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spirit_of_mahs in middleareahigh

Middle Area Community Theater - "Sweeney Todd" [THNM]

Aug 29, 2008 00:19

EPILOGUEAs the audience enters, funeral music plays throughout the theater. Before a front drop depicting in a honeycombed beehive the class system of mid-19th century England, two workmen enter. They pull down the drop. The deafeningly shrill sound of a factory whistle ( Read more... )

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GREEN FINCH AND LINNET BIRD / AH, MISS/ JOHANNA spirit_of_mahs August 29 2008, 07:22:19 UTC

The pie shop is wheeled off stage as a staircase is wheeled on. On the top of the stairs is Johanna, a lovely girl with cascading blonde hair. A bird seller enters carrying a bizarre construction of little wicker birdcages tied together.

Re: GREEN FINCH AND LINNET BIRD / AH, MISS/ JOHANNA angela_love September 1 2008, 02:19:16 UTC

Angela stands there with a sad and disconsolate air until she sees the bird cages. Then she smiles sadly as she opens the window in order to feed them.

"And how are they today?"

"Hungry, as always, Miss Johanna." The birds are lifted, so she can see them and push little bits of bread to them. And as she does so, she sings.

"Green finch and linnet bird,
Nightingale, blackbird,
How is it you sing?
How can you jubilate,
Sitting in cages,
Never taking wing?
Outside the sky waits,
Beckoning, beckoning,
Just beyond the bars.
How can you remain,
Staring at the rain,
Maddened by the stars?
How is it you sing
Anything?
How is it you sing?
Green finch and linnet bird,
Nightingale, blackbird,
How is it you sing?
Whence comes this melody constantly flowing?
Is it rejoicing or merely halloing?
Are you discussing or fussing
Or simply dreaming?
Are you crowing?
Are you screaming?
Ringdove and robinet,
Is it for wages,
Singing to be sold?
Have you decided it's
Safer in cages,
Singing when you're told?"

Re: GREEN FINCH AND LINNET BIRD / AH, MISS/ JOHANNA yourwound September 1 2008, 02:28:31 UTC

He enters and catches sight of her. His eyes widen and he pulls in a little gasp, transfixed by her.

Re: GREEN FINCH AND LINNET BIRD / AH, MISS/ JOHANNA angela_love September 1 2008, 02:34:46 UTC

She sighs and continues singing. She is tall and graceful in her long pale gown and her yellow hair falls around her slightly as she leans out of the window.

"My cage has many rooms,
Damask and dark.
Nothing there sings,
Not even my lark.
Larks never will, you know,
When they're captive.
Teach me to be more adaptive.
Green finch and linnet bird,
Nightingale, blackbird,
Teach me how to sing.
If I cannot fly,
Let me sing."

Her task of feeding and petting the birds ended, she stares into the distance, her manner lonely and unhappy.

Re: GREEN FINCH AND LINNET BIRD / AH, MISS/ JOHANNA yourwound September 1 2008, 02:47:58 UTC

He takes a couple of tentative steps closer, watching her intently.

"I have sailed the world,
Beheld its wonders,
From the pearls of Spain
To the rubies of Tibet,
But not even in London
Have I seen such a wonder . . .
(Breathlessly)
Lady look at me look at me miss oh
Look at me please oh
Favor me favor me with your glance.
Ah, miss,
What do you what do you see off
There in those trees oh
Won't you give won't you give me a chance?
Who would sail to Spain
For all its wonders,
When in Kearney's Lane
Lies the greatest wonder yet?
Ah, miss,
Look at you look at you pale and
Ivory-skinned oh
Look at you looking so sad so queer.
Promise
Not to retreat to the darkness
Back of your window
Not till you not till you look down here.
Look at me!
Look at me!
Look at me..."

