Sometimes A Day Goes By: A Musical
Subtitle: Performance, in Three Definitions

by amproof

starring Kris Allen and Adam Lambert



Act One:

Scene One:

A screen over the stage shows the following:

Performance: The need to perform in order to gain attention from others. To take pleasure from that attention, actively seek it, to behave in a certain way, even if it is disconnected from one's internal nature, specifically to win accolades and favor.

Adam Lambert, age 10, onstage in front of a row of five bored looking adults, obviously casting directors and producers, singing his heart out.

Song: When I Get My Name in Lights-Peter Allen

"I'll sit on a flagpole, whatever's the rage
Just to get my picture on the front page
Just to get my name in lights

He finishes with a flourish on his knees, jazz hands. There is a smattering of applause. Adam grins wider, really selling it. As the song continues, the scene on stage transforms to a community theater production of an unspecific musical. Adam, still 10, is now dressed as a boy from the 1920's and surrounded by adults in similar costume. They are gathered around him, watching him lustily belt out the song.

ENSEMBLE: And soon they'll all know his name, he'll have fortune and fame when he gets his name in lights!

Adam tap dances, always smiling.



Scene Two:

15 Years Later:

Adam, now 25, is onstage in front of a large group of people dressed as barnyard animals. He's wearing sheep ears and singing a reprise of his song.

ADAM: I'll sit on a flag pole, whatever the rage...Just to get my name in lights!

Raucous applause. He hops off stage and sweeps his boyfriend, BRAD, up in a kiss. Brad is dressed like a goat.



Scene Three

Kris Allen, age 22, is looking at wedding rings with his mother.

MOTHER: Honey, I really think you should wait.
KRIS: I know what I'm doing, mom. Katy's ready. I'm ready.
MOTHER: I just think you're too young. Give it another year. You don't know what path your life is going to take yet.
KRIS: I know I want Katy on that path.

His mother sighs and goes to look at rings in another case. Kris's phone rings. His fiance-to-be, Katy, 22, appears stage left with the phone to her ear.

KATY: Kristopher, did you pick up the construction paper I needed?
KRIS: I was going to get it on the way home and drop it off tomorrow...
KATY: I need it, baby. I'm in charge of decorations at the dorm.
KRIS: Well, could you maybe get it? It's just that Cale and I are playing tonight and I won't be done until late and you know your dad doesn't like it when I come by after ten...
KATY: Then come by before.

She hangs up. Kris stares at his phone.

MOTHER: Everything all right?
KRIS: Fine.

Katy appears again. Kris puts the phone to his ear.

KATY: Also, it would be great if you could pick up my sisters from school and take them to softball practice.
KRIS: I'm actually out with my mom right now--
KATY: I'd do it except things are just crazy here and I could really use the help.
KRIS: What about your parents?
KATY: Baby, can't you just do this one thing for me?
KRIS: Yeah. O.K. Listen, there's something I wanted to ask you and I wondered if you had time this weekend--

But she has already hung up. He calls her back.

KRIS: So, this weekend are you--
KATY: You should wear the green plaid tonight. You look hot in that.
KRIS: (he gives up) You don't think the red?
KATY: No. Definitely the green.
KRIS: O.K.

She exits.

KRIS: Mom, is my green plaid out of the laundry?
MOTHER: Not yet. Why?
KRIS: Katy says I should wear it.
MOTHER: Hmm.
KRIS: It's not a big deal. You and dad are always...
MOTHER: Your father and I both give and take equally. With you and Katy, all I see is you giving. Honey, you're like a...a...

The lights go down, leaving one spot on Kris, a bright almost candy-like color. His arms are at his sides. Katy enters and positions them how she wants them. As Kris stands motionless, she tilts his chin up, too and nudges his feet until his stance is slightly off-balance. She looks him over, decides she is satisfied, and exits.

Holding position, Kris sings:

Song: Barbie Girl-Aqua

Make me walk, make me talk, do whatever you please
I can act like a star, I can beg on my knees

Katy enters.

KATY: You're my doll, rock 'n' roll, feel the glamor and pain

CALE, CHARLES, and JOHN enter.

CALE: Come on Barbie, let's go party.

KRIS: You can brush my hair, undress me everywhere.

Katy and Cale position Kris throughout the song, each intent on doing their own thing with him. When it ends, they exit and Kris is back in the same pose where he started the scene, looking at jewelry next to his mother.

KRIS: Mom, it's not too soon. I know it.

End of Act One



Act Two:

Scene One:

The screen reads:

Performance. Definition: Denying one's inner feelings as a means of self-protection, either from one self or from the reaction of others, particularly rejection. Conveying a 'happy face' when one is decidedly unhappy.

Brad and Adam are sitting at a small table in a crowded coffee shop.

BRAD: You did this. Just remember that when you're wondering why you're waking up with an empty bed. You did this.

ADAM: Yeah, your partying had nothing to do with our relationship falling apart. Or the drugs.

BRAD: You were doing it, too.

ADAM: I stopped. Your problem is you just don't care who you're hurting or why or about anything!

BRAD: You know, I used to think you were fun. (He exits.)

