Work Text
Epic: The Musical
Mock Script (in the style of The Lightning Thief’s script) by V.G. Keene/CybertronianBeingMusic & Lyrics by Jorge Rivera-Herrans basedon The Odyssey by HomerACT ONEThe Troy Saga: The Horse and The InfantThe Troy Saga: Just A Man
Cast
ODYSSEUS, father of Telemachus and husband of Penelope, king of Ithaca, captain of Ithaca’s army, hubris gets the better of him, warrior of the mind, pupil of Athena, just a man, “Nobody” ATHENA, mentor of Odysseus and Telemachus, goddess of wisdom and master of war, endeavoring to create the greatest warrior POLITES, Odysseus’ best friend, sees the good in everything ANTICLEA, mother of Odysseus, waiting for her son to return, a kind soul EURYLOCHUS, Odysseus’ second-in-command, down-to-earth PENELOPE, mother of Telemachus and wife of Odysseus, queen of Ithaca, a brave soul TELEMACHUS, son of Odysseus and Penelope, prince of Ithaca, up-and-coming warrior of the mind, little wolf, pupil of Athena ZEUS, king of the gods, the Thunderbringer, a hardass POSEIDON, god of the ocean, ruthless, cares a lot about his image AEOLIS, goddess of the wind, trickster APOLLO, god of archery, fan of catchy songs HEPHESTUS, god of blacksmithing, even-keeled HERMES, god of messages and trickery, not afraid to send a message APHRODITE, goddess of love, warrior of justice and fairness ARES, god of war, brazen and hardened HERA, goddess of marriage, women, and family; absolutely fabulous CIRCE, The Witch, puppeteer CALYPSO, demigoddess, trapped on her island, has eyes for Odysseus SCYLLA, the monster at the gate, hydra TERESES, The Prophet, bearer of bad news POLYPHEMUS, The Cyclops, loves his sheep, not the brightest bulb in the box EURYMACHUS, suitor AMPHINOMUS, suitor MELANTHIUS, suitor ANTINOUS, suitor, serpent’s head and leader of the suitors
Chorus, Odysseus’ Men
AGAMEMNON (ag-uh-mem-non), leads the charge, Menelaus’ brother, big guy with a bigger heart, shield-wieldingDIOMEDES (die-oh-me-deez), flanks the guards, brings up the “six”AJAX, young, stays back with TeucerMENELAUS (men-uh-lay-us), disguised guard to open Troy’s gates, Helen’s husbandTEUCER, archer, shoots any ambushers, has Odysseus’ respect,NESTOR, secures Menelaus’ wife, Helen; braveNEO, vengeful, lost his father to the TrojansOTHER SAILORS/SOLDIERS
Chorus, Misc’
PRINCE HECTOR OF TROY, the infant, the swordsman in Odysseus’ vision, filled with rageHELEN, kidnapped by Trojans, wife of Menelaus, courageousWINDIONS, Aeolis’ wind-minionsLOTUS-EATERS, silly little creaturesUNDERWORLD SOULS, not tortured but also not comfortable in deathSUITORS, vying for queen Penelope’s handTROJAN SOLDIERS, defending their homelandMOUNT OLYMPUS CHOIR, accompany the gods’ harmonyAPOLLO’S COWS, mooPOLYPHEMUS’ SHEEP, baaPENELOPE’S SERVANTS, optional CIRCE’S PIGS, oinkCIRCE’S NYMPHS, Circe’s daughters, dazzlingSIRENS, slick pack of singers who feed on unknowing sailorsSIREN PENELOPE, Odysseus’ false wife, seductress
Script Terms
SL = Stage LeftSR = Stage RightRT = Musical Retard
*AUTHOR'S NOTES
Many characters can be double-cast to make this accessible to a smaller cast. Jorge has written and cast characters from many different backgrounds, genders, sexualities, races, ethnicities, shapes, and sizes. Please consider casting a wide variety of talents.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
ACT ONE
“THE HORSE AND THE INFANT”
(The proscenium stage is large and deep, and utilizes a larger than usual apron downstage. The orchestra pit rests half below the apron's outjut and half exposed. There are two side boxes that are high and to the right and left of the stage, but separate, that also are utilized as separate scene locations, generally for the gods to reside high above and is nicknamed "THE HEAVENLIES" (HR/HL). There is a rotating floor circle in the center of the stage that helps facilitate movement and the stage is often cut into two stories where we can have extra action on each story. The stage can also be cut in half with blackout lights and lighting tricks to help facilitate scenery and set changes especially during quicker turnarounds.)
