So here's what you missed on GLEE: The Glee kids in New York now consists of NYADA graduates Rachel, Kurt, Harmony, Kitty, and Scott, who was Rachel and Kurt's classmate. Jake went to Julliard, Blaine went to NYU with Betty, Emma's niece in a wheelchair who Artie hooked up with long ago, and Jesse, who's back with Rachel and making it big time on Broadway. Now, it's the Fall of 2019 and everyone has pretty much graduated by now, so what's next?
EXT. NEW YORK CITY - EARLY FALL 2019
It looked like a scene in a dream. It was modern-day urban New York City, but a lone Roderick stood in the crowded street with a white 1700's revolutionary era wig, reminiscent of one Aaron Burr. Suddenly, music started, a dozen dancers in similar garb flooded the streets, and out of a cab appeared a rose-clad Santana, blue-clad Brittany, and gold-clad Sugar, in late 1700's hairdos.
Song: "The Schuyler Sisters" from Hamilton
Roderick: There's nothing rich folks love more
Than going downtown and slummin' it with the poor
They pull up in their carriages and gawk
At the students in the common
Just to watch them talk
Take Philip Schuyler: the man is loaded
Uh-oh, but little does he know that
His daughters, Peggy, Angelica, Eliza
Sneak into the city just to watch all the guys at
[Company:]
Work, work!
[Santana:]
Angelica!
[Company:]
Work, work!
[Brittany:]
Eliza!
[Sugar:]
And Peggy!
[Company:]
Work, work!
The Schuyler sisters!
[Santana:]
Angelica!
[Sugar:]
Peggy!
[Brittany:]
Eliza!
[Company:]
Work!
[Sugar:]
Daddy said to be home by sundown
[Santana:]
Daddy doesn't need to know
[Sugar:]
Daddy said not to go downtown
[Brittany:]
Like I said, you're free to go
[Santana:]
But look around, look around
The revolution's happening in New York
[Brittany/Sugar:]
New York
[Company:]
Angelica
[Schuyler Sisters and company:]
Work!
[Sugar:]
It's bad enough daddy wants to go to war
[Brittany:]
People shouting in the square
[Sugar:]
It's bad enough there'll be violence on our shore
[Santana:]
New ideas in the air
[Santana and Male Ensemble:]
Look around, look around
[Brittany:]
Angelica, remind me what we're looking for…
[All men:]
She's lookin' for me!
[Santana (Company):]
Eliza, I'm lookin' for a mind at work (Work, work!)
I'm lookin' for a mind at work! (Work, work!)
I'm lookin' for a mind at work! (Work, work!)
Whooaaaaa!
[Santana soprano, Brittany mezzo, Sugar alto:]
Whooaaaaa!
Work!
[Roderick:]
Wooh! There's nothin' like summer in the city
Someone in a rush next to someone lookin' pretty
Excuse me, miss, I know it's not funny
But your perfume smells like your daddy's got money
Why you slummin' in the city in your fancy heels
You searching for an urchin who can give you ideals?
[Santana:]
Burr, you disgust me
[Roderick:]
Ah, so you've discussed me
I'm a trust fund, baby, you can trust me!
[Santana:]
I've been reading Common Sense by Thomas Paine
So men say that I'm intense or I'm insane
You want a revolution? I want a revelation
So listen to my declaration:
[Sisters:]
"We hold these truths to be self-evident
That all men are created equal"
[Santana:]
And when I meet Thomas Jefferson
[Company:]
Unh!
[Santana:]
I'mma compel him to include women in the sequel!
[Women:]
Work!
[Brittany:]
Look around, look around at how
Lucky we are to be alive right now!
[Brittany/Sugar:]
Look around, look around at how
Lucky we are to be alive right now!
[Sisters:]
History is happening in Manhattan and we just happen to be
In the greatest city in the world!
[Sisters and Company:]
In the greatest city in the world!
[Santana (Brittany/Sugar) {men}:]
'Cause I've been reading Common Sense by Thomas Paine (Look around, look around) {Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey!}
So men say that I'm intense or I'm insane (The revolution's happening in) {Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey!}
[Santana (Brittany/Sugar) {women}:]
You want a revolution? I want a revelation (New York! In New York!) {Look around, look around the revolution's happening}
So listen to my declaration:
[Santana/Brittany/Sugar (Women Ensemble):]
We hold these truths to be self evident that all men are created equal (Look around, look around)
Whoo! (At how lucky we are to be alive right now)
[Full Company:]
Look around, look around at how lucky we are to be alive right now!
