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Music By David Shire
Lyrics By Richard Maltby, Jr.
Book/Libretto by: John Weidman
Type of Musical: Broadway
Opened: April 28, 1996
Theatre: Shubert Theatre, New York
Licensing Agent: Music Theatre International

Synopsis

ACT ONE

Scene 1

As lights rise, a Distinguished Voice (in voiceover) introduces us to two New Jersey teens (Young Josh Baskin and Billy Kopecki) as the two boys practice an MTV-style hip-hop dance routine (Come On, Baby"). A group of teenaged girls enters and a spotlight singles out fourteen-year-old Cynthia Benson. Josh, who has a crush on her, tells himself to calm down, act naturally and speak to her ("Talk to Her"). Cynthia says hello first and Josh freezes. After she leaves, Billy tries to convince Josh that Cynthia likes him, and gives Josh advice on how to talk to her. We see Cynthia and the other girls arranging their hair, adjusting their make-up, and doing "teenage girl things" as they complain about the time it takes to grow up.

As Josh continues to wonder how other boys can talk to girls with apparent ease, his parents enter. They announce the family will attend the local carnival. When Josh mentions he'd rather stay home and play his new computer game, his parents wonder if Josh's sour mood is due to a new adolescent interest in girls .

Billy re-enters and tells Josh Cynthia will probably be at the carnival alone. Again, Billy coaches Josh on what he should say to her. As the two boys sing and dance their hip-hop routine, the carnival appears around them. Josh convinces his parents to give him and Billy money for the "Wild Thunder" rollercoaster ride. Billy notices Cynthia has joined the line behind them. Once more, Billy urges Josh to talk to her. Just as Josh gets up his courage to speak, sixteen-year-old Derek enters and places his arm around Cynthia, who mentions with awe to Josh and Billy that Derek drives. When Josh and Billy get to the front of the line, the Ticket Taker tells Josh he is not big enough to ride "Wild Thunder."

After Cynthia and Derek pass them to get on the ride, Josh walks off and finds himself in a deserted part of the carnival. He works off his frustration by again doing his hip-hop routine as a row of funhouse mirrors appears behind him. As Josh looks at himself in the mirrors, he notices an antique arcade machine: a glass box encasing a red devil's head with the words "Zoltar Speaks" written across the top. Josh follows the instructions to insert a coin into a ramp leading to Zoltar's mouth. When nothing happens, Josh kicks and hits the machine and it comes to life. Music plays, lights come on and Zoltar begins to move, telling Josh to make a wish. Josh wishes to be big and hits the machine again, causing the coin to drop into Zoltar's mouth; Zoltar then sings that Josh's wish has been granted. As thunder sounds and lightning flashes, Josh notices the power cord to the machine is not plugged in. He runs home and dives under his covers.

Scene 2

It is the following morning. From the kitchen of the Baskin house, Mrs. Baskin tries to wake Josh, yelling up to his room. As she tidies up the kitchen and sets Josh's breakfast on the table, she considers her life as an overworked wife and mother ("Say Good Morning to Mom").

Upstairs, a now fully-grown Josh gets out of bed, looks in the mirror to inspect a pimple on his face, and discovers to his horror he has become an adult... overnight. He dives into the closet, just as his mother enters to collect his dirty laundry. He disguises his now deeper voice and somehow manages to avoid being seen by her. When his mother leaves the room, Josh tries unsuccessfully to fit into a pair of his twelve-year-old self's jeans, finally grabbing one of his father's sweatsuits. As Josh tiptoes across the kitchen toward the door, the baby begins to cry. When Josh tries to quiet her, she screams even louder.

Hiding under the kitchen table, Josh again manages just barely to avoid being seen by his mother; however, his mother lifts the tablecloth, sees the adult Josh and, assuming he is a burglar and kidnapper, offers him her purse. Josh tries to tell her who he is, but when she grabs a hand-held mixer and begins yelling for the police, he runs out of the house.

Scene 3

Josh is a bit hysterical, wondering how he has gotten so big so suddenly; soon, he remembers Zoltar ("Big"). After wishing he could undo what has happened, Josh goes to his junior high school to find Billy.

Billy, like Mrs. Baskin, doesn't believe this grown man could be Josh, but Josh finally convinces Billy by telling him things only Josh could know and by performing their hip-hop routine.