Adam sucks in his breath and visibly pulls himself together.

Song: Don't Cry Out Loud-Peter Allen

We don't cry out loud. We keep it inside. We've learned how to hide our feelings. Fly high and proud and if you should fall, remember you almost had it all.

As he sings, the people around him continue their business, oblivious to the young man singing amongst them. Adam finishes, glances quickly around, and hurries off before anyone can speak to him. It wouldn't matter, though, since no one has noticed.


Scene Two:

Two years later:

A bare stage with the American Idol logo in the back.

Adam and Kris enter from opposite sides of the stage.

A Ballet

Dance sequence begins, during which they pantomime auditioning and proceeding to Hollywood week. They don't acknowledge each other until finally they meet in the center of the stage.

ADAM: I'm Adam Lambert.
KRIS: Kris Allen.
ADAM: Nice to meet you.
KRIS: You too.

They stare at each other, slightly breathless. They dance together, whirling through the weeks of competition.

It's Finale Night. Adam hugs Kris when he wins and watches as Kris goes to Katy. The stage clears, leaving Adam and the paparazzi.

Adam manages to break away from the crowd only to have paparazzi crowding him.


P 1: Adam! Is it true that you're--

P 2: When are you going to address the rumors? This way!

P 3: The public deserves to know! Over here!

P 1: Are you afraid, Adam? Smile for me!

They fall silent, cameras poised, waiting. Adam turns his back on them and to face a reporter wearing a 'Rolling Stone' t-shirt who has been watching from the sidelines. She doesn't speak, just waits, pen and notebook poised to write.

The orchestra swells in anticipation of an 11 o'clock number.

ADAM: Yeah. Course I'm gay.

He shrugs.

Wild applause from the paparazzi, who are eavesdropping.

The music guides them through the tour. As it nears the end, the dancing becomes more desperate, more focused on grabbing hold and not letting go.

Katy appears at the side of the stage. Kris hugs Adam and walks towards her. Lights go down on Adam.

INTERMISSION, 15 MINUTES

Act Two, Scene Three:

Kris and Katy's home

KRIS: (reading a letter from Adam) Dear Kris, I hope you're doing well. Crazy year slash summer, huh? Look, I've thought a lot about what you've said, and I totally understand, so please just forget I said anything. I already have. In fact, I'd say...

Adam appears and begins to sing the letter, briefly overlapping with Kris's reading.

Song: I Don't Remember You/Sometimes a Day Goes By-Kander & Ebb

I don't remember you. I don't remember you. I don't recall a single thing we used to say or do. What dancing in the park? What laughter in the dark? What smoldering fireplace that lit your face with every spark?

Kris pauses in reading. Katy is next to him, oblivious.

KRIS: Sometimes a day goes by, one whole entire day when I don't think of him. Twenty four hours pass, I look around and find that I haven't thought of him. Not even when I'm somewhere we used to go, not even if that's someone we used to know.

He and Adam finish the duet. Kris crumples the letter. Katy looks at him for the first time.

KATY: Are you all right?

KRIS: If I had to tell you something, would you promise not to get mad?

KATY: I can promise to try not to get mad. What is it?

KRIS: I've...gone through some changes over the past year. I'm not...I don't think I fit in here anymore. With...with us. I don't think I fit with us.

KATY: Oh. (She reaches over and tries to arrange him like she used to. Strains of Barbie Girl play.)

KRIS: Stop it. You can't do that anymore. (The music stops.)

KATY: So, what are you saying?

Song: Not the Boy Next Door-Peter Allen

Coming home used to feel so good
I'm a stranger now in my neighborhood
I've seen the world at a faster pace
and I'm coming now from a different place
and though I may look the same way to you
underneath there is somebody new

Kris sings first to Katy and then the scene transforms so he is standing in front of Adam. He sings the last line to him.

KRIS: I can't go back there anymore because I am not the boy next door.

When he finishes, Adam grabs him and they kiss.

End of Act Three

Act Four:

The screen reads:

Performance. Definition. Marrying one's true nature with the face one shows to other people, putting oneself out there for others to like or not like.

Adam and Kris facing a press corps, arms around each other.

ADAM: We're together now and as far as I'm concerned people can take it or leave it.
KRIS: Yeah.
ADAM: He's changed me.
KRIS: Adam showed me that I don't have to be afraid to be myself.
ADAM: No one should be. I just love him to bits. I can't believe we're finally together.

Kris pinches him.

ADAM: Ow!
KRIS: It's real, baby.

They kiss. Cameras flash. Curtain falls.

The End






Author's Notes: So, when I saw that the theme was 'performance', I immediately thought of the different ways that I interpret the word and the broad definitions that it can have. Every day, we all give performances under one of the definitions. At first, I was going to do a fanmix of songs that dealt with the different definitions, but I didn't think I'd be able to get across what I was trying to say and people would wonder how I was applying that to Kris and Adam. So, that's where the idea to make it a musical came from. I like the idea of a performance to illuminate the definitions of performance and how proceeding through each is a kind of rite of passage towards becoming your true self. I'm not claiming this the musical is true, of course. Like all musicals, this is a mixture of 'fact', conjecture and fantasy.



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