MAKE IT RIGHT
AND THAT MAKES YOU LARGER THAN LIFE
SHAKESPEARE
I MAY RUN AND HIDE WHEN YOU'RE SCREAMING MY NAME, ALRIGHT
WOMAN INTRO 2
(Shouting) I love you Shakespeare!!
SHAKESPEARE
BUT LET ME TELL YOU NOW, THERE ARE PRICES TO FAME, ALRIGHT
(Greeting the public) So good to be here! Welcome everyone!
1
SHAKESPEARE takes a quill from his vest and brings it up.
ALL
ALL OF YOUR TIME SPENT KEEPS US ALIVE
SHAKESPEARE
ALL YOU PEOPLE CAN'T YOU SEE, CAN'T YOU SEE
HOW YOUR LOVE'S AFFECTING OUR REALITY
ALL
EVERY TIME WE'RE DOWN
YOU CAN MAKE IT RIGHT
AND THAT MAKES YOU LARGER THAN-
SHAKESPEARE
LOOKING AT THE CROWD, AND I SEE YOUR BODY SWAY, C'MON
ALL
WISHIN' I COULD THANK YOU IN A DIFFERENT WAY, C'MON
'CAUSE ALL OF YOUR TIME SPENT KEEPS US ALIVE
SHAKESPEARE
LIFE ALL
EVERY TIME WE'RE DOWN ALL YOU PEOPLE CAN'T YOU SEE,
YEAH, YOU CAN MAKE IT RIGHT CAN'T YOU SEE
YEAH, THAT'S WHAT MAKES YOU HOW YOUR LOVE'S AFFECTING OUR
LARGER THAN LIFE REALITY
EVERY TIME WE'RE DOWN, YOU
CAN MAKE IT RIGHT
ALL
AND THAT MAKES YOU LARGER
THAT MAKES YOU LARGER
THAT MAKES YOU LARGER
2
LARGER THAN LIFE
ANNE enters and SHAKESPEARE sees her and goes to greet his wife.
SHAKESPEARE
There she is. My beautiful wife!
ANNE
(Greeting the ENSEMBLE) Hello everyone! I'm Anne.
WOMAN INTRO 3
Oh, I didn't know you had a wife?
MAN INTRO 2
Neither did I
SHAKESPEARE
Anne spends much of her time in Stratford raising our kids.
ANNE
But not tonight. Tonight, is my night out! I got a babysitter.
I'm ready to watch this play and have a very large glass of wine. And hopefully not fall
asleep before the interval.
SHAKESPEARE takes the quill and a paper out of his pocket and shows it off.
The ENSEMBLE sits around SHAKESPEARE.
SHAKESPEARE
No one will be falling asleep based on the ending I've just written.
ANNE
Oh, you've written an ending? That's perfect timing.
Since everyone's here.
SHAKESPEARE
And they're in for quite a show!
So, you already know the first bit. Romeo and Juliet fall in love but their families hate
each other. So, they marry in secret. Several people end up dead.
3
WOMAN INTRO 4
(To the audience) This isn't a spoiler, it's in the program.
SHAKESPEARE
But here it's where things get a little more interesting. In order to be with Romeo, Juliet
obtains a sleeping potion from Fray Laurens which will grant her the appearance of
being dead.
ANNE
Yes, love that!
SHAKESPEARE
Fray Laurens sends a messenger to tell Romeo but instead-
ANNE
It seems like a pretty important message to leave your messenger but go on.
SHAKESPEARE
Well, the messenger fails to reach Romeo!
So Romeo thinks Juliet really is dead. And kills himself!
But then Juliet wakes up, sees Romeo dead - (to Anne) you're gonna love this bit - she
plants his dagger into her heart and kills herself too!
And that's the ending!
SHAKESPEARE expectantly with open arms waits for the crowd's cheers. But everyone
is silent.
MAN INTRO 2
Yeah, yeah, I like it too. What I think I like about it it's I'm having a really…
strongly…negative reaction to it. Like I hate it?
But, it's probably just me. It's brilliant.
ANNE
If I could give one tiny thought. And this is probably terrible, you know?
But what if Juliet didn't kill herself?
4
We hear some of the ENSEMBLE agreeing with her.
WOMAN INTRO 5
Yes, I like that!
ANNE
It seems that she's got a whole life ahead of her. She's only got one boyfriend.
Maybe she doesn't kill herself just because he killed himself.
WOMAN INTRO 6
Couldn't agree more!
MAN INTRO 3
Female empowerment. Sick!
SHAKESPEARE
Okay, but we are not writing by committee. I write every one of my plays completely by
myself.
It's too late. The ending has been written.
ANNE
I understand. But the ending is shit.
What if you just…change it?
SHAKESPEARE
You expect me to change my whole play?
ANNE
Well, it all depends, William. Are you a strong enough man to write a stronger woman?
SHAKESPEARE
Anne-
5
ANNE
YOU ARE MY FIRE
THE ONE DESIRE
SHAKESPEARE
BELIEVE WHEN I SAY
I WANT IT THAT WAY
ANNE
BUT WE ARE TWO WORLDS APART
CAN'T REACH TO YOUR HEART
WHEN YOU SAY
THA-
SHAKESPEARE
THAT I WANT IT THAT WAY
ENSEMBLE
TELL MY WHY
ANNE
AIN'T NOTHING BUT A HEARTACHE
ENSEMBLE
TELL MY WHY
ANNE
AIN'T NOTHING BUT A MISTAKE
ENSEMBLE
TELL MY WHY
ANNE
I NEVER WANNA HEAR YOU SAY
SHAKESPEARE
I WANT IT THAT WAY
ANNE snatches the quill out of SHAKESPEARE's hands and runs off. SHAKESPEARE
can't reach her because the ENSEMBLE is blocking him to defend ANNE.
6
ANNE
AM I YOUR FIRE
YOUR ONE DESIRE
YES I KNOW
SHAKESPEARE
IT'S TOO LATE
ANNE
I WANT IT THAT WAY
SHAKESPEARE
TELL ME WHY
ANNE
AIN'T NOTHING BUT A HEARTACHE
SHAKESPEARE
TELL ME WHY
ANNE
AIN'T NOTHING BUT A MISTAKE
SHAKESPEARE
TELL ME WHY
ANNE
I NEVER WANNA HEAR YOU SAY
SHAKESPEARE
THAT I WANT IT THAT WAY
ANNE
THAT IT WANT IT THAT WAY
Please William. I never asked before and I'lll never ask again!
But if we work together, this could be something very special.
SHAKESPEARE
Alright Anne. What happens in your play?
7
The ENSEMBLE cheers.
SCENE 3 REBUMP
While ANNE pictures her play to her husband, behind them, the classic bed of Romeo
and Juliet appears.
ANNE
Romeo can still die, that's fine. But what I really want to see is Juliet wake up and
decide to just MOVE ON. I mean, really. That should almost be the start of the play.
SHAKESPEARE
It appears I don't have a choice.
ANNE
But Juliet does! And at last she finds her voice.
SHAKESPEARE and ANNE exit the stage. And from between the dancers, Juliet
appears sitting against the bed.
JULIET
OH BABY BABY
HOW WAS I SUPPOSED TO KNOW
THAT SOMETHING WASN'T RIGHT HERE?
8
HIT ME BABY, ONE MORE TIME
We see the ENSEMBLE enter and form a line at the back. Everyone is carrying flowers
for Romeo's funeral.
SHAKESPEARE enters stage left with his quill, annoyed. ANNE enters stage right
exhilarated.
ALL
SHOW ME THE MEANING OF BEING LONELY
ANNE
Look at this! Look at us!
We write something down and we watch it happen.
SHAKESPEARE
Yeah, it's fun, isn't it?
ANNE
It really is. You know, after this we should rewrite all your plays.
SHAKESPEARE
Mm, most of them are pretty good as it is. But, in honor of the fellow's death, now we
need to continue the plot. Which may not go exactly as you thought.
At Romeo's funeral, our Julliet will soon discover that her dear Romeo had other lovers.
9
ROSALIND throws herself at the casket center stage.
ROSALIND X #1
Oh Romeo dead! Can heaven be so envious?
JULIET enters stage right and approaches the casket and sees ROSALIND
JULIET
Hey. Did you know Romeo too?
ROSALIND X #1
(annoyed) I'm Rosalind. We used to date.
JULIET
You used to date?!
ROSALIND X #1
I was to get married but my parents said no.
JULIET
I don't know what to say.
ROSALIND X #1
SO MANY WORDS FOR THE BROKEN HEART
VIOLET X #2
IT'S HARD TO SEE IN A CRIMSON LOVE
JULIET
Oh, another one?
BOTH
SO HARD TO BREATH
WALK WITH ME, AND MAYBE
10
JAZMINE X #3
GUILTY ROADS TO AN ENDLESS LOVE
ANNE
Seriously Romeo?
THERE'S NO CONTROL
SHAKESPEARE
ARE YOU WITH ME NOW?
YOUR EVERY WISH WILL BE DONE
The EX's jump on top of the casket and they appear as a pop group.
JULIET runs up to the side and watches the scene.
EX #1, #2 AND #3 #4
SHOW ME THE MEANING OF BEING LONELY
ENSEMBLE
SHOW ME THE MEANING
EX #1, #2 #3 AND #4
IS THIS THE FEELING I NEED TO WALK WITH
ENSEMBLE
IS THIS THE FEELING
ALL
WHERE YOU ARE
THERE IS SOMETHING MISSING IN MY HEART
JULIET
Sorry, did you all date Romeo?
JAZMINE X #3
Oh, we did more than date. He used to come to my balcony all the time.
11
JULIET
Well, I actually married him. When he first saw me he said: "Did my heart love till now?
Forswear it, sight For I never saw tr-"
ALL
"True beauty till this night"!!
MOTHER
Your father and I are sending you to a nunnery.
JULIET
What? Why?
MOTHER
You brought shame to our name.
FATHER
You brought bloodshed to our streets.
MOTHER
You will make amends to God above.
JULIET
But all I did was fall in love.
JULIET
HOW CAN IT BE YOU ARE ASKING ME
TO FEEL THE THINGS YOU NEVER SHOW?
12
FATHER
I'll talk no more. You'll follow our decree.
We see Juliet in her bedroom playing with the broken rose she had brought to the
funeral.
The NURSE enters out of breath.
