[Lyric] A Super Scary Play (Danny Abosch, John Maclay)

[BROOKE]
On a fall day this year, Ms. Walker, our esteemed drama teacher, announced there would be auditions for the Woods Mill Middle School fall show. And that it would be quite different than last year's production of Guys and Dolls… though equally excellent

[MS. WALKER]
This year's show will be… scary

[BROOKE]
And though no one had actually seen the ghost that was rumored to roam the halls, still, it made some students a little freaked out to be doing a scary play…in a haunted school

[ALL]
Scary?

[BROOKE]
Super scary?

[ALL]
Is it monsters, ghosts, or creatures?
Scary?

[TINA]
Like, how scary?
[ALL]
Will we scare our friends and teachers?

[BROOKE]
The mood was getting tense
The bus was buzzing with the news

[TINA]
Would we get parts?

[STUDENT]
How would she cast?

[TINA]
Who would be leads?

[BROOKE]
How would she choose?

[MS. WALKER]
Yes, this year's show will be scary. The soft, the weak, and the overly sensitive, and of course the superstitious among you need not apply. There will be chills, and thrills, and suspense! And…a Phantom

[BROOKE]
Zeke! Let's audition!
What do you say?
It's our chance to do...
[ALL]
A super scary play!

[BROOKE]
It's perfect! No one knows more about scary shows than us. It's our big shot

[ZEKE]
Hold up, Brookie. We like scary books. And scary movies. I don't even know what a scary middle school play would be. Will it have vampires? Or possessed dolls? Oh! Are we doing Mac—

[BROOKE]
It's called The Phantom… So I'm guessing it's a… ghost story

[ZEKE]
Totally. I'm auditioning for the ghost. That part will be mine!

[MS. WALKER]
Audition time!

(The other students audition for MS. WALKER in the background during the following.)

[BROOKE]
I used to get the frights
When I turned out the lights
So many sleepless nights
I tried to brave it
But creepy stuff these days
Is, like, my biggest craze
No matter movies, plays
Or books, I crave it!

[ZEKE]
Scary is our favorite!

[BROOKE]
Scary is the best!

[ZEKE]
And now we're doing a scary play...

[BROOKE]
...and I've never been more stressed!

[MS. WALKER]
Thank you very much, all who auditioned. I will be posting the cast list at 2:20 this afternoon

[STUDENTS]
Is it there yet?
Is it there yet?
Is it there yet?
Is it there yet?
Is it there yet?
Is it there yet?
Is it there yet?
Is it—

[ZEKE]
Not yet!

[STUDENTS]
Is it there yet?
Is it there yet?

[ZEKE]
No!

([STUDENTS])
Is it there yet?
Is it there yet?

([ZEKE])
No!

([STUDENTS])
Is it there yet?

([ZEKE])
No!

([STUDENTS])
Is it there yet?

([ZEKE])
No!

([STUDENTS])
Is it there yet?
Is it—

([ZEKE])
No, not yet!

[BROOKE]
I can't take it! I'm so nervous! When is she gonna put up the cast list?

[ZEKE]
Brooke! Look! There's a note for you posted on the callboard!

[BROOKE]
Let me see!
(reading)
"Brooke Rodgers. Please report to Principal Stine's office. You have been suspended from school."
Oh my— But I— What is happening? Aaaah! Zeke! What do I do????

(ZEKE cannot control his laughter.)

[BROOKE].
Wait a second! Did you write this and post it here?

[ZEKE]
Of course! Don't be such a donut. Just a harmless prank to cut the tension

[BROOKE]
Very funny, Zeke. (Beat) Why is this taking so long?

[BROOKE]
Last year, we did Guys and Dolls,
And Zeke and I basically held up the walls

[ZEKE]
Now, don't get us wrong
The ensemble's nice

[BOTH]
But this year, we're gonna win our slice
Of the juiciest roles
Of the starriest parts!
We've hoped and we've prayed
With all of our hearts
That this is our time
This is our day
'Cause we're finally doing
A super scary play!

[BROOKE]
Ms. Walker said she would have the cast list up by 2:20

[ZEKE]
Well, what time is it now?

[BROOKE]
2:21!

[ZEKE]
Oh, come on! This is unacceptable!

[BROOKE]
Oh man, what if we get good parts?

[ZEKE]
Who cares?

(BROOKE stares at him, eyebrow raised)

I mean, of course I care. But the main thing is it's scary! We could scare the whole school! With a play! And don't get your hopes up. Remember Guys and Dolls? I was Man 4. It's not even in the script

[BROOKE]
I remember. I was Woman 6. But this is different. This is The Phantom! It's supposed to be terrifying. And we have seen every scary movie there is. If Woods Mill Middle School is doing a scary show, we are needed. We are required. (dramatically) We are the ones who are understanding of the scary!

[ZEKE]
And you were great as Woman 6. It was a definitive performance. But try to relax. A lot of people want to be the lead. I hear Tina may go nuts if she doesn't get it. Like crazy, insane nuts

[BROOKE]
I can't take the anticipation! She could cast me so many ways. And I'd be happy to do anything, of course. But it would be fun if you and I were the leads in something truly terrifying and—

[ZEKE]
Brooke! You're my best friend since kindergarten. You're like my sister. But you're making me crazy

[BROOKE]
I feel nervous
I feel scared
And completely unprepared
And while this feeling's rather thrilling
This not knowing is just killing me!

Well, not literally killing me
But this anxious anticipation
Creates the most uncomfortable sensation!

(In the background, MS. WALKER appears and puts up the cast list. ZEKE, BROOKE, and the other STUDENTS fail to notice.)

[ALL]
And this is our time! This is our day!
'Cause we're finally doing a super scary—

[MS. WALKER]
Players, does anyone want to know who's playing what in the show? The list is up

(Beat)

(All slowly look at each other and then rush the call board.)

[STUDENTS]
Ahhh!!!

[ZEKE]
C'mon!

[BROOKE]
I can't do it, Zeke! Will you go for both of us? You're my best friend! You can do this

[ZEKE]
(laughing) Ok. Wait here

(ZEKE goes to the board and edges his way in. He yells excitedly.)

Woo-hoo! I'm the Phantom! Brooke, is that a good part?

[BROOKE]
Zeke! The play is called The Phantom! So the Phantom is probably a good part. Oh, you're kidding

[ZEKE]
And you're Esmerelda!

[BROOKE]
(gasps) This is our time!

[ZEKE]
This is our day!

[BOTH]
Because we're the leads

[ALL]
In a super scary play!