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Overview

Tribes has 13 songs; 12 with unique titles and one reprise. The genres are Broadway, pop, pop rock, R&B, and hip-hop. Lyrics are by Alan Jeskin and music is by Ethan Algazi.  

Titles

1 - Turn it Up!

2 - Make it Happen

3 - Go Tribal

4 - The Flow

5 - 22 Weeks

6 - Not Enough

7 - What's Wrong With You

8 - Madness

9 - Just Comply

10 - Tribal Truth

11 - You're Gone

12 - Turn It Up (Reprise)

13 - Turn it Down

1 - Turn it Up!​

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Summary

Reporter, Jason, advocates making focus group more exciting with color coded chairs and contentious panelists.

Characters

Jason

Credits

Lyrics Alan Jeskin
Music Ethan Algazi
Vocals Ethan Algazi Shannon Tsunoda

 

Verse 1 (Jason)
In a world filled with the routine,
We sleepwalk through life like it’s a dream.
It’s mindless and oh so mundane.
We go through each day and the next is the same.
We all need a time to escape
From the tedious and inane.
We need to find the moments that make
The dopamine rush to the brain.

Life’s monotonous and boring.
You’re nodding off and you’re snoring.
It’s more than enough to drive you
insane, to drive you insane.

We need to be more excited,
More intrigued, more delighted.
We’re downright desperate to be entertained, to be entertained.
(Company) Turn it up!
(Company) Turn it up!
(Company) Turn it up!
(Company) Turn it up!

Verse 2 (Jason)
We’re here on election day.
The conditions are just right.
We’ve prepared this stage in such a way
To promote a partisan fight.

Blue chairs for the left, red for the right,
Purple for folks in between.
Some folks are brilliant, some not so bright,
Some polite, and some downright mean.

Socialists and the super woke
Fight neocon and alt right folks.
We’re gonna set off fireworks tonight.
(Company) Turn it up!

Chorus (Jason)
Cue the music, the light and the vibes.
(Company) Turn it up!
Bring the passion, the heat from the tribes.
(Company) Turn it up!

Bring the rhythms, the beats, and then,
Hold onto your seats my friends.
We’ll take you on the ride of your lives.
(Company) Turn it up!

Bridge (Jason)
Ten panelists, each one is a small slice,
Numbered one through ten moving left to right.
It’s our political spectrum,
Now it’s time to select some
Folks to air their affairs.
Let’s get some butts in chairs!

Seats four through seven – are mild mannered centrists,
The engineers, teachers, the soccer moms, and dentists;
Smart and tolerant, even-tempered as well.
In other words, they’re boring as hell.

Seat three on the left, seat eight on the right
Are partisans, but not battle scarred.
They’re calm, but passionate and willing to fight,
But that’s only if their buttons are pushed real hard.

Seat two on the left and nine on the right
Are pure hardliners, both cut and dried.
For these two tribal zealots, the greatest delight
Is engaging the other side.

Seat one and seat ten, the feisty extremes;
Vitriolic, if a tad slow.
These low brow firebrand misfits on both sides
Will turn this set into a show!

Chorus (Jason)
Cue the music, the light and the vibes.
(Company) Turn it up!
Bring the passion, the heat from the tribes.
(Company) Turn it up!

Bring the rhythms, the beats, and then,
Hold onto your seats my friends.
We’ll take you on the ride of your lives.
(Company) Turn it up!

2 - Make it Happen

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Summary

Introduce four cheery centrists who promote voting and poke fun at the outdated tradition of voting on Tuesdays.

Characters

Clayton Clara 
Cristy Craig

Credits

Lyrics Alan Jeskin
Music Ethan Algazi
Vocals Ethan Algazi Shannon Tsunoda

Verse 1 (Cristy)
In this great democracy of ours
How do we the people flex people power?
Whether centrist, or alt right or woke.
(Centrists) Let’s go!
Go put on your coat
Make it happen with your vote.
Make it happen.

It’s the founding fathers’ intention
In the words that they mention
In every volume they wrote
That all of your bold interventions,
Agreements, and dissensions
Be embodied by your vote.
You make it happen.

Verse 2 (Clara)
How do we protect our democracy?
Preventing an autocracy
And keep the threat of tyranny remote?
The success of our nation
Demands participation
Of each and every passenger in this boat.

To chart your destination
Grab a paddle and a station.
Make it happen with your vote!
Make it happen…

Verse 3 (Clayton)
How do you honor our forefathers’ dreams?
Through rough tempest seas or temperate streams?
How do you keep freedom’s promise afloat?
You make it happen

After much deliberation
And keen consideration
We choose our leaders and we hope
That they ascend to their station,
Deliver inspiration
You make it happen with your vote!

Make it happen with your vote

Bridge (Cristy)
You want things to change
Or just stay the same
You’re given a choice
Go send out your voice

You want things to change
Or just stay the same
You’re given a choice
Go send out your voice

You want things to change
Or just stay the same
You’re given a choice
Go send out your voice

You want things to change
Or stay the same
For each and every passenger in this boat

Verse 4 (Craig)
We choose the free world’s new leader today
So, it’s Hilary or Donald J
The difference is stark, so take note
Don’t leave it to chance
Go and vote
Go and vote

(Cristy)
You want things to change
Or just stay the same
You’re given a choice
Go send out your voice

You want things to change
Or just stay the same
You’re given a choice
Go send out your voice

You want things to change
Or just stay the same

(All)
Make it happen with your vote!

3 - Go Tribal

NEXT SONG
Summary

Partisans extol the importance voting along party lines to achieve goals and defeat the opposition. Centrists call for temperance and recognition we are one big family.

