PWOS – Curtains / Props / 21 – 23rd July at The Rose Theatre, Sidcup
Curtains is a Musical Comedy Whodunnit in 2 Acts.
Act1 Sc 1&2
Wide Open Spaces Opening – Wild West OKLAHOMA-esk
The action continues in
LFX – Jessica Cranshaw appears UC spot from above
#2A Wide Open Spaces Opening – Orchestra Underscore
Prop – Target on stand positioned Upstage Centre
Tech – gunshot P2 & puff of smoke for centre target?
#2AA Robbin’ Hood Revealed – Orchestra Underscore
Then there’s a proposal Rob Hood to the Schoolmarm into
#2B Wide Open Spaces Reprise - Company Vocal
K A N S A S U S A! YOW! Lights for applause
Tech – Upstage Tabs Close
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PWOS – Curtains / Props / 21 – 23rd July at The Rose Theatre, Sidcup
Scene 2
Lights dip to low while the next scene takes shape
LFX – if possible ground row of lights UPSTAGE to look like stage in reverse? With
audience silhouette on gauze.
The company reverses position to Upstage and as the Tabs open take their bows to the rear
empty seats/gauze silhouettes.
There is a flurry of BACKSTAGE actors Downstage while the SHOWPEOPLE are taking
their bows UPSTAGE.
#2D Exit Music (Thataway!) – Orchestra Underscore
Into the final chorus of Wide Open Spaces, Jessica Cranshaw takes her bow to the rear
receiving bouquets of flowers, walks Downstage to the real audience and dramatically
collapses (probably poisoned by the bouquets).
K A N S A S U S A! YOW! – music underscore continues through the end of scene.
Tech – the Tabs close, the company turn round to see Jessica collapsed on the real
DOWNSTAGE area.
Tech – Strike The Old West, target, wagon wheels.
It’s a very fast strike as this segues straight to Scene 3 so we will have to create the Wild
West quite minimally and I will use cast to clear it as they exit the scene.
Scene 3 is the Empty stage of the Colonial Theatre just after midnight that same night. Rear
Tabs remain closed
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PWOS – Curtains / Props / 21 – 23rd July at The Rose Theatre, Sidcup
Aaron Fox, Georgia Hendricks, Carmen Bernstein & Oscar Shapiro meet to discuss the
reviews of the opening night just published in the papers. Tuxedo?
Props – 4 very large American Newpapers – The Boston Globe, The Christian Science
Monitor, The Cambridge Patriot & ?
#3 What Kind of Man? – Vocal
Prop – P11 Practical piano? (if not too heavy- what have we got that’s movable?) if not prop
piano.
#4 Thinking of Him – Vocal Georgia
LFX – “light cue five” soft focus spot.
Hearing Georgia sing, the company of SHOWPEOPLE and BACKSTAGERS now wearing
civies come onto the stage.
The company and management discuss the replacement of Jessica and Belling the director
puts Georgia the female half of the songwriting team to replace Jessica.
Carmen who was called earlier to take a phone call (off stage) returns to the throng to deliver
the news that Jessica is dead.
Belling organises the company to display their sorrow both as a tribute and an acting
exercise. Piano is moved back but not off.
#5 The Woman’s Dead
LFX – a bit spooky & dramatic / reds *
Before the number finishes Cioffi enters abruptly centre stage
LFX – mood change back to ‘normal backstage theatre midnight’ **
Cioffi line – “Excuse me, I’m Lieutenant ……..”
LFX – snap back to *
DEAD! DEAD! DEAD!
LFX – snap back to ** normal
Company learn that Jessica’s death is being treated as homicide.
Belling the director tries to persuade the company that Robbin’ Hood should continue with
Georgia now playing the lead but the company is not keen.
Carmen tries to persuade them …..
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PWOS – Curtains / Props / 21 – 23rd July at The Rose Theatre, Sidcup
#6 Show People – Carmen Vocal
Cioffi who has been observing the company is a lover of stage musicals and can’t believe the
company don’t want to continue with the show. He continues the song telling them they
don’t know how lucky they are. A special breed of show people.
The company are persuaded to continue with the show and to celebrate Carmen invites
everybody across the street to have a “slobberknocker of a wake for the late if-less-than-great
Jessica!”
Cioffi vetoes the suggestion and quarantines the theatre until he solves the crime.
Sidney, Carmen’s husband arrives from out of town, he is also quarantined.
The company go about their business instructed to give details of themselves to the officer
waiting downstairs.
