Synopsis

Copyright � Vince Corozine Music 2003

A family-oriented musical about the Wright brothers and their dreams of flying.  
Tension mounts between brothers and their father.  
The odds are against the brothers, but they succeed!

Overview
  Synopsis
   Act I
    Act II

Overview

The combined genius of two young Midwestern men, Wilbur and Orville Wright is unmatched in U.S. history. On December 17, 1903, they made history in a way that would forever change our world.

This musical "A Dream of Wings" is based on the lives of the two young "dreamers" from Dayton, Ohio. The Wright's brilliant entrepreneurial business undertakings, their meticulous research into aviation, combined with their ability and propensity to finance their projects solely on their own, made them true "Conquerors of the Air."
At the turn of the century Americans were pro-technology and it was an inventive age. New patents, new machines, new devices from galoshes to mass-produced nails and bicycles were coming down the pike. A widespread expectation well, automobiles are here, electric trolley cars are here, and airplanes must be next. On the other hand, flight was such a formidable challenge. So many had for so long failed.

This musical brings forth man's fascination with flight throughout the ages and the uniqueness of the self-taught and highly disciplined Wright family. Nevertheless, the true heart and meaning of the musical is about dreaming. The story of the Wright brothers gives one thing; miracles can happen. If man can fly, we are capable of anything!

It's fun, it's family, it's educational, and it is part of the great history of America that we will be celebrating in 2003.

Synopsis

This is the story of the Wright brother's battle in their quest to do what no one had every done before-build and fly a heavier-than-air machine. The brothers exhibit physical and emotional courage, tenacity, and a moral purpose against doubt, ridicule, and superstition . . . They are often in conflict with their father, Bishop Milton Wright, and with each other. The musical provides a glimpse of the entrepreneurial spirit that accompanied the breathless pace of scientific and social changes sweeping across America in the early 20th century. It also explores the family dynamics of the Wright brothers; their inspiring, college-educated mother, Susan; their supportive but distant father, Bishop Wright; and their dedicated, dependable younger sister, Katharine.

Wilbur is the dreamer and Orville the more practical brother. A major conflict continues throughout as Orville must choose between his love for Elizabeth and his love of flying, and his loyalty to Wilbur, and to the family. The Bishop believes that flying is not God's will for man and he wants Wilbur to be a preacher.

Act One

A dark stage, single point of light, single note of music. Other lights begin to appear slowly-growing into what may be a star-filled sky. Subtle harmonies begin to join the single note of music. Lights and music explode into a legato theme introducing Scene 1.

Scene 1

As the story opens, it is a bright sunny afternoon outside the Wright's home in Dayton, Ohio 1881.

A huge bird circles the stage, the sound of its wings pulsating, heavy, even ominous. A young Wilbur Wright (14) runs on, he watches it, dances along beneath and behind it . . . it barely eludes him. Wilbur is watching this large bird fly and is imitating the bird's movements with his arms outstretched, as he circles underneath. Their father, Bishop Milton Wright berates Wilbur for telling his teacher that mother Susan was very ill. He reminds Wilbur that family matters belong within the family and sends Wilbur to his room without dinner. Wilbur climbs out his bedroom window, shimmies down a big oak tree and resumes imitating the birds as they fly. Orville (11) arrives to summon him home for dinner. He mentions that the kids at school are constantly harassing him about his older brother and his desire to fly. They sing (rhythmic song) TO FLY where each solidifies their position on flying. At the end of the song Orville tells Wilbur that he is crazy! We introduce Sister Katharine (7) as the snitch who told the Bishop about Wilbur's telling tales at school.

Scene 2

The scene shifts to Friday night dinner at the home of the Wright family.

It is 1889, eight years have elapsed, and we get a glimpse of the Wright family in action at their dinner table. Pieces of a clap board house are flown in. (In fact, whenever possible pieces should be flown in for this production). Susan (mother)(58) is serving a large turkey-the boys argue over who gets the wings. Susan is an industrious inventive woman who is sick with TB. Wilbur (22) is reading, Orville(19) who is into racing bicycles, is playing his guitar and singing, and is mercilessly teasing his younger sister, Katharine. Katharine (15) is prissy, bossy and critical of the boys' manners and constantly corrects their English. The boys call Katharine the drill instructor. The diminutive and acerbic housekeeper, Carrie (15) is cleaning. Orville teases Carrie and she responds with a snide remark, sticks out her tongue, or kicks him in the shins. A lot of spunk! Mother, Susan is very mechanical as is Orville, and shows the boys a design of a new sled drawn on her apron. She also makes suggestions for improving their bicycles. Orville believes that if he rubs his face with a lemon it will make his skin smoother. Katharine says that he is crazy. Susan sings (ballad) A VISION BEFORE YOU where she encourages the boys to dream, wonder, stand tall, and never to give up. The autocratic Bishop Wright (60) has come home from one of his itinerant mission trips, a rare treat indeed. The conversation is eclectic, but organized along strict structured lines. The Bishop says that Wilbur will someday take his place as a preacher. Wilbur is not interested in preaching. Orville resents the fact that the Bishop favors Wilbur. The Bishop is critical of the US policies on expansionism (particularly Hawaii and Cuba), is against slavery, and believes that women should vote. He presides over the household as Susan, Carrie and Katharine serve the turkey. The Bishop mentions that if God wanted man to fly, He would have given us wings. Orville responds, "Using your logic, Papa, If God wanted us to ride bicycles, He'd have placed seats on our rear ends!" His comment does not amuse the Bishop. The Bishop challenges his family to think by asking them to solve riddles, In fact, the family in turn presents a riddle to be solved. A mind-stretching game. The Bishop challenges them to think by considering both sides of every problem. He says that arguing is okay as long as they arrive at the correct answer after exploring both sides of the issue. He and Susan sing: (charm song) ALWAYS LOOK AT BOTH SIDES OF THE QUESTION, answered contrapuntally by Katharine, Wilbur and Orville . . . (Don't trust anybody that is not in the family, never borrow money, never work on Sunday, always look your best). At the end of the song, mother Susan collapses on the floor and is carried upstairs by the Bishop.

