Tuck Everlasting

TUCK EVERLASTING
Book by
Claudia Shear and Tim Federle
Music by
Chris Miller
Lyrics by
Nathan Tysen
Based on the novel Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt
2016 Broadway Production

Tuck Everlasting 1.
ACT ONE
Scene 1: THE SPRING
A family of four crosses the stage to a bubbling

spring at the base of a giant tree.
JESSE
Come on, I think I see water up ahead!
MAE
Slow down, boys!
MILES
Are you kidding, Ma? We’re dying of thirst!
Each of the Tucks — MAE (40s), ANGUS (40s), JESSE

(17), and MILES (21) — take a turn drinking.
ANGUS
This spring is a good omen. Where there’s water,
there’s opportunity. And where there’s opportunity,
there’s our new life. Let 1808 be our best year yet.
MAE
(a toast)
To the Tucks!
ALL THE TUCKS

To the Tucks!
The lighting shifts.
An ensemble of dancers swirls on stage.
Song: LIVE LIKE THIS
MALE ENSEMBLE
DAY NA NA DAY NA NA DAY NA
ENSEMBLE
AH AH AH AH
The Tucks exit.
WINNIE FOSTER (11) enters; we are now in present

day 1890s.
She holds a green dress, but is wearing black

mourning attire.
Tuck Everlasting 2.
WINNIE
TODAY IS THE DAY
I’VE BEEN WAITING FOREVER
IT’S THE FIRST DAY OF AUGUST 1893
TONIGHT THERE’S A FAIR
AND IF HANDLED JUST SO
I MIGHT GET MY MOTHER TO SAY I CAN GO
MOTHER
Winnie?
WINNIE
Coming, Mother!
GETTING OUT OF THE HOUSE

HAPPENS, WELL - NEVER
THERE'S A GATE AND A LOCK AND RULES TO ABIDE
I WISH I HAD WINGS
I'D LOOK GOOD WITH A PAIR
BUT IF WINGS ARE TOO MUCH, AT LEAST GIVE ME THE FAIR
LET THIS BE THE DAY

I STAY OUT ALL EVENING
AND FALL RIGHT INTO STEP
AS A BAND STARTS TO PLAY
NOT ANOTHER BORING DAY
IN TREEGAP NEW HAMPSHIRE
I CAN'T LIVE LIKE THIS
I CAN'T LIVE LIKE THIS
FOREVER
ENSEMBLE
DAY NA DAY NA NA

DAY NA DAY NA NA
A chaise comes on piled with blankets. Mae Tuck

stands behind it.
MAE
TODAY IS THE DAY
THE WAITING IS OVER
TONIGHT WE WILL ALL BE A FAMILY AGAIN
MY BOYS WILL BE HOME
BY THE END OF THE DAY
I CAN'T WAIT, I SHOULD WAIT, NO, I'LL MEET THEM HALFWAY
Mae shakes the blankets. Her husband Angus is

beneath.
MAE (CONT’D)
Angus! Angus, wake up.
Tuck Everlasting 3.
ANGUS
I’m up, I’m up. What’s wrong?
MAE
Nothing’s wrong! I just can’t wait to see the boys!
ANGUS
So?
MAE
So, I’m going to meet them in Treegap Wood.
ANGUS
You sure that’s a good idea, Mae?
MAE
Yes! Either I walk them home or they wring each
other’s necks.
ANGUS
Well, be careful.
MAE
I will! I love you, Angus.
Angus snores.
MAE (CONT’D) ENSEMBLE
LET THIS BE THE DAY
I’M FREE OF THIS CABIN I’M FREE
WHERE THE ONLY THING THAT
MOVES
IS THE CLOCK ON THE WALL LET THIS BE THE DAY
BETTER OFF TO START THE HAUL
TO TREEGAP NEW HAMPSHIRE
I CAN'T LIVE LIKE THIS LIVE LIKE THIS
I CAN'T LIVE LIKE THIS LIVE LIKE THIS
FOREVER
ENSEMBLE (CONT’D)
DAY NA DAY NA NA
A train whistles. Miles appears.
MILES
OFF THE TRAIN IN NEW HAMPSHIRE
AND IT’S BACK IN AN INSTANT
THE FEELING THAT I’M SOMEWHERE I DON’T BELONG
A silo rises from the floor. Jesse is on top.

Tuck Everlasting 4.
JESSE
HELLO TREEGAP NEW HAMPSHIRE
CATCH ME UP ON WHAT’S NEW
YOUR SILO I SEE STILL HAS THE BEST VIEW
JESSE (CONT’D) MILES
I SWEAR (echoing)
I SWEAR
JESSE
IS THERE ANYONE WHO STILL KNOWS ME?
MILES JESSE (CONT'D)
ALMOST THERE (echoing)
ALMOST THERE
MILES
THIS TOWN NEVER OUTGROWS ME
JESSE MILES (CONT'D)
UNAWARE (echoing)
UNAWARE
MILES AND JESSE

I’LL NEVER KNOW WHY THIS WORLD CHOSE ME
TO LIVE LIKE THIS
LIVE LIKE THIS
LIVE LIKE THIS
FOREVER
A MAN IN YELLOW SUIT (60s) enters.
MAN IN YELLOW SUIT

TODAY A NEW TOWN
AND A NEW ONE TOMORROW
MY WHOLE LIFE EMPLOYED TO A TRAVELIN’ FAIR
YOU MAY WONDER WHY
THIS OLD BARKER BARKS ON
IT’S THE TRAIL NO ONE KNOWS I HAVE STUMBLED UPON
MAN IN YELLOW SUIT (CONT'D) ENSEMBLE
LET THIS BE THE DAY DAY NA NA DAY NA NA
THAT I LEARN THE SECRET DAY NA NA DAY NA NA DAY
AND FIND WHO HOLDS THE KEY DAY NA NA DAY NA NA
TO WHAT I’M LOOKING FOR DAY NA NA DAY NA NA DAY NA
MAN IN YELLOW SUIT

I WILL KNOCK ON EVERY DOOR
IN TREEGAP NEW HAMPSHIRE TO
MAN IN YELLOW SUIT (CONT'D) MAE & JESSE & MILES
LIVE LIKE THIS
LIVE LIKE THIS
LIVE LIKE THIS
I COULD
LIVE LIKE THIS LIVE LIKE THIS
Tuck Everlasting 5.
MAN IN YELLOW SUIT & MAE

FOREVER
Winnie reappears — now wearing the green dress.

WINNIE MAN IN YELLOW SUIT
LET THIS BE THE DAY (echoing)
WHERE SOMETHING WILL HAPPEN SOMETHING WILL HAPPEN
WINNIE MAE
LET ME SEE THE FAIR (echoing)
LET ME SEE MY BOYS
WINNIE MILES & JESSE
LET MY MOTHER AGREE (echoing)
LET ME SEE
ALL
I FEEL IT COMING OVER ME
IN TREEGAP NEW HAMPSHIRE
ALL (CONT’D)
I COULD LIVE LIKE THIS
I COULD LIVE LIKE THIS
LIVE LIKE THIS
W., MAE, J., MILES, YELLOW ENSEMBLE

FOREVER DAY NA NA DAY NA NA DAY NA
DAY NA DAY NA NA
FOREVER DAY NA NA DAY NA NA DAY NA
DAY NA DAY NA NA
WINNIE & MAN IN YELLOW SUIT

I COULD
W., MAE, J., MILES, YELLOW ENSEMBLE

LIVE LIKE THIS FOREVER DAY NA NA DAY NA NA DAY NA
WINNIE & MAN IN YELLOW SUIT

I COULD
ALL
LIVE LIKE THIS
WINNIE, MAE, JESSE, MILES, YELLOW

FOREVER
ENSEMBLE
FOREVER
The song ends.
Song: LIVE LIKE THIS (PLAYOFF)

Tuck Everlasting 6.
WINNIE FEMALE ENSEMBLE

LET THIS BE THE DAY
LET THIS BE THE DAY
WINNIE MALE ENSEMBLE

LET THIS BE THE DAY DAY NA NA DAY NA NA DAY NA
FEMALE ENSEMBLE MALE ENSEMBLE (CONT'D)

DAY NA NA DAY NA NA LET THIS BE THE DAY
DAY NA LET THIS BE THE
LET THIS BE THE DAY LET THIS BE THE DAY
Scene 2: FOSTER PARLOR
Winnie steps into a sterile parlor.
Her mother BETSY FOSTER (late 30s) is in black

mourning attire.
WINNIE
Okay, Mother. You can open your eyes...now!
Mother opens her eyes.
WINNIE (CONT’D)
Surprise!
MOTHER
I don’t understand.
WINNIE
I can’t wear black to the fair!
MOTHER
The fair?
WINNIE
It’s coming to town tonight. Can’t we bend the rules?
Just once?
Winnie’s grandmother, NANA (70s), awakens on a

rocking chair.
NANA
Surprise!
WINNIE
You’re late, Nana.
NANA
Oh. Did she say yes?
Tuck Everlasting 7.
MOTHER
I’m sorry, you two, but no. It’s not yet been a year
since your father’s funeral. And we can’t be seen
carrying on in public, as if nothing has happened.
WINNIE
But nothing does happen, not anymore.
MOTHER
Winnie, please march upstairs and put your proper
attire back on.
NANA
Oh, Betsy-
WINNIE
I told you she would never let us have fun.
MOTHER
We have fun every day!
NANA
Keep your potato peeling, Betsy. We want cotton
candy.
WINNIE
Father would have taken me to the fair.
MOTHER
I know. But things are different now, and if you
won’t be a good girl for me, at least try to be a
good girl for him.
WINNIE
Yes, Mother.
MOTHER
Good girl.
Mother exits.
Song: GOOD GIRL WINNIE FOSTER
WINNIE
I'M TRAPPED IN A HOUSE OF SAD AND LONELY
ON A STREET NAMED “MAIN” BUT YOU COULD CALL IT “ONLY”
IS IT RUDE TO SAY I'D VOLUNTEER
FOR A DAY OF FUN JUST ONCE A YEAR?
I'D FLY THE COOP IF ONLY I COULD
BUT I'VE GOT A REALLY BAD CASE OF BEING GOOD
I’D GO FIND TROUBLE IF THERE WAS SOME TO GET IN

ASK A FRIEND TO PLAY, IF I HAD ONE TO LET IN
NANA’S ROCKER SAWING THROUGH THE FLOOR
Tuck Everlasting 8.
EVERY DAY JUST LIKE THE ONE BEFORE

WE LOCK OURSELVES BEHIND THAT DOOR
IS IT WRONG TO WISH FOR SOMETHING MORE
Mother re-enters.
MOTHER
That’s enough surprises for one morning.
A CROAK fills the parlor.
MOTHER (CONT'D)
Winnie, why did your dress just croak?
Winnie pulls a toad out of her pocket.
WINNIE
Meet my new friend, “toad.” I found him by the fence.
Toad croaks in Mother’s face.
MOTHER
Winnie, you know better than that! Take that filthy
thing outside - where it belongs!
WINNIE
Yes, Mother.
NANA
Give him a kiss and see what happens!
The house turns to take Winnie outside.
Scene 3: FOSTER GARDEN
WINNIE
GOOD GIRL WINNIE FOSTER
EVERY DAY
IS IN BED AT SEVEN
GOOD GIRL WINNIE FOSTER
EVERY DAY
IS A WELL BEHAVED ELEVEN
BUT SOME DAYS I WANT TO RAISE
A LITTLE SOMETHING MORE THAN HEAVEN
WINNIE (CONT’D)
Well, Toad, we blew it.
Toad croaks again.
WINNIE (CONT’D)
But at least it got us out of the house.
Winnie sets the toad down. It hops away.

