“MAKING BEAUTIFUL”
From the musical Out of My Head
Recorded on Making Beautiful: World Premiere Recording
Performed by Chris Fore (Man 1), Kelsey Jessup (Woman 1), Emily Clark (Woman 3), Allie Bower (Woman 2), and Merrick McMahon (Man 2)

(Music.  Lights rise slowly on MAN 1, at confession.  A “Priest” is seated in silhouette.)

MAN 1
I’ve got a lot to confess, Father.
Well, as you see, I’m a mess.
Well—you can’t see—but God, He surely can.
I’m a troubled man,
For everyday that I wake
I think there’s been a mistake.

(Lights cross-fade and rise on WOMAN 1, in an artist’s smock, on the phone, with “Suzanne,” in silhouette.)

WOMAN 1
Hi, may I speak to Suzanne?
Hi, Suzanne—(Pause) No, I understand.
My work is “good,” and though you “like my stuff,”
It’s not “edgy” enough
For your gallery to show.
No need to say it; I know.
(She hangs up.)

MAN 1
What am I?

WOMAN 1
What do they want?
Where is this going … ?

MAN 1
What am I punished for?

WOMAN 1
I’m driven, and dreaming—

MAN 1
God-given a soul that’s screaming out—

WOMAN 1                                                        
Out of answers,

MAN 1
There are no answers

WOMAN 1
I’m failing

BOTH
And falling apart

MAN 1
For God.

WOMAN 1
For art.
Work

MAN 1
With all your soul.

WOMAN 1
Hard                                                                    

MAN 1
To make it whole.

WOMAN 1
Start

MAN 1
To take your role

WOMAN 1
Making beautiful.

MAN 1
Trust

WOMAN 1
The heart of me                                                

MAN 1
Faith

WOMAN 1
In the art of me                                                

MAN 1
Believe

woMAN 1
It’s all part of me

MAN 1
Making beautiful.

BOTH
And you’ll see                                                        
I can make                                                                
Something out of me.                                            
Give me TIMe,                                                            
I’ll show the world that I’m                                 
Making Beautiful.                                                   

(Lights rise on WOMAN 3, at brunch with “her boyfriend.”)

WOMAN 3
You think that we’re losing touch?
Well, that’s fine, ‘cause I never liked you that much.
You, and your blue eyes and puffy brown hair—
All right.  I don’t care.
(Getting up and going)
Brunch was great, by the way.
(Snapping back at his sympathy)
WHAT?  I’m
Okay.

(WOMAN 2 appears, walking quickly and muttering to herself.)

WOMAN 2
Okay,
Now is today white or blue … ?
All these pills, I can’t keep ‘em straight.  Could you?
(Confused, confronting herself)
Who?  Me?  You?  No.
I’ve got a problem upstairs,
(Or so my doctor declares)
He thinks these pills help a bit,
But we think he’s full of shit.

(Suddenly confused)
Where am i?

WOMAN 3
(Trying desperately to get away, lest “he” see her breaking spirit)
What do you want?
I should get going …

WOMAN 2
I’m not sure anymore …

WOMAN 3                                                        
My friend – Kyle – is waiting.

WOMAN 2
Is someone waiting for me?

WOMAN 3
(And this smile is                             
fading off my face.)

WOMAN 3 & 2
Are we done now? / What have I done now?
‘Should run now – / I’ll run now –
I’ve got to find                                            
What’s left of

WOMAN 2
My heart.

WOMAN 3
My mind.

(MAN 2 appears.)
MAN 2
Burn  

WOMAN 3
To take his hand

MAN 2
Want

WOMAN 3
To hate the man

MAN 2
Then turn

WOMAN 3
And understand

WOMAN 3
You’re making Beautiful.

MAN 2
Think 

WOMAN 2
You’re breaking down

MAN 2
But know 

WOMAN 2
You’re safe and sound

MAN 2
Now, look 

WOMAN 2
And all around

MAN 2, WOMAN 2, & WOMAN 3
You’re making Beautiful.

MAN 2
Sure, you’ll find
There’s a lot of things that you leave behind.
Don’t think twice;
You’ve got to

MAN 2, WOMAN 2, & WOMAN 3
Sacrifice

WOMAN 2 & WOMAN 3
To make it Beautiful.

(MAN 2 is on the ground floor of a large apartment building, calling up to his now-ex-girlfriend.)

MAN 2
Babe, I made a mistake.
God, I know I messed up.
And I know you that don’t deserve this.
But let me in for Christ’s sake,
JUST Let me just talk to you!
Let me show you I don’t deserve

You, and all the things that you are,
You, and all the things we could be,
You and me, we’ve gotten this far,
C’mon babe, talk to me.
Talk to
Me.

MAN 1, WOMAN 1, WOMAN 2, & WOMAN 3
Who am I?
What do I want?
Where am I going?

ALL FIVE
I don’t know anymore …

WOMAN 3
He lied to me … He lead me on …

MAN 1
He guided me, but now He seems dead and Gone …

WOMAN 2
A new infection …

WOMAN 1
This rejection …

MAN 2
(disaffection’s) my affection’s clear …

ALL
Does no one hear?

MAN 1                                                             
God

THE OTHERS
Will give me sight

WOMAN 3                                                        
Love

THE OTHERS
Will make it right

WOMAN 1                                            
Art                                                                                                     

THE OTHERS
Is how I fight

ALL
To make it Beautiful.

WOMAN 2                                                        
My head will at last unwind,                   

MAN 2
My soul leave the past behind,              

ALL
And five paths are intertwined
In making Beautiful.

It’s about love,
How we find it, make it, and then
Screw it up,
And in my way
I may find something to say,
Making Beautiful
Making Beautiful
Making Beautiful.

(Blackout.)