History is happening in Manhattan and we just happen to be
[All women:]
In the greatest city in the world
[All men:]
In the greatest city
[Company:]
In the greatest city in the world!
[Company:]
Work, work!
[Santana:]
Angelica!
[Company:]
Work, work!
[Brittany:]
Eliza!
[Sugar:]
And Peggy!
[Company:]
Work, work!
[Sisters:]
The Schuyler sisters!
[Company:]
Work, work!
[Sisters (Company):]
We're looking for a mind at work! (Work, work!)
Hey! (Work, work!)
Hey! (Work, work!)
[Brittany/Sugar {Santana} (Company):]
Hey! (Work, work!)
{Whoa!} (Work, work!) (Work, work!)
In the greatest city (Work, work!)
{In the greatest} City in the world {City in the world}
[Company:]
In the greatest city in the world!
Sugar jolted awake in her sleeping bag. "Holy moly!" she panted. "Brittany, guess what."
"What?" Brittany groaned, deeply asleep.
"You know how we just saw Hamilton tonight? I had a dream we were the sisters, and we were doing the number in the city, but we were wearing hella ancient clothes," Sugar muttered.
"And we're going to LOOK hella ancient if we don't get some sleep," Santana groaned, tossing a pillow at Sugar's face.
Suddenly, the curtains were torn apart to reveal blinding sunlight.
"Wakey, wakey, bitches," Kitty announced, jolting everyone awake.
"Ugh, remind me to not agree to a sleepover on the HummelAndersonBerryWilde apartment floor ever again," Santana complained. "My neck is so stiff."
"Here, honey, come here and I'll massage it," Brittany said.
"Is it time for breakfast yet?" Sugar asked eagerly.
After about an hour, the table was set, and the three visitors and their hosts - Kitty, Rachel, Kurt, and Blaine, were all gathered around the table eating and drinking.
"Mimosas anyone?" Kurt asked.
"Damn, you know time has flown by when you realize Kitty is now a college graduate and of legal drinking age," Santana chuckled.
"Living the good life," Kitty laughed. "If only I could score a job."
"Yeah, I mean it must be difficult knowing that your housemates all got gigs on Broadway after graduation, and you're still struggling to make it," Santana said.
"She's only a couple months out of school, Santana," Rachel corrected. "Kitty will get there."
As the Hummel-Andersons and Lopez-Pierces caught up with Rachel, Kitty was having her own conversation with Sugar.
"When Rachel graduated, she scored a role in the Frozen ensemble and was also the second understudy for the lead role of Elsa… apparently because during her audition Rachel flashed back to herself singing 'Let It Go' alone down a McKinley hallway when she was restarting the Glee Club. Kurt just kept on being a singing waiter at the Spotlight Diner for a year until he became a swing for The Book of Mormon. When Blaine graduated from NYU he got cast as Albus-freaking-Potter in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, and NOW, Rachel is the standby for Cady Heron, Gretchen Wieners, and the Adult Women in Mean Girls. So now I'm just at the point where I'm anxious to see how long it takes for me to get in the game," Kitty explained.
"Look," Sugar explained as she spread jam onto her toast. "I low key didn't catch most of what you said, until you mentioned Mean Girls because that's one of my fave movies ever, but remember, everyone takes their careers at their own pace, so don't rush it. Things will fall right into place, just like me and my fashion line!"
EXT. STREETS
The seven New Yorkers made their way through the crowded streets, heading over to a dance studio where Jake was teaching a dance class with Jesse St. James.
"I have to tell you guys, Jake has been KILLING it here," Rachel said, clutching her tea as she led the group. "He's trained with the absolute best at Julliard - ballet, jazz, tap, gymnastics. Jesse's been keeping an eye on him as a potential associate choreographer for an upcoming project, but as a new graduate, he's trying to build his credentials first, hence the dance workshops he hosts."
Kitty looked on with jealousy at the prospect of Jake getting a professional gig before she did.