Scene 4

Billy and Josh are in the Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York City, surrounded by an assortment of commuters, panhandlers and various other people who live and work there. After being approached by a panhandler, Billy and Josh decide to ask someone at a video arcade where they might find a Zoltar machine. The arcade manager suggests they ask the Bureau of Arcades and Amusements for a complete list of carnivals. He gives them the address, telling them to expect a three- to four-week wait for a reply.

When Josh complains he can't wait three to four weeks, Billy points out most kids would love the chance to be grown-up and do whatever they want, without fear of parental reprimands ("Big Boys"). After Billy assures Josh getting a job will be easy, Josh eventually agrees this is his chance to feel grown-up feelings without waiting to grow. Billy, after suggesting Josh find a place to sleep in the terminal, leaves to go back home. Josh, alone and scared, calls his mother, but she still believes the grown-up Josh has kidnapped her son. A police detective grabs the phone from her, and Josh quickly hangs up. After telling himself big boys don't get scared or cry, he sits down and begins to cry.

Scene 5

Josh has gone to a large Manhattan toy store, where an animated clock is whistling, tooting and singing, accompanied by a chorus of salespeople, wooden soldiers and clowns inviting customers to come in ("The Time of Your Life").

Josh, attempting to sound and look like an adult, tells a salesperson he wants a job and is directed up to the personnel office. He is then accosted by a little boy who shoots him with a ping pong ball fired from a toy space gun. Josh chases the boy as the employees and the animated clock continue inviting customers into the store.

George MacMillan enters, approaches a little girl, and asks her if she would rather play with her doll or with an evil looking space action figure he holds in his hand. The girl's mother intercedes, dragging the girl away from MacMillan. He then approaches a little boy with the action figure; the boy screams and runs away. Josh, now holding a toy space gun and chasing the boy who shot him, crashes into MacMillan and knocks him down. When MacMillan asks Josh if he is trying out the toy gun for his son, Josh responds that he merely wanted to see if the gun is fun to play with. MacMillan, owner of the MacMillan Toy Company, introduces himself to Josh and tells him his company is having trouble coming up with a Christmas toy that will sell.

MacMillan bemoans the difficulty of understanding what kids find "fun." Josh points out why several of MacMillan Toy Company's formerly big-selling games and toys aren't fun anymore. The store employees push out a large toy keyboard, upon which Josh and MacMillan then dance, first plunking out "Chopsticks" and then "Heart and Soul." After they dance, they sing about all the things having fun can do for people; MacMillan offers Josh a job at his company.

Scene 6

Billy accompanies Josh on Josh's first day at MacMillan Toys, a very sleek and cold corporate office. As Josh and Billy speak to a chilly receptionist, a chorus of junior executives welcomes them to MacMillan Toys, describing what they do and how the company was founded ("Welcome to MacMillan Toys"). Miss Watson, an executive secretary, arrives to take Josh to his new office as the junior executives continue to sing their welcome. Susan Lawrence, the Vice-President in charge of Marketing, enters with an armful of folders; she is followed by Paul Seymour, the Vice-President for Product Development, who is carrying a "Dr. Deathstar" action figure, the latest hope for MacMillan's Christmas catalogue. Susan complains she can't get any work done because of her secretary's impending wedding ("My Secretary's in Love").

Josh, rushing to find the conference room where he is to meet MacMillan and the other executives, bumps into Susan and knocks her folders on the floor. Rick Birnbaum, Ron Barrett and Arthur Lipton, the Vice-Presidents in charge of Advertising, Production and Promotion, respectively, arrive as Josh helps Susan pick up the folders. Susan and Paul introduce themselves to Josh. As they all wait for the conference where Mr. MacMillan will announce the season's top toy design, Paul boasts the conference will go smoothly and quickly.

When Mr. MacMillan arrives, he and Josh announce the "Dr. Deathstar" figure is not fun to play with; MacMillan then announces he is stopping the planned release of the toy. He demands the executives reevaluate their previous toy designs and introduces Josh to everyone as the new Vice-President in charge of Product Evaluation. As MacMillan shows Josh his huge new toy-filled office, Paul complains about MacMillan's decision to drop the toy based on Josh's opinion.

