THE FREAKS CLUB

by Tom Adams & MK Wolfe

SHORT SYNOPSIS

The Freaks Club tells the story of 18 year old Anna, a girl suffering from a rare condition that makes her skin appear as fish scales. “Fish Face” as she is often tauntingly called, along with her father David, moves to a remote island community to receive experimental treatments for her disease. She immediately bonds with other “freaks” at her new school, including blind, sassy Cookie, handsome Jake who cannot touch or be touched, and sweet but hapless Skunk. Anna is cured by soon-to-be famous Dr. Lily, and finds herself going from “fish” to “dish.” Soon she loses her freak friends as she gets carried away with her new found popularity, especially with the beautiful Linda and BMOC Anthony. Ultimately Anna has an epiphany about identity and the meaning of friendship when she must come to the rescue of her most cherished friend Cookie.

DETAILED SYNOPSIS

ACT I

Scene 1: ON THE STEPS OF FAIRBRIDGE HIGH SCHOOL

It is January, the start of the second semester at Fairbridge High School on Fairbridge Island. The students and faculty are speculating about the arrival of a new student (“NEW KID”) who they hear is a freak, a monster, or worse. Their imaginings reach a fever pitch when ANNA, giving herself a confidence-boosting pep talk, arrives. Anna suffers from a genetic disease that causes her skin to resemble fish scales, and has moved with her father to the island to be near the famous Dr. Lily Engstrom. The students are aghast at her disfigurement. “Fish face!” calls one. Anna displays grace and courage under their scrutiny. Blind COOKIE, guided by her friend SKUNK, approaches Anna for a hands-on exploration, and they become friends. Anna feels hopeful about her future (“NEW KID” reprise).

Scene 2: THE LABORATORY OF DR. LILY

Later, Anna and Anna’s father DAVID visit DR. LILY, a geneticist known for her pioneering work in gene replacement therapy. Anna tries to convince the doctor to experiment on her. Dr. Lily warns Anna the procedure is largely theoretical and potentially dangerous, and David tries to dissuade her, but she is adamant. “What is it you want?” Dr. Lily asks her. “ONE DANCE” sings Anna, and in recounting her fantasy, she reveals her simple desire to be an ordinary, normal girl.

Scene 3: THE CAFETERIA AT FAIRBRIDGE HIGH

A few weeks later, Anna, Cookie and Skunk are in the cafeteria, discussing the all-important Island Dance, still far off in the spring. Skunk tries to invite Cookie, but she rebuffs him and he leaves. Cookie’s best friend JAKE, who has been mysteriously absent from school, arrives unexpectedly, and he and Anna immediately hit it off, to Cookie’s dismay. Jake noticeably avoids any physical contact. The attractive and popular LINDA and ANTHONY stroll by, and Linda taunts the three of them. Anna rises to the challenge, and Linda is temporarily vanquished by Anna’s verbal wit. Linda leaves, followed by an impressed Anthony.  Jake is dazzled. Their friendship is solidified as Cookie and Jake ask Anna to join the “THE FREAKS CLUB.” Jake and Anna discover a growing attraction to each other.

Scene 4: ANNA AND DAVID'S HOME

That night, Dr. Lily, having ministered to a feverish Anna, is on her way out. David begs Anna to discontinue the procedure. Even in her illness, Anna won’t be dissuaded. David is touched by her courage, and realizing she’s not a little girl anymore, decides to respect and support her decision (“LITTLE FISH”).

Scene 5: COOKIE'S LIVING ROOM

A few weeks later, Anna and Cookie are excited - each has a valentine, the first “official” one in their lives. “WHAT’S INSIDE?”, they wonder. Anna’s turns out to be from her father, and Cookie’s is a nasty one from Linda. Each is secretly disappointed that the valentine is not from Jake. The doorbell rings, and the girls find flowers on the doorstep. The card turns out to be from Jake, asking Anna for a date. Anna suspects that Cookie has deep feelings for Jake, but Cookie convinces her to accept. When more flowers and an invitation arrive for Cookie, this time from Skunk, a disappointed Cookie suggests a double date. The girls begin making plans, but Cookie hides her true feelings from Anna (“WHAT’S INSIDE” reprise).

Scene 6: ANNA AND DAVID'S HOME

It is Saturday night. Jake arrives to pick up Anna for their date, and he and David warily size each other up. Anna is surprised to learn that her father and Dr. Lily are also dating that night. Cookie and Skunk arrive, and the three couples sing about their anticipation, their hopes and their fears on this “FIRST DATE.”

Scene 7: THE MINI GOLF COURSE

Jake, Anna, Cookie and Skunk play mini golf, and Cookie continues to reject Skunk’s friendliness. They run into Linda and Anthony. Linda taunts and teases Jake so severely that he runs out, followed by a distressed Anna. Cookie causes Linda acute embarrassment by revealing a humiliating incident from their past, and Linda vows to get revenge on Cookie. After Linda and Anthony leave, Skunk asks Cookie to the Island Dance, but she lets him down gently, explaining that “there’s someone else.” Cookie goes off to find Jake and Anna, and Skunk is distraught (“FIRST DATE” reprise).