INT. DANCE STUDIO
"Now, the key to landing any of these big flips and turns and tumbles, is to have complete and utter confidence in your abilities," Jake explained, walking through his students with a form-fitting tank top that highlighted his chiseled body perfectly. "The second you doubt that you doubt yourself, you're setting your body up for failure. Your form will fall out, and that alters the physics of your movement. That's how falls happen. Now, we've been working on this number for the past couple weeks. You think you all got what it takes to nail it on the first go?"
"YEAH!" the students all exclaimed. It was a group of about ten teenage and young adult boys who came from disadvantaged urban backgrounds, a lot of them who'd been in legal trouble. They were mostly black and latino, though a couple of white males were in the mix too.
"Alright, let's show our little audience here what we've got!" Jesse exclaimed.
As Jake sang the first verse, he monitored his students stretching, occasionally fixing their form where necessary.
Song: "Seize the Day" from Newsies
[Jake:]
Now is the time to seize the day
Stare down the odds and seize the day
Minute by minute that's how you win it
We will find a way
But let us seize the day
Courage cannot erase our fear
Courage is when we face our fear
Tell those with power safe in their tower
We will not obey!
[Jake baritone & Jesse tenor:]
Behold the brave battalion that stands side by side
Too few in number and too proud to hide
Then say to the others who did not follow through
You're still our brothers, and we will fight for you
[Jesse baritone & Jake tenor:]
Now is the time to seize the day
Stare down the odds and seize the day
[Class:]
Once we've begun
If we stand as one
Someday becomes somehow
And a prayer becomes a vow
[Jesse:]
And the strike starts right damn now!
The students began their routine. It was a genius blend of tap, ballet, and gymnastics.
[Jake:]
Now is the time to seize the day
[Class:]
Now is the time to seize the day
[Jake:]
Answer the call and don't delay
[Class:]
Answer the call and don't delay
[Jake & Class:]
Wrongs will be righted
If we're united
Let us seize the day
[Jesse:]
Now let 'em hear it loud and clear
[Class:]
Now let 'em hear it loud and clear
[Jesse:]
Like it or not we're drawing near
[Class:]
Like it or not we're drawing near
[Jesse & Newsies:]
Proud and defiant
We'll slay the giant
Judgment day is here
Houston to Harlem, look what's begun
One for all and all for one!
Strike! strike! strike! strike! strike! strike!
Oh! Strike!
The friends cheered as each individual student presented a dance solo or duet during the music breakdown. There were backflips, triple pirouettes, tour jetes, switch kicks, barrel turns, cartwheels, handstands, and even a split! Jesse and Jake cheered enthusiastically from the sidelines.
Now is the time to seize the day
They're gonna see there's hell to pay
Nothing can break us
No one can make us quit before we're done
One for all and all for
One for all and all for
One for all and all for one!
Jake ushered his students into a line and bowed with them.
"Alright, guys! Fantastic progress today! I'll see you all on Wednesday night; don't be late!"
INT. SPOTLIGHT DINER
Kitty was working as a waitress while Rachel, Jesse, Jake, Brittany, Santana, and Sugar occupied two little adjoining tables.
"I can tell you, one-hundred percent, I do not miss working here," Santana laughed as she dug into her garden salad.
"Here are the two fruit punch refills for Jake and Jesse," Kitty said, setting the two cups down. "And one hot tea with a little bit of lemon and honey for Rachel."
"Thanks, Kitty," Rachel said, turning back to the group. "So, Santana and Brittany, how's life after graduating from Columbia?"
"Well seeing as Yeast-i-Stat was a total waste of my god-given talents, getting my Sociology degree from Columbia was the best decision ever. I kind of owe it all to Emma who reminded me that the only life worth living was one that I'm really passionate about, and honestly, I don't think I'm passionate about much more than being a ruthless bitch who destroys people, so I thought, why not put those skills to use? So, I'm I just finished training at the police academy and I'm gonna be stationed up in Albany. Sugar's here to help us with the move."
"Why am I not surprised that this is the perfect career pathway for Santana?" Rachel laughed.
"Yeah, Officer Snix is on the prowl," Brittany joked.
"How about you, Brittany?" Jake asked.
"Actually, we have some news…" Brittany said. "Well I finished by Biology degree at Columbia and I got a job as a vet tech up in Albany, and I've started a web series called Gray's Physiology, which is basically like Grey's Anatomy, but with cats. Anyway, Ellen deGeneres thought it was a hit, and she's flying me out to LA next week for an appearance on her show."
