History Theatre / FreewillIn2112

* MythologyGag: During the scene where Thomas [[spoiler: recieves his guitar from the New Worlders,]] the Mayor mentions how the New Worlders got it:

* [[spoiler: AliensSpeakingEnglish]]: [[spoiler: The BNK race]] mostly speaks perfect English, with the exception of [[spoiler: NETECROF]], who is an arrogant ThirdPersonPerson.

* [[spoiler: AliensAreBastards]]: [[spoiler: NETECROF, the alien leader of the BNK race disguised as the monarch of the USA,]] serves as the BigBad, and his [[spoiler: entire race]] not only enslaves the citizens of Hilltop, but also exploits their traditions in order to do so.
* [[spoiler: AlienInvasion]]: [[spoiler: The BNK race]] invading America is what ends up kickstarting the entire musical. [[spoiler: Let's just be grateful that the Solar Fed race that invaded wasn't [[Music/TwentyOneTwelve the Syrinx.]]]]

That's the universe of ''Freewill in 2112,'' a fanmade musical based on the music of the Canadian rock band Music/{{Rush}}. The year is... well, 2112, in the fictional city of Hilltop, Connecticut. Everyone in Hilltop [[AppealToTradition has lived and worked on the same principles for years...]] except for the Genalsikoffs, who support democracy and freewill. Most rebellious of all is Thomas Genalsikoff, a ploughman who works from 9-to-5 for a living and every Sunday escapes his life of drudgery to go out on a forbidden drive with his carefree uncle Benjamin ([[OnlyKnownByTheirNickname better known as "Barchy"]]). Despite his parents wanting him to take a more traditional path in life, Thomas is all for the idea of democracy. However, when the monarchy decides to enslave the citizens of Hilltop and capture all the Genalsikoffs, Thomas and Barchy must convince the crowd to do something that they haven't done since before the monarchy: assert their freewill. Along the way, they discover multiple revelations about the monarchy, and realize they're not all they seem...

* CarSong: [[Music/MovingPictures Guess.]] [[spoiler: Then again, the context it's used in is absolutely heart-wrenching...]]

* JukeboxMusical: A fan-made musical based on the songs of Music/{{Rush}}.

** And another one for NETECROF: [[ItIsPronouncedTroPAY it's "net-eh-KROFF," not "neh-tre-KOFF."]]

* ItIsPronouncedTroPAY: NETECROF's name is pronounced "net-a-KROFF," not "net-tre-KOFF." As he himself explains it, you can net a kroff. You can't net a tree cough. [[note]] A "kroff" is a term used to insult a lower member of the BNK race. [[/note]]
** PlayedForLaughs when "YYZ" comes around:

* NowWhat: Said at the end of the musical, after [[spoiler: NETECROF's defeat.]] The answer? [[spoiler: End the Motor Law, and restore democracy to America. Which they start doing over the course of six months.]] Of course, [[RealityEnsues they still have a lot of work to do before democracy is fully restored]], but it's still a far cry from the OppressiveStatesOfAmerica.

* ZeroPercentApprovalRating: Every single Genalsikoff in society is looked down upon by the citizens of Hilltop, but Thomas and Barchy have it especially bad.

That's the universe of ''Freewill in 2112,'' a fanmade musical based on the music of the Canadian rock band Music/{{Rush}}. The year is... well, [[CaptainObvious 2112]], in the fictional city of Hilltop, Connecticut. Everyone in Hilltop [[AppealToTradition has lived and worked on the same principles for years...]] except for the Genalsikoffs, who support democracy and freewill. Most rebellious of all is Thomas Genalsikoff, a ploughman who works from 9-to-5 for a living and every Sunday escapes his life of drudgery to go out on a forbidden drive with his carefree uncle Benjamin ([[OnlyKnownByTheirNickname better known as "Barchy"]]). Despite his parents wanting him to take a more traditional path in life, Thomas is all for the idea of democracy. However, when the monarchy decides to enslave the citizens of Hilltop and capture all the Genalsikoffs, Thomas and Barchy must convince the crowd to do something that they haven't done since before the monarchy: assert their freewill. Along the way, they discover multiple revelations about the monarchy, and realize they're not all they seem...

** NETECROF is known for being an arrogant ThirdPersonPerson who thinks very highly of himself and shows barely any outward signs of fear. So you know things have gotten serious when NETECROF not only shows [[NotSoStoic outright fear]] in the final battle, [[PleaseIWillDoAnything he even uses a first-person pronoun as he's begging for mercy.]]

