Forbidden Broadway: Behind the Mylar Curtain (79 page)

BOY

BOTH

MOTHER

Now it's time to do a little gardening. Aaah! Look! A
little African American baby has been buried in our
garden!

SARAH

Hello. My name is Sarah Brown-Eyes. I'm a half-crazed
washer-woman who can easily belt high "C." So now
they're sending me to jail.

MOTHER

No! You and the baby can live here with me.

SARAH

Oh, God bless you, white lady. How can I ever repay you
for your kindness?

MOTHER

Well, you could start with the windows.

(Lookingat baby prop that looks like a Cabbage Patch
Doll. She speaks to the baby. ]

My, you have an awfully big head! What shall I call you?
I know-Savion Glover!

COALHOUSE enters.]

[Knock, knock;

Who are you?

COALHOUSE

I'm Coalhouse Walker, that baby's father. Is Sarah here?

MOTHER

She doesn't want to see you.

COALHOUSE

May I play your piano while I wait for her to change her
mind?

MOTHER

Go right ahead. Say, do you know anything from The
Lion King?

COALHOUSE

The Lion King is children's theater! This is called GagTime.

[FATHER enters.[

ER
FATHER

Mother, I'm home.

MOTHER

Welcome home, Father.

FATHER

Mother, why is that black man playing our piano?

MOTHER

He has an audition for Smokey Joe's Cafe.

FATHER

Why are you holding that black baby?

MOTHER

I've become a Democrat.

FATHER

My God, things have changed around here. I can hear it
in the music ...

MOTHER

COALHOUSE

MOTHER and FATHER

ALL TH REE

FATHER

MOTHER

Look! Sarah is coming down the stairs!

[Sound effect: Body falling down a staircase, ending
with a thud.)

SARAH

Ouch!

COALHOUSE