Tuck Everlasting 9.
ARE YOU FROM THE WOOD? I’M NOT ALLOWED THERE

BIG NEWS, I KNOW, I’M NOT ALLOWED ANYWHERE
WELL NOW’S YOUR CHANCE TO DISAPPEAR
GO HAVE FUN, I’LL BE RIGHT HERE
TIED TO A STRING LIKE A PRECIOUS PEARL
IT’S A PRETTY TIGHT LEASH FOR A REALLY GOOD GIRL
WINNIE (CONT'D) MOTHER/NANA/WOMEN
GOOD GIRL WINNIE FOSTER WINNIE! WINNIE!
EVERY DAY BE A GOOD GIRL WINNIE!
IS IN BED AT SEVEN WINNIE! GOOD GIRL WINNIE!
COME INSIDE!
GOOD GIRL WINNIE FOSTER WINNIE! WINNIE!
EVERY DAY BE A GOOD GIRL WINNIE!
IS A WELL-BEHAVED ELEVEN
COME INSIDE!
BUT SOME DAYS WINNIE! WINNIE!
I WANNA RAISE WINNIE! WINNIE!
WINNIE
SOME DAYS
I WANT TO RAISE
The song ends. Nana appears at the front door.
NANA
Well, dear, I guess that’s enough excitement for us
today.
Cymbals crash, trumpets blare. A rag tag parade is

led by the Man in Yellow Suit.
Song: JOIN THE PARADE
CARNIVAL BAND
JOIN THE PARADE
FALL IN LINE FOR THE FAIR
BEFORE THE SUN SETS
BEFORE WE ROLL ON
LADIES AND GENTS
OUR MIDWAY PRESENTS
A TONIC FOR THE WOEBEGONE
MAN IN YELLOW SUIT

COME TO THE FAIR
THE BEST DAY OF THE YEAR
THEY SAY IT WON’T LAST
YOUNG LADY THEY’RE RIGHT
A MERRIMENT MAKER
FILLING AN ACRE
Tuck Everlasting 10.
MAN IN YELLOW & CARNIVAL BAND

BUT THE TENT COMES DOWN TONIGHT
MAN IN YELLOW SUIT

Good morning!
WINNIE
It is now! The fair is here!
MAN IN YELLOW SUIT

Well, now. Aren’t you wise beyond your...
(he looks into her eyes)
eleven years, is it?
WINNIE
How did you guess?
MAN IN YELLOW SUIT

I’m a carnival man, young lady!
(producing a coin from behind Winnie’s
ear)
It’s my business to know un-knowable things! Why, I
can guess a girl’s age just by looking into her eyes.
He moves on to Nana.
MAN IN YELLOW SUIT (CONT’D)

For instance, your sister here is probably eigh—
NANA
Ageless.
MAN IN YELLOW SUIT

Ageless, indeed. With the spunk of a schoolgirl.
NANA
I still feel like one! Why, I’d live forever, if I
could.
MAN IN YELLOW SUIT

We have something in common. I’d do anything to live
forever, and I do mean anything. Would you? Well,
would you?
NANA
It was just an expression.
MAN IN YELLOW SUIT

To you, perhaps. Now, I don’t suppose you’ve noticed
anyone strange around here recently...
WINNIE
What do you mean, strange?
MAN IN YELLOW SUIT

Been up and down the state, looking for a highly
unusual family. Used to live here in Treegap, some
time ago.
NANA
I don’t recall meeting anyone unusual. Until today.
Mother appears at the front door.
MOTHER
Pardon me, is there something I can help you with?
MAN IN YELLOW SUIT

No, pardon me. Just spreading the word about the
fair!
NANA
Is it as fun as it used to be?
MAN IN YELLOW SUIT

Madam, nothing’s as fun as it used to be.
NANA
You can say that again.
MAN IN YELLOW SUIT

Nothing’s as fun as it used to be.
Offstage, a music box is heard.

That tune! Do you hear it?
NANA
I’ve heard that very melody on and off my whole life.
It’s beautiful — and it always comes from our wood!
MAN IN YELLOW SUIT

Your wood, did you say?
MOTHER
Yes, she did.
MAN IN YELLOW SUIT

I’ll keep that in mind. For now: much as I’d love to
stay, ladies, a man only has so much time.
He exits.
NANA
Where do you find a suit that color - and why would
you buy it?
WINNIE
Don’t you see, Mother? It’s a sign! We could go to
the fair, like we used to!
MOTHER
No - and that’s the final word.
WINNIE
But Mother-
MOTHER
No more buts. The world can be a dangerous place,
Winifred, and it is my job, alone, to protect you.
WINNIE
From what? Having fun?
MOTHER
That is enough. Now go inside and change your dress —
and your attitude.
WINNIE
No! I hate you, and I hate your rules!
MOTHER
Winnie!
NANA
Betsy, let her be. She’ll come in when she’s ready to
apologize.
Mother and Nana go inside. Toad croaks at the

fence.
WINNIE
Toad, you’re back! Why should I apologize? I don’t
want to just be “good.” I want to be...daring!
Toad croaks again.
WINNIE (CONT’D)
I wish I could go with you.
Song: GOOD GIRL WINNIE FOSTER (TAG)
WITH A CAGE FOR A YARD YOU CAN ONLY MOPE IN

WHEN A FRONT DOOR SHUTS, SHOULD A GATE OPEN?
IF I DON’T LEAVE NOW I’LL ONLY WISH I HAD
HOW CAN ONE KNOW GOOD WITHOUT TRYING BAD
TO THINK I’VE NEVER SEEN MY WOOD
I’VE GOT TO GET OUT
WHILE THE GETTING’S GOOD
Winnie runs from the yard as the scenery changes

to reveal a mossy, mysterious wood.
ENSEMBLE
DAY NA NA
DAY NA NA DAY NA
WINNIE
Toad, wait for me!
ENSEMBLE
DAY NA NA
DAY NA NA DAY NA
Scene 4: THE SPRING
In a clearing, at the same spring from the

Prologue.
ENSEMBLE
DAY NA
DAY NA NA
WINNIE
(sing-song)
Toad! Where are you?
Jesse swings down from the tree and takes a drink

of water.
When he stands, he comes eye to eye with Winnie.
JESSE
Excuse me, are you lost?
WINNIE
That’s exactly what I was going to ask.
JESSE
You shouldn’t be here right now.
WINNIE
But these are my woods!
JESSE
I don’t care whose woods these are, it’s not safe for
you to be here.
WINNIE
You’re not old enough to boss me.
JESSE
Believe me. I am.
WINNIE
Oh, really. How old are you?
JESSE
Let’s just say I’m...seventeen.
WINNIE
Oh. That is old.
JESSE
You have no idea.
Winnie brushes past Jesse.
JESSE (CONT’D)
Where do you think you’re going?
WINNIE
I’m thirsty. I’m getting a drink from that spring,
like you did.
JESSE
Oh no, you saw me drink? Look, you need to leave
right now.
WINNIE
But it’s just water!
JESSE
No, no, listen: When little girls drink from this
spring, they turn into...
The toad hops into view and croaks.
JESSE (CONT’D)
Toads?
WINNIE
Nice try. I happen to know that toad. In fact, he’s
my toad.
JESSE
Huh. Well now that you say it, I do see the
resemblance.
WINNIE
You’re very odd.
He puts out his hand.
JESSE
I’m Jesse Tuck, how do.
WINNIE
Winnie Foster.
(they shake hands)
I just ran away from home!
JESSE
And how’s that going?
WINNIE
So far it’s just a bunch of trees.
JESSE
Just a bunch of trees! You own these woods, Winnie
Foster, and you don’t even know what you’ve got! Come
with me!
WINNIE
Where are we going?
JESSE
Up.
WINNIE
Up, right now?
JESSE
There’s no use running away if you don’t make it an
adventure!
WINNIE
Good point.
JESSE
I just hope you’re not afraid of heights.
WINNIE
Only one way to find out!
They begin climbing the tree.
Song: TOP OF THE WORLD
JESSE
WATCH MY EVERY STEP
FIND A STURDY BRANCH
DON’T YOU DARE LOOK DOWN
PULL YOUR BODY UP
DIG IN YOUR HEELS
LET’S SEE
WHAT THIS TREE REVEALS
JUST A FEW MORE FEET

ALMOST AT THE TOP
WATCH THE ROBIN’S NEST
PULL YOUR BODY UP

‘TIL YOU’VE BROKEN THROUGH
LET’S SEE
IF THIS TREE HAS A VIEW
AT THE TOP
AT THE TOP
AT THE TOP OF THE WORLD
YOU’RE DRAWING BACK A CURTAIN
AT THE TOP
AT THE TOP
THERE YOU KNOW FOR CERTAIN
YOU’RE ALIVE AND YOU ARE FREE
SO FOLLOW ME
TO THE TOP OF THE WORLD
WINNIE
Everything looks so different, up here!
JESSE
You ain’t seen the half of it.
WINNIE
Don’t you ever get afraid?
JESSE
If you aren’t afraid, you aren’t alive.
JESSE (CONT’D)
MOUNTAINS TO THE WEST
AN OCEAN TO THE EAST
STORM CLOUDS TO THE NORTH
READY TO POUR
EVERY SYCAMORE
LEAVES ME WANTING MORE AND MORE
AT THE TOP
AT THE TOP
MY HEAD AND HEART ARE POUNDING
AT THE TOP
AT THE TOP
I HEAR MY VOICE RESOUNDING
I’M ALIVE AND I AM FREE
SO LOOK AT ME
WINNIE ENSEMBLE
YOU’VE GOTTA SEE IT TO OOH
BELIEVE IT
JESSE ENSEMBLE (CONT'D)
AND BELIEVE ME, I’VE SEEN IT OOH
THE FRONTIER OOH
OF THE UPPER ATMOSPHERE
WINNIE ENSEMBLE (CONT'D)

A WONDER TO BEHOLD IT OOH
JESSE ENSEMBLE (CONT'D)
A STORY YET UNTOLD, OOH
IT’S UP HERE AHH
WINNIE
UP HERE
JESSE ENSEMBLE
UP HERE AHH
WINNIE
UP HERE
WINNIE & JESSE & ENSEMBLE

UP HERE!
JESSE ENSEMBLE
I'LL GO OUT ON A LIMB
WALK A TIGHTROPE WIRE
FOR THE HIGHEST HEIGHT
YES, I'LL RISK IT ALL
GIVE ME A BARREL
GUESS WHO'LL FIND A WATERFALL AHH
ALL
AT THE TOP
AT THE TOP
WINNIE AND JESSE

MY HEAD AND HEART ARE POUNDING
ALL
AT THE TOP
AT THE TOP
WINNIE AND JESSE ENSEMBLE

I HEAR MY VOICE RESOUNDING
I'M ALIVE AND I AM FREE
SO LOOK AT ME... AH AH AHH
AT THE TOP AH AH
OF THE WORLD!
The song ends.
Scene 5: THE SPRING
Mae Tuck paces, sits at the base of the tree,

opens a music box.
Miles enters and shuts the music box.

MILES
Ma! Are you trying to get us caught out here?
MAE
You know me, Miles-
MILES
Nervous habit, I know.
MAE
Hey, can I have a proper hello, here?
Mae attempts a hug.
MILES
Great to see you, Ma. You’re as pretty as ever.
MAE
And you don’t look a day over 105.
MILES
Funny: sometimes I actually pray I’ll wake up with
gray hair and a pot belly.
MAE
Speaking of your father, he’s back at the cabin,
getting everything ready for your visit.
MILES
Come on, he always comes to meet us.
MAE
He isn’t quite himself these days. But he’ll snap
back to life when he sees his boys.
MILES
And Jesse is running late, I assume?
MAE
It’s been ten years since we’ve all been together,
Miles. Another ten minutes won’t kill us.
MILES
You got that right.
Jesse swings down from the tree.
JESSE
Ma!
MAE
Jesse! There’s my sweet boy!
(they embrace)
The one who still hugs me.
JESSE
Listen! I have something I have to tell you.
MILES
Tell us at the cabin. You know this isn’t a safe
place to linger.
JESSE
Always great to be reunited, Miles!
MILES
I see you’re still playing in trees.
JESSE
I see you still can’t take a joke.
MAE
Boys. Jesse, you were telling me something?
JESSE
Right! So...hear me out. You know how you always say
“good things come in small packages”?
Winnie jumps down from the tree.
WINNIE
Hello!
JESSE
Not yet!
WINNIE
We climbed a tree! I saw the top of my house! It was
great!
JESSE
She followed me here. Can we keep her?
MAE
A child? I always knew this day would come, that
someone would discover us: but a child?
WINNIE
I thought you said they’d like me.
JESSE
She’s not just a “child,” she’s also my friend.
MILES
Jesse, please tell me your friend doesn’t know
anything about the....you know.
WINNIE
Water?
JESSE
Oh, boy.
MILES
Jesse!
MAE
You told her about the water?
JESSE
This isn’t my fault.
MILES
It never is. Ma, are you thinking what I’m thinking?
MAE
Unfortunately, yes.
(to Winnie)
Please know that, as a mother, I don’t approve of
what we’re about to do.
A beat. Miles whips his coat off and over Winnie’s

head, tossing her over his shoulder.
She screams.
MAE (CONT’D)
Let’s get her back to the cabin! Pa will know what to
do.
JESSE
Winnie, are you okay?
Winnie screams again.
MAE
If she can scream, she can breathe!
JESSE
Don’t worry, Winnie, we’ll explain everything at
home!
Hugo (15), shy and nervous, enters.
Song: HUGO’S FIRST CASE
HUGO
BIG DAY
FIRST CASE
GIRL’S GONE
NO TRACE
SMALL TOWN
NO CRIME
NOW TREEGAP’S HIT THE BIG TIME
WHAT’S THIS
FRESH TRACKS
WHO’S THERE?
RELAX
FOOTPRINTS
SIZE NINE
A CLUE, YAHOO! NO, THOSE ARE MINE
NO DIRTY DEED GOES EXACTLY AS PLANNED LOOK