Characters

All panelists

Credits

Lyrics Alan Jeskin
Music Ethan Algazi, Brian Sidders
Vocals Ethan Algazi, Shannon Tsunoda

Verse 1 (Rachel)
Today we fight
To maintain our traditions
Defend what’s right
Our values and religion
We fight for family, for god and country,
For Jesus and right to life

(Florence)
Today we fight
To make real and lasting change
Defend what’s right
And keep freedom within range
For women, black and brown folks too
For L-G-B and T and Q

Chorus (Rachel and Florence)
When the stakes are runnin’ high
Every vote is do or die
(All) You go tribal!
You stand up tall and pick a side
For your county to survive!
(All) You go tribal!

Verse 2 (Frank)
Today we fight
To restore the days of old
To make things right
For the free, the brave, and the bold
Reclaim this land of ours from sea to sea
This is God’s gift to you and to me

(Lamar)
Nah
Today we fight
To keep on making progress
And reignite
The fight for equal justice
Today we right the transgressions of the past
So we can all be free at last

Chorus (Lamar and Florence)
Oh when the stakes are runnin’ high
Every vote is do or die
(All) You go tribal!
You stand up tall and pick a side
For your county to survive!
(All) You go tribal!

Bridge (Clayton)
Now, going tribal may get battles won
But go too far and it’s all undone
When rivalry turns to hate for some
And only hate survives

(Cristy)
What we should know’s that know is everyone
Wants freedom, love and time in the sun
We’re all just human when the day is done
Members of one a single tribe!

Verse 3 (Eric)
Nope!
Today we fight
To reinstate our nation
Our founders were white

You’re not in the Declaration
It’s our birthright, and our destiny
For our white Christian progeny

(Elaine)
Uh uh.
Today we fight
The neo-nazi scumbags
The privileged right
That wave their thin-blue-line flags
Fight the Bible thumping, oil-pumping,
rifle-humping, Donald Trumping
Folks just so damn out of touch
And these centrists who smile way too much

Chorus (Elaine, Eric)
When the stakes are runnin’ high
Every vote is do or die

(Centrists)
You go tribal!

(Frank, Florence)
You stand up tall and pick a side
For your county to survive!

(All) You go tribal!

(Centrists)
For your county to survive!

(All) You go tribal!

(Elaine)
For your county to survive!
You go tribal!

4 - The Flow

NEXT SONG
Summary

Panelists debate immigration policy

Characters

All

Credits

Lyrics Alan Jeskin
Music Ethan Algazi
Vocals Ethan Algazi, Shannon Tsunoda

Verse 1 (Right)
(Rachel) It’s the flow
Pouring through the southern border
By the thousands, they’re destroying our law and order

(Frank) Slow the flow
Bringing drugs and problems
Then they cry and expect us to solve ’em

(Rachel) It’s the flow
(Frank) They come here and they go on welfare
Forcing us to fund their housing and pay for healthcare

(Eric) Stop the flow
Cheaper labor will suppress our wages
Enough! Put their children in cages.

(Simultaneous)
(Rachel) It’s the flow
(Frank) Slow the flow

(Rachel) Indian and Asian faces
(Frank) Latinos with their awful habits

(Rachel) Taking over all of the tech jobs and college spaces.
(Frank) No English yet and they breed like rabbits

(Eric)
Stop the flow
Of Africans, and Haitians
From shithole countries and third world nations

Chorus (Right)
(Rachel) It’s the flow – they’re flooding in droves through the gate
(Frank) Slow the flow – or the problem will grow
(Eric) Stop the flow – build the wall before it’s too late
(Rachel/Frank/Eric) It’s the flow, slow the flow, stop the flow

Verse 2 (Left)
(Lamar) It’s the flow
That built this great country of ours.
Enhancing its culture, wealth, and powers.
(Florence) Speed the flow
Bringing those who are willing
To staff all of the jobs that need filling

(Lamar) It’s the flow
(Florence) Immigrants who built this nation
Who work hard and then fly high above their stations
(Elaine) Max the flow
They’ll bring more of their energy and zeal
Instead of just guns, germs, and steel

(Lamar) It’s the flow
(Florence) Speed the flow

(Lamar) Of immigrants that make us stronger
(Florence) They don’t need favors

(Lamar) They pay taxes, work harder and even longer
(Florence) Fine citizens and good neighbors

(Elaine) Max the flow
Bring the tired the poor and huddled masses
As well as the rich upper classes

Chorus (Left)
(Lamar) It’s the flow – a plus so open the door
(Florence) Speed the flow – so we prosper and grow
(Elaine) Max the flow – they need us, but we need them more
(Lamar/Florence/Elaine) It’s the flow, speed the flow, max the flow

Bridge (Clara)
If you go back far enough in every family tree
You would see
Through desire, fate, desperation, or fear
Our ancestors flowed to these shores every year

(Cristy) We descend from centuries of folks from everywhere Across the world
We are all a part of the flow that created something great

(Clayton) But how much flow do we need to ensure
Our tomorrows will be just as bright
Today it’s a million a year
That number is just about right

Verse 6 (Center)
(Clara) It’s the flow
A million vibrant souls coming yearly
A million hopes and dreams that they hold so dearly
(Clayton) Keep the flow
A million pairs of hands to start rowing
To propel this boat that keeps growing

(Cristy) It’s the flow
A million people waiting at the gate
They shouldn’t have to be leaving it up to fate
(Craig) In control
Legal entry is the only way
And legal pathways if you’re gonna stay

Chorus (Center)
(Clayton) It’s the flow – essential, just do the math
(Cristy) Keep the flow – at one million or so
(Craig) In control – legal entry, the only path
(Clara/Clayton/Cristy/Craig) It’s the flow, keep the flow, in control

They shouldn’t have to be leaving it up to fate
(Craig) In control
Legal entry is the only way
And legal pathways if you’re gonna stay

Chorus (Center)
(Clayton) It’s the flow – essential, just do the math
(Cristy) Keep the flow – at one million or so
(Craig) In control – legal entry, the only path
(Clara/Clayton/Cristy/Craig) It’s the flow, keep the flow, in control