Left with Cioffi and Niki (who he admires) – they start early flirtations, she flatters him.
#7 Coffee Shop Nights – Cioffi Vocal
He invites her out – but she’s not allowed to leave!
LFX – blackout
Scene 4 – The next day same stage a rehearsal is going on
LFX – daytime on stage
Georgia and Bobby are working on “Thataway” with other dancers but it is not going well.
#8 Georgia Can’t Dance – Georgia Vocal and Dancers
Joany advises company that the personal belongings they ordered have arrived. Company
exit.
Belling, Coiffi & theatre management scene
Grady the theatre critic arrives and learns that the show is not closing and will be going
ahead with a new lead. Carmen asks Grady to review the show again with the new lead.
He agrees - tomorrow night!
The company have 24hrs to get it right – general panic.
Throughout the following scene we learn more about Cioffi’s passion for musical theatre and
what improvements he thinks would help the production. The number In the same boat –
lacks luster. Bobby agrees to hear what Cioffi thinks and calls the 3 girls for the number.
#9 In the Same Boat #1 – Georgia, Niki, Bambi Vocal – miming oars just in a 3 formation
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PWOS – Curtains / Props / 21 – 23rd July at The Rose Theatre, Sidcup
Aaron the songwriter is brought in to recreate the number and Cioffi dismisses everyone to
give him time with his piano – BACKSTAGERS bring forward piano.
#10 I Miss the Music – Intro Aaron Vocal recitative
Into
#11 I Miss the Music
LFX – tight focus to piano
P41 Georgia enters
LFX - **
Georgia Aaron scene – she leaves to get ready as they are about to run the rehearsal for
Thataway.
Aaron finishes the I miss the Music number – tear jerker he realises what he has lost.
LFX – dim out
#12 Before Thataway
Tech – set Scene 5 Saloon set – bar, tables and chairs
Rear Tabs Open light Gauze red
While the scene is being set Show girls at front dance to #12
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PWOS – Curtains / Props / 21 – 23rd July at The Rose Theatre, Sidcup
Georgia and saloon dancing girls & a few cowboys for this show-within-the-show number.
Company finish number – theatre management come on clapping now happy the show has
improved 100% with the new lead.
Cioffi comes on with a briefcase he tells them contains some very compromising evidence
he’s turned up on each one of the company. He puts down the case in the middle of the
stage.
Joany calls Coiffi to take an urgent call, Cioffi exits leaving the case.
LFX – Blackout P48
A commotion and everyone reaches for the case
Cioffi “lights”
LFX – lights up
Everybody but Niki are frozen in tableau around the case.
Coiffi puts everyone under suspicion. The briefcase is in fact empty.
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PWOS – Curtains / Props / 21 – 23rd July at The Rose Theatre, Sidcup
Coiffi has discovered that everyone in the company has been blackmailed by Sydney
Bernstein. But they are all still murder suspects. And Cioffi really wants to fix the show.
Belling directs the last part of the scene P50
#13A Act One Curtain – Company Vocal
Tech – the Tab doesn’t close
P51 - There’s a commotion, Belling askes why there is no curtain, Joany “we’re having a bit
of trouble with it”
The curtain slowly closes & body is dropped over
The Tab is then opened and closed a number of times as Belling and Cioffi shout orders to
Joany who is testing the tab track. Each time the Tab opens the body is revealed.
Until
Cioffi “You better make it a blackout”
LFX – Blackout
End of Act 1
Interval
Tech – Strike the Scene 5 Saloon Set
Back to as Scene 3 The Stage.
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PWOS – Curtains / Props / 21 – 23rd July at The Rose Theatre, Sidcup
Act 2
#14 Entr’acte – probably not playing
Scene 1. The stage
LFX – Wee small hours semi dark, some of the company have flashlights.
the wee small hours and the company are all in PJs bunking down for the night. Some have
flashlights casting eerie shadows. There are 3 clothes rails on wheels of show costumes that
divide the groups.
#15 The Man Is Dead – Joany Vocal
Goes into
#16 He Did It – Company Vocal
End of number Joany comes in and blows whistle to wake everyone up
LFX – lights up morning
Coiffi discussing investigation with company and results from Sydney’s autopsy, but really
he wants to get on and perfect the show and the topic soon turns to how to fix In the same
boat. Aaron has changed the music and we go to another In the same boat rehearsal but this
time with the boys
#16A In the Same Boat #2 Vocal Bobby, Randy & Harv with the backing of Aaron, Oscar
and Ivor
Again miming oars the 3 boys sing the number.
