倒数时刻 Tick, Tick…Boom!(2021)(EN)Subtitles
| SRT Subtitles download |
1 00:00:56 Hi. I'm Jon.
2 00:01:01 I'm a musical-theater writer.
3 00:01:03 One of the last of my species.
4 00:01:16 Like a time bomb in some cheesy B-movie or Saturday morning cartoon.
5 00:01:22 The fuse has been lit. The clock counts down the seconds
6 00:01:25 as the flame gets closer, and closer, and closer,
7 00:01:45 This is Jonathan Larson's story.
8 00:01:48 Happy anniversary, I love you so much.
9 00:01:51 Before the Tony Awards.
10 00:01:54 Before the Pulitzer Prize.
11 00:01:58 We dedicate this opening night and every performance
12 00:02:01 to our friend, Jonathan Larson.
13 00:02:07 Everything you're about to see is true.
14 00:02:12 Except for the parts Jonathan made up.
15 00:02:23 The date is January 26th, 1990.
16 00:02:28 The setting, the barren, unfashionable no-man's-land
17 00:02:32 between SoHo and Greenwich Village.
18 00:02:35 I have two keyboards, a Macintosh computer. A cat.
19 00:02:40 An impressive collection of compact discs,
20 00:02:43 cassettes, and records of other people's music.
21 00:02:46 Bookshelves sagging under the weight of plays and novels I didn't write.
22 00:03:07 I have rejection letters from every major and minor producer,
23 00:03:11 theater company, record label, and film studio in existence.
24 00:03:19 I will be 30 years old.
25 00:03:22 Older than Stephen Sondheim when he had his first Broadway show.
26 00:03:26 Older than Paul McCartney when he wrote his last song with John Lennon.
27 00:03:31 By the time my parents were 30, they already had two kids,
28 00:03:35 they had careers with steady paychecks, a mortgage.
29 00:03:39 And in eight days, my youth will be over forever.
30 00:03:43 And what exactly do I have to show for myself?
31 00:03:48 Happy birthday!
32 00:03:51 ♪ Stop the clock ♪
33 00:03:57 ♪ Take time out ♪
34 00:04:02 ♪ Time to regroup ♪
35 00:04:05 ♪ Before you lose the bout ♪
36 00:04:11 ♪ Freeze the frame ♪
37 00:04:16 ♪ Back it up ♪
38 00:04:21 ♪ Time to refocus ♪
39 00:04:24 ♪ Before they wrap it up ♪
40 00:04:30 ♪ Years are getting shorter ♪
41 00:04:32 ♪ Lines on your face are getting longer ♪
42 00:04:35 ♪ Feel like you're treading water ♪
43 00:04:38 ♪ But the riptide's getting stronger ♪
44 00:04:41 ♪ Don't panic, don't jump ship ♪
45 00:04:43 ♪ Can't fight it, like taxes ♪
46 00:04:46 ♪ At least it happens Only once in your life ♪
47 00:04:52 ♪ They're singing "Happy Birthday" ♪
48 00:04:54 ♪ You just want to lay down and cry ♪
49 00:04:57 ♪ Not just another birthday, it's 30/90 ♪
50 00:05:02 ♪ Why can't you stay 29? ♪
51 00:05:05 ♪ Hell, you still feel like you're 22 ♪
52 00:05:08 ♪ Turn 30, 1990 ♪
53 00:05:11 ♪ Bang! You're dead What can you do? ♪
54 00:05:15 ♪ What can you do? ♪
55 00:05:21 ♪ What can you do? ♪
56 00:05:25 I made ten copies.
57 00:05:27 You are an angel on earth.
58 00:05:29 -This is the last time. Seriously. -I know. Thank you.
59 00:05:32 -No, no, no, I got you. -I'm gonna pay.
60 00:05:34 - I don't want you to pay. - Somebody needs to take out this trash.
61 00:05:37 So I hear you're moving out of Jon's place.
62 00:05:39 That's the end of an era.
63 00:05:41 We hear him sobbing in the fridge most mornings. It's very sad.
64 00:05:44 No, no, no. We are not talking about that.
65 00:05:47 Wait, Carolyn, you're coming next Friday, right? What's happening Friday?
66 00:05:50 - The Superbia workshop. - Surprised he hasn't mentioned it.
67 00:05:53 That sounds vaguely familiar.
68 00:05:55 Guys, this is the biggest break I've ever had. This is that moment.
69 00:05:58 It's the first time people are gonna see the show that aren't just us.
70 00:06:01 It's good you're not putting too much pressure on it.
71 00:06:05 But it's true, though.
72 00:06:07 It's like, you get to a certain age and you stop being a writer who waits tables
73 00:06:11 and you become a waiter with a hobby.
74 00:06:13 Boo-Boo, you need to ask yourself, in this moment,
75 00:06:16 are you letting yourself be led by fear or by love?
76 00:06:23 ♪ Clear the runway ♪
77 00:06:25 ♪ Make another pass ♪
78 00:06:28 ♪ Try one more approach ♪
79 00:06:30 ♪ Before you're out of gas ♪
80 00:06:33 ♪ Friends are getting fatter ♪
81 00:06:36 ♪ Hairs on your head are getting thinner ♪
82 00:06:39 ♪ Feel like a cleanup batter ♪
83 00:06:42 ♪ On a team that ain't a winner ♪
84 00:06:44 ♪ Don't freak out, don't strike out ♪
85 00:06:47 ♪ Can't fight it, like City Hall ♪
86 00:06:50 ♪ At least you're not alone ♪
87 00:06:52 ♪ Your friends are there too ♪
88 00:06:55 ♪ And they're singing "Happy Birthday" ♪
89 00:06:58 ♪ You just wish you could run away ♪
90 00:07:01 ♪ Who cares about a birthday? ♪
91 00:07:03 ♪ But 30/90, hey ♪
92 00:07:06 ♪ Can you be optimistic? ♪
93 00:07:12 ♪ Turn 30, 1990 ♪
94 00:07:16 ♪ What can you do? ♪
95 00:07:19 ♪ What can you do? ♪
96 00:07:24 ♪ What can you do? ♪
97 00:07:28 You just quit?
98 00:07:33 -That's exactly the same thing. -No, I have two weeks left.
99 00:07:37 I'm allowing myself to be led by love.
100 00:07:40 What?
101 00:07:41 You know, Rosa's got another client. Craig Carnelia.
102 00:07:44 This is Rosa your agent, who hasn't returned your calls in a year?
103 00:07:47 Yeah, yeah. That's the one.
104 00:07:48 So she invited the entire theater industry to Craig's musical workshop last year.
105 00:07:52 And by intermission, some producer
106 00:07:54 had already written him a check for ten thousand dollars.
107 00:07:59 I just wish that you didn't have to think like that.
108 00:08:01 Well, it's expensive to make art.
109 00:08:03 No, baby, it's expensive to make art here. Yeah, but worth every penny.
110 00:08:07 -That's beautiful. -I know, right?
111 00:08:10 How are you gonna pay for this, Jonathan?
112 00:08:17 ♪ Peter Pan and Tinkerbell ♪
113 00:08:19 ♪ Which way to Never Never Land? ♪
114 00:08:22 ♪ Emerald City's gone to hell ♪
115 00:08:25 -♪ Since the wizard blew off his command ♪ -♪ Blew off his command ♪
116 00:08:28 ♪ On the streets you hear the voices ♪
117 00:08:31 ♪ Lost children, crocodiles ♪
118 00:08:33 ♪ You're not into ♪
119 00:08:35 ♪ Making choices, wicked witches ♪
120 00:08:37 ♪ Poppy fields or men behind the curtain ♪
121 00:08:40 ♪ Tiger lilies, ruby slippers ♪
122 00:08:43 ♪ Clock is ticking, that's for certain ♪
123 00:08:46 ♪ They're singing "Happy Birthday" ♪
124 00:08:48 -♪ Happy birthday ♪ -♪ I just wish it all were a dream ♪
125 00:08:51 ♪ It feels much more like doomsday ♪
126 00:08:54 -♪ Fuck 30/90 ♪ -♪ 30/90 ♪
127 00:08:56 ♪ Seems like I'm in for a twister ♪
128 00:08:59 ♪ I don't see a rainbow, do you? ♪
129 00:09:02 ♪ Turn 30 in the '90s ♪
130 00:09:05 ♪ Look into my hands now The ball has passed ♪
131 00:09:07 ♪ I want the spoils, but not too fast ♪
132 00:09:10 ♪ The world is calling It's now or Neverland ♪
133 00:09:12 ♪ Why can't I stay a child forever and? ♪
134 00:09:15 ♪ 30/90, 30/90 ♪
135 00:09:18 ♪ 30/90, 30/90 ♪
136 00:09:21 -♪ 30/90, 30, 30/90 ♪ -♪ 30, 30/90 ♪
137 00:09:24 -♪ What can I do? ♪ -♪ What can I do? ♪
138 00:09:29 ♪ 30/90, 30, 30/90 ♪
139 00:09:34 ♪ What can I do? ♪
140 00:09:47 Ladies and gentlemen, please give it up for our band,
141 00:09:50 and also for my very, very, very dear friends,
142 00:09:54 Roger and Karessa on vocals.
143 00:10:02 Friday night.
144 00:10:03 Hi, Jonathan, it's Deborah.
145 00:10:05 Susan dropped off your music for tonight's dance--
146 00:10:12 -Hey, Pookie. -Hi.
147 00:10:15 How was Philly?
148 00:10:16 I went from the airport to a conference room and then back to the airport three hours later.
149 00:10:21 Sounds amazing.
150 00:10:22 Michael was an amazing actor.
151 00:10:25 Yeah, he was the lead of every play in high school, college.
152 00:10:29 And then we moved to New York.
153 00:10:32 I am sick of waking up at 5:00
154 00:10:34 to get in line outside the Equity Building and wait all day,
155 00:10:38 praying that the director actually even agrees to see anyone that's non-union, and then,
156 00:10:46 I don't know, six measures, if I'm lucky, before they cut me off
157 00:10:52 And then a week later, he got a job at a fancy advertising company,
158 00:10:57 making high five figures.
159 00:11:03 He never looked back.
160 00:11:04 You know, for someone who's broke,
161 00:11:06 you could probably spend a little bit less on party planning.
162 00:11:09 Well, what is the point of money, if you're not gonna spend it on the people you love?
163 00:11:13 -Yeah, except you don't have any money.
164 00:11:15 -Oh, right. This has been sitting here for a week.
165 00:11:18 -I'm on it. -Yeah. You seem very on it.
166 00:11:22 Pretty soon you won't have me around to remind you to pay your bills on time.
167 00:11:25 How will I ever survive?
168 00:11:27 That's a very real question. Have you found a new roommate yet?
169 00:11:31 I've been a little busy. You know. My workshop is next week.
170 00:11:34 Wait, what workshop?
171 00:11:39 That was funny.
172 00:11:45 What time's the show tonight?
173 00:11:51 - Curtain's at 8:00.
174 00:11:53 I've heard the dancing's amazing, but the music sucks.
175 00:12:13 Susan grew up in a small town in the Midwest.
176 00:12:16 She went to college to study biology, she thought she'd become a doctor, maybe teach.
177 00:12:26 Every parent's dream, right?
178 00:12:29 She moved to New York without knowing a soul.
