Tear Down This Wall!

Tear Down
This Wall

Music, synopsis and script below...

Tear Down This Wall!

Story, music, book and lyrics by Michael R Denney
© 2010 ⓟ June Drive Publishing All Rights Reserved
Orchestration and all instruments performed by Randy Younger
Vocals by Ana Harsch and Michael Denney
Artwork "The Eye" by Lori Cope, loricdesign1969yahoo.com.


Synopsis:
Tear Down This Wall! is a musical based on actual events leading up to the rise and fall of the Iron Curtain. The story is told by Glasnost Petrovsky, a former Soviet citizen and now tour guide, as he takes us on a perpetual journey back in time. Glasnost gives us a personal account of the fear, hope and humor of the Soviet citizens and the military, social and political events that shaped the world he lived in. The primary players are Glasnost, Stalin, Ronald Reagan, Nancy Reagan, Mikhail Gorbachev, a Soviet family, American and Soviet citizens and the Democratic presidential candidates from the '84 election. They all come together to share their story of oppression and freedom on Glasnost's eternal tour.

Act One

Scene 1. The story opens with Glasnost introducing himself and his mission with "Welcome to Glasnost Tours". He sings " I was there when bricks were there and they came down one by one. I swore to those it buried, the memory would live on". So his eternal tour begins.

Scene 2 begins with the introduction of Stalin to the Russian people. "Justifies The Mean". He is giving a stump speech and Glasnost confronts him in an emotionally charged one on one battle of wit and will.

Scene 3 brings home the reality of Russian life in 1917. In a high rise tenement house a family is terrorized by Russian police. When they refuse to give information as to the whereabouts of Joseph Petrovsky, an enemy of the state, they threaten to take their daughter. The father remains silent in the belief they are bluffing. The mother gives them the information they sought. The police move on to Joseph's apartment and take the family. In the morning the neighbors speak of the nights events. In "Keep Your Voice Low" their family argues about whether Joseph deserved what he got but in the end they leave with a plea that other countries might hear their cries. Glasnost closes the scene telling the tour audience that Joseph was his father. He composes himself and moves on to tell us more of the reign of terror that would follow in the years to come, introducing the Soviet leaders of the future. He explains that it would be many years before other countries would hear their cries setting up the next scene

Scene 4 begins with Reagan chopping wood in a field. "Swing Away". As he chops he reflects on his life. In the end he has a revelation that he should run for office. He is overcome with enthusiasm and begins to shout and run to Nancy to tell her his idea. "Run". Run humorously describes his history as an actor as he flirts with the idea of running for any office, "maybe I could be chairman of the local lodge or president of the PTA". But ultimately it occurs to him that he could run for president and as the crowd forms a conga line he says " goodbye to Bonzo, Bogie, John and Jimmy too I'm checkin' out of Hollywood and that monkey's checkin' in the zoo".

Scene 5 Glasnost makes a few remarks about politicians and his frustration with them. He sings "Four Letter Word". Senators debate the merits of helping the Soviet people. One senator defends Soviet politics. Another is adamantly opposed to the Soviets. To the side a group of Soviet citizens sing, pleading to God for help as the senators debate. In the end a single Soviet citizen sings, pondering, even after all the fighting, when the dust settles, will they be free.

Scene 6 Soviet citizens are in a cue as they punch in at their factory job. "Freedom Song". The work siren rings and they begin pounding to the beat as they sing. They humorously describe the political battles between Reagan, Thatcher and Breznev. The song ends with mounting hope that there are countries and people that are recognizing their plight but that the hope can be easily snuffed out. Immediately gun shots ring out. The theater goes dark and an announcer broadcasts that Reagan has been shot.

Scene 7 "One More Time" is sung by Reagan as he is unconscious and in a one way conversation with God. He ultimately asks " that cowboy hat there on the bedpost, I'd sure like to wear it one more time". Reagan then slowly recovers in his bed with loved ones around him as they all sing and repeat the request "one more time".

