Goin’ To The Chapel

The bee-boppin’ sound of the latest 1959 mega hit busts out of the Jukebox as bowling pins crash in the distance. Like a Technicolor page out of “Happy Days,” the lights come up on Arnie’s Bowling Alley-Malt Shop. The stage bursts with the new scandalous sounds of rock and roll as the “in crowd” of Shawnee Mission High tosses off their saddle shoes and teenage angst while twisting to the vibrant beat of (“Rock Around the Clock/Who Put the Bomp/Rock and Roll Is Here to Stay”).

At the end of the number, SM High’s newly appointed Prom King (and Ricky Nelson look-a-like) Johnny, pulls out his guitar and serenades his Queen, Suzy (“Never Be Anyone Else But You”). Suzy, now misty-eyed, looks adoringly at Johnny. Losing his confidence, he looks back to the gang who enthusiastically cheer him on. Slowly, he pulls out a class ring attached to a long string. With great care, he places it around Suzy’s neck. The gang gasps as he carefully removes his pin from his Letter Jacket. Breathless, Suzy clutches her pearl necklace as Johnny lovingly attaches the pin to her pink angora sweater.

“Bad girl” Judy, who’s been watching from a distance seething in jealousy, runs in to break up the moment. She quickly crosses to Kenny, the class goof-ball and science wiz, warning him that the big bowling tournament is about to start without him. Good hearted and easily manipulated, Kenny runs behind the jukebox and pulls out a large yellow bowling bag. After executing an elaborate and methodical “bowling ball ritual,” the boys run off stage for the big tournament. Judy makes sure they are gone before crossing to Suzy. As Suzy admires her ring, Judy points out that Johnny obviously loves bowling more than her. Undaunted, Suzy sings of her unwavering devotion (“Johnny Angel”).

Suddenly, a loud revving is heard at the back of the house and Eddie zooms onstage on a black motorcycle. Wearing a leather jacket with “King of the Pharos” printed in red cursive on the back, he circles the girls. They watch in awe as he swings his leather jacket over his head wildly, gyrating like Jerry Lee Lewis (“Wild One”). The girls follow this dangerous new boy with their imploring eyes (“He’s a Rebel”). Boy crazy Judy, slinks over to the greaser to go in for “the Kill.” But, Eddie looks right through her as he spots an Annette Funicello look-a-like standing by the Jukebox. He slowly crosses to Suzy and grabs her waist roughly, pulling her to him for a dance. Enthralled and unafraid, Suzy complies and is quickly mesmerized by Eddie’s dangerous moves (“Something Else”).

In a jealous rage, Judy watches them silently. Suddenly, Judy sees Johnny enter and jumps on the opportunity to point out that his beloved Suzy is now twisting in the arms of another man. Robin, the fun loving peacemaker of the group, steps between Judy and Johnny. But, it’s too late. Eddie jumps on the back of his bike and giving Suzy a Fonzie-like “snap,” Suzy obediently removes Johnny’s ring and hands it back to him.

Heartbroken, Johnny crosses to the Jukebox, looking down at his class ring in despair. Judy watches with concern as Suzy zooms off with the dangerous young greaser. Taking pity on him, Judy crosses to Johnny and uncharacteristically demands that he rescue her best friend. Finding a new courage, Johnny clenches his class ring in his fist and runs after her, leaving Judy alone onstage to contemplate her wavering character and dim future as the (“Bad Girl”).

The lights come up on the Starry Starry Night Drive In. Top down and summer breeze in the air, Eddie and Suzy hold hands in her dad’s prized pink Cadillac. Unbeknownst to them, Kenny, Robin and Judy silently roll up beside the young lovers. The gang watches in horror as Eddie slowly moves in closer, eager to teach the innocent prom queen a few things about the wilder side of life and love (“Teddy Bear”). Suzy quickly becomes an A+ student as she masterfully takes over the lesson (“I’m Learning About Love”).

The next day at the Bowling Alley-Malt Shop, the gang describes in graphic detail what they witnessed at the drive in. Out of his mind with grief, Johnny crosses away to sing out his angst and warn the audience of the dangers of falling in love with (“Runaround Sue”). Kenny tries to comfort his grieving friend by giving him some brotherly advice about girls. Poking fun at Kenny’s vast inexperience with women, Judy laughs mockingly at Kenny and suggests he just stick to his chemistry set.

Kenny is deeply hurt as the rest of the gang joins in ribbing him about his frequent failures in the “girl department.” They leave Kenny alone to take desperate measures. He reaches into his pocket and mixes two vials together.The concoction smokes dangerously as he holds his nose, forcing himself to quickly gulp down (“Love Potion #9”). Suddenly, Kenny clutches his throat and begins a Pee Wee Herman-like dance to (“Tequila”). He spins around quickly and instantly transforms into a smaller version of Eddie, complete with slicked back hair and leather jacket. He slowly raises his hand and “snaps.” Immediately, Judy runs on stage swooning by his side. In awe, he looks at his other hand and gives it another “snap.” Robin squeals as she jumps on stage, running to his other side. Now an expert, he gyrates wildly like Elvis as his new harem obediently dances closely by him (“All Shook Up”). The girls fight each other off, desperately trying to get closer to their new heartthrob to gain his favor.

