Only The Theatre For Me

GRUNCH
Why couldn't you spend your summer like a normal kid?

HARPER
Oh, Grunch, you just don't understand.

HARPER
All summer long while you're stuck at the pool
I'm singing Broadway all day
Practicing lines, getting ready for school
Where I'll be rehearsing the next Whoover play

Cuz I come alive in the spotlight!
When the curtain goes up, things feel right!
So you spend your summer however you please
But it's only the theatre for me

(The CURTAIN opens to reveal the entire WHOOVER DRAMA GROUP,
arriving for their first day of school.
HARPER and JAYDEN interact with each group
as the song progresses, dragging GRUNCH along.)

HARPER
Hey everyone! You guys all ready for this year's show?!

DRAMA GROUP
Yeah! Whoo hoo! etc.

COLLIN (Obsessed with Shakespeare.)
A thespian is ALWAYS ready.

JAMIE (The costume designer.)
I've totally been tracking all the latest costume trends from Paris.

LESLIE (The leading lady.)
I watched every Meryl Streep movie they have on NetFlix.

GRUNCH (Walking off.)
That's my cue... have fun "pretending" guys.

HARPER (Grabbing him and bringing him back.)
Grunch, c'mon!
You gotta join the club this year... it's going to be amazing!

DRAMA GROUP
Picture the audience up on their feet
Yelling and clapping for more
Picture your heart, how it's skipping a beat
You're right where you wanted to be, yeah, you soar

Cuz we come alive in the spotlight
When the curtain goes up, things feel right
If you wanna skip it, well, we won't make a fuss
But it's only the theatre for us

JAYDEN
Me, I love all the joy of discovering
How our characters feel

RACHEL, ALLEN
We build sets, focus lights while uncovering
What makes theatre seem real

COLLIN
Shakespeare's wisdom, to be or not to be
Yeah, that makes me complete

JESLIE & JAVIER
The people sit there staring

JAMIE
While all of us are sharing

ALEX, ISADORA, CHRIS
A song and dance so daring

ALL
Real life just can't compete!

GRUNCH
I will never, EVER have anything to do with your silly, fluffy plays!

(GRUNCH sees MILLS, his younger cousin, who walks on.)

GRUNCH
Mills, let's go.

(GRUNCH & MILLS run off.)

HARPER
Don't worry, they'll come around.
It's SO good to be back together again!

ALL
Up on the stage you can be someone new
Villain, or hero or brat
Change your whole body, your character, too
Nothing I know could feel better than that

Cuz we come alive in the spotlight
When the curtain goes up, things feel right
We study each day so WE'RE fully equipped
To be what we've dreamt we will be

GROUP 1
Magical!

GROUP 2
Beautiful!

GROUP 3
Dangerous!

GROUP 4
Spectacular!

ALL DRAMA GROUP
Perfectly free!
Cuz it's only the theatre, Only the theatre
Yes it's only the theatre for me!