Scene 8 Glasnost announces "The Great Debate", the televised debate of the 1984 Democratic presidential candidates. Starring Gary Hart, Walter Mondale, Jesse Jackson, Geraldine Ferraro, George McGovern and a guest appearance by Jimmy Carter. One by one the candidates are eliminated in a humorous yet historically accurate manner. In the end it is announced that Reagan won the general election.

Act Two

Scene 9 Members of the press are hanging around after the debates. They are humorously frustrated that despite their best efforts, they can't make any negative political attacks stick on Reagan. Ultimately they grab a guy on the street and sing "Teflon Ron".

Scene 10 Glasnost makes the claim that our wars should be fought by politicians and offers up his reasoning in a clever yet humorous manner. He then begins "Translation Please" which features Reagan and Gobachev negotiating in a small room with only translators. There is a large table with a big red button in the middle that they threaten to push. They test each others will while the fate of the world hangs in balance.

Scene 11 Four American soldiers and four Soviet soldiers are seated and divided by a barbed wire fence. The American soldiers begin discussing the situation they are all in. An American soldier stands and walks toward the fence and begins "I Will". A Soviet soldier comments as well. Ultimately all soldiers face each other at the fence and sing. The song explores the contradictions of war, that they can be so much alike and quite possibly in another time, friends. However, all agree that if given the order they would attack the enemy.

Scene 12 Glasnost speaks to the audience, humorously explaining why the Soviet people always appear so cold. He defends his heritage by telling us that he Googled famous Russian people and learned there are thousands. He explains that Soviets are a good people with very bad leaders and because of that they are very sad.. the vodka helps...but the dance heals. "The Dance" has the entire cast on stage. At the end as the friends part, Anna performs ballet under a spotlight, while silently to the side, Soviet citizens are in prison.

Scene 13 Glasnost gives us a few details about the speech Reagan is about to deliver at Brandenburg gate in West Berlin. As Glasnost is speaking Reagan enters with his entourage moving toward the podium. Glasnost seizes the opportunity to speak with Reagan in a frequently humorous discussion that ends with Glasnost, on the verge of tears, thanking Reagan. Reagan gives Glasnost a very short but powerful response. Reagan's handlers then escort him to the stage where he delivers "Tear Down This Wall". After Reagan challenges Mikhail Gorbachev to tear down the wall, citizens begin crawling through the holes in the wall as free people on the other side greet them. It is a joyous moment for all.

Scene 14. Reagan has Alzheimer's disease and sits quietly in a chair as Nancy sings to him "The Right To Cry". She recalls their good times and their successes together, in the end gratefully concluding, "looking back at my life I just don't have the right to cry"

Scene 15 Reagan's funeral. With his casket surrounded by soldier pallbearers and the cast, Reagan and the attendees, though Reagan is not present, all sing "Rotunda"

Scene 16 When the Soviets get the news Reagan has died they decide that he wouldn't have wanted them to mourn but rather to celebrate. "We Can Go". So they dance and sing with Glasnost bringing the shows meaning full circle by thanking all the world leaders and "people just like you" that helped set them free. Glasnost urges the audience to not forget nor be deceived, when he says "don't give away any freedom for they just might take it all, you need not take my word for it, for you have seen this wall". The cast leaves the stage and Glasnost is left alone as the wall is being re-installed. Tired and with his voice faltering from the fatigue of presenting his never ending tour, he brings home the concept that his tour is eternal as he falteringly sings the opening number. As he sings a new group of customers enter and all sing, as in the beginning, "Come one and all...".

Act One

Scene 1.
(Russian tour guide Glasnost welcomes audience to see 'the wall'. A graffiti laden, weathered wall is in the background)

  Glasnost
Welcome to Glasnost Tours we show you the wall
A small joke see it's not made of iron at all.
In places it was brick and stone ten foot high or higher
In places it was dogs and guards and wire.
(Chorus) Come one and all..

(At second chorus cast slowly enters and begins walking toward Glasnost)

  All (chorus)
Come one and all...

Glasnost
I was there when bricks were there and when they came down one by one...

(Third chorus cast arrives next to Glasnost)

All
Come one and all..

    Glasnost
Come one and all...