THAT’S WHAT IT SAYS IN MY DEPUTY HANDBOOK
EVEN THE BEST CROOKS LEAVE YOU A CLUE
BIG DAY, FIRST CASE
GIRL’S GONE, NO TRACE
HUGO, YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO
Trudging behind Hugo is Constable Joe (50s).
CONSTABLE JOE
Hugo, there you are. I asked you not to get ahead of
me. This being your first missing persons case, I
recommend you keep your eyes open and your mouth
closed. Shall we practice?
HUGO
No, I think I got it.
CONSTABLE JOE
See, that was a test. You just failed.
Mother and Nana appear at their fence.
MOTHER
Joe!
CONSTABLE JOE
Betsy Foster! Got your message about Winnie and came
as fast as we could.
NANA
Fast as molasses.
MOTHER
Mother, please. I’m so worried, Joe.
HUGO
We all are.
CONSTABLE JOE
Hugo! That annoying noise is Hugo trying to be my new
deputy.
NANA
I feel safer already.
MOTHER
Hello, Hugo.
HUGO
Hello, Mrs. Foster. You look lovely, despite, well,
everything.
CONSTABLE JOE
(to Mother, re: Hugo)
First day on the job.
MOTHER
Joe, Winnie’s been gone since this morning. We found
the gate wide open.
CONSTABLE JOE
Huh. Suspicious.
HUGO
Maybe she ran away.
CONSTABLE JOE
Hugo! When I want an opinion, I’ll ask for one.
(back to Mother)
Maybe she ran away.
MOTHER
Well, if she did, it’s all my fault. I wouldn’t even
take her to the fair.
CONSTABLE JOE
The fair? Well, now, I don’t mean to alarm you, but
those people can be—
HUGO
Tricksy.
CONSTABLE JOE
Who?
HUGO
Tricksy. Meaning not to be trusted.
CONSTABLE JOE
Hugo!
(to Mother)
We’ll have a good look around.
MOTHER
Find her, Joe. I can’t bear the thought of losing
anyone else.
CONSTABLE JOE
Don’t worry, Betsy. I’ve got my best man on the case:
me.
They begin to exit. Nana has an epiphany.
NANA
If you hear a melody coming from our wood, follow
that tune!
CONSTABLE JOE
Thanks for the tip, dear. Sounds like you’ve cracked
the case.
Mother takes Nana inside as Constable exits. Hugo

remains.
Song: HUGO’S FIRST CASE (REPRISE)
HUGO
HOUSE CALL
ADJOURNED
LEAVE NO
STONE UNTURNED
FLIP HERE
FLIP THERE
THESE FLIPPING THINGS ARE EVERYWHERE
DON’T GIVE UP NOW, SEARCH CRANNY AND NOOK

THAT’S WHAT IT SAYS IN MY DEPUTY HANDBOOK
NO THAT’S NOT IT,
NO THAT’S MY LUNCH,
WHERE COULD IT BE?
BIG DAY
WHO TOOK
YOUNG GIRL
MY BOOK
Constable re-enters with the “missing” handbook.
CONSTABLE JOE
Hugo! Get a clue and let’s get on with it.
Constable exits again.
HUGO
WILL YOU MAKE DEPUTY?
Hugo runs after Constable Joe.
Scene 7: TUCK COTTAGE
Mae enters.
MAE
Angus, where are you? We’re back! With a...surprise.
Angus?
Angus snores from under the blankets.
MAE (CONT’D)
Of course. Angus, wake up. Jesse met somebody at the
spring.
Angus leaps up.
ANGUS
What? Do they know? Do they know the secret?
Jesse enters.
JESSE
Long time no see, Pa! Hope you’re in a good mood!
ANGUS
Jesse! What have you gotten us into this time?
Miles enters, carrying Winnie.
MILES
Here, Pa. It finally happened.
Miles spins Winnie out of his jacket.
WINNIE
Please don’t hurt me, please don’t hurt me—
ANGUS
A child?
MAE
That’s exactly what I said!
JESSE
Winnie, nobody’s gonna hurt you.
WINNIE
I can’t believe you tricked me. I trusted you.
(as if they got engaged)
We climbed a tree!
ANGUS
Does she...does she...you know.
WINNIE
Know about the water?
MAE
Only that it’s special! But she didn’t drink any, so
everything is fine!
JESSE
This is Winnie Foster. Winnie, this is my father,
Angus. Usually, he’s in clothes.
MAE
Not true.
ANGUS
A Foster! From Treegap? Your great-grandfather and I
used to fish together! It’s a pleasure to meet you!
(puts out his hand)
Don’t you want to shake my hand?
WINNIE
No, I want to bite it. That’s what my father told me
to do if anybody ever tried to kidnap me.
ANGUS
Oh, no, Winnie. This isn’t kidnapping.
MAE
Well, technically, honey.
JESSE
If you’d just let us explain—
MILES
That is a bad idea. As I’ve always said, if anybody
finds out about us—
Miles “slits his own throat” with his hand.
ANGUS
This is different, Miles. This is a child. A child
changes everything.
He puts his hand out — again.
ANGUS (CONT’D)
Winnie Foster, I give you my word that we are not
going to harm you.
(a beat)
Please don’t bite me.
WINNIE
Fine. Can I please just go home?
MAE
Her mother must be worried sick.
MILES
This is ridiculous. So now what?
JESSE
Pa will know what to do! Right, Pa?
ANGUS
Of course I know what to do! Where are my boots?
Finds them, looks down at his long johns.
ANGUS (CONT’D)
Where are my pants?
MAE
Where are you going?
ANGUS
Fishing!
MAE
Fishing? Why!
ANGUS
We have a guest, we need a meal.
Boots on, he runs upstairs.
MILES
So much for Pa knowing what to do.
JESSE
Miles, I am warning you...
MAE
Boys, let him go. I’m just happy to see him excited
about something again. All that man’s done for ten
years is lie on the couch, waiting for you to come
home.
Angus comes downstairs, grabs his fishing rod.
ANGUS
Welcome back boys. I’ve missed the sound of you
fighting.
He exits.
WINNIE
You’ve been gone ten years? But you’re only
seventeen. I’m so confused.
JESSE
Oh, Ma, let’s just tell her the truth about the
water.
MILES
Oh, Ma, let’s just not.
MAE
Miles, please.
JESSE
If Pa doesn’t know what to do, that means it’s up to
us. Winnie, are you ready to hear the biggest secret
ever?
MILES
The question is: is she ready to keep it? How do we
know she won’t run and tell everyone?
MAE
She knows too much now not to tell her everything. I
guess we’ll just have to trust her.
JESSE
Go ahead, Ma.
Song: STORY OF THE TUCKS
MAE
ONCE UPON A TIME
ONCE UPON A TIME
CAN I START LIKE THAT?
MILES
SHOULDN'T START LIKE THAT
MAE
BE PATIENT WITH ME WINNIE
I'VE NEVER TOLD THIS BEFORE
ONCE THERE WAS A MAN

A MAN WITH A WIFE AND A FAMILY
JESSE
THAT'S MILES AND ME
MAE
JESSE LET ME TELL THE STORY
I DON'T WANT TO START A WAR
WE TORE FROM THE WEST

TO SETTLE IN THE EAST
LOOKING FOR A FARM OR SOME LAND AT LEAST
JESSE
GET TO THE PART WHERE I FALL FROM THE TREE
MILES
NO, YOU'VE GOT IT ALL WRONG
MAE
MILES! JESSE!
THEN WE FOUND A WOOD
JESSE
YES WE FOUND A WOOD, CAN YOU GUESS WHICH WOOD
WINNIE
Mine?
JESSE
YOU'RE GOOD.
MAE
WHERE WE FOUND OURSELVES A CLEARING
AND CAMPED FOR THE NIGHT
JUST THE FOUR OF US
MILES
PLUS THE CAT AND THE HORSE
THEY PLAY A CRUCIAL PART
MAE
YES MILES, OF COURSE
WE SLEPT BY A SPRING NEAR AN OLD ASH TREE
JESSE
AND THAT'S WHERE I CARVED A “T”
MAE
JESSE!
MILES
IN THE MORNING
IN THE MORNING
MILES AND JESSE

WE HAD NO WAY OF KNOWING
WITHOUT EVEN THINKING
MILES, MAE, JESSE

WE DRANK FROM THE SPRING
WHO KNEW THAT SPRING
COULD CHANGE EVERYTHING
MAE
EXCEPT FOR THE HORSE
EVERYBODY DRANK
EVEN THE CAT
MILES
REMEMBER THAT
JESSE
YOU CAN LEAD A HORSE TO WATER
MILES
I THINK SHE KNOWS THE PHRASE
MAE
SO DAYS WENT BY
THEN MONTHS AND YEARS
LIVED AN ORDINARY LIFE
MILES
SO IT APPEARS
MAE
THE OLD HORSE DIED AT TWENTY FIVE
JESSE
BUT THE CAT WAS STILL ALIVE
MILES, MAE, JESSE

WE WEREN'T CHANGING
WE WEREN'T GROWING
WE HAD NO WAY OF KNOWING
NOBODY WAS THINKING
IT'S BECAUSE OF THE SPRING
WHO KNEW THAT SPRING
WOULD CHANGE EVERYTHING
MAE JESSE MILES

THE TOWN BEGAN TO TALK WINNIE, LOOK AT ME
PEOPLE SHIED AWAY WINNIE LISTEN HERE
THEY WERE SO OUTRAGED NO
WE HADN'T AGED
OUR LIVES IMPIOUS I SURVIVED A FREE FALL LISTEN!
OUR LOOKS PERVERSE
HE SURVIVED MUCH WORSE
SHUT UP JESSE
STILL WE DIDN'T KNOW YES OF COURSE WE KNEW
DIDN'T KNOW THE SPRING HOW COULD WE NOT KNOW
WAS THE CAUSE OF IT NO
OR WHERE WE'D SIT
ON THE DELICATE BALANCE
BETWEEN A BLESSING THE GREATEST FAMILY
AND A CURSE IN THE UNIVERSE DON’T CONFUSE
THE GIRL
MILES, MAE, JESSE (CONT’D)

THE CAT AND THE HORSE
THE “T” ON THE TREE

THE DRINK THAT CHANGED US ETERNALLY
THAT'S OUR SECRET KEEP IT LOCKED UP TIGHT
WINNIE
I still don’t understand.
MILES
Enough! All right.
WE’RE NOT AGING

WE’RE NOT GROWING
AND NONE OF US KNOW WHY
ONCE UPON A TIME

WE DRANK FROM YOUR SPRING
AND NOW WE'LL NEVER DIE.
JESSE
And that’s the story of the Tucks. The end.
MILES
The spring made us immortal.
WINNIE
Okay, I have a lot of questions, starting with: where
is this cat?
MAE
He’s the ultimate stray.
MILES
Every kitten for fifty miles has his little white
paws.
WINNIE
How can I be sure you’re not just telling me a story?
JESSE
Oh, that part’s easy! Ma, where’s my rifle? Winnie
can shoot me!
Jesse runs off.
MAE
Nobody is shooting anybody, Jesse! I mean it, I just
cleaned.
She sits and winds her music box.
WINNIE
It’s true. That’s the music box my Nana heard, back
when she was my age...
Mae shuts it.
MAE
Oops.
The door swings open. Angus enters with an empty