179 00:12:32 Four years later, she's already danced with every major choreographer in the city.
180 00:12:35 Paul, Trisha, Merce.
181 00:12:38 1990. This was the year she was finally gonna join a company.
182 00:12:42 Not just go from job to job. Actually have a home, an artistic family.
183 00:12:46 And she was ready. This was her year. She knew it.
184 00:12:50 And then she fractured her ankle during a dress rehearsal.
185 00:13:09 all of a sudden, she doesn't know anymore.
186 00:13:12 But Susan is a real artist.
187 00:13:14 She doesn't care about seeing her name in the New York Times.
188 00:13:18 It doesn't matter to her if she's dancing in front of five people
189 00:13:22 or in front of five thousand.
190 00:13:26 And then there's the matter of us.
191 00:13:49 You know he can't afford all of this, right?
192 00:13:54 Well, he loves making a fuss, especially about you.
193 00:14:08 Freddy, look, I'm leaving you my mixtapes. You can play them in remembrance of me.
194 00:14:12 Jonathan Larson's famous Moondance Diner mixtape.
195 00:14:16 Who doesn't love showtunes with their French toast?
196 00:14:18 Actually, it's not just showtunes. It's a very eclectic mix.
197 00:14:22 -Someone's very touchy about mixtapes. -Apparently. Okay, listen.
198 00:14:25 I'm happy for you. -I really am. -Oh, yeah?
199 00:14:28 I'm also extremely bitter and jealous and envious,
200 00:14:31 and sort of hateful towards you right now.
201 00:14:37 And you're gonna be next.
202 00:14:38 -Well, I got a callback last week. -Great!
203 00:14:41 -For a cruise. -What's wrong with a cruise?
204 00:14:45 It's an Arctic cruise, so pretty much everything.
205 00:14:48 Uh, every single thing is wrong with that. It's in the Arctic.
206 00:14:55 It's been a really good week.
207 00:14:56 T-cell count is good. My doctor feels cautiously optimistic.
208 00:15:00 Okay, good. You look great.
209 00:15:03 Oh, my God, thank you. I know.
210 00:15:07 -Tighten up. Pull it, pull it up. -Make it tight.
211 00:15:10 Scott and I, we used to sing madrigals in high school.
212 00:15:14 - What? Really? - Yeah, yeah.
213 00:15:16 I hated singing. I just did it for the pussy.
214 00:15:24 Got it. Got it. I never get to go to artist parties, you know?
215 00:15:28 It sucks. The drugs there are always the best.
216 00:15:32 -Scott's in finance. -Shocking.
217 00:15:34 -Yeah. What do you do? -I'm the future of musical theater, Scott.
218 00:15:42 Welcome. I'm gonna get another drink.
219 00:15:47 That guy's hilarious.
220 00:16:04 ♪ This is the life, bo-bo, bo-bo bo ♪
221 00:16:07 ♪ This is the life, bo-bo, bo-bo bo ♪
222 00:16:10 ♪ This is the life, bo-bo, bo-bo bo ♪
223 00:16:13 ♪ Bohemia ♪
224 00:16:16 ♪ Shower's in the kitchen There might be some soap ♪
225 00:16:19 ♪ Dishes in the sink Brush your teeth if you can cope ♪
226 00:16:22 ♪ Toilet's in the closet ♪
227 00:16:24 ♪ You better hope There's a light bulb in there ♪
228 00:16:27 Not today!
229 00:16:28 ♪ Revolving door roommates Prick up your ears ♪
230 00:16:31 -♪ Fourteen people in just four years ♪ -Whoo!
231 00:16:34 ♪ Ann and Max and Jonathan And Carolyn and Kerri ♪
232 00:16:37 ♪ David, Tim-- No, Tim was just a guest from June ♪
233 00:16:39 ♪ To January Margaret, Lisa, David, Susie ♪
234 00:16:41 ♪ Stephen, Joe and Sam ♪
235 00:16:42 ♪ And Elsa, the bill collector's dream Who still is on the lam ♪
236 00:16:46 ♪ Don't forget the neighbors Michelle and Gay ♪
237 00:16:48 ♪ More like a family than a family, hey ♪
238 00:16:51 ♪ The time is flying And everything is dying ♪
239 00:16:54 ♪ I thought by now I'd have a dog, a kid, a wife ♪
240 00:16:57 ♪ The ship is sort of sinking So let's start drinking ♪
241 00:17:00 ♪ Before we start thinking Is this the life? ♪
242 00:17:03 -Yeah! -♪ This is the life, bo-bo, bo-bo bo ♪
243 00:17:06 ♪ This is the life, bo-bo, bo-bo bo ♪
244 00:17:09 ♪ This is the life, bo-bo, bo-bo bo ♪
245 00:17:12 -♪ Bohemia ♪ -♪ Yeah, yeah, yeah! ♪
246 00:17:15 -♪ Bohemia ♪ -One more time!
247 00:17:18 ♪ Bohemia ♪
248 00:17:23 ♪ Bo-bo, bo-bo bo ♪
249 00:17:32 That was freaking amazing!
250 00:17:35 Yeah, Scott!
251 00:17:41 Hi. Everyone's leaving.
252 00:17:44 -I just needed some fresh air. -Okay.
253 00:17:47 It's freezing up here.
254 00:17:49 Where is your coat?
255 00:17:54 It's at the bottom of a very large pile.
256 00:18:04 Wow. That's pretty.
257 00:18:06 That's the prison barge.
258 00:18:09 Oh, yeah.
259 00:18:13 I heard, uh, in Jacob's Pillow, they're hiring new teachers for the dance school.
260 00:18:18 -Oh, yeah? -Yeah.
261 00:18:20 Work a couple of hours a week. Then the rest of the time is yours.
262 00:18:27 Can we just talk for a second?
263 00:18:29 Can we just talk about how amazing you were tonight?
264 00:18:34 -Thank you. -I am not messing around.
265 00:18:37 I could just watch you dancing forever.
266 00:18:44 I was thinking of maybe applying.
267 00:18:47 To the job in Jacob's Pillow.
268 00:18:49 We went there last summer, remember? We saw the new Mark Morris.
269 00:18:53 -Oh, yeah! -Yeah.
270 00:18:56 That's the place in the Berkshires?
271 00:18:58 So, you're gonna move to the Berkshires?
272 00:19:02 And not have to work 30 hours a week doing word processing
273 00:19:05 to pay the rent, why not?
274 00:19:07 I might actually be able to get back into shape.
275 00:19:10 Okay. Yeah. All right. Let's do it. Let's move.
276 00:19:15 -I'm being serious. -Hey, I'm being serious.
277 00:19:21 We're gonna-- We're gonna gather squirrels.
278 00:19:24 What are you even talking about?
279 00:19:27 It's the Berkshires.
280 00:19:29 People have vacation homes there. You've been there.
281 00:19:32 I'm so sorry. Can we-- Can we please go inside?
282 00:19:35 Sorry, I just feel like I'm scared--I'm beginning to lose sensation in my extremities.
283 00:19:39 You are such a baby.
284 00:19:41 Take this.
285 00:19:46 Whoa. Hold on.
286 00:19:50 You like?
287 00:19:54 I thought that you were in a hurry to get back inside.
288 00:20:13 You know that job in the Berkshires?
289 00:20:16 -Yeah, sounds amazing. -I already applied for it.
290 00:20:19 -Oh, yeah? -Yeah.
291 00:20:23 -Oh, yeah? That's great. -Yeah.
292 00:20:26 It starts in June.
293 00:20:28 Okay. So this is just for the summer?
294 00:20:30 No. Mm-mm, it's permanent.
295 00:20:35 Jon?
296 00:20:39 Whoa, the Berkshires? That is, like, so far from Midtown.
297 00:20:44 Yeah. Yeah.
298 00:20:46 Why is she doing this right now?
299 00:20:48 And she says, "I want you to come with me."
300 00:20:51 -What did you say? -I said, "Oh?"
301 00:20:57 What am I supposed to say? I didn't know what to say.
302 00:21:02 -Oh, tell her to move in with you. -Move in where?
303 00:21:05 You need a new roommate, right?
304 00:21:06 It's two birds, one stone. You are very welcome.
305 00:21:13 -I thought you guys were great together. -It didn't work out.
306 00:21:18 Oh. There's a focus group at the office this week,
307 00:21:20 and they're looking for a few more people. How about I sign you up?
308 00:21:24 So you can lure me to the dark side?
309 00:21:27 No! So I can introduce you to my colleagues,
310 00:21:29 and show them how brilliant you are.
311 00:21:32 I don't want a job in advertising. I don't want you to have a job in advertising.
312 00:21:40 No, listen. You come up with jingles all the time for fun, Jon.
313 00:21:44 You come up with songs about cereal we're eating.
314 00:21:47 You could get paid for that. Well, you know, when Superbia gets produced,
315 00:21:55 That's true.
316 00:21:59 And we are here. Home sweet home.
317 00:22:15 Michael tosses the keys to the parking attendant.
318 00:22:20 What apartment building has a parking attendant?
319 00:22:26 Fresh flowers in the lobby.
320 00:22:28 An old, white lady with a tiny dog.
321 00:22:32 Is this real life?
322 00:22:34 ♪ No more Walking 13 blocks ♪
323 00:22:37 ♪ With 30 pounds of laundry ♪
324 00:22:39 ♪ In the freezing dead of winter ♪
325 00:22:44 ♪ No more Walking up six flights of stairs ♪
326 00:22:47 ♪ Or throwing down the key Because there is no buzzer ♪
327 00:22:54 ♪ No more faulty wiring ♪
328 00:22:56 ♪ No more crooked floors ♪
329 00:22:59 ♪ No more spitting out my Ultra Brite ♪
330 00:23:02 ♪ On top of dirty dishes ♪
331 00:23:04 ♪ In the one and only sink ♪
332 00:23:10 ♪ Hello to my walk-in closets ♪
333 00:23:14 ♪ Tidy as Park Avenue ♪
334 00:23:19 ♪ Hello, my butcher block table ♪
335 00:23:23 ♪ I could get used ♪
336 00:23:25 ♪ I could get used ♪
337 00:23:27 ♪ I could get used to you ♪
338 00:23:34 ♪ No more Climbing over sleeping people ♪
339 00:23:38 ♪ Before you get out the door ♪
340 00:23:40 ♪ Of your own building ♪
341 00:23:44 ♪ No more ♪
342 00:23:45 ♪ Noxious fumes from gas heaters That are illegal ♪
343 00:23:49 ♪ Or will blow up While you are sleeping! ♪
344 00:23:54 -♪ No more ♪ -♪ Leaky ceilings ♪
345 00:23:57 -♪ No more ♪ -♪ Holes in the floor ♪
346 00:23:59 ♪ No more Taking a shower in the kitchen ♪
347 00:24:02 ♪ While your roommate's Eating breakfast ♪
348 00:24:05 ♪ And you're getting water On his cornflakes ♪
349 00:24:10 ♪ Hello to shiny New parquet wood floors ♪
350 00:24:14 ♪ As waxed as a wealthy girl's legs ♪
351 00:24:19 ♪ Hello, dear Mr. Dishwasher ♪
352 00:24:23 -♪ I could get used ♪ -♪ I could get used ♪
353 00:24:25 -♪ I could get used ♪ -♪ I could get ♪
354 00:24:28 -♪ Used to you ♪ -♪ I could get used to you ♪
355 00:24:37 ♪ No more anything But pleasantly robotic ♪
356 00:24:41 -♪ We're movin' on up ♪ -♪ We're movin' on up ♪
357 00:24:44 -♪ To the East Side ♪ -♪ To the East Side ♪
358 00:24:46 ♪ To a deluxe apartment In the sky ♪
359 00:24:57 ♪ Hello to dear Mr. Doorman ♪
360 00:25:02 ♪ Who looks like Captain Kangaroo ♪
361 00:25:06 ♪ Hello dear fellow, and how do you do? ♪
362 00:25:10 -♪ I could get used ♪ -♪ I could get used ♪
363 00:25:12 -♪ I could get used ♪ -♪ I could get ♪
364 00:25:14 -♪ Used to you ♪ -♪ I could get used to you, yeah! ♪
365 00:25:18 -♪ I could get used ♪ -♪ I could get used ♪
366 00:25:20 -♪ Even seduced ♪ -♪ Even seduced ♪
367 00:25:22 -♪ I could get used to you ♪ -♪ Used to you ♪
368 00:25:32 Stand clear of the closing doors.
