The Musical ran in The Record on December 2, 1997. It was a two-page spread that I designed, with orange spot color. The only advertisement on those two pages released the address of this web site for the first time. Editor Mike Paluch was great to let us do it. Tony and I feel that the best SuperSenior artwork ever was for the musical.
I love this musical to death, but I wonder how many people really took the time to read it. I might suggest copying the text off this page and saving it for another day, or printing it out to read it elsewhere. I know it's no fun reading long passages while looking at your computer monitor.
Introduction
Tony V. and I were having lunch one afternoon during Bengal Pause when he asked me, out of the blue, "What would a Tony V. movie be like?"
An interesting question, and a good thing to joke about while waiting for our food to come. We put together the basic framework of what a movie could be like. It was very loosely based on our lives, and I stress the word "very."
You have to keep in mind that this conversation was completely hypothetical and neither of us took it too seriously. Because it would be so low-budget, we considered forgetting the movie and making a stage show. That idea didn't last too long once we came up with an even better one: a musical!
I have a secret obsession (well, I guess it's not a secret anymore) with Broadway musicals. I love the idea of telling stories through music. Since this whole plan was becoming more and more ridiculous, we settled that the format of the story would have to be a musical, where characters break out into song during important scenes. Of course, we didn't write any of the music or lyrics, but came up with a brief outline.
We wrote almost the entire story over lunch and in the car back to school. We've made minor revisions over the past two months, and we want to share it with anyone who will take the time to read it.
I have to stress once more that the events in this story have very little to do with either of us or our real lives. This is a complete work of fiction, but it's a lot more interesting than the real story behind our comic.
The words in bold are the titles of the songs. A "reprise" is a shorter version of the original song.
SuperSenior: The Musical
Synopsis
ACT I
Fall Semester
Our story begins in the office of Buffalo State College's student newspaper, The Record. There are a few days before the first day of classes, and the new editor-in-chief, Mike Paluch, is in the office by himself. He is nervous to take charge of the newspaper (For The Record). He explains that over the past years, fewer and fewer students are reading this once-powerful publication. Mike wants to be known as the editor who brings The Record back to it's original glory.
While he's brainstorming of ways to gain readership, Mike's song is interrupted by John Romeo, a cartoonist. John explains that he and his friend Tony Vitiello have created a comic, The Adventures of Tony V.: SuperSenior, and want it published in the newspaper. John tells Mike that the comics are about his friend Tony, a senior who's been in college well over four years. Mike asks to see samples, and John gives him a bunch. "We've been working on them all summer," John explains. Mike loves the comics and promises to give them space in every issue.
When John leaves the office to tell the good news to Tony, Mike is feeling inspired (For The Record Reprise), believing that he's found the key to saving the paper and gaining readership.
On the first day of school, the students are going through the usual motions and feelings (The Arrival). A number of things arrive: the students to their new classes, the first issue of The Record, and the first installment of The Adventures of Tony V.: SuperSenior. The student body takes notice of the cartoon tucked in the corner of page three, and enjoy it. John, who lives on campus, discovers Tony on a bench staring happily at the comic between classes. They both gloat over seeing their art in print for the first time.
All the students who have been in college more than four years vent about being back again. Their attitude is quite different than that of the wide-eyed freshmen (SuperSeniors).
After his first day of classes, Tony V. reflects on his life. We follow him on his trek from class, to his car, and to his home where he's Living with Mom and Dad. They're thrilled about the cartoon, and get on the phone to tell Grandma the good news.
The next day on the way to class, John tells Tony about all the Beautiful Girls on campus. John appreciates their suntans and shorts, but wallows that as the weather gets colder, there will be less and less to appreciate. But it doesn't matter. They all have boyfriends anyway. As Tony and John go to their separate classes, Tony spies Jessica, the girl he's had a crush on for years (The Jessica Song). He didn't see her all summer. He regrets that they've never said more than "Hi," or "Did you finish the homework?", but feels drawn to her nonetheless.