Chorus (Right)
(Rachel) It’s the flow – they’re flooding in droves through the gate
(Frank) Slow the flow – or the problem will grow
(Eric) Stop the flow – build the wall before it’s too late
(Rachel/Frank/Eric) It’s the flow, slow the flow, stop the flow

Chorus (Left)
(Lamar) It’s the flow – they’re a plus so open the door
(Florence) Speed the flow – so we prosper and grow
(Elaine) Max the flow – they need us but we need them more
(Lamar/Florence/Elaine) It’s the flow, speed the flow, max the flow

Repeat (All)
(Rachel/Frank/Eric) It’s the flow, slow the flow, stop the flow!
(Lamar/Florence/Elaine) It’s the flow, speed the flow, max the flow
(Clara/Clayton/Cristy/Craig) It’s the flow, keep the flow, in control!

5 - 22 Weeks

NEXT SONG
Summary

Panelists debate the earliest stage of pregnancy when any restrictions should  be placed on a woman’s right to choose an abortion.

Characters

 Rachel &, Frank v Florence, Clara & Cristy

Credits

Lyrics Alan Jeskin
Music Ethan Algazi
Vocals Ethan Algazi

Verse 1 (Rachel)
From the moment of conception
A new life is formed.
That’s worthy of protection
Even though it’s not yet born.

Unless it was conceived in violence,
Doomed to untold pain and strife,
(Frank) A life is still a life.
Or puts its mother’s life at stake,
(Frank) None of this matters.
We have no right to end its life.
(Frank) Regardless of circumstance
(Frank and Rachel)
We have no right to end its life.

Chorus (Rachel)
Unborn babies are people too
We must protect their right to life.
Ending abortions from conception
With only the rarest of exceptions.
(Frank) No, zero exceptions.
Choosing life is Godly and right.
(Florence) Alright, sit down, Frank

Verse 2 (Florence)
Women should have their own voices
Their own bodies, minds, and hearts,
Their own souls, and their own choices,
And their own damned reproductive parts.

We get pregnant and give birth.
Yielding to men is just absurd.
Oh, we’ll let you chime in for
what it’s worth,
But women must have the final word.
(Florence and Elaine)
Women have the final word.

(Cristy)
We should start first by defining
Just what a person is
Before we go assigning
Right to choose or right to live.

A person is a body and a mind
In a sentient blend,
With a consciousness and will
combined,
And intent to live and transcend.
Intent to live and transcend.

Chorus (Cristy)
Women are people, that’s for sure,
Aware, driven, and more.
While we all have agency, intent,
and thought,
(Spoken) A fetus, quite honestly, does not
Through 22 weeks, and not before.

FRANK (Stands)
Hold on! You’re saying it’s OK to
murder a baby because it’s too
young to know what’s going on?

FLORENCE
Aborting an embryo or fetus is not
murdering a baby.

FRANK
Sure it is. Terminating God’s
intent for human life is murder.

FLORENCE
Oh, yeah? So, I guess every time
you jerk fifty million
of your God-given sperm cells into
the shower drain,
you’re committing genocide, then.

FRANK
You’re a vile and obscene woman.

FLORENCE
No, Frank. I’m just a woman.
and for this debate,
since you’re NOT a woman...
For God’s sake, SIT DOWN!

CRISTY
Look, I know this is an emotionally
charged subject, but you can’t
ignore the science. It’s pretty clear.

RACHEL
Not as clear as the Word of God.
This is human life we’re talking
about here. Science has no say in
it.

CRISTY
Oh, I’m sure you’re sincere when
you say that, but by definition
science has a say in just about
everything.

Like the scientific fact that I’m
seven weeks pregnant right now.
And through science, I can know
that with almost 100% certainty.
And even though I’ve fallen in love
with this blueberry-sized POTENTIAL
person growing inside me, and look forward to giving birth to my own little angel in seven months,
that does not change the scientific fact that my embryo is not sentient and won’t even have a solid foundation on which to build sentience inside of 22 weeks.

Through 22 weeks.

Bridge (Cristy)
Medical science has shown
That up until the 22-week milestone
A fetus’s brain
Cannot conceive pain,
And it can’t survive on its own.


( Rachel and Christy, Simultaneous )
It isn’t yet conscious or self-aware.
It has no mind, no will, no care,
No construct for strife,
No concept of life,
Not a thought, not a want to share.

Verse 4 (Cristy)
Despite primal intuitions
That drive folks to view
Abortion as a cruel decision
To reject and make taboo.

For science and for freedom’s sake Let women decide what to do, A choice that must be ours to make Unrestricted through week 22. Unrestricted through week 22.

Chorus (Cristy)
Women’s lives matter, bottom line
We must protect our right to choose.
To have an abortion without restriction
(Rachel) So precious, so pure
So helpless and small

(Rachel) A child of God we must protect


(Rachel) A child of God




(Rachel) For Jesus’s sake
Let his will decide what to do
Can’t be ours to make



Through 22 weeks of gestation,
Then require a good excuse.
(Rachel) A child of God we must protect

6 - Not Enough

NEXT SONG
Summary

Panelists debate LGBTQ rights.

Characters

Frank v Florence & Clayton

Credits

Lyrics Alan Jeskin
Music Ethan Algazi
Vocals Ethan Algazi, Shannon Tsunoda

Verse 1 (Frank)
You’re born either a girl or boy,
Just as the Lord endowed.
No do overs, buyer’s remorse,
No exchanges allowed.
Gender’s not fluid, it’s set at birth
And it reflects your sex.
Boys must be boys, and girls, they must be girls,
Just as the Lord expects.

Boys wear pants, play violent games,
And hang out with their crew.
While girls wear skirts, play dolls, bake cakes,
And do whatever else girls do.
Boys date girls when the time is right,
Get married, have kids, and thrive,
A family unit, led by a man and his wife,
Keeping tradition alive.

