1# Scene (Dining Room)

Miguel: Sometimes I think I'm cursed... 'cause of something that happened before I was
even born. See, a long time ago there was this family. The papa, he was a musician. He
and his family would sing, dance, and count their blessings. But he also had a dream...
to play for the world. And one day he left with his guitar... and never returned. And the
mama...? She didn't have time to cry over that walkaway musician!

*Mama Imelda throws away the guitar*

Miguel: After banishing all music from her life... She found a way to provide for her
daughter... She rolled up her sleeves and she learned to make shoes.

*Abuelita touching up Rosa’s shoes (kindly) Miguel: She could have made candy! But
no... she chose shoes...

Miguel: Then she taught her daughter to make shoes. And later, she taught her son-in-
law. Then her grandkids got roped in. As her family grew, so did the business. Music had
torn her family apart, but shoes held them all together. (Music starts slowly) But my
family still tells her story every year on Dia de los Muertos -- the Day of the Dead...

*Dances (Song: Revolution Girls)

2# scene (Chair)

*Abuelita adjusts the picture of Mama Imelda*

(2 extras playing music) – Ayelle’s drum & tambourine

*Stops the 2 people from playing music outside*

*Stops Miguel from humming*

*Stops the radio from playing music*

*Abuelita gets tired and finally sits down*

*Breaks into song* - (Sing: Waiting for a Miracle)

NEXT DAY

Miguel: We might be the only family who hates music here in Mexico..

Mama: Miguel!! Miguel!!

Papa: Miguel!! Shining shoes my boy!

*Miguel runs to them, putting on his shoes*

Miguel: I got it, I got it, be back before dinner!

Abuelita: Be back before lunch mija!!

*Miguel sighs

Miguel’s thoughts: But me?...I’m NOT like the rest of my family

*Runs around happily*

Setting: Festive decorations

(Sing: Ive Got A Dream)

*Miguel catches his breath*

Miguel: I know im not suppose to like music…but its not my fault! Its his…Ernesto Dela
Cruz. I want to be just like him.

(Pictures of Ernesto Dela Cruz)

3# Scene (Plaza)

(tour guide, 5 extras, musician)

Tour guide: And right here, in this very plaza, the young Ernesto de la Cruz took his first
steps toward becoming the most beloved singer in Mexican history!

Miguel: He wrote the best songs! But my all-time favourite is Remember Me…

Musician: Ay-ay-ay muchacha, I asked for a shoe shine, not your life story. If I were you,
Id march up to my family and say HEY I LOVE MUSIC AND -

Miguel: NO! No way hehe (akward), I can never do that.

Musician: AGH! Did De La Cruz become the world’s best musician by hiding his sweet
sweet skills?! No! He played! He played out loud!

*Miguel looking down (figuratively)

Musician: Mira, mira, look theyre setting up the music competition for Dia des Muertos,
(points to a poster) if you wanna be like your hero, you should sign up!

Miguel: Cant..My family would freak.

Musician: Hay-yaiyaiii, if you want to spend your life shining shoes, no problem!

*Miguel looks up*

Musician: But COME ON! What did Dela Cruz always say..
Miguel: …Seize your moment?

*Musician gives his guitar to Miguel*

*Miguel in awe and reaches for it*

*Abuelita storms in* - (with Rosa and Berto)

Abuelita: HEY! MIGUEL WHAT ARE YOU DOING!

Abuelita: My granddaughter is a sweet little angelita querida Cielita!

*Abuelita slaps musician with her shoe continuously* - Abuelita: SHE WANTS NO PART
IN YOUR MUSIC!

*Rosa nods in agreement*

Abel: THAT’S RIGHT! STAY AWAY FROM OUR FAMILY!

*Musician runs away sacredly*

Abuelita: Lets go home.

*Miguel quickly shoved the poster into his bag*

*Goes around*

#4 scene

Abel: Guess who we found in the plaza..

Rosa: ANDDD guess who we found shining a MUSICIAN’S shoes!!

Papa: Mija...You know how Abuelita feels about this..If abuelita says no more plaza,
THEN NO MORE PLAZA!

Miguel: But Papa! Mama! (looks at mama) Theres this talent show tonight..and..