fishing rod.
ANGUS
Well, apparently I need Winnie’s great-grandfather if
I want to catch anyth—
JESSE
Found it!
Jesse trips. His rifle goes off.
ANGUS
Dammit, Jesse!
MAE
Angus, please.
ANGUS
Aw, Mae, everyone swears when they get shot.
WINNIE
You shot your father.
MAE
Jesse, I told you. Not in the house.
Winnie is frozen in disbelief.
WINNIE
I don’t understand! Didn’t you get hurt?
ANGUS
Oh, honey, I’m fine.
JESSE
Nothing hurts us.
MILES
Not physically, anyway.
WINNIE
What else can you do? Can you fly?
JESSE
No.
MAE
But he certainly tried.
MILES
Headfirst.
WINNIE
It must be so fun to be you!
JESSE
It is!
MILES
Not exactly.
MAE
Not at all. It’s not fun to be without your boys for
ten years at a time.
WINNIE
Why do you spend so much time apart?
ANGUS
If we’re seen together for too long, people start to
realize we don’t age.
MILES
It tends to scare the locals.
WINNIE
You could never scare me. But now I have about a
million more questions.
MAE
I think that’s enough for one night. Her mother must
be frantic. I’d be willing to take her back home,
right now.
ANGUS
At this hour? The poor girl must be exhausted. And
she thinks we’re fun!
WINNIE
Can I stay? Please?
MAE
I don’t know. I don’t think it’s right to keep her
overnight.
ANGUS
We’ll take you back first thing in the morning, you
have my word.
MILES
What we need, Pa, is her word. Winnie, do you swear
you won’t breathe a thing about us to anyone, ever?
MAE
She can sleep on it. Now let’s get you out of that
scratchy dress.
WINNIE
You could tell my dress was scratchy?
MAE
Mothers can always tell. Let’s find you something in
the attic.
Mae and Winnie exit.
MILES
Look, I hate to be the voice of reason, but if the
wrong person finds out about the water, they could
play God with it. Or worse.
JESSE
Stop. She’s just a kid. Don’t make any good thing
seem like it’s the end of the world.
MILES
Easy to say when you’ve never looked out for anyone
but yourself.
JESSE
That’s what you think of me?
MILES
Who says I think of you?
He goes to exit, but turns back.
MILES (CONT’D)
I shouldn’t have implied that you’re always selfish.
You were an amazing uncle. Sometimes I think about
that.
Miles exits.
ANGUS
Not natural, how much that boy has lost.
JESSE
He’s not the only one. I used to have a brother.
ANGUS
You’ll always have a brother. Now come on, while we
got a minute, tell me everything, from the day you
left.
JESSE
You sure, Pa? Gambling? Bar fights?
ANGUS
Jesse, I don’t get out much. Don’t skip a thing!
They exit.
Scene 8: TUCK ATTIC
A stairwell leads up to a cluttered crawl space.
MAE
Oh, this attic is an embarrassment. I’ve had a
hundred years to tidy it up, but when you never have
guests, why clean?
WINNIE
We never have guests and we do nothing but clean. But
Mother says “good girls” don’t complain about chores.
MAE
I like your mother.
WINNIE
Don’t tell anyone, but so do I.
MAE
Oh, it is so nice to talk to a girl, for once. What
I’d give to have a daughter.
WINNIE
I’m not so sure you’d want me.
MAE
Why would you say that?
WINNIE
Before I ran away, I told my mother I hated her.
MAE
She didn’t believe it for a second.
WINNIE
Are you sure?
MAE
Cross my heart. Now, rummage through that trunk, see
what you find.
Winnie pulls out a pair of boys’ trousers.
WINNIE
How about...these!
MAE
Well, look at those.
WINNIE
I’ll wear those if you wear...this!
Winnie pulls out a flowing silk dress.
MAE
Oh, goodness.
WINNIE
It’s beautiful! Was it yours?
MAE
Still is. And I bet it still fits. Between you and
me, I think the water was good for my figure.
WINNIE
Was it a special dress?
MAE
I wore it the night Angus asked me to marry him. We
went dancing, to our village hall, with musicians
playing in the corner and wildflowers on the tables.
We danced all night until the floors shook. That man
used to love to dance. I miss him.
WINNIE
My father couldn’t dance at all, but that didn’t stop
him from trying!
MAE
Isn’t it nice when a memory makes you smile?
WINNIE
It is — but what if I start to forget it?
MAE
Impossible. Besides - your best memories haven’t even
happened yet.
WINNIE
You think?
MAE
I know.
Song: MY MOST BEAUTIFUL DAY
MAE (CONT’D)
EVERY GROWN WOMAN
WHO STANDS AT A MIRROR
REMEMBERS ONE BEAUTIFUL DAY
EVERY GIRL PAST HER PRIME
KNOWS THE DATE AND THE TIME
SHE LOOKED MOST EXQUISITE
AND SHE WILL REVISIT

REVISIT, REVISIT THAT DAY
HER MOST BEAUTIFUL DAY
FOR THE REST OF HER LIFE
MY MOST BEAUTIFUL DAY

PA TOOK ME DANCING
AND EVERYTHING FELL INTO PLACE
MY HAIR TIED LIKE SO
WITH A BLACKBERRY BOW
A NIGHT IN NOVEMBER
THAT I WILL REMEMBER
REMEMBER, REMEMBER THAT DAY
MY MOST BEAUTIFUL DAY
FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE
Mae puts the dress on.
EACH MEMORY
A SWEET MELODY
YOUR HEART CLINGS TO
WITH EACH PASSING DAY
WHAT TIME TAKES AWAY
THE HEART MAKES NEW
LOOKING BACK, LOOKING BACK
IS SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO
YOUR MOST BEAUTIFUL DAY
FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE
Ensemble enters. Angus appears and gives Mae the

music box.
He gets down on one knee.
ANGUS
APRIL MAY JUNE JULY
A SUNDAY WHEN THE CHAPEL'S FREE
TRUE LOVE IS IN SHORT SUPPLY
DARLING MAE, MARRY ME
Mae nods “yes” and Angus takes her into his arms.
Everyone dances in celebration.
MAE
EACH MEMORY
A SWEET MELODY
YOUR HEART CLINGS TO
WITH EACH PASSING DAY
WHAT TIME TAKES AWAY
THE HEART MAKES NEW
LOOKING BACK, LOOKING BACK
IS SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO
Ensemble exits. We segue back to Tuck cottage.
MAE (CONT’D)
Winnie is now dressed in the boy’s clothes. She

hugs Mae.
WINNIE
What happens now?
MAE
Bed happens now. For all of us.
Mae sets up a makeshift bed.
WINNIE
You expect me to fall asleep, after everything that
happened today?
MAE
I know how you feel. We haven’t had this much
excitement for as far back as I can remember. But try
to get some rest.
WINNIE
I will.
MAE
I’ll see you first thing tomorrow morning.
Mae starts to exit.
WINNIE
Mae?
MAE
Yes?
WINNIE
Am I safe up here?
MAE
The safest. I promise. Good night, Winnie.
WINNIE
Good night.
Mae exits.
WINNIE (CONT’D)
A NIGHT IN A HOUSE THAT’S CLEARLY HAUNTED
THAT’S THE PRICE YOU PAY, GETTING WHAT YOU WANTED
ONE SMALL STEP OUTSIDE YOUR DOOR
LANDS YOU WIDE AWAKE ON AN ATTIC FLOOR
NOT QUITE WHAT I HAD BARGAINED FOR
AND YET I’D TAKE A LITTLE MORE
Jesse pops up at the window.
JESSE
Boo!
WINNIE
Ahh, Jesse! Unlike you, some of us can actually be
scared to death.
JESSE
Sorry! It’s just: I couldn’t sleep, so I was thinking
of going on a secret adventure.
(a beat)
Anyway, sleep tight!
He starts to go.
WINNIE
Wait, wait! What kind of adventure?
JESSE
Any kind you want. The first rule of sneaking out is:
do whatever your parents would say no to.
WINNIE
That would be the fair. Jesse! Can we go to the fair?
JESSE
Excellent choice!
WINNIE
So what’s the plan?
JESSE
You climb out the window. I’ll meet you downstairs.
WINNIE
Why aren’t you coming with me?
JESSE
Because the second rule of sneaking out is: we need
to wear disguises.
WINNIE
Sounds good!
JESSE
Wait, Winnie!
She’s already gone out the window.
JESSE (CONT’D)
The third rule is don’t get caught!
Jesse exits downstairs as the stage revolves to

reveal the front porch.
Scene 9: TUCK PORCH
Angus sits on the porch holding a fishing rod.
Winnie bounds past him.
ANGUS
Going somewhere?
She freezes.
WINNIE
Nowhere special.
ANGUS
Mm-hmm.
Winnie notices Angus’s fishing pole.
WINNIE
Um...Mr. Tuck?
ANGUS
Call me Angus.
WINNIE
Okay. Mr. Angus, you do know that in order to
actually catch a fish, you need water, right?
ANGUS
Good tip. Now, I’m out here working on my technique.
What’s your alibi?
WINNIE
My alibi?
ANGUS
That’s Latin for: why are you sneaking out of my
house?
WINNIE
Oh! I was just getting some fresh air!
ANGUS
I bet you are. One, two-
On “three,” Jesse barrels out, wearing a cap.
JESSE
Come on, let’s go before we’re—
ANGUS
(to Winnie)
This must be your fresh air.
JESSE
Oh, Pa. I know what this looks like, but-but-but—
ANGUS
This oughtta be good.
WINNIE
He’s taking me to the fair!
ANGUS
Oh, he is, is he?
JESSE
Please, Pa. She’s our guest, the least I can do is
show her a good time.
ANGUS
Your mother wouldn’t like this.
JESSE
Don’t think about that right now. Think
about...funnel cakes! And carnival games!
A beat.
ANGUS
Well, now I want to go.
WINNIE
My father used to love the fair, too.
ANGUS
What do you mean, he “used to”-
(realizing)
Oh.
JESSE
(taking off his cap)
Winnie.
ANGUS
Go. Both of you.
WINNIE
You mean it?
ANGUS
I mean it. Have some fun, for old times’ sake.
(to Jesse)
As long as you keep an extra low profile.
JESSE
Yesss!
Jesse goes to hug him. Angus backs away.
ANGUS
Get outta here! Before you-know-who catches me
catching you. And I get in trouble.
Jesse grabs Winnie’s hand to exit, but she turns

back around.
WINNIE
Thank you, Mr. Angus!
They exit.
ANGUS
Bring me back a funnel cake!
Scene 10: THE FAIR
The Man in Yellow Suit enters the fairground. The

fair comes to life.
Song: JOIN THE PARADE
MAN/YELLOW AND ENSEMBLE

JOIN THE PARADE
FALL IN LINE FOR THE FAIR
BEFORE THE SUN SETS
BEFORE WE ROLL ON
LADIES AND GENTS
OUR MIDWAY PRESENTS
A TONIC FOR THE WOEBEGONE
MAN IN YELLOW SUIT

COME TO THE FAIR
THE BEST DAY OF THE YEAR
THEY SAY IT WON'T LAST
AND SONNY THEY'RE RIGHT
A MERRIMENT MAKER FILLING AN ACRE
MAN/YELLOW AND ENSEMBLE

BUT THE TENT COMES DOWN TONIGHT
Winnie and Jesse enter, holding cotton candy.
WINNIE
Wow, it’s even better than I remembered! Jesse, I am
so glad we snuck out!
JESSE
Am I good, or am I good?
WINNIE
You’re the best! What do you think we should try
next?
JESSE
You lead the way this time, kid. I think I’ve been
everywhere in the world except the fair.
WINNIE
Everywhere?
JESSE
Well, almost everywhere.
Song: PARTNER IN CRIME
JESSE (CONT’D)
THE PYRAMIDS, THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE
THE RIO GRANDE, THE RHINE
I'VE SEEN THE SEVEN WONDERS OF THE WORLD
CAN'T WAIT FOR EIGHT AND NINE
BUT BECAUSE OF MY PREDICAMENT
MY PECULIAR SITUATION
TO KEEP MY PROFILE LOW, LOW, LOW
I'M A ONE-MAN OPERATION
WINNIE
Jesse, I’ve got it!
WINNIE (CONT’D)
YOU NEED A PARTNER IN CRIME
SOMEONE TO SHARE IN THE VIEW
WHY SEE THE WORLD AND ALL OF ITS GLORIES
WITHOUT A FRIEND TO TELL YOUR STORIES TO?
JESSE
SOMEONE TO STAND AT MY SIDE
TWO EXTRA FISTS IN A FIGHT
WHY SHOULD THE ROAD BE LONG AND LONELY?
WINNIE
WHY NOT TEAM UP?
JESSE & WINNIE

WE'VE ONLY GOT TONIGHT
JESSE
IF NO ONE'S THERE TO HEAR IT
DOES A FALLING TREE MAKE SOUND?
WINNIE
ARE WE HEARD, OR SEEN, OR ANYTHING
WITHOUT A FRIEND AROUND?
JESSE
THE OLD GREAT WALL, THE TAJ MAHAL
YES, THEY ALL HAVE MERIT
WINNIE
BUT THIS TRAVELIN' FAIR COULD TAKE THE CAKE
BECAUSE YOU GET TO SHARE IT
JESSE
(offering Winnie a sample of the cake he
just pilfered)
Carrot?
WINNIE JESSE (CONT'D)

YOU NEED A PARTNER IN CRIME (echoing)
I NEED A PARTNER IN CRIME
WINNIE JESSE (CONT'D)

SOMEONE TO SHARE IN A LAUGH (echoing)
SOMEONE TO SHARE IN A LAUGH
WINNIE
RUNNING A RACE WITHOUT A PACE SETTER
JESSE
I'M OUT OF PLACE
JESSE & WINNIE

WITHOUT MY BETTER HALF
Winnie and Jesse disappear into the stalls.
CARNY
Feed the hungry clown, feed the hungry clown! Three
out of five wins a prize.
Constable Joe and Hugo appear, approach the carny.
CONSTABLE JOE
Say, you see a little girl?
CARNY
What do you think? It’s a fair.
CONSTABLE JOE
Smart aleck. C’mon, Hugo, let’s look over there.
JESSE & WINNIE

WITH YOU
JESSE
THE FUN IS TWO FOR ONE
WINNIE
AND CHOCK FULL OF SURPRISES
JESSE & WINNIE

WITH YOU
WINNIE
THE LINE MOVES TWICE AS FAST
JESSE & WINNIE

AND NO ONE REALIZES
JESSE
WITH TWO WHATEVER WE DO NOW
WILL MERIT REMINISCING
JESSE & WINNIE

WITH TWO I FINALLY FEEL SOMEHOW
THAT SOMETHING ISN'T MISSING
JESSE & WINNIE (CONT’D) ENSEMBLE

I HAVE A PARTNER IN CRIME (echoing)
A PARTNER IN CRIME
JESSE WINNIE
SOMEONE TO SHARE IN THE VIEW (echoing)
SOMEONE TO SHARE IN THE VIEW
JESSE & WINNIE & ENSEMBLE

WHY SEE THE WORLD AND ALL OF ITS GLORIES
WITHOUT A FRIEND TO TELL YOUR STORIES TO?
ENSEMBLE
LAST CHANCE FOR FUN AT THE FAIR
SUN’S SETTING TOMORROW WE’RE GONE
Dance break.