"Brittany, that is AMAZING!" Kitty exclaimed, swinging by the table with two platters of french fries and a bottle of ketchup. "I gotta admit, those episodes are addicting to watch when you're just scrolling through YouTube on your phone at night."
"Sounds like you're both off to an amazing start," Jesse said. "Anyway, Rachel, I've gotta run, I got a meeting with some investors for the new project coming up."
"What project?" Sugar asked, as Jesse kissed Rachel on the cheek and headed out the door.
"It's a musical about Jane Austen," Rachel said. "There's been attempts at converting Jane's written works into musicals, but were never quite successful, so some genius writers thought, why not have a musical about Ms. Austen herself?"
The table went silent.
"Yeah, you lost me," Santana muttered. "Can we just talk about that last webisode of Gray's Physiology?"
"I'm just waiting for the season finale where Lady Tubbington gives birth to her litter of cats," Sugar said. "Is it true you're giving the kittens away to the Lexington Home for Retired Performers?
"Indeed," Brittany said. "Kurt introduced me to that kind woman, Maggie, and I adored her so much, I knew she and her friends could use them to put on their next production of CATS."
INT. APARTMENT - NIGHT TIME
Kitty, Santana, Brittany, and Sugar were snuggled up in blankets watching Mean Girls on TV. The movie had just ended.
"I'm bored, let's watching something else," Kitty said.
"What else can we watch?" Sugar asked. "What else was in the 'thank u, next' video?"
"Oh, Legally Blonde!" Brittany suggested. "Paulette looks just like my mom."
Kitty scrolled through her Netflix on the SmartTV and put the movie on. "Maybe I'll get inspiration as to how I can possibly market myself to this crazy Broadway industry. I'm not asking to be some Elle Woods on Broadway. I just wanna dance and maybe choreograph."
"Why don't you like, choreograph and create a dance video to one of the songs from the show?" Santana asked.
"Like what?" Kitty asked.
"The bend and snap?" Brittany and Sugar suggested together.
A light bulb suddenly flashed in Kitty's mind. "You're geniuses!"
Brittany smiled as she munched on popcorn. "I know," she said through a stuffed mouth.
INT. NYADA DANCE STUDIO
Kitty led Rachel, Kurt, Blaine, Jesse, Jake, Sugar, Brittany, Santana, Harmony, Scott, Betty, and Roderick into the studio.
"How do you still have access to this place?" Rachel asked.
"When you've been Cassandra July's star TA for three consecutive years, you get alumni perks," Kitty said, putting her key into her purse. "Anyway, I hope you're all ready to get your butts whipped into shape, especially you Roderick, because we are going to make a full-fledged dance cover to what is inarguably Legally Blonde's most iconic hit."
"Can we sing too?" Harmony asked eagerly.
Kitty rolled her eyes. "Sure, I guess we'll record to an instrumental track instead."
"Hey, I really appreciate the invite to participate, but why are we doing this again?" Scott asked.
"Yeah, some of us have shows we have to report to by like 6:30," Betty said.
"Okay, Miss Janis Sarkisian," Kitty said. "We should be done by then. If you all rehearse top-notch and do everything that I say. Are Artie's old Brooklyn Film Academy people here to film?"
"Yes," a shy timid Julie said from the corner of the room. "Ready to roll when you are."
After about three hours of intense blocking and choreography, they were ready to film.
Song: "Bend and Snap" from Legally Blonde
Kitty: Look at my ass
Look at my thighs
I'm catnip to the guys
They chase my tail
They drool and pant
Wanna touch this but they can't
No! All the boys want to come and play
Snap my fingers and they obey
Why do they follow me around all day
Watch me while I walk away
Kitty (Kitty, Sugar, Betty): (I bend and snap)
Feel how hot it's getting
(Bend and snap)
Then when you got em sweatin'
(Spring the trap
They cheer and clap)
No tight end can defend against the (bend and snap)
Brittany: Oh that's easy for you to say!
Sugar: And you!