* MeaningfulEcho: During her WhatTheHellHero speech to Samuel, Amanda mentions that the Motor Law, "with all those oppressive laws, is ridiculous. We have nowhere to go, nothing to do... what are we supposed to do when we're done our work?" [[spoiler: By the end of the show, after KOKGNAB is defeated by ThePowerOfLove, Samuel admits this.]]

** Finally, there's "Red Barchetta," and the context it's used in is [[spoiler: absolutely heart-wrenching. As a result of being struck by NETECROF in his final act of revenge before his ultimate defeat, Barchy's android hard drive is shattered. It doesn't kill him, but he suffers a DeathOfPersonality and begins to lose all memories of his time as a human and Barchetta, as well as his passion for democracy. Heartbroken, Thomas sadly sings "Red Barchetta" as a ballad, desperately trying to remind Barchy of his passion for the return of democracy and freewill. It works in both ways- Barchy regains his memories, and KOKGNAB disintegrates, because love (and the song) is an expression of freewill.]]

* EstablishingCharacterMoment: The first thing we see [[spoiler: NETECROF]] do in the show is suspiciously look out from a telescope, soon followed by him declaring that he will [[BigBad enslave all of Hilltop.]] He also continually refers to himself in the [[ThirdPersonPerson third person]].
** Thomas is introduced being late to his workbase, justifying himself by saying he was out dreaming about the life he wants to live, then proceeds to defend his family when the other plowmen mock him for being a Genalsikoff. This shows that Thomas is a RebelliousSpirit with great dreams, both for himself and America, yet is very protective of his family, because even though they look down on him, he knows they mean well, and that without them he wouldn't be alive. (That and he has an android uncle.)

** During the argument that occurs prior to "Limelight," we get this for the relationship between Samuel and Barchy. The former [[TheFundamentalist berates Barchy for disobeying the Motor Law]], and the latter [[CoolOldGuy cheerfully laughs him off]]- until he is practically forced into agreement. It shows that Samuel is an AbusiveParent, and that Barchy can sometimes be intimidated by him.
** There's also a slight one for Amanda as well, who, during said argument, just stands there and does nothing. While it may just seem like she is a neglectful parent, it actually shows her ExtremeDoormat tendencies, and later on it's revealed that [[spoiler: she feels intimidated by her husband and wants Thomas to be happy, but feels like she can't show it.]]

--> '''Thomas''' (''panicked''): [[OhCrap Father!]]

* ItIsPronouncedTroPAY: NETECROF's name is pronounced "net-a-KROFF," not "net-tre-KOFF."

--> '''Samuel''': What's your point?

--> '''NETECROF:''' [[EvilIsHammy From this day forth... may those rebel Genalsikoffs be under MY CONTROL!]]

** To start, NETECROF is known for being an arrogant ThirdPersonPerson who thinks very highly of himself and shows barely any outward signs of fear. So you know things have gotten serious when NETECROF not only shows outright fear in the final battle, he even uses a first-person pronoun as he's begging for mercy.

** Also: "The Pass." The original song was about someone who was DrivenToSuicide. Here, [[spoiler: it's Samuel's MyGodWhatHaveIDone moment towards both disowning Barchy and not seeing the truth behind the BNK race's horrendous ways, which is started when his ExtremeDoormat wife finally takes a stand.]]

* DidYouThinkICantFeel: All throughout the musical, [[ExtremeDoormat Amanda goes along with everything her husband does or says]] in regards to the Motor Law. In "Something For Nothing," [[spoiler: she begins to consider the use of freewill, but one DeathGlare from her husband subdues her back into obedience.]] Then [[WhatTheHellHero "The Pass"]] happens. [[spoiler: And she's had enough. She finally stands up to her husband, reveals her IWantMyBelovedToBeHappy beliefs that she's kept hidden for so long, and [[ArmorPiercingQuestion asks her husband]] if his disowning of Barchy was worth it. This ultimately leads to Samuel's HeelRealization and MyGodWhatHaveIDone moment.]]

* HeelFaceTurn: Samuel, the secondary antagonist in the show, gets this- twice. The first time, it's after "The Pass," where he regrets [[spoiler: disowning Barchy for being a product against the Motor Law]] and vows to love Barchy and Thomas despite their differences. The second time, it's during the title number, in which Samuel fully completes his turn by [[spoiler: finally supporting freewill and democracy, helping to restore America to its former glory.]]

