O NE
H
E R
E
AC T
LA S T
P LA Y
R E H EA R S AL O R
DISEN C H AN T I N G
E U R
As
W RI T T E N
I I O L CO M B
L
TO
P RI N
AN
BY
E S ! U I RE
T B Y WI L
WA S H I N G T O N
IN
C AL LE D
AM A T
WI LLA R D
AN D D O N E
L A
PA
GE
AT
C O PYR I G H T E D
M D CCC ! C V I I AND
AL L RIG HTS R ES E R V E D BY WI L L A R D
H O L C OM B D R A MA TI C E D IT O R THE
WAS H I N G T O N PO ST
H4: H
HE R L AS T R E H E ARS AL
Dr a m at i s Pe r s o n ae
di n g Ma n
J U L I E T A n A m b i t io u s A m a t e u r
ST A G E MANA G E R a Di scov e r e r of T a l e n t
RO ME O
,
a
Prof e ssion a
l
L
ea
.
,
.
,
S ce n e
B a r e S t a g e of
a
Ci t y
Th e a t re
T im e
M o rni n g of
T o da y
-
.
BU T
F
ORTY
-
C O PI E S EA C H
S I G N E D BY M R
B EE N P R I N T E D
T VV O
N U M B E R E D AN D
H OL C O M B H A V E
T H I S E D I T I O N F O R P RI V A T E
C I R C U LA T I O N O N L Y T H I S B E I N G
OF
NU MBER
HE R L AS T R E H E ARS AL
C U R T A I N di scov e r s St a g e Ma n a g e r si t t i n g
E n t e r ROM EO i n st r e e t
a t p ro m pt ta b l e
cl o t h e s r e a di n g l e t t e r s
.
.
,
MAN A h good
.
,
ROMEO
MAN
.
rn i n g
G ood m o r n i n g
.
W l l I se e you
e
,
ROMEO
be
mo
late
si b l y
at a
ge t
the
m y b Oy
‘
,
.
.
old m a n
Di d yo u e v e r k n ow m e t o
r e h e a r sa l w h e n 1 c ou l d po s
a re o n
time,
.
r e ? [ Co m e s do wn fro m
s t a n ds
by p ro m p t t a bl e ]
’
MAN [ jocose ly ] T h a t s so ;
‘
a nd
.
yo u r e a p h e n o
m e n a l l e a di n g m a n
I m a f r a i d yo u r e
a ffli c t e d
w i t h t h a t v e r y r a r e d i se a se
a v a r i co se co n sc i e n c e
a m on g a cto rs
RO MEO [co l dly ] 1 t ry t o k e e p m y e n g a g e
m e nts
a nd m y t e m p e r t oo
you r t e m p e r s a l l
MAN
righ t In f a c t t h e o n ly co m p l a i n t I e v e r
h e a r d of yo u w a s t h a t yo u did n t h a v e
fi re e n ou g h a bou t you
b ut t h a t w a s
’
.
‘
‘
,
.
,
,
.
'
.
.
,
’
,
H e r L ast R e h ea r sa l
f ro m
l e a d i n g l a dy n o t t h e m a n a g e r
Sh e sa id you m a d e l ov e b e a u t ifu l ly f r o m
a l o n g di st a n c e b u t p e r so n a l ly s h e h a d
man
a s li e f
be
k i sse d by a s n ow
?
n
i
t
t
t
h
r
c
hi
l
ly
a
s
w
[ L a ng/I s] Ra e
ROMEO [st e rn ly ] l h a v e n e v e r b e l i e v e d i n
t he do c t r i n e t h a t a n a c t o r m u st l iv e h i s
p a rt
So l o n g a s h e c r e a t e s t h e p rop e r
i m p r e ssio n o n t he sp e c t a t o r t h e r e i s n o
n e e d fo r si n c e r i t y o n h i s o w n p a r t
MAN W e l l y ou a l w a y s w e r e a q u e e r du c k
Ho w i s i t t h a t you h a v e n e v e r m a rri e d ?
[ Ro m e o t u rn s a wa y co l dly ] M o st l e a d
i n g m e n a t you r a ge h a v e p l a y e d h a l f a
do z e n e n g a g e m e n t s i n t h a t l i n e
l h a v e n e v e r c a r e d t o m a rry
MAN Ho w a bou t Ma r i e Ma z a n e t t i ? She wa s
c l e a n go n e o n you t he se a son w e w e r e
o ut w i t h h e r
I shou l d n e v e r m a r ry
i n t h e p rof e ssi o n It s a d og s l if e a t t he
b e st b ut si n gl e o n e i s a t l e a st fr e e
MAN We l l yo u u se d t o m a k e p l e n t y of
“
m a sh e s i n fro n t Ma t i n e e s we r e a l
t he
.
,
,
.
’
,
.
,
.
.
.
,
.
.
.
’
’
.
,
.
,
.
,
!
.
