Synopsis of Girl Power

ACT I

After the overture, the students of Middle School gather around the body of Aspasia, an 8th grader to mourn her death (“PROLOGUE”). Sam, her sister, enters the gathering to verify that Aspasia is in fact dead. The scene then shifts to a flashback of Aspasia and Sam unpacking in their bedroom. Their mom helps them unpack, reassuring them that this new school they will be attending will be okay. As the girls go to sleep, Mom reveals her fear for her daughters’ safety and potential to carry the same powers she is burdened with (“HOW CAN I TELL THEM”).

At school Aspasia meets Patience, a popular, snobby student, who helps Aspasia with her initiation (“STICK WITH ME”). Patience reveals to Aspasia that she is secretly in love with a boy named Finn.

In science class Aspasia meets her teacher, the eccentric Ms. Fryni, who tries to excite the class about chemistry (“LITTLE OF THIS”). Ms. Fryni partners up the class for a chemistry project. Aspasia is teamed with Finn, a mysterious, but intriguing ‘bad boy’. Patience is jealous and takes an immediate dislike to Aspasia, but hides it from her. Instead she uses Aspasia to get to Finn, asking her to find out if Finn likes her.

At home Aspasia and Sam discuss their day with their mom. Sam goes to sleep and Mom leaves, leaving Aspasia to think optimistically about her life (“HOPE COME ALIVE”). During her thoughts she emits some of her power, leaving her scared and confused as to what is happening to her.

While Aspasia is working with Finn, there seems to be a spark of attraction between them. Patience notices this and is angered, but again doesn’t show it. She notices Steve, a friend of Finn’s, that she thinks she could set up with Aspasia, more to separate Aspasia from Finn than to make Aspasia happy. Aspasia doesn’t seem interested in Steve, but reluctantly lets Patience make her over to attract him (“BETTER VERSION”).

While working on their science project, Aspasia and Finn battle inner thoughts of fondness for each other and nervousness between them (“WHY?”). Aspasia emits more of her power, which she thinks will scare Finn away. She runs out, embarrassed.

Sam is in the park when some bullies try and attack her. Without thinking, she freezes time. Realizing she has a power, she escapes after getting back at the bullies.

Back in chemistry class, Aspasia talks with Ms. Fryni about the project, asking if exposure to the chemicals can have any side effects. Fryni reassures her that they are harmless, unless mixed with another chemical, which is locked up. This does little to calm Aspasia, who is completely baffled as to what is happening to her. She meets up with Finn, who explains that he isn’t weirded out by Aspasia’s power. The two share a moment. Finn asks Aspasia to the dance. He leaves Aspasia, who is escatic. Patience, who has been secretly watching all this, appears and asks Aspasia how it’s going with Finn (getting Finn to like Patience). Aspasia lies and leaves. Patience, who had overheard Ms. Fryni talking about the potentially harmful chemical combination, mixes the chemicals and drinks. While Aspasia and Finn secure their friendship and explore their powers, Patience is transformed into a monster with her own power, revealing her goal to destroy Aspasia (“Vengeance”).

At home, as Aspasia gets ready for the dance, Sam uses her newly discovered power to try and trick Mom into letting her go as well, but to no avail.

At the dance, Aspasia shows up to dance with Finn. Patience enters and takes control of the situation by using her power of telekinesis to make Aspasia dance with Steve, while she dances with Finn during a slow song (“HANG ON YOUR EVERY WORD”). Aspasia gets so furious at this that she causes a huge explosion. Amid the chaos of escape, Aspasia and Patience battle for FInn and control of their own existence (“POWER CLASH”).

ACT II

While the Principal talks with Ms. Fryni about the accident at the dance, Mom meets with Fryni to discuss Aspasia’s grades. While Aspasia is waiting in the hall, she and Sam reveal their powers to each other (REVELATIONS). Patience enters and invites the two sisters to her house for a slumber party. The girls reluctantly agree. Principal Kilborn talks with Finn to find out more information about what happened at the dance.

At the slumber party, the girls play spin the bottle. While the other girls give Sam a makeover in the other room, Aspasia and Patience confront each other again (“POWER CLASH REPRISE”). While Principal Kilborn meets with Steve and Herbert to discuss the dance, Apsasia and Sam talk to their Mom about their powers. Mom reluctantly shares with them what really happened to their father and why she has been erasing their memories for years. The daughters reassure their Mom that they will be safe now (“HOW CAN I TELL THEM REPRISE”).

Back at school, while Principal Kilborn continues to interrogate students, including Patience, Ms. Fryni prepares the class for the science fair. When Aspasia is questioned by the Principal, she confesses her power. As the Principal is ready to report her, Mom saves her daughter, erasing his mind of the conversation. As students prepare for battle, some for a science fair ribbon, others for their lives, they share similar fears and dreams (“ONE DREAM”).

At the science fair, as awards are handed out, Aspasia and Patience square off again. Finn is killed in the crossfire. In a fit of rage,  Patience kills Aspasia. Returning to the beginning of the story, Sam travels back in time to save Aspasia and Finn. The crowd rejoices in Sam’s triumph as Patience is taken away by the police (“FINALE”).