Mama: Anddd…you want to sign up.

Rosa: Hehehe..Miguelll..you need talent to sign up for a talent show (says cutely)

Abel: What are you going to do? Shine shoes? HAHAHA

*Papa was going to say something*

Abuelita: NO. It’ll be Dia de los Muertos, and -

*sighs* Abuelita: Follow me, Miguel.

*Ofrenda*
Abuelita: Dia de los Muertos is the one night of the year our ancestors can come visit us.
Don't give me that look. I don't want you sneaking off to who-knows-where. If we don't
put them up, they can't come!

*Miguel tries to sneak off*

*Abuelita sighs*

Abuelita: Ay, Dios m�o... Being part of this family means being HERE for this family... I
don't want to see you end up like—

Miguel: Like Mama Coco’s Papa?

Abuelita: DON’T EVER MENTION THAT MAN! HE’S BETTER OFF FORGOTTEN!

*Coco enters slowly*

Coco: Papa..Papa? Papa is home?

Abuelita: No Mama…no..

*Abuelita sits Coco down* - calms her

#5 Scene (sings: A Soft Place To Land)

*Miguel in the middle*

*Plays the guitar* - then stops playing, and gets the poster from his bag to stare at it

(the picture of Mama Imelda falls into his bag)

Miguel: YOU KNOW WHAT! I'm gonna play in Mariachi Plaza even if it kills me!

Mama: Miguel? Was that you? (says it gently)

Miguel: Wait- I-

*Whole family comes in* - all in shock

*Abuelita looks back and forth at the guitar and Miguel*

*Grabs the guitar in anger and destroys it*

Miguel: I WISH I WAS NEVER APART OF THIS FAMILY.

*Miguel cries and storms off* - goes around

NEXT SCENE

*Sees Dela Cruz’s guitar*

*Tries to get tissue from his bag* - instead gets the picture of Mama Imelda’s family
*Miguel wipes his tears quickly, then compares it with the guitar of Ernesto’s*

Miguel: MY PAMILYA! Ernesto Dela Cruz…is my great great grandmother! Hes…MY

FAMILY!

*Gets the poster from his bag*

Miguel: I wish you were here, you would’ve understand.

*Looks at the guitar again*

Miguel: Sooo….You would’ve understand, so you wont mind right? After all your my
great great grand mother!

*Takes the guitar*

*TRANSPORTS*

Julio: Is it really him?

Rosita: It is him!! But he doesn’t look dead…does he?

Victoria: Well he most certainly doesn’t look alive.

Oscar: What if it isn’t him?

Felipe: Right! We might be accused of attempt on kidnapping!

Rosita: Don’t be silly! Theres no such thing..right?

*Mama Imelda walks in*

Mama Imelda: Right. AND…That is Miguel.

Victoria: Wha..What are you doing here?

*Miguel wakes up from the voices surrounding him*

*Mama Imelda looks at him coldly*

*Miguel looks around in awe and fright* - his head turns to his family

*He shouts loudly*

Julio: MIJA, ITS OKAY. WE PAMILYA.

*Miguel looks at them weirdly then faints*

Julio: WOAH WOAH *slaps him left and right

Victoria: This why vitamins are important..*sighs*

Miguel: Am I…
Mama Imelda: No you’re not dead…but you’re not entirely alive either.

Miguel: Why..

Head Clerk: You are here because you’re cursed!

Everyone: CURSED!!?!?!?!

Head Clerk: You stole a guitar, a guitar that was owned by the dead!

*Everyone looks at Miguel surprised*

Miguel: NO WHAT! SHE WOULDVE GAVE IT TO ME! MY GREAT-GREAT

Mama Imelda: STOP. We don’t speak of him.

*Silence*

*Mama Imelda sighs*

Mama Imelda: I cant cross.

*Everyone looks at her surprised*

Rosita: WHAT WHY!

Victoria: That’s impossible.

Oscar: They would’ve put your photo up.

Felipe: Of course the would!

Julio: And we were able to cross…

*Everyone looks at Miguel*

Miguel: HEY DON’T LOOK AT ME! Im the one alive in this..I DON’T KNOW WHERE I AM.