Chorus (Frank)
That’s God’s plan, he knows what’s best,
But they want the option to change their sex.
They want the freedom to be cross-dressed.
They want the right to go marry same sex,
But that’s just not enough,
(Right) But that’s not enough.

They want trans women to go compete
Against natural-born women athletes.
So, former men, with their jacked physiques,
Can go gloat over all the women they beat.
(Right) That’s not enough.

They want to push for laws to decree
That anyone can be a he or a she
And all the good God-fearing people like me
Must accept this is how it should be.

(Frank) But that’s not enough
(Florence) That’s right, not enough.
(Frank) It’s never enough for them.
(Florence) It’s never enough for us.

Verse 2 (Florence)
First off, all these self-righteous bigots
Don’t know God, don’t know God’s plan.
They bloviate and bullshit about
Things they don’t understand.

They try to dictate the rules of love,
Say who, what, how, and when.
They think that freedom only means freedom
For the people just like them.
Sexual expression and gender roles
Are not one size fits all.
What mix is deemed acceptable
Can never be their call.
Each one of us has the right to define
Who we are meant to be,
Who, what, where, and when, and how to love,
This is our own destiny.

Chorus
That’s our plan, we know what’s best.
We all deserve the basic respect,
And freedom to embrace and express
Our choices of partner, gender, and dress,
But that’s just not enough.
(Left) But that’s not enough.

We’ll push hard for laws that decree
That whether you’re L, G, B or T
You have the right to live, to be free
And to be who you want to be.
(Left) But that’s not enough.

We want every woman to be free,
Whether trans or cisgender like me,
To participate and to compete
Simply as a woman athlete.

(Right) But that’s not enough.
(Left) That’s right, not enough.
(Right) It’s never enough for them.
(Left) It’s never enough for us.

Verse 3 (Clayton)
For trans girls playing women’s sports,
Through eighth grade, we shouldn't care.
Then puberty starts to stack the deck,
That’s when the game starts to get unfair.
Trans women get a genetic edge.
In sports, this means a lot.
They grow to be strong, and fast in ways
Cisgender women just do not.

Outside this tiny exception,
In each and every way
LGB and T and Q should be free
To live and love as they may.
And if we straight folks have a problem
With LGBTQ affairs,
The change required to make things right
Is ours to make, not theirs.

Chorus (Clayton)
That’s my plan, my own wild guess
We all deserve the basic respect
And freedom to embrace and express
Our choices for sex gender and dress.
And that should be enough.
(Center) Should be enough.

Everyone should have the right to say,
With great pride and in the light of day,
Without shame or scorn or price to pay,
I am who I am, and that’s OK.
(Center) Should be enough.

Not enough today, ‘cause we’re still here,
Fighting through our bigotry and fear.
(Center) Should be enough,
But enough is ahead, and it’s near.
Not enough now, but soon, that’s clear.

(Frank) But that’s not enough
(Florence) That’s right, not enough.
(Right) It’s never enough for them.
(Left) It’s never enough for us.

7 - What's Wrong With You?

NEXT SONG
Summary

Partisans display negative tribalism as they tear down the opposing teams and their candidates.

Characters

Elaine & Florence v Frank  & Eric

Credits

Lyrics Alan Jeskin
Music Ethan Algazi
Vocals Ethan Algazi, Shannon Tsunoda

Chorus (Elaine and Florence)
(Florence)
What, what’s wrong with you?
What’s wrong with you?

(Elaine) Are you nuts?

(Florence)
What, what’s wrong with you?

(Elaine)
What, what, what,
what’s wrong with you?

Verse 1 (Florence and Elaine)
(Florence)
You must be confused, it’s hard to excuse
A vote for a deadbeat who never pays his dues
A draft dodging, selfish, and reckless dude
Who’s crude and rude, lacking honor
and rectitude
Who contractors, bankers, and lawyers accuse
Of an obvious incompetence and capital misuse
He cheats on his wives like there’s nothing to lose
With over 25 women claiming sexual abuse

Elaine, help me out cuz.

(Elaine)
Oh Flo, for sho’ you got to know
your girl Elaine is ret to go
Donald Trump is evil, corrupt,
rotten through and through
And every move he makes is just a con or a ruse
To feed his greed for more money to misuse
The King of scoundrels from his hair to his shoes
Malignant clown we need to refuse
And flush back down the hole from which he oozed.

(Florence)
He’s a thick black
bubblin’ con man’s brew
Intoxicating all of his deplorable crews

(Elaine)
Who swallow every drop of the bullshit Trump spews
While sucking on the propaganda hose from Fox News

Chorus (Elaine and Florence)
(Florence)
What, what’s wrong with you?
What’s wrong with you?

(Elaine) Are you nuts?

(Florence)
What, what’s wrong with you?

(Elaine) Ding dong.
What, what, what?

(Florence) What’s wrong with you?

Verse 2 (Frank and Eric)
(Frank)
Nope! We’re not nuts, no if ands or buts
Nothing’s wrong with us.
Eric, help me out cuz.

(Eric)
Oh, Frank fa sho, we’re ‘bout ta throw,
Down on these clowns, and if they don’t know…
They better go AX somebody
(Groans)

(Frank)
Now that was a long ass dissertation
Just to express your consternation,
Left wing lies and disinformation
All to defile and corrupt the nation

(Eric)
Yep, most of that shit was just fake-ass news
Whiny dishonest libtard blues
But even if half of that shit was true
We’d still love Trump ‘cause we don’t like you.

(Frank)
Trump is everything we want him to be

(Eric)
He’s the ball sack we’re dipping
in your cup of tea

(Frank)
He’s the Grinch who steals your
Christmas on a daily basis

(Eric)
The fist we use to punch you
in your smug-ass faces.
Trump’s my frustration, our liberation
From subjugation by your mutation’s
Sick infestation of our nation
It’s time for a left-wing amputation.

