About the Show - Synopsis

Act I

A group of vibrant, multi-ethnic, energetic young people gather to audition to study at New York City's High School of Performing Arts. Miss Sherman the English teacher, warns the freshman class that it takes a lot more than dreams to succeed at "P.A." The students acknowledge that it takes ("Hard Work"). In drama class, Nick and Serena rehearse a scene and discuss their life experiences. Nick wants to move people emotionally ("I Want to Make Magic"). Mr. Myers, the drama teacher asks them to think about how a physical sensation can trigger an emotional response. Joe discusses the physical reactions that happen whenever he thinks of a beautiful girl in dance class ("Can't Keep it Down"). Meanwhile, in dance class, Tyrone, is partnered with Iris, a ballerina. Iris mocks Tyrone's lack of classical dance experience. Tyrone, enraged at her comments, begins a rap expressing his anger ("Tyrone's Rap"). Iris apologises and kisses him passionately.

Nick and Serena are rehearsing another scene and Serena confesses that she wants to try something romantic and passionate. Serena is in love with Nick. Nick is mainly focused on acting and he becomes upset and leaves. Heartbroken, Serena laments her unrequited love ("Let's Play a Love Scene"). Afterwards, Carmen interrupts Schlomo while he practices, giving him lyrics that she wrote for the song he always plays. Schlomo tries them out, and changes some of the lyrics with Carmen, in which results in Carmen joining the band. Carmen kisses Schlomo and leaves, as Goody makes fun of Schlomo afterwards. At lunch, Carmen and the other students daydream of seeing their names in lights ("There She Goes/Fame"). In the hallway, Miss Sherman talks to Tyrone about his care-free attitude towards education. She threatens to keep him out of the Fall Festival if his grades don't improve. Miss Bell overhears and argues that Tyrone's artistic endeavors are more important than his academic performance ("The Teachers' Argument"). Tyrone threatens to drop out of school.

Act II

The students begin their junior year with the P.A. Fall Festival ("I Want to Make Magic").

At a dance rehearsal, Mabel, an overweight dancer, complains about retaining water. She prays aloud for God's help in keeping her from becoming "the world's fattest dancer" ("Mabel's Prayer"). Later, Nick congratulates Serena for getting the lead female role of Juliet in their junior show, Romeo and Juliet. Serena gets very excited and assumes Nick got the role of Romeo. However, her dreams were broken when she finds out what Joe has the role of Romeo and Nick got the part of Mercutio. Furious, she complains to a fellow student who tells Serena that Nick is gay. Nick, hearing this, comes back to defend himself. He tells Serena he is not gay, and doesn't think that sex is a required activity. This makes Serena very angry and upset, and Serena tries to channel her emotions into her acting ("Think of Meryl Streep"). Carmen tells Schlomo of her plan to leave school and go to Los Angeles. She has met a Hollywood agent named Elliot Greene, who is sending her a plane ticket. Schlomo begs her not to go. He had seen her getting into Elliot’s limousine and accuses her of using cocaine with him. Schlomo tells Carmen he loves her, but is left with his violin.

In English class, Tyrone is reading a Superman comic book. Miss Sherman catches him, and forces him to stand up in front of the class and read from the comic book. He accuses her of trying to make him look stupid. Miss Sherman slaps him in the face and walks off. Tyrone says to his classmates he doesn’t need her help. ("Dancin’ on the Sidewalk.") Confronting his pain and frustration, Tyrone goes to the blackboard, writes "I WILL READ", and runs off. Miss Sherman enters, sees what he has written, and is deeply touched. ("These Are My Children.")

The students rehearse Romeo and Juliet. Joe, insecure playing Romeo, has been ad-libbing. Serena pleads with him to be serious in the part. Nick, while trying to explain to Joe how to play the part, hints that he and Serena are like Romeo and Juliet. They kiss and Serena is no longer mad at Nick. Tyrone asks Iris why she has been avoiding him all year. She says she doesn’t want to be tied to a loser. To show her that he is serious, he begins reading "Leaves of Grass" to her.

A few of the teachers confront Miss Bell about influencing a summer school teacher to pass Tyrone. They insist he must repeat the year. The "Dance Theater of Harlem" is ready to take him, but he must repeat the year. Miss Bell finally admits she may be losing her perspective and decides to take a break. Carmen is standing in front of the school looking physically wasted and disoriented. She spots Schlomo and tells him the truth about her experiences in Hollywood ("In L.A."). Carmen promises him that she will get her G.E.D. He gives her a couple of dollars and sadly departs.

At the farewell party, everyone is dressed up and the celebration is loud and festive. Nick finally confesses his feelings to Serena and they decided to try to date although they are heading to different colleges (Let's Play a Love Scene (Reprise)). On the day of the graduation ceremony, Scholomo tells everyone that Carmen has passed away a short while ago from a drug overdose, and they sing Bring On Tomorrow in her memory.

The students are all heading off in their respective directions excited about the future.