The Band Wagon Page #4

- Who?

- Oscar Hammerstein.

- Home in bed, I hope, at this hour.

- Who is it? Dick Rodgers?

- What are you talking about?

Didn't you say the greatest producer

of musicals today...

was here and wanted to see me?

- That's me. I'm doing a musical.

- Did you get me out of bed...

I see what this is all about.

You needn't go any further because

the answer is no on Gabrielle Gerard.

Gabrielle... Paul, I don't follow you.

Gabrielle is not going to do a show.

She's too important to ballet.

This has nothing to do with Gabrielle.

Paul, I want you to do the choreography

for the greatest musical in years.

- I'm sorry...

- That's why I wakened you, Paul.

I'm so keyed up I just can't sleep.

You know how brilliant the Martons are.

This time, they've excelled themselves.

This show is a choreographer's dream,

and only you can do it.

- I wouldn't say that.

- No time for false modesty.

You're the greatest, and we know it.

This is just your meat.

A great classic theme.

The story of Faust in a modern setting.

Say, that sounds interesting.

I've never been so excited

about a project in my life.

Now, there's Tony Hunter, myself,

a great score by the Martons.

Wonderful. My brain's beginning

to churn already.

Good. Now we must comb the country

for a wonderful singer for the girl.

Singer? Jeff, don't you think we ought

to stress the dancing in that role?

No, Paul.

This girl has to be a virtuoso performer,

with fire, charm, beauty...

a great lady with a gamine quality.

You know no dancer can give you that.

Wait. Of course I wouldn't let her do it,

but Gabrielle has all that and more.

Gabrielle? Paul, I feel a little embarrassed.

I think she's charming,

within her limitations. Charming.

She's a great artist, and you know it.

- Sorry. I know how fond of her you are.

- That has nothing to do with it!

She can be one of the greatest

stars in the theatre.

Everybody's been trying to get her.

For the right vehicle,

something light and fluffy.

Light and fluffy? Now, see here, Jeff.

I'm not gonna do this show

unless Gabrielle Gerard plays that part!

Now, Paul, this throws a little

monkey wrench into things, doesn't it?

Never mind.

You and I will work together sometime...

Wait. At least do this. You come

and see her in the ballet tomorrow.

- Bring Hunter, bring the Martons.

- No. Impossible.

I have a performance.

But I'll gladly send the Martons.

We can get together afterwards and talk.

Mind you, I'm promising nothing.

Good night, sweetie.

Drama desk?

Mike. Hal again.

Better print that item after all.

And, Mike, after this, if Mr. Cordova tells

you he's casting Tallulah...

for Little Eva, believe him.

COMMODORE THEATER

Coutray Ballet Company

Gabrielle Gerard

Choreography by Paul Byrd

IMAGE OF THE NIGHT - ENSEMBLE

THE FIELDS - PHANTASY

Well?

She's fabulous, sensational,

loveliest thing I've ever seen.

A little tall, isn't she?

Stage illusion.

So you didn't care for it much?

The girl's fantastic, beautiful...

but I can't dance with her.

Stop worrying!

It isn't that I don't appreciate

what she does.

I tell you, I know she's magnificent.

That's what scares me.

But I haven't done ballet

since I was a kid. I'd look silly.

Hello, Lil. You look wonderful.

Put your things over there.

Hello, Mr. Hunter. How are you?

- Hello, Les. Glad to see you.

- How are you?

What is this?

The annual fur trappers' convention?

- The boss is inside with big money.

- His backers?

- They're raising money for the show.

- What show, ours?

- Sure.

- He hasn't read the script yet.

- I better go back...

- Sorry, Mr. Marton.

You disturb the water, you scare the fish.

They're biting tonight.

- What's he telling them?

- Whatever it is, it's going over big.

- Come on, Lil.

- Please don't go in yet.

Wait here in the study.

He's saving you for the big finale.

Excuse me.

- Lester, isn't this wonderful?

- Yeah.

- This is going to be great, Tony.

- Why?

Cordova. The dough for the show.

No problems.

How many times did we have to audition

the last time?

- Fifty.

- A hundred, maybe more.

Jeff might raise the backing tonight.

We'll be ready to rehearse in three weeks.

- Hello, Hal.

- Hello, Paul. How are you?

How nice to see you. Come right in.

Hal, this is Miss Gerard. Mr. Benton.

How do you do?

Jeff's inside with the backers.

Why don't you wait in the library?

- Excuse me.

- Thanks.

Let's wait in here a minute, huh?

Now, wait a second. I'm not ready yet.

There's a lot to be cleared up first.

This girl Gerard, it's not just her dancing.

On top of everything, she's too tall for me.

This girl is a giantess.

She's not too tall for you. I know this girl.

She comes up to here,

maybe 2 inches shorter.

You know I'm the perfect height for you.

Now look...

turn around. Measure. Look.

You see? Isn't that fine?

Listen. Gabrielle Gerard in her

stocking feet is at the most 3-feet tall.

Now relax. I'm going to find you a drink,

and you can stop worrying about her.

Jeff only wants her in the show

because she's the best.

We all gotta go along with him, too, Tony.

In the show, one guy's got to be

at the helm...

and in Jeff, we got someone

we can trust to...

...it is the Devil, come to claim the soul

of the modern Faust man.

With flapping wings

and grinning evil eyes...

he points the way

to the yawning pits of Hades.

Hallelujah.

- I'm embarrassed.

- Don't be childish.

I'm sure Tony Hunter doesn't want me

in this show.

- What makes you say that?

- Did he come backstage to see me...

after the performance?

He knew he was going to meet you here.

- I'm just a ballet dancer...

- You're a famous leading ballerina.

What does he want with me?

He's a famous movie and stage actor.

He's practically a historical character

by now.

Dancing with him is like dancing

with a statue of General Grant.

Now look, Gaby.

You know, this is a Cordova show.

It's an important step for you.

I'm going to do the choreography,

so there's nothing for you to worry about.

But I still think he doesn't want me

in the show.

Your nose is shiny.

- Where's the...

- Maybe this is it.

He passes by all the writhing souls

in torment paying for their deadly sins.

Gluttony, avarice...

It must be upstairs.

Lester, what have we got ourselves into?

The story he's telling them has nothing

to do with the story we wrote.

This will mean months of rewriting.

He expects us to go into rehearsal

in three weeks?

Brimstone and flames. Save me.

Corrupter of children.

Purveyor of evil. Dungeon...

...bubbling cauldrons.

Fiery furnaces of doom.

- You're...

- And you're... How do you do?

How do you do? It's certainly a...

- We've been waiting for you in there.

- We just got here.

We just got here ourselves,

about five minutes ago.

A little early, I guess. Mr. Cordova's busy.

Yes, I know, and I rushed so to get here.

- I'm a mess.

- No. You look wonderful.

- Will you have a cigarette?

- No, thanks. I don't smoke.

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