Scene 3

It is 1893 in the plush and opulent office of Samuel Langley (55) at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C.

Picture of bridges, buildings, and gliders are prominent on the walls. Langley is a pompous and patronizing bureaucrat, who has just obtained a $50,000. contract with the US Govt. to build a flying machine and test it over the Potomac River. Alexander Graham Bell is also behind Langley's attempt to fly. Octave Chanute (61) (the self-proclaimed Father of flight) is an imposing man; bald, with a manner of talking that dominates the people around him. Augustus Herring (30) is a suave, southern dandy of the Gaylord Ravenal School. (A charming and slippery gambler). He is fawning and conciliatory. Herring is the aviation version of a con man and is there to get a job. His factory has burned down (but he tries to conceal it), Otto Lilienthal fired him (Nevertheless he denies it). He works for Chanute and knows how to get around him. Herring is a total opportunist who wants to take his sketchy knowledge of aircraft and parley it into money and power. Chanute and Langley exit to check on Langley's bank account to see if they have deposited the $50,000 . . . Herring is alone studying Langley's plans for the Aerodrome . . . He remarks, that it will never fly. It's like trying to launch a rhinoceros! Herring sings about how he will be the first to fly (up tempo rhythmic song), I CAN OWN THE WORLD. Langley hires Herring to work for him.

Scene 4

Simultaneously in Dayton, Ohio (1893). We are outside the Wright Cycle Shop.

The scene opens with people riding bicycles of all shapes and sizes. DAYTON WALTZ The Barbershop Quartet men ride by on a bicycle built for four, all with similar handlebar mustaches. A period sign descends announcing "Wright Cycle Shop." All shapes and sizes of bicycles are in the shop. Wilbur is busy working on a bike and showing a customer a new model, while Katharine is sitting at a desk going over the bills for the week. Carrie is cleaning the shop. The bicycle business is quite successful. There is a crash and Orville limps into the shop. He crashed on his bicycle outside the shop . . . racing again. The brothers begin to manipulate a small model glider and begin to argue (sing)) about aeronautical problems to be solved. Katharine and Carrie voice their concern about the arguing. (Rhythmic) A NEW IDEA 1.Wilbur exclaims that he's never been wrong yet. They disagree on the approach to flying. The young and pretty, Elizabeth Mayfield enters to meet Wilbur. Katharine invited her to match her with Wilbur. Wilbur is not interested in girls, only in flying. Orville burst on the scene, criticizes Katharine's cooking. Since Mother passed away we have had to put up with Katharine's awful cooking. He suddenly realizes that Katharine is standing there and stumbles for words. He notices Elizabeth and he smiles at her. Elizabeth is taken with the gregarious, and dapper, Orville. Katharine states that all gentlemen must have suitable manners, proper attire, and can socialize. They must know how to bow, and dance. She goes on to teach Wilbur and Orville how to bow. Next Katharine starts the Victrola and Orville and Elizabeth dance the DAYTON WALTZ (reprise), both are superb dancers. Katharine invites Wilbur to dance . . . he has to watch his feet and count aloud and is easily distracted by anything that looks like flying. In the middle of the dance, Wilbur notices a small rectangular cardboard tire container on a shelf. He stops dancing, goes and gets the box, removes the tube, and begins to twist it and yells, "Eureka, Orv. look what I discovered!" Orville stops dancing and is interested. They begin a conversation about how bird's wings bend in a certain way. Elizabeth says, "Orville Wright, you stopped dancing with me to look at a cardboard box?" Elizabeth asks Orville if he is interested in science or girls, and he replies that he'd like them both if possible. He explains that he is a man with many interests, racing bicycles, designing bicycles, printing presses and taking apart mechanical objects and putting them back together. Elizabeth invites Orville to accompany her to the dance at the Shawnee Social Club Saturday. He accepts. Wilbur comments that he doesn't have much interest in dancing. Carrie enters and sarcastically exclaims, "I didn't know this was a dance school." The scene ends with the brothers arguing about the best way to pack a suitcase and how many suitcases they will need when they go to the World's Fair. Orville exclaims, "I have to go get some lemons!"

