American Classic (2026) s01e04 Episode Script

[Miranda] Previously
on "American Classic"
[Richard] I made a vow
I would restore
this theater
to its former glory.
Cut to the chase.
How much?
Uh, it'd be $250,000 a week.
For Our Town?
I bought 212 theater seats.
You know,
I'm casting with local actors.
I think I have something
very nice for you.
Thank you.
Wanted to talk
about your payment?
I promise we'll make it up
next month.
And in return,
would you mind
inviting Nadia and me
over for dinner?
She's obsessed
with the actor fella.
Connor, Kristen tells me
that you're the savior
of the town.
He is wanting to build a casino.
[Connor] And the MFT site
might just be big enough.
I got some surveying done
when I took over the loan.
Whoa! I'm sorry--
-Wait a minute.
-What the fuck?
The theater is not for sale.
-Kristen is an employee.
-I am not an employee!
[Jon] Richard, come on,
you can't say that.
How dare you.
[cheerful music]
[Linus] Feel free to reject
this idea entirely,
but I've been thinking.
Because the Stage Manager
exists outside the story
-Mm-hm.
-and is essentially a device,
what if he's a puppet?
Confusing?
Interesting?
Both.
I think it's--yeah.
-But, uh, oh.
-[door closes]
-Yeah.
Good morning, my favorite man.
Ah, Kristen, my love!
-Sit. Sit.
-No, thank you.
I actually, I--
I need to talk to Richard.
Okay, I'll leave you
two lovebirds alone.
Oh, boy, you're a lucky man.
We'll see.
I need you
to understand something.
I love the MFT.
It's my home.
I would never do anything
to jeopardize its future.
Well, it's interesting because--
Okay, just--just let me--
let me finish.
I walked into that theater
when I was a lost, unloved,
extremely unhappy
15-year-old girl.
Do you know what it's like
to be unloved, Richard?
I don't think you do.
'Cause you've been worshipped
since you were in utero.
I can't remember quite
that far back.
That place, it saved me
and I have given it
everything I have.
So for you to call me
an employee--
I'm sorry about that.
I'm sorry.
Way out of line.
-I beg your pardon?
-I am sorry.
Wow.
I was, you know,
shouldn't have said that.
That's stupid.
Well
I can see how it might've been
a bit of a shock to find out--
That the family theater had
been sold right from under--
I did not sell it!
I refinanced it.
And if I hadn't,
we would have lost the theater.
So I guess, you know,
actually,
I didn't do anything wrong.
Mm, interesting apology.
Yes, I--
I understand now
why you went into politics.
Look, I want to save
the theater, too.
-I might have mentioned that.
-Oh, yes, we know,
with your million-dollar
Our Town.
Come on, Richard,
you're never gonna be able
to raise that money.
There's still some phone calls
to be returned.
There's some angels out there--
-Uh-huh?
-Flapping their wings,
trying to take off.
I don't know. Yeah!
I haven't given up.
You know what?
That's great. Have at it.
Have at it? What?
Oh, you're saying
I'm saying go for it.
I mean, we tried it my way.
Let's just try it your way.
You know, and if--if--
if those angels
do come up with the money,
you can do Our Town
however you want.
But if they don't,
consider doing the play
the way it was intended
to be staged.
I just can't see it.
You can't see it?
-Sorry.
-Oh! Huh.
Oh, huh! Our Town.
By Thornton Wilder.
"Act One.
No curtain. No scenery."
Can you see it now?
I've seen it 50 times like that.
And--and--and every time
someone does a bit of
mime, I'm taken
right out of the play.
Give me a horse, you know?
People are carrying umbrellas
and there's no rain
and people are undoing
these jars.
Why such a strenuous
suspension of disbelief?
Suspended disbelief is all
we can afford right now.
And you can cast locals
the way you told everyone
you would
during your mother's eulogy.
I may have overpromised.
No, no, Richard,
you're so good with actors.
What is it you want me to do?
You--you just--
just read Mr. Webb.
[man] Oh.
[clears throat]
George, I was remembering
the other--
Oh, Jesus.
What is that?
"Night."
George, I was remembering
the other night the advice--
Mm--
Oh, Jesus H. Christ.
What's that say? "My figure"?
-"Father."
-Father.
Couldn't use a bigger font?
It's like I'm reading
a goddamn pill bottle.
Would, uh--
Would--would
reading glasses help?
Who are you, my wife?
How many of these people
have we seen so far?