(Curtain closes and Glasnost is alone on stage. He begins "Justifies The Mean")

Glasnost
It started innocently things like this always do...

(When Glasnost says "they all were fooled" the curtain rises. Cast has gathered in front of a podium with wall in background, chanting "Stalin". Glasnost slips into the crowd. Stalin sings. )

Stalin
Twenty million rich people...

(When he sings "with more" a citizen sings.)

Citizen
Oh what a lovely vision...

Peasant woman:  (interrupts him)...
Ask me what I want...

Stalin (interrupts her)
Take what is yours...

(Prisoners are taken)
Prisoners
This...Is...Not...Happening

Stalin
Workers rejoice, the country it's yours. Now do as I say.

(Room goes dim.. spotlight on Glasnost and Stalin. Glasnost begins his questioning from the back of the crowd and moves forward. At the end of their dialogue he is face to face with him.)

(Glasnost angrily, melodically, rhyming)

Glasnost: You say you want a revolution...well...(without melody) You've got one.
Nicholas and his wife are no more and what have you won?

Stalin: You sit on your high horse Glasnost looking back in time.
Hindsight is 20\20 comrade, let me remind
you that Nicholas and his horrid wife thought they were God,
they saw themselves as flowers, we their sod.

Glasnost: (accusingly, they banter) You've taken over industry

Stalin:   To run it more efficiently.

Glasnost: You've taken private farms and fields.

Stalin: (jovially) To spread the wealth improve the yield.

Glasnost:  You've imprisoned your enemies

Stalin: Had I not they'd have imprisoned me.

Glasnost: (Looking toward the cast) Before he's finished before he's through,
he will have murdered most of you.

Stalin: (Very slow, mean) If they take the bait I offer them,
it's their greed and envy that will do them in.. Not me!

Glasnost: Not you?

Stalin: Not me you moodak (ass)

Glasnost: (Very close to each other, slowly with composed anger) History has judged you Stalin and let me share the news.
Those that feed on human greed all end up like you.

(The crowd moves around Glasnost and whisks him away before police can move on him)

Scene 3

(It's night. Fog on the street. Streetlight dimly lit. A tenement building with 4 small rooms all facing the audience. 2 on top 2 below. Lights in the rooms are out. 4 rifle armed police officers move across the stage. They knock on the first room downstairs.

Police: (knocking loudly) Open up, it's the police. Open this door.

(The light comes on. The father with family behind opens the door)

Police captain: We are looking for Joseph Petrowski, is he in here?.

Father: (Frightened but firm) No. No, he does not live here.

Police captain: Where then sir does he live?

(Father doesn't answer.)

Police captain: I asked you where he lives.

Father: I do not know.

(Police know he's lying.)

Police Captain: Take the girl

(Guards approach the daughter, each grabs an arm and just stands there. The Captain looks at the father)

Police Captain: Where does Joseph Petrowsky live?

(Father is silent. Captain motions for police to take her out the door)

Mother: (Yells out) Stop, stop, he lives..!

Father: (interrupts) Marta, no. No

Mother: Our daughter for an address? They will find Joseph with or without our help. So what do we trade for our daughter, our good name? So that we can hold our heads high among people that would betray us for a ruble.

Father: He is bluffing. He does not want us.

Mother: Can you be sure?  (Crying but resolute. Looks at the captain) Leave us alone we have done nothing. We have not resisted the movement. We see what is happening.. still we are quiet. We see our friends our neighbors . They are here, then they are gone. But they resist. We do not resist.. so leave! We are not the enemy, you want the enemy? The enemy is in room 29! (As she grabs her daughter from policeman's grasp).

Police Captain: (Speaking to Mother) Thank you for your cooperation madam. Have a nice evening.
(On the way out he stops face to face with the father and sternly says) I do not bluff. (then knocks father to the ground)

(Police walk out the door, upstairs and knock on Joseph's door. The light comes on in their apartment. Joseph opens the door with his wife Katrina and their son behind him. They all stare at each other for a moment then lights go out. Screams and the sounds of struggle can be heard)

(It is morning. Anna, from another apartment sings "Keep Your Voice Low".

Anna
Keep your voice low, you never know...