Verse 3 (Florence and Elaine)
(Elaine)
Now let’s get back to Trump’s characteristics,
And how he’s revered by white nationalistic
Racists, he defends on a routine basis.
Klan members, skin-heads, thugs and nutcases.

(Florence) Like the Charlottesville clash he described
With (impersonating Trump) “very fine people on both sides”.

(Elaine) His racist connections can’t be denied.

(Florence) He told the Proud Boys, stand back, stand by.

(Elaine) Now let’s start listing, this man’s corruption

(Florence)
Fifty years grifting, no interruption Stiffing his contractors during construction
(Elaine) Built a fake-ass university with fake-ass instruction

(Elaine) The Past eight years, the scamming continued
(Florence) Same old con man, different venue
(Elaine) Trump made decisions based on ego and greed
(Florence) And on his self-serving need to succeed
(Elaine) He made his billions by lying, cheating, all for personal gain

(Florence) He left a greasy, unappealing, international stain On the sterling reputation that our country maintained
(Elaine) For the two-hundred and forty years before his ass came

(Florence) You elected him the first time, so you get the blame.

(Elaine) But if you vote for him again, it’s a goddamn shame.

Chorus (Elaine and Florence)
(Florence) What’s wrong with you?
(Elaine) What what? Ding Dong

(Florence) Ding Dong.
What’s wrong with you?
(Florence) What’s wrong with you?
(Elaine) What what? Ding Dong
(Florence) What, what.

Verse 4 (Frank and Eric)
(Frank) Alright, that’s enough, let’s talk about Harris
If that’s your best option, you should be embarrassed

(Eric) She’s just a DEI token bimbo
(Frank) Chosen ‘cause Sleepy Joe’s lost in limbo

(Eric) Yeah, but she’s so much worse than him though
A Left wing, woke ho, doesn’t know a thing, bro
We need her like a bad case of shingles
She’s unqualified, it’s plain to see, so
Let’s send her back up into her coconut tree, yo.

Chorus (Frank, Eric, Florence, and Elaine)
(Eric)What’s wrong with you?
(Frank) What what?
(Eric) Ding dong.
What’s wrong with you?
(Frank) What what?
(Eric) Ding dong.
What’s wrong with you?
(Frank) What what?
(Eric) Ding dong, are you nuts?

8 - Madness

NEXT SONG
Summary

Panelists debate gun control.

Characters

Elaine, Florence, Lamar & Clara v Frank & Eric v Craig

Credits

Lyrics Alan Jeskin
Music Ethan Algazi
Vocals Ethan Algazi, Shannon Tsunoda

Verse 1 (Elaine)
What do you call the slaughter of babies
By gun toting mass-murdering crazies,
Virginia Tech and Columbine then
Sandy Hook, Parkland, again and again?
(All Left + Clara) Madness!

(Florence)
What do you call the fact that gunfire rings
In a Baptist church out in Sutherland Springs,
A nightclub in Orlando on Orange Avenue,
And a concert on the strip in Las Vegas too?
(All Left + Clara) Madness!

Verse 2 (Lamar)
What do you call a hundred deaths a day
From these bullets causing flesh to rip and blood to spray,
Staining mean streets, sad homes, and church house walls
Spreading panic and pain in schoolhouse halls?
(All Left + Clara) Madness!

(Clara) What do you call the flood of grievous harms
Flowing forth from four hundred million arms,
In the hands of thugs, abusers, and vengeful teens
And monsters with hate-filled, murderous schemes?
(All Left + Clara) Madness!

Chorus (Left)
(Clara) We keep disavowing it
While thousands keep on dying.
(Clara) We keep on allowing it
And mothers keep on crying.

(Florence) We know we should stop it
But what’s so damned absurd.
(Florence) The gun dealers profits
Always get the last word.

Verse 3 (Frank)
What do you call the hysterical claim
That guns, not people, should bear the blame,
Not the thugs, or the nut jobs, the losers, or the fools
You think they’re gonna listen to your half-baked rules?
(Eric and Frank) Madness!

(Frank) What do you call your failure to see
That forcing all your damned gun restrictions on me
Won’t solve all the problems that you’re pointing out
Or reduce the violence that you’re whining about?
(Eric and Frank) Madness!

Verse 4 (Eric)
Half of all gun deaths are suicidal acts
And half of the rest, I’m here to attest, are just blacks killing blacks,
Guns passing from one thug to the next
Do those people care about background checks?
(Eric and Frank) Madness!

(Eric)
You fixate on assault weapons bans.
Instead, push for better mental health plans,
More cops, more jails, longer sentencing time.
It’s people, not guns, responsible for the crime.
(Eric and Frank) Madness!

Chorus (Right)
(Frank)
We’re misdiagnosing it
Though thousands keep on dying.
We’re overexposing it
And lefties keep on crying.

(Eric)
But they know they should stop it,
But what’s so damned absurd,
All these fake left-wing prophets
Set on having the last word.

Verse 5 (Craig)
As a cop I deal with guns all the time
And the best way I can think of to reduce violence and crime
Is not a single solution that’ll fit like a glove.
It’s gonna be a compromise that includes all of the above.

(All) Madness

(Craig)
We definitely need a better mental health plan,
Of course, hire as many cops as you can.
And please, black people, use your power to stop black on black crime.
And for gun violence give people more jail time.

(Left) Madness!

(Craig) I’ll always support the right to bear arms,
But it’s essential that we balance the benefits and the harms.
This claim that we can’t put simple limits in place
Is just untrue and absurd on its face.
(Eric and Frank) Madness!`

(Craig) For public safety, no one should outgun
Their local law enforcement. If someone
Has more firepower than the cops, it’s a serious flaw
It’s a nightmare: We can’t force him to comply with the law.
(Eric and Frank) Madness!