Following the number more discussion about how to improve the show.
Carmen’s not happy and worried about the show’s profits and how to make sure Bambi
doesn’t get ahead of herself – explaining to her daughter that business is more important than
even family.
#17 It’s a Business – Carmen & the BACKSTAGERS Vocal
Grady appears again to interview company for his review in the Globe.
They decide to run the Kansasland number
Into
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PWOS – Curtains / Props / 21 – 23rd July at The Rose Theatre, Sidcup
Scene 2 – show-within-a-show Fort Henderson back panel + barrels + haystacks? – anything
we can project onto gauze to make look like a fort.
with featured dancers
So we have cowboys and prairie girls and then Princess Kikapoo
#18 Kansasland – Randy Company Vocal & dance
It is during this dance that a shot rings out and Bobby is hit by the bullet during the dance.
SFX – gunshot p69
Scene continues with Cioffi working out where the shot came from and who it was meant for
The shot was meant for Carmen
Prop – practical gun
Niki finds the gun
#19 She Did It (Reprise) – Company Vocal
Niki fires gun by accident
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PWOS – Curtains / Props / 21 – 23rd July at The Rose Theatre, Sidcup
Company are overdue a break and leave
Joany and the BACKSTAGERS clear the Kansasland set and furniture
Scene continues with principals developing their stories and relationships
Aaron professes his love for Georgia
#20 I Miss the Underscoring – Orchestra underscore
Their romance is rekindled
#21 Thinking of Missing the Music – Aaron & Georgia Vocal
Scene continues with principals. Niki and Cioffi’s relationship develops
#22 A Tough Act to Follow – Cioffi Vocal
Niki teaches Cioffi to dance and the number develops into a dream scene
Tech – smoke (esp on the ground to hide
feet)
#22A A Tough Act to Follow Dance – Company all part of the dream
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PWOS – Curtains / Props / 21 – 23rd July at The Rose Theatre, Sidcup
At the end of the number snap back to company disappearing and just Niki and Cioffi
realising they are back on the empty stage just dreaming.
SFX – back to empty stage
Cioffi and Niki continue to talk until interrupted by Joany who is moving them onto the next
rehearsal of In the same boat.
Niki leaves to get ready.
Joany gets the stage ready for the rehearsal
SFX/prop – Mic on stand for Joany to give orders to the cast backstage
Prop – blue material on rolls.
#22B Eerie Sounds from the Pit – Orchestra (just a few bum notes)
SFX – 2 gunshots
#22C Joany’s Death
Joany is hit twice and drags herself to her call book and tears out a page. Dies.
SFX – blackout
Joany exit
Tech??
#22D In the Same Boat #3 – Vocal ?is it possible to have a pre-record that can be played
with spooky echo. See 1:54:00 YouTube video
Scene 3 The fly space above the Colonial Theatre – I think the best will be the Circle
balcony. Could we add some ropes & stuff to make it look a bit more up in the fly?
This will be above our Tabs pelmet so could look part of that?
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PWOS – Curtains / Props / 21 – 23rd July at The Rose Theatre, Sidcup
Belling Cioffi and Niki have a scene up here to discuss Joany’s untimely death. They talk
about how scenery is dropped in. The company is apparently rehearsing below.
#22E In the Same Boat #4 – Vocal ?? again if possible can we use a pre-record?
Scene between Belling Cioffi and Niki I’ve made changed to so we don’t have the problem
of knocking Cioffi off the balcony. See script changes P85 amended
End of scene Niki and Belling exit. Cioffi “suddenly a light bulb goes off”
SFX blackout
Cioffi calls Niki
Niki screams
Cioffi calls again Niki
#23 In the Same Boat #5 – Vocal
The company reassemble with Aaron conducting the new version of In the same boat
Scene 4 Continues with the rehearsal for In the same boat on stage
Company appear semi dress rehearsing
#23A Something Fast
P91-93 rewritten to avoid hoisting Cioffi down to the stage clutching the world!
Company is joined by Niki Belling & Cioffi who has now solved …… how to salvage In the
same Boat. Coiffi sets about re-running the new arrangement of In the same boat.
