Gang Violence: The Musical
By Trent Algayer
The Crips open the first act with a song about property damage.
The Bloods respond with a tap dance routine called “stomping on the skulls of our enemies.”
9th grader Matthew Rivera makes his stage debut as “Alejandro The Cruel.”
12th grader Ashley Lee is not thrilled with her role as “Hoodrat #4.”
“I can handle West Side Story… but don’t you think this is a bit much?”
After the third street stabbing, one brave mother takes her toddler into the hallway.
“The Playbill says suitable for all ages.”
“Can I have a word with the principal?”
The curtain closes for intermission and the auditorium falls silent.
Parents don’t know what to think, they clap just to be safe.
“Last year they did Grease… and now this?”
A father removes his red cardigan.
“I don’t want to make any enemies, I’m just here to support my daughter.”
The performers are frantic backstage preparing for the second act.
“Can you touch up my flesh wound?”
“Can you redraw my teardrop?”
“Where did everyone go?”
The director rests assured, “Some people just can’t appreciate the value of high art.”
A diminished crowd takes their seats and collectively groans, as
The main theme “Life on the street, can you take the heat?” resumes.
Following “The Ballet Of Busting Out Of The Big House,”
The police decapitation subplot is resolved by the “tasteless” execution of Sophomore CJ Smith.
The male lead gets injured from some elaborate combat choreography.
Understudy, 11th grader Liam Landis steps in as “Slumlord Carlos.”
Mr. and Mrs. Landis now bother to return from their extended bathroom breaks.
A chorus of 7th Graders, courtesy of the local middle school,
charges from stage left to perform their hit single “Snitches Get Stitches.”
After learning the power of friendship,
Antagonist “Bad Bitch Brenda ” completes her narrative arc when she trades in her life of crime to pursue her dream of becoming an accountant.
“Blood Brian” and “Crip Christopher” join forces in a final duet,
For a little number called “Common Enemies or: How we learned about Teamwork.”
The curtains fall.
“That was a lot.”
“Did you like it?”
“Great Job, Honey!”
“High School Theater is moving in a weird direction.”
Trent’s Bio:
Trent Algayer is a Mason Gross Film Student, who really likes The Muppets and taking pictures of birds.
Trent wrote this poem in his Intro to Creative Writing course, taught by Richard Murray. Murray selected the piece as a WHR featured poem.