* JerkWithAHeartOfGold: Samuel. He may be a major follower of the Motor Law, but [[spoiler: he still has a heart underneath it all, as seen prior to "The Pass," when Amanda asks him [[ArmorPiercingQuestion if his disowning of Barchy really was worth it.]] Samuel's face during that scene just ''screams'' "...Was it really?"]]

--> '''Amanda:''' [[spoiler: Do you really think that disowning your own brother... was really worth it?]]

* DefiantToTheEnd: Thomas is this is regards to KOKGNAB. Right before Barchy's [[spoiler: temporary enslavement]], KOKGNAB offers Thomas a place in history as "one of his activists of slavery and oppression." Thomas' response?

That's the universe of ''Freewill in 2112,'' a fanmade musical based on the music of the Canadian rock band Music/{{Rush}}. The year is... well, [[CaptainObvious 2112]], in the fictional city of Hilltop, Connecticut. Everyone in Hilltop [[AppealToTradition has lived and worked on the same principles for years...]] except for the Genalsikoffs, who support democracy and freewill. Most rebellious of all is Thomas Genalsikoff, a ploughman who works from 9-to-5 for a living and every Sunday escapes his life of drudgery to go out on a forbidden drive with his carefree uncle Benjamin ([[OnlyKnownByTheirNickname better known as "Barchy"]]). Despite his parents wanting him to take a more traditional path in life, Thomas is all for the idea of democracy. However, when a strange, tyrannical alien race invades and enslaves the citizens of Hilltop, Thomas and Barchy must convince the crowd to do something that they haven't done since before the monarchy: assert their freewill.

Oh, and did we mention [[ArtificialHuman that Barchy's an android car?]]

* ActionGirl: Despite her outwardly shy demeanor, Marcia is actually a skilled alien fighter, and knows all the weaknesses of the aliens in the Solar Federation... [[spoiler: with the notable exception of the BNK race. However, she still manages to help Thomas beat KOKGNAB to a pulp after his weakness- the title virtue- ''is'' discovered. ]]

* AliensAreBastards: KOKGNAB, the alien leader of the BNK race, serves as the BigBad, and his entire race not only enslaves the citizens of Hilltop, but also exploits their traditions in order to do so.
* AlienInvasion: The BNK race invading an already-oppressive America is what ends up kickstarting the entire plot. Let's just be grateful that the Solar Fed race that invaded wasn't [[Music/TwentyOneTwelve the Syrinx.]]
* AliensSpeakingEnglish: The BNK race mostly speaks perfect English, with the exception of KOKGNAB, who is an arrogant ThirdPersonPerson.
* AllOfTheOtherReindeer: All of the Genalsikoffs in society (except for Samuel and Amanda) are seen as this due to their rebellious ways and their belief in democracy.

* AndroidsArePeopleToo: Despite the {{Reveal}} that Barchy was [[spoiler: secretly an android]], Thomas still loves him just the same as if he really ''were'' his uncle.

''[Samuel is promptly whipped by KOKGNAB]''

** Do ''not'' speak about breaking the Motor Law anywhere in [[TheFundamentalist Samuel's]] direction. Thomas learned this the hard way in the middle of "Working Man," and again after "Entre Nous."

** And another one for KOKGNAB: [[ItIsPronouncedTroPAY it's "COKE-nab," not "kock-nab." Long "o."]]

** As KOKGNAB found out in the final battle, Barchy may appear to be a friendly and carefree android car. That said, he is still an android, and he ''will'' take you down if you hurt anyone he is close to.

* BigBad: KOKGNAB, the leader of the BNK race.
* BigNO: KOKGNAB delivers this once Thomas and Marcia seemingly discover KOKGNAB's weakness: interdimensional music. [[spoiler: It's actually any expression of freewill. He has another one once he's defeated.]]
* BigSHUTUP: From [[ExtremeDoormat ''Amanda,'']] of all people, [[spoiler: once she finally stands up to her domineering husband.]] It leads directly into "The Pass" and Samuel's [[spoiler: HeelRealization]].

* BlatantLies: [[VillainSong "Tom Sawyer"]] is ''full'' of them, as KOKGNAB believes himself to be a hero. He obviously isn't. In fact, there is only ''one'' true line in the song:

* BlobMonster: During the scene where Marcia is explaining the five alien planets of the Solar Federation, a picture of each one is shown (with the exception of the [[spoiler: BNK race]], who is a blob with a question mark). The Geerps are portrayed as giant green slug-like monsters.