369 00:25:34 I swear to God! I'm talking to you in the back.
370 00:25:36 Stand clear of the closing doors.
371 00:25:39 You still don't have the song?
372 00:25:45 I don't know. I usually write a song in a day.
373 00:25:47 Last week, I wrote a song about sugar. It took me three hours.
374 00:25:51 -Song about sugar? -♪ Sugar ♪
375 00:25:53 ♪ She is refined For a small price ♪
376 00:25:55 ♪ She blows my mind ♪
377 00:25:57 Why would you do that?
378 00:25:59 An exercise.
379 00:26:00 In what? I like to see if I can write a song about anything.
380 00:26:05 Why don't you try to see if you can write a song for your musical that's being presented to an audience in six days i...
381 00:26:11 Ira Weitzman, head of musical theater at Playwrights Horizons.
382 00:26:15 The first, and so far, only actual theater person
383 00:26:18 to offer to put on a workshop of Superbia.
384 00:26:21 I'm starting to think that maybe I don't need it.
385 00:26:31 Just so you know.
386 00:26:35 Eight years, actually.
387 00:26:43 No one.
388 00:26:46 Okay, I'm lying.
389 00:26:51 One person did say that.
390 00:27:01 For years, I was a part of this musical theater writing workshop.
391 00:27:08 ♪ Liquid crystal digital readout ♪
392 00:27:15 ♪ Floating on a sea of gray ♪
393 00:27:19 Once a week, we would gather the few surviving members of our dwindling tribe.
394 00:27:32 real writers.
395 00:27:34 The theater legends, who created the Broadway shows
396 00:27:42 ♪ Dividing the day away ♪
397 00:27:46 The panel would change every week.
398 00:27:49 ♪ Counting slowly ♪
399 00:27:56 The night I presented, people began to buzz
400 00:27:59 as soon as we walked through the door.
401 00:28:02 Is it really him?
402 00:28:05 It was.
403 00:28:08 Stephen Sondheim.
404 00:28:16 All right, I'll start.
405 00:28:19 I'm lost.
406 00:28:24 Is it social commentary? Is it science fiction?
407 00:28:26 And the music is the same thing. Is it rock? Is it Broadway? Is it both?
408 00:28:30 Is it neither? Steve, what did you think?
409 00:28:36 I have to say, I disagree pretty strongly, Walter.
410 00:28:39 I think this is a musical that knows exactly what it is.
411 00:28:44 Yes. Yes. Of course, yes. Abso--
412 00:28:47 The world that you've created is really original.
413 00:28:50 It's fascinating.
414 00:28:52 The problem is, it's not particularly easy to follow the emotional thread.
415 00:28:57 The details distract us from connecting with the characters.
416 00:29:01 -Does that make sense? -Okay. Okay.
417 00:29:03 Yes, yes. We're on the same page. That's exactly how I felt.
418 00:29:06 We're saying the same thing, just differently.
419 00:29:09 But the music, okay, I'm sorry-- The music just wasn't there.
420 00:29:12 I actually-- I thought the songs were swell.
421 00:29:19 I particularly like the one the young man sings at the end of the first act.
422 00:29:24 First rate lyric and tune. Well done.
423 00:29:29 "First rate lyric and tune."
424 00:29:32 Thank you.
425 00:29:33 Those five words were enough to keep me going for the next two years.
426 00:29:44 -Elizabeth? -Elizabeth. It's the turning point in the show.
427 00:29:48 Your protagonist is either gonna go in this direction or that direction.
428 00:29:51 Someone has to wake him up, shake some sense into him.
429 00:29:56 Okay.
430 00:29:57 It's so funny because I was gonna say the exact same thing.
431 00:30:02 Can we talk musicians? Because if it's only gonna be four,
432 00:30:06 then I gotta figure out how I'm gonna split up the bass parts.
433 00:30:10 This is for you. Here you go.
434 00:30:13 Jon, this is a reading. You'll have a piano.
435 00:30:17 I wrote a rock score.
436 00:30:19 So, at the very least I'll need a synth and drums and a guitar and--
437 00:30:24 A great song should sound great without any instruments.
438 00:30:28 Okay. Let's just do the song as a cappella.
439 00:30:31 Oh, actually, you know what? Maybe we'll just skip the songs,
440 00:30:34 and then we can get the audience in and out in half an hour.
441 00:30:37 I will take a look at the budget and I will see if I can dig up some money
442 00:30:41 for another musician. Two more.
443 00:30:44 And piano is the absolute bare minimum for this.
444 00:30:47 Have you spoken to Rosa?
445 00:30:51 Hey, Rosa, this is Jonathan Larson, your client.
446 00:30:55 I've left multiple messages with your secretary.
447 00:31:01 We talk constantly.
448 00:31:02 Has she sent out the invites for the presentation yet?
449 00:31:05 We haven't gotten a lot of RSVPs.
450 00:31:10 It's fine.
451 00:31:11 Nobody has more contacts in the industry than Rosa.
452 00:31:15 I'm sure she'll get some good people there for you.
453 00:31:18 Yeah, yeah.
454 00:31:21 -I'll see you Monday. -Yes, sir.
455 00:31:24 First day of rehearsal.
456 00:31:26 And finish the song already. Please.
457 00:31:30 -Thank you, Ira. -Thanks.
458 00:31:32 Thank you for all this. Thank you.
459 00:31:49 Yeah. I want to leave a message for Mr. Sondheim.
460 00:31:54 Hi there, this is a message for Joe Papp. For Bernie Gersten.
461 00:31:57 For the Artistic Director of the Shubert Organization.
462 00:32:00 For La MaMa. So, it's Larson, L-A-R-S-O-N. No, not Parson.
463 00:32:04 It's something that's never been done before. It's gonna be quite the event.
464 00:32:07 It has tremendous commercial possibility.
465 00:32:11 We're filling up fast. I want to make sure you got your spot.
466 00:32:13 I know that his time is limited. Oh! It would be such a treat!
467 00:32:17 Zero pressure. Ha-ha. I really want you there.
468 00:32:19 So, can I count you in? There'll be a seat reserved for him.
469 00:32:22 Superbia at Playwrights Horizons. It's at 10:00 a.m.
470 00:32:24 This Friday at 10:00 a.m. I'm so excited about Friday.
471 00:32:27 I wouldn't want you to miss it. That's all the information I can give you.
472 00:32:48 They should put every Sondheim musical on PBS.
473 00:32:52 Well, Sunday is a pretty good start.
474 00:32:55 I don't understand, why can't he just tell her he loves her?
475 00:32:59 Why can't he be an artist and love her?
476 00:33:02 He-- He does love her.
477 00:33:04 Yeah, but, like, he can't express it.
478 00:33:06 That's a personal problem. Yeah.
479 00:33:10 Men!
480 00:33:20 How did he do that?
481 00:33:42 -Did you crack it yet? -Oh, I'm getting so close.
482 00:33:46 -Call me if you need inspiration. -No, no, don't go. Hang out.
483 00:33:53 Write the song, Boo-Boo.
484 00:34:00 North Carolina Senator, Jesse Helms,
485 00:34:02 is worried the legislation was sending the wrong message.
486 00:34:05 Let me say that if IV drug users and homosexual men
487 00:34:09 would stop their activities today,
488 00:34:12 there would never be another case of AIDS in this country
489 00:34:16 other than the ones already in progress.
490 00:34:19 Henry Champ, at the US Capitol.
491 00:34:35 -Hi. -Hey. Oh, my God! I love you.
492 00:34:40 Uh, they want an answer by Wednesday.
493 00:34:42 So I was wondering if we could maybe talk about it?
494 00:34:47 The job.
495 00:34:53 Can we, uh, talk about it tomorrow?
496 00:34:56 'Cause I have to finish this song right now. Is that okay?
497 00:34:59 Sure.
498 00:35:02 You sure you're sure?
499 00:35:04 I'm sure.
500 00:35:06 Okay.
501 00:35:10 You don't seem sure.
502 00:35:17 I'll be in.
503 00:35:52 ♪ Break of day, the dawn is here ♪
504 00:35:56 ♪ Johnny's up and pacing ♪
505 00:36:01 ♪ Compromise or persevere ♪
506 00:36:04 ♪ His mind is racing ♪
507 00:36:09 ♪ Johnny has no guide ♪
508 00:36:14 ♪ Johnny wants to hide ♪
509 00:36:17 ♪ Can he make his mark ♪
510 00:36:19 ♪ If he gives up his spark? ♪
511 00:36:25 ♪ Johnny can't decide ♪
512 00:36:36 ♪ Susan longs to live by the sea ♪
513 00:36:39 ♪ She's through with competition ♪
514 00:36:43 ♪ Susan wants a life with me ♪
515 00:36:48 ♪ Johnny's got a tough decision ♪
516 00:36:52 ♪ Johnny has no guide ♪
517 00:36:57 ♪ Johnny wants to hide ♪
518 00:37:01 ♪ Can he settle down ♪
519 00:37:02 -♪ And still not drown? ♪ -♪ Drown ♪
520 00:37:08 ♪ Johnny can't decide ♪
521 00:37:12 ♪ Michael's gotta have it all ♪
522 00:37:16 ♪ His luck will never end ♪
523 00:37:21 ♪ Johnny's backed against a wall ♪
524 00:37:24 ♪ Can he bend his dream ♪
525 00:37:26 ♪ Just like his friend? ♪
526 00:37:31 -♪ Johnny sees that Susan's right ♪ -♪ Susan's right ♪
527 00:37:35 ♪ Ambition eats right through you ♪
528 00:37:39 ♪ Michael doesn't see why Johnny ♪
529 00:37:41 -♪ Holds so tight ♪ -♪ I hold so tight ♪
530 00:37:43 ♪ To the things That Johnny feels are true ♪
531 00:37:48 ♪ Johnny has no guide ♪
532 00:37:50 ♪ Johnny has no guide ♪
533 00:37:52 -♪ Johnny wants to hide ♪ -♪ Johnny wants to hide ♪
534 00:37:55 ♪ How can you soar ♪
535 00:37:57 ♪ When you're nailed to the floor? ♪
536 00:38:03 ♪ Johnny can't decide ♪
537 00:38:08 -♪ Johnny has no guide ♪ -♪ Johnny has no guide ♪
538 00:38:12 -♪ Johnny wants to hide ♪ -♪ Johnny wants to hide ♪
539 00:38:15 ♪ How do you know When it's time to let go? ♪
540 00:38:23 ♪ Johnny can't decide ♪
541 00:38:25 -♪ Johnny can't decide ♪ -♪ Johnny can't decide ♪
542 00:38:27 -♪ Johnny can't decide ♪ -♪ Decide ♪
543 00:38:29 -♪ Decide ♪ -♪ Johnny can't decide ♪
544 00:38:33 -♪ Johnny can't decide ♪ -♪ Johnny can't decide ♪
545 00:38:36 ♪ Johnny can't decide ♪
546 00:38:38 ♪ Decide ♪
547 00:38:41 ♪ Decide ♪
548 00:38:42 -♪ Decide, decide ♪ -♪ Decide ♪
549 00:38:43 -♪ Decide, decide ♪ -♪ Decide ♪
550 00:38:53 ♪ Johnny can't decide ♪
551 00:39:01 Freddy's in the emergency room.