Bridge (Craig)
You can’t have flame throwers, tanks or grenades,
No rockets, mortars, machine guns, or bayonet blades,
No silencers to muffle all your weapon sounds,
And absolutely no exploding or armor piercing rounds.

(Eric and Frank) Madness!

No C-4 explosives, Claymores, or land mines
No assault style rifles of any kind.
We’ve gotta place a 20-round limit on all magazine clips,
And a ban on ammo fitted with incendiary tips.

Verse 6 (Craig)
Guns are deadlier than cars, that’s for sure.
For cars there’s training, precautions and tests to endure.
Yet we can’t seem to put gun owner regulations in place
To ensure they’re all sane, law abiding, and safe.
(Left) Madness!

We all know that we need background checks and permits and licensed users,
A series of red flag laws for hot heads and abusers
That will allow us to take away their guns,
Save our daughters and sons,
Oh, and increase the age to own to twenty-one.
(Eric and Frank) Madness!

Chorus (Left and Center + Rachel)
(Rachel) We keep disavowing it
While thousands keep on dying
We keep on allowing it
And mothers keep on crying
(Left and Center + Rachel) Madness!

(sung simultaneously with Left Chorus above)

Chorus (Right)
(Frank) We’re misdiagnosing it
Though thousands keep on dying
(Frank) We’re overexposing it
And lefties keep on crying

(All) Madness!

9 - Just Comply

NEXT SONG
Summary

Craig gives PSA on complying with police

Characters

Jason and Clara

Credits

Lyrics Alan Jeskin
Music Ethan Algazi and Brian Sidders
Vocals Brian Sidders and Shannon Tsunoda

Verse 1 (Craig)
Some folks think that all police
Are malcontents who misbehave
Motivated by the folks we hate
And the power we seem to crave

I'm convinced most police
Are disciplined, forthright, and brave.
Motivated by the folks we serve
And by the lives we help to save.

Verse 2 (Craig)
Whether cops are good or not
Or whether they’re polite or rude
If you find yourself engaged with us
There’s one thing you have to do.

It requires no feat of strength,
No concept that’s tough thinking through.
It’s so simple, easy, effortless
And it precludes us from hurting you.

Chorus 1 (Craig)
(Center + Rachel and Frank) Just comply.
If my lights are flashing behind you
Don’t just keep driving like nothing is wrong.

Just comply.
If I ask for documentation
Don’t play dumb games, obfuscate or prolong.
If I tell you to exit the car,
You may ask why, and I’ll play along

I will tell you, but if I repeat
My command to step out, by and by
Don’t debate, don’t retreat
(Center + Rachel and Frank) Just comply.

Verse 3 (Craig)
Some folks think that most police
Are members of the Ku Klux Klan
Trying to arrest, lock up, and kill
All the black people that we can

I'm convinced that most police
Are fair and we don’t give a damn
What race you are when we look at you
We judge your nature as you stand

Verse 4 (Craig)
But whether you think all police
Are Klan members or color blind
All of us enforce the laws and keep the peace
On that point, we are aligned

When cops give you commands
Don’t overthink, or lose your mind
Don't get beat down and confined.
Chorus 2 (Craig)
(Center + Rachel and Frank)Just comply.
If I tell you to show me your hands
Don’t disobey me and ask me what for.
If I tell you not to move and to keep still or to calm down
Don’t play the fool, pull away, and ignore.

If I say that you're under arrest
Don’t resist and then make it a war.
That just opens the door to a place
Mace is sprayed, tasers tase, bullets fly,
Then your blood is on the floor.

(Center + Rachel and Frank) Just comply

Verse 5 (Craig)
We're not perfect, that's for sure,
But public service is our goal.
Sometimes we fall short, we learn, move on
We improve and grow as a whole.

As we do our part in this
We ask that you do your part too.

Chorus 1 (Craig)
(Center + Rachel and Frank) Just comply.
If my lights are flashing behind you
Don’t just keep driving like nothing is wrong.
(Center + Rachel and Frank) Just comply.

10 - Tribal Truth

NEXT SONG
Summary

Show divergence of left and right world views resulting from living in separate information bubbles.

[wpb_music_player entry_id="entry_6632c54f197ee"]
Characters

Elaine, Florence & Lamar v Frank & Eric

Credits

Lyrics Alan Jeskin
Music Brian Sidders
Vocals Alan Jeskin and Ashli Bajone

Intro (Jason)
There was a time we all got facts
From just three channels on TV
When information, data, stats
Were truths on which we’d all agree

But now when we all get our news
A thousand different ways
Some may be vetted, tried and true
But some are truly batshit cray-cray

We choose the data that we track
Not based on scrutiny or fact
Not based on what’s true or what’s real
But rather how it makes us feel

Chorus (Jason)
We want our facts with that flavor
That tribe members crave––
A bitter taste to our rivals
So skewed and so tribal

Gimme that–– that partisan Kool-Aid
That–– that groupthink vodka-lemonade
That fully biased gin and juice
You gotta gimme that good ol’ tribal truth
That good ol’ tribal truth

[Speaking] (Jason)
OK let’s try this out.
Red Tribe – gimme some good ol’
tribal truth about whether the 2020
election was fair or rigged. Hit me!

Verse 1 (Frank)
Good God, the truth is clear as day
The last election was a sham in every way
It was rigged, then hijacked and stolen away
By forces both at home and abroad

You got big city folks who like to cheat
When there’s no one else watching in the counting suite
Stuffing ballots, more lies and deceit
This Sleepy Joe Biden is such a fraud.

