Entra Act: Dressed up with boxes around, painted as Train Cars. Five people, Narrater recites the poem, Train says the ‘I think I can’ sections, first soft, then progressively louder. 

The little blue engine

The little blue engine looked up at the hill. 
His light was weak, his whistle was shrill.
He was tired and small, and the hill was tall,
and his face blushed red as he softly said, 
“I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.” 

SO he started up with a chug and a strain, 
and he puffed and pulled with might and main. 
And slowly he climbed, a foot at a time, 

and his engine coughed as he whispered soft, 
“I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.” 

With a squeak and a creak and a toot and a sigh,
With an extra hope and an extra try, 
He would not stop - now he neared the top-
and strong and proud he cried out loud, 
“I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.” 

He was almost there, when - CRASH!SMASH!BASH!
He slid down and mashed into engine hash
one the rocks below . . . which goes to show
If the track is tough and the hill is rough, 
THINKING you can . . . just ain’t enough!

 (Sign held)--Shel Silverstein 

Curtain’s open - Blue cloth waving as an ocean, on the background, various scene’s/ time periods painted on sheets stretched along the back of the stage, The different famous people standing in front of them, on varying sized boxes in a ‘A’ shape. 

- Brian Tracy 1996 Dance Ease on Down
- Vincent Lombardi 1960 Dance One
- Albert Einstein 1957 Dance Swing
-Heny Ford 1927 Dance Charlston
C Kettering 1910 
Heber J. Grant 1900 
Thomas Edison 1880
Will Willcox ( Indian) 1700
Christ ( voice only ) 30 AD 
Publilius Syrus 1BC

Your persistence is your belief in yourself. Brian Tracy 1996

 The harder you work the harder it is to surrender.- - Vincent Lombardi 1960

 I think and think for months and years. Ninety-nine times 
the conclusion is false. The hundredth time I am right. -- Albert Einstein 1957

 Failure is only the opportunity to begin again more intelligently.Heny Ford 1927

 The only time you can't afford to fail is the last time you try. C Kettering 1900
That which we persist in doing, becomes easier for us to do. 
Not that the nature of the thing itself has changed, but that 
our power to do has increased. Heber J. Grant 1900 

I start where the last man left off. Thomas Edison 1880

 It is not that the American’s were braver than the British, 
it is just that they were brave five minutes longer. 1700

 Do not despise the bottom rungs in the ascent to greatness. Publilius Syrus 1BC

:: SCENES ::
 
 

The Thing

While I was walking down the beach one bright and sunny day...
I saw a great big wooden box a floatin’ in the bay 
I pulled it in and opened it up and much to my surprise... 
I discovered a ..... right before my eyes. 
I discovered a ..... right before my eyes. 

I picked it up and opened it up, as happy as a king.
I took it to a guy I know who’ll buy most anything
But this what he hollared at me when I walked in his shop
Ohhhh get out of here with the ...... before I call a cop... 
Ohhhh get out of here with the ...... before I call a cop... 

I turned around and got right out, a runnin’ for my life. 
And then I took it home with me to give it to my wife. 
But this what she hollared at me as I walked into the door...
Ohhhh get out of here with that ...... and don’t come back no more!
Ohhhh get out of here with that ...... and don’t come back no more!

 I wandered all around the town untill I chanced to meet
a hobo who was lookin’ for a handout on the street.
He said he’d take most any old thing, he was a desperate man
ohhhh when I showed him the ....... he turned around and ran.
ohhhh when I showed him the ....... he turned around and ran. 

I wandered on for many years, a victim of my fate.
Until I came upon St. Peter at the gate. 
And when I tried to take it inside, he told me where to go.
Get out of here with that ........ and take it down below
Get out of here with that ........ and take it down below

 The moral of this story is, if you are out on the beach
If you should see a great big box and it was in your reach
don’t ever stop and open it up, that’s my advice to you... 
Cause...... you’ll never get rid of the ..... no matter what you do!
Cause...... you’ll never get rid of the ..... no matter what you do!

The Thing

 While I was walking down the beach one bright and sunny day...
I saw a great big wooden box a floatin' in the bay ( sailor look with hand to forehead ; box to 
I pulled it in and opened it up and much to my surprise...(come flying through the paper backdrop
I discovered a ..... right before my eyes. (Two people in front of audience
I discovered a ..... right before my eyes. Holds up a CLAP< CLAP<CLAP sign)
 
 

I picked it up and opened it up, as happy as a Lark
I looked around for someone who was standing in the park
But all I saw were the statues there all made out of stone
Get out of here with that ..... .... ..... and leave us all alone! ( Famous people waggle fingers ) 
Get out of here with that ..... .... ..... and leave us all alone!