552 00:39:03 What?
553 00:39:04 He woke up Saturday morning with a fever, he could--
554 00:39:08 He couldn't stop shivering.
555 00:39:10 Wait, wait, no. Wait.
556 00:39:14 La-- He told me last week his T-cell count--
557 00:39:16 The doctor said that it was exactly where they wanted it, four days ago.
558 00:39:20 I guess it changed.
559 00:39:23 Shit.
560 00:39:32 I mean it. He's gonna be fine. Think about it.
561 00:39:35 You know how stubborn he is. He's a pain in the ass.
562 00:39:37 -Right? -Yeah.
563 00:39:39 Frankly, we should be pissed at him that he's left us understaffed. -At Sunday brunch.
564 00:39:42 -Right. -You know what I'm saying?
565 00:39:47 Okay.
566 00:39:51 Freddy, shit! I should go to the hospital.
567 00:39:54 When am I gonna go to the hospital? I need to write.
568 00:39:57 When am I gonna write? I need to talk to Susan.
569 00:39:59 I need to see Freddy. I should call Susan. Why can't I write this song?
570 00:40:02 How can you possibly be thinking about your show when your friend is in the hospital?
571 00:40:06 What am I doing here?
572 00:40:08 I need to leave. I need to walk out that door and go.
573 00:40:14 But it's 9:30 on a Sunday morning at the Moondance Diner.
574 00:40:18 I'm not going anywhere.
575 00:40:22 Eggs up!
576 00:40:28 Do you have any of that wonderful Jewish bread?
577 00:40:31 It's "holly," dear. They call it "holly" bread.
578 00:40:35 Would you like some challah bread?
579 00:40:37 Somebody pick up these eggs.
580 00:40:42 Harrington for four. Harrington? Harrington?
581 00:40:49 Moondance. What do you want?
582 00:40:52 That was a Ghostbusters reference.
583 00:40:55 Do we take reservations? No, we do not-- We're a diner.
584 00:40:59 - Where's my rye bread? - Name, please?
585 00:41:01 -Richard. -Richard. How many?
586 00:41:04 -Caplan. -Richard Caplan.
587 00:41:05 How many in your party?
588 00:41:07 -With a "C." -Got it. How many in your party?
589 00:41:09 "C" as in "cat."
590 00:41:11 - I understand. - Can we order?
591 00:41:13 One second. How many in your party?
592 00:41:14 It's not a math test.
593 00:41:17 Order.
594 00:41:20 Thank you for your patience.
595 00:41:22 I said an omelet with no yolks.
596 00:41:25 This is why you're just a waiter.
597 00:41:28 Tension.
598 00:41:32 Major vomit situation in the ladies' room.
599 00:41:35 -Check! -Can we get two more mimosas, please?
600 00:41:37 'Cause she got a new job, okay?
601 00:41:39 Either put some Baileys in this coffee or put some vodka in this orange juice, please.
602 00:41:43 Something.
603 00:41:46 Balance.
604 00:41:53 BLT up.
605 00:41:58 - Carolyn. - Can we get the check?
606 00:42:04 -Carolyn? -Hey.
607 00:42:05 -Excuse me. Do you have any Baileys? -One sec.
608 00:42:07 Jesus Christ!
609 00:42:12 Brunch.
610 00:42:23 ♪ Sunday ♪
611 00:42:26 ♪ In the blue, silver chromium diner ♪
612 00:42:32 ♪ On the green, purple Yellow, red stools ♪
613 00:42:37 ♪ Sit the fools ♪
614 00:42:41 ♪ Who should eat at home ♪
615 00:42:47 -♪ Instead they pay on Sunday ♪ -♪ Sunday ♪
616 00:42:53 ♪ For a cool orange juice or a bagel ♪
617 00:42:58 ♪ On the soft, green cylindrical stools ♪
618 00:43:03 ♪ Sit the fools ♪
619 00:43:07 ♪ Drinking cinnamon coffee ♪
620 00:43:12 ♪ Or decaffeinated tea ♪
621 00:43:19 -♪ Forever ♪ -♪ Forever ♪
622 00:43:25 ♪ Forever ♪
623 00:43:29 ♪ In the blue, silver chromium diner ♪
624 00:43:35 ♪ Drips the green, orange, violet drool ♪
625 00:43:39 ♪ From the fools ♪
626 00:43:44 ♪ Who'd pay less at home ♪
627 00:43:49 ♪ Drinking coffee ♪
628 00:43:51 ♪ Light ♪
629 00:43:57 ♪ And dark ♪
630 00:44:02 ♪ And cholesterol ♪
631 00:44:07 ♪ And bums, bums, bums, bums Bums, bums, bums, bums, bums ♪
632 00:44:11 ♪ People screaming for their toast ♪
633 00:44:17 ♪ In a small SoHo cafe ♪
634 00:44:22 ♪ On an island in Two Rivers ♪
635 00:44:32 ♪ On an ordinary ♪
636 00:44:37 ♪ Sunday ♪
637 00:44:41 ♪ Sunday ♪
638 00:44:46 ♪ Sunday ♪
639 00:44:53 ♪ Brunch ♪
640 00:45:06 Monday morning.
641 00:45:09 My first day of rehearsals for the Superbia workshop, which is still,
642 00:45:14 in case you'd forgotten, missing its crucial Act Two musical number.
643 00:45:23 the Theater District.
644 00:45:35 ♪ Walk through Times Square And what do you see? ♪
645 00:45:37 ♪ Ugliness where Architecture used to be ♪
646 00:45:40 ♪ The glamour and style Have been replaced by gaud ♪
647 00:45:42 ♪ Like the sixty-dollar spectacle It's all a fraud ♪
648 00:45:44 -♪ That's the play game ♪ -♪ That's the play game ♪
649 00:45:47 ♪ So why do I want To play the play game? ♪
650 00:45:49 -♪ That's the play game ♪ -♪ That's the play game ♪
651 00:45:51 ♪ I must be insane To play the play game ♪
652 00:45:54 ♪ Even off Broadway It's no guarantee ♪
653 00:45:56 ♪ That some MBA Won't decide what you see ♪
654 00:45:58 ♪ Just like America, lackin' innovation ♪
655 00:46:01 ♪ Just gettin' by On glitz and reputation ♪
656 00:46:03 ♪ Just like America, on the decline ♪
657 00:46:05 ♪ Unconcerned with the product Just the bottom line ♪
658 00:46:08 ♪ Write for the movies, write for TV So what if it's crap?♪
659 00:46:10 ♪ At least you won't write for free ♪
660 00:46:12 ♪ Make thousands of dollars For a first draft ♪
661 00:46:15 ♪ Your life won't depend On whether Frank Rich laughed ♪
662 00:46:19 -♪ That's the play game ♪ -♪ That's the play game ♪
663 00:46:22 ♪ Why do I want to play the play game? ♪
664 00:46:25 ♪ That's the play game Must be insane ♪
665 00:46:27 ♪ To play the play game ♪
666 00:46:29 -♪ That's the play game ♪ -♪ That's the play game ♪
667 00:46:31 -♪ That's the play game ♪ -♪ That's the play game ♪
668 00:46:33 -♪ That's the play game ♪ -♪ That's the play game ♪
669 00:46:36 ♪ That's the play game ♪
670 00:46:38 ♪ Why do I care? ♪
671 00:46:40 I'll be auditioning for the role of Old Deuteronomy.
672 00:46:43 On behalf of Playwrights Horizons, I want to welcome everyone
673 00:46:46 and thank you all for taking part in this very exciting new musical
674 00:46:52 by a very exciting young writer, Jonathan Larson.
675 00:46:58 He's not even 30.
676 00:47:01 Oh, wow. Thank you, Ira.
677 00:47:10 And now you guys are part of the family.
678 00:47:12 So, any questions before we, uh, get going?
679 00:47:25 Yeah. Explain what?
680 00:47:27 Oh, just the musical. The story.
681 00:47:30 It's a little, um, confusing in certain places. Not in a bad way.
682 00:47:34 Superbia, a satire set in the future on a poisoned planet Earth,
683 00:47:39 where the vast majority of humanity spend their entire lives
684 00:47:43 just staring at the screens of their media transmitters,
685 00:47:47 watching the tiny elite of the rich and powerful,
686 00:47:51 who film their own fabulous lives like TV shows.
687 00:47:57 A world where human emotion has been outlawed.
688 00:48:03 This will be the first musical written for the MTV generation.
689 00:48:08 This is my--
690 00:48:09 Is it supposed to be aliens? I wasn't sure if it was all, like, aliens.
691 00:48:21 ♪ The color scheme for the day Is black-red-black ♪
692 00:48:24 ♪ The drug, of course Will be the kilowatt ♪
693 00:48:27 ♪ The trend today is to say The adjective "fun" a lot ♪
694 00:48:31 It's perfect. Keep going. Keep going.
695 00:48:33 ♪ Studd star, you have received Two nominations ♪
696 00:48:36 ♪ "Face of the Year" And "Best Hair" ♪
697 00:48:40 ♪ Prepare a speech For your photo opportunity ♪
698 00:48:43 ♪ Your agent Tim Pursent will be there ♪
699 00:48:45 I love it. I love it.
700 00:48:47 - You told me you needed a drummer. - Oh, my goodness.
701 00:48:50 Good night. Wonderful work. Really wonderful work.
702 00:48:58 It's 100 dollars for every musician.
703 00:49:02 Yeah. And your annual operating budget is half a million dollars?
704 00:49:08 So far we're up to 12 RSVPs, Jon. You don't need a band with an audience of 12 people.
705 00:49:12 You'll outnumber them.
706 00:49:16 If you want more musicians,
707 00:49:18 you're gonna have to find the money for it somewhere else.
708 00:49:22 I'm sorry.
709 00:49:25 Thank you for everything.
710 00:49:39 I went to three friends' funerals last year.
711 00:49:43 The oldest one was 27.
712 00:49:47 Pam, Gordon, Ally.
713 00:49:54 He turned 25 two weeks ago.
714 00:49:57 And nobody's doing enough.
715 00:50:00 I'm not doing enough.