NURSE
Oh my god, I'm so out of breath. So many stairs.
JULIET
Nurse-
NURSE
I can't even speak, I'm so out of breath.
JULIET
Nurs-
NURSE
I can't even talk. I can't even say one word.
JULIET
Nurse, please!
NURSE
What's the matter, my love?
JULIET
What's the matter? My cousin's dead. My husband's dead. My parents are sending me
to a nunnery tomorrow so I might as well be dead!
NURSE
And?
JULIET
And? My life is over!
13
NURSE
Oh, no! Don't say that, sweet lady. Just look at it this way.
Do we have love? No. Do we have freedom? No. But, do we have hope? No.
JULIET
Thank you. That was very inspirational.
NURSE
Nothing is as bad as it seems. It's like they always say "being alone is a lot of fun".
JULIET
No one ever says that. And I wouldn't even be in this position if it wasn't for Romeo.
What do you call someone that is like a whore but a man?
NURSE
My child, there is no word for that.
JULIET
He said I was his first! That his heart had never loved and now it turns out-
NURSE
That the star-crossed lover crossed starts with every woman in Verona?
JULIET
I thought I was special.
NURSE
And you are, Juliet. If I would have lived to see you get married, I would have tried
happily.
JULIET
I was married…
NURSE
I know.
JULIET
I can get married again!
14
NURSE
No, I don't think so.
JULIET
Why should I spend the rest of my life wasting away in a nunnery just because one
relationship didn't work out? I could travel, leave Verona! Meet interesting people, see
the world!
I still believe there is something in the stars hiding for me.
MAY
(off stage) Juliet!
NURSE
Who could that be?
JULIET
I know who this is.
SHAKESPEARE
(to Anne) Wait. "I know who this is"?
ANNE
Juliet needs a best friend. Someone her own age who understands her. Romeo had
Mercutio in your play and in mine Juliet has…
JULIET
May!
MAY
Hi!
SHAKESPEARE
If I may, isn't May more of a girl's name?
ANNE
Really? This from the man who's built a career on men dressing as women often
women playing dressed as men? A man who's name is basically synonymous to
gender-bending.
Do you really think it's up to you to question May's gender or sexual preference? Or do
you think maybe it's May's personal choice and none of our business?
15
SHAKESPEARE
(Stunned) Carry on.
ANNE
Thank you.
JULIET
What's going on? It's been a minute.
MAY
Yeah, sorry I couldn't find you at the funeral. There were so many people there.
JULIET
I know, right? They were all Romeo's ex's.
MAY
No!
JULIET
Right? But listen. Romeo lived his life. So maybe it's time I start living mine!
MAY
Can I just say I'm loving this journey for you?
NURSE
Juliet, it's time to say goodbye to your friend now.
ANNE
Juliet!
JULIET
Oh my god it's you! You're…
ANNE
April! You're other best friend.
SHAKESPEARE
Wait a minute! Lights up.
16
ANNE
What?
SHAKESPEARE
You can't be in it. Who do you think you are?
ANNE
I'm April. I'm helping my best friend, Juliet.
April, May and Julyet. Isn't that cute?
SHAKESPEARE
You do know I have a background in acting-
ANNE
-Okay. Lights up! Yeaaaah!
JULIET
April, we gotta get out of here. Start somewhere new.
ANNE
Yes! What do you say, May?
MAY
I don't know. What would we even do? Run away to someplace exotic and hang around
with random foreign guys? OKAY, I'M IN.
They start jumping around, celebrating their new adventure. NURSE gets in the middle
and pulls JULIET aside.
NURSE
Okay, I feel like this is a very bad idea.
JULIET
I feel like this is a very good idea.
SCENE 6 DOMINO
TRACK #5 - DOMINO
17
ANNE
And I feel, I feel..
I'M FEELING SEXY AND FREE
LIKE GLITTER'S RAINING ON ME
I'M LIKE A SHOT OF PURE GOLD
NURSE
I THINK I'M 'BOUT TO EXPLODE
JULIET
Ugh, come on.
ANNE
What?!
I CAN TASTE THE TENSION LIKE A CLOUD OF SMOKE IN THE AIR
JULIET
NOW I'M BREATHING LIKE I'M RUNNING 'CAUSE YOU'RE TAKING ME THERE
ANNE
DON'T YOU KNOW?
YOU SPIN ME OUT OF CONTROL
JULIET
WE CAN DO THIS ALL NIGHT
DAMN THIS LOVE IS SKIN TIGHT
NURSE
BABY, COME ON
MAY
BOOM ME LIKE A BASS DRUM, SPARKING UP A RHYTHM
18
ANNE
BABY, COME ON
NURSE
Oh god, it's your mother. What is she gonna think?
JULIET
I don't care what she thinks.
ANNE
Yes!
JULIET
I don't care what anyone thinks!
MAY
Yes!
JULIET
I'm getting out of here!
ANNE and MAY celebrate with her. The NURSE looks like she's gonna be sick.
NURSE
I need a drink.
19
JULIET MAY, ANNE
OH BABY BABY, GOT ME YEAH
FEELING SO RIGHT
NURSE
OH BABY BABY BABY
ALL
OOH OOH OOH OOH
ROCK MY WORLD UNTIL THE SUNLIGHT
MAKE THIS DREAM THE BEST I'VE EVER KNOWN
DIRTY DANCING IN THE MOONLIGHT
TAKE ME DOWN LIKE I'M A DOMINO
JULIET
TAKE ME DOWN
ANNE, MAY
TAKE ME DOWN
JULIET
TAKE ME DOWN
ALL
LIKE I'M A DOMINO
JULIET
This is going to be the best night ever! And all I've done is leave my bedroom.
20
NURSE
Juliet, we have to go. If your parents see you then you'll be forced to go to the nunnery.
ANNE
Well, we'll have nun of that.
MAY
Where should we go?
NURSE
Anywhere but Verona. It's nothing but gloomy.
JULIET
Wait, what if we all went to Paris?
MAY
Oh my god, yes! The city of love.
NURSE
Paris is six hundred miles too far.
ANNE
Ugh, I like Paris. If only there was a way.
Oh wait.
There it is. Juliet, you shall go to Paris. It is your fate. So get ready, my lady. Your
carriage awaits!
21
And your carriage driver.
JULIET
I can't believe we are doing this.
MAY
We'll start again in Paris where everything is love.
JULIET
ALWAYS BEEN TOLD THAT I GOT TOO MUCH PRIDE
TOO INDEPENDENT TO HAVE YOU BY MY SIDE
ANNE
THEN MY HEART SAID ALL OF YOU WILL SEE
JUST WON'T LIVE FOR SOMEONE UNTIL HE LIVES FOR ME
MAY
NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD LOVE SO SWEET
NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD MEET SOMEONE LIKE YOU
MAY, ANNE
WELL, NOW I FOUND YOU AND I'LL TELL YOU NO LIE
JULIET
THIS LOVE I GOT FOR YOU
COULD TAKE 'ROUND THE WORLD
NOW SHOW ME LOVE
ALL
SHOW ME LOVE
JULIET, MAY
OH SHOW ME
ALL
SHOW ME LIFE
22
JULIET, MAY
SHOW ME LOVE
ALL
BABY SHOW ME WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT
JULIET, MAY
AND WHAT'S IT'S ALL ABOUT
ALL
YOU'RE THE ONE THAT I EVER NEEDED
SHOW ME LOVE, AND WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT, ALRIGHT
SHAKESPEARE
We are finally here!
JULIET
This place is amazing! I knew this was a good idea.
ANNE
Juliet, it's a sign!
JULIET
'Renaissance Ball Ce Soir'. Great, now all we gotta do is find Ce Soir.
NURSE
Ce Soir means 'tonight'.
JULIET
I didn't know you spoke french.
NURSE
Nevermind that.
MAY
I say we go to this ball.
ANNE
It is my night out.
23
JULIET
And this is where it all begins.
SO BABY, LET ME IN
SHOW ME LOVE
The curtain closes and we see FRANCOIS appear at stage right playing a video game.
LANCE, his father, enters from stage left.
LANCE
Francois! This is quite the Ce Soir, don't you think?
FRANCOIS
Just call it a party, dad.
LANCE
You might be having more fun if you weren't too scared to talk to any of the ladies.
FRANCOIS
I'm not scared. I'm just shy.
LANCE
Ohh! You're just shy. I see.
Well, what if I had been shy when I was serving with the Shandong.
FRANCOIS
Okay…
LANCE
When I had to ride into battle with the Spanish?
LANCE
Yep, okay.
24
LANCE
Or my wedding night? When I had to ride with your mother? May she rest in peace.
FRANCOIS
I would love for you to never say that again.
LANCE
C'mon now, son. I threw this ball just for you. There must be one nice girl you could ask
to dance. Or maybe you don't want to get married.
FRANCOIS
No, no. I want to get married. There is no one in there that you haven't already tried to
set me up with. They're all the same!
LANCE
Well, we're running out of options. And I am running out of patience.
Center-stage, we see the entrance to the ball. JULIET, MAY, ANNE, and NURSE arrive.
JULIET
Hi! There's four of us. We're here for the Renaissance Ball.
MAN BOUNCER
Je suis désolé, but I can't let you in.
JULIET
What? Why?
ANNE
Oh! Wait, wait, wait, wait. I see what's going on here. Okay, I don't have any ID on me,
but I am over 18. Tell him.
JULIET
She's over 18.
MAY
I'm over 18.
NURSE
I'm old enough to be a nurse.
25
JULIET
And on my birthday, I'm gonna be 14!
ANNE
(Shocked) Lights out! William!
SHAKESPEARE
Juliet is based on a real historical figure!
ANNE
I'm not going clubbing with a 13 year old! Let's just say, we're all in our 20's.
SHAKESPEARE
You're all in your 20's?
ANNE
Lights on.
MAN
Your age is not the problem. You're not on the guest list.
JULIET
Okay, well, can you put us on the guest list? We're really good friends with Cesar.
NURSE
No, Juliet. Remember, it's ce soir.
JULIET
Right. We're really good friends with ce soir.
MAN
I'm sorry, ladies, but we're full.
MAY
Well, I guess the ball's out then.
ANNE
We came all the way to Paris and I'm not leaving until I dance.
26
ANNE points her quill to the security at the door and they let her in.