Billy meets Josh in his office and is shocked at its large size. Josh discovers Miss Watson will get them all the junk food and videos they ask for; he asks her to type Billy's algebra homework. After Josh explains to Billy that his job is to play with all the new toy prototypes and discover which ones are fun, they start to realize being big can be fun (reprise: "Big Boys").

Susan breaks up with Paul, who immediately gets a headache ("Office Politics"). Susan goes to Josh's office to ask if he has any aspirin and interrupts a game of "Astro-blaster" between him and Billy. Billy introduces himself to Susan as Josh's Special Assistant for Research and Testing. Josh mentions Susan should see the apartment he has been given, which he is free to furnish any way he wants. Susan takes this as an invitation and accepts. She leaves Josh's office excited and flushed she has accepted his "invitation" as Paul and the junior executives suggest Josh should "watch his back."

Scene 7

Billy and Josh enter, looking slightly green and carrying shoulderbags and backpacks filled with junk food. After discussing how many hot dogs they've eaten over the course of the day, they pretend to vomit and squirt strings of Silly String all over each other.

Josh's large loft appears around them; it is filled with the kinds of things a thirteen-year-old boy might wish for: arcade games, a huge TV, a Coke machine, pinball machines, a basketball hoop, etc. Josh mentions he has two tickets for them to Saturday's Knicks vs. Bulls game; he tells Billy he'll meet him at the game, after attending a company party.

Susan comes in, carrying a bag of groceries; she has the hiccoughs. Billy scares her, driving away her hiccoughs, and soon leaves. Susan, who is nervous and excited to be alone with Josh in his apartment, gives him the bag of groceries, which contains, among other things, caviar and champagne. Josh gets two glasses - plastic mugs with NFL logos on them - as Susan nervously talks about her decision to come over. Josh asks about the caviar; Susan mentions it is Beluga, and spreads some on a cracker. He tastes it and immediately spits it out; Susan gives him the champagne to drink, which he also spits out. Josh pulls his shirt out of his pants, wipes his tongue on it, finds a can of Coke and gargles with it.

As Susan continues talking, Josh asks her what games she wants to play. He mentions a number of games he has in his apartment, finally realizing all of his toys are for boys ("Do You Want To Play Games?"). Josh mentions he can give Susan stars and presses a button on a remote control unit; the lights go out and the walls and ceiling are covered with pinpoints of light ("Stars, Stars, Stars"). Josh tells her he found the little planetarium at the Museum of Natural History and points out constellations; Susan joins Josh in looking at the stars.

At the end of the song, Susan, realizing she is sitting on Josh's bed, mentions she was hoping Josh would ask her to spend the night. Josh immediately invites her to spend the night for a sleepover party; he gives her a pair of pajamas and hops up to the top bunk of his bunk bed. He then leans over the top, dangling his fists, and tells her to pick a hand. When she does, he gives her the "Official Startraveller's Compass" he was hiding in that hand. Susan thanks him and mentions how wonderful the evening has been.

Scene 8

The chic, black-tie company party is in progress in the garden of a midtown Manhattan restaurant; MacMillan employees are dancing stiffly as an offstage band plays. Paul shows Lipton a copy of Josh's job application, which is filled with the kind of answers a twelve-year-old would write: "Highest Degree: 103, during a bout with whooping cough"; "Goals: 6 in soccer, 9 in hockey"; etc. As Paul tries to show Susan the application, Josh enters in a white dress suit; everyone applauds his entrance. Josh then gives Susan her lipstick, which he mentions he found behind his bed. Paul becomes very upset.

After Mr. MacMillan greets Josh, Paul demands Josh play a game called "Toss Your Cookies." Paul misses on his cookie throw, claiming Josh hit his arm. Josh denies this and refuses to give him back his cookie; Paul jumps on Josh and starts beating him up. Susan pulls Paul off Josh, accusing Paul of being jealous and demanding he return to her his set of keys to her apartment.

Susan goes to comfort Josh as Mr. MacMillan takes the floor and demands the executives find a way to connect with kids. Josh suggests everyone should dance, and he and the kids who have come with their parents begin to do so ("Cross the Line"). MacMillan threatens to fire anyone who doesn't dance - including Paul, who has been trying to show Mr. MacMillan Josh's personnel file. MacMillan tells everyone they have three days to come up with the design for a new Christmas toy.