716 00:50:02 There's not enough time, or maybe I'm just wasting my time.
717 00:50:05 And what about Susan's time?
718 00:50:07 When am I gonna talk to Susan?
719 00:50:09 What am I gonna say? I don't know what to say.
720 00:50:11 So Susan waits, and the time keeps ticking.
721 00:50:15 Tick, tick, tick.
722 00:50:18 And I have three days left until the workshop.
723 00:50:20 Three days left to write this song. And if the song doesn't work,
724 00:50:24 the show doesn't work, and then it's all been a waste of time.
725 00:50:28 Who gives a shit about a song?
726 00:50:30 And I miss Michael.
727 00:50:32 I need to talk to Michael.
728 00:50:35 I don't have time to talk to Michael.
729 00:50:43 ♪ Everyone who ever has Or ever will be anyone will be there ♪
730 00:50:49 ♪ Never in the history Of entertainment will there be an affair ♪
731 00:50:52 Make sure you're not speeding up.
732 00:50:54 ♪ Quite like it ♪
733 00:50:56 ♪ The event of the century ♪
734 00:51:01 I'm missing consonants in "quintessential social adventure."
735 00:51:05 -Hi. Thanks. -It sounds great.
736 00:51:07 Why didn't you tell me you were coming?
737 00:51:09 -I thought it might be a nice surprise. -Oh, no. It is. It is.
738 00:51:12 Okay. It's Tuesday.
739 00:51:21 Is there a moment where you can take a break?
740 00:51:57 -♪ A nomination ♪ -♪ A nomination? ♪
741 00:51:59 ♪ A nomination for a Face Award ♪
742 00:52:01 -♪ A Face Award ♪ -♪ Let's plug in ♪
743 00:52:04 ♪ Does this mean That I'll be on the air? ♪ ♪ You already were ♪
744 00:52:07 -♪ Last night, what a sight you were ♪ -♪ I was? ♪
745 00:52:09 ♪ You were You played with my laser ♪
746 00:52:11 ♪ You thought it was a razor ♪
747 00:52:13 ♪ I'm positive that's what Caused such a scene ♪
748 00:52:16 ♪ We can get on the air My music box on the air ♪
749 00:52:20 ♪ Where? Who? What does this mean? ♪
750 00:52:22 ♪ Everyone who ever has Or ever will be anyone will be there ♪
751 00:52:30 I can give you 50 for everything.
752 00:52:34 You're gonna sell it for five times that amount.
753 00:52:37 Fifty's the best I can do.
754 00:52:43 -Cash? -Great.
755 00:52:49 Oh, no. He's keeping the Godspell.
756 00:52:53 "Day by Day."
757 00:52:56 Yeah, yeah. I love it.
758 00:52:59 I'd love to take you to lunch. Celebrate your birthday.
759 00:53:04 I can't this week.
760 00:53:06 I could really use your advice on some things.
761 00:53:09 Hey, Michael? I'm sorry, can I call you back later?
762 00:53:21 It's Thursday at 11:00. I know money's tight for you right now.
763 00:53:24 You know what? Never mind.
764 00:53:26 Uh, wait. How much does it pay?
765 00:53:28 It's only 75 bucks, but it could be a thing.
766 00:53:34 I'll be there.
767 00:53:38 -Wow. -Okay, bye. Bye-bye.
768 00:53:40 All right, see you.
769 00:53:58 ♪ Everyone who ever has Or ever will be anyone will be there ♪
770 00:54:02 -You were right. -I know.
771 00:54:04 ♪ Never in the history Of entertainment will there be ♪
772 00:54:07 ♪ An affair quite like it ♪
773 00:54:11 ♪ The event of the century ♪
774 00:54:13 ♪ The quintessential social adventure ♪
775 00:54:16 ♪ We cannot afford to miss This night of bliss ♪
776 00:54:20 ♪ The 31st annual Face Awards ♪
777 00:54:22 ♪ Presentation ceremony Live via satellite in color ♪
778 00:54:26 ♪ It's an 18-hour function With commercial interruption ♪
779 00:54:29 ♪ From a marvelous, glorious Slam bang glamorama ♪
780 00:54:32 ♪ Everyone who's anyone knows Everyone who's anyone knows ♪
781 00:54:36 ♪ Everyone who's anyone knows Everyone who's anyone knows ♪
782 00:54:39 ♪ Everyone who's anyone knows Everyone will be ♪
783 00:54:42 ♪ There ♪
784 00:54:56 Can I hear it?
785 00:54:58 The new song.
786 00:55:02 Any day now.
787 00:55:05 You're killin' me, Larson.
788 00:55:25 My God.
789 00:55:28 ♪ Speak ♪
790 00:55:32 Hey, it's me. Just pick up the phone.
791 00:55:35 I know you're screening your calls.
792 00:55:38 Every light is on in your apartment right now.
793 00:55:47 I can see you!
794 00:55:55 Hey. Hi. You could have called first.
795 00:55:58 I just did. It's good to see you too.
796 00:56:05 I didn't mean it like that.
797 00:56:09 Jesus, Jonathan.
798 00:56:11 I need you to talk to me.
799 00:56:14 I'm writing, Susan. I'm writing.
800 00:56:15 You're gonna write a great American musical in the next ten minutes?
801 00:56:19 Thank you for being so supportive of my work.
802 00:56:21 Because you've been such a champion of mine?
803 00:56:24 -What's that supposed to mean? -What do you think it means?
804 00:56:47 I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I--
805 00:56:48 I'm not allowed to talk about my needs. What needs?
806 00:56:52 -Did I say that? -You didn't have to say it. It's implied.
807 00:56:54 How is it implied?
808 00:56:56 You're the artist and I'm the girlfriend. That's how you feel, right?
809 00:57:00 ♪ I feel bad That you feel bad ♪
810 00:57:05 ♪ About me feeling bad About you feeling bad ♪
811 00:57:11 ♪ About what I said About what you said ♪
812 00:57:16 ♪ About me not being able ♪
813 00:57:20 ♪ To share a feeling ♪
814 00:57:27 -Can we talk about this later, please? -When, Jonathan? When is later?
815 00:57:31 Not tonight.
816 00:57:35 ♪ If I thought that What you thought ♪
817 00:57:39 ♪ Was that I hadn't thought About sharing my thoughts ♪
818 00:57:43 ♪ Then my reaction To your reaction ♪
819 00:57:48 ♪ To my reaction Would have been more revealing ♪
820 00:57:54 I have been rehearsing all day. I have been up since four this morning.
821 00:57:58 I have been trying to write a song for a week and I am nowhere.
822 00:58:02 ♪ I was afraid that you'd be afraid ♪
823 00:58:05 ♪ If I told you that I was afraid of intimacy ♪
824 00:58:08 I've been telling you how unhappy I am for months.
825 00:58:11 ♪ If you don't have a problem With my problem ♪
826 00:58:14 ♪ Maybe the problem's Simply co-dependency ♪
827 00:58:18 Everyone's unhappy in New York! That's what New York is!
828 00:58:22 -♪ I was wrong to ♪ -♪ Say you were wrong to ♪
829 00:58:24 -♪ Say I was wrong about ♪ -♪ You being wrong ♪
830 00:58:26 -♪ When you rang to say ♪ -♪ The ring was the wrong thing to bring ♪
831 00:58:28 ♪ If I meant what I said When I said "rings bored me" ♪
832 00:58:32 I don't know how to get through to you anymore.
833 00:58:34 You keep shutting me out, you keep putting up these fences.
834 00:58:37 -I'm not. I'm not shutting you out. -You're a million miles away all the time.
835 00:58:38 -Actually, I'm right here. -Are you, Jonathan?
836 00:58:40 Actually? Because I know you.
837 00:58:44 ♪ I'm not mad That you got mad ♪
838 00:58:46 ♪ When I got mad When you said I should go drop dead ♪
839 00:58:48 ♪ If I were you And I'd done what I'd done ♪
840 00:58:53 ♪ I'd do what you did When I gave you the ring ♪
841 00:58:55 ♪ Having said what I said ♪
842 00:58:57 You're right. I've been distracted, but I promise you, after the workshop--
843 00:59:00 After the workshop.
844 00:59:04 After the workshop!
845 00:59:06 Everything is after the workshop.
846 00:59:08 Yeah.
847 00:59:12 What if the workshop happens and nothing changes?
848 00:59:15 No producer with a big check.
849 00:59:17 You don't go straight to Broadway.
850 00:59:19 You're still a waiter, you're still living in this apartment, you're still broke.
851 00:59:25 What then, Jonathan? What about me?
852 00:59:29 ♪ I feel bad that you feel bad About me feeling bad ♪
853 00:59:31 ♪ About you feeling bad about what I said About what you said ♪
854 00:59:34 ♪ About me not being Able to share a feeling ♪
855 00:59:36 ♪ Feeling badly about you ♪
856 00:59:39 I can't move to the Berkshires.
857 00:59:42 I can't leave my career behind.
858 00:59:45 You think I don't know that?
859 00:59:47 What?
860 01:00:03 ♪ If I thought that what you thought ♪
861 01:00:05 ♪ Was I hadn't thought About sharing my thoughts ♪
862 01:00:07 ♪ Then my reaction to your reaction To my reaction ♪
863 01:00:09 -♪ Would have been more revealing ♪ -♪ When I reacted to you ♪
864 01:00:13 Of course I don't want you to go.
865 01:00:16 -Really? -Obviously.
866 01:00:19 'Cause this is the first time you've ever said it.
867 01:00:42 Oh, my God.
868 01:00:44 ♪ Now it's out in the open ♪
869 01:00:47 You're thinking about how you can turn this into a song. Aren't you?
870 01:00:51 ♪ Now it's off our chest ♪
871 01:00:55 No. What?
872 01:00:58 You know what, Jonathan? I'm done.
873 01:01:03 Susan? Susan, wait.
874 01:01:06 I hope that you have an amazing workshop.
875 01:01:10 Susan, hold on. Susan?
876 01:01:13 ♪ Now it's 4:00 a.m. And we have therapy tomorrow ♪
877 01:01:16 ♪ It's too late to screw ♪
878 01:01:18 ♪ So let's just get some rest ♪
879 01:01:46 So, just waiting on one more person.
880 01:01:48 Enjoy those waters.
881 01:01:54 -Yes, Mr. Larson, you're Michael's friend. -Yeah.
882 01:01:56 -How are you? -Good. You're late.
883 01:01:59 -Sorry about that. -That's okay.
884 01:02:01 -No, because of the subway. -Yeah, I'm sure.
885 01:02:04 Take a seat when you can.
886 01:02:05 -Hi. -Welcome. Oh. Thanks.
887 01:02:08 You sure there's no way to get into the bathroom? Oh, no, you're not allowed to use the bathroom.
888 01:02:12 Sorry, did she mention when we were gonna get paid?
889 01:02:18 -Hi. -Hey.
890 01:02:21 Why don't we begin with a quick brainstorming session? Right?
891 01:02:24 Just to get those creative juices flowing. You know what I mean? It'll be fun.
892 01:02:30 Two hours of this.
893 01:02:31 For one extra musician.
894 01:02:35 So why don't we start by you just throwing out some ideas
895 01:02:38 when you hear me say the word "America."
896 01:02:42 -George Washington. -Excellent.
