Original subtitles

Where are you going?

I'm taking a break. You're my assistant assistant.

Who was the one who tried to use her friendship with Leroy to get the part?

You.

There's something else. She made two of the ugliest looking girls I've ever

seen.

What are you good at?

I can see it.

Thanks.

The heat in the city is keeping my feet out of the mood.

There's no use complaining and wasting what I want to do.

Something's starting to happen.

Right in my soul is a passion.

Feel how the rhythm is keeping the life into you.

We're going to pick it up. We're going to swap the truth. We've got the

attitude.

We're going to pick it up.

Why are you blessing us all?

Or place where we belong?

The post keeps on beating and nothing can get in.

Me? They're too hot for me. Let me give you a little tip.

I'm Miss

Grant.

How you doing?

You're like, thank you. I'm doing fine.

What are you doing here?

Just hanging out.

Hanging out? You got amnesia or something, or did you forget you

June? No, I didn't forget.

I was just in the neighborhood. I'm between auditions, you know.

Hey, I hear Doris is doing really well out there.

Yeah, you know, in fact, I ran into Doris the other day, and she's doing

Shakespeare in the Park, carrying a spear.

Don't you make fun. A lot of big stars get their start that way.

Name one.

There's got to be one.

Oh, what? What are you doing here, visiting the inmate? Yes, yes, I am. But

know, I got to get going. I got a call back for a Broadway show.

Big, big show.

Really? Oh, Leroy, that's great.

Yeah. Oh, honey, good luck.

Thank you.

Don't you be a stranger, you hear me?

I won't be a stranger, Miss Grant.

Take care of yourself.

All right, bye -bye.

Good luck, baby.

Roy Johnson yeah I thought he graduated from this school he did shouldn't

somebody tell him oh I think he knows Mrs. Berg I think he's just feeling a

little homesick

You looking for someone?

Uh, yeah. The stage manager around anywhere?

He's busy.

What can I do for you? Um, my name is Leroy Johnson.

Oh, I'm a dancer.

I'm a good dancer.

I was wondering if any parts or anything was available.

I'm sorry, kid.

Nothing.

To be.

Or not to be.

That is the question.

Whether it is nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of

fortune, or to go up against the sea of troubles. Something funny,

Amatulo?

No, Miss Perskin.

What about you, Donovan?

Want to share it with us?

Well, since you're asking, we thought it was kind of funny that a girl was doing

Hamlet. I mean, it is a guy's role.

A guy's part, huh?

It might interest you to know that Sarah Bernhardt once played the crazed Dane

on Broadway.

No kidding.

And in Shakespeare's days, all the women's parts were played by men.

Did you know that, wise guys?

Yeah, well, we're a little bit more advanced now. This is the 21st century,

right? I mean, chivalry is dead.

But chauvinism isn't.

I got an assignment for you two guys.

An assignment?

Do you know the play Between Two Sisters?

Yes. I want you to do a scene from that.

In full costume.

Wait a minute.

There isn't any guys in that show. Just women, remember?

I know.

Quite a challenge, don't you think?

I never thought I'd see the day, Miss Grant, that you'd be leaving this school

simply because you had to lead in a Broadway show. I mean, whatever happened

loyalty? It's not the lead. It's a featured part. And I'm not leaving the

school. I'll be here to teach most of my classes. All I'm asking you for is an

assistant. An assistant? Yes. Why, that's an easy thing to set up. I don't

have the money to pay an assistant.

On top of that, I'd have to go to the... to the... Board of Ed.

Right. You don't know how I hate going in front of them. Mr. Morlock. They make

me beg.

They make me grumble. They keep reminding me that I'm just the vice

Mr. Morlock, if you would just... Listen, that's a slap in the face to

with. I mean, we don't even have a principal here. Why can't they just call

the principal? Mr. Morlock. I'm going to tell you why. Because they want to keep

me humble. They don't want me to get too big for my britches. God forbid I

should have any sense of self -worth or self -esteem. Mr.

Morlock.

Calm down, honey.

Obviously, you have someone in mind for this assistant.

Someone that'd work real cheap.

Yes, as a matter of fact, I do.

Mr. Morlock, how could you do this, making Leroy audition for the Board of

Ms. Grant, Johnson has absolutely no qualifications for a teaching job except

that he'll work cheap.

Now, the Board ordered this audition, and he damn well better be good. He will

be.

So, Leroy, how does it feel to be the assistant dance teacher?

I don't know, Holly. I just got the job.

I'm really happy for you.

Thanks, Holly.

Really happy.

Is there something on your mind?

No. It's just, did you know that I was auditioning for the lead in the fall

show?

I figured.

I mean, isn't that kind of funny?

