Runway Sixty-Nine

Music, Lyrics & Original Concept by Erin Kamler
Book & Lyrics by Carson Kreitzer

Neon lights, bodies silhouetted against the smoky glow, the seductive stare of G-string clad girls who’ve seen it all: the chaos, the illusion, the gritty reality of a city about to transform… Runway 69 is the provocative story of one of the raunchiest strip clubs in mid-1990’s Times Square, and the lives of the men and women who work there.

Fleeing her grey, flat, factory hometown in Michigan, Michelle gets herself into college against all odds, and lands in the big city with big dreams but no money. In search of a waitressing job to pay the rent, Michelle defiantly ventures into Runway 69, where Jesse the D.J. pulls her through the club’s enticing black doors. Inside, Michelle meets The Runway Girls: Pinky, a spicy Latina single mother; Opium, a tiny Korean spitfire; Kitten, a tough young African-American from Queens; Sapphire, ex-Nice-Jewish-Girl with a chip on her shoulder and a degree from NYU; and Josmine, the fiery West African Queen of the club. Michelle stands up to Richie, the club’s Mafioso owner, and lands herself a job as a cocktail waitress.

In no time, Michelle becomes part of the Runway family, learning the ropes of a business where customers are treated like kings—as long as they keep the green coming—and strippers live wild and heartbreaking lives. Michelle keeps herself safe and out of the spotlight hustling drinks, putting away money for the coming semester. But Michelle’s big dreams take a beating on her first day of school, when she is propelled into the jarringly elite world of cashmere sweaters, trust funds and parents who pay for everything. Feeling painfully out of place, Michelle returns to Runway 69. She’s made a decision: she won’t be made Invisible. She wants the Spotlight.

Onstage for the first time, Michelle feels a rush of excitement. Lap dances, hustling customers and dancing give her a thrill and sense of power unlike anything she’s known. And then there’s the money… lots and lots of money, for the first time in her life. But the money’s not the most seductive thing in the place… she finds herself increasingly drawn to the beautiful, haunted, magnetic Josmine.

Michelle befriends one of her customers, Dave, who seems different— a real nice guy. In fact, he is an undercover cop, sent in to close the strip club and clean up Times Square. Entangled in city politics and an increasingly complex relationship with Josmine, who comes from a world she can never understand, Michelle realizes she’s fallen in too deep. The club is going down. Will Michelle go with it?

Listen

1. Underworld	Underworld
2. Playground of New York	Playground of New York
3. Cashmere Sweater Set	Cashmere Sweater Set
4. Take It Off	Take It Off
5. Put My Spell On You	Put My Spell On You
6. Wings	Wings
7. This Is My Times Square	This Is My Times Square
8. Goodbye Times Square	Goodbye Times Square