Tony and John have a class together where they encounter two mutual acquaintances: Dennis and Stephanie. Dennis is a rugby player who lures any girl his heart desires, though he seldom says more than "Ayyyy." Tony and John look up to him (He's So Cool), and wish they could be more like him. We learn that Stephanie lives with her boyfriend, who doesn't treat her especially well. There appears to be mild flirting between Dennis and Stephanie, but Stephanie is the one girl who hasn't given into Dennis' charms.
As the Fall semester goes on, the SuperSenior comic gains a lot of popularity. The comic humorously deals with student concerns about college life. The Record is flying off the stands as soon as it's released. It's published twice a week, and the SuperSenior cartoon has been in every issue. The comic is printed larger, and more issues are printed to keep up with the demand. Editor-in-chief Mike Paluch is absolutely elated, and credits the SuperSenior comic for The Record's sudden popularity. The rest of the staff resents this. When John arrives at the office to drop off a new batch of comics, he's confronted by the staff. They don't think a "Tony V." exists, and believe that John is doing the comics all by himself (There Is No Tony V.!). John insists that there is a real Tony V. working with him, and that Tony is just very, very shy. The staff's reaction rattles John, even after Mike stands up for him. After he leaves the office, Mike admits that he thinks John is a delusional schizophrenic, but really doesn't care, "As long as he keeps cranking out those comics."
Later in the semester, John is on a horrible first date at a restaurant, where he discovers Jessica is a waitress. The next day in class, John comes up with a scheme for Tony: he should present Jessica with flowers after her shift at work. That Friday, Tony follows through with the plan. Just as she's leaving the restaurant, a guy on a motorcycle pulls into the parking lot. Tony opens the door for Jessica as she runs to the biker, greets him with a kiss, and zooms away. Tony V. is heartbroken (The Jessica Song Reprise), and the next day tells John that he fizzled out and never approached her. Tony's mom loves the flowers.
The Record's popularity not only feeds Mike Paluch's ego, but has positive effects on the school. The articles keep the students informed, and the editorials encourage the discussion of important issues. The amount of pages jumps from 8 to 16, and the readership increase attracts more advertisers. But the most popular section of The Record is on the bottom of page three: The Adventures of Tony V.: Super-Senior. After a semester of being entertained by the exploits of Tony V., the student body can't help but wonder more about him (Who Is Tony V.?). Mike plots a way to find if there's a "real" Tony V., which he believes would make a great front page feature article. In the midst of the school's intriguement with the Tony V. character, Tony asks himself the same question: "Who IS Tony V.?" He becomes confused with his identity -- is he the shy, talented college student, or just a lovable and goofy cartoon character?
ACT II
Spring Semester
It's a week before the spring semester of classes, and Tony V. is at his drawing table. Tony pencils all the comics in his cold, messy basement. Then John picks them up, brings them back to his dorm, and inks over the pencils in black.
John drops by after enjoying two weeks in Florida, expecting to pick up 15 penciled comics that they had written before he left. He is dismayed to see Tony has done no SuperSenior work, and has instead been doodling illustrations to 1980's song lyrics (The Confrontation). "You had all winter break," John screams, throwing sketches around, "and THIS CRAP is all you have to show for it?!" John storms out, mumbling to himself that he should've started a comic on his own.
Tony reflects on his situation. He looks around the dark, dingy basement, and remembers a time when he used to enjoy illustrating. He's fed up with drawing what John says to draw, and wishes he could be inspired again by his art (In My Basement). After the song, he picks up a pencil and begrudgingly begins another SuperSenior comic.
In the first issue of the new semester, Mike Paluch publishes a challenge to all the readers of The Record : find the REAL Tony V., and prove he exists. Tony is shocked that the newspaper would turn against him. John thinks it's great publicity, and tries to calm Tony's fears. Tony is still drawing the comics, but slowly and unhappily.
Because he's been so slow on deadlines, Tony has been delivering the penciled cartoons to John in school. John and Tony have another class together this semester with Dennis and Stephanie. Tony carries the un-inked cartoons to class in a big, white envelope. One day, on his way to class, he bumps into a beautiful, tall blonde and spills the contents of the envelope. She immediately bends down to help him pick them up. She sees that they're SuperSenior comics, and makes the connection that she has discovered the real Tony V. (Let Me Help You). She introduces herself as Liz, and tells Tony how much she loves the cartoons. Tony is speechless, and Liz quickly leaves to go to class. Tony has found his inspiration to keep the SuperSenior comic going.