Re: GREEN FINCH AND LINNET BIRD / AH, MISS/ JOHANNA angela_love September 1 2008, 02:51:22 UTC

She sighs disconsolately and turns away, still singing,

"Green finch and linnet bird,
Nightingale, blackbird,
Teach me how to sing.
If I cannot fly,
Let me sing..."

But she has seen him now, and their eyes lock, and she stops singing, entranced.

Re: GREEN FINCH AND LINNET BIRD / AH, MISS/ JOHANNA yourwound September 1 2008, 04:48:43 UTC

He smiles up at her and steps closer, but stops in his tracks as a hand grabs at his shoulder. He turns sharply and is face to face with the old begger woman, who thrusts her bowl toward him.

"Alms! Alms!
For a miserable woman..."

He digs out a coin and throws it hurriedly into her bowl; he has more pressing matters to deal with.
She peers at him and bows her head subserviently.
"Beg your pardon, it's you, sir ...
Thank yer... Thank yer kindly...He gives an absent nod to her before turning back, but alas, Joanna is gone ( ... )

Re: GREEN FINCH AND LINNET BIRD / AH, MISS/ JOHANNA angela_love September 1 2008, 04:58:30 UTC

Johanna hesitates momentarily, but then nods, smiling. She slips away from the window and down into the street, coming up to him shyly. She reaches her hand out towards him, slowly.

Re: GREEN FINCH AND LINNET BIRD / AH, MISS/ JOHANNA yourwound September 1 2008, 05:06:03 UTC

Their fingers touch and his eyes close in bliss. Softly, in a voice as delicate as spun glass he sings.

"I feel you,
Johanna,
I feel you.
I was half convinced I'd waken,
Satisfied enough to dream you.
Happily I was mistaken,
Johanna!
I'll steal you,
Johanna,
I'll steal you..."

Re: GREEN FINCH AND LINNET BIRD / AH, MISS/ JOHANNA 1stborn2ndbest September 1 2008, 05:10:29 UTC

The two lovers are so absorbed with each other that they don't notice the Judge approaching, followed by the Beadle. Deep red eyes narrow into an angry glare.

"Johanna! Johanna!"

Re: GREEN FINCH AND LINNET BIRD / AH, MISS/ JOHANNA angela_love September 1 2008, 16:00:35 UTC

Johanna's eyes widen and she jerks her hands away.

"Oh dear," she says, scurrying away back to the house, watching the Judge approach in fear.

Re: GREEN FINCH AND LINNET BIRD / AH, MISS/ JOHANNA 1stborn2ndbest September 2 2008, 00:59:17 UTC

Glaring furiously, he turns on Anthony.

"If I see your face again on this or any other neighbor street, you'll rue the day you were born. Is that plain enough speaking for you?"

Re: GREEN FINCH AND LINNET BIRD / AH, MISS/ JOHANNA yourwound September 2 2008, 01:17:47 UTC

He shakes his head, protesting. "But, sir, I swear to you there was nothing in my heart but the most respectful sentiments of-" He's cut off with an angry, snapping voice.

Re: GREEN FINCH AND LINNET BIRD / AH, MISS/ JOHANNA 1stborn2ndbest September 2 2008, 01:31:07 UTC

He turns to the Beadle. "Dispose of him!" He strides toward the stairs.

Re: GREEN FINCH AND LINNET BIRD / AH, MISS/ JOHANNA angela_love September 2 2008, 01:33:45 UTC

Johanna trembles as the Judge approaches closer, wringing her hands and looking very distressed. "Oh dear! I knew..."

Re: GREEN FINCH AND LINNET BIRD / AH, MISS/ JOHANNA our_mr_brookes September 2 2008, 01:45:23 UTC

He gives Anthony a dark look. "You heard His Worship."

Anthony shakes his head pleadingly. "But, friend, I have no fight with you..."

Before he can say another word, the Beadle takes the cage from him, opens its door, takes out the bird, wrings its neck and then tosses it away. "Get the gist of it, 'friend'? Next time it'll be your neck!" He gives a menacing little smile and follows after the judge.

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