Lines & Cues - ACT 1

1st line (after Better)

Jo! Jo, the girls at school were horrible to me! Charlotte Fenton said my dress was ragged and my nose was flat!

“I should be meeting eligible young men.” (Meg)

It’s going to be a dismal Christmas, what with father away and no money for presents.

“And we’re going to perform in for Christmas!” (Beth)

No, I can’t! Not with my flat nose.

“…four penniless and ragged sisters put on an Operatic Tragedy for all of Concord!” (Jo)

All of Concord!

“Let us begin!” & “Ah hah/Ooooh!” (Jo/Meg/Beth)

Mother, Dear Mother, do not cry.

“No,no! Expression Amy! From the heart! ‘Mother! Dear Mother, do not cry!’ (Jo’s line)

Mother, Dear Mother — Jo I am teased and ridiculed at school and all that concerns you is your silly little tragedy!

“And I’ll give you all everything you’ve ever dreamed of!” (Jo)

Oh Jo!

“Come, let’s rehearse!” (Jo)

Mother, dear mother, do not cry!

‘You will have me or no one!’ (Meg)

No one!

“I’ll wring her bloody little neck if she doesn’t! Another!” (Jo)

I want you - to get us a Christmas tree.

“Rodrigo will go chop one down immediately!”

Where?

“But that’s on Mr Laurence’s property” (Beth)

You’ll go to prison for it!

“Look it’s Mr. Laurence. He’s standing there at the window glaring out.” (Meg)

“He looks sinister.”

“I think he looks sad” (Beth)

I wouldn't be sad living in such a house.

“Has anyone ever been inside?” (Beth)

He’d never let any of us in.

“Jo’s going to get us all into deathly trouble.” (Meg)

We’ll be known as the family with the criminal sister!

“What criminal sister” / Marmee enters

Marmee, you’re home!

“Jo’s written an Operatic Tragedy.” (Meg)

And she’s inviting all of Concord to come see us perform it.

“And I die in it, but it’s a beautiful death.” (Meg)

And I play Clarissa, who’s very sweet.

“Oh Marmee, it’s Jo’s best.” (Beth)

Tell us about your day.

“…And a letter came from father.”

A letter from father!

“She’s outside” (Beth)

Read the letter, Marmee!

“We’ll wait for Jo.” (Marmee)

She may be hours!

“I want to hear about all the things you did today.” (Marmee)

Charlotte Fenton teased me mercilessly at school. I was so humiliated!

“That’s like bringing back a chicken after you’ve chopped off its head.” (Jo)

Do let us keep it.

“Merry Christmas!” (Laurie)

Merry Christmas!

“The days are difficult and long. But I am well.” (Marmee via letter)

He’s well.

“Each night in my tent, I think of my precious girls.” (Marmee via letter)

He thinks of us.

“Come, let’s get to work.” (Marmee)

I’ll get my paints!

*After Delighted finishes*

I’m ready!

Amy, what are you doing? (Marmee)

I’m going to the ball.

You’re what? / Amy no— (Jo & Marmee)

I found this old dress and it almost fits.

It was mine. (Jo)

I know. All it needs is a pretty sash. Besides, why shouldn’t I go?

Because you weren’t invited (Jo)

I can go in your place.

Amy! / In my place? (Jo & Marmee)

You don’t care about good society and I do.

People who think they’re better than you just because they have grander houses— (Jo)

(cut her off) Well, they do have grander houses.

That’s enough, Amy (Marmee)

But I want elegance and fine things, Marmee!

Not because of some silly sash (Jo)

Sashes aren't silly. Aunt March says the right accessories could be the key to a girl’s success. Besides, I’d never to a ball with scorch marks on the back of my dress.

What? (Jo)

As big as your—

Beth, get my sewing basket (Marmee)

Jo hates balls. She should stay in her musty old attic and write her dreadful little stories.

My stories aren’t dreadful! (Jo)

Nobody reads them and nobody likes them!

I’m sending this one off to a very prominent New York publisher (Jo)

And he’ll hate it!

Amy! (Marmee calling for bed)

Coming!

Goodnight, Marmee. (Beth)

I’m sorry for the things I said, Jo.

A little squashed, but still edible. (Jo)

Thank you.

Amy, what did you do with my story? (Jo)

Nothing, I—

I was working on that story day and night.

I burned it! And I’m glad I did!

Jo, no! (Marmee, in response to choking line)

Go on, I bare my throat to you!

Amy? What did you do? (Marmee)

She deserved it.

You did an intolerable thing. (Marmee)

Marmee!

You destroyed what meant the world to Jo. (Marmee)

Jo has everything.

…I write a story that my sister burns— (Jo)

You could’ve given me the invitation.

Your time will come, Amy. (Marmee)

No, my time will never come! I’m always forgotten! I’m always last! I’m never invited anywhere! I have nothing special—

…but I do demand you live together with respect (Marmee)

I hate the way I look! I hate this nightgown!

It was mine (Jo, about nightgown)

I want something that’s mine! *to stairs and back*

And I’ll take back that fan.

Go with them. (Beth)

Jo doesn’t want me.

Go anyway. (Beth)

She hasn’t talked to me in three weeks. I drew a picture of her with her beautiful hair and she just ignored it. Besides, my ice skates don’t fit me anymore.

Take mine (Beth)

Can I really? Thank you, Beth. I hope one day I can be sweet like you.

Watch where you’re going! (Mr Laurence)

Sorry, Mr Laurence!

She just wanted to be with you. Here. (Beth)

I was skating so beautifully—

Everyone knows the ice by the bridge is dangerous. (Jo)

But you didn’t want me skating near you. I love your stories, Jo. I tried to write one to make up for what I did, but I couldn’t think of anything to say. So I drew that picture of you with your beautiful hair—

And my big mouth. (Jo)

And you just ignored it.

If it wasn’t for Laurie you could’ve been killed. (Jo)

Maybe it would have been better if I had.

…But a sister who loves you.

I promise, Jo.

Here’s the shawl Father loves so much. (Meg)

Marmee, please don’t make me go to Aunt March’s house. It scares me. Everything’s so old in it. I drew this picture of you, with apple blossoms in your hair. The Goddess of Spring. It’s for Father. Is he going to die?

Jo! / Oh My! (Beth & Meg after Jo enters)

You’re bald.

I’m not bald. (Jo)

But your hair was your best feature.

Come, let me hold my girls. (Marmee)

We’ve never been parted before. I feel awful—

Amy, tell Aunt March how excited you are. (Marmee)

I’m so excited about living with you while Marmee’s in Washington.

Goodbye, Aunt March. (Marmee)

And you’ll tell Father how much I miss him and love him.

I’ll be waiting for you in the carriage. I have plans for you. (Aunt March)

Yes, ma’am.

John proposed. And I accepted (Meg)

Meg? Meg, that’s so romantic. Engaged? Meg’s engaged. Have a big wedding. Aunt March says they’re very fashionable.

I’ll come visit you later. (Beth)

Bye, everyone!