** "Red Sector A," sung immediately after the DownerEnding of the first act where [[spoiler: KOKGNAB has completely taken over America.]]

* ChekhovsGun: Barchy's hard drive initially appears during the "Spirit of Radio" scene and is used to play music. By the end, [[spoiler: it helps to both identify KOKGNAB's weakness and defeat him.]]
* {{Cloudcuckoolander}}: Barchy can sometimes be this, especially during the times when he forgets he's an android.
--> '''Barchy''': I don’t get it. I warned Samuel that something like this was going to happen and told him that he should rebel against the authority. Now it has, he hasn’t, and [[ForgotHeWasARobot either I’m a prophet or this is just some terribly bad coincidence!]]

* CouldSayItBut: Thomas ends up revealing Barchy's secret to his parents in this way:
-->'''Thomas:''' And I could tell you that Barchy isn't actually human at all, and that he's actually an android from the past who collects items such as old cars and cell phones, but then you'd be angry with him for keeping his secret from you for 65 years!\\
''[cue Thomas' parents looking at Barchy in shock]''\\
'''Samuel:''' ''[to Barchy, in shock and anger]'' You LIED?!\\
'''Thomas''' ''[deadpan]'' Knew it.

** Not to mention [[IAmGreatSong "Tom Sawyer"]], which goes from a song about an idealistic rebel to a VillainSong in which KOKGNAB strokes his ego and enslaves everyone.

** Finally, there's "Red Barchetta," and the context it's used in is [[spoiler: absolutely heart-wrenching. As a result of being struck by KOKGNAB in his final act of revenge before his ultimate defeat, Barchy's android hard drive is shattered. It doesn't kill him, but he suffers a DeathOfPersonality and begins to lose all memories of his time as a human and Barchetta, as well as his passion for democracy. Heartbroken, Thomas sadly sings "Red Barchetta" as a ballad, desperately trying to remind Barchy of his passion for the return of democracy and freewill. It works in both ways- Barchy regains his memories, and KOKGNAB disintegrates, because love (and the song) is an expression of freewill.]]
* CrouchingMoronHiddenBadass: Barchy. He may be the comic relief of the musical, but as seen during the "YYZ" fight scene against KOKGNAB, he can sure put up a fight.

* DeathGlare: Samuel gives plenty throughout the course of the musical, usually directed at Thomas or Barchy, but some can be directed at Amanda.

* DespairEventHorizon: This has occurred to all the slaves by the end of Act One, after KOKGNAB has [[spoiler: taken over America.]]

* DownerEnding: Act One ends this way, with [[spoiler: KOKGNAB and his alien lackeys haven taken everyone in America over and forced into slavery. Capped off with the ''Music/TwentyOneTwelve'' finale playing in the background, and KOKGNAB declaring "We have assumed total control!"]]

* EstablishingCharacterMoment: The first thing we see KOKGNAB do in the show is [[LargeHam make a dramatic entrance]], soon followed by him declaring that he will [[BigBad enslave all of Hilltop.]] He also continually refers to himself in the [[ThirdPersonPerson third person]].

** Speaking of Barchy, the first thing we see him do in the show (besides the opening narration) is praise his nephew for his rebellious spirit and reassure him that he always will have his back. Cue "Entre Nous."

** During the argument that occurs after "Entre Nous," we get this for the relationship between Samuel and Barchy. The former [[TheFundamentalist berates Barchy for disobeying the Motor Law]], and the latter [[CoolOldGuy cheerfully laughs him off]]- until he is practically forced into agreement. It shows that Samuel is an AbusiveParent, and that Barchy can sometimes be intimidated by him.

* EvilIsHammy: [[ThirdPersonPerson Does KOKGNAB even need to say it?]]
* EvilIsPetty: [[ThirdPersonPerson Again, does KOKGNAB even need to say it?!]]
* TheEvilsOfFreeWill: The most famous aspect of the Motor Law, by far, is the complete and total banning of freewill or democracy of any kind (including creativity, individuality, direct or indirect rebellion- peaceful or not- or even ''an expression of platonic love''), and the promotion of pure BlindObedience towards ''all'' authority, whether tyrannical or not. Yeah, America's come a ''long'' way from "land of the free." And it only gets worse when KOKGNAB arrives.

* {{Fanfare}}: KOKGNAB is introduced with a blazing trumpet fanfare à la medieval Rome.