TRACK #7 BLOW
MAY
NOW YOU'RE ONE OF US
YOU'RE COMING WITH ME
ANNE
IT'S TIME TO KILL THE LIGHTS
AND SHUT THE DJ DOWN
THIS PLACE'S ABOUT TO
JULIET
TONIGHT, WE'RE TAKIN' OVER
NO ONE'S GETTING OUT
ENSEMBLE
THIS PLACE ABOUT TO BLOW, OH-OH-OH-OH-OH-OH
BLOW-OH-OH-OH-OH-OH-OH
BLOW, OH-OH-OH-OH-OH-OH
BLOW-OH-OH-OH-OH-OH-OH
THIS PLACE ABOUT TO
BLOW-OH-OH-OH-OH-OH-OH
THIS PLACE ABOUT TO
NURSE
NOW WHAT? (WHAT?)
ANNE
WE'RE TAKING CONTROL
JULIET
WE GET WHAT WE WANT
MAY
WE DO WHAT YOU DON'T
NURSE
DIRT AND GLITTER COVER THE FLOOR
27
MAY
WE'RE PRETTY AND SICK
JULIET
WE'RE YOUNG AND WE'RE BORED (HA)
ANNE
IT'S TIME TO LOSE YOUR MIND
AND LET THE CRAZY OUT (THIS PLACE ABOUT TO)
LANCE
TONIGHT, WE'RE TAKING NAMES
'CAUSE WE DON'T MESS AROUND
ENSEMBLE
THIS PLACE ABOUT TO BLOW, OH-OH-OH-OH-OH-OH
BLOW-OH-OH-OH-OH-OH-OH
BLOW-OH-OH-OH-OH-OH-OH
BLOW-OH-OH-OH-OH-OH-OH
THIS PLACE ABOUT TO
JULIET, ENSEMBLE
GO-GO-GO INSANE, GO INSANE
THROW SOME GLITTER, MAKE IT RAIN ON 'EM
LET ME SEE THEM HANDS
LET ME, LET ME SEE THEM HANDS
GO INSANE GO INSANE
THROW SOME GLITTER, MAKE IT RAIN ON 'EM
LET ME SEE THEM HANDS
LET ME, LET ME SEE THEM HANDS
ANNE
WE ARE TAKING OVER (OH-OH-OH-OH-OH-OH)
GET USED TO IT, OKAY?
JULIET, ENSEMBLE
THIS PLACE ABOUT TO (BLOW)
THIS PLACE ABOUT TO BLOW, OH-OH-OH-OH-OH-OH
BLOW-OH-OH-OH-OH-OH-OH
BLOW-OH-OH-OH-OH-OH-OH
BLOW-OH-OH-OH-OH-OH-OH
THIS PLACE ABOUT TO
BLOW-OH-OH-OH-OH-OH-OH
BLOW-OH-OH-OH-OH-OH-OH
BLOW-OH-OH-OH-OH-OH-OH
BLOW-OH-OH-OH-OH-OH-OH
28
MAY and FRANCOIS bump into each other.
FRANCOIS
Oh, sorry.
MAY
No, my bad.
FRANCOIS
Here, let me.
MAY
Thank you.
FRANCOIS
Sorry, but have I seen you before?
MAY
No, sorry. My friends and I weren't on the guest list but we just-
FRANCOIS
It's alright. Enjoy the party.
We see MAY overwhelmed because she feels out of place. People are staring at her, so
she tries to find a quieter place. But JULIET finds her.
SCENE 9 BATHROOM
JULIET
May! This place is amazing. How does my hair look?
Bathroom attendance, indoor toilets. Is this place chic, or what?
MAY
It's very chic.
JULIET
Are you good?
29
MAY
Oh, yes, I'm good. I'm 100% good.
JULIET
Okay. It's just the way you're saying that. And your body language. And the fact that I
know you and basically everything about this situation picks out your lie.
MAY
It's nothing. It's just…there was this guy-
JULIET
What did he do? What did he say to you?
MAY
Nothing. It was just this really cute guy and we bumped into each other on the dance
floor.
JULIET
Go on.
MAY
And he smiled, and it was nice.
JULIET
And?
MAY
And nothing. Which is fine. I just need to accept that some things aren't going to happen
for me.
MAY
I USED TO THINK
I HAD THE ANSWERS TO EVERYTHING
BUT NOW I KNOW
LIFE DOESN'T ALWAYS GO MY WAY
JULIET
Come on, May.
30
I'VE SEEN SO MUCH MORE THAN YOU KNOW NOW
SO DON'T TELL ME TO SHUT OFF MY EYES
MAY
I'M NOT A GIRL
NOT YET A WOMAN
ALL I NEED IS TIME
A MOMENT THAT IS MINE
WHILE I'M IN BETWEEN
I'M NOT A GIRL
BUT IF YOU LOOK AT ME CLOSELY
YOU WILL SEE IT IN MY EYES
THIS GIRL WILL ALWAYS FIND HER WAY
JULIET
May, I don't think of you as a girl.
MAY
You don't?
JULIET
Or as a boy. Or as anything but my friend.
MAY
Your best friend?
JULIET
My best friend.
MAY
Who is gorgeous?
JULIET
Who is so, so gorgeous.
MAY
Thank you.
JULIET
Why don't you take a minute and I'll see you on the dance floor?
31
We see FRANCOIS playing with a lute or an accordion. And JULIET appears from
behind and keeps around to see him.
SCENE 10 OVERPROTECTED
TRACK #9 - OVERPROTECTED
FRANCOIS
SAY HELLO TO THE BOY THAT I AM
YOU'RE GONNA HAVE TO SEE THROUGH MY PERSPECTIVE
I NEED TO MAKE MISTAKES JUST TO LEARN WHO I AM
AND I DON'T WANNA BE SO DAMN PROTECTED
JULIET
YOU WILL FIND IT OUT, DON'T WORRY
FRANCOIS
I wasn't scared. I was surprised.
JULIET
It's my fault. I shouldn't be sneaking around. It's just that… I'm not supposed to be at
this party.
FRANCOIS
That's okay. It's my party.
JULIET
Is it?
32
FRANCOIS
Yeah. But don't worry, I won't tell anyone.
JULIET
Juliet. And you are?
FRANCOIS
Francois.
JULIET
(laughs) Franky?
FRANCOIS
(laughs) No.
JULIET
So, what are you? Some prince or something?
FRANCOIS
Oh no. I'm a musician.
JULIET
Damn, all the girls must be after you.
FRANCOIS
(high pitch) Um…nop. No, I'm not really into drama or big performances.
JULIET
That is so refreshing. You know, my ex Romeo was like- nevermind.
FRANCOIS
What?
JULIET
It's just the last thing I should be doing right now is thinking about Romeo.
33
FRANCOIS
Well, at least you have an ex. My father keeps trying to set me up with people and if I
don't he'll send me to the army! But if I do marry someone, I want to be able to say that I
did it my way.
JULIET
Exactly! Parents think that just because they raised us, they can decide our entire future
for us!
FRANCOIS
That's exactly it!
JULIET
Doesn't it make you want to drink a bunch of poison or something?
FRANCOIS
Nah…
JULIET
Me neither.
FRANCOIS
It's nice to meet someone who finally understands.
FRANCOIS
HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO KNOW WHAT'S RIGHT?
JULIET
YOU JUST GOTTA DO IT YOUR WAY
FRANCOIS
I CAN'T HELP THEY WAY I FEEL
BUT MY LIFE HAS BEEN SO OVERPROTECTED-
LANCE
Francois! There you are!
This is Madeline Bevoir. I thought you might invite her to a dance.
34
JULIET
We are actually talking-
LANCE
Madeline is a princess. She is a jewel of France.
JULIET
Wow. Nice to meet you, Vaseline.
MADELINE
It's Madeline.
JULIET
Okay, I may not be a princess but I was here first so you can take a big step back.
Enter Nurse, sees Lance and reacts. He hasn’t seen her yet.
LANCE
Excuse-moi?
JULIET
You are excused.
LANCE
She will be waiting, Francois.
LANCE and MADELINE talk on the side. Enter Man Bouncer and talks to Lance.
FRANCOIS
Are you out of your mind?! He will never let me get away with it.
JULIET
What is he gonna do?
FRANCOIS
If I don't marry someone soon, he's gonna send me away! I swear, if I have to dance
with one more princess.
LANCE
Okay! I don't know who you are but they said that you are not on the guest list.
35
JULIET
Nurse! Distract him!
LANCE
Please, I'm not going to be distracted by your nurse.
(turns to see her) Jolie!
NURSE
Lance.
JULIET
Wait, so you too know each other?
NURSE grabs LANCE's hands and runs off. JULIET turns around and kisses
FRANCOIS.
BLACKOUT
SCENE 11 TRANSITION
We see SHAKESPEARE accommodating the scenery. ANNE enters excited about the
party.
ANNE
William! William! Did you see me dancing? Do you know how sweaty I am? But this is
such a good play!
SHAKESPEARE
It's a different play, but your first version is good.
ANNE
What should come next? Oh! Maybe a scene where Juliet and Francois get it on!
SHAKESPEARE
Not yet, sweet Anne. That scene will come along.
SHAKESPEARE extends his hand in front of ANNE, asking for the quill. She gives it to
him reluctantly.
36
ANNE
So what is it now?
SHAKESPEARE
The following morning, underneath the covers, we find a pair of unexpected lovers.
SCENE 12 BED
They exit stage and from the bed, at center stage, from underneath the covers, we see
LANCE and NURSE.
NURSE wakes up before him and tries to sneak off without being noticed but when she
turns around, LANCE is already looking at her expectantly.
LANCE
Going so soon?
NURSE
What? No. But it's morning, I should go.
LANCE
I couldn't believe it when I saw you last night! Back in this house. It has been so many
years.
NURSE
It wasn't my idea.
LANCE
You were the best nurse we ever had. I was crushed when you left us.
NURSE
I had to. Your wife.
LANCE
She's gone now. And you're back.
NURSE
Lance, we are too old to start anything now.
37
LANCE
Are we?
NURSE
YOU THINK I'M PRETTY WITHOUT ANY MAKE-UP ON
YOU THINK I'M FUNNY WHEN I TELL THE PUNCHLINE WRONG
I KNOW YOU GET ME
SO I'LL LET MY WALLS COME DOWN
DOWN
LANCE
LET'S GO ALL THE WAY TONIGHT
NO REGRETS, JUST LOVE
WE CAN DANCE UNTIL WE DIE
YOU AND I WE'LL BE YOUNG FOREVER
NURSE
Lance, looking back it's what brought me to your bed last night. If I look forward, I can
only think about Juliet's future. She needs me.