6
H e r L ast R e h e a r sa l
wa y s
g ood
when
y ou w e r e i n t h e c a st
fe c t io n t h a t
ROMEO [ bi t t e rly ] Ps h a w ! An a f
c a n b e t h r o w n ov e r t h e foo t l ig h t s l i k e a
c h e a p bo q u e t c a n n o t b e w o r t h m u c h
a nd l ha ve n eve r
h a d t i m e t o c u l t iv a t e
t he a c q u a i n t a n c e of a w o m a n of f a m i l y
a n d r e fi n e m e n t [ Ta k e s e l za zr a t s i de of
.
-
,
'
.
s t a ge
MAN
.
]
.
I a l w a y s t ho ug h t you
h a i re d
di d y ou co m e t o
fi ne
too
-
fo r t h i s bu si n e ss Ho w
?
n
n
t
i
o
it
y
w
y
e
t
a
a
g
ROMEO [gl oom zly ] It w a s si m p ly a c a se of
m a k i n g m y l ivi n g I c ho se t h e o n ly p r o
fe ssi o n fo r w h i c h m y t r a i n i n g fi t t e d m e
“
I w a s r a i se d a s a g e n t l e m a n
t a u gh t t o
w e a r a d r e ss sui t a n d do n o t h i n g g r a c e
fu l ly Wh a t m o r e do yo u w a n t fo r a
mod e r n l e a di n g m a n ?
MAN G o t o n e of you r sa r c a st i c m ood s o n
.
,
'
.
.
!
,
.
.
[ Ri s e s a n d
We l l i f
i m p a t i e n t ly ]
t o da y ,
-
e h?
ze a
l/es
p
u
s t a ge
ve r
co m e s w e l l c u t t hi s r e h e a r sa l sho r t
[ L ook s a t [2 2 s zoo /e h ] Sh e s fi f t e e n m i n
u t e s l a t e a l r e a dy !
.
,
t ha t
gi rl
e
’
,
.
'
'
H e r L ast R e h ea r sa l
RO MEO [ri s i ng q u i ck ly ] Sh e p a y s us w e l l
fo r ou r t i m e do e sn t sh e ?
MAN Why of cou r se sh e do e s We do n t
“
ofi
t e a c h t h e you n g id e a h ow t o s hoo t
Sh a k e sp e a r e fo r n o t hi n g
ROMEO [ de l i be ra t e ly ] T he n l e t s n o t c h e a t
h e r a n y m o r e t h a n w e h a v e do n e
MAN [s u rp ri se d] Wh a t d o you m e a n b y
t h a t ? Yo u a r e n t sou r e d o n you r jo b
a re you ?
ROMEO [ bi t te rly ] Ye s I a m l m v e ry m u c h
ob l ig e d t o you fo r t h ro wi n g i t i n m y
w a y w h e n l w a s o ut of w o r k b ut I w i s h
I h a d n t t a k e n it
MAN It s b e t t e r t h a n w a l k i n g a rou nd on
you r u p p e r s i sn t i t ?
RO ME O [ o e /2 e m e 72 t ly ] NO ! T h a t i s a t l e a st
h o n e st
MAN [Izot ly ] Co m e n o w I m n o co m mon
sw i n d l e r
R OMEO [ fi rm ly ] No b ut you a re de c e i v
i n g t hi s gi rl
MAN Ho w ? Sh e p a y s m e $ 5 00 t o p r e p a r e
h e r fo r t h e st a g e It s w o r t h i t It s no
‘
,
’
.
.
,
'
!
.
'
.
.
’
,
’
.
,
.
,
’
.
’
.
’
,
.
’
.
,
,
.
«
,
.
.
’
.
8
’
.
H e r L a st R e h ea r sa l
y b ody e l se
ROMEO T h a t s a l l r i g h t b u t i n a ddi t io n
s h e m u st b uy co st u m e s h i r e a co m p a n y
a n d r e nt t he t h e a t re
MAN We l l y ou d o n t e x p e c t m e t o do
t h a t fo r h e r do you ? I f t h e se you n g
foo l s w i l l ge t st a g e st ru c k t h e y m u st
p a y fo r i t T h e y co m e t o t a k e t h e b r e a d
a n d bu t t e r o u t of ou r m ou t h s
RO MEO [ fi rm ly ] Ri gh t t h e r e s t he po i n t s
you a re e n c o u r a gi n g h e r t o r i sk h e r a l l
i n a n e x p e r i m e n t t h a t m u st f a i l
MAN Ho w do y ou k n ow i t w i l l f a i l ?
ROM EO [ l o u dly ] Co m e n o w you a n d I
k n ow t h i s bu si n e ss t o o w e l l t o di scu ss
that
Yo u k n ow a s w e l l a s l do t h a t sh e
c a n n e ve r p l a y J u l i e t
[ J U L I ET a pp e a rs a t s i de of s t a ge a n d
m o re t h a n
I w ou l d c h a rg e
an
.
’
,
,
,
.
’
.
,
,
,
.
.
’
.
.
,
,
,
.
.
l i s t e n i ng ]
s t a n ds
MAN [s i gni ng]
.
