SAMPLE SCENE
Act I, Scene 7
[Miranda’s studio. MIRANDA has just started singing the intro to "IS THIS LOVE?" (SONG 12). She is wearing yet another exotic outfit. FREDDY enters, carrying a log. The actor may wish to play with its phallic significance. FREDDY stops to listen, unseen by MIRANDA. ARIEL and the DIVAS watch the romance develop.]
I WONDER IF SOME DAY I’LL MEET SOMEONE WHO’LL SAY
THAT I’M THE GREATEST PASSION IN HIS LIFE
I WONDER HOW MY LIPS WOULD FEEL IF THEY WERE KISSED
BY A MAN WHO DARED TO SHARE HIS LOVE FOR ME LIKE THIS
| FREDDY | I love your voice. |
| MIRANDA | [surprised] I didn’t realize you were listening. |
| FREDDY | I’d like to hear more, Mandy—or is it "Amanda"? |
| MIRANDA | Actually, it’s "Miranda". |
| FREDDY | Miranda? Miranda . . . I just met a girl named Miranda! [The music theatre allusion prompts him to become extravagant.] Let the rocks and trees, the sun and stars bear witness to these words: I treasure you more than anything else in this world, Miranda! |
[He moves to kiss her, but not yet. She reaches into her trunk of clothes for a boa. MIRANDA wants romance to develop on her terms.] |
|
| MIRANDA | Do you really want to hear that song I was working on? |
| FREDDY | I’m all yours. |
[ MIRANDA sings a tango, "IS THIS LOVE?" (SONG 12). She intends to make FREDDY weak in the knees.]
HANDS ARE HOT, HEARTS ARE PUMPING RANDOMLY
WORDS ARE WRONG, COOL FACADES ARE CRUMBLING
LENGTHY EXCHANGES OF GAZES ARE NOT ENOUGH
I WONDER . . . IS THIS LOVE?
AWAY FROM YOU I CAN’T WAIT TO HOLD YOU DEAR
WONDERING WHAT I’LL WEAR WHEN NEXT YOU’RE NEAR
LIVING WITH ALL OF THIS TINGLING IS AWFULLY TOUGH
I WONDER . . . IS THIS LOVE?
[The DIVAS , partnering up, join in the spirit of the tango.]
IS IT LOVE WHEN SOUNDS OF THE STREET
MAKE A MELODY?
IS IT LOVE WHEN LONGING BECOMES
A NEW ABILITY?
[MIRANDA gets FREDDY to dance with her.]
WHO’S TO SAY WHAT LOVE WE’LL MAKE PRIVATELY
WHEN OUR HEARTS AND OUR SOULS JOIN AVIDLY
HEAD OVER HEELS, I DON’T KNOW WHAT I’M THINKING OF
BUT I’M CERTAIN . . . THIS IS LOVE!
[At the end of the song FREDDY and MIRANDA kiss. It’s a magic moment. Afterwards, MIRANDA may wish to repeat the line, "This is love!" ARIEL and the DIVAS express their delight. The scene fades to black.]
Often, the arts can help us find meaning, solve problems and provide instruments for living when words aren't enough. Ariel's Way is a wonderful example. This lively, original musical offers us tools for participating in forgiveness, repairing relationships and opening doors for communication between parents and teenagers. And you'll leave the theater humming the tunes. Who could ask for anything more?
Linda Belans
Director, Health Arts Network at Duke University (HAND)