LANCE
Juliet is a big girl by now. She must be at least 13.
NURSE
She's in her 20s. And I'm supposed to stay here with you when I don't even know what's
going on in your heart?
38
THIS IS THE PART WHEN I SAY I DON'T YOU
I'M STRONGER THAN I'VE BEEN BEFORE
THIS IS THE PART WHEN I BREAK FREE
'CAUSE I CAN'T RESIST IT NO MORE
NURSE LANCE
THIS IS THE PART WHEN I YOU MAKE ME FEEL LIKE
SAY I DON'T WANT YA I'M LIVING A
I'M STRONGER THAN TEENAGE DREAM
I'VE BEEN BEFORE THE WAY YOU TURN ME ON
THIS IS THE PART WHEN I I CAN'T SLEEP, LET'S RUN AWAY
BREAK FREE AND DON'T EVER LOOK BACK
CAUSE I CAN'T RESIST IT DON'T EVER LOOK BACK
NO MORE
LANCE
MY HEART STOPS WHEN YOU LOOK AT ME
JUST ONE TOUCH, NOW BABY I BELIEVE
THIS IS REAL
SO TAKE A CHANCE AND DON'T EVER LOOK BACK
DON'T EVER LOOK BACK
NURSE
OH BABY!
LANCE
THIS IS
BOTH
THE PART WHEN I SAY I DON'T WANT YOU
I'M STRONGER THAN I'VE BEEN BEFORE
THIS IS THE PART WHEN I BREAK FREE
'CAUSE I CAN'T RESIST IT NO MORE
39
NURSE
Juliet needs someone to look after her and until the day that she gets married I can't
think about myself.
LANCE
Angelic, my wife told me on her dying bed that I should look for you! Because she
wanted me to be happy.
NURSE
She did?
LANCE
Yes… I mean, not explicitly but I saw it in her eyes.
BLACKOUT
JULIET enters stage right with two coffees in her hand. She enters the carriage and
sees FRANCOIS passed out asleep.
JULIET
Franky? Franky?! FRANKY?!
FRANCOIS
What?!
JULIET
Jesus! I thought you were dead, and I was like not again!
FRANCOIS
"Not again"?
JULIET
(…)Last night was fun wasn't it?
FRANCOIS
So much fun. Can I just ask, did we..?
40
JULIET
No, no. And I should probably say that I'm not looking for a relationship right now. I just
got out of a very serious one.
FRANCOIS
Yes. Romeo, right? How long were you together?
JULIET
4 days. Almost. But things ended up pretty badly, so.
FRANCOIS
So, I should wait to propose to you then.
JULIET
(laughing) Yeah, probably.
FRANCOIS
I'm so stupid! I got so excited. I thought we had bonded.
JULIET
No, no, no. It's not that I don't want to marry you.
FRANCOIS
So, you do want to marry me?
JULIET
I THINK I DID IT AGAIN
I MADE YOU BELIEVE WE ARE MORE THAN JUST FRIENDS
OOH BABY, IT MIGHT SEEM LIKE A CRUSH
BUT IT DOESN'T MEAN I'M SERIOUS
41
I PLAYED WITH YOUR HEART
GOT LOST IN THE GAME
OOH BABY BABY
OOPS, YOU THINK I'M IN LOVE
THAT I'M SENT FROM ABOVE
I'M NOT THAT INNOCENT
JULIET's parents enter with NURSE behind them trying to stop them and LANCE by her
side.
FATHER
You disobedient girl!
MOTHER
I can't believe you would run away!
JULIET
Mom, dad. How did you find me?
FATHER
The carriage man told us everything.
MOTHER
You are going straight to Verona. Actually, send you straight to the convent.
JULIET
There's been some developments. I can't get back because…
FRANCOIS
Engaged?
JULIET
Surprise…
FRANCOIS
You just said that you didn't want to rush into anything.
42
JULIET
I know but think about it! I wouldn't have to be a nun. You wouldn't have to join the army.
This could solve all our problems.
LANCE
Well, this is wonderful news. I'll start making the arrangements. We'll have a soiree this
evening and the wedding tomorrow.
FRANCOIS, JULIET
Tomorrow?!
LANCE
Just a few close friends. We'll keep it between you two. Happy nights to happy days.
(looks at NURSE) For me too.
Francois!
NURSE
You and Frankie?
JULIET
You and Frankie's dad?
NURSE
YOU SEE MY PROBLEM IS THIS
I'M DREAMING AWAY
WISHING THAT HEROES, THEY TRULY EXIST
I CRY WATCHING THE DAYS
CAN'T YOU SEE I'M A FOOL IN SO MANY WAYS
BUT TO LOSE ALL MY SENSES
BOTH
THAT IS JUST SO TYPICALLY ME
OOH BABY BABY
43
NURSE JULIET
OOPS I DID IT AGAIN OOPS I DID IT AGAIN
I PLAYED WITH HEART WITH YOUR HEART
GOT LOST IN THE GAME GOT LOST IN THIS GAME BABY
OOPS YOU THINK I'M IN LOVE OOPS YOU THINK I'M SENT
THAT I'M SENT FROM ABOVE FROM ABOVE
BOTH
I'M NOT THAT INNOCENT
YOU'RE NOT THAT INNOCENT
SHAKESPEARE comes running into the stage with the quill in his hand, being chased
by ANNE.
SCENE 14 TRANSITION 2
ANNE
What just happened? Juliet's getting married to someone she barely knows because of
her parents again? I thought we were writing a new story for Juliet but then you jump in
and start rewriting everything.
SHAKESPEARE
I know.
BUT TO LOSE ALL MY SENTENCES
THAT IS JUST SO TYPICALLY ME
ANNE
But you see, my problem is this.
ANNE snaps her fingers and the room becomes red and a tango melody starts playing.
This man, William Shakespeare, went to London to become a play writer. And left me
alone in the country to raise our kids.
SHAKESPEARE
You're sure we need to do this here?
ANNE
This is a soliloquy.
44
And when it came down to write his will…
ANNE
Do you wanna know what he left for me? His beloved wife? His second best bed.
SHAKESPEARE
It's a very good bed.
ANNE
In all of his work, he never mentions me. He never gives me any credit. He writes
hundreds of stories that are definitely about being in love with another man.
SHAKESPEARE
Anne, pleas-
ANNE
And one sonnet, that might be about me because he puts my last name, Hathaway. But
in all of his plays, not once did William Shakespeare portray a single happy marriage.
SHAKESPEARE
Lies! I'm working on a play about a happy marriage. It's called MACBETH.
I think you might not like it.
ANNE
I wanted to like this play but you're always trying to make things so complicated.
SHAKESPEARE
Why, this play is simple?
ANNE
No, that's not what I'm saying.
SHAKESPEARE
Yeah, but one could say that. That a play without obstacles, conflicts-
ANNE
Darling, I love this play. I still believe it can have a better ending.
45
SHAKESPEARE
Why don't you skip away and find another dress? While I stay here and faithfully write
the rest.
ANNE
Okay, I will change my dress. Not because you told me to, but because I want to. And
also, let's be honest, I'm starting to sweat. But remember William, keep it light, keep it
tight, keep it fun, and then we're done.
SHAKESPEARE
My thoughts will be bloody, or they'll be worth nothing…Whatever.
Let's see. We've seen Francois and Juliet share a kiss.
Enter FRANCOIS. We see him walking through town. We also see MAY.
FRANCOIS
Sorry.
MAY
My bad. Oh, hey!
FRANCOIS
Hey.
MAY
May. I'm Juliet's friend. I'm glad our paths crossed. We met each other at the ball, I
think.
FRANCOIS
I thought I might find the Eiffel Tower. I think I'm lost.
46
MAY
I know the feeling. Do you want a drink?
FRANCOIS
This early in the day? I wouldn't dare.
MAY
I'm on Verona time. Here, have a shot.
FRANCOIS
Thanks. But isn't it the same time there?
MAY
Okay. Do you want a drink or not?
FRANCOIS
I just proposed to Juliet.
MAY
Oh, god. You must be so in love. You two just met.
FRANCOIS
I've never even kissed a girl before.
MAY
But still you're moving forward?
FRANCOIS
No regrets.
MAY
You've never kissed a girl before?
FRANCOIS
It's true.
47
MAY
So, you've got nothing to compare it to?
MAY
THIS WAS NEVER THE WAY I PLANNED
NOT MY INTENTION
FRANCOIS
I GOT SO BRAVE, DRINK IN HAND
LOST MY DISCRETION
IT'S NOT WHAT I'M USED TO
I JUST WANNA TRY YOU ON
MAY
I'M CURIOUS FOR YOU
CAUGHT MY ATTENTION
FRANCOIS
I KISSED A GIRL AND I LIKED IT
THE TASTE OF HER CHERRY CHAPSTICK
I KISSED A GIRL, JUST TO TRY IT
I HOPE MY GIRLFRIEND DON'T MIND IT
IT FELT SO WRONG
MAY
IT FELT SO RIGHT
FRANCOIS
IT DON'T MEAN I'M IN LOVE TONIGHT
I KISSED A GIRL AND I LIKED IT
I LIKED IT
48
FRANCOIS
Sorry I just never done anything like this, I'm not really into drama.
MAY
Oh, excuse me, you think I'm into drama?
5,6,7,8!
Breakdance.
FRANCOIS
I KISSED A GIRL AND I LIKED IT
MAY
I LIKE IT
ENSEMBLE
I LIKE IT
FRANCOIS
I KISSED A GIRL MAY
I KISSED A BOY
ENSEMBLE
TASTE OF HER CHERRY CHAPSTICK
I KISSED A GIRL JUST TO TRY IT
HOPE MY GIRLFRIEND DON'T MIND IT
FRANCOIS, MAY
JUST TO TRY IT
ENSEMBLE
IT FELT SO WRONG
FRANCOIS, MAY
SO WRONG
ENSEMBLE
IT FELT SO RIGHT
FRANCOIS, MAY
SO RIGHT
49
ENSEMBLE
DON'T MEAN I'M
ALL
IN LOVE TONIGHT
FRANCOIS
I KISSED A GIRL AND I LIKED IT
ENSEMBLE
I LIKED IT
I FELT SO WRONG, IT FELT SO RIGHT
IT DON'T MEAN I'M IN LOVE TONIGHT
ALL
I LIKED IT
I LIKED IT
BLACKOUT
ANNE
And what did I miss?