Susan kisses Josh and the dance goes into slow motion. When Billy enters and tells Josh the Knicks/Bulls game starts in fifteen minutes, Josh tells him he can't go with him. Josh leaves with Susan as the dance continues; Billy stares at them as the curtain falls.

ACT TWO

Scene 1

Back in their New Jersey neighborhood, Billy is throwing away all of the things he has shared with Josh: the baseball bat with which Josh taught Billy how to bunt; their fourth-grade Field Day medal; Josh's dirtbike pedal; their two-way walkie-talkie system; and the list of carnivals he has received from the Bureau of Arcades and Amusements.

Mrs. Baskin enters, carrying a box from the bakery; she mentions to Billy today is Josh's thirteenth birthday and she bought a cake just in case he came home. Billy assures her Josh will return soon and exits, retrieving the list of carnivals from the trash.

Mrs. Baskin tells Billy not to grow up too fast. She remembers Josh's childhood and wishes she could have stopped time to keep him from growing up too quickly; she wishes she had been able to stop time six weeks ago, because then he would still be home ("Stop, Time"). Josh enters and stares at his mother, as all the neighborhood kids (including Billy and Cynthia) surround Josh, clapping their hands and saying "Happy Birthday, Josh." Cynthia picks up the cake Mrs. Baskin has left behind; the candles burst into flame as we hear Zoltar's voice saying "Make Your Wish" ("The Nightmare"). Josh screams and collapses.

Scene 2

Susan, who is still working in her office at 4 AM, notices Josh asleep on the floor in front of her sofa. She is working on a game which involves boxing with oversized boxing gloves while standing in a Hula Hoop. She and Josh, each standing in their hoops, begin to box. They continue playing until they eventually tumble out of their hoops, rolling around and hitting each other. Suddenly, Josh finds he has rolled on top of Susan. He quickly rolls off, and they remove their gloves.

Susan suggests they try to imagine they are kids and asks Josh to pick an age. He suggests thirteen. When he asks Susan what she liked to do as a thirteen-year-old girl, she at first has trouble remembering, but soon recalls she was constantly busy with dance classes ("Dancing All the Time"). She gets Josh to ballroom dance with her.

Suddenly, Young Josh appears. As Josh and Susan dance, Young Josh wonders about what men and women do together. Older Josh wonders how a woman kisses a man she likes ("I Want To Know"). They continue to sing as Susan and Josh dance. Finally, Susan and Josh embrace; the lights fade on them as Young Josh finishes the song.

Scene 3

It is the following morning. We see the exhausted and disheveled MacMillan executives greeting each other. Soon after Miss Watson arrives, the elevator doors open and Josh enters. He is dressed in an Armani suit, wearing dark glasses and, unlike the others, full of energy. He greets Miss Watson exuberantly and asks her to make some coffee for him ("Coffee, Black"). Josh tells her he has come up with a great idea for the Christmas toy and asks her to contact the various company departments. With Miss Watson following closely behind, Josh finds the other junior executives, shows them his design, and tells them what he needs from their departments.

As Josh moves through the company, Paul shows Mr. MacMillan his design: a bar for kids, stocked with tiny liquor bottles. MacMillan tells him the idea is ridiculous and goes back to his office, where Josh and the other excited executives meet him. They tell him Josh has found the perfect toy, but when MacMillan asks to see it, Josh tells him he'll have to wait for the presentation meeting on the following morning. After a tense moment, MacMillan throws his arm around Josh, praising him to the other executives. MacMillan demands the others make sure Josh gets whatever he needs.

When Billy arrives and shows Josh the list of carnivals, Josh tells him he doesn't want to go back to being a kid anymore. What's more, if Billy finds the Zoltar machine and makes the same wish, Josh can get him a job at the company. Billy gets angry. Josh accuses him of being jealous. Susan enters and, not seeing Billy, kisses Josh. Billy leaves angrily, sarcastically wishing Josh a "Happy Birthday" just before exiting.

Susan, not realizing that it is Josh's birthday, invites him to accompany her to dinner with her friends. Josh, excited at the prospect of attending a grown-up dinner, eagerly accepts.

