Act One

Meet the Millis family. Eric and Beth, sixteen-year old twins, are sitting in the family room, waiting for the hammer to drop due to an unauthorized night out with the family car. In runs their six-year old sister, Mandie, who is frantically searching for her beloved Teddy Bear. Eric, never one to let an “opportunity to “tease” pass, holds up the Bear and begins a game of “keep-a-way.” Enter Mom (Candace), who has had enough. An argument ensues. Dad (Chris), puts a stop to the noise by “cancelling” Friday night. Off to their rooms they go. Both parents and teens express their frustrations –  WHAT DO THEY WANT?

The next morning, around the breakfast table. Everyone knows what’s coming. Mandie leaves for dance lessons, giving the parents the opportunity to address the issue. Evidence of drinking and driving is presented. A heated argument ensues. Both teens are grounded, and yes, their cell phones are taken from them.

That evening. Mom and Dad go out for the evening with the hope of winning a large construction contract. Beth and Eric are on babysitting duty. To keep Mandie in line, Eric tells her that he is her “Supreme Leader” and she is Beth’s. Everyone goes to their separate rooms. Eric and Beth express their frustrations in EACH NEW DAY. Eric decides to search for their phones, convincing Beth and Mandie to help. At the restaurant, the kids phones begin to “blow up.” The parents are shocked by the cruelty of the kids “friends.” A schoolmate of Beth’s shows up at their house and shows Beth and Eric what is happening on social media. They are both horrified.

They decide that they need to runaway – RIGHT NOW!! – ESCAPE – Plans are quickly made. Mandie, who believes that Eric is still her “Supreme Leader”, overhears, and is under the impression that she’s been invited. After their parents come home and settle in, the two teens sneak out the window, soon followed by Mandie.

Alone on the street, Eric and Beth are liberated – ANYTHING YOU PLEASE. They are walking along a set of railroad tracks, where they find an open boxcar. Beth decides it is time to rest and jumps inside, at the protest of Eric. As they take stock of their situation and lack of a plan, Beth begins to panic. She is quickly interrupted by Mandie, who is calling for them in the darkness. Shocked that she followed them, they pull her inside and try to think of what they should do. The train begins to move.

The next morning they find their selves at a run-down Carnival, where the owner, George T. Crump, addresses the crowd – CARNIVAL TIME. Halfway through the song, Eric becomes enamored with a dancer named Robin. They share the same fantasy – ANGEL – and quickly fall for each other. When CARNIVAL TIME ends, Beth and Mandie become separated, Beth panics – “PANIC ATTACK” – and runs into the animal tent, searching for her. It is here that Beth meets Nova, a young woman who trains the animals. Nova has Mandie with her. She introduces Beth and Mandie to Sophia, the leader of the “Fabulous Five” Dance Troupe. Sophia spins her magic, putting Beth at ease. Nova introduces the two girls to Lilly the Pony and Simon the Tiger. She quickly forms a bond with Beth – DREAMS – After the song, Sophia shows Mandie her Cuprite neckless and takes her off to find her some food and clothes. As Beth starts to follow, she sees Eric and Nova and runs after them.

Later, in Crumb’s private tent, there is a meeting of the minds. George, Sophia, and Crumbs henchmen – Max & Mason – discuss the three run-a-ways, and what they should do with them – “THE PERFECT SCHEME” – Nova joins the group. They decide to reach out to reliable contacts who will take them off of their hands for a sizable fee. Nova, who is Sophia’s apprentice, is very uncomfortable with the arrangement, but is manipulated by Sophia to comply. Beth has been eavesdropping and is shaken by what she hears.

Eric and Robin have discovered a quiet section of the Carnival, where they can let their young romance develop – “ANGEL – REPRISE”

Beth begins a series of actions to try to escape the Carnival before they are captured. She is finally able to find Mandie and Eric. Eric doesn’t want to leave Robin, but soon learns that both she and Nova are reluctant members of the plot. Plans are made on how to escape their fate, with Robin and Nova agreeing to help. They are discovered by Max and Mason. Fighting soon sets off a fire, that sets the tents aglow. Robin sacrifices herself in order for the children to escape.