*He feels his bag*

Miguel: Or…

*Find the photo of Mama Imelda in his bag* - he then take it out slowly

Miguel: Or…Maybe I do have it hehe…IT MUSTVE FELL IN MY BAG

*Everyone stares at the photo*

Mama Imelda: How do we send him back!?

Head clerk: Since this is a family matter, you need a blessing, and one of these…

Mama Imelda: I’ll do it.

*Miguel gets chills*

Head clerk: So say his name first

Mama Imelda: Miguel…

Head clerk: Nailed it! Then say “I give you my blessing…”

Mama Imelda: I give you my blessing to go home, to put my photo BACK in the ofrenda
and…to NEVER play music again

Miguel: WHAT! She can’t do that

Head clerk: Well…technically she can! She’s your family

Miguel: My family…YOU’RE RIGHT! MY FAMILY! MY GREAT GREAT-

*Miguel exits the scene*

Sings: We don’t talk about Bruno

NEXT SCENE – ( 2 security guard) (Sings: Never Ever Getting Rid Of Me)

Hector: IT IS ME! FRIDA KHALO! THE AMAZING AMAZING-

Departure Agent: Hi Frida! It looks like no one put your photo up on the ofrenda! Or
should I say, Hector!

Hector: Okay, okay you got me there amiga!

*Changes disguise quickly*

Hector: Listen, I gotta see someone, and I gotta see them quick…

Agent: Hector… this isn’t your first time, you know the rules

Hector: C’mon amiga! You want something? I can get it to you! You want tickets to Dela
Cruz’s Spectacular show, you got it! OH YOU KNOW HE HAS PARTY LATER, IM A CLOSE
FRIEND OF HERS, I CAN-

*Security takes him away, Hector tries to resist*

(Breaks into song: Never Ever Getting Rid Of Me)

*Miguel eavesdrop*

*Hector catches his breath*

Miguel: You telling the truth?

Hector: YOU’RE A LIVING BOY!

Miguel: Stating the obvious really…

Hector: Whatd you say kid?

*Miguel sighs*

Miguel: Can you take me to my great- great grandmother?

Hector: ERNESTO HAD A GREAT GREAT GRANDDAUGHTER?!?!?!

Miguel: You know what…nevermind

Hector: No no no no, kid comeback! I can help you!

*Miguel looks in uncertainty*

Hector: WE can help EACHOTHER!

Miguel: You’re crazy.

Hector: Look kid, I can take you to Ernesto, and you..

Miguel: I can?

Hector: You can put my photo in the ofrenda!

Miguel: That’s all you want?

Hector: Its all I want. I need to cross that bridge…ALRIGHT! You get your great great
grandmother, I get my photo in the ofrenda, deal?

*Offers a hand*

Miguel: Deal.

NEXT SCENE

Hector: You know theres this competition, whoever wins gets tickets inside Dela Cruz’s
partayyy.

Miguel: Huh?!?! You said you’re a close friend of hers!

Hector: Well…kind of? Not really besties

Miguel: WHAT! YOU-

Hector: No worries kid, everything’s under control, theres a music competition, whoever
wins gets tickets into-

Miguel: BUT YOU SAID!

Hector: Bup-Bup past is the past, AND you shook on it

*Miguel sighs*

Hector: So guitar.

Miguel: What?
Hector: You need a guitar! You little musician!

Miguel: Right…Musician..

Hector: Come with me!

NEXT SCENE

*Hector gets drinks before entering*

Hector: Buenas noches, Chicharr�n!

Chicharrón: No! To whatever it is you want!

Hector: Oh cmonnn amiga! It's D�a de Muertos! I brought you a little offering!

*Shows the drinks*

Chicharrón: Get out of here…

Hector: I would, Cheech, but the thing is... me and my friend, Miguel, we really need to
borrow your guitar.

Chicharrón: My most beloved and prized possession guitar!?

Hector: I promise we’ll bring it right back Cheech.

Chicharron: Like the time you promise to bring back my van! Or mini-fridge! Or my good
napkins! My lasso! My-

*Hector tries to but in*

Chicharron: HOW ABOUT MY FEMUR! WHERES MY FEMUR! YOU-

*Chicharron feels faint*

Hector: Woah, woah, amiga you okay?