Girl if you want to make the team, then fake some self esteem
Betty: The more you jump around and scream
The sexier you seem
Brittany: Sorry girls that ain't how I play
This wouldn't work if I tried all day
I gotta go get my asthma spray
Watch me while I walk away
Sugar: No wait before you walk away
Just (bend and snap)
Brittany: OW!
Sugar: Look how good you're gettin'!
(Bend and snap!)
Betty: I bet right now you sweatin'
All: Spring the trap
They cheer and clap
So depend on your friend
For the bend...
Rachel: It's not the time to overthink
Just try it once
He'll buy you a drink
Harmony: Excuse me would you teach me that
I am tired of living alone with my cat
Rachel: Sure!
Santana:Nowadays I do dye jobs and curls
But here's how we did it in the Laker Girls
Kurt: Works every time!
Kitty: Look, do it and we'll go away
Brittany: Okay! Okay! Okay! Okay!
All: BEEEEEEEENNNNND ANNNND SNAP!
Jesse, Blaine, Jake, Scott: DAMN!
Brittany: Hey wait a second
When I beckoned
Look how the guys came runnin'
Like I'm
Guys: Kickin!
Brittany: Finger
Guys: Lickin'!
Brittany: Like I'm frickin'
Guys: Wicked stunnin'!
Brittany: Will you pay for stuff I buy?
Guys: YES!
Brittany: And bake me cake and pie?
Guys: YES!
Brittany: And hold me when I cry?
Guys: YES!
Brittany: And I will tell you why!
All: Why?
Brittany (Brittany w/ Guys): I'm too rockin' to (lock away)
All the boys come to (gawk away)
Droppin' jaws from a (block away)
Watchin' how I walk away
Guys:
Love to watch her walk away!
Brittany w/ Girls:
I bend and snap!
Now look how hot it's gettin'
Bend and snap!
I bet right now you're sweatin'
All: Spring the trap
They cheer and clap
Brittany: I depend on my friend
All: Go Paulette! Go Paulette!
Brittany: I depend on my friend
All: Go! Go! Go Paulette!
Brittany: I depend on my friend called the Bend and Snap!
All w/ Brittany riffs: The bend and snap
Bend and snap
Bend and snap
Bend and snap
Bend and snap
Bend and snap
Brittany: I'M GONNA GET ME SOME KYLE!
Roderick: Paulette!
Did I leave my...stylus?
All: BEEEEEEEEEEEEENNNNND AND SNAP!
Brittany: Eeeeeh! Oh crap!
INT. APARTMENT
Kitty, Rachel, Kurt, Blaine, Santana, Brittany, and Sugar were seated in the living room watching the rough cut on Kitty's computer.
"It looks great!" Kurt remarked. "Your choreography and staging was brilliant."
"So what are your hopes to do with this video?" Blaine asked.
"You know… Just, have it on Youtube, use it for networking," Kitty said hesitantly. "If any of the big leagues see it, hopefully this lets them know who I am and what I can do."
Kitty stopped silently. All eyes turned to her. She bit her lip nervously and shut her computer. "What if it's not good enough?"
"You can't think like that," Brittany said. "Remember what Jake said in his dance workshop? The moment you doubt yourself, that's when your form comes apart, and you fall flat on your face."
"It just feels like I'm already flat on my face," Kitty said. "I don't want to be a singing and dancing waitress forever."
"You won't be," Santana assured. "Honestly, what I've learned through adulting, is that time may seem like it's passing by slowly, but when you look back on your year, you tend to realize you accomplished a lot more than you thought you did. It's a lot different because, when we're in school, we're used to setting some sort of weekly goal to accomplish by the end of the week. As adults, we don't have teachers mandating our pace… We set our own."
"Santana's right," Sugar said. "So what we're going to do right now is open that computer back up, you're going to upload that video, and we're all going to Facebook it, Snapchat it, Instagram it, because the world needs to see what Kitty Wilde can do."
Kitty smiled. "You're right." She opened her laptop back up. Everyone watched as the little blue upload progress bar reached 100%. "It's done. Now what?"
"And now, you wait for the stars to align," Rachel concluded.
INT. CALLBACKS
Rachel, Jesse, Kitty, and Jake entered the bar and got their starter drinks. Kurt and Blaine bartended at Callbacks one night a week for extra income. It allowed them to network with up and coming young talent.