YOU NEED A PARTNER

(CONT’D)
A PARTNER IN CRIME
TWO EXTRA FISTS IN A FIGHT
STUCK IN A STICKY SITUATION
LUCKY THE TRICK’S COLLABORATION
WHY SHOULD THE ROAD BE LONG AND LONELY?
JESSE & WINNIE

WE'VE ONLY GOT TONIGHT
ENSEMBLE
LAST CHANCE FOR FUN AT THE FAIR
JESSE & WINNIE

A PARTNER IN CRIME
ENSEMBLE
SUN'S SETTING TOMORROW WE’RE GONE

MY PARTNER IN CRIME!
At song’s end, the crowd disperses.
JESSE
Okay, “partner,” what’s next on the list?
WINNIE
Well, I wasn’t gonna say anything, but you haven’t
won me anything yet!
JESSE
Hey, now! Them’s fightin’ words!
The Man in Yellow bursts forth.
MAN IN YELLOW SUIT

Step right up, step right up! Last game of the night!
Last chance to play Fool the Guesser! I guess your
age wrong, you win a prize!
WINNIE
Oh, my gosh. It’s that man. Jesse, you don’t want to
play this game, believe me.
JESSE
You’re not leaving here without a prize. Watch this.
Jesse breaks away, but Winnie stays back.
MAN IN YELLOW SUIT

Come, now! Well, if no one’s brave enough...
JESSE
Bet you can’t guess my age, sir!
WINNIE
Jesse, wait—
JESSE
Relax, Winnie. Joke’s on him.
WINNIE
Jesse, no!
The Man in Yellow notices Winnie.
MAN IN YELLOW SUIT

Well, whaddya know. It’s that eleven-year-old
spitfire from this morning. Let’s see if your
friend’s age is as easy to guess as yours was!
He sizes Jesse up.

Examine the height, consider the shoe size — but the
answer is always in the eyes. Yessiree, the age is
always in the—
The Man backs up, startled.
JESSE
Well?
MAN IN YELLOW SUIT

(recovering)
Seventeen! Am I right?
Winnie crosses to retrieve Jesse.
WINNIE
That’s it! You got it on the first try.
MAN IN YELLOW SUIT

Wait, wait a minute. How old are you really?
Jesse squirms away, but the Man looks deeper into

his eyes.
JESSE
Seventeen, just like you guessed.
MAN IN YELLOW SUIT

Of course, I’m never wrong! And I always quit when
I’m on top! That’s all, folks! Thanks for coming.
Good night!
JESSE
Yes, good night.
MAN IN YELLOW SUIT

Hey, seventeen, you’re not going to let your little
friend go home without a prize, now, are you?
The Man pulls Winnie across the stage. Jesse

follows. The Man hands a doll to Winnie.

How about this prize, girly? You like it?
WINNIE
Yes, thank you.
The man pulls a knife on Jesse.
MAN IN YELLOW SUIT

And how about this prize, old man. You like it?
JESSE
Run, Winnie! Go!
Winnie dashes through the crowd.
MAN IN YELLOW SUIT

Just want to ask you a few questions, is all.
The man leans in closer with the knife.
JESSE
You don’t scare me.
MAN IN YELLOW SUIT

Oh, really? ’Cause you sure look scared.
Defiant, Jesse grabs the knife and pulls it into

his gut.
JESSE
Ha!
The Man is dazzled.
MAN IN YELLOW SUIT

It’s you! It’s actually you!
Jesse pulls the knife out and runs through the

crowd, causing a stir.
The Constable and Hugo reappear.
CONSTABLE JOE
What’s going on here?
MAN IN YELLOW SUIT

It’s - it’s nothing! Just a little misunderstanding!
The Man runs off. Hugo starts off in the other

direction.
CONSTABLE JOE
Hugo, where are you going? I smell a rat.
HUGO
Forget the rat, we have to find Winnie. Come on!
Hugo exits, leaving Constable behind.
CONSTABLE JOE
I’m already ahead of you, Hugo. Wait up!
Scene 11: THE SILO
Jesse and Winnie are revealed on the silo.
WINNIE
I was so afraid you wouldn’t get away.
JESSE
I may be 102 but I can still outrun anyone.
WINNIE
I’m so sorry. I tried to warn you.
JESSE
No, no. It’s okay. It’s refreshing to have somebody
looking out for me who isn’t Ma.
WINNIE
But Jesse, that man came by my house this morning. He
heard the music box. He...knows about you.
JESSE
I know he knows. Guess the family reunion’s over
early. It won’t be the first time.
WINNIE
But you just got here. And you’re the first real
friend I’ve made in—
JESSE
Forever?
WINNIE
Yes.
JESSE
Believe me, I know.
WINNIE
So, is this goodbye, then?
JESSE
Maybe not. Listen: Ma and Pa and Miles? They don’t
know how to enjoy anything anymore. They’re stuck in
the past. But you?
(MORE)
JESSE (CONT'D)
You thought it was amazing to climb a tree. Imagine
seeing the Eiffel Tower! The Egyptian pyramids!
WINNIE
The world.
JESSE
Exactly.
WINNIE
But Jesse, I’m not even allowed to play in the woods.
I could never go on those kinds of adventures.
JESSE
Don’t worry. I’ve got that figured out.
Song: SEVENTEEN
JESSE (CONT’D)
SIX YEARS FROM NOW
YOU WILL TURN SEVENTEEN
TURN SEVENTEEN
THE SAME AGE AS ME
SIX YEARS FROM NOW
GO TO THE SPRING
GO TO THE SPRING
AND DRINK
I'LL WAIT FOR YOU

‘TIL YOU TURN SEVENTEEN
TURN SEVENTEEN
THE SAME AGE AS ME
SIX YEARS FROM NOW
GO TO THE SPRING
GO TO THE SPRING
AND DRINK
WINNIE
What if I forget where the spring is?
JESSE
I’ll go get some of the water, and you can take it
back and keep it — safe.
WINNIE
You make the world sound so exciting, I want to just
drink the water right now.
JESSE
No! You have to wait.
WINNIE
Why? What’s the difference?
JESSE
You’ll see. There’s a difference.
JESSE (CONT’D)
WINNIE WAIT WITH ME
AND WE COULD BE MARRIED
WINNIE WAIT WITH ME
AND WE'LL SHARE THE WORLD
WINNIE YOU CAN STOP TIME
AND LIVE LIKE THIS FOREVER
The Man in Yellow enters, spots Jesse and Winnie.
ENSEMBLE
DAY NA NA
DAY NA NA
DAY NA
DAY NA
DAY NA NA
The Man in Yellow comes out from behind the silo.

In the distance we hear the sounds of the fair.
ENSEMBLE (CONT’D) MAN IN YELLOW SUIT

DAY NA NA Finally.
DAY NA NA
DAY NA
DAY NA
DAY NA NA I COULD
LIVE LIKE THIS
DAY NA NA DAY NA NA FOREVER
DAY NA
ENSEMBLE JESSE
YOU COULD
DAY NA LIVE LIKE THIS
DAY NA NA FOREVER
JESSE, WINNIE, MAN IN YELLOW,

ENSEMBLE
LIVE LIKE THIS
JESSE
So what do you say, Winnie? Do you want to live
forever?
JESSE, WINNIE, MAN IN YELLOW,

ENSEMBLE
FOREVER!
Blackout.
ACT TWO
Scene 1: BACKSTAGE AT THE FAIR
The next day.
MAN IN YELLOW SUIT

It’s water! And it’s in the wood! Now this is what I
call a good morning! I can leave the fair now that I
found the real freaks!
Song: EVERYTHING’S GOLDEN

LOOK WHO HAS A SPRING IN HIS STEP
IT'S TRUE THERE'S A BOUNCE IN EACH TOE
THIS HAS-BEEN FEELS YOUNG AGAIN
JUST WHEN HE WAS USED TO FEELIN’ OLD
The ensemble appears.
FELLOW TAKE A LOOK AT MY SUIT

YELLOW HAS ACQUIRED A GLOW
FLEA BAGS CAN LAUGH AND JOKE
THESE RAGS WILL BE SPINNIN' INTO GOLD
GOLDEN LIKE THE SUN

RISING IN THE EAST
GOLDEN WITH THAT BRAND NEW DAY SHINE
GOLDEN LIKE THE YEARS
IT TOOK TO GET ME HERE
SOON EVERYTHING'S GOLDEN
AND EVERYTHING'S MINE
I’m gonna be the richest son of a gun of all time.

Who wouldn’t pay a fortune for a sip of forever?
NUTSHELL: WHEN THE WATER IS MINE

DON'T TELL ME YOU WOULDN'T BUY
MY MERCHANDISE, I'LL NAME THE PRICE
AND MAKE A KILLING MAKING SURE YOU NEVER DIE
MY PURPOSE, MY PLAN, MY WHOLE RAISON D'E…TRE

STRIKE IT RICH AND RULE THE WORLD, ET CETERA ET CETERA
AND OF COURSE BECOME IMMORTAL SOMEWHERE ‘LONG THE WAY
I’LL BE
ENSEMBLE
GOLDEN LIKE THE SUN
MAN IN YELLOW SUIT ENSEMBLE

GOLDEN LIKE MY SUIT
GOLDEN WITH THAT BRAND NEW DAY
SHINE BRAND NEW DAY SHINE
GOLDEN LIKE THE YEARS

IT TOOK TO GET ME HERE
SOON
ALL
EVERYTHING'S GOLDEN
MAN IN THE YELLOW SUIT

AND EVERYTHING'S MINE
Come on, girls. One last dance, and then I’m off to
make my millions.
Dance break.
MAN IN YELLOW SUIT ENSEMBLE

WHOA EVERYTHING’S
GOLDEN LIKE THE SUN GOLDEN
EVERYTHING’S
GOLDEN LIKE MY SUIT GOLDEN
EVERYTHING’S
GOLDEN WITH THAT BRAND NEW DAY GOLDEN
SHINE WHOA
EVERYTHING’S
GOLDEN LIKE THE YEARS GOLDEN
IT TOOK TO GET ME HERE EVERYTHING’S GOLDEN
SOON EVERYTHING'S GOLDEN
EVERYTHING’S GOLDEN
EVERYTHING’S GOLDEN
AND EVERYTHING'S
ENSEMBLE
MINE
MAN IN YELLOW SUIT

AND EVERYTHING’S
ENSEMBLE
MINE
MAN IN YELLOW SUIT

AND EVERYTHING’S MINE!
The number ends.
Song: EVERYTHING’S GOLDEN (PLAYOFF)

Goodbye now! See you in the next life - or maybe I
won’t!
He travels to the Foster cottage.

