Ring around the Circus
A Two-Act School Musical (ages 7 to 14)

Synopsis (Scene by scene)

"Ring around the Circus" is the two-act version of this mystery musical (compare the one-act version - Circus Mystique).  It is quite complicated with several layers using secret codes, disquises and puzzles.  There are also more speaking character roles, several of which require very good English skills.

This full version also includes more instrumental tracks and scene changes and an additional song ("Everyone's a Suspect").

PRELUDE: Mystery Radio Theater: Introducing “Ring around the Circus”
Radio announcers Amanda Panda and Horace Torance introduce the mystery radio presentation of “Ring around the Circus”. 

ACT I

SCENE 1: Circus Mystique Premiere Performance in New York City
Ringmaster Melissa de Rissa introduces the performance of Circus Mystique.  She also presents Warren Riggabee, orchestra leader, who announces the new trumpet player “Buzz Lips” Wickerson.  The circus players perform a series of acts for the audience.  The set is concluded with the appearance of Vincenzo, the Human Decoder who solves a difficult Sudoku puzzle and then a complex musical matrix which was created by music professor Dr. Fred Cooper-Jones in the “Stump the Wizard” portion of the show.  Agent BTQC2 confirms the authenticity of Professor Cooper-Jones’s matrix.  Vincenzo manages to decode both challenges presented to him in the 60-seconds allotted for each puzzle.  Warren announces that Buzz Lips had composed the two short pieces – “Amidst a Twilight Star” and “Ghost Ride in the Night” - as well as played the trumpet solos.  Why are the titles so important?  Following Vincenzo’s act, the players sing their theme song “Circus Mystique”.

SCENE 2: Celebration for performance, Vincenzo’s arrest
After the performance the circus players joke and laugh about their opening night in New York City.  Vincenzo enters and compliments the group for their fantastic display of talent.  At the height of their joy Police Inspector Jack O’Neale and Officer Fisher enter and arrest Vincenzo for having passed on insider information through the codes he cracked during his act.  Vincenzo seems not to know what they are talking about but goes with them without a struggle.  The circus players are very saddened that their friend has been arrested.  Executive Producer Adam Atem enters and talks briefly about Vincenzo’s unfortunate arrest.  Without any explanation, two rather lost looking individuals cross the stage and then exit.  Mr. Atem announces that he has taken the liberty of hiring two private detectives, Rick Ravenpick and Rebecca Beckenbach, to get to the bottom of this obvious misunderstanding.  As they should have already arrived Mr. Atem exits to “round them up” and will then introduce them to the circus players.

SCENE 3: Live Report for The Evening News – “Arrest at the Circus”
In front of Circus Mystique Evening News reporter Newton Notworth brings his viewing audience a life report about the arrest of Vincenzo, the human decoder.  P.I. O’Neale and Officer Fisher briefly appear with Vincenzo.  No official comment is given.  During the report, a lost pair of detectives cross and then eventually exit the stage.

SCENE 4: Adam Atem introduces Detectives Rick Ravenpick and Rebecca Beckenbach
The circus players continue talking about Vincenzo’s arrest as well as the rather insensitive and cheap Executive Producer Adam Atem.  Having finally found Detectives Rick Ravenpick and Rebecca Beckenbach, Mr. Atem introduces them to the circus players.  The detective dual make sure they don’t rule anything or anyone out of their investigation.  They make the claim that “Everyone’s a Suspect” and then begin asking questions about the case.  The questions, however, have nothing essential to do with the case:  “Where’s the body?” they ask.  What body?  Nobody’s dead!  After this obvious showing of incompetence, Adam Atem makes it very clear that the players should focus on their preparation for their next  performance and leave the case to the professionals.  The three exit.  The players – led by TBA Tucker, Mary-Lou Twinkletoes and Lucas Itchling - decide to take on the case themselves because those so-called detectives “haven’t got a clue”.

