and then came tango

8/10/2019 And Then Came Tango

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And Then Came Tango

A play for young audiences

There is no remedy for love but to love more. Henry David Thoreau


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CAST BREAKDOWN

Lily: A 10 year old girl

Walter: A zookeeper

Roy: A shy male penguin

Silo: A curious male penguin from San Diego

Guapo: A very hungry male penguin

Nita: A confident, adventurous female penguin

Wendy: A female penguin from the wild

Wallace: A territorial penguin

Elements: Four dancers*

*The number of elements can changeaccording to the directors desires. The

elements live in the memory world and helpto create the moments of magic in the script:

moving rocks, eggs, fish, water etc. Theelements act as puppeteers and storytellers.

Facilitators: Four facilitators act as zoo volunteers,

activists, and most importantly, a bridgebetween the world of the play and audience.

MUSICIANS:

Piano

Flute

Oboe

Clarinet

Small percussion instruments (shaker, triangle)


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SETTING

Penguin Exhibit at The Central Park Zoo

NOTES

The penguins do not speak. Penguin communication is highly physical and inspired by authenticchinstrap penguin movement and physicality. The penguins are never seen out of character.

Movement to and with the music may result in a more stylized or choreographed combination ofpenguin movement vocabulary and dance vocabularies.

SYNOPSIS

And Then Came Tango tells a story about love, family, perseverance, and standing up for your

beliefs. The play is inspired by the true story of Roy and Silo, two male penguins living at theCentral Park Zoo who formed a pair bond, built a nest, and were so determined to be parents that

they incubated a rock. When given an orphaned egg, the pair successfully raised a babyfledgling. The play takes audiences on a journey to the penguin exhibit where Lily, a young

visitor to the zoo, learns to understand the consequences of doing what she believes is right whenfaced with a public outcry about Roy and Silos bond. This original work for young audiences

weaves dance, storytelling, and live music with audience interaction through a story thatcelebrates families of all shapes and sizes.


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Pre-show interaction

The audience is led to a designated seating area onthe floor in the middle of an empty zoo exhibit. The

facilitators are dressed as volunteers for the zoo. As

they greet the audience, they break them into foursmall groups; one group for each facilitator. Theexhibit feels dusty and stale, and theres a sign

posted that says Out with the old, in with the new!Penguin Exhibit Closed until further notice. Once

everyone is seated, the facilitators start the pre-showinteraction.

During the pre-show interaction, the facilitators

create the mood and environment of the aquariumwith the help of the audience. The facilitators invite

the audience to create abstract sounds that representwhat a penguin exhibit might sound like (for

example: cold, blue, icy, etc). The facilitatorsintroduce conductor signals such as start, volume

(louder/softer), and stop. Once each group haspracticed their individual sounds, the facilitators

will bring the them together to experience thecombined effect of their soundscapes. Suddenly,

Lily enters the exhibit and interrupts thesoundscape, her entrance signals the start of the

play. All of the facilitators turn to Lily, very curiousabout her presence.

Scene 1

LILY

Did I make it in time? I wanted to say goodbye before its all.Gone. Its all gone.

(Lily realizes shes not alone.)

(To the facilitators) Did you see where they took them?

FACILITATOR 1Who?

LILY

The penguins?


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FACILITATOR 2No, it was empty when we got here.

(Lily looks around.)

LILY(Reading the sign) Out with the old and in with the new. Im too late.

(Lily walks over to the large rock structures.She runs her hands over them and realizes

that everything is covered in dust. Rubbingher hands clean, she closes her eyes and tries

to remember what the aquarium once lookedlike.)

I wish you could have seen- The rocks. The water. The ice. And of course, the penguins. Guapo

and Nita,Wendy and Wallace, Roy and Silo - hopping, swimming, snuggling, and begging forsmelly fish.

(Lily begins to walk around and paint apicture of what was once a very magical

place. She crouches down by the edge of theempty tank.)

This is where the penguins would swim! The blue water embracing their small bodies in a

swirling hug.

(The facilitators lead their groups in shortsoundscapes to accompany the memory.

Lily closes her eyes and enjoys the sound.She walks back to the large rock structures.)

And this is where they built their nests. On top of the cold, shinny, ice covered rocks.

(The facilitators lead their rehearsed groups

in a short soundscapes to accompany Lilysmemory.)