MAN IN YELLOW SUIT

EVERYTHING’S MINE
EVERYTHING’S MINE
EVERYTHING’S MINE
EVERYTHING’S
Hellloooo. Knock knock!
Scene 2: FOSTER FENCE
Mother and Nana come to their fence.
MAN IN YELLOW SUIT

I know where your daughter is.
All three exit into the Foster house.
Scene 3: TUCK COTTAGE
Winnie wakes on Angus’s chaise in the living room.
Song: SEVENTEEN (REPRISE)
WINNIE
SIX YEARS FROM NOW
I WILL TURN SEVENTEEN
TURN SEVENTEEN
AND DRINK FROM THE SPRING
SIX YEARS FROM NOW
I WILL GO TO THE SPRING
GO TO THE SPRING
AND DRINK
WINNIE (CONT’D)
Oh, I can’t wait ’til I’m 17.
Angus enters.
ANGUS
Look who found the comfiest bed in the house!
WINNIE
Morning, Mr. Angus.
ANGUS
Mornin’. Did you get any sleep?
WINNIE
Not exactly.
Jesse enters.
ANGUS
Morning, Jesse. Can I make you kids some breakfast?
JESSE
I’ll pass, thanks.
ANGUS
So? How was your big late night adventure?
JESSE
It was fine.
WINNIE
Jesse’s being modest. It was the most fun I’ve had in
at least a year, and—
JESSE
Winnie, cut it out.
WINNIE
What?
JESSE
You don’t have to cover for me. Pa, I did something
really stupid last night.
ANGUS
Give yourself some credit, son. You do something
really stupid every day.
JESSE
No, Pa, take me seriously. Please. We met
this...crazy carny at the fair. Except he wasn’t
crazy.
ANGUS
Well, what was he?
JESSE
Dangerous. Scary. Pa, he knows about us.
ANGUS
Where is he now?
WINNIE
We lost him, I’m sure we did.
ANGUS
These woods are getting thinner every year. If he
wanted to, he could track us down within a couple of
days.
JESSE
So, what do we do?
ANGUS
First, we figure out how to break it to you-know-who.
Mae enters, holding Winnie’s dress.
MAE
Here’s your dress, sweetie. Let’s get you changed,
before Miles sees you in those clothes.
JESSE
Ma, I did something really stupid.
MAE
Well, that’s a new record. I haven’t even had
breakfast.
ANGUS
We’ve got to pull up stakes, Mae.
MAE
What? What happened?
ANGUS
I just...I got a funny feeling, is all.
JESSE
Pa, stop. At least let me try to be a man and admit
what I did.
MAE
Okay, now you’re scaring me.
JESSE
I snuck out last night. There’s a creepy man who saw
my face. He knows the secret.
ANGUS
We’ve gotta split up. It’s not safe, otherwise.
MAE
I can’t believe this is happening. I’ve waited ten
years for this visit.
ANGUS
We’ll have to leave our cottage - maybe for good this
time.
WINNIE
I could come with you!
MAE
No. Absolutely not. I knew I should have taken her
back last night.
ANGUS
This is my fault. I never should have taken us to
Treegap Wood in the first place.
WINNIE
But then you wouldn’t have found the spring!
MAE
Honey, that’s entirely his point.
WINNIE
But the spring is a miracle!
Winnie keeps explaining, oblivious.
WINNIE (CONT’D)
I’d drink from it right now — but Jesse wants me to
wait.
Silence. Jesse sinks to the kitchen table.
MAE
Jesse Tuck, for the first time in 102 years, I am
truly disappointed in you.
JESSE
But Ma—
MAE
No. Not this time. There are some things that even
you can’t sweet-talk your way out of.
She storms out to the porch.
ANGUS
Well, now you’ve upset your mother. Say your
goodbyes.
Angus exits to Mae.
WINNIE
Did I do something wrong?
JESSE
Never.
WINNIE
Do you still mean what you said, at the silo? About
the water I can keep ’til I’m 17?
Jesse looks up.
JESSE
I’ll go get you some. But you have to put it
somewhere safe, where no one will find it.
Miles enters.
MILES
Why don’t I smell pancakes? The kid must be starving!
Miles sees Jesse before he sees Winnie.
MILES (CONT’D)
Where’s Ma and Pa?
WINNIE
They’re outside. I think I made them mad.
Now Miles spots Winnie.
MILES
Why are you wearing those clothes?
(to Jesse)
Where did she get Thomas’s clothes?
WINNIE
Who’s Thomas?
Jesse stands.
JESSE
Don’t let him bully you, Winnie — and you didn’t make
anyone mad. I did. Like always.
MILES
What did you do now, Jesse?
JESSE
I don’t care who’s disappointed in me, anymore.
Someday, I want Winnie to drink the water.
(a beat)
Go ahead. Say it.
MILES
Jesse, even for you, this is a new level of selfish.
WINNIE
No, it’s not! I want to see the Eiffel tower! I want
to see the Egyptian pyramids!
MILES
No, you want to see old age. You want to see your
children grow up.
JESSE
I refuse to keep living alone in the shadows.
MILES
Jesse, if you won’t listen to your big brother, then
listen to some common sense.
(MORE)
MILES (CONT'D)
So, okay: your plan works for three years, maybe four
if you’re lucky — then what? Do you someday start a
family, and make your children drink the water? And
what about when the neighbors catch on to your
secret? Then what? You wanna go to jail - forever?
JESSE
I already feel like I’m serving a life sentence,
Miles! I’d rather do my time next to somebody who
actually appreciates it!
Jesse exits upstairs.
WINNIE
Miles, who’s Thomas?
MILES
I don’t talk about him.
WINNIE
Then why did you say his name?
MILES
He was my son.
WINNIE
Is he still alive?
MILES
I don’t know. My wife took him from me.
WINNIE
Did they drink the water?
MILES
No. By the time I figured out the secret of the
spring, the years had passed for them, but not for
me. She thought I was possessed. A freak.
WINNIE
I don’t think you’re a freak.
MILES
It’s time we got you home to your own family.
WINNIE
Can’t I stay just a little longer?
MILES
No. If your father is anything like me, all he’s
doing right now is watching your front door. All he’s
doing is...counting the minutes.
Song: TIME
MILES (CONT’D)
I HAD A FARMHOUSE
WITH A GRANDFATHER CLOCK
WHERE I WOULD TEACH TIME TO MY SON
OUR LESSONS BEGAN
AT TWELVE O'CLOCK SHARP
WHEN THE HANDS WOULD COME IN AS ONE
I'D SAY, “THE BIG HAND COUNTS MINUTES,
IT'S SO TIGHTLY WOUND
IT CHASES THE SMALL HAND
TO MAKE HOURS GO ROUND”
A small boy enters. Miles watches his former life

play out around him.
I TAUGHT THOMAS
CONSTELLATIONS IN THE SKY
HOW TO TELL A SILVER MAPLE FROM A COTTONWOOD
I TAUGHT THOMAS
TO DIVIDE AND MULTIPLY
BUT WHAT HE NEVER UNDERSTOOD WAS
TIME, AS I WATCHED HIM GROW

TIME, HE WOULD NEVER KNOW
TIME, WHERE MY REGRET RESIDES
TIME, IF I ONLY KNEW
THE WHAT AND HOW AND WHO
THAT TIME TRULY DIVIDES
THERE WAS A FARMHOUSE

WITH A GRANDFATHER CLOCK
WHERE ONE DAY I WOKE UP ALONE
THEY FEARED I WAS MAGIC
A woman appears, and takes Thomas’s hand. They

exit, leaving Miles behind.
THEY FEARED I WAS CURSED

BUT MOSTLY THEY FEARED THE UNKNOWN
THE BIG HAND'S THE FATHER
THE SMALL HAND'S THE SON
AND THERE NEVER CAME A TIME
WHEN THEY CAME BACK AS ONE
I TAUGHT THOMAS HOW TO CATCH A FIREFLY

HOW TO MAKE A PEBBLE SKIP AND ROWBOAT SKIM
SHE TOOK THOMAS AND NEVER SAID GOODBYE
THE ONE THING I COULD NEVER GIVE TO HIM
WAS TIME
TIME
I'M LEFT WITH NOTHING
NOTHING BUT TIME
Winnie takes Miles’s hand.

WINNIE
Miles, I don’t have a father anymore.
MILES
You don’t?
WINNIE
No. But I’ll always love him, for the rest of my
life. And I promise Thomas will love you, for the
rest of his.
Miles hugs Winnie. The stage revolves.
Scene 4: STUMP OUTSIDE TUCK COTTAGE
Angus finds Mae outside.
ANGUS
You going to be okay?
MAE
I don’t know. You know what frightens me the most?
ANGUS
Another hundred years of me snoring?
MAE
No. What frightens me the most is that I’m actually a
little envious of Jesse.
ANGUS
Envious?
MAE
At least he’s looking forward to something again.
ANGUS
Hey. I still look forward to you.
MAE
Do you? Sometimes it’s a little hard to tell, these
days.
ANGUS
Of course I do. Every day. Every year.
Song: TIME (REPRISE)
MAE
TIME WE’VE BEEN GRANTED SO MUCH TIME
BUT WHAT IF ALL THIS TIME
DID MORE THAN PASS US BY?
LIFE EVEN INFINITE
STILL MUST HAVE LIFE IN IT

WE KNOW IT WON’T KILL US TO TRY
Jesse enters the attic.
ANGUS MAE JESSE MILES

WE’LL STAY
MORE CONNECTED WINNIE MUST BE
WE’LL DO WE’LL DO WHAT PROTECTED
WHAT WE CAN WE CAN MY PARTNER IN CRIME
WE’LL STOP SITTING
WE’LL WONDERING WHY
STOP SITTING TIME
WONDERING WHY THEY CAN’T MAKE ME TIME
TELL HER GOODBYE
I I I WON’T BE LEFT
ALONE I WAS LEFT
WON’T BE LEFT WON’T BE LEFT ALONE
ALONE ALONE
ALL
LEFT TO DROWN IN MY PRIME
LEFT WITH NOTHING
MAE
LEFT WITH NOTHING
MILES & JESSE & ANGUS

LEFT WITH NOTHING
Jesse holds up an empty vial, pockets it, exits.
MILES
NOTHING BUT
ALL
TIME
At song’s end, we are back with Mae and Angus.
MAE
You’ve got to convince Winnie not to drink.
ANGUS
Aw, Mae. Can’t you speak with her?
MAE
No. She needs a father — and honestly, Angus?
Watching you with a real child, again, I can’t think
of a better father than you.
ANGUS
But I don’t know the first thing about having a
“talk” with a girl.
MAE
You could practice on me a little more often.
ANGUS
That’s not a bad idea.
MAE
Is that a yes?
ANGUS
That’s an “I love you.” And a yes. I’ll talk to her.
They embrace.
MAE
Thank you. Her poor mother must be desperate by now.
ANGUS
Funny, I’m feeling a little “desperate” myself...
MAE
Angus Michael Tuck!
ANGUS
C’mon, dance with me.
We are carried on a romantic swell into:
Scene 5: FOSTER PARLOR
Mother and Nana let the Man in Yellow inside.
MAN IN YELLOW SUIT

In all my travels, I’ve never seen a more promising
wood. It would mean a great deal to me to own it.
He produces papers and a pen.
MOTHER
Let’s just get this over with.
MAN IN YELLOW SUIT

Look, I want the wood and you want the girl. It’s a
simple trade.
NANA
It’s blackmail, is what it is.
MAN IN YELLOW SUIT

Never too old to flirt, are ya, Granny? Like my suit?
NANA
You’re an evil banana.
The Man turns to Mother.
MAN IN YELLOW SUIT

Sign at the x. And make it legible.
Mother signs, but doesn’t give him the papers.
CONSTABLE JOE (OFFSTAGE)

Hello? It’s just Constable Joe checking in, here!
A beat.
HUGO (OFFSTAGE)
And Hugo!
MAN IN YELLOW SUIT

Send him away none the wiser, I’m warning you both.
You’ve got more to lose than I do.
Constable and Hugo enter.
CONSTABLE JOE
Darn it, Hugo. If you can’t even open a door, how are
we going to close a case?
HUGO
Excellent point, sir.
CONSTABLE JOE
Betsy, how are you?
MOTHER
I’m fine, Joe. The whole disappearance turned out to
be a false alarm, is all. But thank you for checking
in.
CONSTABLE JOE
So, where’s our Winnie, then?
MOTHER
My friend here is going to fetch her home.
CONSTABLE JOE
(coolly)
Well, the suit I recognize — but I don’t believe I
got your friend’s name.
MAN IN YELLOW SUIT

Don’t you worry about that.
CONSTABLE JOE
Do I look worried?
HUGO
Ask about those papers.
CONSTABLE JOE
Silence, mosquito. What are those papers?
MAN IN YELLOW SUIT

Just a little business transaction.
CONSTABLE JOE
Business to do with the fair, is it?
MAN IN YELLOW SUIT

I’m no longer affiliated with that particular
operation. Which has moved on.
CONSTABLE JOE
And yet, here you are.
MAN IN YELLOW SUIT

Here I am.
HUGO
What sort of business transaction?
CONSTABLE JOE
That’s right, what sort of business did you say?
MAN IN YELLOW SUIT