Hearing their screams, Johnny runs on to rescue them. Thinking the gyrating heartthrob is Eddie, Johnny violently pulls him off the girls. He spins the greaser around for a punch and jumps back, shocked to see that the gyrating heartthrob is his best friend Kenny. Nonchalantly, Kenny shrugs off his friend. Kenny turns back to his new harem and looks them over. Before choosing, Kenny turns to Johnny for another round of “birdie advice.” Kenny calmly states, “just kill ’em with kindness, man” as he “snaps” at Judy. She squeals in delight and runs by his side.

As they race off-stage, Robin wipes her eyes and walks over to the jukebox in sad defeat. Johnny notices her tears and gives her a consolatory peck on the cheek before leaving. Robin slowly crosses to the soda fountain, left alone with only a chocolate malt to comfort her (“Teenager In Love”).

Johnny stays up all night, contemplating Kenny’s advice to “kill ’em with kindness.” The next day, he bravely enters the Bowling Ally-Malt Shop to win back Suzy (“Personality”). Charmed by Johnny’s newly found confidence, Suzy gives in to his flattery. Suddenly, Eddie zooms on. As he watches Johnny raise his hand to place his class ring on Suzy, he jumps in, roughly pulling her away (“Great Balls of Fire”). Not to be detoured, Johnny grabs his girl quickly away from the greaser. Eddie angrily pulls out a switchblade and flicks it open, menacingly. Everyone screams as the blade appears. Eddie chuckles deviously as he combs “the blade” slowly through his hair. Johnny steps in for a punch as Kenny steps between them. Kenny urges the boys to settle the fight like men, at midnight on Old Town Road.

Fully aware that no one can beat him in a drag race, Eddie quickly accepts the challenge. Johnny, afraid, but always a gentleman, reaches out his hand to seal the deal. Eddie looks down at Johnny’s outstretched hand and scoffs in disdain. He “snaps” his fingers and his bike obediently rolls on stage. Eddie jumps on it and zooms off stage, laughing and taunting Johnny as he goes. Now in a rage, Johnny clenches his fist. Kenny puts a brotherly arm around him as the lights fade to black.

Midnight on Old Town Road. Cars revving their engines are heard as a spotlight comes up center stage on Suzy. Looking like Natalie Wood in Rebel Without a Cause, Suzy slowly removes a white scarf from around her neck and raises it dramatically over her head. Johnny and Kenny enter on opposite sides of the stage in tiny jalopies. Suzy jumps high in the air and bringing her kerchief down, the drums of “(“Wipeout”) beat loudly, starting the drag race. The tiny cars swerve across the stage as the gang looks on in horror. Violently, tires squeal and the girls scream as the boys suddenly lose control of their cars. They all watch in terror as a loud crash is heard. The gang screams, “Wipeout!” as the lights fade to black.

Act 2

The lights come up on Suzy and Eddie swaying in each other’s arms by the jukebox. Johnny holds an ice pack to his head as he watches the winner of the drag race slow-dancing with his trophy (“Love Is Strange”). Unable to control his emotions, Johnny runs off in despair. Robin runs to Suzy and implores her friend to follow him before he does something desperate. Worried for Johnny’s safety, Suzy runs after him.

Hurt by Suzy’s obvious devotion to Johnny, Eddie crosses back to the jukebox, wiping his eyes. He sees Judy watching him and quickly changes his demeanor back to “cool cat.” Judy seizes the opportunity to go in for the kill (“Fever”). Eddie tries to fight her off, but is no match for her womanly charms. He reluctantly, but happily gives in to her affection. Suzy enters, shocked to see him in the arms of Judy. Suzy angrily pulls Judy off of her man. The girls are about ready to “cat-fight” when Robin steps between them. Judy agrees to let Eddie go on one condition, Suzy must prove that she’s not just playing a game and her love for Eddie is “the real deal.” Suzy crosses her heart, vowing that she knows Eddie is her true love because (“It’s In His Kiss”).

The next day, the lights come up on Kenny, sitting in the Bowling Alley-Malt Shop, gingerly sipping on his love potion while admiring his reflection in a soda spoon. Johnny enters, eyes red and hair disheveled. Johnny clutches his head in pain as he gives in to his terrible fate (“Take Good Care of My Baby”). Kenny takes pity on him and offers him some headache medicine, but accidentally switches it with love portion # 9. On the last note, Johnny gulps down the “medicine.” Kenny watches in horror as Johnny suddenly transforms into the (“Duke of Earl”).

At the end of the song, Johnny snaps his fingers and casually chooses Robin as his new girl. Judy storms off-stage leaving Johnny and Robin to “twist” together (“Rockin’ Robin”). Suzy and Eddie enter just in time to see Robin happily making the moves on Johnny (“Lipstick On Your Collar”). Unable to contain her jealousy, Suzy pulls her best friend’s hair. The gauntlet thrown, the girls exit angrily ready for a fight. Suddenly, cat screaming is heard off-stage as the boys look on in horror. Eddie, now fully convinced that Suzy still has feelings for Johnny, covers his eyes and runs off-stage. Kenny looks down at the cause of all of the trouble and pours love- potion # 9 out of the bottle (“Ring of Fire”). Kenny and Johnny vow to give up the wild side and
are fully transformed back into their ordinary selves. They promise each other to remain bachelors for the rest of their lives as the rest of the gang slumps back onstage, alone in their torment (“Bye Bye Love”).