SHAKESPEARE
Nothing really, nothing important.
ANNE
Aw, I was hoping for a big love scene.
SHAKESPEARE
Well…
ANNE
Between Juliet and Francois.
50
SHAKESPEARE
Well… Nothing to worry about. What's done is done. (to the public) I invented that
phrase, by the way.
ANNE
What does that mean? What's done is don-NO! WHAT DID YOU DO?!
SHAKESPEARE
You'l find out in Act 2.
ANNE
William.
SHAKESPEARE
Look, you had your fun, Anne. But I know in my heart of hearts- (to the public) another
phrase I invented, - that the end of this play is far from conclusive.
The audience awaits what I'll do next.
ANNE
(laughs dismissively) I don't know what happened while I was changing and I don't know
where you're going with this.
SHAKESPEARE
If i reveal that the poison Romeo drank was actually a sleeping potion-
ANNE
No, no, no, no, no-
SHAKESPEARE
If Juliet, once dead, was now alive. Why can't I say Romeo did survive?!
ANNE
You will not!
SHAKESPEARE
I will!
51
ROMEO
THIS AIN'T A SONG FOR THE BROKEN HEARTED
NO SILENT PRAYER FOR THE FAITH-DEPARTED
AND I AIN'T GONNA BE JUST A FACE IN THE CROWD
YOU'RE GONNA HEAR MY VOICE WHEN I SHOUT IT OUT LOUD
ENSEMBLE
ROMEO!
ROMEO
IT'S MY LIFE
IT'S NOW OR NEVER
AND I AIN'T GONNA LIVE FOREVER
I JUST WANNA LIVE WHILE I'M ALIVE
IT'S MY LIFE
MY HEART IS LIKE AN OPEN HIGHWAY
AND I'M JUST GONNA DO IT MY WAY
I JUST WANNA LIVE WHILE I'M ALIVE
'CAUSE IT'S MY LIFE
ANNE
Well William, I hope you're very impressed with yourself.
SHAKESPEARE
(proud) You know what? I really am.
JULIET
April! I'm engaged! Again.
So much has happened in so little time.
ANNE
So much it's happening and whatever happens I will be here for you, and you will
be…fine.
JULIET
IT'S MY LIFE, IT'S NOW OR NEVER
AND I AIN'T GONNA LIVE FOREVER
I JUST WANNA LIVE WHILE I'M ALIVE
IT'S
52
BOTH
MY LIFE
JULIET
MY HEART IT'S LIKE AN
BOTH
OPEN HIGHWAY
JULIET
AND I'M JUST GONNA
BOTH
DO IT MY WAY
I JUST WANNA LIVE WHILE I'M ALIVE
SHAKESPEARE
Go Romeo! You're her only hope. You're back from the dead!
ROMEO
I know. It's super dope.
ANNE
Ugh.
SHAKESPEARE, ANNE
BETTER STAND TALL WHEN THEY'RE CALLING YOU OUT
DON'T BEND, DON'T BREAK, BABY DON'T BACK DOWN
ROMEO JULIET
IT'S MY LIFE
IT'S MY LIFE
IT'S NOW OR NEVER
AND I AIN'T GONNA LIVE FOREVER
IT'S MY LIFE
I JUST WANNA LIVE WHILE I'M ALIVE
IT'S MY LIFE I
IT'S MY LIFE
MY HEART IT'S LIKE AN OPEN
HIGHWAY
53
ROMEO
AND I'M JUST GONNA DO IT MY WAY
ENSEMBLE
IT'S MY LIFE
JULIET
I JUST WANNA LIVE WHILE I'M ALIVE
ROMEO
It's Romeo! Here for art thou, Romeo!
ENSEMBLE
ALIVE
JULIET
Romeo? You're alive?
ENSEMBLE
ALIVE
ROMEO
I'm alive. And I came back for my wife!
ENSEMBLE
ALIVE
JULIET
Oh, shit.
ROMEO
IT'S MY LIFE
END OF ACT I
54
ACT II
ROMEO
JULIET!
Romeo interrupts JULIET, NURSE and ANNE who are laughing and enjoying
themselves. They all stare stunned at ROMEO.
NURSE
(to JULIET) Shall I tell him or you?
JULIET
It's just been a really crazy week, Romeo.
ROMEO
Right? I just wanted to say, straight up, that I forgive you.
JULIET
For?
55
ROMEO
Well, for not killing yourself when you thought I was dead. Even though I killed myself
when I thought you were dead.
JULIET
You think I'm the one who needs to apologize? You killed my cousin. You killed yourself
without double checking to make sure I was dead. And you said that your heart has
never loved before, but it has, huh?
ROMEO
All I'm saying, it's all good now. You're not dead. I'm not dead anymore. All that matters
is that we can finally be with each other. As husband and wife. Star crossed lovers!
Together for life!
BENVOLIO
Hey, Romeo, can I talk to you for a minute?
SHAKESPEARE
Who's this now?
ROMEO
Benvolio, my best mate. You alright?
BENVOLIO
Yeah, I'm here because she's (pointing at JULIET) with some other guy.
ROMEO
You need to chill, Benvolio! I just got married to Juliet. It's not like she found a new lover
already.
ROMEO laughs but when she sees JULIET'S wandering gaze, he stops.
Juliet?
56
TRACK #15 - SINCE U BEEN GONE
JULIET
I know.
ROMEO
We exchanged our faithful vows!
JULIET
I know
BUT SINCE YOU BEEN GONE
I CAN BREATHE FOR THE FIRST TIME
I'M SO MOVING ON
YEAH, YEAH
THANKS TO YOU
NOW I GET WHAT I WANT
SINCE YOU BEEN GONE
ROMEO
I can explain-
JULIET
HOW CAN I PUT IT? YOU PUT ME ON
I EVEN FELL FOR THAT STUPID LOVE SONG
YEAH YEAH
SINCE YOU'VE BEEN GONE
ROMEO
It was different with you, I swear.
JULIET
HOW COME I NEVER HEAR YOU SAY
'I JUST WANNA BE WITH YOU'?
ROMEO
That's literally what I said.
57
JULIET
I GUESS YOU NEVER FELT THAT WAY
BUT SINCE YOU BEEN GONE
I CAN BREATHE FOR THE FIRST TIME
I'M SO MOVING ON
YEAH, YEAH
THANKS TO YOU
ENSEMBLE
THANKS TO YOU
JULIET
NOW I GET
ENSEMBLE
NOW I GET
JULIET
WHAT I WANT
ENSEMBLE
WHAT I WANT
WHAT I WANT
WHAT I WANT
ROMEO
So, there is another lover, isn't there?
NURSE
He is a witty one.
ROMEO
I still love you!
ANNE
Well, you died. She got engaged to someone else.
58
ALL
YOU HAD YOUR CHANCE, YOU BLEW IT
OUT OF SIGHT, OUT OF MIND
SHUT YOUR MOUTH
JULIET
I JUST CAN'T TAKE IT
ALL
AGAIN, AND AGAIN, AND AGAIN, AND AGAIN
The ENSEMBLE exits and ANNE is left on stage right. SHAKESPEARE enters stage
left.
SHAKESPEARE
Juliet didn't give Romeo much of a chance to explain himself, did she?
ANNE
Mm. No, she didn't.
SHAKESPEARE
Well, I thought that was a bit harsh.
ANNE
Yes, and I thought we were writing this play together. But then you made some pretty
big decisions on your own.
SHAKESPEARE
Because there was no conflict before!
ANNE
Oh, but there is conflict now, isn't there? (beat. Continues with a crack in her voice) Do
you really not understand why this is so important to me?
SHAKESPEARE
I know you have your own ideas about this play-
59
ANNE
But do you understand why?!
SHAKESPEARE
Why don't you understand that I have a reputation to uphold?! If I just throw that away,
all the time that I've spent apart from you and the kids isn't really worth much, is it?
ANNE
(Now crying) That maybe so, but if you care less about your own wife than you do about
your art, then you Mr. Shakespeare will break my heart.
SHAKESPEARE
I care very much about…both.
ANNE
(beat) I see.
SHAKESPEARE
Now, give me back my quill.
ANNE
Fine.
SHAKESPEARE
Well done. Juliet's on her own. Anything can happen.
ANNE
She's better off without you. And maybe I am too.
BLACKOUT
Enter FRANCOIS with a wedding invitation in his hand. LANCE enters after him.
60
LANCE
Francois. I thought that at the ceremony tomorrow you might wear this ceremonial chest
plate.
FRANCOIS
(Laughs) I can dress myself, thank you.
LANCE
Of course you can. Because tomorrow you become a man. I never told you this but…
FRANCOIS
Juliet's nurse? I know. Everyone knows.
LANCE
Oh. Well, I hope you know that it's not that I didn't love your mother. It's just…what I had
with Angelic was special. I wish I had fought for her. The way I hope that you will fight
for your true love.
FRANCOIS
Right.
LANCE
Whatever, I’ll let you get ready.
I am proud of you. And your mother would be too.
MAY
So, you're going through with the wedding.
FRANCOIS
I'm sorry, I made a promise to Juliet and I will-
MAY
Well I saw you first if we are starting to keep score!
FRANCOIS
May.
61
MAY
Juliet can marry someone else! If you have stronger feelings for me, and I have stronger
feelings for you-
FRANCOIS
May.
MAY
We'll find a fray and marry in secret. Exile ourselves and run away far from here.
FRANCOIS
May. My father didn't approve when he thought I wanted to be with the wrong woman.
What would he think If I wanted to be with…
MAY
With me?
FRANCOIS
HEY, SLOW IT DOWN
WHATAYA WANT FROM ME? WHATAYA WANT FROM ME?
YEAH, I'M AFRAID
BUT WHATAYA WANT FROM ME? WHATAYA WANT FROM ME?
MAY
THERE MIGHT HAVE BEEN A TIME
WHEN I WOULD GIVE MYSELF AWAY
OH, ONCE UPON A TIME
I DIDN'T GIVE A DAMN
BUT NOW, HERE WE ARE
FRANCOIS
SO WHATAYA WANT FROM ME? WHATAYA WANT FROM ME?