Scene 5

Fast, upbeat Ragtime music leads us to the excitement, enthusiasm of the World's Fair in Chicago, 1893.

The World's Fair opened in Chicago in 1893. There is hustle and bustle everywhere, lots of activity, energy and vitality. An awe-inspiring scene with crazy inventions and new fangled gadgets everywhere. New, odd-looking contraptions . . . some work and most really do not work. Hopes of progress and prosperity, some real, some that would have been impossible in 1890's. Television, microwaves, cell phones etc. Should be described by what they "do" not by current names. Philosophical discussions about Martians landing on earth. Steam-driven machines spewing smoke, cogs, wheels, steam blasts, pistons and the clack of the telegraph lines, industrial and bicycle wheels, weird-looking and functioning vacuums and washing machines and so on. Horseless carriages vs. spirited horses. Evangelists shouting about damnation and hell, fire and brimstone. Newsboys shouting out the headlines of the day. Suffragettes get the attention of Katharine, Carrie and the Bishop. A barber shop quartet floats by in an air balloon singing(a waltz) A NEW CENTURY, an introduction about new ideas. The company sings (an upbeat) IT'S A BRAND-NEW DAY . . . The Wright family arrives taking it all in . . . they see things they have never seen before, and are enthralled by the new inventions. Katharine is complaining about all the dirt and grime. Elizabeth wants to spend time with Orville and tries to begin a serious relationship. Orville is interested, but cautious. Elizabeth says that Katharine calls us the perfect couple. This remark embarrasses Orville. The brothers realize that the ideas about flying that they are hearing are ideas that they have already been tossing around. "I think we are on to something". The Bishop doesn't trust these newfangled inventions, too complicated and noisy. They are dangerous, man will be left out, the work ethic will change and man will become lazy with too much time on his hands, a frivolous waste of good energy and time. Chanute, Langley and Herring float in, in a colorful hot air balloon. Herring introduces himself to everybody and immediately begins to flirt with Katharine and with Carrie. They can see through his cliched approach and dislike him immediately. Chanute tells the crowd that Langley will be the first to fly. The Bishop fails in his attempt to reach Chanute so he can argue his point of view, due to the rowdy crowd. The crowd breaks into a wild ragtime dance to another chorus of IT'S A BRAND-NEW DAY.

Scene 6

It is now 1900 and we are back in the prosperous Wright Cycle Shop.

Orville has been writing to Elizabeth, who has been in boarding school in England, for the past seven years. Orville is a bit nervous about her strong feelings for him and their pending marriage. In her absence he has become more interested in flying and helping Wilbur. The Bishop tells them that Otto Lilienthal died trying to fly and again warns them about the dangers of flying. Wilbur remarks that Lilienthal was persistent in flying more than 2000 flights in five years. Quietly the boys are looking for a place to carry on their experiments in flight. Wilbur wrote to the U.S. Weather Bureau asking about places with strong and steady wind, lots of sand, and few trees. They sent back a list of six places . . . one was Kitty Hawk, N.C. Wilbur wrote to Kitty Hawk and is waiting for a reply.
Katharine and Carrie are very concerned about the constant bickering between Wilbur and Orville and the sing the first part of the next song. The brothers continue the Argument Song, (rhythmic) A NEW IDEA 2, where they disagree about aeronautical principles.

Scene 7

It's 1900,The Smithsonian Institute

Warehouse is a space filled with oddities both crated and uncreated. In the middle there are eight workers in coordinated uniforms, with machines of the era, working on the assembly of a period aircraft. The plane looks odd to the modern eye, mostly wires and struts and not real fuselages. It is the Aerodrome 3, the successor to the glider that has successfully flown. Langley, Chanute and Herring enter with a group of newspaper reporters. Langley restates his claim that he will be the first to fly. Why, he even has the backing of Alexander Graham Bell and a $50.000 grant from the U.S. Government. Chanute tells Langley that he is going to investigate what the Wright brothers are doing in Dayton. Langley accuses of him of being disloyal to his cause and says that no yokels from Ohio will beat him.

After Chanute leaves, Langley hires Herring to spy on the Wrights and even to sabotage them if necessary. Herring readily agrees for a fee, and declares that no one can stop him. I'll find out what they're doing real soon!

Scene 8

We are back to the Wright Cycle Shop, 1900.