897 01:02:44 -Abraham Lincoln. -Abraham Lincoln. Okay.
898 01:02:46 Empire, racism, genocide, Vietnam.
899 01:02:49 Grover Cleveland.
900 01:02:52 -The Constitution? -Yes.
901 01:02:54 -Yeah. -Magna Carta.
902 01:02:57 The Bill of Rights. -The right thing to do.
903 01:03:00 - The right stuff. - Right stuff.
904 01:03:05 An open road at sunset.
905 01:03:09 Wind in your hair.
906 01:03:11 Nothing in your way, except horizon.
907 01:03:19 That is beautiful, Mr. Larson.
908 01:03:24 Wow. Okay. That goes on the board.
909 01:03:27 -The sun. -Sunrise.
910 01:03:31 The dawn of a new day.
911 01:03:33 -Oh! Where did you come from? -It all goes back.
912 01:03:36 -You're amazing. -That is incredible.
913 01:03:39 A window looking out on a field.
914 01:03:41 Oh, and I look out, and I see the bunnies and little squirrelies--
915 01:03:44 The beating heart of the nation.
916 01:03:48 Oh, my gosh.
917 01:03:49 -Absolutely. That's absolutely what it is. -Beautiful.
918 01:03:52 -I've never even heard that before. -You are gifted.
919 01:03:56 I could get used to this.
920 01:03:58 I could get paid for this.
921 01:04:01 I could get health care. A 401.
922 01:04:12 I could actually be rewarded for my creativity,
923 01:04:18 instead of rejected and ignored.
924 01:04:22 This could be the rest of my life.
925 01:04:25 Now that we have all those fabulous ideas of yours in our heads,
926 01:04:29 we are going to turn to the task at hand.
927 01:04:32 We are here to develop a name of a revolutionary consumer product
928 01:04:37 that is just about to hit your shelves.
929 01:04:40 This is where we're gonna need that incredible imagination of yours, Mr. Larson.
930 01:04:44 So the product we're looking at is a tasteless, odorless chemical compound
931 01:04:48 that will be used as a fat substitute in cooking.
932 01:04:52 And it's been successfully tested on a number of mammals.
933 01:04:57 Well, that's good. Mm.
934 01:04:58 There are some side effects associated with the product that I've been instructed to tell you about.
935 01:05:03 So it's skin scales.
936 01:05:10 This could be the rest of my life.
937 01:05:12 And finally, in a small number of users,
938 01:05:18 resulting in a brief hospitalization.
939 01:05:23 - Eh, no big deal. - There are no bad ideas.
940 01:05:27 -Free oil. -Love it.
941 01:05:29 -Oil free. -Okay.
942 01:05:31 -That's the same thing she just said. -I switched the words around.
943 01:05:35 That's totally fine, Kim. Thank you so much.
944 01:05:39 - Dreams of freedom. - Okay.
945 01:05:41 - Nutra-oil. - That's not bad, Todd.
946 01:05:43 Waist oil. No.
947 01:05:52 I got it.
948 01:05:56 -I have it. I have the exact-- -Go, go!
949 01:05:59 You wanna hear? I got the exact right thing for this product.
950 01:06:04 Chubstitute.
951 01:06:10 Chubstitute?
952 01:06:11 -It's a joke. -It's not funny.
953 01:06:15 -Well, maybe not to you but-- -I recommended you, Jon.
954 01:06:19 I put my name on the line for you.
955 01:06:22 -Tell them I had a stroke. -It isn't funny.
956 01:06:26 This is my life.
957 01:06:28 No, it's not your life, it's advertising.
958 01:06:31 It's figuring out how to trick people
959 01:06:33 into buying shit that they don't want. Actually, it's a lot more complicated than that.
960 01:06:38 I don't understand how you can take any of this seriously.
961 01:06:41 -Because they pay me to. -Money isn't everything.
962 01:06:44 -Well, it doesn't hurt. -Are you sure about that?
963 01:06:48 What are you doing with your life that's so noble?
964 01:06:52 -I'm making art. -That's what the world needs. More art.
965 01:06:55 Actually, yes. And at least I'm not perpetuating a system that's--
966 01:06:59 Spare the self-righteousness, Jon. You're writing musicals in your living room,
967 01:07:02 you're not saving the rainforest.
968 01:07:08 Gosh, I wish I could be more like you,
969 01:07:12 and spend my life caring about driving the right car and wearing the right suits and living in a doorman building.
970 01:07:17 Why shouldn't I want those things, Jon? Not all of us have options you do.
971 01:07:20 All the things that you take for granted.
972 01:07:22 -What? Like what? -Like a life with the person you love.
973 01:07:25 Do you know what I would give for that? You-- You turn your nose up at it.
974 01:07:30 If that's what you want, what's stopping you?
975 01:07:33 What's stopping me? How about Jesse Helms and the Moral Majority?
976 01:07:36 How about the people that run this country?
977 01:07:39 I can't get married. I can't have kids.
978 01:07:41 Half our friends are dying and the other half are scared to death they are next.
979 01:07:46 So, I'm sorry for getting a nice car, Jon.
980 01:07:49 I'm sorry for moving into an apartment with central heating.
981 01:07:53 I'm sorry for enjoying my life while I still have time.
982 01:07:56 I gotta go.
983 01:08:00 You wanna come take the subway? - I'd rather walk.
984 01:08:02 - Michael. Michael.
985 01:08:14 Hello?
986 01:08:15 Johnny, darling. It's Rosa.
987 01:08:20 -Hello? -Rosa Stevens?
988 01:08:22 -Are we excited for tomorrow? -Tomorrow?
989 01:08:26 The presentation. You remembered the presentation?
990 01:08:28 Remembered it? I got every producer in town coming.
991 01:08:33 So it better be good.
992 01:08:39 Let's see if we can't get a bidding war started
993 01:08:42 on this musical of yours. What do you say?
994 01:08:45 Yes, sure.
995 01:08:48 Okay, doll.
996 01:08:50 Charlie, get me Hal Prince on the line.
997 01:08:53 Rosa? Um, I--
998 01:09:20 I'm so sorry.
999 01:09:33 Yeah. I know, I know, I know.
1000 01:09:54 Oh, no.
1001 01:09:57 Why wouldn't you have called me to tell me my payment was late
1002 01:10:00 before you just cut off my power? How is--? How does that make sense?
1003 01:10:04 Sir, as I explained before, you received a notice--No, no, no, listen.
1004 01:10:08 You don't understand. I have a workshop.
1005 01:10:17 I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Look, look, look. I can pay you over the phone, right now.
1006 01:10:25 I would love to figure it out right now.
1007 01:10:28 The billing office is closed for the night.
1008 01:10:32 -What am I gonna do? -Sir, like I've said, call--
1009 01:10:48 - Hello? - Hey, Beth. Hey.
1010 01:10:52 How are you? It's Jon.
1011 01:10:54 Hi, Jon.
1012 01:10:58 She doesn't wanna talk to you, Jon.
1013 01:11:03 Yeah.
1014 01:11:25 I would just really love her to be there.
1015 01:11:28 I'll tell her you called.
1016 01:11:37 Here I am.
1017 01:11:41 The musical to which I have devoted my youth
1018 01:11:44 is about to be put on public display for every producer in New York.
1019 01:11:51 I haven't written a single note or a single lyric
1020 01:11:56 of the most important song in the show.
1021 01:12:01 I have no electricity.
1022 01:12:04 My best friend is furious with me. My girlfriend isn't speaking to me.
1023 01:12:09 And there is only one thing I can think of to do:
1024 01:12:15 Swim.
1025 01:12:24 ♪ I hate this locker room Why won't Susan answer my calls? ♪
1026 01:12:29 ♪ Sweat, wet, echo Smell, hell, rap ♪
1027 01:12:32 ♪ Pump up the volume Hot, wet, hot sweat ♪
1028 01:12:35 ♪ How's the water? ♪
1029 01:12:37 ♪ Stretch, stretch Spit in the mask ♪
1030 01:12:39 ♪ Cloudy vision Test the water ♪
1031 01:12:41 ♪ Contemplate the dive The shock to the skin ♪
1032 01:12:44 ♪ Anticipate the pain, the pain, the pain The pain, the pain now ♪
1033 01:12:48 ♪ One, two, three, Oh, bite the air, seven ♪
1034 01:12:52 ♪ There's that girl One, two, three ♪
1035 01:12:54 ♪ Oh, bite the air Smooth, soft skin ♪
1036 01:12:56 ♪ Two, three Oh, bite the-- Thirteen ♪
1037 01:12:59 ♪ Long legs, brown skin and wet hair ♪
1038 01:13:02 ♪ Whoa, and wet hair ♪
1039 01:13:05 ♪ Has Rosa even listened to my tape? ♪
1040 01:13:08 ♪ Kick, stretch, windmill arms See the hand, point the feet ♪
1041 01:13:12 ♪ Wet hair Relax, this guy's too slow ♪
1042 01:13:16 ♪ Fifteen Can I make it to 40? ♪
1043 01:13:18 ♪ Too slow Touch his heel, move! ♪
1044 01:13:20 ♪ Answer my calls! Red thin stripe ♪
1045 01:13:22 ♪ Fifty feet, sixty feet She looks like Susan ♪
1046 01:13:26 ♪ Susan's beautiful ♪
1047 01:13:28 ♪ Out, don't think, out, out Let it out ♪
1048 01:13:31 ♪ Keep the shoulder down, down ♪
1049 01:13:35 ♪ Easy, not too hard ♪
1050 01:13:37 ♪ Find the movement's origin ♪
1051 01:13:42 ♪ Hands, no Shoulder, no ♪
1052 01:13:45 ♪ Elbows, no ♪
1053 01:13:46 ♪ Lower, from the back Yes, lower ♪
1054 01:13:49 ♪ Thirty-nine, 40 ♪
1055 01:13:52 ♪ Center, center ♪
1056 01:14:20 ♪ Forward motion ♪
1057 01:14:23 ♪ Through the water ♪
1058 01:14:26 ♪ Come to your senses ♪
1059 01:14:28 -♪ Escape ♪ -♪ Come to your senses ♪
1060 01:14:31 ♪ Come to your senses ♪
1061 01:14:33 ♪ I am soaring ♪
1062 01:14:37 -♪ I'm the water ♪ -♪ You're on the air ♪
1063 01:14:40 -♪ You as the knight ♪ -♪ I'm underground ♪
1064 01:14:43 ♪ Me as the queen ♪
1065 01:15:27 The show is about to begin.
1066 01:15:29 The room is completely empty.
1067 01:15:34 The show is about to begin, and I am looking
1068 01:15:39 at 60 empty folding chairs.
1069 01:15:47 Hi.
1070 01:15:49 Hey, boy genius.
1071 01:15:53 I'm turning 30 on Sunday, you know.
1072 01:15:56 Oh, well, happy birthday.
1073 01:15:58 Thank you.
1074 01:16:00 -Thirty's still young, you know. -No one's here.
1075 01:16:05 Oh. It's not even 9:00.
1076 01:16:08 The presentation doesn't start till 10:00.
1077 01:16:18 That's good.
1078 01:16:20 Cool.
1079 01:16:22 Okay.
1080 01:16:25 -Can you sight read? -Yeah.
1081 01:16:33 Slowly, miraculously, people start to show up.