Eighteen, 19 if you count
the "singing" dog.
I'm beginning to doubt
that there is
any acting talent at all
in this town.
-Well
-What happened to Joe Stople,
the guy who played Falstaff?
Dead. Ten years ago now.
-What about Muriel Pritchard?
-Yeah. She lost her job.
She moved to Michigan
to live with her daughter.
I thought
I'd find you both here.
-Uh-huh.
-I've brought your mother.
She--
She's in there?
In an urn. Yes.
The one you picked out.
[Richard]
Yes. Cherry wood box.
See? It's two birds.
One representing you
and one representing me.
I'm guessing
you're the eagle.
Yes. And you're the wren.
It's very nice of you, Kenny,
to bring her here yourself.
My pleasure. I love my work.
It's sad, I know,
but I get to meet people,
help them.
It's difficult sometimes
when a young person passes,
but mostly people live
long, happy lives.
Yeah, yeah, uh--
What did you just say
a moment ago about--
you talking about young people?
I was talking about
how much I love my work.
No, it was something else.
Uh, here, would you read
something for me?
I'll read with you.
Here, okay?
And just be yourself.
[Kenny chuckles]
You look well.
Yes. Yes.
Can't complain.
Very sad our journey
today, Samuel.
Yes.
Yes, I always say
I hate to supervise
when a young person is taken.
Oh, he's the undertaker.
Yes, we're not looking
for actors.
We're looking for
Real people
who are real people.
And you
qualified.
Congratulations. The part
is yours if you want it.
Richard Beam?
It's Bean with an N.
B-E-A-N,
like the legume.
Can I get your autograph?
Sure. Well, of course.
Yes, um, excuse me.
Yes. How would you like me
to make that out?
Just sign your name.
What exactly am I signing here?
Oh, God.
-Where do you want them?
-[Richard] Oh! Huh--
[councilwoman] But it's money
we don't have, Phil.
[councilman] Yeah, how many
more local jobs do we lose?
We can't even afford to pick up
our own trash, Kristen, my God.
Maybe we see if CONCAP
is willing to hire a local.
Now, I would really
like to move on
to the next agenda item,
which is a very
exciting proposal
from our friend Connor Boyle.
I'm gonna let him
walk you through it.
So, Connor.
Thank you, Mayor.
Councilmen and women.
I hear you're talking about
rising prices and unemployment.
And let me tell you this,
it breaks my Irish heart.
Big problems
require big solutions,
which is why I would like
to offer you this.
It is a
integrated
entertainment complex--
a hotel, casino,
three restaurants,
stores and a theater.
It would sit at the site
of The Morrison Hotel
and surrounding land.
It will employ 800 people
and generate over $3,000,000
in tax revenue annually
and that does not include
your cut
from the table games
and slots.
This is the wonder
you've been praying for,
and I am a believer it'll help
save this lovely town of yours.
[teens chanting]
No, no casi-no!
No, no casi-no!
No, no casi-no!
No, no casi-no!
-No, no casi-no!
-Oh, boy.
[gavel banging]
No, no casi-no!
[chanting continues]
I--I just want
to make it clear,
I'm not an actor.
I'm an obstetrician.
That's what I want.
I don't want actors.
I want real people.
So Dr. Gibbs
in this scene is--
it's the first time we meet him,
and he's coming back
from having delivered twins.
My brother Jon
is gonna read Joe with you
and, um, just relax and--
whenever you're ready.
-Mornin', Doc.
-[angrily] Mornin', Joe.
Want your paper now?
Yes, I'll take it.
Feel like he's gonna hit me.
Yeah. Just--
That was very good, Derek.
But for some reason,
you're--you're coming across
as slightly psychotic.
And I'm wondering why you would
make that choice for Dr. Gibbs.
My dad was a GP.
He was tired and stressed.
I guess I'm doing my dad.
Yeah, we all are in a way.
But here's the thing.
Try it again, will you?
Just a simpler--
a little less angry.
[clears throat]
Okay.
-Mornin', Doc.
-[angrily] Mornin', Joe.
Want your paper now?
Yes, I'll take it.
Wait.
Oh, I'm doing it again,
aren't I?
-Yeah, a little bit.
-I'm gonna level with you.
My dad was an angry guy.
Honestly. He drank.
[Richard] I see the problem.
I want you to forget
about your dad, okay?
This is you, okay?
A doctor. A happy doctor.
Just be yourself.
Oh, okay, how--
how do I do that exactly?