MAY
JUST DON'T GIVE UP
FRANCOIS
I'M WORKING IT OUT
62
MAY
PLEASE DON'T GIVE IN
I WON'T LET YOU DOWN
FRANCOIS
IT MESSED ME UP
NEED A SECOND TO BREATH
MAY
JUST KEEP COMING AROUND
FRANCOIS
HEY, WHATAYA WANT FROM ME?
MAY
WHATAYA WANT FROM ME?
FRANCOIS
HEY, WHATAYA WANT FROM ME?
MAY
You can't ignore what happened. It's not fair to- to Juliet.
FRANCOIS
What happened was a mistake.
MAY
What happened to no regrets?
They are about to kiss but FRANCOIS pulls away and runs off.
JULIET enters.
JULIET
May. I've been looking for you. We missed you at the bar.
MAY
I'm sorry. I should have been there. I actually been wanting to talk-
63
JULIET
Me too! Listen, you're not gonna believe this. Romeo came back. Just expecting to pick
up where we left off. And I'm like 'how am I supposed to trust you ever again if you
haven't been honest with me?'.
MAY
Yeah.
JULIET
He should have told me about his past.
NURSE enters.
NURSE
And you should have asked. But this is what happens when you are young and in love
and don't spend time talking.
Now come on, little Juliet needs some rest.
MAY
Wait. Can we finish talking?
NURSE
About Romeo? I don't think so. Dream tonight of Francois! Leave Romeo in the past.
JULIET
I will.
JULIET is left alone. She takes a deep breath, and we hear magic.
And when I shall die… TAKE HIM AND CUT HIM INTO LITTLE STARS.
ROMEO
You want to cut me into little stars?! Like with a knife?
JULIET
It's a metaphor, Romeo.
64
ROMEO
Oh. Let me try one. Juliet you are the sun. Arise fair sun. And kill the enviest-
JULIET
Romeo, you are not doing this again. If you think you can show up the night before my
wedding and win me back with the same old words-
ROMEO
That's not why I'm here.
JULIET
Well…
ROMEO
All I'll ever be is a sexy young man with a tight body and a lot of feelings. But then I met
you. Juliet. You made me want to commit myself to something. To challenge my parents
and everyone's expectations. To do something brave. Something I could be proud of.
You made me want to become…more better.
JULIET laughs.
JULIET
I totally get that, Romeo. I mean, it's not completely your fault to be the way you are.
Your family is kind of the worst.
ROMEO
Well I think your family is kind of the worst.
JULIET
I think both of our families are kind of the worst.
65
But I'm proud of us. For being brave enough to do something we knew they'd hate. I just
wish we were brave enough to tell them we were in love.
ROMEO
'We were in love?'
JULIET
I'm with Frankie now. I chose Frankie. And this time I'm just trying to own my choices.
I will never forget what we had. But if I'm really trying to start over then, I can't do that
with you.
ROMEO
(Wiping his tears) Sorry I'm getting weirdly emotional.
JULIET
You are weirdly emotional. And that's okay.
ROMEO
I just wish that I could try again too. I wish I didn't have to live with my mistakes for the
rest of my life.
66
JULIET
Romeo, you literally rose from the dead. Your life can be anything you want.
ROMEO
SICK OF BEING TOLD WHO I AM
BEEN PUT INTO A BOX, NO, NOT AGAIN
IT'S TIME FOR ME TO STEP OUT
AND SHOW 'EM WHAT I'M ALL ABOUT
'CAUSE OOH, WE ALL WERE BORN TO BREAK THE RULES
I KNOW I'VE GOT A LOT OF HILL TO CLIMB
BUT ON THIS STARRY NIGHT
I'M FEELING NEW
OH, OH ANYTHING GOES
ENSEMBLE
OOH, OOH, OOH, OOH
OOH, OOH, OOH, OOH
They suddenly realize they are holding hands. They are singing to each other. Face to
face.
ROMEO
ONE MORE TRY
JULIET
I'VE MADE MISTAKES
ROMEO
I'VE LET YOU DOWN
BOTH
BEEN YOUNG AND STUPID, I SEE IT NOW
I'M STARTING OVER
ROMEO
WITH TEARS IN MY EYES
67
JULIET
ALL THAT I'M ASKING
I'VE MADE MISTAKES
ROMEO
I'VE LET YOU DOWN
BOTH
BEEN YOUNG AND STUPID, I SEE IT NOW
I'M STARTING OVER
WITH TEARS IN MY EYES
ALL THAT I'M ASKING
IS ONE MORE TRY
ROMEO
Juliet, if you can look me in the eye and tell me that you don't love me then I'll go and
leave you to your lover and be happy for you.
JULIET
I… can't love you, Romeo.
ROMEO exits.
BLACKOUT
Lights up and we see Romeo appear emotional with his child's backpack on.
ROMEO
(Acapella) LOVE ME LIKE YOU DO, LO LO LOVE ME LIKE YOU DO
TOUCH ME-
SHAKESPEARE
There he is! The famous Romeo Montague. The boy who speaks of passionate love but
still refuses to fight for his true love.
ROMEO
I've always been more of a lover than a fighter.
68
SHAKESPEARE
What would you say, my good man, if I told you that I could get you into Juliet's
wedding?
ROMEO
You have an invitation? Who are you?
SHAKESPEARE
I'm just a friendly carriage driver but stick with me and you'll get her back. Where there's
a will, there's always a way.
LANCE and NURSE start to enter. ROMEO and SHAKESPEARE run away.
LANCE
-my dear Francois to marry Juliet, they kiss, everyone cheers and then! I turn to the
crowd and say: Well, since we're already here perhaps a second marriage might be
arranged.
NURSE
That sounds wonderful although I wonder if there's an ever more romantic way of
proposing to me than 'since we're already here'.
LANCE
Of course! I'm sorry, my dear. It's just, I want to make it clear that my son's happiness is
of course my primary concern.
FRANCOIS
Father!
LANCE
Not now.
NURSE
Lance.
FRANCOIS
Do I really have to wear this? It's solid iron.
69
LANCE
Well, it wasn't too heavy for me when I was fighting with Shandong or on my wedding
night with your mother.
FRANCOIS
You wore this on your wedding night?
LANCE
And so will you. Although it might prove challenging during the dance number.
We see SHAKESPEARE sneak from the back and steal some clothes.
FRANCOIS
Dance number? Oh god, no! No, no, no, no! If you think for one second that we're
getting the family band back together.
LANCE
Why not?!
FRANCOIS
Because even if we did wanna perform, my brothers are off at war.
SHAKESPEARE
Francois, it is I! Your brother! William Devoir. I have returned from war.
FRANCOIS
You look decent, brother.
SHAKESPEARE
No, I don't. You know, I was thinking brother, perhaps for the special occasion we could
get the family band back together!
LANCE
My dear boy! I was just saying the same thing. We could perform for our guests and
Romeo while they wait for Juliet.
70
SHAKESPEARE
Oh, perfect! And you'll never believe this, but I happened to bump into one of our
brothers on the way back from war!
Enter ROMEO with a snapback and some sunglasses as well. He puts on a french
accent.
ROMEO
Hello brothers! It is good to see you!
SHAKESPEARE
We're not doing accents.
LANCE
(sad) We're not doing accents?
FRANCOIS
You know, as much as I love this little reunion and although I would be performing at my
own wedding without any rehearsal, the song is written for 5 parts.
SHAKESPEARE
And for a 5th, a stranger I will find. A sweet young voice to blend with yours and mine.
FRANCOIS
This just gets worse.
SHAKESPEARE
Come on, brothers! (makes a dramatic spin) Let's go rehearse!
LANCE
Come on. This is a very special day.
NURSE
Lance.
LANCE
Yes, my love?
71
NURSE
You know how you're going to propose to me but you don't want to hear what I'm going
to say?
LANCE
Oh, well, It's just that you said that until the day Juliet gets married, and today is that
day, so I just assumed-
NURSE
Lance. Listen to me. We fell in love many years ago, but I was working for you and you
were with someone else and it was too much drama. So I moved 600 miles away from
you and started working for another family and that family turned out to be the most
romantic family in the history of the world and got into a fight with another family and it
was so much drama! And I left again and moved 600 hundred miles away from all that
only to run into you. And yous start chasing me around your bedroom, and putting your
hands on me, and putting you lips on me and putting your proposal on me and putting
all this drama all over me again so if you marry me I expect you to spend everyday, for
the rest of your life, loving me and worshiping me and making me feel like a damn
queen so let me ask you French man, will you marry me?
LANCE
Yes. Please.
NURSE
Good. Now are you coming or not?
LANCE
Yes, my angel.
BLACKOUT
ANNE
Juliet, where have you been? Everyone's looking for you. Juliet…
72
JULIET
I was with Romeo.
ANNE
You were?
JULIET
Why did he have to show up now?
ANNE
I don't know.
JULIET
And why am I still in love with him?
ANNE
Are you still in love with him?
JULIET
Of course I am. Anne, we've just been through so much together and when I look at him
my heart still skips a beat.
ANNE
Well, what about Francois?!
JULIET
I don't even know who that is.
ANNE
…FRANKIE!
JULIET
OH FRANKIE! He is sweet and kind and I don't want him to have to join the army but I
don't feel the same intensity that I feel with Romeo. It just feels like either way I'll be
settling.
ANNE
Definitely don't settle.
73
JULIET
I don't know what to do. I would ask my nurse but I'm not sure she can be objective.
ANNE
To be honest, I don't know if I can be objective either.
I got married quickly, you know? I was 26 when I met my husband William and he was
just 18 and I was pregnant so we knew that our parents wouldn't approve and we knew
things had to happen fast. Juliet…
ANNE
I CAN READ YOUR MIND
AND I KNOW YOUR STORY
I SEE WHAT YOU'RE GOING THROUGH, YEAH
IT'S AN UPHILL CLIMB
AND I'M FEELING SORRY
BUT I KNOW IT WILL COME TO YOU
SO DON'T SURRENDER, CAUSE YOU CAN WIN
IN THIS THING CALLED LOVE
JULIET
Is it as simple as that?
ANNE
Oh, it's never simple. I have been with my husband in good times and really shitty times.