"Welcome to happy hour, everyone!" Blaine exclaimed. "Just a heads up, we are taking donations at the front door for Equity Cares and Broadway Fights AIDS. Every contribution helps!"
"We'd like to call up our first performers of the night," Kurt called. "The newest addition to Mean Girls on Broadway, playing the feisty Janis Sarkisian, we have Betty Pillsbury, and currently serving as the standby Zoe and Alana in Dear Evan Hansen, please welcome Harmony Cook!"
"Hi everyone!" Harmony exclaimed excitedly. "We will be singing our favorite duet from Wicked."
"With me, of course, as Glinda, and Harmony as Elphaba," Betty clarified.
Song: "What is this Feeling" from Wicked
Betty: Dearest, darlingest, Momsie and Popsicle
Harmony: My dear Father
Both: There's been some confusion
Over rooming here at Shiz
Harmony: But, of course, I'll care for Nessa
Betty: But, of course, I'll rise above it
Both: For I know that's how you'd want me to respond
Yes, there's been some confusion
For you see, my roommate is
Betty: Unusually and exceedingly peculiar
And altogether quite impossible to describe
Harmony: Blonde
Betty: What is this feeling
So sudden and new?
Harmony: I felt the moment
I laid eyes on you
Betty: My pulse is rushing
Harmony: My head is reeling
Betty: My face is flushing
Both: What is this feeling?
Fervid as a flame
Does it have a name?
Yes
Loathing
Unadulterated loathing
Betty: For your face
Harmony: Your voice
Betty: Your clothing
Both: Let's just say - I loathe it all
Every little trait however small
Makes my very flesh begin to crawl
With simple utter loathing
There's a strange exhilaration
In such total detestation
It's so pure, so strong
Though I do admit it came on fast
Still I do believe that it can last
And I will be loathing, loathing you
My whole life long
Bar Patrons: Dear Galinda, you are just too good
How do you stand it? I don't think I could
She's a terror! She's a tartar
We don't mean to show a bias
But Galinda you're a martyr
Betty: Well, these things are sent to try us
Bar Patrons:
Poor Galinda forced to reside
With someone so disgusting-I-fied
We just want to tell you
We're all on your side
We share your
Bar Patrons (Betty & Harmony):
Loathing (What is this feeling, so sudden and new?)
Unadulterated loathing (I felt the moment)
For her face, her voice, her clothing (I laid eyes on you)
Let's just say (My pulse is rushing, my head is reeling)
We loathe it all (Oh, what is this feeling?)
Every little trait (Does it have a name?)
However small
Makes our very flesh (Yes)
Begin to crawl
[All:]
Ahhhhhh
Loathing
[Betty and Harmony (Students):]
There's a strange exhilaration (loathing)
In such total detestation (loathing)
It's so pure so strong! (so strong)
Though I do admit it came on fast
Still I do believe that it can last
And I will be loathing (loathing...)
For forever loathing (loathing...)
Truly deeply
Loathing you (loathing you!...)
My whole life long
[Students:]
Loathing
Unadulterated loathing
[Harmony:]
Boo
[Betty:]
Ah!
The crowd went crazy with applause. Blaine and Kurt took to the stage again.
"WOWZA!" Blaine exclaimed.
"Killer harmonies and impeccable audience participation," Kurt remarked. "You know, this is why I love being a part of the Broadway college community: everyone knows not only the words, but every choral vocal part!"
"Kurt and I are going to take it away for our next number," Blaine exclaimed, as he sat himself at the piano while Kurt took the center stage microphone.
Song: "Beautiful City" from Godspell
Blaine: Out of the ruins and rubble,
Out of the smoke,
Out of our night of struggle
Can we see a ray of hope,
One pale thin ray reaching for the day?
We can build a beautiful city,
Yes, we can (Yes, we can).
We can build a beautiful city,
Not a city of angels,
But we can build a city of man.
Kurt: We may not reach the ending,
But we can start.
Slowly but surely mending,
Brick by brick,
Heart by heart,
Now, maybe now,
We start learning how.
Blaine tenor, Kurt countertenor: We can build a beautiful city,
Yes we can (Yes, we can).
We can build a beautiful city,
Not a city of angels,
But we can build a city of man.
Blaine:When your trust is all but shattered,
Kurt:When your faith is all but killed,
Blaine: You can give up bitter and battered,
Kurt: Or you can slowly start to build!