Verse 2 (Eric)
You got deep state actors with foreign ties
You got billionaire backers and cyber spies
And they all work together with the cash and the means
To switch Trump votes to Biden in the voting machines

You got millions of fraudulent votes mailed in
By illegals casting ballots the Chinese sailed-in
Stacked to the rafters in ships smuggled through
Full of paper that was made of bamboo

[Speaking] (Jason)
Now that’s what I’m talking about! OK, Blue Team –
Give me some good ol’ Tribal Truth on the 2020 Election.
Hit me!

Verse 3 (Florence)
Good God, the truth is not tribal on this
You’re just infected with the MAGA virus
So the truth just can’t survive inside your brain
All the same, I’ll explain as if you’re sane

Biden beat Trump, the election was fair.
So said Trump’s VP, and his campaign chair
Even his family his own favorite daughter
His staffers and his White House lawyers

Verse 4 (Lamar)
So said DOJ, so said the FBI
So said that election cybersecurity guy
Who called it more secure than any he’d ever seen
Even Bill Barr was forced to admit it was clean.

Trump challenged the results in court and tried
Over sixty times but he was denied,
When judges said in every single case
“Get this rigged election bullshit outta my face”

Chorus (Jason)
We want our facts with that flavor
That tribe members crave––
A bitter taste to our rivals
So skewed and so tribal

Gimme that–– that partisan Kool-Aid
That–– that groupthink vodka-lemonade
That fully biased gin and juice
You gotta gimme that good ol’ tribal truth

That good ol’ tribal truth

[Speaking] (Jason)
Okay Red Team. How ‘bout some Tribal Truth
on the January 6 th capital incident?
Was it an attempted coup? A peaceful
patriotic protest?
A peaceful protest that turned into a
riot? A false flag operation by the FBI
and ANTIFA? Give it to me!

Verse 5 (Frank)
January sixth is Patriots Day
When we fought the deep state plot to take away
Our votes, our freedoms, our rights, our lives.
We fought so our way of life survives.

It was peaceful protest
That’s of course until the FBI
Incited a riot and then they stood by
After unleashing their cruel subversive plan
And watched the protest get out of hand

[Speaking] (Jason)
Yeah baby. That was some grain alcohol-grade tribal
truth. That’ll put some hair on your chest.
Blue team – January 6 – Come on!

Verse 6
(Florence) January six was a clear coup attempt
An attack on democracy in pure contempt
By a desperate MAGA mob that was sent out
To destroy what this country is all about

(Lamar) From the day voters expressed their will
Trump and his enablers conspired to kill
The democracy that told him to step aside
And wounded his ego and hurt his pride

[Speaking] (Jason)
Alright let’s do lightning round shots of single
verse tribal truth. First round – describe
President Joe Biden, the man. Blue team – Hit me!
Verse 7 (Left)
(Elaine)Too old, (Florence)too centrist,
(Lamar) but still a good man
(Florence)Too much of a big tech, big business fan
(Elaine) He’s wayyy too chummy with the other side
(Lamar) But willing to find a compromise.

[Speaking] (Jason)
Red Team!

Verse 8 (Right)
(Eric) Morally bankrupt, corrupt as hell
(Frank) He’s a puppet of the radical left as well
(Rachel) So old he’s got just a few years left
(Eric) Six more months to live,
(Frank) a year at best

[Speaking] (Jason)
Purple Team – let’s go!

Verse 9 (Center)
(Clara) He’s old but basically a decent guy
(Clayton) He’s old but effectively getting by
(Cristy) He’s old but he seems to get things done
(Craig) He’s way old – dude’s pushing 81.

[Speaking] (Jason)
OK, I’ve got a serious buzz now, how about one last
shot of Tribal Truth before I close the bar
for good. Joe Biden domestic performance in the past
two years as president.
Blue Team – Hit me!

Verse 10 (Left)
(Lamar) Got an infrastructure bill passed and signed
(Elaine) He got us the vaccine in record time
(Florence) Got the spread of Covid slowing
And he kept the economy growing

[Speaking] (Jason)
Red Team – Tribal Truth, one time!

Verse 11 (Right)
(Eric) He let Fauci shut the whole country down
Killed business, let the economy drown
(Frank) Inflation spiked when he paid people not to work
And then he let crime rates go berserk

Chorus (Jason)
We want our facts with that flavor
That tribe members crave––
A bitter taste to our rivals
So skewed and so tribal

Gimme that–– that partisan Kool-Aid
That–– that groupthink vodka-lemonade
That fully biased gin and juice
You gotta gimme that good ol’ tribal truth

11 - You're Gone

NEXT SONG
Summary

Red and blue tribes define the other as extreme and out of touch.

Characters

Elaine & Florence v Frank  & Eric

Credits

Lyrics Alan Jeskin
Music 
Vocals 

Verse 1 (Florence)
I never liked what you people stood for,
At least you used to talk a good game
On rule of law, family values, and more,
But now that charade is gone up in flames.

Whatever principles you use to claim
Have all but disappeared and now
what drives you is clear.
It’s not morality, it isn’t even shame
You’re ruled by anger and fear.

Verse 2 (Elaine) You’re just mad the new American dream
Is more inclusive than when it began
Now being open, multicultural,
progressive and green,
Gives you the tools you need to rise
above the straight white man

You fear that you’re losing your
right to retain
The power and the reigns of control.
You fear that democracy’s a losing game,
So you’re giving up and letting it go.

Chorus (Florence and Elaine)
You’re gone, you’re too much, you’re just unsound,
You’re gone, out of touch, and out of bounds,
You’re gone. You’re so far out of line
You’re gone, you’re gone, you’re gone,
You’re out of your mind

Verse 3 (Frank)
We’re not crazy we’re not out of touch.
We know what our country is all about.
We’ve just put up with you for long enough,
So pack up your crap, and get the hell out .

(Eric)
Go find a place where the pedos and gays
Can act freaky with nothing to fear
Fly rainbow flags, and march in pride parades
Every god damned day of the year

Find a place where the low life thugs and zeros
Living lives as failures and flops
Are worshipped as martyred saints and heroes
‘Cause they were black and killed by cops.