Penniless in a small house. Rich but miles apart. The birth of our two daughters… And
for the loss of our little boy.
JULIET
How did you get through that?
74
ANNE
To be honest, I don't know if we have.
JULIET
BUT IT'S PLAIN TO SEE, IF YOU STICK TOGETHER
YOU'RE GONNA FIND YOUR WAY
SO DON'T SURRENDER, CAUSE YOU CAN WIN
IN THIS THING CALLED LOVE
BOTH
WHEN YOU WANT IT THE MOST, THERE'S NO EASY WAY OUT
WHEN YOU'RE READY TO GO, AND YOU'RE HEART'S LEFT IN DOUBT
DON'T GIVE UP ON YOUR FAITH
LOVE COMES TO THOSE WHO BELIEVE IT
AND THAT'S THE WAY IT IS
MOTHER
Juliet! Juliet! Oh, there you are! Come with me. Guests are starting to arrive and we
don't want Francois to see you before the wedding.
She exits. JULIET starts to go after her but ANNE stops her.
ANNE
Juliet, you deserve to be happy. Remember to fight for that.
MOTHER
(Offstage) Juliet!
BLACKOUT
Lights up and we see William, Romeo and Francois getting ready for their performance.
75
FRANCOIS
I can't believe we are doing this.
SHAKESPEARE
Not to worry brother. I found a 5th person to sing with us.
FRANCOIS
Okay. Do I know them?
SHAKESPEARE
I think you just may.
FRANCOIS
May. What are you doing? Why are you dressed like that?
MAY
'Why are you dressed like that?' Sometimes the apparel does not proclaim the man.
SHAKESPEARE
I thought it might be fun for you to spend some time together. But don’t worry, no more
surprises (to Romeo) Right, brother?
ROMEO
Oui, oui, brother! Honestly, I have no idea what I'm doing.
FRANCOIS
(to his father) I don't think I can do this.
LANCE
Oh, you'll be totally fine, Francois. I know it has been many years since we sang this
song.
FRANCOIS
NO DAD! I DON'T THINK I CAN DO ANY OF THIS!
LANCE
YOU CAN FRANCOIS AND YOU WILL! FOR ONCE IN YOUR LIFE YOU WILL NOT
EMBARRASS ME.
76
SHAKESPEARE
You've got to be confident, brother. You're Franky Devoir.
ALL
EVERYBODY
ROCK YOUR BODY
EVERYBODY
ROCK YOUR BODY RIGHT
THE BOYBAND'S BACK ALRIGHT!
ALRIGHT!
FRANCOIS
OH MY GOD, WE'RE BACK AGAIN
SHAKESPEARE
BROTHER, SISTER, EVERYBODY SING
LANCE
GONNA BRING THE FLAVOR, GONNA SHOW YOU HOW
MAY
GOTTA QUESTION FOR YA, BETTER ANSWER NOW
SHAKESPEARE
AM I ORIGINAL?
ALL
YEAH
MAY
AM I THE ONLY ONE?
ALL
YEAH
LANCE
AM I SEXUAL?
77
ALL
YEAH
ROMEO
AM I EVERYTHING YOU NEED, YOU BETTER ROCK YOUR BODY NOW
ALL
EVERYBODY! YEAH
ROCK YOUR BODY, YEAH
EVERYBODY, ROCK YOUR BODY RIGHT
THE BOYBAND'S BACK, ALRIGHT!
SHAKESPEARE
NOW THROW YOUR HANDS UP IN THE AIR
OH, OH, OH, OH
LANCE
WAVE 'EM AROUND LIKE YOU JUST DON'T CARE
BOYS
OH, OH, OH, OH
MAY
IF YOU WANNA PARTY LET ME HEAR YOU YELL
AWOO!
FRANCOIS
'CAUSE YOU GOT IT GOING ON AGAIN
HEY, YEAH, YEAH
ALL (ROMEO)
EVERYBODY, YEAH
ROCK YOUR BODY, YEAH
EVERYBODY, ROCK YOUR BODY RIGHT
THE BOYBAND'S BACK
WE'RE BACK, WE'RE BACK, WE'RE BACK
EVERYBODY (EVERYBODY)
YEAH (EVERYBODY)
ROCK YOUR BODY (ROCK YOUR BODY)
EVERYBODY ROCK YOUR BODY
78
EVERYBODY (EVERYBODY)
ROCK YOUR BODY RIGHT (EVERYBODY)
ROCK YOUR BODY RIGHT
THE BOYBAND'S BACK, ALRIGHT!
LANCE
Zank you! Zank you very much! What a perfect way to begin. Today is all about love.
And as I always say 'Music is the food of love'.
SHAKESPEARE
Really? That's something you always say?
MOTHER
Make way, make way! Step aside! We're ready to begin. Here comes the bride!
As all the guests get in place, FRANCOIS walks up to the aisle while the boys sing the
choir.
FRANCOIS
OH THE LONELINESS HAS ALWAYS BEEN A FRIEND OF MINE
I'M LEAVING MY LIFE IN YOUR HANDS
PEOPLE SAY I'M CRAZY AND THAT I AM BLIND
RISKING IT ALL IN A GLANCE
MAY, along with others, go to their seat. JULIET comes in wearing a beautiful wedding
dress. All the girls are throwing petals on the way.
FRANCOIS
DON'T CARE WHAT IS WRITTEN IN OUR HISTORY
AS LONG AS YOU'RE HERE WITH ME
79
JULIET
Thank you. And you look very…scared.
What are we doing Franky?
LANCE
We will begin with the exchange of the faithful vows.
JULIET
Oh, I don't think we're doing vow-
FRANCOIS
I'll start. Juliet,
JULIET
Those are your vows? You don't care who I am, where I'm from, what I did as long as I
love you?
FRANCOIS
It sounded better in my head.
LANCE
Let's proceed. Unless I or anyone in this room shall know of any lawful impediment why
they should not be joined in matrimon-
BOTH
I do.
LANCE
Okay, a little premature, Francois. Hopefully not an indicative of things to come.
80
FRANCOIS
No. I do know a reason why we shouldn't be joined in matrimony.
FRANCOIS
YOU MIGHT HAVE BEEN HURT, BABE
THAT AIN'T NO LIE
THIS FEELING WILL COME AND GO
OH, OH
I REMEMBER YOU TOLD ME
THAT IT MADE ME BELIEVE IN NO MAN, NO CRIME
MAY
MAYBE THAT'S WHY
EVERY LITTLE THING I DO
NEVER SEEMS ENOUGH FOR YOU
YOU DON'T WANNA LOSE IT AGAIN
BUT I'M NOT LIKE THEM
BOTH
BABY WHEN YOU FINALLY GET TO LOVE SOMEONE
GUESS WHAT?
FRANCOIS
IT'S GONNA BE MAY!
Sorry, this was never the way I planned it. Or my intention. But I kissed May and I loved
it.
ANNE
You kissed May?
FRANCOIS
I should have called things off last night but I was under so much pressure. But I can't
keep running from my problems.
81
ROMEO
Oh, this is very good.
FATHER
Juliet's been running from her problems too and she's coming back to Verona
immediately.
ANNE
She's not going anywhere. She will stay here and we can figure things out together.
MOTHER
Enough of this! If Juliet's not married she'll follow our decree.
ROMEO
But she is married! She is married to me!
ANNE
Yes Romeo, we know that's you. That's barely even a disguise.
ROMEO
Well, I wanted to come forward sooner but Francois's brother said to wait until you were
free.
ANNE
She's always been free!
NURSE
Where is Francois's brother?
SHAKESPEARE
(also dramatic) That's me! Juliet must return to Romeo as is their destiny!
JULIET
Oh! Must! I don't think I must anything!
Everyone starts arguing with one another. Shouting over each other.
82
TRACK #22 - STRONGER
JULIET
HUSH JUST STOP
(to her parents)I haven't been running from my problems, I've been running from you.
What kind of parents would rather see their daughter dead than be married to a man
from the wrong family?
(to FRANCOIS and MAY) And had you two been honest with me, then we could have
called off this stupid wedding. But Romeo, just because this marriage is coming apart
doesn't mean I'm gonna fall back into a marriage with you.
83
NO MORE
I-I-I-I
I-I-I
I'M STRONGER!
ANNE
O-okay everyone…there's wine on the terrace. Help yourselves to some croissants and
some baguettes and some french…fries…I don't know what french people eat.
LANCE
Francois.
MAY reassures him before leaving FRANCOIS alone with his father.
FRANCOIS
Don't start with me. I tried so hard to make you happy and it's made me miserable, dad.
And now. Now I've made everyone else miserable too. You told me to fight for my true
love and if you can't accept what I've done then you and I just…just say goodbye.
LANCE
Francois, PLEASE TRY TO FORGIVE ME
STAY HERE, DON'T PUT OUT THE GLOW
HOLD ME NOW
FRANCOIS
DON'T BOTHER
LANCE
IF EVERY MINUTE IT MAKES ME WEAKER
YOU CAN SAVE ME FROM THE MAN THAT I'VE BECOME
LOOKING BACK ON THE THING I'VE DONE
I WAS TRYING TO BE SOMEONE
84
I PLAYED MY PART AND KEPT YOU IN THE DARK
NOW LET ME SHOW YOU
THE SHAPE OF MY HEART
FRANCOIS extends his hand for MAY to take it and stand up to his father together.
FRANCOIS
I'M HERE WITH MY CONFESSION
FRANCOIS, MAY
GOT NOTHING TO HIDE NO MORE
I DON'T KNOW WHERE TO START
BUT TO SHOW YOU
THE SHAPE OF MY HEART
I'M LOOKING BACK ON THINGS I'VE DONE
I NEVER WANNA PLAY THE SAME OLD PART
AND KEEP YOU IN THE DARK
NOW LET ME SHOW YOU THE SHAPE OF MY HEART
LANCE extends his hand to his son, accepting him for who he is.
LANCE
SHOW YOU THE SHAPE OF MY HEART
BLACKOUT
Lights up and we see JULIET enter stage right running. NURSE is following behind her.
NURSE
Well, that was quite dramatic, was it?
JULIET
What am I doing? I came all this way to start something new and positive and now… It's
just another tragedy, isn't it?
85
NURSE
You've been through worse and you got through it all. Trust me, it's a long life and you'll
be surprised at how many opportunities there are for love.
JULIET
I know.