Scene 4

Nick and Abigail and Tom and Diane, two married couples who are friends of Susan, sip drinks and set caviar and crackers in Nick and Abigail's standard yuppie living room while listening to classical music. They all discuss Susan's love life and anticipate meeting the new, wonderful boyfriend she has told them all about - Josh.

Susan and Josh arrive. Susan's friends greet Josh, scrutinizing him the way close friends will, and warn him not to hurt her.

Josh, who doesn't smoke or drink, immediately impresses the friends with his unpretentiousness. The women all go into the kitchen, and Abigail and Diane tell Susan how they find Josh wonderful and adorable ("The Real Thing"). Susan agrees. Meanwhile, Josh and men talk in the living room; Tom offers Josh the tray of caviar. After making sure the caviar isn't Beluga, he tries one and has the same reaction to it that he had before: he immediately spits it out, finds a throw pillow on the couch and wipes his tongue on it, leaving a big black smear.

The women return from the kitchen with a tray of steamed artichokes and a bottle of champagne. Abigail sees the pillow, forces a laugh, turns it over and throws it back on the couch. She then asks Josh to open the bottle of champagne for a toast, but he clearly has no idea how. The others begin eating the artichokes and Abigail, seeing the trouble Josh is having, asks Tom to open the bottle. Josh, who has never eaten an artichoke before, takes a big bite off the top. He winces as he tries to chew it.

Nick asks Josh to move Tom's brand new BMW before he gets a parking ticket. Josh, who has never driven, takes the keys. After he leaves, they all agree he is wonderful; then they hear a loud crash. Tom exits. Josh returns and mentions the car went into reverse. Tom returns with a large piece of the wrecked BMW. Abigail, Diane and Nick try to lighten the mood by offering a toast to Susan and Josh, but Josh suddenly runs out of the apartment and up to the roof.

Scene 5

Susan finds Josh on the roof. She tries to console him by telling him what she loves about him. Josh tells her he is really a thirteen-year-old boy from New Jersey who got big after making a wish at a carnival. She can't believe him, and slaps him to make him stop talking. After telling him she loves him, she exits.

Scene 6

A confused and upset Josh returns to his old neighborhood ("Neighborhood Ballet"). He now realizes being grown-up means having to take responsibility for one's actions ("When You're Big"). Billy enters and the two go to find the Zoltar machine.

Scene 7

Josh and Billy are searching a cavernous warehouse when Josh finds a Zoltar machine. Susan, whom Josh has called, enters; Josh asks Billy to leave for a few minutes. Susan realizes everything Josh has told her about himself is true. She recognizes the Zoltar machine as the basis for Josh's new Christmas toy idea. They say goodbye to each other, and Josh starts to cry ("We're Gonna Be Fine"). Susan shows Josh the Startraveller Compass ring he gave her. They promise they'll never forget each other.

Billy returns with a bag of quarters and Josh inserts one into the machine. He kicks the machine and it comes to life. As Billy and Susan watch, Josh makes his wish and is magically transformed back into a thirteen-year-old boy. He and Billy break into their hip-hop routine. Josh and Susan wave goodbye as Susan exits. Mrs. Baskin enters and embraces Josh as the curtain falls."

Song List

• Overture
• Can't Wait
• Talk To Her
• Carnival
• Zoltar Speaks
• This Isn't Me
• I Want To Go Home
• Time Of Your Life, The
• Fun
• Josh's Welcome
• Here We Go Again
• Do You Want To Play Games?
• Stars, Stars, Stars
• Cross The Line
• It's Time
• Stop, Time
• Nightmare, The
• Dancing All The Time
• I Want To Know
• Coffee, Black
• Real Thing, The
• One Special Man
• When You're Big
• Skateboard Ballet
• Stars, Stars, Stars (Reprise)
• Finale

Cast List

Barbara Walsh, Jon Cypher, Crista Moore, Clent Bowers, Daniel Jenkins, Frank Mastrone, Patrick Levis, Lizzy Mack, Donna Lee Marshall, Jill Matson, Jan Neuberger, Alex Sanchez, John Sloman, Brett Tabisel, Frank Vlastnik, Gene Weygandt, Ray Wills

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Added: Sat May 14 2005
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