It's--it's--
I was just saying
which version of me do I--?
Hey, hey, hey--
-Oh, God. Oh, God!
-It's okay, you're okay
Just tell me
how you feel, Richard.
-It's my arm--
-I'm gonna sit you up.
-Okay.
-Call 911.
Oh
I'm gonna take your pulse.
Just relax.
I'm sure it's nothing.
Just stress. Breathe.
Are you taking any medication?
No, Dr. Gibbs, I am not.
That was perfect.
You got the part.
What you just did.
That's all I need.
That was perfect.
-[laughing]
-Welcome aboard, okay?
Yeah. I was acting. I am--
My heart is fine. Really.
-Jesus!
-You got the part.
-Yes.
-Well done.
[laughing]
-You have children?
-Mm, not that I'm aware of.
[chuckles]
Wow. Well, okay.
Um, if--if you had children
that you were aware of,
you would know that
kids feel things passionately.
I've raised her to have a point
of view and to express it.
-What can you do?
-What can you do?
That's the question.
We can show people
our own opinion.
We can--
We can show people
that casinos are fun.
Family friendly fun.
I mean, I say we--we have a--
We have a casino night
at the theater,
with, uh, games and drinks and--
wonderful food
prepared by my husband.
People will come and they'll
have a really good time.
What do you think?
Get your brother-in-law
to host.
My-Richard? Why?
He's a celebrity!
He'll be a draw, you know?
Tell him the proceeds
will go fund his play.
Oh, well--
-I can't promise.
-Yes, you can.
I--I can promise that
I will see what I can do.
Uh, one more thing.
-My girlfriend, Nadia
-Yes.
She's got to be in that play.
[Russian accent]
You know, Myrtle,
it's been dream of life
to see Paris in France.
Ah, it is sounding crazy,
but for years I promise me this.
I beat bush
and tell Dr. Gibbs if I--
[Richard] Bup, bup.
The expression is that
"I beat around the bush."
-What did I say?
-You said "beat bush."
That's the same thing, no?
No, not the same at all.
In fact, do you want
to use the script?
No, no, no, no, no.
I know it.
I memorize it in head
because, you know,
I want the part, Mrs. Gibbs.
I want to be on the stage
and you to make me great
because you are greatest
American actor.
-All right. Yes.
-Direct me now. Go!
Okay, very well.
Remember,
you're talking to a friend.
You're confessing a secret dream
that you've had for years
to your very good friend,
all right?
So maybe a little bit,
um, softer?
Go ahead.
[quietly] I beat bush
and tell Dr. Gibbs
if I ever got legacy,
I'd make him take me.
[loudly] He said no!
No!
[Richard] No.
Okay, well, the first part
was definitely quieter,
but it's--it was as if you
were conspiring in some way.
You were plotting a murder or
something like that, you know?
-Good.
-No, not good.
-Hm.
-No, so a bit louder there.
And for the second part,
which was very loud,
it seems like you're just
yelling for--for no reason.
-Good.
-Listen.
You just have to believe it.
More important,
you have to make us,
the audience, believe it,
you know?
[sighs] That is acting.
That is acting.
It is making people believe
you are a thing
even when you are not.
Uh, let's just keep going, okay?
And make--make me believe, hmm?
[sighs]
[quietly] Oh, Myrtle, it is
-A little bit louder.
-[louder] Sorry I mentioned
-[quieter] anything
-A little softer
only it seems to me
[louder] that once in life
-you ought to see
-No, nah, nah
a country where
they don't talk English
and they don't
want to even.
Hmm.
Hmm.
[chuckles]
This isn't--
[groans]
Please, just give her
something small.
A child. An animal.
No, there's a horse,
but we already cast it.
I thought you wanted
to use the people
of our town in Our Town.
Yes. The local talent.
She doesn't qualify for that.
Can't you just--
How bad can she be?
Come here.
She was the last audition
of the day.
[clears throat]
So it's right here.
Oh, Myrtle,
it is dream of life
to see Paris in France.
Oh, it is sounding crazy!
[laughing]
But for years
I promised me this,
-I beat both--
-[keyboard clicks]
-Uh
-Yeah, she's raw.
Oh, my God,
is she flirting with you?
I wouldn't hold that
against her.
That's the least
of her problems.
Just--just please.
Just think about it.
I can't
not think about it.
You agreed to work with me
to save the theater
in the town, remember?
Yes, of course.