Little homes made out of rocks, on top of rocks, on top of rocks

(Lily pantomimes a careful arrangement of

small rocks in a circle.)

One, two, three. One, two, three. One, two, three. In a perfect round circle. It started with justone. And then there were two. And then two madethree. I was much younger then, with my-


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backpack, lunch box, school, homework, but if I was good, the zoo! This old exhibit holds somany memories theres one that Ill never forget. You really have to see it. If we could just go

back in time to when this place was alive! One, then two, and then three. Something happenedthat changed everything forever. (To the audience) Will you go with me?

(Facilitators nod enthusiastically. They turnto their groups ready to conduct the sounds.)

One. Two. Three

(When Lily says three the facilitationgroups join the transforming world around

them with their soundscapes. The penguinexhibit of the past begins to unfold around

Lily. The elements and music help to bringthe aquarium back to life. Large icy blue silk

fabrics glide over the audience envelopingthem in the new world, the story world, a

world transformed into a happy, bustlingpenguin exhibit. The facilitators end their

soundscapes and sit with their groups towatch the story.)

(Calling out) Walter!

(Walter enters. Lily has been transformedback to a young girl. In her excitement, she

speaks quickly, barely getting her words outfast enough. Walters the opposite: slow,

deliberate, and frank. Although frustrated attimes with Lilys constant presence,

something about her doesnt make him turnher away.)

WALTER

Lily.

LILYIm back to help again. This time I was thinking maybe youd let me-

WALTER

No.

LILYFeed the penguins?


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WALTER

No.

LILY

Maybe tomorrow?

WALTER

No.

LILYWell can I help you get the fish ready at least? And then maybe I can feed them the day after

tomorrow. Whats on the menu?

WALTERHerring.

LILY

Like yesterday! And the day before that, and the day before that, and-

WALTERBucket?

LILY

Right here!(Lily grabs the fish bucket.)

Full of fresh, stinky, herring. Can I hold the bucket again while you feed the penguins?

WALTER

Sure.

LILYYes! I thought of names you know- for the penguins. It took me all night, but I think its

important that they all have names.

(Walter and Lily enter the aquarium,stepping over the threshold that separates the

visitors portion of the exhibit from thepenguins habitat.)

WALTER

Careful.


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LILYWalter can I name the penguins?

WALTER

Knock yourself out.

LILYReally?!

WALTER

Bucket.

(Lily hands Walter the bucket brimmingwith fish allowing herself a chance to

approach each penguin to give them aproper name. The penguins are eager to eat.

Especially Guapo, who would do anythingto be the first one fed.)

LILY

(To Guapo) Guapo settle down, everyone is going to get fed! By the way, your name is Guapo.How do you like it? Its cause youre so handsome. Now dont push Wendy over; she has a hurt

wing remember? How would you feel if you barely missed the jaws of a leopard seal? Walterhows Wendys wing doing?

WALTER

Who?

LILY(Pointing to Wendy) Wendy.

WALTER

Oh, better.

LILYGood!

(Nita approaches Lily and Walter. She

boldly sniffs at Lilys feet.)

Hi Nita! Do you like your name? I named you after my mom. (Whispering to Nita) Youre bothfearless.


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(Wallace struts by, not wanting to be leftout.)

LILY

Dont worry, I didnt forget you. (Bowing) Greetings Sir Wallace! Walter, dont you think

Wallace acts like he owns the place?

WALTER

Hes territorial.

LILYThat explains a lot. Theres just one more. (To Roy) I had a hard time naming you-

WALTER

(To Roy) Breakfast?

(Roy inches out from behind a rock just farenough for Walter to throw him a fish. He

quickly retreats.)

LILYWe hardly ever get to see you out and about. But then it came to me, Roy! I dont know why I

like it, but its simple and ends in a y and my name ends with a y. (To Walter) What else dowe have to do today?

WALTER

Patience.

LILYMy mom says that patience is not one of my virtues. I peeked on your calendar and it said that

theres a delivery coming today. Whats in it?

WALTERA penguin.

LILY

Another penguin? That is so exciting! Wheres it coming from?

WALTERCalifornia.

LILY

Is it a boy or a girl?


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WALTERGirl.

(The elements begin to slowly enter with a

crate that carries a penguin inside.)

LILYWalter, I think its here!