SCENE 5 – Buzz Lips is up to something!
Warren and Buzz Lips walk together.  Warren asks Buzz Lips about his training and experience as a trumpet player and composer.  Buzz Lips answers his questions with brief answers to satisfy his curiosity.  The two decide to have a bite to eat.  Buzz Lips tells Warren that he should go ahead and that he’ll catch up.  Warren exits and Buzz Lips makes a mysterious phone call.  It is revealed that his real name is “Steve” and that he will write and perform a piece called “Counting my lucky Stars” at the next performance.  Who was he talking to and why does he not use his real name?

SCENE 6: VINCENZO IS QUESTIONED AT HEADQUARTERS
Vincenzo is at police headquarters with P.I. O’Neale and Officer Fisher.  They are asking him questions about his involvement in this “Ring around the Circus”.  Vincenzo claims to have no idea  about “insider information” concerning shares of ATWS stocks and the race in which the horse “High Flying Dragon”, which never wins, won a race with very high odds being paid.  O’Neale and Fisher, however, don’t accept his lies and insist on the truth.  They are convinced that Vincenzo is guilty as their song “We’ve been looking for this famous Crook” states.  Vincenzo does not budge about his claim to innocence.  It then dawns on him that he might know just how this information was passed on.  After demonstrating that he indeed can solve any puzzle which comes his way, O’Neale and Fisher decide to give him one more chance to prove his innocence.  Why is Vincenzo “doodling” with his Circus Mystique badge which Adam Atem insists all circus players wear?  Officer Fisher takes it from him and adds it to the evidence.  

ACT II

SCENE 7: Bubbles-the-Quiet-Clown tells Agent BTQC2 he’s going on Holiday
Bubbles the Quiet Clown is going on a beach holiday which is obvious by the contents of his suitcase.  Agent BTQC2 enters.  The two “converse”, though Bubbles never says a word.  Bubbles has asked Agent BTQC2 to tell Mr. Atem that he will be going on holiday for two or three days.  In this scene Bubbles teaches the audience that when he honks his horn once it means “yes”, twice “no” and three times is “maybe”.   From this point onward whenever honks are heard the audience should respond appropriately to the cues.

SCENE 8: Suspect No. 1, Mary-Lou, the Little Ballerina
Rebecca and Rick have their first suspect, Mary-Lou Tickertoes.  They are convinced that despite her small stature and age that she certainly could have been passing on insider trading information to crooks in the audience.  After some rather rigorous questioning, Adam Atem enters.  He sees that she is certainly not a criminal.   Consequently she is released.  However, what turns out to be important is a clue which Rick and Rebecca found on the floor.  They read part of it but then crumble it up and toss it back on the floor, discarding it as nonsense.  Upon exiting, Mary-Lou nonchalantly picks up the clue and takes it with her.

SCENE 9: CLUES TO CRACK – “met A mad AP.E.?
TBA Tucker is practicing some tricks for his magic hat act.  “Molly” is under the table to assist him by passing up the toy animals which then “magically” appear.  Mary-Lou and Lucas enter very excitedly.  She shows TBA the clue and the three read it aloud in the song “met A mad AP.E.”.  Someone comes.  The three friends hide.  Adam Atem arrives looking around very suspiciously.  He writes a note and puts it into the hat.  After he exits, “Molly” hands the three the piece of paper.  It demands them to get to the rehearsal tent without delay or they won’t have an act to perform!  But this also reveals something which helps them to solve the previous clue.  Turning it backwards revealed the truth about who is behind this “ring around the circus”.  They rush to the rehearsal tent.  “Molly” gets out from under the table.  It’s Bubbles the Quiet Clown.  Or is it?  Whoever it is then leaves yet another note on the floor and exits.  TBA, who had forgotten his hat, discovers the clue.  After reading it he makes a phone call.  Who is on the other end?  Could TBA be a partner in this “ring”? Both “Bubbles” and TBA have some fun exchanges with the audience.