I'm organizing
an event at the theater,
a casino night.
The proceeds will go
to your play.
Boyle would like you to emcee,
maybe sing a song.
Everybody loves
to hear you sing.
I am not performing monkey.
Oh, just fuck off!
I worked so hard
to keep this town alive.
I have literally--I have
unclogged sewers in the rain
with my bare hands.
All I'm asking you to do
is just put on a tux and smile!
My God. Just do it!
Please, just do it for me.
All right.
On one condition.
If I'm going to demean myself,
you have to demean yourself
right along with me.
Okay, what does that mean?
That means you have
to sing a song.
No, no, no, no, no.
I--I do not sing.
We'll sing a duet, okay?
-Why?
-Why?
Well, it'll prove to me
that we are, in fact,
working together.
You and me.
It'll be fun.
I don't see why you
have to decide not to go
to agricultural school
right now.
It's a whole year away.
Listen, Emily.
I think that once you've found
a person you're very fond of,
I mean a person
who's fond of you, too,
and likes you enough to be
interested in your character,
I think that's just as
important as going to college.
Even more so.
That's what I think.
How'd you do that?
Emily is Miranda, right?
So I--I pretended like
I was talking to her.
I mean, your uncle was crying.
Like I made him cry.
I don't think
I made an adult cry
without, like, dropping
something on them
or something like that.
That's good, right?
I mean
We could be
in the play together now.
Yeah. Yeah. No, sorry.
I'm--I'm really happy.
It's just--
Okay, don't freak out.
-Okay.
-It came today.
Holy shit,
you got into Penn!
-You got in!
-Shh!
[quietly ]I--I told you
you'd get into--
I'm not going.
But I thought
that we were going.
No, I said I'm not going.
Do not tell my mom, okay?
Yeah, sure.
[Heath] With friends
and fame and money ♪
Funny I believe ♪
That I really ♪
How can you get
any work done here?
What?
How can you get
any work done?
Oh, I just--I like
working in the theater.
But Nunsense?
Something more ♪
It's actually growing on me.
I mean, it's catchy.
I mean, I like the--
I like the blending
of Jewish jokes
and Catholics jokes.
And what's that guy's name?
-Heath.
-Heath?
Yeah. I've hung out with him.
-Yeah?
-He's hot.
Yeah. That he is. Yes.
And, I mean, he's good.
-He stands out.
-Yeah, yeah.
He reminds me of a young me.
He's got the charisma
and the
stage presence.
That's when you
fill in the blanks ♪
Can you see him
as a possible George?
I thought you were thinking
of Randall for George.
I am, I am, but I mean,
Randall's young and innocent
and gangly and he's madly
in love with you, clearly.
This guy's got--
He's got of a thing, you know?
I've never known
I'd love like this before ♪
I've never known before ♪
I love that I knew ♪
[people chattering]
[piano playing]
[jazz playing]
Hello, everybody,
and welcome
to Casino Night at the MFT.
[cheering and applause]
A chance for all of us
to indulge those
wonderful vices
that we're not allowed
to indulge most of the time,
gambling and drinking.
[applause and laughing]
Remember, all the proceeds
for this evening
go to our next production
at MFT of Our Town,
which is going to be
starring
our town!
[crowd laughing]
So the more you lose,
the better our production
will look.
[laughing]
We owe it all to our friend,
our visionary Mr. Connor Boyle.
[applause]
So bet, bet, bet.
Roll, roll, roll,
spin, spin, spin
and have fun!
[crowd cheering]
[jazz resumes]
Perky enough for you?
Well, it's a little
passive-aggressive, but--
Do me a favor.
Pass these around.
I want to hit the craps table
before the dice get cold.
-Uh--
-Thanks!
He's excited, isn't he?
What the hell?
Okay, you look like
you've never held a tray
of hors d'oeuvres in your life.
-I haven't.
-All right, do that.
-What do I do with them?
-Leave them there.
You give them to people.
[jazz playing]
Oh, whoa!
[crowd cheering]
Pay the line!
Pay the line!
I'm making the dice dance!
Richard.
Hi.
Uh, Johnny Depp is basing
Edward Scissorshand on dog.
I'm sorry. What?
Johnny Depp has a little dog
and he's saying
he's basing Edward Scissorhand
character on this dog.
Now, I have cat, Chunky Lorna.
She has always a secret.
She has only one eye.
And I'm thinking to myself,
what if my character,
Ms. Gibbs--
what if she is based on cat?