Chicharron: I'm fading, H�ctor. I can feel it. I couldn't even play that thing if I wanted
to. You play me something.

Hector: You know I don't play anymore, Cheech. The guitar's for the kid-

Chicharron: You want it, you earn it…

*Hector sighs* - grabs the guitar

Chicharron: You already know my favourite

Hector: Of course amiga..

(Sings: Everyone knows Juanita)

*Hector eyes Miguel*

Chicharron: Hey that’s not the-

*Hector signalling Miguel*

*Continues to sing*

*Song done*

Chicharron: Hayyyy, brings back memories, gracias

*slowly closes his eyes*

Miguel: HEY! What happened to him!?

Hector: He's been forgotten. When there's no one left in the living world who
remembers you, you disappear from this world. We call it the "Final Death."

Miguel: But I've met him... I could remember him, when I go back...

Hector: It doesn't work like that, chamaco. Our memories... they must be passed down
by those who knew us in life -- in the stories they tell about us. But there's no one left
alive to pass down Cheech's stories...

*Miguel looks down*

Hector: Well! It happens to the best of us someday!

*Hector hands the guitar*

Hector: C'mon "de la Cruzcito." You've got a contest to win.

NEXT SCENE

Miguel: You told me you hated musicians; you never said you were one!

Hector: How do you think I knew your great- great grandpa? We used to play music
together. Taught him everything he knows.

Miguel: No manches! You played with Ernesto de la Cruz, the greatest musician of all
time?

Hector: Ha-ha, you're funny! Greatest eyebrows of all time maybe but his music, eh, not
so much.

Miguel: Pshhhh You don't know what you're talking about.

---

*IN PLAZA*

Hector: Welcome to the Plaza de la Cruz! Showtime, chamaco!

Emcee: Bienvenidos a todos! Who's ready for some musica?

*Crowd goes wild*

Emcee: It's a battle of the bands, amigos! The winner gets to play for the maestro
himself, Ernesto de la Cruz, at his fiesta tonight!

Hector: That’s our ticket, muchacho!

*Looks at Miguel*

Hector: Okay! So what’s your plan? What song you gonna play?

Miguel: Definitely Remember Me!

Hector: Eck!! No, no not that one, too popular

Miguel: Hmm…how about Poco Loco?

Hector: EPA! Now that’s a song!

Emcee: De la Cruzcito? You're on standby!

*Miguel SUPER nervous*

Hector: You always this nervous before a performance?

Miguel: Well…I don’t know, Ive never performed before

Hector: WHAT! BUT YOU SAID…I mean..you said you were a musician!

Miguel: I am! …. I WILL BE!

Hector: That's your plan?! No, no, no, no, no, you have to win, Miguel. Your life
LITERALLY depends on you winning! AND YOU'VE NEVER DONE THIS BEFORE?!

…..IM DOING THIS.

Miguel: NO! I need to do this… If I can't go out there and play one song... how can I call
myself a musician?

Hector: WHAT DOES THAT MATTER!?

Miguel: 'Cuz I don't just want to get de la Cruz's blessing. I need to prove that... that I'm
worthy of it.

Hector: Oh. Oh, that's such a sweet sentiment... at SUCH a bad time!

*Hector sighs*

Hector: Okay lets do this kid! You got this! Give me your best grito!

Miguel: Best grito?

Hector: Come on, yell! Belt it out! OOOOOOH HE-HE-HEY! Ha! Ah, feels good! Okay...
now you.
*Miguel does a weird grito*

Hector: Hayaaiiiiyai…

Emcee: De la Cruzcito, you're on now!

Hector: Miguel, Miguel…Look at me! You can do this. Grab their attention and don't let it
go!

*Miguel nods in approval*

*Miguel walks to the middle of the stage*

Hector: Make 'em listen, chamaco! You got this!

