4

INT. HOWARD THEATRE—STAGE—CLOSE SHOT OF. DAY.

…where three pairs of elegant silver-sequined heeled shoes madly tap in synchronized dance steps to the funky 3RD CONTEMPORARY HIT SONG.

A beautiful and beguiling DOROTHY, now 18, flanked by VIVIAN and newcomer ETTA JONES, both 20 (and no slouches in the looks department), tap-dance to Center Stage and, shimmying to the infectious rhythm coming from the FULL ORCHESTRA, SING their lovely hearts out. 

Title:  January 20, 1940. Howard Theatre, Washington DC.

The number is going over like gangbusters with the BLACK TEENS packed to the rafters in the lavishly decorated theatre.  They are swaying in their seats and clapping on the beat.  

A few of the more exhibitionistic souls have taken to the aisles, where they are shaking their booties in delirious abandon.

FOUR CLASSMATES from Howard University, late teens, stand in front of the stage gazing dreamily up at THE DANDRIDGE SISTERS with loopy grins plastered on their mugs.

ETTA indicates the moonstruck FOUR CLASSMATES to DOROTHY and VIVIAN as they nimbly execute an intricate dance maneuver.

                         ETTA
                (stage whisper)
       Get a load of the cutie-pies out front.