Plot summary

Act I A group of vibrant, multi-ethnic, energetic young people gather to audition to study at New York City's High School of Performing Arts. Miss Sherman the homeroom teacher, warns the freshman class that it takes a lot more than dreams to succeed at "P.A." The students acknowledge that it takes ("Hard Work"). In drama class, Nick and Serena rehearse a scene and discuss their life experiences. Nick, an ex-child actor with serious ambition, wants to move people emotionally ("I Want to Make Magic"). Mr. Myers, the drama teacher asks them to think about how a physical sensation can trigger an emotional response. Joe discusses the physical reactions that happen whenever he thinks of a beautiful girl in dance class ("Can't Keep it Down" or the alternative lyrics, "Can't Keep It Cool"). Meanwhile, in dance class, Tyrone, is partnered with Iris, a ballerina. Iris mocks Tyrone's lack of classical dance experience. Tyrone, enraged at her comments, begins a rap expressing his anger ("Tyrone's Rap"). Iris apologizes and kisses him passionately. Nick and Serena are rehearsing another scene and Serena confesses that she wants to try something romantic and passionate. Serena is in love with Nick. Nick is mainly focused on acting. Trying to work out why he isn't interested in her, Serena blunderingly assumes that he's gay, says so and he becomes upset and leaves. Serena laments her unrequited love ("Let's Play a Love Scene"). Afterwards, Carmen interrupts Schlomo while he practices his violin, giving him lyrics that she wrote for the melody he always plays. Schlomo tries them out, and changes some of the lyrics with Carmen, which results in Carmen joining the band. Carmen kisses Schlomo and leaves. Goody(also in the band, along with Lambchops) makes fun of Schlomo afterwards. At lunch, Carmen and the other students daydream of seeing their names in lights ("There She Goes/Fame"). In the hallway, Miss Sherman talks to Tyrone about his care-free attitude towards education. She threatens to keep him out of the Fall Festival if his grades don't improve. Miss Bell overhears and argues that Tyrone's artistic endeavors are more important than his academic performance ("The Teachers' Argument"). Tyrone threatens to drop out of school.

Act II The students begin their junior year with the P.A. Fall Festival ("I Want to Make Magic").
   At a dance rehearsal, Mabel, an overweight dancer, complains about retaining water, and other problems she faces with the size of her body. She prays aloud for God's help in keeping her from becoming "the world's fattest dancer" ("Mabel's Prayer"), eventually having an epiphany and deciding to switch her major to acting. Later, Nick congratulates Serena for getting the lead female role of Juliet in their junior show, Romeo and Juliet. Serena gets excited and assumes that Nick got the role of Romeo. However, she's surprised to learn that Joe Vegas has the role of Romeo and Nick got the part of Mercutio. Later, Nick is winding down with some Tai Chi with a fellow student when Carmen, enraged that Mr Myers has yet again thwarted her plans to audition outside of school, kisses him as an example of what she does to calm down. At that moment, Serena walks in on them, and refuses to hear Nick's protests that she didn't just see what she thinks she saw. Now believing that he is, indeed, straight but still unattainable, Serena tries to channel her emotions into her acting ("Think of Meryl Streep"). Carmen tells Schlomo of her plan to leave school and go to Los Angeles. She has met a Hollywood agent named Elliot Greene, who is sending her a plane ticket. Schlomo begs her not to go. He had seen her getting into Elliot’s limousine and accuses her of using cocaine with him. Schlomo tells Carmen he loves her, but is left alone with his violin/flute/keyboard(depending on what the actor can actually play).
   In English class, Tyrone is reading a Superman comic book. Miss Sherman catches him, and forces him to stand up in front of the class and read from the comic book. He accuses her of trying to make him look stupid. He then accuses her of racism, Miss Sherman slaps him in the face and walks off. Tyrone says to his classmates he doesn’t need her help, or the ability to read or write - he's a dancer, and that's all he needs (“Dancin’ on the Sidewalk.”). Confronting his pain and frustration, Tyrone goes to the blackboard, writes “I WILL READ,” and runs off. Miss Sherman enters, sees what he's written, and is deeply touched. (“These Are My Children.”)
   The students rehearse Romeo and Juliet. Joe, insecure playing Romeo, has been ad-libbing. Serena pleads with him to be serious in the part. Nick, while trying to explain to Joe how to play the part, hints that he and Serena are like Romeo and Juliet. They stage kiss and Serena is no longer mad at Nick - if now a bit confused. Tyrone asks Iris why she's been avoiding him all year. She says she doesn’t want to be tied to a loser. To show her that he's serious, he begins reading Leaves of Grass to her.
   A few of the teachers confront Miss Bell about influencing a summer school teacher to pass Tyrone. They insist he must repeat the year. The "Dance Theater of Harlem" is ready to take him, but he must repeat the year. Miss Bell finally admits she may be losing her perspective and decides to take a break. Carmen is standing in front of the school looking physically wasted and disoriented. She spots Schlomo and tells him the truth about her experiences in Hollywood (“In L.A.”). Carmen promises him that she'll quit the drugs and get her GED. He gives her a couple of dollars and sadly departs.
   At the farewell party, everyone is dressed up and the celebration is loud and festive. Nick finally confesses his feelings to Serena and they decided to try to date although they're heading to different colleges (Let's Play a Love Scene (Reprise)). On the day of the graduation ceremony, Scholomo tells everyone that Carmen has passed away a short while ago from a drug overdose, and they sing "Bring On Tomorrow" in her memory.
   After the bows, Carmen comes back and sings "Fame" for the Finale. The students are all heading off in their respective directions excited about the future.