  Husband
Joseph's no fool...

  Anna and husband
Oh Joseph...

  Husband
Ah you never listen...

Father in law
They should have taken him.."

All families in the 3 rooms
Keep your voice low keep it down now

Father in law
They never really liked us...

All families
Keep your voice low keep it down now..

Anna
My God are you crazy..

All families
Keep your voice low..

Anna
So little on the shelves

Husband
This is our lot, it's what we've got...

Anna
Oh sometimes at night I dream

Husband
Oh sure I have my dreams

All families
Keep your voice low keep it down..

Anna and Husband
Keep your voice low you never know....

(Glasnost is sitting side stage.)

Glasnost:  This part of the tour is very painful for me. My full name is Glasnost J. Petrowski. Joseph was my father. (long pause then he composes himself)... Anna and her family and millions like her soon learned that few were listening. By the time Stalin's reign was over, it is estimated that 20 million Soviets were executed or starved. (He screams) Twenty million!  Their crime? Well it depended on who you were. If you were wealthy, that was your crime. If you sympathized with the wealthy, like my father and mother, you were guilty as well. But remember it was for a good cause. A good cause. (He laughs beneath his breath. He composes himself)...Let's move on. (He rises and begins walking and speaking in a serious voice.). In 1922 Russia became the Soviet Union. Up until this period Russia was at war almost continuously with its neighbors. In 1953 Stalin died, and Kruchev took his place. He began a movement to “de-Stalinize” the Soviet Union. Travel restrictions were loosened and many streets and statues in Stalins name were removed. But the memory and many of the tyrannical methods remained. He made some movement toward privatizing industry though the state still controlled production.. Breznev was a step backward. Then came Gorbachev, finally a name we can pronounce. He held elections. ..But I get ahead of myself...Here's someone who was listening.

Scene 4
(Reagan in field chopping wood) (Swing Away)

Reagan
I love the feel of the steel...

(When Reagan has the idea to run for office, he drops the ax and begins to run calling out to Nancy who is across the stage standing on a porch. Reagan approaches out of breath and sings. (Run)

Reagan
  My love you best sit down...

(When Reagan sings "we could run" ranch hands begin to gather around. Ranch hands square dance. When Reagan says "Maybe president one day" dance turns to a conga line.)

Scene 5

Glasnost: (Curtain is closed, Glasnost on stage) Politician, heal thyself...I know, I know it was physicians Jesus was referring to but I ask, truly who needs healing more? Who are these people, these politicians that take power by force of personality, in your country or just by force, in ours. In a perfect world they are to be our representatives, a country's parents if you will. George Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln are a few father figures. And because I love to eat tomatoes rather than wear them, I shall refrain from mentioning the not so good ones!!. In my country, sadly there is only bad list. It is said that people get the leaders they deserve. In America, maybe so because you elect them but when leaders assume office by force, how can its citizens be to blame?.. .(long thoughtful pause) Politicians everywhere. They toast themselves at their elaborate events paid for by the sweat, if not the blood, of their countrymen. In secret rooms in democracies they barter away the interests of their constituents and call the theft, diplomacy. In my country they plot murder in these rooms. ..For us help was coming but first there was discussion..Politicians love to discuss. Just listen. (Curtain opens. American politicians are seated at their desks in a session of Congress.
(Four Letter Word)

  Glasnost
What you do is you have to use your imaginations....

Senator 1
Senator, they are killing their citizens...

Senator 2
Senator I must disagree...

Soviet citizens (To the side of the stage a group sings)
Lord if you are out there, we could really use you now...

Glasnost
No such thing as moving up the ladder...

Senator 3  (All senators call out)
It's not really any of our business....

Glasnost
Senator, I respectfully disagree...

Soviet citizens
But she tries. Lord if you are out there...

Soviet citizens: (spotlight on them)
When the dust settles...

(Scene 6)

(Soviet citizens, all dressed in gray, are in a cue to clock in at their factory jobs. As they clock in, a citizen sings.)

Worker 1
On shortwaves in cafes through rumors through wires.
We keep our eyes open and our ears to the ground.
Waiting for freedom to catch fire.
For a flicker of hope is easily snuffed out.