*Miguel nervous, takes a step back*
*Hector gives encouragement, and signals him to do a grito)
Miguel: HAAAAAAAI-YAAAAAAAAAAAI-YAAAAAAAAI!
(Sings: Poco Loco)
*Rivera family wandering around the stage*
Hector: THAT WAS AMAZING KID! YOU GOT THEM SKILLS MUCHACHO!
Miguel: We gotta head out right now, LIKE RIGHT NOW!
Hector: Woah there, whats with the rush? You might actually have a shot in
winning this!
Emcee: Damas y caballeros, I have an emergency announcement. Please be on
the lookout for a living boy, answers to the name of Miguel. Earlier tonight he ran
away from his family. They just want to send him back to the Land of the Living...
*Miguel trying to push Hector to move*
Hector: …You lied. YOU LIED!
Emcee: If anyone has information, please contact the authorities.
Hector: Wait, wait, wait! You said de la Cruz was your ONLY family. The ONLY
person who could send you home.
Miguel: I do have other family but-
Hector: You could’ve have taken my photo back this whole time!?!
Miguel: You don’t understand! They hate music! I need a musician’s blessing!
Hector: Look at me. I'm being forgotten, Miguel. I don't even know if I'm gonna
last the night! I'm not gonna miss my one chance to cross that bridge 'cause you
want to live out some stupid musical fantasy!
Miguel: You don't wanna help me, you only care about yourself! Keep your dumb
photo!
*Miguel throws photo*
Hector: Kid!! Come back, Im sorry! Chamaco!

NEXT SCENE
(Sings: Shallow)
Miguel: I thought you hated music..
Mama Imelda: Oh no…I loved it. I remember that feeling, when my husband
would play, and I would sing and nothing else mattered. But when we had Coco,
suddenly... there was something in my life that mattered more than music. I
wanted to put down roots. He wanted to play for the world.
*Mama Imelda sighs*
Mama Imelda: We each made a sacrifice to get what we wanted. Now you must
make a choice.
Miguel: But I don't wanna... pick sides! Why can't you be on MY side? That's what
family's supposed to do -- support you. But you never will.

NEXT SCENE
*Miguel sneaking into the mansion through the big crowd of people*
*Sees the back of Ernesto’s*
(Sing: The World Es Mi Familia)
*Everyone clears a path for Miguel*
*He bumps into someone then falls*
*Ernesto helps Miguel up*
Ernesto: You’re…you’re the living boy!
Miguel: You know who I am?
Ernesto: Of course! Everyone here knows who you are, but my amiga, why are
you here?
Miguel: Actually..Senor Ernesto…Your my great great grandmother..
Ernesto: Me? Have a great great granddaughter!?
Miguel: Yes..
Ernesto: YOU HEAR THE EVERYONE! I HAVE A GREAT GREAT GRANDDAUGHTER!
(Sings:---)
Hector: MIGUEL! YOU PROMISED!
*Guards trying to pull him back*
Ernesto: Do you know this crazy man, Miguel?
*Miguel nods*
*Guards let go*
Hector: Please Miguel..Please put my photo back in the ofrenda. I have to see her
one last time.
*Hector gives the photo Miguel*
*Ernesto snatches it*
Ernesto: Hector Is that really you? What happe-
Hector: YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED TO ME!!
*Miguel shocked*
Hector: YOUR FAMOUS BECAUSE ME, MY SONGS ERNESTO! THOSE WERE MY
SONGS. I DON’T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED THAT NIGHT…BUT YOU
Miguel: What night?
Ernesto: Nothing, he must be going crazy.
Hector: IM NOT!! YOU- My good friend please, let me just see her again
Ernesto; Hmph! Im afraid not. Unlike you…I live with no regrets. I seized the
moment, and for you my amiga, you’re moment is over.
Miguel: I live with no regrets? … Hey, Its like the movie scene you did, when
you…
You got poisoned.
Hector: Poisoned? … POISONED. The drink, that day, you, you wanted to drink
after I said I wanted to go home. YOU DID THIS.
Ernesto: Hector…oh poor Hector, your confused with whats real or not
Hector: YOU TRAITOR! THIS IS YOU’RE DOING! IF IT WERENT FOR YOU, I
WOULDVE WENT BACK TO MY FAMILY! YOU LITTLE -
*Guards get him*
Ernesto: Put him in the thing
*Guards nods*
Miguel: So uhm…since you know I gotta go back soon to the The Living
Ernesto: Oh yes! Of course.
Miguel: I’ll be needing a blessing so if you wouldn’t mind..
Ernesto: Hmmm….Her too!
*Guards gets her*
(Sings:
Miguel: HEY WHAT ARE YOU DOING! WERE FAMILY!
Ernesto: And Hector was my best friend.
*Guards throw Miguel into the jail*
Hector: I just wanted to see her one last time before..
*faints slightly*
Miguel: Hector!! You’re…you’re fading
Hector: Shes forgetting me..my Coco is forgetting me.
Miguel: No it cant be..WAIT! DID YOU SAY COCO??
Miguel: Do you mean..is this her?
*shows picture of Mama Imelda and Coco*
Hector: Where did you get that?
Miguel: That my pamilya. That’s Mama Imelda, this is my Mama Coco, and this
is…is this you?
*Points to headless picture*
*Hector nods in approval*
Miguel: So all this time, you were my family! YOU KNOW WHAT! Im glad to be
your family. IM GLAD TO BE HIS FAMILY!
-(says it one more time in a louder voice)
Hector: Yea! IM GLAD TO BE HER FAMILYY
*Both does a grito*
(Sings:--)

