Maybe It Wasn’t Love After All

Brent:

I thought I knew what love was,

I thought it meant control,

I thought that guiding him was best

and teaching him his role

I ignored his feelings

and what he had to say

I never cared about who he was

it was going to be my way.

Peggy:

We built a wall around our hearts,

And locked the truth away,

Kept hoping that in time, we’d find

A way to make him stay

In a life that we envisioned,

One that fit the mold we knew,

But maybe it wasn’t love after all,

What we tried to do.

Both

Maybe it wasn’t love after all,

If it pushed him away

If it left him feeling shame,

Did we fail him

We wanted to protect him,

But did we honor his soul

Maybe it wasn’t love after all

Peggy:

I just wanted him to be safe

But safe from what

Safe from himself, or from the world,

Or from the truth we never sought

Brent:

I wanted him to grow up strong

But strong in whose eyes

Strong for himself, or for this town,

Or for all of are damn lies

Peggy

Now we’re left here without him,

With nothing but the pain,

Of knowing that we pushed too hard,

And we might not see him again.

Maybe it wasn’t love after all,

But fear that closed the door,

Maybe it wasn’t love after all

Both

Maybe it wasn’t love after all,

If it pushed him away

If it left him feeling shame,

Did we fail him

We wanted to protect him,

But did we honor his soul

Maybe it wasn’t love after all

Maybe it wasn’t love after all

I Knew I Could Do It

Intro

It’s hard to believe I’m standing here

despite the struggles, despite the fear

This has always been my dream

my aspiration, my hope supreme

Verse 1

And I know I’m not alone

I’ve made some friends, found a new home

Found a sense of unity

And a new community

Verse 2

I’m not ashamed of who I am

nor afraid of being damned

First I had to get away 

from good old Camp Prayaway

Chorus

I knew I could do it

Do the work it takes

forgive my own mistakes

try to earn my breaks

I knew I could do it

stay and follow through

learning from what others do

I knew I could do it!

(cast begins to gather)

Verse 3

I’m so grateful for the chance

it’s not all glamor and romance

I got some help along the way

friends who all are here today

Chorus (cast)

No more hiding who we are 

Proud to shine, each one a star

Staying hopeful every day

And we’re really proud to say

Chorus (cast)

We knew we could do it

Do the work it takes

Forgive our own mistakes

Try to earn our breaks

We knew we could do it

Stay and follow through

Learning from what others do

We knew we could do it.

All

We Knew We Could Do It

We Knew We Could Do It

Sammy

I know I Can Do It!

I Should Have Believed in You

Brent

I should have believed in you, from the very start,

Instead of my suspicion, instead of breaking your heart.

I see now the courage in your eyes,

How you’ve risen above it all, and how you’ve touched the skies.

I held onto ignorant fear, I let it rule me so long,

But seeing you now, I’m so so sorry

I know I was so wrong.

I never really saw you before, but now you’ve opened my eyes,

I should have believed in you, instead of believing in lies.

I should have believed in you, seen the light in your soul,

I should have let you fly, and helped you reach your goal.

For now I understand, it’s your dreams that make you true,

I should have believed in you

I should have believed in you.

It’s All About The Work

Sammy

This is so amazing, how helpful everyone is

I could not imagine such people could exist

I’m so very grateful to hear what they all say

sounds like it’s a lot of work, they do it every day

No one mentions stardom, or my dreams coming true

It’s all about the work they say, and that’s just what they do

Learn to take rejection, push forward anyway

and you don’t know if or when you’ll catch a break someday

It’s all about the work.

Is this what I wanted? It takes a lot of drive

I know when I’m singing, I feel the most alive

I can do the work, I just know I can

there isn’t any shortcut to being a leading man

I know I’ve got so much to learn, but I’m here to stay

hang in there and do the work, and it’ll be O K!

(vamp)

Chorus enters, and adds

It’s all about the work.

Go to classes, make auditions, got to pay the rent.

then you got your real job and you’re completely spent.

Then one day you hit your mark, it feels heaven sent

all the work is paying off one hundred ten per cent.

Sammy

I’m so very grateful to every one of you

thank you for your good advice on how to follow through

Chorus (all others)

Kid we got our eye on you, we hope you get a break

keep on trying, do your best with every step you take

It’s all about the work.

Chorus (all others)

This is what he wanted –  yes, he has the drive

Listen when he’s singing, he really comes alive

He can do the work,

Sammy

 yes I know I can

there isn’t any shortcut to being a leading man

Chorus

He knows he’s got so much to learn, but now he has a plan

Sammy

I know I can do it.

Chorus

He knows he can do it.

All sing

It’s All About the Work!

Welcome To New York

Jason:

Verse:

Welcome to the city with lights that are famously bright,

Where daring to dream  – it just feels right.

You’re part of a family, a circle of friends,

In a world where hope on kindness depends.

____

Welcome to New York 

you’ll learn success is hard work, it’s something you earn

You are not alone, 

you’re part of our community, Rainbow people’s unity? 

Welcome to New York.

____

We’ve all been like you, 

brand new in town, you’re feeling upside down

Now you’re here to stay

you’re feeling lucky that you got away.

_____

Don’t be scared, love, everything is new

but you’ve got people who want to help you

hang on for the ride and remember your pride

pay attention, listen, you’ll find out what to do

____

Welcome to New York 

You’re better off here, set aside your fear

Soon you’ll feel at home

You’re part of a community, blending in humanity 

Welcome to New York.

(instrumental, dance, Jason invites Sammy into a 2-man chorus line, joined surrepetitiously by the cast)

____

Don’t be scared, love, everything is new

but you’ve got people who want to help you

hang on for the ride and remember your pride

pay attention, listen, you’ll find out what to do

____

Welcome to New York 

Where the key to existence is plenty of persistence

You are not alone, 

You’re part of our community, Rainbow people’s unity? 