(At "snuffed out", all workers are at their stations and the factory whistle blows. Workers pound their tools with beat of the song)

Worker 2
Breznev's a quiet and cunning old man...

Foreman
Thatcher, what's the matter with her..

All Workers
We hear you voices out there...

Worker 3
Reagan's been saying the Soviets are dangerous

All Workers
We hear your voices out there...

Worker 1
On short wave in cafes...

( At "out" lights go out. 6 Shots ring out)

Broadcaster
We interrupt his program...

Scene 7

(Lights come up on hospital bed with Reagan's loved ones gathered around. Lights go dim on them as spotlight comes up on Reagan on the other side of the stage wearing a robe. He begins to converse with God.) ( One More Time)

Reagan
There's a light out on the meadow...

(At "Lord I know I'm not a young man" Reagan begins to walk toward the bed. Light is up on the bed and family is frozen in time. At "I'd sure like to wear it one more time", Reagan stares at the hat on the bedpost, looks up for a few seconds as if looking for approval, then begins to move toward it, touches it, then lays down on the bed. People around the bed come to life. As music progresses Reagan sits up and ultimately walks accompanied by friends and fans who have been praying)

Scene 8

(The Great Debate) (Curtain is down. Glasnost in front of curtain)

Glasnost
    Reagan won the first one Jimmy Carter had 3 dollar gas and hostages still in Iran
With thermostats all turned up and the markets gone to hell
brother Billy's beer did pretty well.
Come one and all see the democratic candidates and what lead to their fall.

(Curtain opens. Moderator at podium with candidates seated. Debate audience is seated to the left and right in front of podium)

Moderator
I am here to be your moderator...

Senator Hart (Stands up)
  I hail from Colorado..

Moderator
Well thank you Mr. Hart...

Jesse Jackson
I'm talking to you now....

(audience member swoons)

Moderator
How unfortunate for Jesse...

Senator McGovern
Well let me tell you right up front that I'm a Socialist.
(crowd gasps)


    Mondale and Ferraro
We will join together.

(They join hands and raise them in the air)

(Sidestage Reagan supporters hold signs and sing four more years and announce "we won")

Act Two

Scene 9
(Reporters wearing press badges and hats in front of street sign at 1600 Pennsylvania Av.)

Dan: The guy's made of Teflon I'm telling you.

Connie: Who?

Dan: Reagan

Connie: Teflon?

Dan: Everything we throw at him, it slides right off.

Sam: I can't believe the American people would elect an actor as president.

Connie: And I ask, which American president wasn't an actor? (Laugh).

Dan: Ok but he's the only one who co starred with a monkee.

Ron: No I think Nixon did too. (laugh)

(Music begins as reporters talk)

Connie: Teflon huh?

Dan: Slippery ol' fox he is..

( People on the street are casually walking by the reporters. Sam approaches a man on the street and sings.) (Teflon Ron)

Sam
Hey buddy we don't...

(Dan carrying a newspaper approaches a woman on street and he points to headlines)

      Dan
We said he wants war...

(Connie repulsed as she reaches into trash pulling out an old newspaper while passerby throws a newspaper to the ground)
Connie
  We get no respect people you put us down
You wrap your fish in the gray old lady and you put the post in the ground.

  All Reporters
Nothing ever sticks on teflon Ron.

(Dan approaches woman on street)
Dan
We said he took gazillions ...

(Sam approaches man on street pointing to magazine cover.)

   Sam
How bout guns for hostages...

Dan
Nothin' sticks on Teflon Ron

All
We can take most people down...

Connie
Yeah he lowered taxes...

Sam
One of your signs said....

  All
Though history could confirm....

