GG returns to that same Skid Row alley where Izzy is again waiting for him. Izzy tells GG that she has to get her life together and might not be spending as much time around him - but she still loves him. GG understands. Ditto.

The alley suddenly comes alive, in a very surreal way, as Marcus, Prof, and Grace all start appearing. They tell GG they are there to help him finish his graffiti. GG is confused. Is he in a dream? He doesn’t need them - he works alone. They all tell him it’s too late - he’s “soaked” up a little bit of each of them that will filter out through his art. The show ends with the cast singing the multi-sectional IN TIME, a reflective and then, upbeat “moral of the story” song that sums up each of the characters’ stories and gives hints of all their futures.

In Time (from Waiting… A New Musical)

GG’s first meeting with his parole officer. GG tells of his middle school bullying experience and how it lead to him finding solace in his art. He hesitantly, yet movingly, ponders his future in DEEP. 

Deep (from Waiting… A New Musical)

The next morning, an annoyed Grace finds Izzy sleeping at her house. The two have never seen eye to eye over the years, but they share a love for GG. Neither one has heard from GG. They have a tense conversation resulting in Izzy abruptly leaving. Alone, Grace sings the stirring STILL. The song becomes a duet as Izzy stops to think about the situation on her way home. They sing about the changes in their relationship with GG and question being stuck in own their lives. They have more in common than they would ever realize.

Still (from Waiting… A New Musical)

Having just received a text from GG about the possibility of making money selling drugs, Marcus goes to the back alley. GG and Marcus instantly recognize each other from the bus. Flirting ensues. GG boldly asks Marcus out on a date - to a “museum” later that night. Marcus accepts. Later that evening, Marcus and GG meet and begin their entire journey to the “museum,” a massive train yard where GG paints freight cars - in the song A BEAUTIFUL CRIME. At the end of the scene, an armed security guard catches them in the act of painting the fright car. Blackout.

A Beautiful Crime (from Waiting… A New Musical)

The next scene finds Marcus at his day job as a bartender at a bar. Prof enters, thinking it is the old bar he and Grace used to enjoy, but to his surprise, the bar has become a gay bar. He begins to order drink after drink; he is nervous. Prof and Marcus find a friendly banter. Grace arrives and is surprised to find the gay bar and that Marcus works there (Marcus is studying to be a social worker and Grace was one of his professors). The jovial mood quickly sours when Grace and Prof start trading barbs. Grace has asked him
there so she can finally complete divorce papers. She sings the reflective, yet biting THE OTHER HALF to Prof - about their marriage, its downfall, and his mental illness/drug use. Grace gets Prof to sign the papers. Successful, Grace coldly leaves. Prof erupts in his anger as Marcus won’t serve him any more alcohol. Prof hastily leaves without paying.

The Other Half (from Waiting… A New Musical)

Izzy returns with numerous bags of snacks. GG tells her to skip the party and ride the bus home with him. She grudgingly agrees. During the bus ride, they talk about their plans and dreams for the future. GG mentions that he might have a job interview the next afternoon. En route, the bus picks up another passenger. It’s Marcus, who is also Latino. He and GG exchange a lingering, curious glance. GG becomes lost in thoughts of Marcus and then the two of them sing the sensuous fantasy sequence CLOSER, addressing their attraction and imagining getting to know each other better. The song ends with the bus ride returning back to reality with Izzy talking GG’s ear off about her next great story idea (she wants to be a writer). The scene ends with Izzy falling asleep on GG’s shoulder and GG and Marcus sharing another secretive glance.

Closer (from Waiting… A New Musical)

n the alley, as GG bombs, he sings to the alley wall SPONGE - remembering his day and how he soaks up everything in his life and how it filters out into his art. 

Sponge (from Waiting… A New Musical)

On his way back home to Westwood (UCLA area), GG arrives at the Skid Row alley where he plans to bomb his next graffiti. He’s surprised to find Izzy, high on her mother’s prescription drugs, waiting on him. She playfully tries to convince GG to go to a wild party in the funky MAGIC KINGDOM.(

Magic Kingdom (from Waiting… A New Musical)

A “methed” up Prof impatiently waits on GG at a Chinese restaurant. GG finally arrives. Prof and GG have an agitated conversation; GG mentions that Prof’s ex- wife, Grace, wants to see him the next day at the Pinhole, the old bar the couple used to frequent when they were starting out at UCLA. Prof’s high begins to wear off and he begins poignant rambling about change and ruminates in the past in BEAUTIFUL. GG gives Prof a drawing he sketched throughout their scene. Folded up in the drawing is $100 cash. Prof is taken aback as father and son say goodbye. Prof decides to find his next fix and heads out. (NOTE: The audience doesn’t realize Prof and GG are father and son until the very end of Prof’s song; GG is the adopted son of two white parents).

Beautiful (from Waiting… A New Musical)

The opening number THE HISTORY OF ME begins. On specific music cues, Marcus, Izzy, and Grace trickle on stage and sit in their respective chairs. All are on the roads in Los Angeles - riding their buses, or riding in a car - all making their way through The City of Angels - in massive traffic. GG, a 19 year-old Hispanic graffiti artist (self-proclaimed), catches his bus just before it leaves. He takes out his sketchbook of graffiti ideas (his constant companion throughout the show) and raps/sings about his life and art: He is searching for his path and feels stuck. Next, Izzy, GG’s best friend who is also Hispanic, calls him from the bus she is taking. They have a humorous conversation about not being thrilled about the current state of their lives. Next, Grace, GG’s mom, calls from the car. GG is less than thrilled to talk to her. Grace grills GG about his curfew and also boldly announces that she has bought GG a package of condoms and lube, putting them in his bathroom - all this to the dismay of GG, who abruptly ends the call. GG sings that he needs to move on and to keep doing his graffiti to find his life and who he is. The ending builds to the busy movement of everyone getting to where they need to be during the final chorus about “living in The City of Angels.”

The History Of Me (from Waiting… A New Musical)

Waiting…

Music, Lyrics & Book by Michael O'Dell

Waiting... is a 90 minute one-act musical dramedy that details a week in the life of five Los Angelonians. At the show’s center is GG, a teenage Latino graffiti artist who is beginning his search for his Hispanic identity and roots after years of being with his adopted caucasian family. His parents, Grace and Prof, are dealing with issues of their own. Rounding out the list of characters is Izzy, GG’s faithful, feisty, and fun BFF, and Marcus, GG’s possible new romance. 

Waiting... is the story of GG’s art and coming of age - socially, sexually, and artistically. This five-character piece examines the origins of family and finding one’s voice in the process. GG, Izzy, Prof, Grace, and Marcus are all waiting on something momentous, big or small, to happen in their own lives. Waiting... explores the process of waiting with these five characters, who may be mirrors for each of us.

An Official Selection of The 2013 Boulder International Fringe Festival in Boulder, Colorado.

Finalist for The 2014 American Harmony Prize & The 2014 Chicago Play and Musical Festival

Waiting... A New Musical

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