A tough but likeable 14-year old kid from the slums (Favela) named “Waterbug” is trying to convince his buddies on the street that he is a talented criminal and that “Crime does pay”.He is endearing, although tragically misguided, an “Artful Dodger” character, showing that people change given a chance.
As John Hawthorne walks out onto the strip, Waterbug attempts to show his pals how to pick pockets, but he is caught red handed. He and his friends try to run from John, passing John’s wallet back and forth until Waterbug is cornered with the wallet. Waterbug knocks down an old man and throws the wallet in the air in order to run away.
“What about the Children of Today”
The Old Man laments about the decline of his city and country, and poses the challenge that this scenario not happen in the future in either Rio or elsewhere. (full baritone voice)
SCENE FIVE “This Man”
The apartment of Helena and her mother LuisaHelena asks permission from Luisa to date an American. The telephone rings, and Luisa turns the phone over to Helena.
Luisa is the hard-working, single parent who worries over her only child Helena, who was born out of wedlock.
SCENE SIX “Tamanero”
Waterbug boasts to his friends of his aspirations. He lives in the streets with his Uncle Miguel, at the base of Dona Marta Hill, the top of which is the hideout for Senior Tamanero, the cocaine king. To all locals, Dona Marta Hill is referred to as “Santa Marta” because of the newfound drug money helping to pay many bills.
“King of the Hill”
Waterbug vows to someday be somebody.
SCENE SEVEN
In the Lobby, Ribeiro is showing Sanna how to make better tips. They walk up to John Hawthorne’s Hotel Room to deliver the flowers he ordered. He also gives directions on how to find Helena’s house.
“Service with a smile” is a three-part melody-round, first sung by DR and RS. Then the dialog fades, and lights come up at the base of Santa Marta Hill, where Waterbug is asking his Uncle Miguel to get him into the gang as a drug runner. Miguel again instructs Waterbug on the importance of service. Finally, as John Hawthorne is leaving the hotel, maids in the hallways and lobby again sing a third melody to the song. Luisa is also asking her daughter what she sees in the American. Finally, all four parts sing in unison.
SCENE EIGHT
John Hawthorne arrives at Helena’s apartment to meet her mother Luisa
“Not a problem”
John Hawthorne assures Luisa his intentions are sincere. John and Helena leave for the Pinnacle Restaurant, a posh upper-class restaurant near the Copacabana beach. Luisa asks that her baby be brought back home safety. (scene fades)
SCENE NINE
“Waterbug”
In a seedy alleyway, Uncle Miguel and one of Tamanero’s enforcers give a paper bag to Waterbug, and instructs him to meet his contact at the Copacabana Beach at 11:00pm. Waterbug is somewhat nervous but still talks a big game.
Uncle Miguel is seedy and gang members are tough and ruthless.
SCENE TEN “What did you Make Today?”
The upper class patrons all self-congratulate themselves on how utterly wonderful life is while John and Helena arrive at the lobby.
SCENE ELEVEN “Dream”
Tableside, overlooking the beaches and mountains of Rio, with Christ the Redeemer atop the Corcovado in clear viewJohn and Helena relay their life’s stories. They find that they have similar values and would like to help the world if they only knew how.
SCENE TWELVE
“Better be Ready”
Out on Copacabana Beach at 11:00p.m.
Miguel hands the bag to Waterbug and points out his contact to him. Miguel is a coward and slips away. The enforcer is a slimy drug addict, with certain violent tendencies. He is carrying a semi-automatic gun. He tells Waterbug to watch out for cops and to carefully switch his white bag with the contact on the beach. His bag contains the cocaine, the other bag has the money. As Waterbug is switching bags, John and Helena are walking out of the restaurant onto the Copacabana Beach strip. John thinks Waterbug is switching the bags to steal them, and creates a scene, calling beach police to the scene. Police catch the contact, who is recognized to be Tamanero’s nephew. The gang enforcer, who has been watching from a concealed position tries to free the contact, and regain the bags of money and cocaine. Gunshots commence and in the battle, the nephew is shot, a policeman is killed, the gang enforcer is wounded and escapes. Waterbug realizes that this is not the life for him, and pleas with Helena to take him away, and John and Helena flee together with him. They decide to split, with Helena taking Waterbug back to her apartment, while John runs back to his hotel. She gives him a big kiss before parting. What none of them are thinking at the time is that Waterbug still is holding on to the white bag with all the money, worth well over $50,000.
“Rio
John laments about the mysteries of Rio, as Act One concludes and the scene fades. John walks back into the hotel to answer more questions with the police. A porter of the hotel, who turns out to be the Old Man, closes the doors to the hotel, as the lights fade
INTERMISSION
***
ACT TWO –19 songs including 7 reprises
There is NO overture.
Overture
The curtain opens with a mist. On stage is Dona Marta Hill—Tamanero’s headquarters, a grizzly area. The Old Man provides a commentary from on a roof top of a favela shanty.
“Mine”