Dan
Reagan is

Connie
A dumb

Sam
Impetuous

Peter
Gives me indegestuous

Dan
Evil

Connie
Feeble

Sam
Heartless

Peter
Hateful

Dan
Naive

Sam
Pious

All
He believes the press is bias

Dan
Jerk

Dan
Nothin sticks on Teflon Ron

All
Teflon Ron

Scene 10

(Glasnost is sitting in a war room with a round table in the middle. On the table is a big red button)

Glasnost: Politicians. Our leaders. The only fire they take is friendly yet they are so quick to send others into battle. Should there be a law where the leaders of our countries fight each other.. without weapons. Your Congress vs our Politburo? I ask Yes? No? Would it be a bloodbath or a comedic spectacle. I think the latter. A few scrapes and bruises and our differences resolved. And no miles of gravestones. No crying mothers and fathers. If it were the rule, war would be spoken of only in history lessons. But for now, as it has been for all time, the young, the dreamers, the ones who have yet to live and love, do the dying for the old and ambitious. And like those before us we pray to Providence that our leaders would possess a slightly larger portion of wisdom, than pride.

(Glasnost begins to exit room and walks downstage.)
(Music begins. "Translation Please")

  Glasnost
The big two feared the red phone ringing in the night
learning that the enemy launched a first strike
With warheads pointing everywhere mistakes by nervous men
This global game of chicken could it start the end
Come one and all.. to the ring side seat of Reagan vs Gorbachev.

(Reagan, Gorbachev, American translator and Soviet translator enter the room. The translators sit away from the table on opposite sides of the room. Reagan and Gorbachev stand.)

Reagan
I tell you Mikhail...

Gorbachev
Translation please

Soviet Translator
Gorbie be cool

(Reagan and Gorbachev move around the table then stop when Gorbachev sings)

Gorbachev
My old friend Reagan...

Reagan
Translation Please

American Translator
Ronnie be cool

(Reagan and Gorbachev move around the table again)

Reagan
You point yours at me

Gorbachev
I'll point mine at you

Reagan and Gorbachev
You take yours down I'll take my down too. Translation please.

Both Translators
Fellows be cool.

(Reagan and Gorbachev move around table as music plays)

Gorbachev
I hear them Reagan...

American Translator
He could be bluffing

Reagan
I tell you Mikhail...

(At "blow the whole thing up" Reagan slams his hand next to the big button while staring at Gorbachev)

Gorbachev
Translation Please

Soviet translator
He's not bluffing

(Reagan and Gorbachev move around the table and stop)

Reagan and Gorbachev
Don't think for a minute...

(Reagan and Gorbachev walk around the table as song is concluding. On last crescendo both slam hands next to the button and lights go out)

Scene 11
(It's cold soldiers wearing jackets. There are 4 American soldiers and 4 Soviet soldiers. Both camped on opposite sides of a barbed wire fence. The American soldiers are listening to a baseball game. Soviets listening to Russian music. Americans are playing cards. Soviets a board game. Music and game goes low. American soldiers speak)

Soldier 1: Look at 'em over there. They act like it's 90 degrees out here. They got to be freezing too..

Soldier 2: Oh they are. They just don't want us to see their knees knocking. ( Mocks language) Comrade can't show veakness!.

Soldier 3: Hell I don't care if they see my knees knocking what they better worry bout is how well I shoot this thing. (holds up rifle)

Soldier 5: (Gets up and walks to fence and stares at Soviets. Soviets don't look at him.) Funny aint it?

Soldier 1: What?

Soldier 5: We're camped on opposite sides of the fence. We all got our guns loaded, ready to fight. We both walk on eggshells avoiding any thing that could be mistaken for aggression. And for good reason, WWIII could start right here.

Soldier 1: What's so dang funny about that?

Soldier 5: Washington and Moscow have guns pointed at each other too and nobody flinches. Everything stays co...pa cetic. It's MAD.

Soldier 3: Yeah it is.

Soldier 4: No genius. It's called MAD. Mutually Assured Destruction. The theory is, and it's just a theory, the certainty of death, keeps the peace.

Soldier 1: Well, so far so good.

Soldier 5: (Looking at the Soviets.) Odd these Ruskies. So quiet. Wonder what makes these guys tick.
(I Will)

Soldier 2
What evil lingers in your heart...

(Seated Americans sing chorus, while cleaning and polishing their guns)

American Soldiers
We clean our guns and polish our bayonets..