SCENE 10: Suspect No. 2, Bubbles the Quiet Clown?
Rick and Rebecca are now convinced that “Bubbles”, or whoever is disguised as him, that he is THE suspect.  They question him while trying to add a touch of realism in their approach.  How do the famous detectives interrogate their suspects?  For each question and consequent honks of the horn from “Bubbles” the audience provides the responses.   After watching the questioning session performed by his chosen detectives, Adam Atem just shakes his head in disbelief and exits.  Rick and Rebecca are nevertheless sure that he is pleased with their work.

Scene 11: Live Broadcast, Evening News – “Vincenzo’s Farewell Performance”
Once again, the arrogant Newton Notworth is LIVE at Circus Mystique.  He shows up to get an interview with Vincenzo in what appears to be his final performance before he goes off to prison for a very long time. 

SCENE 12: THE GRAND FINALE – The Bubble bursts
After having performed the first half of the show, Melissa de Rissa announces to the audience that there will be a short intermission.  The circus players talk amongst themselves.  They are concerned that Vincenzo won’t show up as promised.  They state their dissatisfaction with Rick and Rebecca as well as with their employment with Circus Mystique under Adam Atem.  Mr. Atem comes and criticizes them for a “flat” first half and expects much better after the intermission.  Melissa de Rissa welcomes back the audience to the show.  It is now time for Vincenzo’s performance.  For his final performance he has requested that they begin with the “stump the wizard” portion of his act.  Agent BTQC2, who is wearing a red nose, calls up the contestant Melanie Huckelbud and her father.   Melanie has created an encrypted message for Vincenzo.  Melissa de Rissa asks Warren about the 60-second piece they plan to play while Vincenzo decodes the message.  But while Warren announces the title, the circus players begin coughing and it cannot be heard.  A second time yields the same result.  The title is held up for the audience to see: “met A mad AP.E.”  Vincenzo enters blindfolded. 

When the blindfold is taken off, the music starts.  The sound of the piece is horrific.  While it’s playing several circus players holding the title of the piece come to the front of the stage.  Vincenzo thinks about the clue and seems to have a hard time deciphering it.  In fact, he doesn’t.  The music stops.  Adam Atem, who is looking very worried, comes onto the stage.  He insists that Vincenzo give the audience what they paid to see.  He agrees. 

Two members of the audience – Riff and Raff – stand up and ask Adam Atem what is going on. Buzz Lips asks why his trumpet solo has been changed.  Again, Adam Atem insists on the answer to the coded message.  Vincenzo provides the number of a bank account and then all but one letter of the password.  Adam Atem realizes that it’s his bank account that Vincenzo is exposing.  When the final letter “P” is spoken, Riff and Raff transfer the funds into their accounts.  P.I. O’Neale and Officer Fisher enter and trace the transaction, catching them all in the act.  They are all subsequently arrested.

O’Neale asks TBA to explain how the trumpet notes translated into the codes which Riff and Raff then used to bet on right horses and buy and sell stocks at the right prices.  And how Adam Atem get this information?  He sent Circus Mystique badges to company executives and horse racing bookies with free tickets to the circus.  The badges enabled Adam Atem to listen in on important confidential conversations.  What turned out to be a real surprise is the $1,000,000 reward for breaking the “ring around the circus” which was to be paid to Vincenzo.   Vincenzo decides to pay it into the circus for their next tour to Moscow. 

And what about little Melanie’s clue?  Melanie helped Vincenzo to solve and she was given a guaranteed winning lottery ticket.  She asked Vincenzo to fill in the numbers for her.  He did and do you think she will win the $100,000? 

POSTLUDES - Tying loose Ends...

Why did the 60-second version of “met A mad AP.E.” sound so awful?

Why would Agent BTQC2 dress up as Bubbles and what does BTQC2 mean?

What does TBA Tucker’s first name TBA actually  stand for?