Blaine & Kurt: A Beautiful City,
Yes, we can (Yes, we can),
We can build a beautiful city,
Not a city of angels,
Blaine: But finally
Kurt: Finally...
Both: a city of man!
"Ugh, so adorable," Rachel fawned, applauding with the rest as Kurt and Blaine bowed and returned to their podium.
"Back to that Betty girl, Broadway-dot-com is raving about her portrayal as Janis Sarkisian," Jesse remarked.
"I mean, she's no Barrett Wilbert Weed, but girl's got pipes and the perfect level of bitchiness to be the anti-bitch of the school," Kitty said.
"Hey folks," Scott said, walking into the bar along with Roderick.
"Welcome, have a seat!" Rachel exclaimed, moving over for the two guys. "So nice to have the whole gang out here tonight!"
"So what's the story with this Harmony girl?" Roderick asked. "Sorry, not too familiar with the Broadway scene."
"Well, the funny twist is Harmony and Jake dated in high school when Jake got transferred to Defiance High," Kitty teased.
"Hey, can I just be happy that they had a pretty decent dance program there?" Jake laughed. "I don't know, I guess Harmony reminded me a lot of Marley… BUT Harmony was definitely a big piece of diva to handle, which isn't necessarily a bad thing."
"She's brilliant on the stage though," Scott said. "She stepped in for the role of Zoe the last time I went to see Dear Evan Hansen and she just makes you root for the underdog. Alana is probably the most insignificant character in that cast, but Harmony just makes you feel SO sorry for her, and makes you realize that she is just as victimized as Evan and Connor."
"I mean, it's just good that shows like that are being written to represent the underdog," Rachel said. "I mean, come on, one day someone's gotta produce a TV show about a Glee Club."
"Could you imagine how many lives that could touch?" Kurt laughed, delivering another round of drinks to the bar. "Scott, Roderick, are you two keeping tabs open?"
"Nah, Kurt, just this drink," Scott said, slipping Kurt a ten-dollar bill. "And keep the change."
"My Alexander," Kurt joked to the tune of 'Non-Stop' from Hamilton, referencing Alexander Hamilton's face on the bill
"So, Rachel, what are you going to sing?" Kitty asked. "Something from Mean Girls?"
"Honey, you should do that song from Anastasia you've been hooked on!" Jesse suggested.
Rachel giggled. "Sure."
"How is the Mean Girls life, Rachel?" Roderick asked. "You enjoying it?"
"Well, it's interesting being a standby. I'm not on stage often, but when I am, I treasure the spotlight of the role I'm in. Cady really throws me back to my freshman year of NYADA where I felt like I would never fit in no matter how hard I tried. Gretchen throws me back to high school, where being surrounded by pretty popular girls like Quinn and Santana always made me feel like I wasn't enough… And being on as Ms. Norbury throws me back to being a glee club coach, oddly enough. Mrs. George is a riot to play as well, and Mrs. Heron is a nice portrayal to attempt even though I never really had a maternal figure in my life," Rachel explained. "Okay, enough of me, I'm going to go up and sing!"
Song: "Journey to the Past" from Anastasia
Heart, don't fail me now.
Courage, don't desert me.
Don't turn back now that we're here.
People always say
Life is full of choices.
No one ever mentions fear
Or how the world can seem so vast
On a journey to the past.
Somewhere down this road
I know someone's waiting.
Years of dreams just can't be wrong.
Arms will open wide.
I'll be safe and wanted,
Finally home where I belong.
Well starting now I'm learning fast
On this journey to the past.
Home, love, family.
There was once a time
I must have had them too.
Home, love, family.
I will never be complete
Until I find you.
One step at a time.
One hope then another.
Who knows where this road may go.
Back to who I was.
On to find my future.
Things my heart still needs to know.
Yes, let this be a sign!
Let this road be mine.
Let it lead me to my past,
And bring me home
At last!
"THAT'S MY WIFE!" Jesse exclaimed proudly, joining the room's standing ovation for Rachel.
"Amazing job, Rachel," Blaine commentated as Rachel exited the stage. "Let this serve as a reminder to all the haters in the room that Rachel may have dropped out of Funny Girl five years ago, but she is a star and is going places!"