Soldier 2
You look so much like me do you have a wife?

(As American is singing the Soviet soldier rises and walks to fence. They don't acknowledge each other. As if they can't hear each other. Seated Soviet soldiers join him in chorus as they clean and polish
weapons)

Soviet Soldier
What evil lingers in your heart...

  Soviet Soldiers
We clean our guns and polish our bayonets ...

Soviet Soldier
You look so much like me do you have a wife

(All soldiers stand and walk toward fence)

All soldiers
  I am here to a job and I will do it...

(American and Soviet soldier draw close and sing at each other)

American and Soviet soldier        You look so much like me do you have a wife...

(All soldiers get closer to the fence almost touching across the fence. During instrumental soldiers on both sides pratice synchronized display of arms)

All soldiers
I am here to do a job and I will do it.

American soldier
I should hate you but I only feel sorrow...

(All soldiers slowly go back to original positions. Baseball game and music resumes.)

Scene 12

(Curtain closed. Glasnost speaks)

Glasnost: You think Russians are always serious? Da, I suppose we do have an image problem. I think it's because we have had so much war... it has made us cold. And in Soviet Union it is so cold...it has made us even colder! (he laughs ). All you see on your television are our tanks, empty bakeries and snow but we are more. We are so much more. How do I know? I Googled us! There are thousands of famous Soviets and not all are Swartenzger types. (laughs) There are thousands of reknowned scientists and philosophers. Yes some used their talent for war but most used their gift to advance the human condition. We are a good people but we have had very bad leaders. If we had been blessed with your freedom, your Constitution, I believe we would be best of friends. But sadly there is much sadness in our country. The Vodka helps (laughs) but the dance heals!

(Curtain opens. Friends gathered in social setting. "The Dance")

  Dancer 1
We are just like you in everyway..
(Soviets dance)
  Dancer 1
We love everything American

   Dancer 2
Your movies

Dancer 3
McDonalds

Dancer 1
And these blue jeans. Sinatra

Female Dancer 2
King Cole

Dancer 3
Gable

Dancer 2
And Grable

Female dancer
Oh and Elvis

Dancer 1
And the disco beat.

(Cast dances)
  Soviets sing
When the night is over when the music dies
When the friends and laughter fade into the night..

(The dancers part leaving only the female dancer)

Female dancer
Oh the dancing let's my spirit go...

(When she is finished singing, through instrumental, she performs a ballet. Spotlight is on her center stage. Off to the side a spotlight on citizens behind prison bars with guards. That light goes out. Across stage another light is on soldiers arresting a citizen)

Scene 13
(Set in front of Brandenburg Gate in West Berlin. Reagan is about to deliver his "Mr. Gorbachev tear down this wall" speech. There is a podium center stage and the Berlin wall behind it. Glasnost is off to the side of the stage speaking with the audience)

Glasnost: Ladies and Gentlemen, we are coming to my favorite part. See that Wall? (points to "The Wall") All good things must come to an end. Evil things too. If you like demolition you are going to love this part of the tour for we are...OOh OOh There goes President Reagan. Where's my camera?

(He searches for the camera as he runs toward Reagan who has entered from the opposite side of the stage with his entourage walking towards the podium. As he runs he calls out)

Glasnost: President Reagan, President Reagan, sir can I please have a word with you. (out of breath)

(Secret service steps between him and Reagan. Glasnost continues speaking )

Glasnost: President Reagan, I can't tell you what an honor this is sir to meet you. My name is Glasnost and I am president too!.. Of Glasnost tours. (They both laugh).

Reagan: (To secret service) It's ok
(They move aside to allow Glasnost to get closer)

Reagan: Well...it's, uh, nice to meet you but uh, I uh, well I don't need a travel agent.

Glasnost: (Glasnost laughs) Oh no Mr. president I don't book travel. I travel... A lot!.. it's a long story but sir, I'd like, uh, well uh sir..

Reagan assistant: (looking at Glasnost and looking at his watch) Please hurry Mr. Gladnose

Glasnost: (Looks at the assistant) Glasnost. (Looks at Reagan) President Reagan you are about to give a speech, a very important speech. (Moving close to Reagan) I can assure that there's no need to mention this to the secret service, (He looks around suspiciously and in a low voice) but I know what your going to say in your speech.