(Stage left, the trojan horse occupies half of the stage with the other side left dark. ODYSSEUS and his men enter SL upstage of the trojan horse while ensemble ITHACAN SOLDIERS are entering the horse via the ramp using torches to light their way. They should salute as ODYSSEUS names them and their objectives, then they too should enter their Trojan horse. OR alternatively several men can be gearing up, and pause when ODYSSEUS refers to them)
ODYSSEUSALRIGHT MY BROTHERS, LISTEN CLOSELYTONIGHT, WE MAKE THE TROJAN’S PAYTEN YEARS OF WAR THEY’VE KILLED US SLOWLYBUT NOW, WE’LL BE THE ONES WHO SLAY THINK OF YOUR WIVES AND YOUR CHILDRENYOUR FAMILIES WONDER WHERE YOU’VE BEENTHEY’RE GROWING OLD, AND YET YOU’RE STILL HEREDO WHAT I SAY AND YOU’LL SEE THEM AGAIN! ALL ITHACAN SOLDIERSYes sir! ODYSSEUS, motioning his orders, encouraging his men DIAMEDES WILL LEAD THE CHARGEAGAMEMNON WILL FLANK THE GUARDSMENELAUS WILL LET OUR MATES THROUGH THE GATES,AND TAKE THE WHOLE CITY AT LARGETEUCER WILL SHOOT ANY AMBUSH ATTACKAND LITTLE AJAX WILL STAY BACKNESTOR, SECURE HELEN AND PROTECT HERNEO, AVENGE YOUR FATHER, KILL THE BROTHERS OF HECTOR ALL ITHACAN SOLDIERSYes sir! ODYSSEUS AND ITHACAN SOLDIERS
FIND THAT INNER STRENGTH NOW
(HOO!)
USE THAT WELL OF PRIDE
(HOO!)
FIGHT THROUGH EVERY PAIN NOW
(HOO!) ODYSSEUS AND HIS COMMANDING OFFICERS, at pace, RT
ASK YOURSELF INSIDE:
WHAT DO YOU LIVE FOR
DIAMEDES: -Won’t let you down.
WHAT DO YOU TRY FOR
AGAMEMNON AND TEUCER: -Will not fail you!
WHAT DO YOU WISH FOR
MENELAUS AND NEO: -They don’t stand a chance.
WHAT DO YOU FIGHT FOR?
AJAX AND NESTOR: -Understood! ALL ITHACAN SOLDIERSWHAT DO YOU LIVE FORWHAT DO YOU TRY FORWHAT DO YOU WISH FORWHAT DO YOU FIGHT FOR? ODYSSEUS, wistfully PENELOPEPENELOPEAND TELEMACHUSI FIGHT FOR USI FIGHT FOR US ALL ITHACAN SOLDIERSWHAT DO YOU LIVE FOR? ODYSSEUSPenelope. ALL ITHACAN SOLDIERSWHAT DO YOU TRY FOR? ODYSSEUSTelemachus. ALL ITHACAN SOLDIERSWHAT DO YOU WISH FOR? ODYSSEUSI’m on my way. ALL ITHACAN SOLDIERSWHAT DO YOU FIGHT FOR? ODYSSEUS, loudly Attack! ALL ITHACAN SOLDIERS
BATTLE CRIES, INAUDIBLY
(At ODYSSEUS’ call of “Attack!” stage right illuminates, and ITHACAN SOLDIERS pour out of the trojan horse and attack. SR is composed of two stories tall, and ODYSSEUS fights his way through TROJAN SOLDIERS to climb himself to the second level. A mysterious middle-aged Trojan man, swiftly swoops from a hidden view and ‘stabs’ ODYSSEUS, but there is no blood, and as quickly as he appeared, he is gone)
ODYSSEUS, in expectant pain, then, confusion Ah! Who was that? ZEUS, mysteriously
(Can either be above in either HR or HL or right next to ODYSSEUS)