Wll
e
,
I
’
ve
.
do n e my
b e st
fo r h e r a n y wa y
ROMEO [ fra n k ly ] Yo u c e r t a i n l y h a v e a n d
so h a v e I ; fo r I w ou l d l i k e t o s e e h e r a
s u c c e ss
Sh e i s a good l i tt l e gi r l a n d a
,
.
,
.
,
9
H e r L ast R e h ea r sa l
h a rd wo r k e r b u t h e r a m bi t io n i s b e yo n d
h e r a b i l i t y Sh e w i l l f a i l — s h e wi l l b e
l a ug h e d a t — pe i h a p s h i sse d fo r sh e c a n
I do n t c a r e fo r
n o t e v e n l oo k t h e p a r t
m y se l f — l c a n st a n d i t — b ut i t m a k e s m e
It
si c k t o t hi n k of h e r di sa p poi n t m e n t
w i l l b r e a k he r h e a rt
,
!
.
,
'
.
.
.
[J U L I ET
MAN
.
Wl l
e
d ra ws ba ck
it
,
’
s st a
rt e d
f s igh t ]
out o
a nd
it
’
s
to
go t
be
go n e t h rou gh w i t h
J U L I E T [o u ts i de ] He r e w e a re m a m m a
MAN Hu s h ! T h e r e she i s n o w
J U L I ET [a t s i de of s t a ge ] No w you i t
t h e r e m a m m a a n d do n t co m e o n t h e
s t a ge a t a l l
You l l di st u r b u s
[ T u rn
i ng t o t h e o t /ze rs ] G ood m o r n i n g ge n
.
.
,
.
.
s
,
’
,
,
‘
.
.
,
t le m e n
,
.
RO M E O [ q u i e t ly ] G ood m o r n i n g
.
MAN [eflu s i oe ly ] A h how f a r e s m e g e n t l e
“
?
t
m
n
J u l i e t hi s o r n i g [ q u ot i ng] It i s
.
,
E a st ;
J u l i e t i s t h e su n
J U L I ET [e o t a ly ] T h o se a re Ro m e o
He do e s n o t s p e a k t h e m
t he
a nd
!
.
’
.
10
’
s
l ines
.
H e r L ast R e h ea r sa l
R OMEO I b e g y ou r p a r do n ; I sa id good
m o rni ng
J U L I ET O n l y t h a t a n d n o t h i n g m o r e ?
“
!
.
‘
[S t a ge Ili a n a ge r s/zo zos l i e r h i s m a t e /2 ]
MAN F i f t e e n m i n u t e s l a t e m y d e a r you n g
.
.
,
l a dy — fi ft e e n m i n u t e s l a t e No w i f y ou
a re goi n g i n t o t hi s b u si n e ss yo u m a y a s
w e l l l e a r n r i gh t a t t he st a r t t h a t p u n c t u a l
i t y i s t h e fi r st vi r t u e of a p l a y e r T h e r e
i s o n l y o n e t h i n g t h a t c a n e x cu se a n
a c t o r fro m r e h e a r sa l — a n d t h a t s d e a t h
E v e n t h e n t he g h o st w a l k s —Ro m e o
h a s b e e n w a i t i n g for yo u fo r n e a r l y h a l f
a n hou r
a n d t h a t i s e n ou gh t o m a k e
s u c h a p u n c t u a l f e l l o w a s he i s a
l i tt l e
b i t s ho r t
J U L I E T [confuse d] R e a l l y I m so rry I wa s
o u t se l l i n g t i c k e t s fo r my
b e n efi t a nd
fo rgo t a l l a b ou t r e h e a r sa l
ROMEO [k i n dly ] Ne v e r mi n d ! I c a n st a y
h a l f a n h ou r ov e r t i m e i f n e c e ssa ry —a n d
I gu e ss we l l n e e d i t
MAN W e ll t h e n l e t s ge t t o w o r k W h a t
di d we do l a st t i m e ?
.
,
,
.
’
.
.
,
.
’
.
,
.
’
.
’
.
,
.
,
It
He r L ast R e h ea r sa l
J U L I ET
MAN
'
.
we l l
t he
“
,
T h e b a l co n y
Th a t
'
s so
.
I t h i n k y o u di d t h a t v e ry
.
r
t
t
m
t
o
w
e
s
k
N
l
e
t
s
r
o
b
oo
G
y
]
[
p
p
p a r t i n g sc e n e — a c t t hi rd , sc e n e V
’
.
.
Wi l t t h ou
da y
c
s ene
—t h a t
!
,
go n e i t
s you r c u e ;
be
’
,
is
n ot
yet
n ea
r
J U L I E T [/ze s i ta t i ng] Why do y ou r e h e a r se
'
t ha t
c
much?
s e n e so
by h e a r t
W hy
,
w e k n ow
it
.
MAN [ i m p a t i e n t ly ] My d e a r y o u n g l a dy
.