NURSE
It's better to mess up things now while you're still young and have so much time to get it
right.
JULIET
I know, I just-. What if I'm the problem? What If I'm destined to mess everything up?
NURSE
Juliet, look at me.
JULIET
Thank you. But you have to start living your own life. I will be fine.
86
NURSE
I know you will.
MAY
Juliet, I'm so sorry. We should have told you sooner.
JULIET
I mean, yes, you should have. But I'm sure that none of this has been easy. And both of
you deserve to be with the person who's perfect for you. A good friend of mine once told
me you should never settle.
ANNE
That's me! I'm the good friend she's talking about.
FRANCOIS
You told me to be confident. I'm trying.
JULIET
And I need to be confident too. In fact, from this day forward I vow to be confident.
NURSE
That's my girl.
JULIET
I vow to never let anyone tell me what to do about my destiny. I'm gonna make decision
based on what I want and not on what I'm afraid of. I believed there was something
hiding in the stars but if this is it then I gotta say, the stars are full of shit. I know who I
am, and where I'm from and what I've done and… I really love me.
JULIET
I USED TO BITE MY TONGUE AND HOLD MY BREATH
SCARED TO ROCK THE BOAT AND MAKE A MESS
SO I SAT QUIETLY, AGREED POLITELY
I GUESS THAT I FORGOT I HAD A CHOICE
87
I LET YOU PUSH ME PAST THE BREAKING POINT
I STOOD FOR NOTHING, SO I FELL FOR EVERYTHING
JULIET, ENSEMBLE
YOU HELD ME DOWN, BUT I GOT UP (HEY)
ALREADY BRUSHING OFF THE DUST
YOU HEAR MY VOICE, YOU HEAR THAT SOUND
LIKE THUNDER, GONNA SHAKE THE GROUND
YOU HELD ME DOWN, BUT I GOT UP (HEY)
GET READY CAUSE I HAD ENOUGH
I SEE IT ALL, I SEE IT NOW
JULIET
I GOT THE EYE OF THE TIGER, A FIGHTER
DANCING THROUGH THE FIRE
‘CAUSE I AM A CHAMPION, AND YOU’RE GONNA HEAR ME ROAR
JULIET, ENSEMBLE
LOUDER, LOUDER THAN A LION
‘CAUSE I AM A CHAMPION, AND YOU’RE GONNA HEAR ME ROAR
SHAKESPEARE
Okay, I'll give you that. But enough with this one.
JULIET
Hey! I'm not done.
ANNE
Lights out.
JULIET ENSEMBLE
ROAR
ROAR
ROAR
ROAR
JULIET, ENSEMBLE
ROAR
88
I GOT THE EYE OF THE TIGER, A FIGHTER
DANCING THROUGH THE FIRE
‘CAUSE I AM A CHAMPION, AND YOU’RE GONNA HEAR ME ROAR
LOUDER, LOUDER THAN A LION
‘CAUSE I AM A CHAMPION, AND YOU’RE GONNA HEAR ME ROAR
OH OH OH OH OH OH
OH OH OH OH OH OH OH
OH OH OH OH OH OH OH
YOU’RE GONNA HEAR ME ROAR
JULIET
YOU’RE GONNA HEAR ME ROAR
YOU’RE GONNA HEAR ME ROAR
We see everyone still dancing on their way out. Everyone's happy. And in between the
crowd, we see a nervous ROMEO staring at JULIET, summing up the courage to go talk
to her. ANNE is still dancing the choreography, the happiest she's ever been. JULIET
exits.
SHAKESPEARE enters furious. Seeing all the teared paper of his play. He picks one
up.
SHAKESPEARE
This is it. She took my players, and she took my play.
ANNE
(with a big smile on her face) I know, isn't it tragic?
ROMEO
She was supposed to be with me.
ANNE
I know. But you see, my problem is, dear, that you are a douche.
SHAKESPEARE
He's not a douche!
89
ROMEO
I am a douche. I'm a douche and a drama queen. I'm completely lame.
ANNE
(pointing to SHAKESPEARE) He created you in his own image.
SHAKESPEARE
I wanted to kill him off! I wanted to kill both of them off! The only reason that I went with
all this bore of bringing them back together was because I thought that you wanted a
happy ending.
ANNE
William! You and I know better than anyone that a wedding doesn't always mean a
happy ending. What I wanted was for Juliet to make a choice for herself. Whether it was
for Romeo or Francois. Whether it ended in tragedy or ecstasy. I wanted her to take
some control over her life.
I have no control, William! Every night as I put the girls to bed I have no way of knowing
when or if my famous playwright husband might return. But then he writes this play. A
tale of two young lovers forced into marriage because of circumstance. And it feels like
maybe this one's for me! But in art, as in life, I have no real say in what happens.
Whether Juliet ends up alive or dead, you're in love with your work and I'm just your
second best bed.
SHAKESPEARE
Anne, I'm sorry. You're right. This play should have been for you. All I wanted was to
write a great tragedy. But the greatest tragedy of all, would be losing you.
ANNE
Words, words, words.
SHAKESPEARE
YOU ARE MY FIRE, THE ONE DESIRE
BELIEVE WHEN I SAY, I WANT ANNE HATHAWAY
90
ANNE
TELL ME WHY
SHAKESPEARE
Because you've always been my greatest inspiration.
ANNE
TELL ME WHY
SHAKESPEARE
Because I love you with so much of my heart that none of it is left to protest.
ANNE
TELL ME WHY
SHAKESPEARE
Because I can write endless plays for days, I can write plays for days. But there will
never be another Anne Hathway.
ANNE
William, let's talk about the ending.
SHAKESPEARE
It can be whatever you want.
ANNE
But maybe it's not.
SHAKESPEARE
Not what you want?
ANNE
Maybe it's not an ending. Maybe there is no rush wedding or double death or anything
that conclusive. Maybe it's just two people who have always loved each other trying for
a new beginning. Maybe they both deserve the second chance.
The set, thanks to the ENSEMBLE, becomes what it was at the start of the play.
ROMEO enters.
91
SHAKESPEARE
Maybe Romeo acknowledges his mistakes and expresses his love for Juliet honestly
and in his own words.
SHAKESPEARE takes ANNE's hand and moves them out of center stage. Lights on
ROMEO.
ROMEO
Juliet. I have some words to tell you, Juliet.
ANNE
Or maybe, your own words.
SHAKESPEARE
Or maybe yours.
ROMEO
Juliet, you don't have to marry me. Or stay married to me. You're so young, you have
your whole life ahead of you.
JULIET
So tell me what you want, Romeo.
ROMEO
That's the thing. It doesn't matter what I want. This is about you. It always has been.
ANNE
NOW I CAN SEE THAT WE'VE FALLEN APART
FROM THE WAY THAT IT USED TO BE, YEAH
SHAKESPEARE
NO MATTER THE DISTANCE I WANT YOU TO KNOW
THAT DEEP DOWN INSIDE OF ME
ROMEO
YOU ARE MY FIRE
THE ONE DESIRE
YOU ARE
92
ENSEMBLE
YOU ARE
YOU ARE
YOU ARE
JULIET
DON'T WANNA HEAR YOU SAY
ENSEMBLE
AIN'T NOTHING BUT A HEARTACHE
AIN'T NOTHING BUT A MISTAKE
JULIET
I WANNA HEAR YOU SAY
ENSEMBLE
I NEVER WANNA HEAR YOU SAY
ROMEO
I WANT IT THAT WAY
ENSEMBLE
TELL ME WHY
AIN'T NOTHING BUT A HEARTACHE
While all the ENSEMBLE sings to JULIET, ROMEO runs up the stairs and stands in
front of JULIET.
TELL ME WHY
AIN'T NOTHING BUT A MISTAKE
TELL ME WHY
I NEVER WANNA HEAR YOU SAY
I WANT IT THAT WAY
ROMEO
Juliet, are you sure you want to be with me?
JULIET
Let's just call this a first date. A new beginning for Juliet and Romeo.
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ROMEO
Sorry, why is it Juliet and Romeo and not Romeo and Juliet?
JULIET
Ugh, isn't it obvious?
'CAUSE I WANT IT THAT WAY
They kiss.
BLACKOUT
SHAKESPEARE
I GOT THIS FEELIN' INSIDE MY BONES
IT GOES ELECTRIC, WAVY WHEN I TURN IT ON
ALL THROUGH MY CITY, ALL THROUGH MY HOME
WE'RE FLYIN' UP, NO CEILIN', WHEN WE IN OUR ZONE
I GOT THAT SUNSHINE IN MY POCKET
GOT THAT GOOD SOUL IN MY FEET
I FEEL THAT HOT BLOOD IN MY BODY WHEN IT DROPS
ENSEMBLE
OOH
SHAKESPEARE
I CAN'T TAKE MY EYES UP OFF IT, MOVIN' SO PHENOMENALLY
ROOM ON LOCK, THE WAY WE ROCK IT, SO DON'T STOP
AND UNDER THE LIGHTS WHEN EVERYTHING GOES
NOWHERE TO HIDE WHEN I'M GETTIN' YOU CLOSE
WHEN WE MOVE, WELL, YOU ALREADY KNOW
SO JUST IMAGINE
ENSEMBLE
JUST IMAGINE, JUST IMAGINE
NOTHIN' I CAN SEE BUT YOU WHEN YOU DANCE, DANCE, DANCE
FEEL A GOOD, GOOD CREEPIN' UP ON YOU
SO JUST DANCE, DANCE, DANCE, COME ON
ALL THOSE THINGS I SHOULDN'T DO
BUT YOU DANCE, DANCE, DANCE
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AND AIN'T NOBODY LEAVIN' SOON, SO KEEP DANCIN'
I CAN'T STOP THE FEELIN'
SO JUST DANCE, DANCE, DANCE
I CAN'T STOP THE FEELIN'
SO JUST DANCE, DANCE, DANCE
I CAN'T STOP THE FEELIN'
SO JUST DANCE, DANCE, DANCE
I CAN'T STOP THE FEELIN'
SO JUST DANCE, DANCE, DANCE
COME ON
GOT THIS FEELING IN MY BODY (I CAN'T STOP THE FEELIN')
GOT THIS FEELING IN MY BODY, COME ON
WANNA SEE YOU MOVE YOUR BODY
GOT THIS FEELIN' IN MY BODY, C'MON
THE END.
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