What happened with Melanie’s Guaranteed Lottery Ticket?

What ever happened to Rick and Rebecca?

Characters in the Musical

Horace Torance, Amanda Panda: Radio Announcers of “Mystery Theater”
Adam Atem (pronounced with long A), executive producer of Circus Mystique
Melissa de Rissa: Circus ringmaster
Agent BTQC2 – Official agent from the US Institute of Cryptology
Bubbles The Quiet Clown
TBA Tucker: young magician
Luke Itchling, young acrobat
Mary-Lou Tinkertoes, “The little Ballerina”
Vincenzo, the Human Decoder
Rick Ravenpick, Rebecca Beckenbach, Detectives
Police Inspector (P.I.) O'Neale: Police Inspector
Officer Fisher: P.I. O’Neale’s assisting officer
Warren Riggabee, Bandleader
"Buzz Lips" Wickerson (Steve Hammerhead), the trumpeter in the band
Professor Fred Cooper-Jones, Music professor, contestant in “Stump the Wizard”
Harry Hucklebud, father, and Melanie Hucklebud, daughter: contestants in “Stump the Wizard”
Newton Notworth, TV News Reporter for “The Evening News”
Camera Person, TV News camera operator for Newton Notworth
Ring Members in Audience: Riff and Raff
Additional Circus Players – extra acrobats, dancers, clowns, assistants, jugglers, etc.

Duration: approx. 70 - 90 minutes (some cuts may be taken as needed)

CD Tracks / Musical Numbers

Musical Numbers / Tracks (and approx. duration)	Listening Sample (mp3)	To View, Listen, Print, Transpose Sheet Music from Online Store *
1:    “Mystery Radio Theme” (instrumental)
2:    “Watch your Back, Jack!” (instrumental)
3:    “Swords and Daggers” (instrumental)
4:    “Lightly Twirling” (instrumental)
5:    “Suspicious Encounters” (instrumental)
6:    “Juggling Chicken Eggs” (instrumental)
7:    “Spy on the Run” (instrumental)
8:    “Coconuts” (instrumental)
9:    “Brazilian Tango” (instrumental)
10:  “Amidst a Twilight Star” (instrumental)
11:  “Ghost Ride in the Night” (instrumental)
12:  “Circus Mystique” (song)		MBM-LE eStore
13:  “Evening News Theme” (instrumental)
14:  “Everyone’s a Suspect” (song)		MBM-LE eStore
15:  “They haven’t got a Clue” (song)		MBM-LE eStore
16:  “We’ve been looking for this famous Crook” (song)		MBM-LE eStore
17:   “Everyone’s a Suspect” (reprise, instrumental)		MBM-LE eStore
18:  “met A mad AP.E.” (song)		MBM-LE eStore
19:  “Evening News Theme” (reprise, instrumental)
20:  “Met a Mad Ape” (instrumental version)
21:   “Juggling Chicken Eggs” (reprise, instrumental)
22:  “Watch your Back, Jack” (reprise, part I, instrumental)
23:  “Watch your Back, Jack” (reprise, part II, instrumental)
24:  “Mystery Radio Theme” (reprise, instrumental)
25:  “Circus Mystique” (reprise, song)		MBM-LE eStore
26:  “Circus Mystique” (VOCAL DEMO)		MBM-LE eStore
27:  “Everyone’s a Suspect” (VOCAL DEMO)		MBM-LE eStore
28: “They haven’t got a Clue” (VOCAL DEMO)		MBM-LE eStore
29:  “We’ve been looking for this famous Crook” (VOCAL DEMO)		MBM-LE eStore
30:   “Met a mad Ape” (VOCAL DEMO)		MBM-LE eStore
Script Extract - PDF File (not print enabled), CLICK HERE

* for first time viewings of sheet music you will automatically be prompted to upload the free program SCORCH from www.sibeliusmusic.com.  It's easy to use and flexible (i.e., you can transpose the music, too).

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