,
yo u v e go t t h e l i n e s m a y b e b ut n o t t h e
Li n e s a re n o t h i n g— a c t io n i s
a c t io n
No w yo u do t h e b a l co n y
e v e r y t hi n g
s c e n e v e ry w e l l t og e t h e r ; t h a t s m o st l y
But w h e n yo u ge t t og e t h e r
e l ocu t io n
yo u a re l i k e a cou p l e of i c e b e r g s Yo u
w a n t t o w a r m u p i n t h i s sc e n e [ G o e s
’
,
,
.
.
,
’
.
,
-
.
.
a
bo u t
s t a ge
a rra ng i ng ch a
] No w
se n t sce n e ry
t e n t io n
a
m om e nt,
giv e
i rs t o
me
p re
re
y o ur a t
p l e a se ! He r e , i m a gi n e
,
'
c h a i r s t h e w i n dow goi n g o ut o n t o
t h e b a l co n y
T h e r e w i l l b e cu s h io n s
pi l e d u p h e r e a n d h e re s a ru g for you
t o fa i n t o n l a t e r
T h e r e s a cou c h ov e r
h e r e a n d h e r e s a st a n d w i t h a b u tt e r
t h e se
.
‘
’
,
’
.
’
,
12
He r L ast R e h ea r sa l
b o wl l a m p b u r n i n g
it
on
r e a dy
Al l
.
[S t a n ds a t p ro m p t t a b l e
re c i t e s s t z
fi iy l ook i ng up wa rd ]
now
.
,
j uti e t
.
,
J U L I ET
Wi l t t hou b e go n e ? It i s n o t y e t
n e a r da y
MAN No n o ! My d e a r you n g l a dy R o m e o
i s n o t u p t h e r e i n t h e g a l l e r y — h e s dow n
h e r e Yo u a re su p p o se d t o b e t a l k i n g
“
.
,
,
‘
.
t o hi m
.
J U L I ET O h
!
‘
x cu se
re c i t e s o n ce
di s t a
“
e
,
n ce .
me
bu t
m o re
G e s t u re s w i l dly
Wi l t t hou
be
go n e ?
to Rom e o
[ T u rn s
.
It i s
s t a n ds
a
t
a
]
n ot
y et
nea
r
da y
i g h t i n ga l e a n d n o t t he l a r k
p i e rc e d t he f e a r fu l ho l l ow of t hi n e
It w a s t h e
Tha t
n
ea r
.
Nig h t l y
i gs
sh e
s n
on
yon
p o m e gra n i t e
t re e
[st opp i ng ]
Oh
,
wh e re
di d y ou
tell
me
r e e w a s?
MAN [i mpa t i e n t ly ] T h e r e s n o po m egra n
i t e t r e e e x c e p t i n you r i m a gi n a t io n o ut
t h e w i n do w t h e r e so m e w h e r e
t h a t po m e gra n i t e t
’
.
.
1
3
H e r L ast R e h ea r sa l
J U L I ET O h
I fo rgo t
,
i t wa s t h e
n
“
Be
.
i gh t i n g a l e
l i ev e
l o ve
me,
,
!
.
MAN [ i n te rrup t i ng] No w
do
a t a ll
T h a t m a y b e v e ry f a i r e l oc u t ion
b ut i t s n o t a c t i n g Yo u m u st ge t i n t o
t h e a t m o s p h e r e of t h e s c e n e No w st a n d
dow n h e r e a n d l e t m e sh ow you No w
r e m e m b e r you a re a you n g b rid e ju st
biddi n g good b y e t o you r h u sb a nd for
t h e fi r st a n d p e r h a p s t h e l a st t i m e
Wh a t w ou ld yo u do u n d e r su c h ci rcu m
sta n c e s?
.
t h a t wo n t
’
,
,
.
’
.
.
.
,
,
-
.
j u li e t
k e s l i e r k e a d h e lp l e ssly
]
Why yo u d e m b r a c e h i m l i k e t hi s
Wi l t t hou b e go n e
hi m
MAN
‘
.
“
s/za
a n
,
,
d
re c i t e s
m a kes
a ga
in
‘- i
efi n s oe ly
pi c t u r e !
a
]
No w
Yo u
se e ,
t ry it
,
a
ll
t ha t
ov e r
.
j u t i e t re c i t e s a ga i n so m e w/za t be tt e r ]
MAN [ i n t e rrup t i ng ] Yo u w ou l d n t st a n d
.
,
’
f a nd
of
l i ke t h a t
h i m t h r oug h
Ha n g o n t o h i m
ta l k t o
.
/
ze ta rs k e r b a
S
[
a
te
le p h one
.
nd
g i nge rly
I4
on
Ro m e o
’
s
H e r L ast R e h ea r sa l
MAN
p ol i c e
m a n t a k e s ho l d of a p ri so n e r
T h r ow
you r a rm s a rou n d h i s n e c k a n d h o l d
h i m t i gh t J u l i e t s m od e st y i s a l l go n e
now
of k e e p i n g
a n d s h e o n ly t h i n k s
R o m e o w i t h h e r a s l o n g a s po ssi b l e
t a ke s
[S ta ge M a n m ops h i s bro w
of coa l
j u l i e t h o l ds of st iflly fro m
Ps h a w !
.
Th a t
’
s
wa y
t he
a
.