LFX – Blue wash
#24 In the Same Boat – Complete Vocal
Georgia slow solo
3 pals paddling up the rapid – Bobby Randy & Hav with oars (but no boat)
3 ladies paddling down the river – the damsels in distress Georgia Niki & Bambi
The seas unusually rough – joined by rest of company dancers being swimmers and
mermaids
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PWOS – Curtains / Props / 21 – 23rd July at The Rose Theatre, Sidcup
Stagehands bring in river cloth
The waves are lappin’ a lot – Stagehands bring in 2 sides of ship ??? Tech – 2 halves of ship
from each side. See 2:00:20
Then as the groups split, release 2 strips of bunting from the balcony to attach at the front of
the boat?
After the number scene continues. Stage hands strike water and boat.
In order to work out who killed Jessica Cioffi asks Belling to re-stage the company bows.
Just Stage no set.
So the company run the bows number – still in rehearsal/semi costume.
#25 Wide Open Spaces – Sung Bows Vocal but this time to the front
Cioffi stops the bow as he works out that Jessica received bouquets from the audience during
the bows number.
Grady has taken on the disguise of Rob Hood and when confronted holds Niki hostage with
a knife. Grady confesses to the murder of Jessica & Joany and attempted murder of Carmen.
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PWOS – Curtains / Props / 21 – 23rd July at The Rose Theatre, Sidcup
Grady demands that Cioffi give him his gun. Cioffi lays down his gun on the stage which
Grady retrieves. Despite the gun aimed at him Cioffi takes Niki from Grady. Grady shoots
but the gun is not loaded and just clicks. Cioffi reveals his 2nd gun apparently loaded (not
fired)
O’Farrell arrests Grady and takes him away.
Cioffi dismisses the company
#25A The company Exits – Orchestra
Small scene of principals then Cioffi and Carmen left on stage when he confronts her about
murdering Sydney.
She confesses, she is temporarily reprieved for the good of the show and wraps up the show.
#26 Show People Reprise – Vocal Carmen & Cioffi
During #26 Close Tab
P109 Cioffi’s speech is heard while the orchestra play the overture. He is hurriedly changing
into Rob Hood costume. Might need to pre-record this to play as he is off stage changing
Reset Act1 Sc1
Company take places as Act1 Sc1 Wide Open Spaces in full Act1 Sc1 costume
Open Tabs for It’s Kansas forever ..
End of number
SFX- gunshot
Cioffi enters disguised as Rob Hood
#26B Robbin’ Hood Revealed Orchestra
Cioffi proposes to Niki
#27 A tough Act Finale – Vocal
#28 Bows
#29 Bows Vocal – Company
Slowly close Tab
#30 Exit Music
Company exits
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PWOS – Curtains / Props / 21 – 23rd July at The Rose Theatre, Sidcup
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PWOS – Curtains / Props / 21 – 23rd July at The Rose Theatre, Sidcup
In summary
Act 1- Sc 1& 2 – needs to look like the Wild West
Need a tab that can open and close at the back
Would be great to have a gauze to have some LFX
Prop – large Target (as in archery target)
Practical firing gun
Gun shot smoke if poss from Target?
Practical piano if not too heavy to wheel on and off or prop piano if not
Scene 5 – saloon bar (if poss that Georgia can sit on) 2 tables 6 chairs (saloon)
Act 2 – Sc1
3 x clothes rails on wheels
Sc 2 Fort Henderson – projection onto Gauze?
Practical Gun (fired onstage)
Dream Scene – ground smoke
Mic on stand
Pre recorded cast singing a couple of versions of In the same boat
Sc 3 – Fly space above the theatre can be gallery above the pelmet of the tab, rope ties to
look like fly lines.
Note P85 amended
Sc 4 back on stage
Note P91 – 93 amended
In the same boat – 2 painted sides of ship to come in?
2 large lengths of bunting
Large blue cloth for sea
Practical gun not loaded fired but just clicks
Prop gun not fired
P109 Cioffi speech pre record
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PWOS – Curtains / Props / 21 – 23rd July at The Rose Theatre, Sidcup
Mics
Jessica Cranshaw / Lieutenant Cioffi
Niki Harris
Randy Dexter
Aaron Fox
Georgia Hendricks
Carmen Bernstein
Oscar Shapiro
Bambi
Joany Harmon / Daryl Grady
? Roger
? I don’t think I need to mic Belling as he doesn’t have many singing lines and he can project
and deliver his lines in a director shouty way.
Bobby & Harv ?? – probably not as they are backed by Aaron, Oscar & Roger for In the
same boat – but wonder if we should mic Roger for this? Looking for share but I can’t make
a share work out so would have to have one of his own.
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