Scene 8: A NEARBY BEACH

Anna finds Jake, and as they talk, Anna reveals her hopes that through the work of Dr. Lily, she will become a normal girl. Jake tries to convince her he finds her beautiful the way she is. As they grow closer, Jake reveals to Anna that his severe aversion to human contact is due to the accidental death of his father. Anna encourages him to touch her hand. Tentatively they join hands, and there is noticeable electricity between them (“YOUR TOUCH”). Jake asks Anna to the Island Dance, and she accepts happily. Distressed, Cookie listens to them from the shadows as Anna and Jake bond deeply.

Scene 9: THE MINI GOLF COURSE

Skunk, crestfallen because of his continued rejection by Cookie, is cheered by the popular Anthony, who gives him a few pointers on how to court the female species (“HOW TO GET THE GIRL”). When Cookie returns from the beach, she asks Anthony for a ride home, and he assumes that she’s his for the night (“HOW TO GET THE GIRL” reprise).

Scene 10: THE LABORATORY OF DR. LILY

Anna has undergone the final phase of treatment - the removal of the top layer of skin by laser surgery. She wears a healing mask, and during recovery, has a grotesque nightmare (“ANNA’S DREAM”). Jake sneaks in and comforts her, confessing his deep feelings for her. Cookie and Skunk arrive, and Cookie scolds Anna for not telling her about the treatments. Dr. Lily and David enter, and Dr. Lily warns Anna again that the results of the untried treatment may be shocking. David worries, and Jake prays that Anna won’t abandon him if she is cured. Cookie and Skunk wonder if they are losing a friend. Even Linda and Anthony, elsewhere on the island, wonder what will happen (“THE BRAND NEW YOU”). At last Dr. Lily removes the mask - the operation is a success! Anna's skin is normal, and she vows that her life will be completely different as the lights...BLACKOUT.

ACT II

Scene 1: THE CAFETERIA AT FAIRBRIDGE HIGH

Cookie and Jake are uncomfortable with the new Anna, and they leave her feeling confused and hurt. Linda swoops in and begins to befriend Anna, and with Anthony’s help, she tells her how life will be now that Anna is beautiful (“THE FISH CAN FLY”). Anna defiantly accepts that she needs to make some changes in her life, and starts immediately.

 Scene 2: COOKIE’S LIVING ROOM

Jake, Skunk and Cookie sit, eating birthday cake. David and Lily wait, fuming. Anna rushes in, apologizing to an upset Cookie for being late for her party. She gives Cookie a gift that causes Cookie even greater anguish, and Jake scolds Anna harshly. David and Lily chime in, angry at the changes Anna has undergone. Anna responds that they are treating her badly now that she's normal, and she argues with Jake. As the fight escalates, she reveals to Jake that Cookie is in love with him. Anna dashes out, followed by a heartbroken Skunk. Cookie admits her feelings to Jake, but Jake confesses he’s in love with the fish girl, and that while he cherishes Cookie as a friend, his love for Anna continues. Cookie is devastated (“LOOK IN THE MIRROR”).

Scene 3: THE CAFETERIA AT FAIRBRIDGE HIGH

The next day, Skunk and Jake reconcile. Linda, suddenly friendly to the boys, reveals to Jake that Anthony is taking Anna to the dance. Jake is shocked. Linda, now dateless herself for the dance, is amazed that the popular girl, the nut and the nerd, all in love with people who are not in love with them, are “IN THE SAME BOAT.” Jake decides to take Linda to the dance.

Scene 4: ON THE STEPS OF FAIRBRIDGE HIGH

It is graduation day. Cookie is upset by her most recent communication from her dad. David and Anna enter, squabbling. Anna shoos him away, and quietly asks Cookie to join her after the ceremony. Cookie seems unusually distracted, and is non-committal. Linda, Anthony and Jake join them, and Anna and Cookie learn that Jake will take Linda to the dance. Anna and Cookie get into an terrible fight. Cookie tells her “Now that you’re pretty, you‘re the ugliest person I know.” Anna apologizes to Cookie for making her cry. Cookie, alluding to the pain from her past, tells her “I’LL NEVER CRY.”

Scene 5: ANNA & DAVID’S HOME

A few hours later, Anna and David have a terrible fight at home. Anna, distraught, longs for her one chance at happiness (“ONE DANCE (Reprise)”).

Scene 6: AN OLD WAREHOUSE ON THE PIER

Jake and Linda feign delight at being at the dance together, as do Anna and Anthony.  Anna and Anthony dance, but instead of the magical fantasy she hoped for, Anna feels degraded and depressed by Anthony's superficial advances. She realizes the ugly person she has become is standing in the way of her happiness, and vows to cease her treatments and change back to her old self, even if it means being a fish face once more (“DREAMS COME TRUE”). She and Jake reconcile, and at last they dance. As they touch, it is magic. At that moment Skunk runs in to tell Jake that Cookie is at the top of the bluff, suicidally despondent. The trio go in search of their friend.

Scene 7: THE BLUFF

Anna, Jake and Skunk find Cookie, who stands on the high bluff. Cookie reveals that her father will not be sending for her, which was her greatest hope, and that she has decided to leave her life behind forever. Anna, Jake and Skunk convince Cookie that she is strong, beautiful and worthwhile, and that they will always, always need her (“ALWAYS”). Cookie begins to cry at last, deciding to stay with her friends after all. Cookie and Anna reconcile, and Cookie gives her and Jake her blessing. At last, Cookie realizes that Skunk is the guy for her. Anna reveals that she will be returning to her former self, and the others are ecstatic. The two couples accept who they are, and are full of joy at the friendship they share. They resolve that the Freaks’ Club will live on (“FINALE”).