BOBOS
A Musical by Ed Shockley and James McBride
ABOUT THE PLAY
Bobos is described as "the future of musical theatre" by legendary composer arranger Quincy Jones. The sung-through urban opera, with music by Grammy Award winning composer and best selling novelist James McBride (Color of Water), runs a full two hours and deals with the tough choices facing youth in the streets of Philadelphia. The premiere production set a box office record at American Music Theatre Festival, then went on to win several major awards including the Richard Rodgers Award (the American Academy of Arts and Letters), and the Stephen Sondheim Award for Outstanding Contributions to American Musical Theatre.
The strong language makes it suitable for high school and mature middle school audiences or professional children's theatre performing for young audiences. The cast is mixed gender, with most characters ages 13-20. Typically adults are played in dream caricatures during their rare appearances.
Poster from the American Music Theatre Festival's record-setting premiere.
SYNOPSIS
It's Alfred's 13th birthday. Surprise! A nightmare array of adults appears out of the darkness to torture the young man in the unique way that only family can. Finally it's time for presents. Alfred tears into the sneaker box and it's. . .BOBOS. (Cheap, bargain basement knockoffs.) No one understands his dilemma, and so it's out into the streets where he is promptly tortured by the entire neighborhood led by the Autobots, a local gang. GERALD, a homeless man, tries to help and things turn ugly.
A huge fight breaks out between the street gang and the local drug dealer, Skooley-C. Police break things up, then Alfred and a distant cousin, DORIS, both lament their lives in the signature ballad, "Not Once In Thirteen Years": "I hope, I dream, and yet I never seem to find the shining ring of gold. . ."
PHYLLIS, the Jamaican Chicken Lady, hires Alfred to deliver food from her cart. He works tirelessly for tips and at the end of it all has less than five dollars. Enter SKOOLEY-C. He weaves a hypnotic tale of riches in cool school jazz about the wonders of "Livin' Large." All Alfred has to do is "hold money." Nothing wrong with that. And to seal the deal Alfred is given a brand new pair of killer shoes.
Everyone notices him. Girls fight for his attention. Even the Autobots are impressed until suddenly he is robbed. The sky has fallen, only it gets worse. BRICK, leader of the Autobots, and rival for the affections of DORIS, reveals that Alfred has been set up. Skooley has engineered the robbery to lock him into the drug world.
Alfred confronts the drug dealer in front of the entire entourage. He goads him into a "fair fight" and appears to hold his own, then suddenly everything crashes. He is beaten brutally, and we realize that this isn't a fairytale. "Now, Slick, you my slave! Sell crack and don't get Jack!" Alfred is left crushed and hopeless. He sings a soul wrenching lament to God, then decides that there is no hope and embraces the ugly world that has trapped him. "God, since you've let the cheaters rule the game. Even to a fool like me it's plain what I must do."
Skooley-C (Robert Christophe) confronts Alfred (Andrew Wright) in the AMTF production.
Alfred tries to talk to his family but can't bring himself to confess his problems. Luckily, Doris is there to inspire him to extricate himself from this mess. Alfred negotiates with Skooley and is told that he can clean his slate by engineering a robbery of Phyllis, the chicken lady. An elaborate argument is staged near her cart. She leaves to intercede and Alfred moves in to steal the cash box. Gerald sees the events and convinces Alfred that this isn't the path. "Oh, how I wish I could show you a way growing up could be easy. . ."
The long awaited "SUMMER CELEBRATION" street party arrives. Alfred finally asks Doris to dance and Gerald, the bum, arrives in a clean new suit! Everyone is happy until Skooley and his crew crash the party demanding restitution from Alfred. Phyllis and Doris try to intervene, but no one can stand up to the gangsters until Gerald reveals that he is an undercover cop collecting evidence on Skooley's activities.
It looks like a fable ending until Skooley's henchman take Doris hostage. "This ain't like the flicks. Who you think you can save?"
Alfred finally finds the inner strength to confront this evil. "If somebody has to die, then it might as well be me."
Before the day turns bloody, the entire neighborhood is inspired by Alfred's courage to stand together. Even the Autobots and members of Skooley's entourage join the crowd singing for peace. There is no choice but retreat, and the neighborhood is safe to enjoy the summer celebration. . .for now.
Review of the AMTF production.
TO ORDER
To request free perusal materials and a production contract for Bobos, go to our online order page by CLICKING HERE.
Amateur rights for Bobos are $80.00 for the first performance and $60.00 for subsequent performances. These prices include the right to print as many copies of the script as your production needs. Professional rights should be negotiated directly with the playwright, who can be reached by email at: edshockley@edshockley.com.
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