She flew across the universe to find romance!
Book, music and lyrics by
Terrence Atkins and Jeffery Lyle Segal
Flash! Roswell, N.M., 1949. Joe "Scoop" O'Reilly, a fallen reporter now making up hooey for a tabloid, needs a big story to get back in the real news game. When Scoop and his cub reporter sidekick, Frank, break down in their jalopy outside of town, they hear a report on the radio of a mysterious "light in the sky". Scoop decides to stage a fake alien story he can sell. Frank takes a picture of a hubcap tossed in the air, and Scoop whips the citizens in Mabel's Diner into a panic about a creature who may be among them.
Meanwhile, Nine-O, an emotional alien girl from an unemotional planet, comes to Earth seeking the exciting world she's heard about on our radio broadcasts. When she lands her invisible spaceship just outside of town, she is discovered by shy, flat footed mechanic, Floyd Dimwitty, who takes her to his secret crush and best friend, the sassy waitress, Bessie Brown. They decide to pass Nine-O off to Bessie's mother, Mabel, as cousin "Aileen" - from Idaho! Scoop overhears their plan, and decides to romance "Aileen" to get the real story he needs.
NIne-O falls for Scoop like a shooting star, and Scoop struggles to keep from getting hooked by the fish. But Rusty Dobbs, the boorish deputy sheriff, and crazy Major Nails, Scoop's old Army nemesis, are leading the town on a witch hunt to find and destroy the invader from space. Ultimately, Nine-O overcomes the fear and prejudice of the townspeople with her message of universal peace -- of course -- singing and dancing! But will Scoop choose the love of his life, or the story of the century?
I COME FOR LOVE features side tickling comedy, heart-warming romance, a crackling script full of snappy patter, and a beautiful score brimming with memorable melodies in the style of the great Golden Age musicals. It's charming entertainment for all audiences, from eight to eighty. Minimum cast size: 8 men, 6 women.
Act I
Performer credits: Except as noted, the following principal cast is heard on the demos (L-R): Robert J. Townsend (Scoop), Dana Meller (Nine-O/Aileen), Matthew Rocheleau (Floyd), Lindsay Mixon (Bessie), David Holmes (Major Nails), Susan Grace (Mabel), Erika Amato (Roxy), George Miserlis (Rusty. Not pictured: David Gordon (Frank), Jeffery Lyle Segal (Rocky, Old Couple), and Terrence Atkins (Guard 1). Chorus: Eydie Alyson, Jill Townsend
LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO LAND (Ensemble)
People of Earth brace themselves for a possible alien invasion.
I COME FOR LOVE (Floyd, Nine-O)
Nine-O lands her invisible flying saucer outside Roswell, where she is found by Floyd. She tells him about her "mission" to find what she's heard on the radio.
OOGA BOOGA BOO (Scoop, Ensemble)
In Mabel's diner, Scoop convinces the townspeople that there's an alien threat, and gets a picture of the terrified townspeople to launch his hoax.
FORK, KNIFE, SPOON (Nine-O, Bessie)
Bessie tries to teach Nine-O about Earth silverware so she can wait tables. But all Nine-O can think about is Scoop.
LEARN TO DANCE (Scoop, Nine-O)
Hoping to charm the alien girl into revealing herself to him for his story, Scoop puts a nickle in the jukebox, and romances "Cousin Aileen".
INVADER FROM SPACE (Rusty, Ensemble)
To keep them from suspecting that the new girl in town might be the alien they seek, Floyd tells everyone that he saw the alien -- a green, tentacled, bug-eyed creature -- and can lead them to it . Mabel lets "Aileen" take the rest of the day off, and Scoop takes her to see a movie musical. Meanwhile, Rusty and Major Nails are leading the hostile townspeople on a witch hunt to find and destroy the Invader from Space.
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For more information about co-author Terrence Atkins, click here.
To hear the songs from ACT II, click here.
Piano tracks played and recorded by Tom Griep
Demos with original singers recorded by Craig Adams at Winslow Court Recording Studio, L.A.
It was expanded based on Terrence's concept, and developed by Jeffery and Terrence, who have contributed equally to the new book, music and lyrics. First publicly presented in readings by the Artist's Repertory Company of the ANMT in 2005. A favorite at the the Kansas City Festival of New Musicals 2007 and the Thousand Oaks Festival of New Musicals 2007 with Ovation Award winner Robert J. Townsend as Scoop and Dana Meller as Nine-O. Co-produced by Jeffery and Terrence at the New York Musical Theater Festival 2008, with Joe Barbara as Scoop and Jodie Langel as Nine-O, who was awarded Best Actress of Festival for her portrayal. See the rest of our NYMF cast at www.icomeforlove.com. To read what the critics said in praise of our NYMF production, click here.
Jodie Langel as "Nine-O"
NYMF 2008
BACK ON THE TOP (Scoop, Frank)
Scoop plans to put Frank in a fake alien costume and take his picture at nightfall so he can sell it to the "Weird World Weekly". But he dreams of what it would be like to find a real story that could get him back to the journalistic big time.
I COME FOR LOVE began with characters created for the one act musical, THE SCOUT, by Terrence Atkins (music), Jeffery Lyle Segal (lyrics) and Megan Wygant (book), presented by the Academy for New Musical Theatre at the Colony Theater in Burbank, CA in 2004.
Joe Barbara as "Scoop"
NYMF 2008
FAMILY (Bessie, Nine-O)
Bessie explains to Nine-O that's there are different kinds of love on Earth. Scoop may make her toes tingle. But Floyd feels more like a brother...like family.
DOWN TO EARTH GIRL (Scoop, Bessie, Floyd)
Knowing that Bessie and Floyd are hiding Nine-0 just out of sight, Scoop sings about the kind of girl he hopes to meet, trying to hook his fish.