Katharine enters and hands a letter to Wilbur from Dan Tate in Kitty Hawk. He says that Kitty Hawk would be a good place for them to test their flying. Wilbur discovers another slip of paper in the letter, and it is a poem from a Billy Tate. ( A red-necked woodsman). Katharine is quite taken with his poetry and muses, "A resident poet in Kitty Hawk . . . it must be a very sophisticated and cultured place." She begins to recite eight lines of the romantic poem by Billy Tate. He also said that his Momma left him a book of poems by Emily Dickinson before she passed on and it inspired him somethin' fierce. The members of the family respond to the poem in their own way. Orville with sarcasm. The Bishop arrives with Elizabeth on his arm. She has returned from boarding school in England and has a present for Orville. Wilbur asks if she has a present for him? She asks Orville to firm up their wedding plans, and Orville hesitates. He tells her that he is interested in flying and may go to Kitty Hawk with Wilbur. Elizabeth is upset at the thought of Orville leaving her, she calls Wilbur a loonie bird, she snatches the present out of Orville's hands and exits visibly upset. Katharine tells the Bishop that she wants to go to college to be a teacher and that she wants to see the world. The Bishop asks "why? You have a good life here in Dayton, Orville encourages her to go seek her dreams. They ask what Katharine she wants in life. She wants romantic love and open affection. She loves her family but feels there must be more. She sings (ballad) THERE'S GOTTA BE. (Trio). She longs for more excitement, travel and adventure away from Dayton. In the song, Orville is encouraging her, while the Bishop is warning here to stay in Dayton, saying that leaving is unwise.

Scene 9

Wright Cycle Shop, last day of June 1900. There was a break in at the Cycle Shop and they stole some plans. (It was the work of Herring . . . stealing plans for Langley). Wilbur is working and is annoyed at the break in. Who would want to steal our plans? Carrie is cleaning, and Elizabeth is waiting for Orville. Orville crashes outside the cycle shop door (again) and limps into the shop. Elizabeth criticizes Orville for being so reckless. Wilbur is amused and tells Orville about the break in at the shop. Elizabeth gets annoyed at Wilbur's remarks. Elizabeth tells Orville about the wedding plans and how her parents are planning it all. Orville is a bit uncomfortable and tells her that he is interested in flying and in her. Elizabeth tells Orville that she needs him . . . Orville says that Wilbur needs him in Kitty Hawk and that he will be going with Wil. Elizabeth is a bit upset . . . but Orville promises to be back in Dayton by Thanksgiving to complete the wedding plans. Elizabeth seems content with this arrangement and exits. The Bishop enters with Chanute and Herring. Wilbur tells Chanute that he is afflicted. Herring offers to call the doctor. Wilbur says that he is afflicted with wanting to fly. Herring makes a pass at Carrie, who immediately puts him in his place. Herring mentions how sorry he was to hear about the robbery at the cycle shop. Herring has a tendency to annoy everybody by echoing what they say. Orville asks him where he heard about it? Herring tells him that some boys on the street told him. Orville is a bit suspicious of Herring. Katharine enters, ignores Herring and greets Chanute. She hands a lemon to Orville who cuts it and begins to rub his face with it. Herring asks why? The Bishop says that he believes that it helps his complexion. Herring writes this down on his pad and asks, "Is it better to use big lemons or little lemons?" Orville replies, "The bigger, the better." Herring begins to flirt with Katharine and is quickly rebuffed. Somehow Herring thinks that the Wrights are making a flying bicycle. The Wrights play along with this. Herring exits to send a telegram to his mother (Langley) to inform him of what is happening. Katharine sings a song about Billy Tate, how debonnaire, cultivated, and sophisticated he is: (Ballad) MY POETRY MAN. Herring states that he is a poet too, and asks where the boys plan to go to do their experiments. Katharine tells him "Salina, Kansas" Herring asks how to spell it. Katharine responds "Zalina, Canzas" Herring writes this down and exits asking where he can buy a map of Kansas? Carrie tells him, "When you come to a fork in the road, take it!"

Scene 10

Wright's Parlor 1900. Elizabeth and Orville are practicing and displaying their fancy steps and twirls to the DAYTON WALTZ (reprise) in preparation for the Waltz exhibition to be held in the Dayton Town Square Saturday. The family applauds at the end of the dance. Orville mentions to Wilbur that there must be a spy in the area, a small model of a glider disappeared yesterday. Things do not disappear by themselves, and we so organize the shop that we know where everything is. Orville and Wilbur agree that, if it is so serious that people are spying on them, they must be getting close. Wilbur is pedantic about it, but Orville, excited. Elizabeth exits to go home and take her weekly piano lesson. The Bishop learns that the boys are experimenting with flying. He hands a Bible to Wilbur and challenges him to find in the Bible where it says that man can fly? Wilbur tells him that it is impossible. The Bishop gloats about the fact that he is again right. The Bishop is putting pressure on Wilbur to be a preacher, like him. Orville is a bit envious that the Bishop favors Wilbur. Katharine receives another poem from Billy Tate and the boys begin to tease her about him. Billy Tate enclosed directions to Kitty Hawk: "Go to Elizabeth City and hang a left." Wilbur pauses and responds, "That should be helpful!" When Katharine is alone on stage . . . she stands in front of a mirror . . . and practices words that are good for the lips (ala Charles Dickens) and exclaims that she is not happy with what she sees in the mirror and sings(comedy song) CAN'T I ALWAYS BE TWENTY-TWO? (The song goes slower and slower as she sings about getting older and its effect on her). The Bishop enters with the boys, they are arguing about the merits of flying. The Bishop tells the boys that flying is a waste of time and can be dangerous to your health. After all, look at all the crazy people who tried and failed. He warns them about too much dreaming about flying . . . it is not practical . . . it may not be God's will, and it is costly. After all, who will run the bicycle shop if you both go running off experimenting with flying? Running the Bicycle shop and inventing new bicycles is more practical and safe. Wilbur tells the Bishop that Charlie Taylor (a master mechanic) can run the shop for them while they are in Kitty Hawk. Katharine says that Charlie Taylor is a loud, brassy fellow who curses and smokes those awful cigars. She can't stand to be around him. Orville tries to explain how wonderful the principle of flight is and how it works . . . he talks about the nuts and bolts off flight and about going high and fast. The Bishop asks them to examine themselves if this is the Lord's work or just a fit of egotism. He again reaffirms his belief that man should not try to fly and that it is too dangerous for his boys. How can flying better mankind? The scene ends with the Bishop warning the boys (march) KEEP YOUR FEET ON THE GROUND, BOYS. The Bishop is standing between the boys with his hands on their shoulders. The boys are very discouraged.