*Rivera family breaks in the door*

Mama Imelda: Miguel’s grito is better.
Hector: Imelda..
Mama Imelda: Bup-bup save it.
Miguel: WAIT. Before you say anything, I’ll go. I’ll go with your conditions, but we
have to get Hector’s photo first.
*Mama Imelda sighs*
Miguel: You don’t have to forgive him, but that doesn’t mean you should forget
him.
Hector: I haven’t see her ever since.
*Whole Rivera family looking back and forth to Mama Imelda and Hector*
Mama Imelda: Okay.

(Sings: Non-stop) – Whole family running out of time

Miguel: There!
Ernesto: Miguel? Hector?
*Mama Imelda slaps Ernesto*
Mama Imelda: That’s for my great great granddaughter!
Miguel: That’s me!
*Mama Imelda slaps Ernesto*
Mama Imelda: AND that’s for the love of my life!
Hector: Yea that’s right! Wait what..Love of your life?
Mama Imelda: Heat of the moment, I don’t know what I said
Miguel: I heard thatttt.
*Mama Imelda quickly takes the photo*
*Ernesto corners her*
*Mama Imelda goes to the stage*
*Spotlight*
*Whole family signals her to sing*
*Silence*
(Sings: La Lona)

*Ernesto finally takes the photo from Imelda*

Ernesto: Stop with this!! I was the one who took the risk! I was the one who
became big! AND IM NOT GONNA LET SOME FAMILY RUIN THAT!
Miguel: You’re wrong! It was YOU who stole Hector’s songs! It was YOU who
poisoned him! YOUR NOTHING BUT A-
Ernesto: IM NOTHING?!? RLLY ME!!
*Ernesto grabs Miguel*
Hector: Please! He’s just a kid-
*faints*
Imelda: Coco..shes forgetting you..
Miguel: GIVE ME THAT PHOTO!
*Ernesto tears it cutely*
Ernesto: Well, now that’s done.
Everyone: NOO!
Ernesto: So..If you don’t mind, the show must go on.
*Miguel goes closer to Hector*
Miguel: No…NoNoonoNOno, we can figure this out.
Mama Imelda: You’re running out of time Miguel…
Hector: Its okay kid, don’t worry.
Mama Imelda: We give you our blessing-
Miguel: No no no Im not leaving, please..
Mama Imelda: No conditions.
Miguel: I won’t let Mama Coco forget you, Hector.

*TRANSPORTS*
*Wakes up*
Miguel: MAMA COCO!
*Takes guitar*
*Knocks on the door*
Miguel: Mama Coco…
Coco: …
Miguel: I met your Papa, remember? “Papa”
Please you cant forget him, or he’ll be gone forever!!
Here…
(Sings: Remember Me) – Abuelita singing along
*Family watches in awe*
*Abuelita crying*
Coco: You know, my Papa, used to sing that to me ALLLL the time.
Miguel: Mama Coco, your Papa…He LOVEDDDD youu so much,
*Coco smiled*
Coco: Elena…why you crying
Abuelita: Nothing Mama, everything’s alright, just right.
(Song: All of you)