At the end of the song and not ready to give in, Johnny and Eddie try one last time to win over Suzy. Torn between the two boys and unable to make a decision, Suzy confesses that her only choice is to run away and become a nun. The gang makes fun of this ridiculous decision (“Dominique”). Deeply wounded that her love is now the cruel butt of their jokes, Suzy states that she hates both boys and cries out that she never wants to see either one of them again.

The boys are left alone to contemplate the result of their teasing (“Breaking Up Is Hard to Do”). They cry, unconsolably as Robin comforts them with Kleenex and sisterly love. Meanwhile, Suzy re-enters upstage and observes them. Unwilling to give up on love, Johnny describes in beautiful heart-felt detail how he still deeply loves Suzy. Eddie confesses that he just loves her Annette-like “assets.”

Seeing a way to finally win a man, Robin looks down at the box of Kleenex and runs past Suzy, pulling tissues out of the box as she exits. Suzy, heart melted by Johnny’s confession, and angry at Eddie’s base comment, is suddenly aware of the value of true love. She crosses to Johnny and reaches out her hand apologetically. Eddie, deciding he’s been “licked”, snaps his fingers and his obedient bike rolls onstage. Before he goes, he slowly crosses over to Suzy. He pulls her roughly to him and gives her one last passionate kiss. (“Wild Child Reprise”) plays as he zooms off on his beloved motorcycle through the the audience.

Left alone and suddenly aware of her mistakes, Suzy sees the results of her selfishness and tries to win back Johnny (“I’m Sorry”). Angry and reluctant at first, but knowing in his heart that her love is real, Johnny agrees to take her back on one condition, that she (“Stand By Me”). Suzy crosses her heart and vows that she has finally learned her lesson. Now convinced that Suzy has learned the value of true love, Johnny takes their relationship to the next level. He starts to get down on one knee, but the moment is broken as Robin bounces on-stage with her new tissue “assets.”

As if on cue, Eddie zooms back onstage and snaps at Robin. She eagerly jumps on the back of his bike and the couple zoom off together. Suzy and Johnny watch them go, stunned by Robin’s uncharacteristic behavior. After a moment of stunned silence, Suzy clears her throat and the engagement continues. Kenny and Judy enter just in time to see Johnny place a ring on Suzy’s finger. Swept up in the moment, Kenny and Judy “see” each other for the first time (“So Much In Love”).

Suddenly, Eddie and Robin re-enter. Robin is now fully transformed into a biker-chick complete with ratted hair, red lipstick and leather jacket with “Queen of the Pharos” printed boldly on the back. Robin jumps off of the bike to show off her new catch, Eddie (“I Will Follow Him”). Reluctant to be tamed and unwilling to be “showed off,” Eddie refuses to dismount from his beloved bike. Robin crosses angrily to him and removing her leather jacket, throws it back at him with disdain.

All look at Eddie in a tense silence as he sits alone on his bike, refusing to join Robin and the group. Robin glares back at him. Slowly, he ceremoniously removes his leather gloves and dismounts. Robin doesn’t move. Torn, Eddie looks at Robin, then back at his beloved bike.
Eddie removes his leather jacket and turns to kiss the handlebars of his “first love” one last time. He places his leather jacket on the seat of his beloved bike and walks away. His beloved bike gives a sorrowful last rev and slowly rolls off-stage. A crash is heard in the distance. Eddie barely acknowledges the sound as he adoringly falls on one knee in front of Robin (“Let’s Jump the Broomstick”).

The set transforms into an Altar. Everyone takes hands with their true partner and all is right with the world (“Chapel of Love”). Hearts broken, but lessons learned, they all turn front and ask the timeless question, (“Who Wrote the Book of Love”)?

Song List
Act 1

1. Rock Around the Clock/ Who Put the Bomb/ Rock and Roll Is Here to Stay
2. Never Ben Anyone Else But You
3. Johnny Angel
4. Wild One
5. He’s a Rebel
6. Something Else
7. Bad Girl
8. Teddy Bear
9. I’m Learning About Love
10. Runaround Sue
11. Love Potion #9
12. Tequila
13. All Shook Up
14. Teenager in Love
15. Personality
16. Great Balls of Fire
17. Wipeout

Act 2

1. Love Is Strange
2. Fever
3. It’s In His Kiss
4. Take Good Care of My Baby
5. Duke of Earl
6. Rockin’ Robin
7. Lipstick On Your Collar
8. Ring of Fire
9. Bye Bye Love
10. Dominique
11. Breaking Up Is Hard to Do
12. Wild Child Reprise
13. I’m Sorry
14. Stand By Me
15. So Much In Love
16. I Will Follow Him
17. Let’s Jump the Broomstick
18. Chapel of Love
19. Who Wrote the Book of Love