I didn’t say.
A beat.
CONSTABLE JOE
Try.
NANA
We’ve sold him the wood.
CONSTABLE JOE
Really? You’ve sold him Treegap Wood. After all these
decades. Well, neighbor, I suppose I’ll be seeing
you.
Constable puts out his hand. Man in Yellow extends

his own, limply.
MOTHER
I apologize for wasting your time, Joe.
CONSTABLE JOE
Oh, you’re never a waste of time, Betsy. Always a
pleasure. Come on, Hugo.
Constable and Hugo exit.
MAN IN YELLOW SUIT

Well done, ladies. That wasn’t so hard. Now give me
the contract.
MOTHER
Not until I have my daughter.
MAN IN YELLOW SUIT

Fine. I certainly don’t want her.
NANA
Oh, would you drop dead, already.
MAN IN YELLOW SUIT

Never.
He exits. The stage revolves.
Song: EVERYTHING’S GOLDEN (REPRISE)

JACKPOT THE FOREST IS MINE
CRACKSHOT TAKES AIM AND BULLSEYE!
MONEY ON EVERY TREE
HONEY THIS WOOD IS SOLID GOLD
Scene 6: PATH NEAR WOOD
Man in Yellow Suit dances down the road.
HUGO
Look at him go.
CONSTABLE JOE
Haven’t seen a grown man move like that since my
Uncle Pete got fire ants in his shorts.
HUGO
That sounds horrible.
CONSTABLE JOE
Oh, nooo, Hugo. It was hilarious.
(he crosses in front of Hugo)
We best be getting on.
HUGO
Would hate to let him get too far ahead.
CONSTABLE JOE
Well, a fellow dressed in yellow’s not going to be
hard to track.
HUGO
Sure isn’t a nice yellow.
CONSTABLE JOE
Hugo, there’s no such thing as a nice yellow.
HUGO
But what about...baby chickies? Or dandelions? Or
corn on the cob? Or—
CONSTABLE JOE
Butter.
HUGO
Good one, sir.
CONSTABLE JOE
I don’t know, Hugo. Got a bad feeling it’s all going
to come apart like wet bread.
Song: BAD HANDSHAKE, BAD MAN
CONSTABLE JOE (CONT’D)

YOU CAN’T TRUST A MAN DRESSED IN YELLOW
HUGO, ONLY A ROGUE WEARS THAT HUE
A MAN WHO IS FONDEST
OF SUITS THAT ARE JAUNDICED
PUTS THE YOLK ON HIM AND THE JOKE ON YOU
THEY’RE TRICKSY ALL MEN DRESSED IN YELLOW

SOMETHING DEADLY IN THEIR LIVELIHOOD
HE MUST BE COMPENSATING –
HUGO
ALSO FABRICATING –
CONSTABLE JOE
Hugo, there you go again. Fabricating? If he hated
the fabric, he would never have bought the suit!
HE MUST BE COMPENSATING
HUGO
ALSO…LYING
HUGO AND CONSTABLE

ABOUT WHY HE WANTS THE FOSTERS’ WOOD
CONSTABLE JOE
YOU CAN’T TRUST A MAN DRESSED IN YELLOW
THAT I KNEW FROM HIS VERY FIRST HELLO
SHOULD HAVE LOCKED HIM IN A CELL
HUGO AND CONSTABLE

OH
YOU CAN’T TRUST A MAN
HUGO
From the carnival.
CONSTABLE JOE
ALSO, CARNIVAL MEN CAN’T BE TRUSTED
SOMETHING WICKED THERE BREWS UNDERNEATH
THOSE INBREDS REGALE YA
WITH MAD BACCHANALIA
THEY ALL SHARE MAYBE EIGHT TEETH
I SAY, CARNIVAL MEN CAN’T BE TRUSTED

FLASHY HOBOS INVADING OUR TOWNS
THEY ASK MY PERMISSION
TO CHARGE AN ADMISSION
TO EXPOSE US TO CHARLATANS, ACROBATS, AND CL- CL-
HUGO
Clowns, sir?
CONSTABLE JOE
I hate them.

A CARNIVAL MAN CAN’T BE TRUSTED
THEY ARE ALL ACUTELY MALADJUSTED
WHO KNOWS HOW THEIR FUNNEL CAKE IS DUSTED
HUGO AND CONSTABLE JOE

NO YOU CAN’T TRUST A MAN –
HUGO
With a bad handshake.
CONSTABLE JOE
DID YOU NOTICE HIS PECULIAR HANDSHAKE?
HIS FINGERS NEITHER FLACCID NOR FIRM
HUGO
LIKE TOUCHING A PORPOISE
CONSTABLE JOE
NO HABEAS CORPUS
COULD KEEP THAT FISH—
HUGO
Mammal.
CONSTABLE JOE
FROM SERVING FULL TERM
BAD HANDSHAKE, BAD MAN

WATCH IT IF HIS GRIP LACKS A SQUEEZE
CONSTABLE JOE
AND A CARNIVAL MAN CAN’T BE TRUSTED
HUGO
AS SHIFTY AS A SWINGING TRAPEZE

AND YOU CAN’T TRUST A MAN DRESSED IN YELLOW
EVEN IF YOU LOVE CHEDDAR CHEESE
COMMINGLE ALL OF THESE
YOU’LL SEE THE RECIPE’S
ONE BAD MAN
ONE BAD MAN
ONE BAD MAN
CONSTABLE JOE
Come on, Hugo. Let’s pick up the pace.
They exit.
Scene 7: THE LAKE
Winnie and Angus are in a boat on a lake.
WINNIE
I think I got another one!
Winnie pulls in a fresh catch.
ANGUS
What is that: five fish in ten minutes?
WINNIE
Well, it would’ve been six fish, if—
ANGUS
I said I was sorry.
He unhooks the fish.
WINNIE
Did you teach Jesse and Miles to fish?
ANGUS
You bet I did.
WINNIE
What about Thomas?
ANGUS
Miles told you about Thomas? Wow.
WINNIE
Well, did you? Teach him how to fish?
ANGUS
No. Thomas was gone before I had a chance to teach
him anything. Miss that boy.
WINNIE
I know what that feels like. I miss my father every
day.
ANGUS
’Course you do.
WINNIE
Mr. Angus, I had this idea.
ANGUS
O...kay.
WINNIE
If I shared the water with Mother and Nana, we’d
always be there for each other.
ANGUS
Oh, sweetie. That’s just not how the world’s supposed
to work.
WINNIE
But if my father had known about the water, we would
never have had to say goodbye, ever.
ANGUS
Winnie, as difficult as it is to say goodbye once,
it’s even harder to say it again and again. But
that’s just what happens when you mess with the rules
of nature.
Song: THE WHEEL
ANGUS (CONT’D)
I BET YOU DIDN'T KNOW THAT THE SUN
TOOK A SHINE TO WATER
SHE DRINKS UP A BIT FLOATS IT UP TO THE SKY
WHAT SHE TAKES FROM OUR LAKE
WILL MAKE HER A STORM CLOUD
THAT RUMBLES AND TUMBLES RAIN
FROM UP HIGH, HIGH, HIGH
IT'S A WHEEL, WINNIE

THIS JOURNEY OF OURS
SUN TO LAKE TO CLOUD THAT SHOWERS
RAIN BACK TO THE LAKE BELOW

AND YOU'LL RIDE THAT WHEEL WHEREVER YOU GO
NOT A MINUTE OR MOMENT'S THE SAME

THE WHEEL, IT KEEPS YOU GUESSING
AND EVERYTHING AROUND YOU IS ALONG FOR THE RIDE
THE POND, THE BULLFROGS, THE BIRCH TREES AND HOUND DOGS
PLUS PEOPLE, ALL PEOPLE EBB AND FLOW WITH THE TIDE, TIDE,
TIDE
IT'S A WHEEL, WINNIE

A RIPPLE IN WATER
GIRL TO WIFE TO MOTHER TO DAUGHTER
LIKE ALL YOUR KINFOLK COME AND GONE
CAN'T STOP ROWING, GROWING, CHANGING, THEN MOVING ON
Angus drops an anchor. The boat stops moving.
ANGUS (CONT’D)
ONCE YOU DROP AN ANCHOR
A BOAT GETS STUCK
AND IT COULD STAY FOREVER
WINNIE
JUST FLOATING ON TOP
ANGUS AND WINNIE

WATCHING LIFE PASS IT BY
JUST FLOATING ON TOP
ANGUS
SHOW ME HOW TO CLIMB BACK ON THE WHEEL
I'D BE THERE SLICK AS A SLINGSHOT
PREPARED TO GET OFF AT THE END
AND SHARE WITH SOMEONE MY SPOT
YOU CAN’T HAVE LIVING WITHOUT DYING

SO YOU CAN’T CALL THIS LIVING WHAT WE GOT
WE JUST ARE, WE JUST BE
NO BEFORE, NO BEYOND
A ROWBOAT ANCHORED IN THE MIDDLE OF A POND
ANGUS (CONT’D)
Don't be afraid of death, Winnie. Be afraid of not
being truly alive. You don’t need to live forever,
you just need to live. Do you understand?
Winnie picks up the anchor.
WINNIE ANGUS (CONT'D)

IT’S A WHEEL
IT’S A WHEEL, WINNIE
WINNIE & ANGUS ENSEMBLE

A RIPPLE IN WATER OOH
ANGUS, WINNIE, AND O.S. ENSEMBLE

GIRL TO WIFE TO MOTHER TO DAUGHTER
LIKE ALL OUR KINFOLK COME AND GONE
ANGUS WINNIE
IT’S A WHEEL, WINNIE IT’S A WHEEL
ANGUS, WINNIE, AND O.S. ENSEMBLE

A CIRCLE IN MOTION
CAN’T STOP ROWING, GROWING, CHANGING, THEN MOVING ON
ANGUS AND WINNIE ENSEMBLE (O.S.)
CAN’T STOP ROWING, GROWING, OOH
CHANGING
THEN MOVING ON
At song’s end, Miles appears at the lake’s edge.
MILES
Pa, Hurry!
Angus throws a line to Miles on the dock.
ANGUS
What’s wrong?
MILES
Jesse’s gone.
ANGUS
Jesse’s always coming and going, he’ll be back.
MILES
No, Pa. It’s not like that this time. He didn’t even
say goodbye to Ma.
ANGUS
Well, that’s not like him. If he hopped a train, he
could be six towns out, by now.
WINNIE
He isn’t on a train.
MILES
You know where he went?
WINNIE
I’m sure he’s in the woods.
ANGUS
I don’t like the sound of this...
MILES
Neither do I.
WINNIE
I know exactly where he is.
Winnie leads them off.
Scene 8: THE SPRING
Jesse bottles water at the spring. He backs away

and pockets the vial as the Man in Yellow enters.
MAN IN YELLOW SUIT

Hold it right there, seventeen.
JESSE
You.
MAN IN YELLOW SUIT

Me! Where’s your little friend? Oh, who am I foolin’
— this wood is now mine.
JESSE
What?
MAN IN YELLOW SUIT

Why don’t you show me what you’ve been hiding.
JESSE
I have no idea what you’re talking about.
MAN IN YELLOW SUIT

That’s simply not true.
Song: STORY OF THE TUCKS (Reprise)
ONCE UPON A TIME

ONCE UPON A TIME
IT STARTED JUST LIKE THAT
MY GRANNY TOLD A STORY
HOW THAT WOMAN LOVED TO GAB
JESSE
What does this have to do with me?
MAN IN YELLOW SUIT

Only everything.
SAID THERE WAS A MAN

WITH A WIFE AND SONS
AND THE STORY GOES
THEIR BEAUTY FROZE
SOUND LIKE ANYONE FAMILIAR
OR SHOULD I TAKE A STAB?
JESSE
You don’t know a thing about me.
MAN IN YELLOW SUIT

I know that you know where the spring is, now show it
to me.
Miles enters, followed by Mae, Angus, and Winnie.
JESSE
Miles, it’s him! This is the man!
MILES
Hold it right there!
As Miles lifts a rifle, Mae runs to stand in front

of it.
MAE
Miles, no. This isn’t who we are. Give me the gun.
MAN IN YELLOW SUIT

My God, it’s all of you. The tale comes to life, just
like my granny said. I don’t know why I expected
something a little more...impressive.
Miles hands Mae the rifle.
JESSE
But Ma, he knows the secret-
MAN IN YELLOW SUIT

-and I’ve been guarding it with my life!
MY LIPS ARE SEALED

GRANNY DIDN’T RAISE A SNITCH
I CAN MAKE YOU FILTHY RICH
WE’LL BOTTLE THE WATER
SELL IT FOR A FEE
AND SPLIT THE PROFITS EQUALLY
ANGUS
You’re mad. We would never.
MAE
We just want to live our lives in peace.
MAN IN YELLOW SUIT

What is wrong with you people?
YOU COULD BE SULTANS

YOU COULD HAVE KINGDOMS
YOU DIDN’T THINK OF THIS BEFORE?
IF YOU CAN PUT ON A PRICE ON ETERNAL LIFE
THEY’LL PAY ANYTHING AND MORE
And all you have to do is lead me to the water.
MILES
And why would we say yes?
The man pulls out a pistol.
MAN IN YELLOW SUIT

Here’s why.
ANGUS
Your gun doesn’t scare us.
MAN IN YELLOW SUIT

Of course!
The man grabs Winnie, puts the gun to her head.