Back in class, Tony tells John about his new love. John cautions him to stay away from her, because she could expose him to The Record . But Tony is convinced that she would never embarrass him like that. John warns Tony never to trust Beautiful Girls (Reprise).
Heeding John's warning, Tony changes his route to class, to avoid seeing Liz again. One day, Tony and John are elated when Dennis invites them to lunch (Dennis really just wants help with his homework). He invites Stephanie too, who still lives with her boyfriend. Stephanie refuses, and when they leave she reflects on Going Home. Though her boyfriend is rarely around, she always goes home to wait for him. She feels trapped in the relationship, but they are 'comfortable' and need each other to split the rent. Before her song is over, she considers running to meet the others for lunch, but then decides on a tuna sandwich back at her place.
As the semester goes on, the SuperSenior comic becomes increasingly popular. People are noticing an improvement in the artwork, and Tony admits to John that it's because of Liz's inspiration. John tells Tony that he needs to get his mind off of Liz, and get out of the house once in a while. He invites Tony to spend the night in his dorm, and Tony accepts.
As Tony is walking through the halls of John's building, he asks a lot of questions. Tony has never lived away from home. John reveals all the pros and cons of living on campus (Home Sweet Home). Tony notices a number of SuperSenior cartoons cut out of the newspaper and taped on the doors of students' rooms. John informs Tony that the comic has a big following in his building. One door that Tony notices is covered with every SuperSenior comic ever printed. He stops in awe, and after a few seconds the door opens. Tony is stunned when Liz comes out. Her roommate tells Tony that "Liz is infatuated with that Tony V. cartoon character." After Tony nervously stumbles away, her roommate asks Liz who he was. Liz tells her he's "just some guy," keeping Tony's identity a secret.
Both John and Tony are expecting to graduate in May. One evening, John stops by to find Tony in his basement filling out the form for his diploma. John has bad news: he won't be graduating with Tony in May. His audit sheet was wrong and he still needs more credits. Tony is envious that John gets to loaf around in school for another semester, and the two of them discuss their fears of entering The Real World.
The SuperSenior cartoon's popularity is still going strong, but people know it's coming to a close. Mike Paluch offers to pay John to keep the comic going next year. John and Tony have already decided to go out on top; no more comics. Mike agrees to give the comic an unprecedented full page in the final issue. Before he leaves the office, Mike asks John one last time, "Is there really a Tony V.?" John says yes, and tells Mike he can see the real Tony V. at graduation.
Finally, it's graduation day. Tony V. gets dressed and ready, and his whole family escorts him to the ceremony. John is there with a video camera, and a date. Before the ceremony begins, Tony only has one thing on his mind: Liz. He knows she should be graduating too. Finally, he sees her cutting through the crowd toward him. She's holding hands with someone. She introduces Tony to her boyfriend, who came to Buffalo all the way from Texas. Her boyfriend has a great job there, and she's moving to Texas next week. Tony is heartbroken. John tapes the meeting on video.
The ceremony finally begins. As each student is called by the school president to receive his or her diploma, they collectively sing about their years in college, and their aspirations for their new lives (Boom, Bang, Pow). The graduates are excited and nervous about being on their own. With the diplomas being handed out alphabetically, Tony starts to get nervous when they get to the U's. The president pauses after Katherine Utrinski's name, and then says "This must be a misprint... 'Tony'... uhhh... 'V.'?"
Even though they've been instructed to hold their applause until the end, the entire graduating class, along with the students in the audience, erupt with thunderous applause. Students are standing on their chairs, throwing their caps in the air, and cheering for their icon of college life. The administration is confused, and Tony V.'s family is amazed. John gets the whole thing on videotape. The applause roars on and on, and Tony is in all his glory.
Tony V. has inspired the graduates to be even more enthusiastic about graduating (Boom, Bang, Pow Finale). But the cheering and excitement slowly fade out of Tony's consciousness as he clutches his diploma. Tony V. stares at his diploma for a long time, and then asks the age-old question: "What now?