"Oh, we've got a new name on our lineup of performers for tonight," Kurt said. "This girl is brand-spanking-new to the Broadway scene, about to start rehearsals to be in the ensemble of Aladdin, we have Ameera!"
A Turkish girl ascended the stage and nervously planted herself near the microphone. "Hi everyone, my name is Ameera Sadik, and before anyone of you accuses me of being a terrorist or something, please note that I'm originally from Arizona, went to college in New Mexico, and moved here to start my Broadway career," Ameera explained. "This song goes out to all the narrow-minded haters out there."
Song: "I'd Rather Be Me" from Mean Girls
As the music started playing, Betty rolled her eyes.
"She is NOT singing my song," Betty muttered.
"Betty, you neither wrote the song nor originated the role you're in, so can it," Harmony shushed.
So your best friend screwed you over
Acted nice when she's not nice
Well, I have some advice
'Cause it's happened to me... twice
Here's my secret strategy
It always works because
The world doesn't end
It just feels like it does
So raise your right finger
And solemnly swear:
"Whatever they say about me
I don't care!"
I won't twist in knots to join your game
I will say, "you make me mad"
And if you treat me bad
I'll say, "you're bad"
And if I eat alone from this moment on
That's just what I'll do
'Cause I'd rather be me
I'd rather be me
I'd rather be me than be with you
We're supposed to all be ladies
And be nurturing and care
Is that really fair?
Boys get to fight, we have to share
Here's the way that turns out
We always understand
How to slap someone down
With our underhand
So here's my right finger
To how girls should behave
'Cause sometimes what's meant to break you
Makes you brave
So I will not act all innocent
I won't fake apologize
Let's just fight and then make up
Not tell these lies
Let's call our damage even
Clean the slate till it's like new
It's a new life for me
Where I'd rather be me
I'd rather be me than be with you
I'll say, "NO!"
[FEMALE PATRONS:]
NO!
[AMEERA:]
I'll say, "knock it off, with your notes
And your rules and your games"
And those sycophants who follow you
I'll remember all their names
And when they drag you down
Like they inevitably do
I will not laugh along with them
And approve their palace coup
'Cause that's not me
Rachel, Betty, and Harmony quickly ascended the stage and joined Ameera on the backup vocalist mics behind her.
[Rachel, Betty, Harmony:]
Janis! Janis! Janis! Janis!
[AMEERA:]
I don't need their good opinions
I have plenty of opinions
Everybody has opinions but it doesn't make them true
What's true is being me
[AMEERA, GIRLS:]
And I'd rather be me
I'd rather be me than be with you
[AMEERA:]
So raise them high
'Cause playing nice and shy
Is insulting my IQ
[GIRLS:]
Yeah, yeah, yeah
[AMEERA (GIRLS):]
I'd rather be me
(I'd rather be me)
I'd rather be me
(I'd rather be me)
I'd rather be me than be with you
(I'd rather be me)
I'd rather be me
(I'd rather be me)
I'd rather be me
(I'd rather be me)
I'd rather be me than be with you
The room was filled with thunderous applause, even louder than the applause for Rachel and the Wicked singers. They had all just witnessed a brand new talent come through the door.
"I am totally and utterly slayed right now," Kurt stammered as he took back the microphone. "Ameera, we only just met you, but WELCOME to our Callbacks family. Please come sing here any time you want!"
"For freaking real," Betty complimented. "Girl, you are a rockstar! What's a voice like that doing stuck in the ensemble of Aladdin?"
"I mean, Aladdin would hopefully be my big break," Ameera said, walking down towards the bar. "Can I sit here?" she asked, motioning to the empty seat across Harmony and Betty.
Rachel joined them as well, excitedly saying, "But boy oh BOY are we excited to get to know you! Tell us everything! How'd you get the role?"
For the remainder of the evening, the girls got to know Ameera very well. Phone numbers were exchanged and so too were invites to each other's apartments. Before long, tabs were closed and patrons cleared out.
"Alright, ladies, pack it up," Kurt said, wiping down the last table and delivering checks to the customers.
"Thank you, Kurt!" Rachel said, pocketing her card and standing up. She turned around to hug Ameera, Harmony, and Betty goodbye before she left the bar with Kitty. Ameera herself pocketed her card and stood up to leave, immensely grateful for the unexpected evening of networking and fun.