On cutting my work... and generally messing with me!

At this point in TADs journey, it has been through about 5-6 re-writes, most at the hand of Tristan, the co-owner of the producing theater,(with my permission of course)and I am happy to say it is still pretty recognizable as my work. Anyway, today I received an e-mail from the music director who said she and Tristan had discussed and want to cut "BLACK" (one of the tunes). I have sent a protest e-mail, but ultimately left the decision (for THIS PRODUCTION) up to Tristan. Anyway, "BLACK" is the lowest of the lows for the lead character, Dylan, and "WHITE", which is sung in Act 1, is the highest of highs. So, I wrote that song to high lite the wide range of emotions Dylan goes through (AS A BI-POLAR DRUG ADDICT!). Anyway, I was a little upset, but we'll see what happens.
The other day I was surprised to hear that they were not planning on having a full band for this show. I think that is taken care of! It is a pop/rock show so I want justice done to it! It's not a 50 piece orchestra... just a rock band.
Anyway, ups and downs and surprises and stuff. I am just thankful to have my work being staged but, that being said, I do want to recognize it when it is staged and I do want to have a voice as the writer as to what things are important. And... Tristan, if you read this, you're the best for staging this piece of... ART!
DC

P.S. HERE'S "BLACK"... (as it appears in my original/1st draft)...


(DYLAN looks after her obviously saddened. After a beat his mood completely changes and he is instantly angered. On the opposite side of the stage, PEDDY goes through the same emotions as he looks at EMILY. He gets up and storms out of their apartment. He and DYLAN meet in the middle and The Basket Case is set around them as they sing.)

ACT II / SCENE 11

BLACK

PEDDY
OH - I LOST THE MAP AND THE LIGHTS ARE TURNED WAY DOWN LOW

DYLAN
OH - HE’S SET A TRAP AND SHE FOLLOWS ME WHEREVER I GO
EVEN THE CHERRY FROM MY CIGARETTE FADES

PEDDY
THE CHERRY FROM MY CIGARETTE FADES

DYLAN
AND I CAN’T EVEN SEE THE MESS THAT I MADE

PEDDY
OH - THE TENSION GROWS AND THE LIGHTS ARE TURNED WAY DOWN LOW

DYLAN
AND IT COMPOUNDS ON ME ALL THIS MATH AND PLEASE
I JUST NEED MY AURA CLEANSED BY SOME CHEMICAL WASH
AND - NO - I’M NOT FREE

PEDDY
AND I KNOW I’M NOT FREE

BOTH
I’M JUST A HUMAN BEING WHO’S TRYING TO MAKE A RAINBOW

DYLAN
OF COURSE THERE’S RAIN

PEDDY
BUT THERE’S NO SUN TO MIX ONLY...

BOTH
BLACK - OH...
IN THIS PITCH BLACK I CAN’T SEE IN FRONT OF ME
BLACK - OH...
THERE’S A SWITCH BACK SOMEWHERE BUT I CANNOT REACH IT
AND OH...
AND SO THE STORY GOES
CLOSING - DIMMING - LIGHTS ARE DIMMING
ALL I SEE IS BRANDING ON ME BLACK.

PEDDY
OH - I’M RUNNING FAST AND I REALLY SHOULD QUESTION MY FEET

DYLAN
OH - MY DRIVE JUST CRASHED AND I REALLY NEED SOMETHING TO EAT
EVEN MY SKIN IS A PRISON TO ME

PEDDY
THE CURE HAS BECOME THE DISEASE

DYLAN
AND I REALLY NEED SOMETHING TO EAT

PEDDY
OH - WHERE ARE YOU, BRO? THE LIGHTS ARE TURNED WAY DOWN LOW

DYLAN
AND I’M ALONE AT LAST - WANNA KICK HER ASS
CAUSE SHE STRUTS RIGHT IN LIKE SHE OWNS THE PLACE
AND SHE OWNS THE PLACE

PEDDY
SHE OWNS THE PLACE

DYLAN
SHE’S TELLING JOKES TO ME BUT THE JOKES ON ME

BOTH
IT’S THAT OLD ROUTINE AND IT’S A LAUGH A MINUTE IT’S...
BLACK - OH...
IN THIS PITCH BLACK I CAN’T SEE IN FRONT OF ME
BLACK - OH...
AND THAT BITCH BETTER SHOW SOME MERCY AT THE VERY LEAST
AND OH...
AND SO THE STORY GOES
CLOSING - DIMMING - LIGHTS ARE DIMMING
ALL I SEE IS BRANDING ON ME BLACK.

(The two have made their way to the bar. DYLAN is in the bathroom. PEDDY is on the other side of the door. He knocks.)

PEDDY
Dylan, are you in there?

DYLAN
(barely legible) Yep.

PEDDY
Hey, I’m gonna take off, brother.

DYLAN
(irritated) What? Whatever, man.

PEDDY
Look... it’s... Emily is all pissed off about something and...

DYLAN
Fine. Later.

PEDDY
(leans in to the door) You alright in there?

DYLAN
Fine...

(PEDDY goes to say something but exits. DYLAN slumps against the door and falls down to the bathroom floor. He unzips a small case, takes out a needle and his little stash. Through the next section he prepares it and shoots up at the climax in the music.)

DYLAN
FIGHTS IN THE STREETS
FIGHTS IN MY HOME
FIGHTS IN THE CHURCHES
AND FIGHTS IN MY BONES
FEELINGS GET BURIED
SO DEEP IN THE GROUND
YOU’LL THINK THEY’LL NEVER SURFACE
BUT YOU CAN’T IGNORE THE SOUND
OF TORNADOS AND EARTHQUAKES
THE SWEATS AND THE SHAKES
THE GLOBE IS WARMING
FROZEN OCEANS AND LAKES
MY MISTAKES...
WANNA DISAPPEAR INTO THIS DARKNESS FOREVER
BLACK!
OH - I’VE LOST MY SOUL AND THE LIGHTS ARE TURNED WAY DOWN LOW

(DYLAN stands up, staggers and runs off as the CAST finishes the song.)

CAST
AND THE LIGHTS ARE TURNED WAY DOWN LOW
AND THE LIGHTS ARE TURNED WAY DOWN LOW
BLACK - OH...
AND THE LIGHTS ARE TURNED WAY DOWN LOW.
(Blackout.)