Scene 11

The final scene of Act I takes place at the Union Train Station in Dayton Sept.6, 1900.

The town folks are there to give Wilbur a civic sendoff to North Carolina. The family is there to say goodbyes. The barbershop quartet sings a farewell to (rhythmic)WILBUR WRIGHT IS ON HIS WAY. The Bishop arrives with a belated and gruffy emotional goodby. He warns them of the sin and sinners, especially in Elizabeth City. The Dayton citizenry gives the boys a civic-send-off. Wilbur is ready to board the train. We see the back of the train. Katharine reminds Wilbur to brush his teeth and of course say the fondest hello to Billy. You can probably recognize him because of the tall stature and smart dress. Orville gives Wilbur his stripped shirt and new starched collar; Carrie reluctantly gives Wilbur her sewing machine, tells him to remember to eat three meals every day and gives him a jar of peach jam; the Bishop has reservation, and tells him not to work on Sunday. Orville picks Carrie up to kiss Wilbur goodbye. Elizabeth is hanging onto Orville's arm. Wilbur is proud and mentions the things he will miss in Dayton, and the Dayton town folks sing a rousing, (upbeat Ragtime) THE BOY FROM DAYTON. Orville says that he will be leaving soon and Elizabeth is very upset. Katharine says she is going to Kitty Hawk soon to look after her brothers, and Carrie says that she will go with Katharine to cook. The Bishop, realizing that his family wants to leave him, slowly sits on a crate, his head in his hands and yells, Susan! The company sings another rousing chorus of THE BOY FROM DAYTON as the curtain slowly descends.

Act Two

Entr'acte: An instrumental reprise of Ragtime, THE BOY FROM DAYTON

Scene 1

Instrumental : (up beat Ragtime) CAROLINA STOMP. On board the Curlicue en route from Elizabeth City, NC Sept. 12, 1900.

Capt. Israel Perry, his assistant Josiah Combs, a huge black man, and Wilbur are on board. The boat has rotten sails, frayed ropes, and a decaying rudder. The cabin is filthy and vermin infested. Josiah single-handedly holds it with rope, belts, and anything else he can manage. This is a dance sequence. Josiah is trying to keep Wilbur and Capt. Perry (who is drunk) from falling overboard . . . the boat is rocking in a violent storm. They catch the tail end of a hurricane, lose their mainmast, have to sequester up the North River, rats abound, and to beat everything, Perry can't stand the touch of water. Wilbur is seasick and tries to keep from falling overboard. They must hang onto suitcases, equipment, and to themselves. They are also bailing water from the boat. To the continuing flash of lightning, the water pouring in, and the tree thrown about, they finally get to the shores of Kitty Hawk. A dilapidated dock is pushed on and they deposit Wilbur's bags and equipment on the dock. Wilbur remarks about the frightful trip and pays Perry says, "After that trip I needs a good stiff drink." He offers Wilbur the jug. Wilbur says, "Indeed Sir, I never drink. They raised me never to touch spirits. My father is a Bishop in the Church of the Brethren in Ohio. Perry says, "Don't see no churches 'round here." He raises the jug to his lips and drinks. Wilbur pays Perry the $3.00 for the trip and remarks how much it costs. He shakes hands with Perry and immediately wipes his hands with his handkerchief. Perry and Josiah warn him about the "skeeters that bites bad." They ask Wilbur why he is in Kitty Hawk . . . he tells them to fly . . . and that are to tell no one. They think he is a bit looney, but promise not to tell anyone. Young Tom Tate arrives to fetch Wilbur. He is a teller of tall tales and ends his sentences with "and that's the darn truth." Tom asks Wilbur why he is in Kitty Hawk and Wilbur sings: (soft shoe) I'M GONNA FLY. Perry and Tom enter the singing. Tom leads the soft-shoe dancing as Josiah attempts to keep Perry from falling over . . . drunk, and Wilbur has to count and watch his feet as he dances. At the end of the song, Josiah throws Perry over his shoulder and waves to Tom and Wilbur.