Character list

• Nick Piazza - Ambitious, enthusiastic, classical actor who is very serious about acting. Has hidden romantic interest for Serena.
• Serena Katz - A shy, timid yet keen and enthusiastic actress. Develops returned romantic feelings for Nick.
• Jose 'Joe' Vegas - Spanish acting student. Loud, funny and the comic of the show. Develops an unreturned crush on Carmen.
• Carmen Diaz - A sexy, confident but cocky dancer with a big ego. Carmen is determined to make it big and is obsessed with fame, she believes she's what it takes to achieve this. Has returned romantic feelings for Schlomo.
• Tyrone Jackson - A dyslexic hip hop dancer who comes from a lower income background. Shares a love-hate relationship with Iris whom he constantly argues with, despite this they eventually kiss and he realizes his true feelings towards her.
• Mabel Washington- A loud and chubby dancer who is desperate to lose weight but can't resist food. Often speaks her mind and gives out advice to other characters in their times of trouble.
• Iris Kelly - A very talented, graceful ballet dancer who is believed to be extremely wealthy although it's later revealed that she's not. Iris is insecure with herself and afraid people don't like her. She shares a love-hate relationship with Tyrone whom she constantly argues with, despite this they eventually kiss and she realizes her true feelings towards him.
• Schlomo Metzenbaum - Shy classical violinist in a rock band he set up. Schlomo comes from a musical background and his father is a famous violinist. Schlomo is fed up from the strain of being expected to do well and wishes to rebel. Has a returned romantic interest in Carmen.
• Grace 'Lambchops' Lamb - A loud, confrontational rock chick and tomboy who plays the drums for Schlomo's band. She often loses her temper and it's implied that she doesn't take school seriously.
• Goodman 'Goody' King - A trumpet/saxophone musician who is in Schlomo's band. Is believed to be Schlomo's best friend.
• Miss Esther Sherman - A strict, old-fashioned and academic English teacher who loves her students despite the fact that she comes down hard on them.
• Ms. Greta Bell - Dance teacher with a big passion for different styles of dance. Believes that dance is a way of life.
• Mr. Myers - A laid back drama teacher with an obsession for human psychology.
• Mr. Shienkopf - European Music tutor with a love for classical music and hatred for all things rock and roll.

Recordings

2008: De Nederlandse Fame: Dutch Revival Cast Recording Information taken from www.castalbums.org

Musical Numbers

Act I