.
’
.
,
.
.
.
R om e o s
’
em
bra
MAN [ bre a k i ng
.
ce a n d re c i t e s a g a
i n ] Th a t
’
s
b e tt e r !
in ]
-
No w
,
Rom e o
“
R OMEO It wa s t he l a r k t he h e r a l d of t h e
mor n
No n i g h t i n g a l e ; l oo k l ov e w h a t e n vi ou s
st r e a k s
Do l a c e t h e c l o ud s i n yo nd e r E a st
Ni gh t s c a nd l e s a re b u r n e d o ut a n d
joc und da y
S t a n d s t i p t o e o n t he m i st y mou n t a i n t o p
I m u st b e g on e a n d l i v e o r st a y a n d di e
MAN G ood ! No w J u l i e t
.
,
,
,
,
.
’
-
.
,
.
,
.
t
s i n Ro m e o s
h
a
t
e
r
H
e
g
[
’
re m o ve s
J U L I ET
“
Yo n
l i ght
is
it ]
n ot
1 5
ey e s
.
da y li ght
a n d sh e
H e r L ast R e h ea r sa l
MAN No t
foo t l ig h t s m y d e a r you n g
l a dy T he l ig h t you se e st r e a m s i n t h i s
wi n dow No w t ry a g a i n
J U L I ET Yo n l ig h t i s n o t d a y l i g h t I k n ow
t he
.
,
.
.
.
,
!
.
I:
it,
It i s
To
s
ome
m e t e or t h a t t h e
to t hee t h is
be
l i gh t t h e e
An d
T h e r e fo r e
st a
y
n
igh t
a
x ha les
t orc h b e a r e r
t o Ma n t u a ;
su n
t hy wa y
y e t ; t hou n e e dst
on
e
-
to be
n ot
go n e fl
’
MAN No w g r a b
.
a re
wi l l
t
ry i n g
hi m
t o m a ke
g a i n R e m e m b e r yo u
h i m st a y a g a i n st h i s
.
,
.
[R o m e o
ca re sse s
She
MAN Do n
.
a
a
b u rr
now
’
t
he r
a n d s t a rt s
s h ri n
ks
to
re c i t e
.
]
d r a w b a c k St i c k t o hi m l i k e
You r e g e t t i n g you r O w n w a y
.
’
.
.
RO MEO L e t m e b e t a e n l e t m e b e put t o
dea t h
I a m c o n t e n t so t hou w i l t h a v e i t so
I l l sa y y o n g r a y i s n o t t h e m o r n i n g s e y e
T i s b ut t h e p a l e r e fle x of Cy n t h i a s
b r ow ;
“
’
,
,
!
.
’
’
‘
’
16
H e r L ast R e h ea r sa l
J U L I ET
“
It i s,
a wa
i s : hi e
it
h e n c e —b e go n e
y!
l a r k t h a t si n g s so o u t of t u n e
S t r a i n i n g h a r s h di sco rd s a n d u n p l e a si n g
It i s t h e
s
h a rps
So me
S om e
l a r k m a k e s swe e t divi si o n
t he
sa y
T hi s
.
do t h
t he
sa y
for
n o t so ,
l a rk
sh e
a nd
di vid e t h u s
loa t hed t oa d
.
c h a n ge e y e s
O h n o w I w ou l d t h e y ha d c h a n g e d
voi c e s t o o
S i n c e a rm fro m a rm t h a t voi c e do t h u s
,
a fi ra y
Hu n t i n g t h e e
t h e da y
no w
Oh ,
it
MAN
be
h en ce
wi t h
h u nt
’
s
up
to
.
go n e ! M o re l i g h t
g ro ws
light
a nd
!
.
m or e p a t h o s i n t o you r t o n e s ;
you a re con vi n c e d n o w a g a i n st you r
wi l l
“
J U L I E T O h n o w b e go n e ; m or e l ig h t a n d
l i g h t it g ro ws
No w Ro m e o i t s
MAN T h a t s b e t t e r
you r t u rn
.
Put
,
.
,
!
.
’
’
.
.
,
.
18
,
He r L ast R e h ea r sa l
ROMEO
“
Mor e l ig h t
a nd
.
on
.
d a r k o u r wo e s
I l l r e a d t h e n u r se s l i n e s
“
t a bl e ]
Ma d a m e !
!
a nd
MAN
l i gh t M o r e d a r k
.
‘
!
[
’
.
n ock s
!
[j
iet
ul
q u i te st i
s t a n ds
]
ll
MAN [ i m pa t i e n t ly ]
M y d e a r gi rl w h a t
wou ld yo u do i f t he n u r se k n oc k e d a t
,
.
y ou r doo r u n d e r t h e se ci rcu m st a n c e s?
fn l i e t
MAN
.
sh a
Why
]
k e s h e r h e a d h e lp l e ssly
yo u d st a r t —yo u
cou l d n
’
,
he l p it
J U L I ET Why of cou r se I
st u pi d o t m e !
MAN No w t ry i t a g a i n
J U L I ET [ w i t h a n a wk wa rd
’
t
.