Wouldn't that be great?
Now listen, I haven't made
any final decisions on casting.
There's a lot involved in
casting more than just talent.
There's sensibility
and temperament and
height, accent,
and things like that.
Uh, oh!
I'm needed.
I have to emcee.
-Excuse me.
-Yes.
[jazz playing]
And now for a special treat,
ladies and gentlemen,
there's a certain lady
in the house
who is going to recreate a song
she sang on this very stage
many, many years ago
when she was just
a girl in the chorus.
Ladies and gentlemen,
I give you Mayor Kristen Bean.
-[piano playing]
-[applause]
[cheering]
[piano playing]
[quietly] I thought this
was supposed to be a duet.
She's a little shy,
ladies and gentlemen.
Let's show her
a little love, shall we?
[cheering]
-I hate you.
-I know.
[seductive music playing]
The minute you walked
in the joint ♪
I could see you were
a man of distinction ♪
A real big spender ♪
Good looking, so refined ♪
[applause]
Wouldn't you like to know
what's going on in my mind? ♪
Let me get right
to the point ♪
I don't pop my cork
for every guy I see ♪
Hey, big spender ♪
Whoo!
[guests laughing]
Spend ♪
A little time with me ♪
[applause]
Do you want to have fun,
fun, fun? ♪
[audience laughing]
How's about a few laughs,
laughs, laughs? ♪
I can show you a good time ♪
[guests laughing]
Hey, big spender ♪
[guests]
Hey, big spender ♪
Hey, big spender ♪
[guests]
Hey, big spender ♪
Spend ♪
A little time with ♪
-[blows dice]
-Me ♪
-[music ends]
-[cheering]
-The mayor killed it.
-[cheering, whistling]
I've said this before.
You are an artist and you need
your own restaurant.
That's easier said than done.
Hey, you come to see me
and I will make this happen.
-Really?
-Really.
[jazz playing]
Here she is now.
So, what happened to "I insist
we be demeaned together"?
-Oh, did I say that?
-Hm. Mm-hm.
Like, I don't know,
in the moment, it just--
I don't know, I thought it
would be better for you to be,
you know, demeaned
all by yourself
as a kind of confidence-builder.
But you killed it, okay?
You crushed it.
So, hats off to you
Madam Mayor.
It didn't completely suck,
did it?
-[chuckles]
-No.
No. No.
Richard, I do roulette.
You be my Bond girl.
Come. This way.
I need your good luck.
-[Richard] Good luck?
-[Nadia] Yes.
[guests chattering]
[jazz playing]
Ooh!
What--
What are you doing here?
I spoke to Nadia.
This--
Nadia is interested in acting.
She's not interested in me.
She said you didn't
cast her in Our Town.
Why not?
Well, she's--she falls short
in--in--in certain areas.
-We're looking for--
-Look
do you understand
how hard a man's life can be
when his girlfriend
is not happy?
-Yes, I do.
-Yeah.
It's a--a special
kind of hell.
No, I know.
I used to date Kristen.
-You did?
-Uh
Wow. Your brother's wife?
Before they were married,
obviously.
So yeah, she was very unhappy.
But Kristen isn't Russian.
Hm?
The Russians have a very
profound understanding of misery
and how to inflict it
on other people.
[quietly]
Just give her the fucking part.
I mean, how bad can she be?
Uh
[muttering]
[Nadia] Now, Myrtle,
I gotta tell you something.
Because if I don't tell
somebody, I'll burst!
One of those secondhand
furniture men from Boston
came to see me last
[loudly] Friday!
First, I thought--
-How much?
-How much what?
How much would it cost to,
uh, put her into the show?
Connor, this isn't
a transaction.
We're talking about
an artistic endeavor.
Well, you're two months behind
in your loan payment
and you're currently
on a payment holiday,
which I'm willing to extend
until after you open.
And you're gonna have to
renovate and buy props
and paint and other
arty shite, so
write down a number.
All right.
[pen clicks]
Fuck me. That's a big number.
You saw the video.
Done.
Really?
Oh, uh--
How do we deal with this?
Just make out a check
with that number on it
and everybody will be happy.
And also you could
help me out if--
I need a place to store
200 theater seats.
I've got three empty spaces
on Main Street.
Yeah. It's a wee dawdle.
Oh, and can we just keep this
between the two of us?
Abso-fucking-lutely.
Thanks.
Ooh, hee, hee--
[chuckling]
[upbeat jazz playing]