(The elements bring the crate into the

aquarium space. Walter carefully opens thecrate and steps inside. Sounds of Walter

coaxing the penguin are heard.)

WALTEROh no.

LILY

Whats wrong? Is she hurt?

WALTERNo.

LILY

Is she scared?

WALTERNo.

LILY

Is she sleeping?

WALTERNo

LILY

Im running out of ideas here

WALTERShes a he!

LILY

Not a she?


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WALTERI need to make a call.

(Walter and Lily exit the aquarium. Walter

leaves the exhibit to make his phone call.

Lily introduces herself to the latest additionto the colony. The new penguin slowlyemerges from the crate.)

LILY

I was planning on naming you Silvia just now in my head. But youre much more of a Silo.Welcome to the family, Walter calls it the colony, but I know what a family looks like when I

see one.

(Lily watches fascinated as Silo getsacquainted with all of the penguins. Feeling

threatened, Wallace asserts his dominance,but Silo doesnt seem bothered by it. In fact,

hes not very interested in the otherpenguins at all. Instead he explores the

entire aquarium, hopping from rock to rock,testing the water in the tank with a quick

dip, and examining all of the best hidingplaces. Just as the colony is feeling settled,

Silo stumbles across Roy. Roy comes outfrom behind his rock.)

Silo, meet Roy. Roy, meet Silo.

(Roy and Silo get to know one another.)

Scene 2:

(A few days later the aquarium is buzzing

with a different kind of energy. Thepenguins are flirting and interacting with

each other; love is definitely in the air.)

LILYWalter?

WALTER

Lily.


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LILYSomething is different. The penguins are acting kind of funny.

WALTER

Mating season.

LILYPenguin babies! Oh, my, gosh! That is the coolest thing Ive ever heard. Real live baby chicks.

Does that mean the penguins fall in love? How long does it take? When will there be eggs?When do they hatch? Can I hold one?

WALTER

Patience.

LILY(Groan) Not one of my virtues. (Singing) L is for the way you look at me, O is for the only one I

seeeeeee.

(Walter continues on with his work. Lily onthe other hand is glued to the aquarium

fascinated with the colonys activities. Aftera while, Nita becomes frustrated with

Guapos clumsy displays of affection andattempts to impress her; she finally seals the

deal herself by presenting a rock to Guapo.He happily accepts and they perform their

unique pair bond dance. Lily jumps up inexcitement.)

LILY

Walter!

WALTERLily.

LILY

Did you see that?

WALTERYes.

(Walter enters the aquarium to feed the

penguins and make note of the first pair ofthe season. He tosses a fish over to Guapo.


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The fish falls directly in front of thetrembling penguin. But Guapo restrains

himself and lets Nita eat first.)

LILY

Now thats true love!

(Meanwhile, Wallace struts and puffs out his

chest, and does everything in his power tomake Wendy notice him. He then searches

for the perfect rock. Bowing his head ashumbly as he can, he presents his chosen

rock to Wendy. She hesitates, making himanxious for her answer until she finally

accepts. They perform their own unique pairbond dance.)

LILY

Walter! Wallace just gave Wendy a rock and it looks like she likes it! I thought hed never -

WALTERSettle down? Me neither.

(Amidst the penguin bonds and displays of

affection Roy and Silo are also forming arelationship. They are inseparable and

follow each other everywhere.)

LILYRoy seems so different lately. He used to never come out from behind that rock.

WALTER

I know.

LILYHe seems -

WALTER

Happy.

LILYI used to think he wanted to be alone, and now hes always with Silo.

WALTER


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Hopping together.

LILYSwimming together.

WALTEREating together.

LILYHop, hop, hop

WALTER

Splish, splash, splish

LILYChomp, chomp, chomp

Walter

SCARF!

(Lily and Walter laugh. She doesnt noticeWalter look back at Roy and Silo.)

LILY

(Singing again) V is very, very extraordinary, E is even more than anyone that you adoreand.LOVE!

Scene 3:

(The penguins are busy exploring theaquarium in their pairs looking for the best

rocks they can find to build their nests. Lilyenters, a ball of energy.)

LILY

Walter?

WALTERLily.

LILY

Any baby penguins yet?

WALTERNot yet.


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LILY

Whats next then?

WALTER

Nests.