Scene 2

The Wright's parlor, Dayton 1900 (a few weeks later)

The Bishop is preparing a sermon. Katharine and Elizabeth are discussing Elizabeth and Orville's marriage. Carrie is listening as she cleans. Katharine again remarks how she can't stand the uncouth ways of Charlie Taylor. Carrie says that she can always poison his food! Katharine also reads another poem that she received from Billy. The Bishop makes a sarcastic comment . . . on which Katharine says, "Now Papa, we listen to your sermons don't we? Wilbur tells what Kitty Hawk is like (simple folks with little ambition, roads are sand tracks, they use kerosene and firewood for heating and cooking, most make their living by hunting and fishing, a wild undisciplined, and self-reliant lot . . . who are satisfied with their way of life. I have to fight the wind, mosquitoes, and sand. The mosquitoes chew me clear through my underwear and socks. A town of about twenty houses, one small schoolhouse, two small general stores, and a population of about 100, no electricity or running water, no telephones, only one telegraph. It's not Dayton!) Katharine again asks the Bishop if she can go help her brothers in Kitty Hawk. He says, "No, we need you here." Elizabeth and Katharine confide in each other and discuss their feelings for Orville and Billy respectively. Elizabeth says "I bet that Orville really misses me." She sings, (ballad) HE'S MY MAN, followed by a duet, a reprise as Elizabeth sings HE'S MY MAN combined with Katharine singing MY POETRY MAN.

Scene 3

Tates house in Kitty Hawk, Sept. 13, 1900.

Tom and Wilbur arrive. Addie is on the front porch with her two daughters, Irene and Pauline. Addie Tate greets Wilbur and Tom and doesn't know where she will put him. The Tates are simple, unpretentious, homespun folks who relish their simple, uneventful life. Dan Tate (the Postmaster, notary , Commissioner of Currituck County, and whatever else it takes to get anything done 'round Kitty Hawk) arrives and fetches Billy Tate so he can meet Wilbur. Dan carries the post office around with him in a little box. Billy is a dishelved-looking, unkempt, burly man with an unruly beard, carrying a fishing pole and a rifle. He spews poetry out to Wilbur. Wilbur is amused at what Katharine will say when she meets him. Wilbur tells Billy that "we had a heck of time keeping Kate from coming to Kitty Hawk." Miss Fanny (the town gossip and trouble maker) arrives to meet the odd-lookin'Yankee. She calls him, Wilbur Bright . . . which annoys Wilbur. She also thinks that Wilbur is a German spy. Addie tells Wilbur that they are just plain folks and a city feller like himself might not feel comfortable with them. Wilbur assures that he will be no problem . . . just a pitcher of boiling water each morning. The Tates play and sing an upbeat country song, Banjo, violin, washboard bass, guitar and harmonica. (Comedy song) GOT NO PICTURES.

Scene 4

Shores of Kitty Hawk, July 1902

Herring arrives. He just left the Curlicue and Capt. Perry after a terrible trip of bailing water. Tom Tate greets him on the beach. Perry charged Herring $5 for the trip. Herring tells Tom that President Teddy Roosevelt wants to give a medal to the Wrights . . . a distinguished medal of honor. He asks Tom to be his assistant. Miss Fanny shows up and Herring deputizes Tom and Miss Fanny and presents them with a badge and a small American flag. He tells them that he is a Govt. Agent. Miss Fanny thinks they are spies from Germany that they will blow up everybody with their noisy gas engine . . . it also scares the animals. Herring lets her believe that.theWrights are spies. Miss Fanny exits proclaiming; "Don't worry Mr. Teddy Roosevelt man, those Yankee critters are as good as gone from here!"

Scene 5

Wright's camp in Kitty Hawk (a few hours later).

Orville, Wilbur, Chanute and the Tates are there. An airplane is suspended on a rope, hanging from the ceiling. They haul their glider for their first manned flight. The weather is horrible and they argue about whether they should postpone their attempt to fly. Herring shows up with Tom and Miss Fanny. Herring tells them that he is somehow related to them by way of a long lost cousin Floyd who now lives in Texas. He lies to everybody. The Wrights reluctantly hire him for $2.00 a week . . . no one else is willing to work. Chanute causes a stir when he mentions that he wants to publicize their findings internationally, as students of Chanute. The Wrights balk at this, no longer feeling free to share their ideas with Chanute. Chanute asks where his latest drawings are . . . who took them. Herring shrugs his shoulders and smiles. They brothers sing (rhythmic) A NEW IDEA 3 in which they argue about the design of the plane, but finally agree at the end of the song. The brothers tell Chanute that Lilienthal's calculations were wrong. Orville reminds Wilbur that they are running low on supplies and cash. Maybe we should quit for this season? Wilbur says, "Let's try one more flight." Everyone except Chanute exits for Wilbur's flight. Moments later Tom runs on screaming, "Mr. Wilbur is hurt bad . . . real bad . . . and that's the darn truth!"