Now it does.
MAE
Please, no, she’s just a child!
JESSE
Here. Take the water. Just let her go.
MAN IN YELLOW SUIT

My God, there it is.
TODAY IS THE DAY
JESSE
You take this.
MAN IN YELLOW SUIT

THE WAITING IS OVER
JESSE
I’ll show you the spring.

THE ANSWER SO SIMPLE
SO PERFECTLY PURE
JESSE
Please let her go.

THE SECRET TO ETERNAL LIFE
AND NOW I’LL NEVER-
At the last moment, Jesse tosses the vial to

Miles.
The Man, furious, points his gun at Winnie.
Mae hits him with the rifle. He crumples to the

ground.
ANGUS
Don’t look.
WINNIE
Is he...dead?
ANGUS
(checking the Man’s pulse)
Yes.
MAE
My God. What have I done?
ANGUS
You protected your family, is what. And nobody needs
to know-
CONSTABLE JOE (OFFSTAGE)

Over here, Hugo!
ANGUS
Who’s that?
HUGO (OFFSTAGE)
Winnie!
Constable Joe and Hugo run in.
CONSTABLE JOE
Step away from the child!
WINNIE
I’m okay, Constable Joe.
ANGUS
Winnie, you know this man?
CONSTABLE JOE
I’ll be asking the questions here, starting with:
(re: the Man in Yellow)
Who’s responsible for this?
WINNIE
It was m-
Mae steps forward, cuts Winnie off.
MAE
I am, sir. And if I have to go to jail, I will.
CONSTABLE JOE
Wouldn’t be jail, it’d be death by hanging.
MILES
No, it wouldn’t.
WINNIE
It’s not true. I hit him. With this.
CONSTABLE JOE
You two: take this man out of the child’s view.
Miles and Jesse take the Man offstage, re-enter.

You’re safe now, Winnie. Could you tell me the real
story of what’s gone on here?
WINNIE
It started when that man pulled a knife on Jesse at
the fair, and then he followed us into the wood, and
took out a gun, and I-
CONSTABLE JOE
(holding up hand)
On second thought, the less I know, the better. Now,
give me a minute to think.
HUGO
If it was a child acting in self-defense, she’d sure
get off easy...
CONSTABLE JOE
I’m thinking.
(a long beat)
I’m done. I believe you.
WINNIE
You do?
CONSTABLE JOE
Of course I do. You’re Nathan Foster’s daughter,
aren’t you?
WINNIE
Always.
CONSTABLE JOE
Now, who’s the Swiss Family Robinson?
WINNIE
These are my friends.
Angus steps in.
ANGUS
How do. We were just passing through. Didn’t mean to
cause any trouble.
They shake.
CONSTABLE JOE
Good handshake. First thing is to reunite this girl
with her poor family. Hugo, you’ll take the body to
town—
HUGO
Uh, Dad — I mean, Sir...I don’t think I can.
CONSTABLE JOE
Okay, Hugo. You see Winnie gets back in one piece,
and I’ll handle the body.
HUGO
Yes, sir.
CONSTABLE JOE
You’ll make deputy yet.
MAE
If there’s anything we can do to help, sir...
CONSTABLE JOE
Sure is. I don’t know your story but I bet it’s
longer than I’ve got time to hear. So at the risk of
sounding unneighborly: how about you folks leave my
town, and never turn up again.
ANGUS
You can pretend you never met us. Come on, Mae.
MAE
Wait. Winnie, I know I owe your mother an apology —
but all I really want to do is congratulate her.
WINNIE
For what?
MAE
Raising you.
Mae presses the music box into Winnie’s hands.
MAE (CONT'D)
Here. To remember us by.
WINNIE
I could never forget you. You just saved my life.
MAE
I think it’s the other way around.
ANGUS
You reminded us that we’ve still got something to
live for. Goodbye, Winnie.
WINNIE
Goodbye, Angus.
Mae and Angus embrace, exit.
MILES
So long, kid.
(to Jesse)
I’ll wait for you up ahead.
JESSE
Really?
MILES
Really. I was hoping we could walk together.
WINNIE
(whispers)
Hug him.
Miles puts an awkward arm around Jesse’s shoulder,

exits.
Jesse turns to Winnie, pulls out the vial, hands

it to Winnie.
JESSE
It’s all up to you now. Hide it somewhere good. Drink
it when you’re seventeen, and then find me. I’ll
leave directions somehow — and I’ll be planning great
adventures for us.
WINNIE
So will I.
HUGO
Ready, Winnie?
WINNIE
Ready, Hugo.
(to Jesse)
Think of me every time you climb a tree...
(she sticks out her hand to shake)
—or get in trouble.
They shake.
JESSE
Every day, then.
HUGO
Let’s go.
Hugo walks Winnie to a clearing in the woods.
Scene 9: PATH BACK HOME
Song: EVERLASTING
WINNIE
THERE ARE TWO WAYS HOME DOWN ONE LONG ROAD
ONE CLEAR PATH TO TWO CONCLUSIONS
DOES THE STORY END, OR NEVER END?
DOES THE SECRET FADE, OR IS IT EVERLASTING?
I COULD RETURN TO MY MOTHER

LIKE NOTHING HAS HAPPENED
LIVE LIKE AN IMPOSTER
FOR SIX LONG YEARS
TURN SEVENTEEN
AND GOOD GIRL WINNIE FOSTER
DRINKS FROM THE VIAL
AND HER PAST DISAPPEARS

OR I PUT THE TUCKS BEHIND ME

AND PULL UP THE ANCHOR
RIDE THE WHEEL PLENTY
FOR ALL THAT IT'S WORTH
TURN SEVENTEEN
THEN EIGHTEEN THEN TWENTY
FOR A LIFE IS THE GREATEST
WONDER ON EARTH
CAN I, SHOULD I, DO I DRINK?

CAN I, SHOULD I, WILL I DRINK?

IS IT EVERLASTING?
HUGO
Well, here we are. Right back where you started.
WINNIE
You know what, Hugo? It doesn’t really feel like that
at all.
HUGO
Just remember, Winnie: you’ll always have me to
protect you.
We hear a croak as Hugo backs away. Hugo shrieks.
WINNIE
My toad!
Hugo recovers.
HUGO
Careful, toad, or a dope like me could accidentally
flatten you.
WINNIE
You’re not a dope, Hugo.
HUGO
That’s the nicest thing anyone’s ever said about me.
Hugo exits.
The toad croaks again. Winnie leans down to it.
WINNIE
Well, I had quite an adventure, and you’re to blame.
I wish there were some way to thank you.
The toad croaks. Winnie gets an idea. She uncaps

the vial, pours it over the toad.
WINNIE (CONT’D)
Here. It’s a dangerous world out there. Hope you’re
thirsty.
The toad double-croaks.
WINNIE (CONT’D)
Don’t worry about me. I can always get more.
He hops off. Winnie unlatches the fence gate and

runs to the front door —
Song: THE BALLET
Winnie begins dancing in her yard by herself,

Mother and Nana come out from the house for a
joyful reunion.
MOTHER
Winnie!
Mother, Nana, and Winnie reunited in the yard.
Winnie dances around the back of the house; when

Winnie emerges, the fence is struck, and she is
now a young woman. She and her mother dance
playfully.
Hugo enters and he and Winnie dance a dance of

courting - as Mother and Nana look on. Jesse
enters and sees them. He exits.
Winnie and Hugo dance around the back of the house

and when they reemerge, it is their wedding day.
Mother and Nana watch as Constable marries them -
Winnie and Hugo dance a joyful dance. During the
dance a spotlight goes out on Nana, she has passed
away.
Winnie and Hugo continue to dance - Winnie dances

off behind the house and reenters with a baby. The
baby then turns into a boy - and then the boy
turns into an older boy. A girl dances on. Winnie
and Hugo watch as their son does the same courting
dance with this girl that they did together.
Winnie and Hugo watch them and dance with each

other - a spotlight goes out on Mother, she has
passed away. Then Old Winnie and Hugo are dancing
at their son's wedding - they dance a bit more -
and then spotlight out on Hugo, he has passed
away.
All the dancers reappear and swirl around Old

Winnie. Young Winnie comes out and dances with Old
Winnie. Old Winnie takes out the music box, opens
it, and goes into the Foster house.
Scene 11: TUCKS AT THE GRAVE
The four Tucks enter and converge at a grave.
MAE
“Winnie Foster Jackson. Cherished Wife. Devoted
Mother. Dearest Grandmother.”
ANGUS
Expert fisherman.
MILES
Looks like she led the life we never could.
MAE
May she rest in peace.
The Tucks turn to leave. Jesse goes to the grave.
JESSE
I’ll always wonder what you did with the water.
As he reaches out to leave a flower, the toad from

all those years ago appears from behind the
headstone — and leaps into Jesse’s arms.
MILES
You ready to keep going, Jesse? Jesse?
Song: THE WHEEL (REPRISE)
JESSE
IT’S A WHEEL, WINNIE
A RIPPLE IN WATER
TUCKS ENSEMBLE
GIRL TO WIFE TO MOTHER TO
DAUGHTER
LIKE ALL YOUR KINFOLK COME
AND GONE
CAN’T STOP ROWING, GROWING,
CHANGING,
THEN MOVING ON DAY NA NA DAY NA NA DAY NA
MOVING ON DAY NA DAY NA NA
MOVING ON DAY NA NA DAY NA NA DAY NA
DAY NA
THE END

Tuck Everlasting

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Tuck Everlasting

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TUCK EVERLASTING

Based on the novel Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt

2016 Broadway Production

Scene 1: THE SPRING

A family of four crosses the stage to a bubbling

Each of the Tucks — MAE (40s), ANGUS (40s), JESSE

ALL THE TUCKS

The lighting shifts.

An ensemble of dancers swirls on stage.

Song: LIVE LIKE THIS

The Tucks exit.

WINNIE FOSTER (11) enters; we are now in present

She holds a green dress, but is wearing black

GETTING OUT OF THE HOUSE

LET THIS BE THE DAY

DAY NA NA DAY NA NA DAY NA

A chaise comes on piled with blankets. Mae Tuck

Mae shakes the blankets. Her husband Angus is

A train whistles. Miles appears.

A silo rises from the floor. Jesse is on top.

MILES AND JESSE

A MAN IN YELLOW SUIT (60s) enters.

MAN IN YELLOW SUIT

MAN IN YELLOW SUIT

MAN IN YELLOW SUIT & MAE

Winnie reappears — now wearing the green dress.

W., MAE, J., MILES, YELLOW ENSEMBLE

WINNIE & MAN IN YELLOW SUIT

W., MAE, J., MILES, YELLOW ENSEMBLE

WINNIE & MAN IN YELLOW SUIT

WINNIE, MAE, JESSE, MILES, YELLOW

The song ends.

Song: LIVE LIKE THIS (PLAYOFF)

WINNIE FEMALE ENSEMBLE

WINNIE MALE ENSEMBLE

FEMALE ENSEMBLE MALE ENSEMBLE (CONT'D)

Scene 2: FOSTER PARLOR

Winnie steps into a sterile parlor.

Her mother BETSY FOSTER (late 30s) is in black

Mother opens her eyes.

Winnie’s grandmother, NANA (70s), awakens on a

Song: GOOD GIRL WINNIE FOSTER

I’D GO FIND TROUBLE IF THERE WAS SOME TO GET IN

EVERY DAY JUST LIKE THE ONE BEFORE

A CROAK fills the parlor.

Winnie pulls a toad out of her pocket.

Toad croaks in Mother’s face.

The house turns to take Winnie outside.

Scene 3: FOSTER GARDEN

Toad croaks again.

Winnie sets the toad down. It hops away.

ARE YOU FROM THE WOOD? I’M NOT ALLOWED THERE

The song ends. Nana appears at the front door.

Cymbals crash, trumpets blare. A rag tag parade is

Song: JOIN THE PARADE

MAN IN YELLOW SUIT

MAN IN YELLOW & CARNIVAL BAND

MAN IN YELLOW SUIT

MAN IN YELLOW SUIT

MAN IN YELLOW SUIT