Ben: The Musical

Ben: The Musical (also known as Ben the Musical or simply Ben) is a musical based on the.

Summary
Following the death of, a small rat named Ben befriends a young lonely boy named Danny Garrison. Ben defends Danny from bullies and helps him keep his spirits high during a heart condition. When the cat's away, the rats will play--albiet violently, as they are seemingly vicious. Will they take over the human race or will Ben and Danny remain friends no matter what the circumstances? Find out in this new production that tells the moving story of friendship between a boy and his rat.

Act One
Prologue - Willard Stiles is attacked by the rat colony that used to be his friends. Ben, leader of the colony, watches in silence as his former friend dies, and then exits with the rest of the colony ("The Death of Willard"). The police, along with Cliff Kirtland, Billy Hatfield, and Officer Kelly, arrive to bring Willard's corpse to the hospital, not before examining it and knowing the cause; they then begin a search for the rats ("Ain't Afraid of No Rats").

Meanwhile, at a quiet suburb in Los Angeles, a tired and hungry Ben makes his way into a seemingly vacant room, looking for food. A boy named Danny Garrison, who lives there with his mother, Beth, and older sister, Eve, has come into his marionette workshop, which is the room Ben has stumbled into, having a peanut butter sandwich for his lunch. Ben sniffs it, and Danny, feeling sorry for the little rodent, shares his sandwich with him, and they bond, forming a friendship ("Nice to Meet You").

During their time alone, Danny shows Ben his marionettes, including a rat marionette, ("Start the Day"), and talks to him; Ben especially feels sorry for Danny when the boy reveals he has a heart condition where he had his chest cut off in the prior events, and is afraid he will succumb, knowing it may happen if he keeps going too fast and/or wheezing too much. They pledge that nothing will ever separate them, let alone damage their friendship ("No One Will Ever Hurt Us").

That evening, before bedtime, Danny writes a song for Ben ("Ben (Part One"). He then plays it for the rat on his harmonica in the workshop the next morning ("Ben (Part Two"); going at a rapid pace, he stops, remembering his heart condition, trying to take it easy in case it leads to death; doctor's orders.

The following evening, Ben secretly leads the other rats in search for food in an attempt to survive, scaring most people. They run out of the places they were attacked in, call exterminators, and some people are attacked/killed ("The Rat Invasion (Part One)"). The police are not ready to give up when the word of the invasion spreads ("Ain't Afraid of No Rats (Reprise One)").

Act Two
At the Garrison house, Danny and Ben look over the newspaper about the rat invasion from the previous night. Danny begins questioning Ben about this, and Ben nervously nods yes. Danny reassures him he knows that neither Ben nor the rest of the colony meant to scare or hurt anybody, as they are probably just misunderstood ("What's the Difference?"). They go outside for some air, where Danny is insulted by Henry Gray, who lives next door. Ben, horrified at the bully's treatment towards Danny, calls upon the other rats to help protect Danny. They bite Henry in the legs; he runs home scared, during which Danny stands up to him: "You shouldn't pick on people!" ("The Bully").

Henry and his mother visit the Garrisons, and when asked why Henry has bandages on his legs due to his wounds, Danny, knowing Ben is is best friend, defends him by claiming Henry fell into a rosebush, which obviously sounds like a lie; he is otherwise believed when nobody mentions anything about vicious rats. Ben then brings Danny to a sewer near the lawn of his house where Danny meets the colony ("Nice to Meet You (Reprise)").

That night, while Ben and Danny sleep, Beth and Eve express their concern for Danny, despite knowing that he is a good kid ("Such a Good Boy"). They go into Danny's room to check on him to make sure he's alright. Turning on a light for a better look, Eve jumps at the sight of Ben in bed with Danny, and explains it to Beth when asked what is wrong. Danny nervously says "Of course" when asked if he opened the window, additionally claiming it was only for air. Beth and Eve are somewhat convinced that Danny isn't lying, but just in case, they call the police, and Cliff arrives to interrogate the Garrisons. Danny plays "Moonlight Sonata" on his harmonica in between turns, but is interrupted several times when his turn comes. When asked about the rats in the streets, and upon hearing the reports of the accidents/incidents caused by the rats on the radio, Danny reluctantly admits the truth, that Ben and the other rats bit Henry on the legs to stop him from being mean to Danny. Now aware of the truth, Cliff alerts the other police members and they prepare to stand off against the rats ("Danny's Confession").

Danny and Eve climb into the sewer to warn Ben and the colony about the danger they are in. Neither of the rats believe them until they hear the sounds of sirens blaring from above, causing them to realize that the kids are not lying. As Danny climbs out, Eve tries to follow, but is seemingly trapped in what appears to be dead end, and the rats seem to be gaining on her ("The Rat Invasion (Part Two)"). Danny, with all his courage, helps his sister out of the sewer, and they reunite with Beth, who is relieved they are unharmed, though Eve is scared. Beth promises to call Dr. Marcus to check on the kids in the morning ("Help is On the Way").

Meanwhile, the officers, armed with flamethrowers and hoses, prepare to stand off against the rats in the sewer. All the rats, including Ben, are burnt with the flamethrowers. The colony dies from the fire after being sprayed down. Ben survives the chaos, but is fatally injured, and weakly makes his way to Danny ("Ain't Afraid of No Rats (Reprise Two)/The Death of the Rats").

Back in his workshop, Danny worries about losing Ben until hearing faint squeaking. He sees the injured Ben, having managed to crawl in through a crack in the door. Tearful and overjoyed, the boy reunites with the remaining rat of the colony. He takes the weak Ben into his arms and tends to the rat's wounds, determined not to lose him ("We'll Get Well (No One Will Ever Hurt Us (Reprise)"). Sadly, Ben succumbs to his injuries in Danny's arms, much to the boy's horror and sadness. As he attempts to revive his best friend, his weak heart suddenly gives way due to his quick movement. Laying down with Ben, Danny says his last words, "You're the only friend I ever had, Ben. I love you." before peacefully succumbing to his heart condition. At midnight, Beth, Eve, Dr. Marcus, and the police arrive to check on Danny, only to find him and Ben dead. Dr. Marcus confirms Danny's death from his heart condition, the police see Ben lying with Danny, and they, along with the doctor, Beth, and Eve, are moved by Danny's selflessness, bravery, and friendship, knowing that he willingly gave his life to protect those who care about him and vice versa ("Such a Good Boy (Reprise)").

Epilogue - A funeral for Ben and Danny is held in the backyard of the Garrison house, with a redeemed and remorseful Henry attending with his mother, and the people the rats attacked, alive, albiet traumatized, some ghosts due to their deaths by the rats, attending, as well as the police and the doctor. As flowers are laid on Ben and Danny's separate graves, the two friends reunite in heaven, where they pledge their undying friendship ("Finale: Ben (Part Three)").