Chorus (Frank and Eric)
You’re gone, you’re too much, you’re just unsound,
You’re gone, out of touch, and out of bounds,
You’re gone. You’re so far out of line
You’re gone, you’re gone, you’re gone,
You’re out of your mind

Bridge (Eric)
Go find a place that’s not a shithole nation
Where all black people get an invitation
To do poorly in school,
And break all the rules,
And then blame it on discrimination.

Verse 4(Elaine)
We’re not leaving, no matter what you say.
A nation built by the blood and sweat of slaves.
Can’t be built just for fools like you
It belongs to black people too.

(Eric) If it belongs to you act like it.
You can’t have it both ways, either
you own it or you don’t
Real owners take pride in their ownership.
You blacks should do that, but you won’t.

Verse 5
(Elaine) Don’t talk about pride
(Eric) You people misbehave
(Elaine) Or what black people need
(Eric) Commit violent acts
(Elaine) It’s not your place to make that call
(Eric) Kill twice as many whites
(Elaine)You’re not proud of this country or its creed.
(Eric) As whites kill blacks
(Elaine) You’re on my last nerve.
(Eric) Can’t stand an honest critique!
(Elaine) Keep on testin’ me!
(Eric) You’re a low life sexual freak
(Elaine) You’re a weak racist soldier wannabe!
(Eric) Socialist bitch.
(Elaine) You’re an inbred
(Eric) Beige colored
(Elaine) Sister fucking
(Eric) Half Breed

Cunt!

12 - Turn It Up (Reprise)

NEXT SONG
Summary

Jason laments losing Clara

Characters

Jason

Credits

Lyrics Alan Jeskin
Music 
Vocals 

Jason
Cue the music, the lights and the vibes
Bring the passion, the heat from the tribes
Bring the rhythms, the beats and then
Hold onto your seats, my friends
I’ll take you on the ride of your lives

13 - Turn It Down

NEXT SONG
Summary

Panelists decry the rancor and violence of partisan conflict. Advocate civil discourse and celebration of our common humanity.

Characters

All

Credits

Lyrics Alan Jeskin Music Ethan Algazi Vocals Ethan Algazi

Verse 1 (Cristy)
When conversations turn
And angry voices rise,
When passions start to burn
And civil discourse dies,
Opinions give way to blows
And we choose violence over prose,
It might be time to stop
And look within.

When the tribes go tribal
With a lust for strife and war,
When diatribes and rivalries
Devolve into slurs and gore,
We turn from cordial to profane,
All that follows is grief and pain,
When there’s nothing left to lose or gain
It’s up to us to choose to..

Chorus (Clayton / Cristy)
(Clayton) Turn it down.
(Cristy) Turn down the static, the tension, the stress.
(Clayton) Turn it down.
(Cristy) Turn down the anger that makes us regress.
(Clayton) Turn it down.
(Cristy) Turn down the clamor and the strife.
(Clayton) Turn it down.
(Cristy) Hear the sweeter sounds of life.
(Clayton) Turn it down.
(Claton and Cristy) Won’t you please turn it down.

Verse 2 (Clayton)
When we’re compelled to fight
Because it’s life or death,
It’s your duty and your right
‘Til your dying breath,
To fight for people’s lives that way,
Go and hard and loud as you may.
But if it’s just debate,
It’s just debate.

Debate, with heartfelt give and take
Where no one’s life’s at stake,
There’s no impending doom in store,
It shouldn’t be worth bleeding for, so…

Chorus (Clayton / Cristy)
(Cristy)Turn it down
(Clayton)Turn down the static, the tension, the stress
(Cristy) Turn it down
(Clayton) Turn down the anger that makes us regress
(Cristy) Turn it down
(Clayton) Turn down the clamor and the strife
(Cristy) Turn it down
(Clayton) Hear the sweeter sounds of life
(Cristy)Turn it down
(Claton and Cristy) Won’t you please turn it down

Bridge A (Clara and Craig)
(Clara) We have so much more in common
Than things that tear us apart.
The ties that bind us all together
Connect us each from heart to heart.
(Craig) We all share a common country,
Common language, common creed,
Common pursuit of happiness,
And common desire to succeed.

Bridge B (Lamar and Rachel)
(Lamar) We all support the folks who serve
With honor in harm’s way.
So we can live secure in peace
And prosper every day.
(Rachel) We’ve seen ourselves as a nation
Do great things and swell with pride
As tears well up when Ray Charles sings
Oh beautiful for spacious skies!

Bridge C (Florence and Frank)
(Florence) We all live to see our children
Start as babies with eager eyes,
Grow in safety, joy and laughter
Then move out on their own and thrive.

(Frank) We all share the fortune to live
At a time and in a place
Where we’re bound more by ideas
Than by ethnicity or race.

Verse 3 (Elaine and Eric)
(Eric) Yet, we ignore the common ground
Forgo a future, bright.
Promote the half-truths and confound
What’s easy with what’s right.

We go tribal over trifling things,
Ignoring that the conflict brings
More misery than anything.
It’s enough to lose your mind!

(Elaine)
If we must be tribal
Then can we at least agree
That for our own survival,
It’s imperative for us all to be,
Whether white or black or brown
Or bi or straight, or gay,
Members of one single tribe,
Tribe USA!

Chorus (All)
(All minus Jason) Turn it down.
(Jason) Turn down the static, the tension, the stress.
(All minus Jason) Turn it down.
(Jason) Turn down the anger that makes us regress.
(All minus Jason) Turn it down.
(Jason) Turn down the clamor and the strife.
(All minus Jason) Turn it down.
(Jason) Hear the sweeter sounds of life.
(All minus Jason) Turn it down, won’t you please turn it down.

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