Reagan: (Surprised) You do?

Glasnost: (Looking around as if to quiet him) Yes sir I do. I know that you are going to tell Mr. Gorbachev to tear down this wall.

Reagan: (Startled) Why, yes Glasnost I am. But, how did you know?

Glasnost: I also know that your people, your advisers, have all told you not to say this thing but you are going to defy them and put it in anyway.

Reagan: Yes, that's true Glasnost.

Glasnost: President Reagan. I am a man of many words. It is seldom that I am without the right one for the right moment. But sir, standing here, where I come from, what I have seen and what my countrymen and women have endured behind this wall. (He begins to choke up). Thank you.. in advance, for this will be the last time we will meet. (He reaches out and shakes his hand.)

Assistant: (Looks at Reagan, pointing to his watch) Sir, it's time.

(Reagan looks compassionately at Glasnost. Still shaking hands )
Reagan: Yes it is. (Slowly) Yes it is.

(Assistant grabs Reagan pulling him away from Glasnost and escorts Reagan to the stage. Glasnost exits the stage)

(Reagan at the podium. Tear Down This Wall)

Reagan
I stand here before you with a torch of liberty...

(As Reagan is singing small pieces of the wall are being pushed out by citizens on the Soviet side. When Reagan says, "Mr. Gorbachev tear down this wall! Soviet citizens on the other side of the wall stand up in view and sing "Wall" with him)
Reagan
Tear down this wall can't you see it's crumbling now...

(On Western side of the wall citizens are dancing. Pieces of the wall continue to crumble as faces become visible. Glasnost begins to crawl through a hole in the wall and smiles and waves at the audience)

Citizen
Oh Lord we are free...

(After citizen sings "to go" all citizens crawl through and begin to dance with those waiting on them. )

Citizen
No more USSR or KGB or jack boots in the dark, They'll all be working at the burger king or stacking toys at the Wally Mart.

(They pull gun away from a guard pull off his coat and a Hawaiian shirt is underneath. He dances with them.)
Citizen
We can go anywhere but baby we can go..

Scene 14
(Nancy Reagan is in their home. She sings "The right to cry" Reagan has Alzheimer's and is seated quietly watching her and looking out the window. )

  Nancy Reagan
From the start...

Scene 15
(Stage lights out. Bagpipes begin to play. Lights come up. Military guard surrounding casket. Entire cast on stage. Reagan is not present only his voice)

  Reagan and cast
Lord the road that I have chosen...

(Nancy places American flag on his casket when he says" Lord I hand the pen to you now the author of all things.")

Scene 16
(At the edge of a public bar. Soviets are gathered.) (We Can Go)

Citizen 1
My friends have you heard

4 Citizens
Yes we just got the word.

Citizen 2
His smile his silent strength his gentle heart has set us free.

Citizen 1
He chipped away lived every day for which the man was born. Something in me thinks we should raise our drinks. (raise drinks)
  he would not want us to mourn.

All Citizens
To mourn.

Citizen 1
He'd want us to

All citizens
Sing.

(Citizens gather downstage. Glasnost steps forward)

  Glasnost
So many countries round the world....

All citizens
We can go...

  Glasnost
People thank you for stopping by....

All citizens
Go go go we can go..

(Cast on final "We can go" they rush off stage leaving Glasnost alone)

(The Wall is slowly rolled out to it's original position by Soviet prisoners as Glasnost sings. Glasnost alone with light on him and the wall. He's fatigued.)

  Glasnost
Welcome to Glasnost tours we show you the wall
A small joke see it's not made of iron at all
In places it was brick and stone ten foot high or higher
In places it was guards and dogs and wire

(Entire cast enters as they are singing. )

Entire Cast
Come One and all hear of the fall.

Glasnost
I was there when bricks were there and when they came down one by one.
  I swore to those it buried...

(Now standing next to Glasnost)
Entire Cast
The memory would live on.

(Cast takes their bows as instrumental plays)