,
.
w ou l d
Ho w
.
.
MAN [di sg us t e d ] NO
.
No t
no, no !
,
if
as
o m e o n e ha d st u c k a pi n i n t o you Se e
h e r e — m o r e l i k e t h i s [S h o ws h e r h o w
s
.
.
.
[ u l i e t doe s i t so m e wh a t be tt e r ]
’
“
MAN [re a di ng ]
Yo u r l a dy
mo t h e r s
.
.
co m i n g t o you r c h a m b e r ;
T h e da y i s b ro k e : b e w a ry : l oo k a b ou t !
“
J U L I ET T h e n w i n do w l e t da y i n a n d l e t
l i f e o ut
.
,
!
.
19
,
H e r L ast R e h ea r sa l
T a k e h i m t o t he w i n do w— y ou
MAN
.
h i m t o go n o w T h e n f a l l i n t o
for a l a st e m b r a c e
.
w a nt
a rm s
hi s
.
[ j u l i e t a pp roa ch e s R om e o shy ly B us i n e ss
ge t t i ng i n t o p l a ce ]
.
ROMEO
“
F a re w e
I ll
’
l l f a r e we l l !
On e k i ss
,
d e sc e n d
a nd
!
.
m
R
o
e o c l a sp s h e r i n h i s
[
h e r he a
rt i
k i sse s
a rm s a n d
ly ]
J U L I ET [bre a k i ng a wa y ] O h ! Do n t h o l d
m e so t igh t p l e a se
MAN W hy n o t ? R om e o s hou l d h u g t h e
v e ry l i f e o ut of yo u
J U L I ET [confu se d ] But h e n e e d n t k i ss
’
.
,
.
.
’
me
MAN
.
.
Wh a t do you su p po se t h a t
’
s
t he
in
boo k for
On e k i ss a n d I l l d e s c e n d
Yo u c a n t ge t a rou n d t h a t
J U L I ET [h e si ta t i ng] Cou l d n t h e k i ss m e
o n t h e for e h e a d ?
MAN An d ge t h a i r i n hi s mou t h We l l h e
m a y i f h e l i k e s b ut t h a t s t h e r e gu l a r
b u si n e ss of t h e sc e n e
“
?
!
’
.
’
.
'
’
?
.
,
’
,
.
[ S t a ge M a n
.
wa l k s do wn fron t di sg u s t e d]
20
He r L a st R e h ea r sa l
J U L I ET [de c i de dly ] W e l l 1 do n t l i k e i t
t ha t s a ll
RO M E O [ fi rm ly ] T h a t i s t he wa y l h a v e
fe n d s yo u
a l w a y s p l a y e d t h e p a r t If i t o f
'
,
,
'
.
.
I
[ G oe s t o ge t h a t a n d ca n e ]
J U L I ET [ q u i ck ly ] O h n o p l e a se do n t do
t h a t [S hy ly ] I gue ss I c a n ge t u se d t o i t
re si gn
ca n
.
’
,
,
.
.
a k e p os i t i o n s
T
h
e
t
y
[
a ga
in ]
MAN [S m i l i ng] He m ! No w R o m e o
st a
.
do wn t h e l a dd e r J u l i e t l e a n ov e r
c l i n g t o hi m a s t hou g h y o u cou l d n
a nd
-
.
j u l i e t p u ts
-
on e
bu t drops
n e ck
re a ch e s
J UL IET
“
fo r i t
,
ot h e r h a n d a
wh i l e
Art t ho u go n e
sh e re ci t e s
so ?
l ov e l o rd f ri e n d
,
,
s i de
t
Ay
’
t let
Ro m e o
a ro u n d
a rm
rts
.
’
s
He
]
h u sb a n d
,
,
.
I m u st h e a r fro m t h e e e v e ry da y i n t h e
hou n
Fo r In
a
O h by
,
E re
m i n u t e t h e re
t h is
ye a rs
I a ga i n
‘
cou n t I
a re
s
b e ho l d m y
21
m a ny
ha l l
da ys;
much
be
Ro m e o
!
.
in
H e r L ast R e h ea r sa l
RO MEO
“
w i l l om it
F a re w e l l ! l
no
o p po r
t un i t y
Tha t
co n v e y
may
my
gr e e t i n g s l ov e
,
to
,
t he e fl
’
J U L I ET
“
Oh
t hi n k
,
’
st
t hou
we
sh a
ll
e
ve r
g i
“
ROMEO I dou b t i t n o t ; a n d a l l t h e se w o e s
s h a l l se r v e
F o r sw e e t di scou rse s i n ou r t i m e t o
co m e
“
J U L I ET O h G o d l h a v e a n i l l divi n i n g
sou l ;
Me t h i n k s 1 se e t h e e n o w t h o u a rt b e l o w
As o n e d e a d a t t h e bo t t o m of a t o m b
E i t h e r m y e y e si g h t f a i l s o r t h o u l o o k st
pa le
“
ROMEO An d t ru st m e l ov e i n m y e y e s
so do you
Dry so rr ow dri n k s o u r b l ood
A di e u !