LILY

Penguin nests? How does that even work? I dont see sticks or twigs or leaves.

WALTERRocks. Lots and lots of rocks.

(The penguin pairs begin to form nests. The

elements help to create the circular rockstructures with the penguins. Lily watches

them work counting the rocks as they arepiled on.)

LILY

Oh!

WALTERSee?

LILY

One, two, three(When every rock is in place, Wendy and

Nita settle down on top of their new nest.)

WALTERAnd now, we wait.

LILY

Waiting is the worst! Waiting and waiting and waiting.

WALTERLily.

LILY

What? You said we are waiting and waiting and waiting.

WALTERLily -


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LILY

Waiting and waiting and waiting.

WALTER

Patience!

LILY

Wait- What about Roy and Silo?

(Roy and Silo watch all of the activity thatsurrounds them in the aquarium. Penguins

tending to their new homes, parents sittingand waiting for their eggs to arrive, and

most obviously, love blooming betweenperfectly bonded pairs. The two penguins

share a special moment and start to collecttheir own pile of rocks.)

Scene 4:

(A few days pass and finally, Nita and

Wendy reveal the new additions to theirfamilies. The penguin pairs take turns sitting

on their eggs.)

LILYWalter?

WALTER

Lily.

LILYIs it time yet?

(Walter shakes his head no and continues

with his work. Lily waits a little bit staringat the colony. Finally she cant stand it any

longer and has to ask again.)What about now?

WALTER

No.


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(Lily waits a little bit longer.)

LILYIf you had to guess how much time well be waiting....

WALTERLily!

LILY(Sigh) Okay, okay. Were still waiting. Waiting and waiting and waiting. One. Two. Three.Wait-

Walter?

WALTERLily.

LILY

Egg! Theres an egg! Nita has an egg!

(Lily can barely talk fast enough.)

Oh, and another one! Look at Wendy shes passing Wallace their egg! One, two

(Walter sees something suspicious.)

WALTERWait.

(An egg is discarded by one of the pairs in

the aquarium. It finds its way to the center ofthe aquarium; the elements help maneuver it

around the space. Walter quickly shields itfrom the cold preparing to take it to the

incubation room. Lily watches.)

LILYWalter is that egg going to be okay? Where did it come from?

WALTER

One of the pairs discarded it.

LILYThey kicked it out of their nest? Thats sad.

WALTER


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Thats nature.

LILYWhere are you taking it?

WALTERIncubation.

(Walter leaves. Meanwhile Roy and Silohave built quite a collection of rocks. The

pile of rocks is starting to look more andmore like a circle. And eventually, more and

more like a nest.)

LILYSilo what are you doing with all of those rocks? It looks like youve got a big collection. I like to

collect rocks too, especially those fancy ones you get at the store inside the science museum and- (Gasp) Wait! You too? One, two, three. One, two

(Roy appears with a special rock. He places

it carefully in the center of the circle. Silopromptly sits on the rock. The two perform

their own unique pair bond dance.)

Three.

(Lily is stunned into a moment silence.)

Walter!

WALTERWhat?

LILY

Look.

(Walter stares at the pair for a long time.Without looking at Lily, he makes a note on

his clipboard and starts to walk away.)

Wait! Walter. Whats wrong? They just want to be parents too.

WALTERLily -


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LILY

I keep telling my mom, I bet todays the day. Do you think todays the day?

WALTER

Well see.

LILY

That means no.

WALTERNo

(Nita suddenly becomes very excited but

remains calm, Guapo is a mess. He pacesback and forth.)

LILY

Yes or no? Youre confusing me.

WALTERWait-

LILY

If I hear the word wait one more time

WALTERLook!

(Suddenly theres a sound heard all aroundthe aquarium. CRAAAAAACK!)

LILY

Crack!(Guapo and Nitas baby chick is born.)

This is so exciting! What do we do? Do we need to check on it? Does it need to be fed? How do

we even do that?

WALTERWait-

LILY

Another?(CRAAAAAACK!)


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WALTER

Crack!(Wendy and Wallaces baby chick is born.)

LILYOkay, this is too cool. Walter when can I hold one? Can I hold one?

WALTERNo.

LILY

Okay, maybe tomorrow. Whats next?

WALTERFood.

LILY

Can I help?

WALTERYes.