I mean, that's kids auditioning and you having to choose.

Well, actually, it's not up to me to make the final choice. That's up to Miss

Grad. Oh, yeah, but I mean, she'll listen to you, right?

Holly, you wouldn't want me to give you special favoritism just because we're

friends, would you?

I wouldn't?

Oh, I wouldn't.

I have my pride.

Leroy, I saw that, and I just want to say that I'm shocked and totally

I can't believe Holly would stoop so low as to use her friendship with you to

get the lead in the show.

It's disgusting.

Well, I guess she wants it real bad.

Yeah, well, we all want it real bad, but there's a line.

Okay, so maybe I don't know you as long as Holly, but we are friends, right?

Right.

Nicole, I have a class to start.

Ha ha,

very funny, man.

Yo, what do you think it's easy being up here on stage dressed in drag,

Velasquez? You proved your point, Mrs. Persky.

You humiliated us in front of our peers.

I'm not trying to humiliate anybody.

You're going to have to learn to connect with the interior life of any character

you're playing, be it man, woman, or animal.

That is what they call being an actor. But we're not being actors. We're being

actresses. Human emotion is human emotion.

This is a serious play about two women embroiled in a relationship with the

man.

A situation which, unfortunately, I can relate to myself.

Well, that's a rough break, Miss Persky, but we're still the ones who gotta be

up here on stage dressed like this. I mean, we do have an image to uphold.

That's right. Danny's one of the most macho dudes in school.

And me?

Yo, forget about it. If you guys are so macho, what are you afraid of?

Innuendo and the like.

You are playing characters like any other characters, and you gotta find a

to make it real for yourself.

Then it'll be real for your audience.

And you won't be getting laughs up there. You'll be getting tears.

Hey, man.

You know, if I wasn't involved with Nicole here, I'd be proud to have either

of you two guys as my date for the prom.

Jesse, that's cruel.

I think that's funny.

You don't think they look funny?

Yo, man, what makes you think I'd go to the prom with you anyway?

I could have my pick of any guy in this school, man. So what makes you so

important? You still don't think they're funny?

Don't listen to that.

We got to be bigger than him.

Yeah.

So what do you want to do now?

You want to dance?

I'm not saying that we shouldn't try to motivate the students. I'm saying they

should try to motivate themselves a little bit. Inspiring the kids to

part of being a good teacher. Absolutely. We've got to guide these

can't leave them out there flailing on their own inventions.

Look, it's a question of semantics. I'm not disagreeing with you.

Well, it sounded like it was a great idea. Well, I don't agree with that. I

gotta go with the big guy here. It's a special high school.

Absolutely. That's why we have a greater responsibility to give each student

individual attention.

If these kids don't come here motivated, they're gonna get creamed in the

outside world.

Exactly my point, Miss Persky. It's Mrs., although I am divorced.

May Mr. Persky rot in hell with whomever he is with at this very moment.

Still crazy about the guy I see.

It shows, huh?

Well, I was a student here.

And?

Well, I just needed a lot of motivation.

And... I just needed a lot.

Miss Sherwood knows that.

Miss? You're single too, huh?

It's a living hell out there without a man, isn't it?

I do, all right.

How? Aren't we getting off the subject?

Yes. Leroy, your point is very well taken, honey. You go on.

Well, I think I said it.

Uh -huh.

Uh, where were we?

We were discussing motivating the students.

And as usual, you were disagreeing with us. No, I was not disagreeing with you.

Sounded like a bit. No.

Excuse me, why is everybody picking up on me? Who's picking on you? Well, you

are. He is. I agree with you, Mr. Murlock. Thank you very much. I'm glad

somebody comes near and can listen to an argument about some preconceived idea.

Hey,

how's it going, man?

Great, Velasquez. Anyone have a sandwich?

No, I'm going to go ahead and catch a bite in the cafeteria with the guys.

What's the matter? Did they kick you out of the teacher's lounge?

Nah, man. I just needed some fresh air.

I'll see you later. All right.

You know, man, it feels kind of funny, you know, you being a teacher and all.

Assistant. Whatever.

Look, I'm still the same simple, unfulfilled guy I was before success

my lap.

Listen, now, I'd be out of line if I asked you something.

Try me.

Is Nikki going to get the part, you know, in the fall show?

Out of line, Velasquez. Out of line. Well, I mean, you are going to call her

back for the finals, though, right?

She is one of the best dancers in school. Look, you think you could stop

cell job long enough for me to get a bite of my sandwich?

What's the big deal, man? I thought we were friends.

Friends don't try to use each other, Jackie.

Oh, okay.

Okay, I get it.

Well, I'll see you later, Mr.