 Roman - 
Do not despise the bottom rungs in the ascent to greatness. - Publilius Syrus 1 BC

Girl 1 - I've tried for weeks to get Plavious to notice me. (pouty face) 
Girl 2 - Oh yea? Have you tried that new snake bracelet? It's supposed to be all the rage.
Girl 1 - No, do you really think it will work? 
Girl 2 - Well, if it doesn't, you can always let it bite him!
(two roman girls, stand and follow after the man' ) 

I heft it up and carried it out and walked right into town. 
I brought it to a soldier who I thought would not frown. 
He took one look, and lifted up a shaking fist at me
You better get out with that ... ... ... or I'll bop you in the knee!
You better get out with that ... ... ... or I'll bop you in the knee!
 
 

I start where the last man left off. - Thomas Edison Inventor 1880
(( tries to get several passer's by to take the box, none seem interested. Stops the last person in a line of 4-5 ))
Girl 1 - Why don't you try and get your invention copyrighted? 
Boy 1 - Yeah, you might be a bizillionaire. 
Girl1 - I'd buy it... 
Boy 2 - I would, but ...( a sales - clerk girl and Edison's assistant follow along with the others.) 

That which we persist in doing, becomes easier for us to do. 
Not that the nature of the thing itself has changed, but that 
our power to do has increased. Heber J. Grant Prophet 1900 
Dance - One 
(Girl 1 looking on, as other girls dance the number. She tries, but it terrible at it ) 

With a sad and lonely face, I turned around fleeing
I took it to a guy I know who'll buy most anything
But this what he hollared at me when I walked in his shop
Ohhhh get out of here with the ...... before I call a cop... 
Ohhhh get out of here with the ...... before I call a cop... 

The only time you can't afford to fail is the last time you try. - Charles Kettering 1910

Girl - I'll never understand men... 
Boy - It's easy. If I say something that can in interpreted in two ways, and one of the ways makes you sad or angry, I meant it the other way.
 
 

I turned around and got right out, a runnin' with a whirl. 
And then I took it home with me to give it to my girl. 
But this what she shouted at me as I walked in the door...
Ohhhh get out of here with that ...... and don't come back no more!
Ohhhh get out of here with that ...... and don't come back no more!

 Failure is only the opportunity to begin again more intelligently. - Heny Ford - 1927
(Girl 1, laying on her belly, writing in a journel )
Dear Diary, I have tried for weeks to get this dance number down, I don't think I'll ever learn it. I have only a week, and the big show will be here. I guess I'll just have to practice harder. 

I wandered all around the town until I chanced to meet
a hobo who was lookin' for a handout on the street.
He said he'd take most any old thing, he was a desperate man
ohhhh when I showed him the ....... he turned around and ran.
ohhhh when I showed him the ....... he turned around and ran. 

I think and think for months and years. Ninety-nine times the conclusion is false. The
hundredth time I am right. - Albert Einstein 1957
Chauffer - I've heard this lecture so many times boss, I'll bet I could give it without a flaw
Einstein - Alright, you are on. I'll sit in the back and watch. 
Chauffer - You there, what is your question? (pointing to a learned man) 
Learned man - Tell me about anti-matter formation, though I may be digressing here and here but everyone in the audience should know that I'm nobody's fool. 
Chauffer - That is so fundamental, I'm going to let my Chauffer answer it. <pointing to Einstein in the back 
(The Learned man gets lessons from Einstein then follows him with three buddies) 

The harder you work the harder it is to surrender.- Vincent Lombardi 1965
Female Quarterback - all right ladies, we have to show them we can do as good as they
Female halfback - But if we were smarter than them... we wouldn't be out her getting our bodies pounced on. (Football team makes a touchdown then follows ) 

I wandered on for many years, a victim of my fate.
Until I came upon some children at the a gate. 
And when I tried to take it inside, they told me where to go.
Get out of here with that ........ and take it down below
Get out of here with that ........ and take it down below

 Dear GOD,
Did you try real hard to make giraffe to look like that or was it an 
accident? * Norma

Dear GOD,
Instead of letting people die over and over again and having to make new ones, why 
don't You just keep the ones You have now? * Jane

 Dear GOD,
Did you really mean "do unto others as they do unto you"? Because 
if you did, then I'm going to fix my brother! * Darla

Dear GOD,
Thank you for the baby brother, but what I prayed for every night for months was a puppy. 
* Joyce
Your persistence is your belief in yourself. - Brian Tracy
( discouraged man, wanting to give up. Kids gather around him, and encourage him as the above quote is given, then the music. . . ) 

Dance - Ease on Down the Road
 
 

I searched and searched and finally found a kind and trusting soul
Who did not turn away from me, when I came with a stroll
I timidly held out the box, and let her look with pride.
Ohhh thank you so much for the ... ... ... I feel so good inside! ( big hug ) 
Ohhh thank you so much for the ... ... ... I feel so good inside!