A di e u !
m eet
!
?
a n
a
.
-
,
,
.
’
!
.
,
,
.
.
!
[ T h ey fi n i s h t h e
MAN
.
Tha t
‘
s
p ri n kl e i n
a s you c a n
S
sce n e
ve ry
c re di t a
bly ]
v e r y good No w you c a n
a s m a n y k i sse s t h ro u g h t h e r e
st a n d
Ma z a n e t t i u se d t o
.
.
22
H e r L ast R e h ea r sa l
ha u l
R o m e o b a c k a n d k i ss h i m ha l f a
d o z e n t i m e s It w a s o n e of he r p r i z e
m a d e a hi t
a nd a lwa ys
sc e n e s
No w
w e l l r e st a l i t t l e w h i l e ! [ Pu t s on coa l ]
J U L I ET E x c u se m e p l e a se w hi l e I sp e a k
.
.
,
’
,
to m a mma
,
E
x
t
i
]
[
.
MAN [ jocose ly ]
di d w a r m u p i n t h a t
old m a n
I f y c u k i ss h e r l i k e
sc e n e
t h a t o n t h e n i g h t of t h e p e r fo r m a n c e
y ou l l c r e a t e a se n sa t i o n E v e r y w o m a n
i n t h e a udi e n c e w i l l w a n t t o p l a y J u l i e t
No w I m u st go a n d
t o yo u r Ro m e o
jo l ly t he O l d l a dy a l i t t l e
.
Yo u
'
.
,
,
’
.
.
.
[M e e t s j u t i e t ]
.
MAN
.
Yo u t w o
c
l a dy m o t h e r J u l i e t
n e ss
in that
ta lk
ca n
s ene
,
ov e r you r b u si
w h i l e l t a l k t o you r
.
[E x i t j u l i e t
ROMEO I h op e l did
a rd or
a n y u n du e
n ot
in
f]
s t a n ds o
o ffe n d yo u w i t h
m y m a n n e r ju st
n ow ?
J U L I ET [col dly ] O h I su p po se t h a t i s you r
u su a l w a y
ROMEO [a pp roa ch i ng h e r] Be a ssu r e d l
,
.
2
3
H e r L ast R e h ea r sa l
h ou l d t a k e n o l ib e r t i e s w hi c h t h e l i n e s
did n o t wa r r a n t o r w h i c h I t hou gh t
w ou l d b e O ff e n siv e t o you But se r i ou s
l y y ou s hou l d f e i g n a l i t t l e m or e a r do r
e v e n i f yo u do n t f e e l i t
Yo u w i l l p a r
do n m y a sk i n g t h e q u e st io n b u t —w e r e
yo u e v e r i n l ov e ?
J U L I ET [c u rt ly ] Wh a t di ffe r e n c e do e s t h a t
s
.
,
,
'
.
,
In a
ke
?
ROMEO A g r e a t d e a l w i t h y ou r u n d e r
st a n di n g o f J u l i e t
J U L I ET [de l i be ra t e ly ] I h a v e n e v e r b e e n i n
l ov e
Ha v e y o u?
ROMEO [conf use d ] No ! [Aft e r a p a u se ]
.
.
Ye s !
J U L I ET [ fi e rce ly ] T h e n w hy di d yo u k i ss
m e l i k e t h a t ? Yo u h a d n o ri g h t w h e n
yo u l ov e a n o t h e r
ROMEO It w a s b e c a use l l ov e yo u
J U L I ET [s t a rt s t h e n e xcl a i m s] But I h a t e
y ou
RO MEO Yo u h a t e m e ? — W hy ?
J U L I ET [bi tt e r y ] Be c a u se yo u d o n t b e l i e v e
i n m e Yo u di s cou a g e m y a m b i t i o n
.
.
/
,
.
’
.
r
.
.
24
H e r L ast R e h ea r sa l
w h a t I m y se l f h a v e f e a r e d
Th is
gr e a t b ro a d st a g e l oo k e d so p l e a sa n t
fro m o ut t h e r e i n f r o n t I f a n ci e d i t
m u st b e f a i ry l a n d a n d t o b e a n a c t r e ss
t h e e a si e st t h i n g i n t h e wo rl d But si n c e
I v e b e e n b a c k h e r e a l l t he c h a r m i s
go n e ; i t s n o t h i n g b ut h a r d di sm a l
w o r k w i t h f a i l u r e i n t h e e n d fo r m e
ROMEO But if you s hou l d su cc e e d
yo u
m i gh t l e a r n t o do a s w e l l a s m a n y so
c a l l e d a c t r e sse s
J U L I ET [e a ge rly ] I b e l i e v e y ou cou l d t e a c h
m e if a n y o n e
ROMEO [bi t t e rly ] But a f t e r t h a t — t h e je a l
di sa p p oi n t
o usi e s h e a r t b u r n i n g s a n d
m e n t s of a n ov e r c r owd e d a n d u n di sc i
p l i n e d p r of e ssi o n T h e a c t or s t r i a l s a re
b e fo r e t h e foo t l i gh t s It s t h e
n ot a l l
p e tt y riv a l r i e s sl a n d e r s a n d b a c k b i t i n g s
t h a t m a k e o n e b i t t e r a g a i n st h i s o w n
ki n d
But h a r d a s i s a n a c t or s l o t
t h a t of a you n g a c t r e ss i s h a rd e r st i l l
A m a n c a n p ro t e c t h i m se l f
J U L I ET [ ge n t ly ] But cou l d n o t you p ro t e c t
it is
.