Johnson.

Hello, Leroy.

I mean, Mr. Johnson.

I mean... What do I mean?

What should I call you?

Maybe I'll be just fine.

But would that be proper?

You're not a student anymore, but then you're not really a teacher either.

What exactly are you?

I wish I knew.

Leroy, thank you so much for calling me back. I think you have impeccable taste.

You are an incredible judge of talent.

Later, later, later. Look, everything is right here.

too strong, Nicole. You turned him up. Me?

You know, Mr. Jocker, you think you can't let me out just in for the

Anything's possible.

Listen, Nicole, um, if I don't make it, um, I hope you do.

I feel the same way, Holly.

If I weren't a preacher's daughter, I'd say something about how thick it's

getting in here.

But I am, so I won't.

But it is.

Tommy, man, this is crazy.

I mean, what are we trying to prove?

That we can act.

See, the way I figure it is, the whole class knows we're doing a scene.

So they're no judge.

So the thing is that we've got to convince people who aren't in our class,

right? Right.

Don't move.

What? One o 'clock, one o 'clock.

Follow me.

Oh, hello, Mr. Marlowe.

Yeah. My name is Christina, and that's Danielle.

Hello.

We're new students here. We'd like to say what a wonderful job you're doing

at the School of the Arts.

Really? Well, don't you think I should initiate some kind of a dress code,

darling? And we're too old. And something else, you make two of the

looking girls I've ever seen.

That was totally uncalled for, man.

I've seen a lot more chicks than us. Yeah.

Where?

I don't know.

Somewhere.

The chick you were out with last week.

Don't knock her. She's the one who lent me the dress.

You know, now that you mention it, that outfit is totally wrong on you. It makes

your hips look huge.

It's not my hips. It's my falsies. They keep slipping down. Then lift them up,

man. Don't you have any pride in your personal appearance?

What are you talking about? You got a run in your stocking you don't even know

about.

But you know, depending on, it's always something, right?

Kind of tough, huh?

Student one minute, teacher the next.

It's cool.

Is it?

Well, my friends, well, I mean, people who I thought were my friends are

treating me differently.

It's like they're trying to use me to get what they want.

And this faculty stuff, Ms. Grant, I don't know if I fit in there either.

What do you mean, Leroy? What are you saying?

I don't know.

Maybe I should be out there like Doris carrying a spear.

Out there like you on Broadway.

Oh, honey, give it time. You're just going through a period of adjustment.

The kids are trying to adjust, so is the faculty.

That don't make it any easier.

I know.

Just because you're in here doesn't mean you can't be out there, too, now.

But look at me.

But what it does mean is that while you're waiting for that big break, that

part to come along...

You can be here teaching and passing on the knowledge and experience that you've

gained to some of these new kids.

And that's very important. It's really worthwhile.

Give time, baby.

Hang in there.

You're going to fit in just... Fine. You really think so?

I know so. Just give yourself some time.

I really should have auditioned for this show, but at the time I just didn't

have the guts.

The marvelous thing about show business is there's always another show.

My father's not too crazy about me being in show business.

He's even less crazy about me being in New York City.

I can't imagine that.

That's why I've got to make it fast, or he's going to be shipping me back to

Pueblo, Colorado quicker than you can say Dusty Tyler.

Dusty Tyler!

What? You see? You're still here.

Come on, Danny.

Hurry up. Would you hold on? I'm coming. That guy thinks we got all day.

Yo, man, what's the big deal, man? She wants to go on to the fourth act and

decide she's only carrying a sphere.

Only carrying a sphere? Do you have any idea how many actors in New York still

carry a sphere? It's her first professional gig, man, and we ain't

late. Yo, but what about Leroy? Ain't he coming? I don't think so, man. He's a

teacher now.

It's more than growing older And at times

like this I wish I could be strong There's this

frightened child inside of me Wondering when did I do wrong

I'd admit to anything If you take me in and

let me come Bad

It's too late for me to start auditioning for that show.

I think you better ask Ms. Grant.

I don't work here anymore.

Look at the way she eats the pizza.

Kind of delicate.

Yeah, it's fascinating.

But she doesn't want to get any cheese on her blouse.

Will you guys give me a break? I feel like I'm under glass.

Hey, man, what are you guys doing?

Some research.

Trying to find out how girls move.

I'll tell you how they move. They move great. I mean, we're trying to figure

why they act the way they do.

No, no, listen. You want to find out about girls? You come to me.

Yo, we're trying to develop our art here, all right? Yeah, you want to

it somewhere else?

Hey, what's up with you, Holly?

She's just teed off at Nicole.

I am not teed off at Nicole.

Nicole is teed off at me.

And you know why, don't we?

