Paul Raskin

Fortune. And Fame     

 a Hollywood musical​

​Synopsis

​

It is 1937. The Great Depression.

 

Hollywood, the greatest influencer of all time, has re-shaped American values. Among the prevalent prejudices, homosexuality is notable. And a crime. Gays live in secret or risk ostracization, violence, and even jail. Hollywood promotes and reinforces this ethic.

 

In Omaha, 17-year-old Will and his mother, May, have been abandoned and left broke by her latest husband. Will, a gifted talent, convinces May to get them to Hollywood. If he can perform on "Shooting Stars," Curt Kimball's weekly radio talent contest heard by millions, he can keep them afloat.

 

​​In Hollywood, the determined pair finagle their way directly to Curt. But Curt sees more than just Will’s talent. This handsome, young, alluring boy is perfect for his plan to settle and old score. With the promise of stardom in return, May hands her son to Curt.

 

The powerful young star, Julie Quinn hears Will on the radio and is intrigued. The role of a lifetime, Savannah Joe, is up for grabs. Julie instantly recognizes Will’s talent and intuits what makes him ideal to play the sensitive, young hero. Although part of the Hollywood machine, she does not subscribe to its false morality and is determined to find out all she can about Will. 

 

In doing so, she also uncovers Curt's past, his own dark secret, and the nefarious scheme that threatens to destroy Will and those like him. ​

 

She will help free Will from Curt’s grasp. Then, Savannah Joe can be his.

 

But this American Dream has a steep cost. Any hint of his sexuality and it’s over. Attaining what others can only dream of means living a lie and foregoing any hope of true happiness for fear of discovery.

 

Can he?