Welcome to New York !

New York!

The Longest Wait

I wonder if they noticed

I wonder if they’re coming

I bet they hear my beating heart

from here up to Wyoming

A second takes forever

I’m breaking out in sweat

I hope they didn’t find me gone

and they don’t miss me yet

I’m breaking away

it’s been the longest wait

Wait to find my future,

wait to learn my fate

I’m breaking away

I’ll start my life’s adventure

no more shame and censure

It’s been the longest wait!

The seconds measure my heartbeat

the yearning in my chest

my quiet desperation

starting on my quest.

I hope the bus is coming

I need to get some rest

when I get up on it

there goes my distress

I’m getting away

I’ll grab the reins of fate

finally making my move

I won’t hesitate

I’m getting away

see where fortune takes me

I won’t hesitate

It’s been the longest wait

(vamp)

Sammy hears a car approach, and he hunches down, pulling his coat over his head. Suspenseful shark music underscore – then the car passes by, offstage

Sammy: Holy freaking Jesus, I thought it was them..! (takes a minute to collect himself, as the stage lights start to brighten gradually with sunrise tones on the backdrop. We wait a bit with Sammy, in silence, then he stands up as if to look down the road for the bus)

It’s been the longest wait

Soon the bus will come

Won’t be long, it looks like dawn – 

my wait is nearly done.

(vamp)

Looks down the road again, looks up like he saw something, gives an involuntary “thumbs up”

It’s been the longest wait

I’ve Got Your Back! (Reprise)

Charlise:

I’ve got your back

I’m glad I’m here with you today

I got your call, I did just what you say

I’ve got your back, you know we’re friends forever

And I always want you to remember

I’ve got your back.

You can find a way that you can live

Just try not to hate, find a way to forgive

In a world so cold, I’ll be your light

You’ll be O K, you’ll make it through all right

When the storm is raging you’re not alone

Just know that you always have a home

Together we’ll find the strength to carry on

Go and find your way, you won’t go wrong

I’ve got your back

No matter where, how far away

Just text or call, I’ll come that very day

I’ve got your back, you know we’re friends forever

And I always want you to remember

I’ve got your back

I’ve got your back

That’s What They Call Hypocrisy

Rapper: (street vibe)

That’s what they call hypocrisy

Rules for you but not for me

But when the truth comes out we see

That’s what they call hypocrisy

He tried to tell us how to live

compassion wasn’t his to give

now he’s busted, serves him right

got to face his legal plight

Tried to tell us we were wrong

stringing everyone along

Now we know, the truth is out

the real sinner’s been found out.

All Campers: (tight rhythm but rapper still rapping)

That’s what they call hypocrisy

Rules for you but not for me

When the truth comes out we see

That’s what they call hypocrisy

Rapper: (or ensemble rap)

When they cart him off to jail

we all hope this place will fail

but they make too much off our distress

They’ll make someone clean up his mess

Cockworthy waiting in the wings

shares the same view on these things

Wants to keep us stuck in here

Listening to their hate and fear.

That’s what they call hypocrisy

Rules for you but not for me

When the truth comes out we see

That’s what they call hypocrisy

That’s what they call hypocrisy

Rules for you but not for me

When the truth comes out we see

That’s what they call hypocrisy

Hypocrisy!

How Could They Be So Wrong?

How could they be so wrong,

about the way I love?

How could they not see,

It’s who I am, it’s part of me?

They preach their words of hate,

fear with all their might,

But love is all I’ve known,

And I know it’s right.

Chorus:

How could they be so wrong,

To think that I’m not free?

How could they be so blind,

To the truth that we all see?

I’ll rise above their fears,

I’ll get away, be strong,

I’ll show them who I am,

How could they be so wrong?

Their walls can’t hold me in,

Their chains can’t bind my heart,

I’ll find my way to light,

Even when we’re worlds apart.

Forgiveness in my soul,

Strength in every tear,

I’ll walk my path with pride,

Dispelling every fear.

Chorus:

How could they be so wrong,

To think that I’m not free?

How could they be so blind,

To the truth that we all see?

I’ll rise above their fears,

I’ll break away, be strong,

I’ll show them who I am,

How they could be so wrong?

…so wrong?

Don’t Tell me Who I Am

Sammy:

Don’t tell me who I am!

Don’t try to change my soul!

I’m not a puppet on your strings,

I won’t play your role!

(Reverend Crowe watches in stunned silence as Sammy’s voice fills the room.)

I know my heart, I know my truth,

I know myself inside,

I’ll live my life, I’ll love myself,

With everlasting pride!

I’m being abused, you’re doing wrong,

You won’t win with fear,

I’ll stand my ground, I’ll raise my voice,

And make my message clear!

You can’t erase the love I feel,

You can’t make me hide,

I’ll fight for who I truly am,

It’s you whose love has died!

Chorus:

Don’t tell me who I am!

Don’t try to change my soul!

I’m not a puppet on your strings,

I refuse to play your role!

I know my heart, I know my truth,

I know myself inside,

I’ll live my life, I’ll love myself,

With everlasting pride!

In the dark, I’ve found my light,

In the hate, I’ve found my peace,

No more chains to hold me down,

I’m demanding my release!

I’ll spread my wings, I’ll soar so high,

Above your walls of shame,

For every soul who’s felt alone,

We’ll rise above the blame!

Chorus:

Don’t tell me who I am!

Don’t try to change my soul!

I’m not a puppet on your strings,

I won’t play your role!

I know my heart, I know my truth,

I know myself inside,

I’ll live my life, I’ll love myself,

With everlasting pride!

Don’t tell me who I am!

Don’t tell me who I am!

Don’t tell me who I am!