1082 01:16:37 - Johnny. - Be right back.
1083 01:16:40 This is phenomenal. Look at the space, it's just phenomenal.
1084 01:16:43 -It's a rehearsal studio, Dad. -It's a Broadway rehearsal studio.
1085 01:16:47 -This is the real thing. -We're so excited for you, dear.
1086 01:16:50 -Thank you. -Are they paying you?
1087 01:16:54 No.
1088 01:16:56 -Next time. -Sure.
1089 01:17:01 -That's for someone else, actually. -Mm. Do you like that?
1090 01:17:04 You can literally sit in any other seat.
1091 01:17:09 -Okay. Break a leg. -Shall we sit there?
1092 01:17:11 -I love you. Thank you. -I love you.
1093 01:17:20 His hair is ridiculous.
1094 01:17:29 Good turnout.
1095 01:17:32 Yeah, mostly friends.
1096 01:17:35 Mm, what a nightmare.
1097 01:17:46 Wild horses, Jon. You know that.
1098 01:17:53 -Oh! Okay. Break legs. -Yeah.
1099 01:18:00 Oh. Thank you. Thank you.
1100 01:18:02 Ira, you son of a gun.
1101 01:18:04 -Jonathan, how are you? -Rosa.
1102 01:18:09 -Jon Larson. -Oh, there he is.
1103 01:18:12 Just the man I'm looking for. You nervous? Don't be nervous.
1104 01:18:16 -Yeah. A little nervous. Sure. -Of course you're nervous.
1105 01:18:19 The first presentation of your musical is like having a colonoscopy in Times Square.
1106 01:18:24 Only with a colonoscopy, the worst thing that could happen is you find out you have cancer.
1107 01:18:29 With a musical, you find out you're already dead.
1108 01:18:35 Have a good show. Can't wait to see what you did.
1109 01:18:44 We can't keep waiting. It's quarter past.
1110 01:18:47 I know. I know. I know.
1111 01:18:49 -Break a leg. -Okay.
1112 01:18:52 Come here. Thank you.
1113 01:19:10 Hello. Hi, welcome.
1114 01:19:14 I'm Jonathan Larson.
1115 01:19:34 - That's Stephen Sondheim. - Right.
1116 01:19:46 And I just really hope you all like it.
1117 01:19:51 Thank you.
1118 01:20:01 And the next hour and a half are a blur.
1119 01:20:06 ♪ Everyone who ever has Or ever will be anyone will be there ♪
1120 01:20:12 ♪ Never in the history of entertainment Will there be an affair quite like it ♪
1121 01:20:19 ♪ The event of the century ♪
1122 01:20:22 ♪ The quintessential social adventure ♪
1123 01:20:24 ♪ We cannot afford to miss This night of bliss ♪
1124 01:20:28 ♪ Everyone who's anyone knows Everyone who's anyone knows ♪
1125 01:20:31 ♪ Everyone who's anyone Everyone who's anyone knows ♪
1126 01:20:35 ♪ Everyone will be there ♪
1127 01:20:46 Karessa steps forward to sing my new song.
1128 01:20:50 Not even 12 hours old.
1129 01:20:52 I close my eyes.
1130 01:20:55 I brace myself.
1131 01:20:58 I don't dare take a breath.
1132 01:21:07 I don't see Karessa there.
1133 01:21:22 ♪ You're on the air ♪
1134 01:21:26 ♪ I'm underground ♪
1135 01:21:32 ♪ Signal's fading ♪
1136 01:21:37 ♪ Can't be found ♪
1137 01:21:42 ♪ I finally open up ♪
1138 01:21:47 ♪ For you, I would do anything ♪
1139 01:21:52 ♪ But you've turned off the volume ♪
1140 01:21:57 ♪ Just when I've begun to sing ♪
1141 01:22:06 ♪ Come to your senses ♪
1142 01:22:07 ♪ Defenses are not the way to go ♪
1143 01:22:11 ♪ And you know, or at least you knew ♪
1144 01:22:15 ♪ Can't you recall when this all began ♪
1145 01:22:19 ♪ It was only you and me ♪
1146 01:22:22 ♪ It was only me and you ♪
1147 01:22:31 ♪ I have to laugh ♪
1148 01:22:36 ♪ We sure put on a show ♪
1149 01:22:46 ♪ How can we expect it to grow? ♪
1150 01:22:51 ♪ You as the knight ♪
1151 01:22:56 ♪ Me as the queen ♪
1152 01:23:01 ♪ All I've got tonight ♪
1153 01:23:06 ♪ Is static on a screen ♪
1154 01:23:14 ♪ Come to your senses Suspense is fine ♪
1155 01:23:17 ♪ If you're just an empty image ♪
1156 01:23:20 ♪ Emanating out of a screen ♪
1157 01:23:23 ♪ Baby, be real You can feel again ♪
1158 01:23:27 ♪ You don't need a music box melody ♪
1159 01:23:30 ♪ To know what I mean ♪
1160 01:23:34 ♪ Deep in my eyes What do you see? ♪
1161 01:23:39 ♪ Deep in my sighs Listen to me ♪
1162 01:23:44 ♪ Let the music commence from inside ♪
1163 01:23:49 ♪ Not only one sense, but use all five ♪
1164 01:23:53 ♪ Come to your senses ♪
1165 01:23:56 ♪ Come to your senses ♪
1166 01:23:58 -♪ Come to your senses, yeah ♪ -♪ Come to your senses ♪
1167 01:24:03 ♪ Come to your senses ♪
1168 01:24:06 ♪ Baby, come back ♪
1169 01:24:14 ♪ Alive ♪
1170 01:24:50 -Hello? -Hi, honey, it's Rosa.
1171 01:24:52 Hi, Rosa. Thank you so much for calling.
1172 01:24:55 Well, you already left six messages.
1173 01:25:02 Honey, I have heard nothing but raves all day long.
1174 01:25:07 I'm getting call after call after call.
1175 01:25:11 Okay. Yes! That's great news.
1176 01:25:15 Everyone is telling me the same thing. "That Jonathan Larson!"
1177 01:25:19 "I can't wait to see what he does next."
1178 01:25:23 What do you mean, what I do next? What about Superbia?
1179 01:25:28 I always told you, it was a tough sell.
1180 01:25:31 It's too arty for Broadway.
1181 01:25:33 Tourists aren't gonna shell out 50 dollars
1182 01:25:36 to see a show about spaceships and robots.
1183 01:25:42 Well, of course, I know that, Jonathan.
1184 01:25:45 But you know these producers, they care about one thing and one thing only.
1185 01:25:54 It's too expensive for Off.
1186 01:26:05 Congratulations on a terrific presentation.
1187 01:26:08 Rosa, Rosa, hold on.
1188 01:26:13 So what am I supposed to do now?
1189 01:26:19 You start writing the next one.
1190 01:26:21 And after you finish that one, you start on the next.
1191 01:26:25 And on and on, and that's what it is to be a writer, honey.
1192 01:26:31 You just keep throwing them against the wall
1193 01:26:34 and hoping against hope that eventually, something sticks.
1194 01:26:47 Little advice from someone who's been in this business a long, long time?
1195 01:26:54 On the next one, maybe try writing about what you know.
1196 01:27:04 Okay, kiddo?
1197 01:27:07 Yeah.
1198 01:27:08 Start sharpening those pencils.
1199 01:27:12 Yeah, yeah.
1200 01:27:23 I think let's give it a minute and see what happens next week.
1201 01:27:27 Hey, I need a job.
1202 01:27:29 -Can you hold on a second? -I'll apologize to the focus group lady.
1203 01:27:32 I will never say anything bad about marketing research ever again, I swear to God.
1204 01:27:37 I'm gonna call you right back.
1205 01:27:39 I wanna do what you do. I wanna have what you have.
1206 01:27:41 I want the BMW, I want the doorman, I want it, I want all of it. Okay?
1207 01:27:45 -What's going on? -Oh, it's good. It's good.
1208 01:27:47 I just spent the last eight years killing myself on a musical that's never gonna happen.
1209 01:27:52 I find that very hard to believe. It was incredible this morning.
1210 01:27:58 I can't do it again, Mike.
1211 01:27:59 I can't stomach five more years of waiting tables,
1212 01:28:03 five more years of writing things that no one will ever see
1213 01:28:06 while Broadway just churns out mega-musicals without a hint of even the slightest thing original
1214 01:28:12 or, God forbid, something to actually say about the world!
1215 01:28:17 Are you done?
1216 01:28:19 -No, actually-- -The presentation, Jon, it was amazing.
1217 01:28:23 It would be a tragedy to give up what you have.
1218 01:28:27 - You did it. - Please!
1219 01:28:30 I was a mediocre actor.
1220 01:28:32 Do you know how many mediocre actors there are in New York City?
1221 01:28:36 Do you know how many Jonathan Larsons there are?
1222 01:28:39 One.
1223 01:28:43 I can't keep wasting my time, Mike.
1224 01:28:46 -I turn 30 in two days. -And?
1225 01:28:49 And Stephen Sondheim was 27 when he had his first show on Broadway.
1226 01:28:53 Well, guess what? You're not Stephen Sondheim. Wait a little longer--
1227 01:28:56 I'm not waiting anymore. I can't keep waiting. This is my life.
1228 01:29:00 -I understand. -No, you don't. I'm running out of time.
1229 01:29:02 -You are not running out of time. -You don't know anything about it.
1230 01:29:06 I'm HIV-positive.
1231 01:29:16 What?
1232 01:29:23 -How long have you known? -A few days.
1233 01:29:31 Who knows? I might get lucky. People do.
1234 01:29:37 Live a year, longer even.
1235 01:29:42 Anyway, I think I might know a thing or two about running out of time.
1236 01:29:47 Why didn't you tell me sooner?
1237 01:29:55 You tried.
1238 01:30:01 Jill Kramer returning, line two.
1239 01:30:06 I have to take that.
1240 01:30:08 -Mike-- -I can't talk about this now, please.
1241 01:30:15 Jill. Hey, it's Michael.
1242 01:30:19 Yeah, I just want to see how the Downy account was going.
1243 01:30:32 I think of the day I met Michael.
1244 01:30:36 It was the first day at sleep-away camp, 22 years ago.
1245 01:30:41 We were eight.
1246 01:30:44 I think of high school, all the shows we did together.
1247 01:30:55 ♪ Is this real life? ♪
1248 01:31:02 I think of the summer that our parents decided to stay
1249 01:31:06 in the same town in Cape Cod, a mile away from each other.
1250 01:31:13 we'd just sit there talking till three in the morning about our plans.
1251 01:31:30 and change the world.
1252 01:31:33 Hey, you've reached Susan, Beth--
1253 01:31:39 I think of the first summer back from college.
1254 01:31:42 We smoked a bowl on Kennedy breakwater and Michael told me he was gay.
1255 01:31:58 I think of our friends, so many.
1256 01:32:02 I think of their funerals.
1257 01:32:04 I think of their parents not even 50, saying the Kaddish over their children.
1258 01:32:16 I think of them and I think of Michael.
1259 01:32:19 And before I understand what's happening, I start running.
1260 01:32:30 Past the pond, past the carousel.
1261 01:32:40 The ticking is so loud now, I can't hear anything.
1262 01:32:48 My heartbeat is pounding in my throat.