(Lily and Walter feed the penguins, whothen carefully feed their new chicks. Lily

and Walter make their way around to eachnest. Walter takes detailed notes and Lily

tries to stay calm, holding the bucket of fishfor him. Walter finally reaches Roy and

Silos nest. He holds out a big juicy herring,and the two male penguins turn their heads

in refusal.)

WALTERLily?

LILY

What? Do we have to go already? Can we stay for just a little bit longer? My mom said I couldstay later today and I really want to -

WALTER

No.

LILYWhats wrong?


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WALTER

Lily.

LILY

Is everything okay with the babies? They look good to me. Theyre so cute and cuddly and-

WALTER

Roy and Silo.

LILYWhat?

WALTER

Lets just go.

LILYNo. Walter, whats wrong with them? You can tell me.

WALTER

Theyre not eating.

LILYMaybe theyre not hungry. Did you feed them a lot this morning?

WALTER

No.

LILYMaybe they just had a big meal last night. Sometimes if I eat too much I get a really bad

stomachache and-

WALTERLily.

(Lily and Walter both look at Roy and Silo.)

LILY

Maybe they thought today was their day too, the day that their rock was going to hatch. One,two-

WALTER

Three.


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(Walter exits without another word, tryingto avoid Lilys worried face. This makes

Lily upset. Shes angry that Walter is justrunning away.)

LILYWalter wait! He keeps doing that!

(She starts to throw a fit and gets soexacerbated she kicks a rock-, hard.)

LILY

(Groan) Ouch. (Turning to the facilitators) Whats going on?

(The facilitators turn towards their smallaudience groups and brainstorm suggestions

for Lily. They ask the following questions:Whats happening? Why are Roy and Silo

not eating? Whats wrong with Walter?Once the audience has described the

situation, the facilitators encourage theaudience to question why. They list their

ideas on a pad of paper or poster board.Each facilitator shares ideas with Lily.)

LILY

I guess I didnt realize all that.

I cant sit around waiting anymore. Whenever I have a really big problem, my mom says to focuson the facts, then she says things will become clear. 1. Roy and Silo are not eating. 2. They look

really really sad. 3. All they want is their own baby. (Thinking and then light bulb) I got it!(Looking back at the incubated egg) I know what Im going to do, just dont tell anyone okay?

(Lily leaves and returns with the egg from

the incubation room. She gestures to theaudience to be quiet. Slowly and carefully

she enters the aquarium, makes her way overto Roy and Silo and proudly presenting them

the egg. They both move out of the way andshes able to place it gently at the center of

their nest.)

Roy and Silo, meet your egg. Egg, meet your daddies.


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(And just like penguin parents do, they bothtake turns sitting on the egg. Lily sits back

and watches, singing a familiar tune.)

(Singing) Love is all that I can give to you. Love is more than just a game for two

Scene 6:

(Walter enters. He goes around his usualbusiness and checks on each pair. Just as

hes leaving the aquarium, he does a doubletake. Sure enough, he sees Silo slowly shift

so that Roy can take over sitting on, not arock, but an egg.)

WALTER

Oh no.

(Lily enters)

Lily?

LILYWalter.

WALTER

Lily.

LILYWhat? Theyre naturals. Just look at them! And whats so wrong with it anyway?

WALTER

Lily-

LILYDont be mad Walter. I was really worried about them. They look so happy now.

WALTER

Lily-

LILYYou just kept on leaving! Somebody had to help them. All they needed was an egg! One, two,

and now three! Theyre a family. Its going to be all right.


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WALTERIts all wrong.

(Suddenly, Lilys conversation with Walter

is interrupted by a chorus of reporters who

are played by the Facilitators. They cleartheir voices, pick up microphones, and puton jackets, signaling a change of character.)

FACILITATOR 1

Good morning New York City!

FACILITATOR 2Thank you for joining your favorite local station, WBCN.

FACILITATOR 3

Were here at the Central Park Zoo with breaking news.

FACILIATOR 4The Penguin Exhibit has become the scene of an unlikely love story between two male penguins,

Roy and Silo.

FACILITATOR 1Weve received information that the penguins were given an orphaned egg in the exhibit by a

zookeeper. They are not releasing his name.

WALTERRidiculous!