Look at the way she picked up the pizza.

She doesn't want to get any on herself either.

Yo, Nicole, it's time.

Time for what?

Time to admit you acted like a jerk.

I acted like a jerk? Who was the one who tried to use her friendship with Leroy

to get the part?

You. So?

Just because I did it didn't mean you had to.

You should have been bigger than that. Look at the way they're arguing.

They're not throwing punches or nothing, but yet it's still very intense, very

intense. Do you two guys mind our entire friendship is at stake here? Yeah,

entire friendship.

Jane, Nicole, I hadn't thought about it that way.

Me neither.

I guess I did kind of act like a jerk.

I'm sorry.

It's okay.

I kind of acted a little like a jerk, too.

I'm sorry.

Look at the way they make up.

Guys would do it different, though.

They would never hug. Never.

But the feelings are the same.

Hey, man, is that what you left school for, to wait on tables and news?

I didn't leave school. I graduated for your information.

Oh, and this is better than teaching.

Hey, man, I'm not a teacher. I'm a dancer.

Besides, it's giving me free time in the day to go on auditions.

So how's it going out there?

I'm hanging in there. Oh, yeah?

Velasquez, why are you ragging me?

I mean, if you still want me to help Nicole, I can give her a discount on a

pizza. Look, it's always out of line, but that's no reason to punish

I'm not punishing nobody.

You are, man. You're punishing yourself.

Because you're giving up something that you love.

You're letting down a whole lot of people.

People who need what you got to give, man.

You heard the man. He needs a salad.

Are you here again, kid?

Oh, yeah.

Any parts open in your show yet? I mean, I really can dance.

There are only so many parts open, kid.

Hang in there. If you're any good, well, you'll get your shot.

So what am I supposed to do in the meantime?

I don't know.

Wait tables, sell shoes?

What are you good at?

I could teach.

If it wasn't for you, I'd be totally alone.

Why didn't you tell me before?

Because I'm telling you now.

I guess you are.

What do you think?

How are we?

Anybody?

I thought they were great.

Stop clowning around, Velasquez. Be serious, okay, man? No, no, I'm serious.

I mean, you guys were so believable that I forgot you were playing women.

You know, so did I.

Me too.

You know, when I was playing it, I was thinking in

my head that there really isn't that much difference between me and a woman.

know, maybe there isn't any difference.

I mean, we're both human beings, right?

Yeah.

And we're both made out of flesh and blood, right?

Right.

Right, Miss Persky?

That's easy enough to say, Mr. Morlock. But you find me a kid who's going to

pick up a tale of two cities unless I motivate him.

Miss Sherwood, when I said a kid should be self -motivating, I didn't mean a

teacher shouldn't stimulate him. I just think a kid should meet us halfway.

What if a kid doesn't meet you halfway?

What do you do?

Do you just write them all?

You know, sometimes there's something in a kid.

I mean, something wonderful.

and it might not never come out unless one of us helped bring it out.

Right on, Leroy.

You know, when I first came to this school, man, I was scared and lost.

I didn't have any belief in myself.

I didn't really think I fit in.

I mean, I couldn't even read.

You remember that, Ms. Sherwood?

Then you, Mr.

Sharofsky, Ms. Berg, Mr. Morlock, and Ms. Grant, you helped me find out who I

was.

You helped me develop my talent.

That's what I think a good teacher should do.

I just wanted to say that.

swirl.

Keep your timing, honey. Keep your timing. You're off beat, baby. Come on,

concentrate. All right, all right, all right. Upstage, upstage. Let's go again.

Girl, pull out. This is the final callback. You want the lead, you got to

for it. Untie that headband, honey, if you can't remember the set. Take that

out of your mouth. Let's go again.

Five, six, five, six, seven, and one, two.

Take it easy here. Six, seven, eight, two, two, three, four, five, six. All

right, what are you doing?

My job.

Hey, what are you doing over there lurking?

I thought you wanted to audition.

Yeah, I do.

Well, then go ahead, audition.

Now? Well, not tomorrow, baby.

Come on, move it.

Go ahead.

All right.

Go ahead. All right.

All right, let's do it with music this time.

Wig. Go to work.

Where are you going?

I'm taking a break. You're my assistant assistant.

You pick the lead.

Get back in the line.

Well, do I get this far enough?

Ain't nobody get the part yet, baby. Get back in line. Please.

Thank you.

Now, just because I'm an assistant, you probably think you got it easy.

Well, you got another thing coming.

I mean, we're all here for one reason.

We got big dreams.

We want fame.

Well, fame costs.

And right in here is where we start paying.

With sweat.

I just want to see some sweat.

Now, ladies, turn it out.