A VISION OF WHAT IS TO COME CANNOT BE OUTRUNCAN ONLY BE DEALT WITH RIGHT HERE AND NOW ODYSSEUSTell me how. ZEUSI DON’T THINK YOU’RE READYA MISSION TO KILL SOMEONE’S SONA FOE WHO WON’T RUNUNLIKE ANYONE YOU HAVE FACED BEFORE ODYSSEUSSAY NO MOREI KNOW THAT I’M READY ZEUS AND OLYMPUS CHOIRI DON’T THINK YOU’RE READY ODYSSEUSIT’S JUST AN INFANTIT’S JUST A BOYWHAT SORT OF IMMINENT THREAT DOES HE POSETHAT I CANNOT AVOID ZEUSTHIS IS THE SON OF NONE OTHER THAN TROY’S VERY OWN PRINCE HECTORKNOW THAT HE WILL GROW FROM A BOY TO AN AVENGERONE FUELED WITH RAGEAS YOU’RE CONSUMED BY AGE ZEUS AND OLYMPUS CHOIRIF YOU DON’T END HIM NOW YOU’LL HAVE NO ONE LEFT TO SAVEYOU CAN SAY GOODBYE TO PENELOPEYOU CAN SAY GOODBYE TO PENELOPE ODYSSEUS-I COULD RAISE HIM AS MY OWN ZEUS-HE WILL BURN YOUR HOUSE AND THRONE ODYSSEUS-OR SEND HIM FAR AWAY FROM HOME ZEUS-HE’LL FIND YOU WHEREVER YOU GO ODYSSEUS -MAKE SURE HIS PAST WAS NEVER KNOWN ZEUS-THE GODS WILL MAKE HIM KNOW
ODYSSEUS-I’D RATHER BLEED FOR ‘YA-I’M ON MY ZEUS -HE’S BRINGING YOU DOWN ON YOUR ZEUS AND ODYSSEUSKNEES FOR YA ODYSSEUS-I’M BEGGING, PLEASE ZEUS, with finality -OH, THIS IS THE WILL OF THE GODS. ODYSSEUS, begging PLEASE, DON’T MAKE ME DO THISDON’T MAKE ME DO THIS ZEUSTHE BLOOD ON YOUR HANDS IS SOMETHING YOU WON’T LOSE ZEUS AND OLYMPIC CHOIRALL YOU CAN CHOOSE: IS WHOSE ODYSSEUS, softly, as prelude to “JUST A MAN” beginsSweetest joy you must be.
(He either tickles THE INFANT’s chin, allows THE INFANT to hold his finger in their little fist, or something to that effect)
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
“JUST A MAN”
(ODYSSEUS continues to marvel at the child until he begins singing)
ODYSSEUSI LOOK INTO YOUR EYES, AND ITHINK BACK TO THE SON OF MINEYOU’RE AS OLD AS HE WASWHEN I LEFT FOR WAR OH, THESE ACTIONS HAUNT MY DAYSEVERY MAN I’VE SLAINIS THE PRICE I PAY, ENDLESS PAINCLOSE YOUR EYESAND SPARE YOURSELF THE VIEWHOW COULD I HURT YOU?I’M JUST A MANWHO’S TRYING TO GO HOMEEVEN AFTER ALL THE YEARS AWAY FROM WHAT I’VE KNOWNI’M JUST A MANWHO’S FIGHTING FOR HIS LIFEDEEP DOWN I WOULD TRADE THE WORLD TO SEE MY SON AND WIFEI’M JUST A MAN BUT WHEN DOES A COMET BECOME A METEOR?WHEN DOES A CANDLE BECOME A BLAZE?WHEN DOES A MAN BECOME A MONSTER?WHEN DOES A RIPPLE BECOME A TIDAL WAVE?WHEN DOES THE REASON BECOME THE BLAME?WHEN DOES A MAN BECOME A MONSTER? ODYSSEUS AND ITHACAN SOLDIERS(Removing their helmets and turning their heads to peer up in ODYSSEUS’ direction) WHEN DOES A COMET BECOME A METEOR?
-FORGIVE ME
WHEN DOES A CANDLE BECOME A BLAZE?WHEN DOES A MAN BECOME A MONSTER?
-FORGIVE ME
WHEN DOES A MAN BECOME A MONSTER? ODYSSEUS-FORGIVE ME.
(He reluctantly holds THE INFANT over the ledge)
I’M JUST A MAN.
(BLACKOUT before THE INFANT is dropped, leaving ODYSSEUS’ choice a mystery)