FACILITATOR 2

The egg has created a huge controversy. Activists have collected outside the zoo. Some believethat the zoo needs to take action against the zookeeper. No one can come to an agreement and

the zoo is refusing to comment on their newest penguin family.

FACILTIATOR 3Some people are

(The news reporters begin to overlap,repeating their lines to create a

choral effect that builds in intensityand volume.)

FACILITATOR 4

Furious.


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FACILTIATOR 3Others are -

FACILTATOR 1

Thrilled.

FACILTIATOR 3All of them are

FACILTATOR 2

Loud.

FACILTATOR 4Very loud.

FACILTATOR 1

Debating.

FACILTATOR 3Arguing.

FACILTATOR 4

Crowds.

FACILTATOR 1Blocking the entrance of the zoo!

FACILTATOR 2

They all want to be heard.

LILYI didnt know this was going to happen.

(The facilitators transform from reporters to

a crowd of activists. They represent multipleviewpoints, some in support of the penguins,

and some against. They hold signs. Theprotest is performed using repetitive and

mechanical gestures. Multiple viewpointsare presented at first, but eventually the

activists who are against the penguin uniontake over. Walter attempts to make his way

to the exhibit.)


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WALTERExcuse me.

(The activists block Walter from getting tothe penguins.)

I work here. (They continue to block Walter fromentering.)

Excuse me.

(They refuse to let him through, growingmore violent.)

I need to get to work.

(The pushing now is scaring Walter.)

Get out of my way!

(Walter finally pushes his way into theexhibit exacerbated. He tries to go about his

usual routine, attempting to ignore theactivists and the news reporters outside but

he is unable to. The penguins are starting toget nervous. Walter sees Roy and Silo and is

deeply moved by their natural instincts toprotect their egg. He begins to feel

protective as well.)

(To the penguins) Itll be okay.

(Lily struggles to make her way into theexhibit.)

LILY

(To the activists) STOP! Just leave them alone!

(Roy and Silo continue to protect theirspecial egg.)

(Scared) Walter?

WALTER

Lily.


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"(

(Lily rushes to Walters side, and almosthugs him but holds back. The facilitators

slowly put their signs down and sit with theaudience, no longer representing the

activists, although we still understand that

they are out there.)

LILY

What are we going to do?

WALTERI dont know.

LILY

When I gave them the egg I had no idea this would happen. I didnt know that other peoplewould care or get upset. Theyre really, really upset.

WALTER

The zoo wants me to split the penguins up. Silo will go back to California.

LILYWalter you cant! What about the egg?

WALTER

Ill take care of it.

LILYBut you said to me that the eggs are extremely fragile, and if theyre taken away from the parents

they might not survive.

WALTERLily, you dont understand whats at stake. Just leave this to the adults.

LILY

But you saw what happened to Roy and Silo. Theyll stop eating, they might die if you split themup! Thats whats at stake! And now they need to protect the egg.

WALTER

And I need to protect my job.

LILYWalter, just look at them. This is what theyre meant to do.


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")

(Roy and Silo gently take turns sitting on theegg. When one of the parents is on the egg,

the other is helping to prune feathers, checkon the nest, and snuggling close to keep

each other warm.)

WALTERLily-

(Walter hesitates, hes about say something

very honest to Lily, but he cant.)

This is what I mean. Youre just too young to understand! I cant sit around and explain this toyou. There are other animals in the zoo that need me too.

(Walter leaves)

LILY

(Too Walter) I understand completely, youre scared! (To the facilitators) I need your help. Didyou see how the activists had those signs? They dont seem that hard to make. Let me grab my

backpack, Ive got some markers and paper from school.

(The facilitators turn to the audience anddiscuss the activists and their signs. They

ask the audience the following questions:What did they notice about the signs, what

did the signs say? Once the audience hasdescribed the signs (the facilitators may

even want to hold one of the signs as anexample for their group), the facilitators

question further. They ask the audience:What do you think the signs mean and why

do they say what they do? How does thisrelate to Roy and Silo? They list ideas on a

pad of paper or poster board. The facilitatorsinvite multiple voices to share their ideas.)

(Lily comes back with supplies.)

Okay now I can tell them what I want to say!

(She raises a marker ready to write

something on a poster board.)


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What do I want to say? (Pause) This is a lot harder than I thought it was going to be.

