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Johnny Rainbow The Play
A Musical Drama by Glen River

Act 1. Act 2.

About the Play: In every culture stories of magic center on a hero who faces the powers of creation. His success earns his tribe a continued place in the future. As the American spiritual crisis becomes more evident, so the need for the magic necessary to heal the tribe rises to the surface. This is a story of that magic.

Johnny Rainbow Scene 1

Trickster: Welcome to my tapestry. My web is the vessel for your consciousness. My task is the illusion of your aloneness. My goal is the Sovereign state of your responsibility, of, for, and to yourselves. My gift is a mirror cloaked in dreams.

(The Trickster holds a mask on a rod. One side is a mirror, the other a painted mask. The mirror is only briefly flashed when spoken of. These voices should appear to come from the Trickster.)

(Male Profound Voice On Tape) In the process of each individual life the full journey of evolution unfolds. So here tonight a part of that passage is captured in the drama of a few lives in their quest to discover the truth of our existence. This mystery which has eluded science, inspired poets, and herded millions into belief systems professing knowledge of the meaning of life, occupied the imagination of our hero, Johnny Rainbow.

(Female Profound Voice On Tape) Johnny is the lead singer, songwriter and inspiration of a rock band called “Path.” They are on their way to recognition, but industry professionals are worried about his maverick reputation. It is said he is guided by what he calls spirit.

(Business Man's Voice On Tape) The band never plays any of their songs the same way twice. They cancel performances if they don't feel right. Many of their performances are free concerts. As a business investment, they are risky.

(Child's Voice On Tape) ETHERA is Johnny's spirit guide. She warns him when danger approaches. She leads him to places where spirits dwell. She commends him to the Muse. She shows him love. She teaches him ... “The Savage Art.”

(Johnny & band enter towing equipment and instruments past Velvet. Orlando watches as Velvet walks away. From stage right, an excited girl, Susie who sings harmony, runs over to Johnny jumping into a hug.

Susie: Johnny!, Johnny! You made the cover of Scream Magazine!

Bobby (the Bass man) laughs: Scream! That's a cheap rag.

Orlando: Ya, that's low tide.

(Susie playful mock vamp)

Susie: Oh boys, don't you want the girls to think your cool? Don't you want all the other guys to wish they could be cool too? Don't you want'a live on easy street? Tell me the truth Bobby. Don't you want success just a little... ?

Bobby: Yeah, I could buy my Mama a pink Cadillac, or a new house in Jersey.

Orlando: I could buy my girlfriend a diamond ring, or I could buy Lola!

The Band: Eeowue.. Oh man! Get a life! Really!

Silver: Let's sing it. Count us in Joe.

( Song 1.: Easy Street ... Joe drums on a guitar case & sticks, Bobby plugs in his bass to a mini amp. Johnny picks up his acoustic guitar.)

Susie: Did you hear, Johnny? They called you our fearless “ladder.” Our ladder to success.

Silver: What sayith the Intellectual? Words man?

Joe: The machinery of this age is set at seducing our senses at the expense of our esthetic virtue.

Bobby: Hey Silver, what did he say?

Silver: He said, screw em!

Bobby: That's what I thought he said. Ya, ... screw em!

Silver: See you later Johnny.

(all but Johnny leave)

Johnny to audience: My friends joke about their fate. All their lives they have been bombarded by a multi billion dollar industry dedicated to convincing them that their self-worth is measured by their ability to spend. Still, I tell them that money can't be a priority for our music, and they not only believe me, they agree with me. So we are guided by spirit. My educator to the understanding of spirit is ETHERA. She has taught me that the universe can heal by simply being in harmony with it. Sometimes the band and I poke a little fun at the world and sometimes we just try to express the harmony of spirit.

(Spot on Johnny goes dark, spot opens on poker game other side of stage)

This is the end of scene 1.

The town is run by Boss D. Everyone is under his thumb but Johnny Rainbow. Although Johnny is protected by a friendly gambler Billy Diamond, known as the most dangerous man in town, Boss D is determined to put an end to all opposition. Boss D hosts a concert where he intends to kidnap Johnny Rainbow. The Boss's plot is discovered. Johnny and the band escape to the enchanted forest.

END of Act 1.

Trickster: Our evolution has unfolded to this crossroads and now fate will bring our story into a magical place. While I am an agent of spirit in this town, in the Enchanted Forest others rule. ETHERA will be your guide. Take your rest. When we return, my web will be unraveled and all questions will be answered.



INTERMISSION

Synopsis of Act 2.

The Enchanted Forest

Fleeing the wrath of Boss D, the band takes refuge in the Enchanted Forest. Here strange music, visions and dreams flood the senses. Guided by the voices of ETHERA, our voyagers discover new ways of perceiving creation. Meanwhile, in town the struggle for supremacy takes an unexpected turn. The death of Boss D creates a void which must be filled by another Boss. Back in the Enchanted Forest more arrivals from town stumble into enlightened perceptions. The ambitions of human weakness collide with the fate spirit has devised for evolution.