 D & C 124: 7 Let the work of my temple, and all the works which I 
have appointed unto you, be continued on and not cease; 
and let your diligence, and your perseverance, and patience 
and your works be redoubled, and you shall in nowise lose 
your reward, saith the Lord of Hosts. . . Christ

 Dance - Duet - Dream Ballet Type - Couple.

 The moral of this story is, if you are out on the beach
If you should see a great big box and it was in your reach
don't ever stop trying to share what's within, that's my advice to you... 
Cause...... you'll never know what treasures you'll find ..... or who to share with too!
Cause...... you'll never know what treasures you'll find ..... or who to share with too!

 (Tabloid pose with everyone - just music last bit of dancing... to pose and sing )

 ALTERNATE QUOTES: 

Persistance pays off... Thinking you can only works when followed by doing what you can. 

Do not despise the bottom rungs in the ascent to greatness. Publilius Syrus 1BC

 It is not that the American's were braver than the British, 
it is just that they were brave five minutes longer. Will Willcox 1700

 I start where the last man left off. Thomas Edison 1880

 That which we persist in doing, becomes easier for us to do. 
Not that the nature of the thing itself has changed, but that 
our power to do has increased. Heber J. Grant 1900 

The only time you can't afford to fail is the last time you try. C Kettering 1900

 Failure is only the opportunity to begin again more 
intelligently. Heny Ford 1927

 I think and think for months and years. Ninety-nine times 
the conclusion is false. The hundredth time I am right. -- Albert Einstein 1957

 The harder you work the harder it is to surrender.- Vincent Lombardi 1960

 . . . Let the work of my temple, and all the works which I 
have appointed unto you, be continued on and not cease; 
and let your diligence, and your perseverance, and patience 
and your works be redoubled, and you shall in nowise lose 
your reward, saith the Lord of Hosts. . . Jesus Christ D & C 127:4

 Your persistence is your belief in yourself. Brian Tracy 1996

 The Thing

 While I was walking down the beach one bright and sunny day...
I saw a great big wooden box a floatin' in the bay 
I pulled it in and opened it up and much to my surprise... 
I discovered a ..... right before my eyes. 
I discovered a ..... right before my eyes. 

I picked it up and opened it up, as happy as a king.
I took it to a guy I know who'll buy most anything
But this what he hollared at me when I walked in his shop
Ohhhh get out of here with the ...... before I call a cop... 
Ohhhh get out of here with the ...... before I call a cop... 

I turned around and got right out, a runnin' for my life. 
And then I took it home with me to give it to my wife. 
But this what she hollared at me as I walked int eh door...
Ohhhh get out of here with that ...... and don't come back no more!
Ohhhh get out of here with that ...... and don't come back no more!

 I wandered all around the townuntil I chanced to meet
a hobo who was lookin' for a handout on the street.
He said he'd take most any old thing, he was a desperate man
ohhhh when I showed him the ....... he turned around and ran.
ohhhh when I showed him the ....... he turned around and ran. 

I wandered on for many years, a victim of my fate.
Until I came upon St. Peter at the gate. 
And when I tried to take it inside, he told me where to go.
Get out of here with that ........ and take it down below
Get out of here with that ........ and take it down below

 The moral of this story is, if you are out on the beach
If you should see a great big box and it was in your reach
don't ever stop and open it up, that's my advice to you... 
Cause...... you'll never get rid of the ..... no matter what you do!
Cause...... you'll never get rid of the ..... no matter what you do!
 
 

Music - Dancing

 Backbone The Thing Oliver dance - boys 

20's Charleston Partners
50's Swing Duet
70's One Girls
90's Ease on Down the road Line dance

 per·sist (per-sîst¹, -zîst¹) verb, intransitive
per·sist·ed, per·sist·ing, per·sists
1. To be obstinately repetitious, insistent, or tenacious.
2. To hold firmly and steadfastly to a purpose, a state, or an undertaking despite obstacles, warnings, or setbacks