Scene 6

Wright Parlor Dayton, Ohio Sept. 1901

Orville is upset because someone took his lemon. Carrie says she make lemonade with it. Wilbur and Orville are perplexed about a problem with flying, and they are discouraged. Wilbur is sitting in a chair with bandages on his head and is bemoaning his fate . . . he is discouraged about flying from a recent accident in a glider in Kitty Hawk. Wilbur says that man probably cannot fly for another fifty years, maybe not for a thousand years! The Bishop says that it's no shame to have tried something and failed, he's just thankful that Wilbur did not get seriously hurt. He admonishes him to give up the idea of flying . . . it is much too dangerous, and move onto more productive things. Your accident may be a sign from God that now you should quit flying? Orville again resents the fact that all attention in on Wilbur. Katharine asks Wilbur what Billy Tate is like . . . he answers . . . "He's probably not what you expect." Before Wilbur can clarify what he meant, Elizabeth shows up to talk with Orville. She senses that Orville is hesitant about committing to her. They sing, (ballad) THAT'S ALL I ASK. It is a song reaffirming the position of each person re; what they really want in life. This is where Orville decides to stay and help Wilbur and where Elizabeth finally realizes that Orville is not for her. Chanute arrives and tells them that Langley failed in his latest attempt to fly and that the US Govt. is withholding funding for any future experiments. He crashed into the Potomac again.

Scene 7

Sawyer's Barn, Kitty Hawk, Oct. , 1903.

The Company dances a HOEDOWN
Miss Fanny calls a town meeting at Sawyer's Barn. After the exuberant and lively Hoedown, the rowdy crowd pushes and shoves their way into the barn. They are totally disorganized, chickens running around, guns are shot off in the air, pure bedlam, arguments abound, wrestling to the floor, fist fights, a rowdy bunch! Everybody is pushing, shoving, and arguing with one another about where to sit on the wooden benches. Dan Tate is trying to preside over this motley crew, according to Robert's Rules of Order. Reverend Jeremiah Tate is there stating that it is not God's will that man should fly, Miss Fanny says that the Bright's are German spies, Jo-Red Baisley says that they will blow all of us up with their gas engine, Grandma Harris says that only witches fly. Miss Fanny gets everybody to sign a petition to get run the Wrights off Kitty Hawk. The Tates do not sign it. Miss Fanny tells the crowd that Herring is the Govt. Man who is here to help them get rid of the Brights. That the Brights are doing the devil's work. Herring agrees with them and eggs them on, by telling them the Wrights are the devil's messengers. The Tates now know that Herring is up to no good and is not what he says he is. The scene ends with the crowd exiting in a panic screaming "Let's get em." "Hand em high," Miss Fanny winds up the townsfolk until they are ready to torch the Wright's shed. Tom tries to run out to warn the Wrights. Herring catches him, throws him over his shoulder, and carries him off, as Tom is kicking and yelling.

Scene 8

(In front of the curtain)

Katharine, Carrie, and the Bishop arrive in Kitty Hawk after a dreadful trip with Capt. Perry. They had to bail water all the way. Perry charges them $8.00. The Bishop states that $8 is a lot to pay. Perry responds, "Ain't too many of us that can git ya here." Dan Tate arrives to greet them. He said that Tom was supposed to meet them, but he is nowhere in sight. Katharine asks where Billy is? Carrie says, "Yeah, where is lover boy?" Dan tells her that he is writing another poem. She is convinced that he is an intellectual. An instrumental reprise of MY POETRY MAN plays as they exit with Tom.

Scene 9

Outside the Tate's house . . . the same afternoon. Among the laundry drying on the clothesline and marked by a weathered picket fence, Orville is sitting on a tree stump working his sewing machine, sewing wings for a 15-foot wingspan glider made of strips of sateen. Wilbur is watching as the gulls fly and is imitating them with his arms and hands. (Reprise of legato theme). Chanute is busy drawing plans. Suddenly, the demonstrative Kitty Hawkers arrive led by Miss Fanny and Rev Tate. They demand that the Wrights leave Kitty Hawk immediately. She shows the Wrights the sheet of paper signed by the town folks. She also tells them about the Govt. Agent sent by Pres. Teddy Roosevelt who told them how dangerous the Brights are . . . with the noisy gas engines . . . scaring the animals and all. She flashes her deputy badge. Wilbur asks, "Who might this agent be?" Miss Fanny points to Herring, who is hiding behind Jo-Red Baisley. Herring is holding Tom and has his hand over his mouth, while Tom is kicking and fussing. Rev Tate says It's not God's will that man should fly; Jo-Red Baisley. We don't have no wings . . . Miss Fanny . . . It's evil, that what it is . . . Shad Rogers, It'll bring a curse on the land . . . Lucinda Beals . . . Only witches fly . . . Grandma Harris . . . They is mighty strange men . . . Jo-Red Baisley . . . That sew and fly kites . . . Grandma Harris . . . yells, "God save us!" and the crowd begins to sing a rousing Gospel number, led by Rev. Tate (Gospel shout) A GOOD GOD, A BAD DEVIL, AND A HOT HELL. At the end of the song, Katharine, Carrie and the Bishop arrive. They embrace the boys. Carrie gives Orville a bag of lemons for which he asked; the Bishop tells them that Langley's has given up flying, Katharine assumes that Billy is the good-looking man on the end of the line. She asks if he is Billy Tate. He says No, and points to Billy, a misanthropic, hayseed, farmer, hunter, baggy pants, floppy hat, bushy beard, rifle and fishing pole in hand, spitting tobacco. Billy shoots his rifle in the air when he realizes it is Katharine. Katharine screams and faints into the arms of the Bishop. Wilbur and Orville find this amusing. Carrie is dumbstruck . . . her mouth is open and she can't speak. Billy remarks, "Your sister sure yells a lot." Wilbur, "She's not used to so much attention at once." Billy asks Katharine if she wants to see the new outhouse that he done built. Carrie exclaims, "He's a poet and a builder!" Katharine is not able to speak as she sits, visibly shaking. Miss Fanny asks, "And who is this fine gentleman of the cloth?"