,
,
.
’
,
’
,
,
,
.
,
-
,
-
’
.
’
.
-
,
’
,
.
.
.
me
?
26
H e r L ast R e h ea r sa l
ROMEO [e a ge rly ] Wou l d yo u gi v e
ri g ht
J U L I ET [shy ly ] Pe r h a p s
that
me
.
[H e
s t a rt s
t o wa
rd
h e r bu t h e s i t a t e s
.
RO MEO [s te rn ly ] Me r e l y a s a m e a n s of
t a i n i n g you r a m b i t i o n ?
J U L I ET No — b e c a u se I l ov e you !
[ Rom e o
]
at
ps h e r i n h i s a rm s a n d ki sse s
h e r S t a ge M a n a ge r a pp e a r s a t s i de ]
’
MAN [a ppl a u di ng] B r a vo ! B r a vo ! T h a t s
cl a s
.
.
b e st b i t of a c t i n g yo u v e do n e y e t
But w h a t do you m e a n —t ho se a re n o t
m
n t s fo r
H
u
t
Ro m e o s li n e s ?
r
o
p
[
p
t he
’
.
'
]
ROMEO [ wi t h pre t e n de d
boo k
.
se ri o u s n e ss
]
W
e
h a v e d e cid e d t o p l a y a m od e r n i z e d v e r
“
Ro m e o a n d J u l i e t
w i t h t he
si o n of
t r a g e dy l e f t o ut
MAN [h o rrifi e d ] Wh a t ? In t h i s t h e a t r e ?
ROMEO [ ga i ly ] We sh a l l n o t n e e d you r
b ut if yo u cou l d
t h e a t r e t h a n k you
r e co m m e n d u s t o a F ri a r La u r e n c e i n
t h e n e i gh bo r h ood w e d b e ob l i g e d
J U L I ET Ye s I gu e ss I l l h a v e t o c a n c e l m y
Yo u se e
e n ga ge m e n t
!
,
.
.
,
,
'
.
’
,
.
27
H e r L ast Re h ea r sa l
j
ul i et
Rom e o t a k e s
n t ly ]
l
a
l
a
g
h e si t a t e s
.
RO MEO Yo u se e —s h e
co m p a n y — fo r l if e
’
s
goi n g
he r ha
to
joi n
nd
my
.
I SS ES H E R AND L E A DS H E R TO WA R D
S I DE —STAG E M ANA GE R S I N ! S I N
A C HA I R ]
R
OM
EO
[
ON
!
C U R T A I N C A L L R O MEO AND ! U L I ET SE EN
—
A
L
I
N
G
ST A GE MA NA G E R
F
F
O
W !
T H R O WS DO WN BOO !
MAN —W e l l I l l b e di n g e d !
’
,
E RE
E
ND
T H EN
T HE
CO M E T H T O
CAL
LE D H E R
OR
D I S E N C H AN T I N G
E U R
AS
IN
TO
P R I NT BY
AN
AY
WI L L
A MA T
WI LLA RD
BY
E S ! U I RE
WA S H I N GT O N
PL
LA S T R E H EA R S AL
W RI T T E N
H OL C O M B
AC T
O NE
AN
AN D D O N E
A
PA
GE
AT
T h i s pl a y w as pr ese n te d for co py
r i gh t pur po ses on M a y 2 7, 1 8 96 at
t h e G r a n d O pe r a H o use ,
as h i n gt o n
wi t h t h e fo ll owi n gc ast :
MR A T SE A MA N
R O ME O
MISS F R A N! LYN LYNC H
J U LI E T
MR WM BOAG
ST A G E MA NA G E R
W
.
,
.
.
,
.
,
.
a fte r w a r d s ra n for t wo w ee k s at
t h e Ne w Nat io n a l T h eat r e wi t h M r
Bo a g as t h e S t a ge M a n a ge r Ch a rl e s
M a ck a y as Rom e o a n d M a r y S a n d e r s
as ! ul i et
It w as a l s o pr ese n te d w ee k of M a y
1 0 1 8 9 7 at t h e C ast l e S q ua r e T h eat r e
at Bo st o n by M i ss S a n d e r s a n d M r
M a ck a y wi t h M r T o n y Cummi n gs
as t h e S t a ge M a n a ge r
Pe r m i ss io n t o pr ese n t
t hi s pl a y
m ust be o bt a i n e d from M r Wi ll a r d
H o l com b
Dr a m at i c E di t o r
The
Was hi n gto n Po st
It
.
,
,
.
,
,
.
,
.
,
.
.
,
,
.