Synopsis

NYC: Late night, September 1980. As Monica struggles to write lyrics to a new song, she is interrupted by a knock at the door. Her unexpected guest is Ian, who she hasn't seen in almost 3 years (ROOMS). NYC melts into Glasgow 1977 as Monica recalls their first encounter (STEPS 1). After Ian is hired by Monica to write music to her lyrics for a song commissioned for Hazel Katz's Bat Mitzvah, he gives her a glimpse into both his talent and his unusual view of life (THE MUSIC). Monica leaves their meeting impressed and energized by their creative partnership and where it might lead (BRING THE FUTURE FASTER). Ian journeys to Monica's upper-middle-class home (STEPS 2) to deliver the music for the Bat Mitzvah song. Thrilled with the results, Monica invites Ian to stay for Sabbath dinner (FRIDAY NIGHT DRESS). At the temple, Monica anxiously waits for Ian, who arrives late and inebriated (PACING IN A ROOM) for their Bat Mitzvah gig (SCOTTISH JEWISH PRINCESS). Their creative partnership is solidified when they write a new song together (I LOVE YOU FOR ALL TIME) which they perform at the Rum Room Talent Night, winning them a trip to London (LET'S GO TO LONDON). Immersed in the burgeoning punk scene of London, Monica lands a record contract and names their punk duo The Diabolicals. They record a single which climbs to Number One on the charts (ALL I WANT IS EVERYTHING) and are then invited by their record company to perform at CBGB's in New York. Their relationship intensifies as they prepare to conquer the city (LET'S LEAVE LONDON) and they are enthralled by the excitement of New York and their new relationship (NYC FOREVER!). In New York, Ian's drinking starts to take its toll, culminating in his missing their all-important gig at CBGB. Monica is forced to perform on her own at the club (THE DIABOLICAL) where she is booed off the stage. Later that night, Monica informs Ian that she has decided to part ways with the LITTLE BIT OF LOVE that remains. When Ian protests and tries to persuade Monica to reconsider, she reveals to him that she's pregnant and has decided not to keep the baby. Ian decides to leave NYC and faces his FEAR OF FLYING as he makes his way back home to Glasgow. Monica has a shaky start to her solo career with a cabaret gig (HAPPINESS) as Ian struggles with his mother's death. Monica writes to Ian, but he doesn't respond. After hitting rock bottom, Ian builds up the courage to get CLEAN over the ensuing years and Glasgow melts back into NYC 1980. Monica wonders why Ian never responded to her attempts to communicate with him (ROOMS 2) and then reveals that there is someone else in her life (STEPS 3), Monica and Ian's 2-year-old son (MY CHOICE). After the initial shock of this news, Ian comes to terms with his feelings for Monica and being a father in their renewed relationship. He picks up his guitar and helps Monica complete the song that she was writing when he first knocked on the door (NEW SONG FOR SCOTLAND) as they pick up the pieces of their past and step into the future (FINALE).