When Chanute answers that the Bishop is the father of the Wrights . . . the crowd "oohs and aahs. Rev Tate backs off in his demands after he hears the Bishop speak about how he once thought flying was not God's will, but now he thinks differently. After all, how could two brothers who have a Bishop for a father be bad? Miss Fanny is upset that Herring lied to her, Orville finds out Herring is a spy for Langley and attempts to choke him . . . the Bishop restrains him, Wilbur orders him to leave immediately, Carrie kicks him in the shins, Chanute hits him over the head with his hat, and Herring exits screaming that he will sue everybody. Billy volunteers to go after him and "shoot the yellow-bellied varmit and make a trophy out of him.". He again fires his rifle into the air. Katharine again faints into the arms of the Bishop. Billy approaches Katharine and sings a gentle (waltz), LITTLE THINGS

Katharine begins to see that Billy has a wonderful heart, and is a very caring individual under his rough exterior. After each verse he does an Irish Jig. Katharine sings the third verse and they do the Irish Jig together. They exit with Billy saying, "I can teach ya to shoot, Katharine."

Scene 10

Wright brothers camp Kitty Hawk, November 1903

Work is not going well at all. Bad weather has delayed everything. Orville is longing for Elizabeth, and Wilbur is impatient to get on with the job. Chanute shows up to encourage them to keep trying. Orville is upset that he missed the train back to Dayton. Chanute tells him that there is nothing in Dayton for him. Everything important in your life is right here with Wilbur in Kitty Hawk. Orville is a little disturbed by Kate's interest in Billy Tate. He views it as disloyal to the Bishop . . . after all she is needed at home with Papa. Wilbur disagrees. The boys ask Tom what happened to Herring. Tom said, "I told him that Capt. Perry would take him to a place where he could spy on you without anybody seeing him. I asked Capt. Perry to drop him off on Tar Island. I think he left him there with a bag of lemons, and that's the darn truth!

Chanute encourages them to give it another shot. They all sing (rhythmic) BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD.

Scene 11

Dunes of Kitty Hawk, Dec. 17, 1903

They are now making final preparations for the heavier-than-air manned flight. The wind is blowing hard and it is a cold, icy day in Kitty Hawk. The boys are dressing. Orville lends Wilbur his cuff links and starched collar. Tom Tate runs on with a telegram from the Bishop. In it the Bishop tells them how proud he is of them . . . Orville begins to read and we shift to the Bishop finishing the letter in Dayton. Orville comments that Papa will be so proud to ride with me in the airplane someday. Elizabeth also enclosed a letter saying that she couldn't wait any longer for Orville to make up his mind about her, and she has to get on with her life. Wilbur responds with Lilienthal's motto, "Sometimes, sacrifices have to be made." The Lifesaving Team (Barbershop quartet men) picks up the airplane to help in the launch. Suspense builds as the plane is prepared. Orville and Wilbur flip a coin to see who will fly first . . . Orville wins. Wilbur pats him on the back. The plane takes off over the crowd (or on a rear-view projection screen). The four flights taken that day are projected in the background.
On the sides of the stage are the scenes that take place simultaneously. During these flights.

1. Carrie is in Dayton with the Bishop . . . they are praying for the boys safety. He says that Susan is with them in spirit.

2. Elizabeth is in her parlor taking a piano lesson with a very handsome piano teacher named Gerald Bonner, "Will you play that song for me again, Mr. Bonner" "Please call me, Gerald." "Ooh, I love that name . . .

3. Katharine is with Billy Tate as he attempts to write poetry . . . she alludes to the fact that she heard that Kitty Hawk needed a new school teacher. Billy responds, "Yup and you is the perfect one for it Katharine . . . that is, after ya learns how to shoot!"

4. Wilbur and Orville enter with the town folks cheering. "We did it, Wil" "Yeah, we sure did."

The company sings, (ballad) A DREAM OF WINGS. After the last sung line, the company yells: "And that's the darn truth!" At their success, the crowd at Kitty Hawk cheer and sing A DREAM OF WINGS (reprise) and the members carry the brothers off to celebrate.
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Curtain . . . End of Show