(In the four smaller groups each facilitatorbrainstorms with the audience about what

they think Lilys poster could say. They list

ideas on a pad of paper or poster board.They ask the audience the followingquestions: How does Lily feel in this

moment? Why does she feel this way? Whatdoes Lily believe? What do you think her

sign could say to show that? Why is itsometimes hard to stand up for what you

believe? The facilitators then share someideas with Lily.)

LILY

Thats it!

(Lily writes one or combination of themessages that the audience shared with her

on her own activist sign. She stands andbegins to loudly share the words shes

written. Lily doesnt see Walter enter.)

WALTERLily.

(Walters proud. But he tries to hide it.)

LILY

Okay Walter I know youre going to be mad at me but listen, I just thought that if we gave thema taste of their own medicine.

WALTER

Lily-

LILYWhat does that even mean? My moms always saying it.

WALTER

Lily!

LILYBut really, I think we can convince the zoo to let you keep your job and-


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WALTER

Wait.

LILY

No, Walter, I think I have a really good idea for what we can say to them and if you just listen Ithink youll agree with me-

WALTERLily-

LILY

Walter I just-

WALTERListen!

(And then the loudest

CRAAAAAAAAAAAAACK yet is heardaround the aquarium.)

LILY and WALTER

Crack!?!

(Roy and Silo step back and their baby chickis born. Roy and Silo carefully clean and

preen and snuggle the new addition to theirfamily. Walter and Lily rush into the

aquarium to check on the newest addition tothe colony.)

WALTER

Look at that.

LILYIs it okay?

WALTER

Yes.

LILYI knew theyd be good parents.

(Lily and Walter watch Roy and Silo for amoment. They enter the aquarium. Walter


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#"

picks up the chick, which Roy and Silodont like, so he quickly puts her back in the

nest.)

WALTER

Its a girl.

LILY

Thats what you wanted! Remember? When Silo came and you thought it was going to be a girlpenguin, all the way from California. Remember Walter?

WALTER

Yup.

LILYIts meant to be.

WALTER

I guess so.

LILYI know so.

WALTER

She needs a name.

LILYI almost forgot! Let me think

WALTER

Tango.

LILYHuh?

WALTER

That should be her name.

LILYWhy?

WALTER

It takes two to Tango. One, two, and.


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LILYThree.

(Lily and Walter step back and watch the

penguins family. Roy and Silo care for

Tango just like all the other parents in theaquarium. They preen her feathers, snuggleher close, feed her, and eventually show her

how to hop, and swim.)

LILYLook at them go.

WALTER

Hop, hop, hop.

LILYSplish, splash, splish.

WALTER

Chomp chomp chomp.

LIIY and WALTERSCARF!

(Lily and Walter laugh. Caught in the

moment Lily reaches for Walter and giveshim a big hug. Hes surprised at first, but

then hugs her back.)

WALTER(Embarrassed) Thats enough.

LILY

What happens next?

WALTERI dont know.

LILY

They cant take her can they?

WALTERI dont know. If you believe in something enough, youll do anything to make it happen.


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LILY

Thats how I feel.

WALTER

Me too.

(Lily and Walter smile at each other. They

actually agree on something.)Lily?

LILY

Walter.

WALTERWould you like to help me feed the penguins?

LILYReally? This time can I actually feed the penguins and not just hold the stinky bucket?

WALTER

Yup.

(Lilys frozen; shes actually getting whatshe wants.)

LILY

Bucket?

(Lily springs into action grabbing the bucketand entering the aquarium with Walter. As

Lily and Walter feed the penguins the worldbegins to disappear bit by bit; first Walter,

then the penguins, then the environment, andeventually the fabric water which envelopes

the audiences one last time, drawing us backto the present where an empty space waits:

the exhibit that no longer exists.)

LILYAnd thats the story of Roy, Silo, and Tango. One, two, and then three.

(Lily looks around the exhibit still worried.)


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Can you see why Im worried? I dont know where they were taken.

(Walter enters, older, but with a big smile.)

WALTERI thought youd come back.

LILYWalter?

WALTER

Lily.

(They hug)

LILYWhat happened to the penguins?

WALTER

You didnt think Id let a silly remodeling project split up the colony? After all these years? LilyI thought you knew me better than that.

LILY

Theyre all okay? Roy, Silo Tango? Where are they? Can I see them?

WALTERPatience.

End of Play

and then came tango

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