AI, S1: Tommy Shannon is about to experience the most incredible day of his life. As an 8th grader at St. James the Lesser Catholic
School, Tommy is looking forward to having a great day. Not only does he serve
as an altar boy at Mass for the first time, but later he also gets to witness the big fart lighting. And on this first Friday in March of 1943, he’s not the only optimist in town. Tommy’s mother hopes to receive a letter from her older son, Paul, who is fighting the Germans in
Europe. Father Grundy, the pastor of the parish
as well as the school basketball coach, eagerly anticipates a “David and Goliath” victory over the talented public
school team that evening. In fact, as the congregation assembles for Mass, it
seems that they all have a reason to sing about their prospects (“This Is Gonna Be a Great Day”).
AI, S2: Suffice it to say that Tommy’s altar boy debut does not go well.
AI, S3: Following Mass, it’s time for school. But before the students arrive,
Sister Raphael, Sister Don Bosco, and Sister Perpetua discuss their strict educational philosophy and state their determination
to use all means necessary to properly train their students (“Ask a Nun”).
AI, S4: Sister Raphael is Tommy’s classroom teacher, and she has her hands full with this rowdy bunch. Still, Sister can give back just as well as they can dish it out.
The whole class lets us know how they’re feeling (“Trapped”). After Tommy gets in trouble, he’s in a foul mood and rudely snatches
a paper from Ellen Kramer, an intelligent classmate who, like the other girls, is sympathetic to Sister Raphael’s plight. Ellen responds by singing of her frustration and hinting that, although Tommy’s
an immature goof-off, she rather likes him (“Not Much”).
AI, S5: Tommy goes home for lunch and doesn’t feel like talking to his mother and father about the day’s events. And Mrs. Shannon has a surprise for him. She
has convinced Mr. Shannon that he needs to have a talk with Tommy about girls (“The Talk”). Speaking about this topic seems like torture for both father and son
and it leads to some frank and hilarious moments (PG rating).
AI, S6: As Tommy walks back to school, he meets up with a classmate who’s looking for a little excitement. His friend hits a roofer with a snowball and then takes off running.
The roofer, hammer in hand, runs after them. Tommy gets so scared that
he craps his pants. As he awkwardly exits, community members enter with the purpose
of doing their part for the war effort by collecting metal, paper, etc. The “can
do” spirit of the times is highlighted as the townsfolk sing and make speeches to ensure that the scrap drive is a success
(“Do Without”).
AI, S7: We now see that Paul Shannon, Tommy’s brother who’s been away at war, is on his way home to surprise his family
and is currently in Chicago awaiting the train. He has a heavily bandaged hand. He’s
had a rough time and has seen many of his buddies hurt or killed. He sings of
the many different emotions that sweep over him on his return (“I’m Going Home Now”).
AI, S8: Meanwhile, the school day continues for Tommy and his troublesome class. Sister
Raphael intercepts a nasty note from Tommy and pronounces that it will be read at the proper time. Tommy is mortified.
AI, S9: Class is dismissed. As the students wait in line for a drink of water, Tommy
mistakenly “crumps” a big bully right in the privates. Bedlam ensues
as Hank, the bully, painfully chases Tommy up to the 3rd floor of the school.
To get away from him, Tommy climbs out onto the ledge and is in danger of falling.
Sister Don Bosco, the school principal, chastises him and instructs him to stay out on the ledge while she gets Father
Grundy to see this. Tommy is left alone on the ledge and he calls for divine
assistance (“How ‘Bout a Miracle”). Some fun surprises await the audience as Tommy’s Guardian Angel
and a Choir of Saints make their appearance. Act I ends with Tommy still clinging
to the ledge.
INTERMISSION
AII, S1: Act II begins on a hopeful note as Sister Mary Jean rescues Tommy from the ledge.
When Sister Don Bosco returns with Father Grundy in tow and sees Tommy already safe inside, she is not at all pleased. She then reveals the note that Tommy wrote in class to read to Father Grundy. Somehow, the angry words Tommy had written have been changed to “Support our
fighting men with you prayers.” No one is more surprised than Tommy. The four characters react in song (“It’s a Miracle”).
AII, S2: Tommy returns to class with a headache, so Sister Raphael instructs him to lay his head on the desk for a while. He falls asleep and begins to dream. During the dream, his
dad enters as Bob Hope to entertain the “troops.” The girls in his
class strut onstage as USO showgirls and sing a suggestive swinger (“USO Dream”). The show is interrupted as Germans fighters, led by Hank, attack the
troops. Classmate Gretchen enters as a sexy Nazi spy tries to get Tommy to reveal
the location of his infamous note but is saved from her clutches by Ellen, who is dressed as a member of the French resistance. Paul Shannon then makes a dramatic entrance as a superhero and saves the day. As Tommy awakens, he discovers that the class has already left for confession.
AII, S3: As the class files into church for confession, each student examines his or her
conscience (“Confession”) before Father Grundy hears their admission of sins. All is done in a
dignified manner until Tommy steps into the confessional. Ellen is the last to
receive absolution and as she ponders her penance, she muses about what she would do if she were the Pope
(“If I Could Be the Pope”).
AII, S4: We join the big basketball game with Central in progress as St. James the Lesser fans sing an energetic rendition of their
school song (“Martyrs Fight”). It’s a back and forth struggle and the enthusiastic fans of both
teams cheer for a decisive victory (“The Basketball Game”). But Central proves to be the better team and wins the game.
AII, S5: The action shifts to the Country Club garage where Corky’s gang has covertly gathered for the fart-lighting. This is considered a grand event and the guys maneuver to get the best view. During a hushed conversation, Tommy learns that Ellen switched the notes, thus saving
Tommy from punishment. Everything goes up for grabs when the police invade just
as Corky’s fart explodes - with painful results. The police manage to catch
Hank and take him away as Tommy and the others escape to the dance.
AII, S6: The dance is in full swing as Tommy and the other boys rush in. Tommy asks
Ellen to dance and asks her about the note (“First Waltz”). Meanwhile, Sister Raphael, Sister Don Bosco, and Sister Perpetua receive
a message from their Mother Superior informing them of an upcoming transfer. They
accept this new assignment with resolve (“Ask a Nun Reprise”). And finally, Paul Shannon arrives to a joyous welcome; the Shannon
family is whole again. The show comes to a gratifying conclusion as the cast
warmly sings of coming home and of dreams fulfilled (“Redemption”).