1263 01:32:51 The wind is shrieking through the trees.
1264 01:32:55 The sky is darkening.
1265 01:32:57 I want it to stop. I want it all to stop!
1266 01:34:24 ♪ When I was nine ♪
1267 01:34:28 ♪ Michael and I ♪
1268 01:34:31 ♪ Entered a talent show down at the Y ♪
1269 01:34:38 ♪ Nine a.m. Went to rehearse by some stairs ♪
1270 01:34:44 ♪ Mike couldn't sing ♪
1271 01:34:47 ♪ I said, "No one cares" ♪
1272 01:34:50 ♪ We sang "Yellow Bird" ♪
1273 01:34:56 ♪ And "Let's Go Fly a Kite" ♪
1274 01:35:01 ♪ Over and over and over ♪
1275 01:35:05 ♪ Till we got it right ♪
1276 01:35:10 ♪ When we emerged ♪
1277 01:35:14 ♪ From the YMCA ♪
1278 01:35:17 ♪ Three o'clock sun ♪
1279 01:35:18 ♪ Had made the grass hay ♪
1280 01:35:26 ♪ I thought Hey, what a way to spend the day ♪
1281 01:35:34 ♪ Hey, what a way to spend the day ♪
1282 01:35:41 ♪ I make a vow ♪
1283 01:35:45 ♪ Right here and now ♪
1284 01:35:48 ♪ I'm gonna spend ♪
1285 01:35:52 ♪ My time this way ♪
1286 01:35:55 ♪ When I was sixteen ♪
1287 01:35:58 ♪ Michael and I ♪
1288 01:36:01 ♪ Got parts in West Side ♪
1289 01:36:04 ♪ At White Plains High ♪
1290 01:36:07 ♪ Three o'clock Went to rehearse in the gym ♪
1291 01:36:13 ♪ Mike played Doc Who did not sing ♪
1292 01:36:17 ♪ Fine with him ♪
1293 01:36:19 ♪ We sang "Got a rocket in your pocket" ♪
1294 01:36:24 ♪ And "The Jets are gonna Have their day tonight" ♪
1295 01:36:28 ♪ Over and over and over ♪
1296 01:36:31 ♪ Till we got it right ♪
1297 01:36:37 ♪ When we emerged ♪
1298 01:36:40 ♪ Wiped out by that play ♪
1299 01:36:44 ♪ Nine o'clock stars ♪
1300 01:36:47 ♪ And moon lit the way ♪
1301 01:36:53 ♪ I thought, hey ♪
1302 01:36:56 ♪ What a way to spend the day ♪
1303 01:37:01 ♪ Hey, what a way to spend the day ♪
1304 01:37:07 ♪ I made a vow ♪
1305 01:37:11 ♪ I wonder now ♪
1306 01:37:14 ♪ Am I cut out To spend my time this way? ♪
1307 01:37:21 ♪ I'm twenty-nine ♪
1308 01:37:24 ♪ Michael and I ♪
1309 01:37:27 ♪ Live on the West Side of SoHo, NY ♪
1310 01:37:34 ♪ Nine o'clock, I write a lyric or two ♪
1311 01:37:40 ♪ Mike sings his song now on Mad Avenue ♪
1312 01:37:46 ♪ I sing, "Come to your senses" ♪
1313 01:37:50 ♪ "Defenses are not the way to go" ♪
1314 01:37:58 ♪ Over and over and over ♪
1315 01:38:01 ♪ And over and over And over and over ♪
1316 01:38:06 ♪ Till I get it right ♪
1317 01:38:11 ♪ When I emerge from B Minor or A ♪
1318 01:38:18 ♪ Five o'clock, diner calls ♪
1319 01:38:23 ♪ I'm on my way ♪
1320 01:38:30 ♪ I think, hey ♪
1321 01:38:33 ♪ What a way to spend a day ♪
1322 01:38:38 ♪ Hey, what a way to spend a day ♪
1323 01:38:45 ♪ I make a vow ♪
1324 01:38:49 ♪ Right here and now ♪
1325 01:38:57 ♪ I'm gonna spend ♪
1326 01:39:01 ♪ My time this way ♪
1327 01:39:06 ♪ I'm gonna spend ♪
1328 01:39:10 ♪ My time this way ♪
1329 01:39:33 Hey. Whatever happens next, I'm here. I promise.
1330 01:39:43 I just called them. They have a meeting tomorrow morning. You look like shit.
1331 01:39:48 I'm so cold.
1332 01:39:51 Come on.
1333 01:39:54 Oh, Mike.
1334 01:39:58 I'm sorry.
1335 01:40:07 Sunday.
1336 01:40:10 My 30th birthday.
1337 01:40:29 ♪ Speak ♪
1338 01:40:31 Jon? Steve Sondheim here.
1339 01:40:34 Rosa gave me this number, I hope it's okay to call you.
1340 01:40:36 I didn't get a chance to speak with you after the reading, but I just wanted to say it was really good.
1341 01:40:42 Congratulations.
1342 01:40:43 I'd love to get together and talk to you about it, if you have any interest.
1343 01:40:46 No pressure.
1344 01:40:48 The main thing though, is that it's first-rate work and has a future.
1345 01:40:52 And so do you.
1346 01:40:54 I'll call you later with some thoughts, if that's okay. Meanwhile, be proud.
1347 01:41:30 You know, there was a small-- very, very small piece of me
1348 01:41:34 that was the teensiest bit happy to hear you're not leaving.
1349 01:41:39 I'd have been sad not to see you every Sunday morning.
1350 01:41:42 Oh. Cheers.
1351 01:41:44 I told Freddy. He's pissed off at your agent.
1352 01:41:49 How is he?
1353 01:41:51 -He should be going home soon. -Really?
1354 01:41:53 Yes. Yes.
1355 01:42:16 -Uh, I'll be-- Yeah. -You go handle that.
1356 01:42:22 -Hi. -Hi.
1357 01:42:25 I wasn't sure whether you would want me here.
1358 01:42:32 I'm so happy you're here.
1359 01:42:36 So how was the reading? Did anybody--?
1360 01:42:44 -I'm sorry. -No, it's okay.
1361 01:42:55 I know.
1362 01:43:02 What are you gonna do now?
1363 01:43:05 I'm gonna start the next one.
1364 01:43:13 I decided to take the job.
1365 01:43:17 Okay.
1366 01:43:22 I'm happy for you.
1367 01:43:28 Happy birthday.
1368 01:43:32 Thank you.
1369 01:43:34 You really didn't have to get me anything.
1370 01:43:49 It's for the next one.
1371 01:43:54 Got any ideas?
1372 01:43:59 Just questions.
1373 01:44:02 That seems like a really good place to start.
1374 01:44:16 Goodbye, Jonathan.
1375 01:44:29 After that, he went back to a project he'd started and put away, called Rent.
1376 01:44:35 It ran on Broadway for 12 years.
1377 01:44:40 It changed the definition of what a musical could be.
1378 01:44:44 What it could sound like.
1379 01:44:47 The kinds of stories it could tell.
1380 01:44:50 Jonathan never got to see it.
1381 01:44:53 The night before Rent's first public performance,
1382 01:45:02 He was 35 years old.
1383 01:45:16 He still had so many questions.
1384 01:45:22 ♪ Why do we play with fire? ♪
1385 01:45:27 ♪ Why do we run our finger Through the flame? ♪
1386 01:45:34 ♪ Why do we leave Our hand on the stove ♪
1387 01:45:39 ♪ Although we know We're in for some pain? ♪
1388 01:45:43 ♪ Oh, why do we refuse To hang a light ♪
1389 01:45:50 ♪ When the streets are dangerous? ♪
1390 01:45:56 ♪ Why does it take an accident ♪
1391 01:46:00 ♪ Before the truth gets through to us? ♪
1392 01:46:06 ♪ Cages or wings Which do you prefer? ♪
1393 01:46:11 ♪ Ask the birds ♪
1394 01:46:15 ♪ Fear or love, baby ♪
1395 01:46:17 ♪ Don't say the answer ♪
1396 01:46:20 ♪ Actions speak louder than words ♪
1397 01:46:28 ♪ Why should we try to be our best ♪
1398 01:46:34 ♪ When we can just get by And still gain? ♪
1399 01:46:40 ♪ Why do we nod our heads ♪
1400 01:46:43 ♪ Although we know ♪
1401 01:46:45 ♪ The boss is wrong as rain? ♪
1402 01:46:49 ♪ Why should we blaze a trail ♪
1403 01:46:53 ♪ When the well-worn path Seems safe and ♪
1404 01:46:56 ♪ So inviting? ♪
1405 01:46:58 ♪ How, as we travel ♪
1406 01:47:02 ♪ Can we see the dismay ♪
1407 01:47:05 ♪ And keep from fighting? ♪
1408 01:47:09 ♪ Cages or wings ♪
1409 01:47:11 -♪ Cages or wings ♪ -♪ Which do you prefer? ♪
1410 01:47:14 ♪ Ask the birds ♪
1411 01:47:18 ♪ Fear or love, baby Don't say the answer ♪
1412 01:47:23 ♪ Actions speak louder than words ♪
1413 01:47:25 ♪ Louder than, louder than ♪
1414 01:47:28 ♪ What does it take To wake up a generation? ♪
1415 01:47:33 ♪ How can you make someone Take off and fly? ♪
1416 01:47:38 ♪ If we don't wake up And shake up the nation ♪
1417 01:47:43 ♪ We'll eat the dust Of the world wondering why ♪
1418 01:47:48 -♪ Why? ♪ -♪ Why? ♪
1419 01:47:55 ♪ Why? ♪
1420 01:47:59 ♪ Why do we stay with lovers ♪
1421 01:48:02 ♪ Who we know, down deep ♪
1422 01:48:05 ♪ Just aren't right? ♪
1423 01:48:10 -♪ Would we rather ♪ -♪ Put ourselves through hell ♪
1424 01:48:15 ♪ Than sleep alone at night? ♪
1425 01:48:19 ♪ Why do we follow leaders Who never lead? ♪
1426 01:48:24 ♪ Why does it take catastrophe To start a revolution? ♪
1427 01:48:30 ♪ If we're so free, tell me why ♪
1428 01:48:33 ♪ Someone tell me why So many people bleed ♪
1429 01:48:39 ♪ Cages or wings ♪
1430 01:48:40 -♪ Cages or wings ♪ -♪ Which do you prefer? ♪
1431 01:48:43 ♪ Ask the birds ♪
1432 01:48:48 ♪ Fear or love, baby Don't say the answer ♪
1433 01:48:52 ♪ Actions speak louder than ♪
1434 01:48:54 ♪ Louder than, louder than ♪
1435 01:48:57 ♪ Louder than, louder than ♪
1436 01:49:01 ♪ Cages or wings ♪
1437 01:49:03 ♪ Which do you prefer? ♪
1438 01:49:06 ♪ Ask the birds ♪
1439 01:49:10 ♪ Fear or love, baby Don't say the answer ♪
1440 01:49:14 ♪ Actions speak louder ♪
1441 01:49:17 ♪ Louder than, louder than ♪
1442 01:49:19 ♪ They speak louder ♪
1443 01:49:22 ♪ Louder than, louder than ♪
1444 01:49:24 ♪ Actions speak louder than ♪
1445 01:49:55 Make a wish.