* AFormYouAreComfortableWith: [[spoiler: B-CYGNUS-68/Barchy's preferred form is a human, and later, after the destruction of his human form, his Barchetta.]]
* {{Foreshadowing}}: Before "Entre Nous," Barchy mentions that he will always have Thomas' back and confide in him, even if he won't always be around. This is foreshadowing two things. First, he's referring to his ''human'' form not always being around, because [[spoiler: he's really an android]], and second, [[spoiler: it's foreshadowing for his DeathOfPersonality in the final stand against KOKGNAB.]]
* ForgotHeWasARobot: "...and either I'm a prophet or [[AlienInvasion this]] is just a seriously bad coincidence!" Said by an android car that can ''literally travel through time and space.''
* FriendshipSong: "Entre Nous," which is sung by Barchy and Thomas. In it, the former assures the latter that he will always be there for him, despite their differences. Counts as a FriendshipSong since Barchy is secretly an android (though it was still unbeknownst to Thomas).
* FullNameUltimatum: Immediately after "Entre Nous" ends, Samuel bursts through the barn door...

* HairTriggerTemper: Both Samuel and KOKGNAB have this (moreso the former).
* HakunaMatata: "The Spirit of Radio," in which Barchy explains to Thomas the treasures of the radio. [[spoiler: This becomes important later on, because interdimensional music is a type of freewill, which is KOKGNAB's weakness.]]

** There's also Barchy. He may be the comic relief, but he is still an android and can kick serious butt against KOKGNAB and the alien invaders.

** The aforementioned title track counts as one for every single Hilltop citizen, as they [[spoiler: finally decide to overthrow both the alien monarchy and, eventually, the human monarchy. [[UsefulNotes/TheRevolutionaryWar Again.]]]]
* IAmGreatSong: "Tom Sawyer" counts as one for KOKGNAB, who boasts about how he should be seen as the hero for enslaving the entire population.

* [[spoiler: [[IHaveNoSon I Have No Brother]]]]: [[spoiler: Samuel says this to Barchy after Thomas reveals his android heritage. The minute he leaves and sees the heartbreak on Barchy's face, he's starting to have second thoughts, but decides to keep on a JerkassFacade for the sake of the law.]]

* InvadedStatesOfAmerica: In 2062, an oppressive monarchy took over America and ''ripped the Constitution to shreds.'' In 2068, the Motor Law was signed. By 2112, America is a fully obedient dictatorship, thanks to the invasion of the monarchy.

* ItIsPronouncedTroPAY: KOKGNAB's name is pronounced "COKE-nab," not "kock-nab." There's a long "o" in there.

--> '''Barchy''': Hey, KOKGNAB. We have a song we want to play for you. It's called "Y-Y- [[TakeThat pronounce that last letter however the heck you want!]]"
* ItsAllAboutMe: The arrogant KOKGNAB, the [[WaxingLyrical modern-day warrior]] himself.

** Barchy's is a bit more subtle, but "The Body Electric" displays his desire to stop going on the run from the monarchy and live for freedom.

** Finally, "The Pass" is more subtle, but the line "Christ, what have [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone I]] done?" conveys [[spoiler: Samuel's]] desire to [[spoiler: atone for disowning Barchy, and his desire to escape the bonds of slavery.]]

* KickTheDog: [[spoiler: Samuel disowning Barchy. [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone He comes to regret this.]]]]
* KnightTemplar: KOKGNAB, who believes himself to be a hero for enslaving the entire population of Hilltop. "Tom Sawyer," his VillainSong, exemplifies this.
* LargeHam: KOKGNAB, of course.
--> '''KOKGNAB:''' [[EvilIsHammy HELLO, EVERYBODY!]]

* MoodWhiplash: A ''big'' one happens towards the end of Act One. We have just seen "The Spirit of Radio," the HakunaMatata number in the show, and one of the most cheerful, upbeat songs. This is then almost immediately followed by [[spoiler: the return to Hilltop and the reveal that KOKGNAB and the alien leaders have enslaved ''everybody.'']] Cue intermission.
--> '''KOKGNAB''': We have assumed TOTAL control!

* MyGodWhatHaveIDone: Samuel has a ''big'' one during "The Pass," regretting [[spoiler: his disowning of Barchy and not seeing his son's point of view.]] He even sings the trope name almost verbatim:

** Finally, KOKGNAB is "BANGKOK" spelled backwards. As in [[Music/TwentyOneTwelve "A Passage to Bangkok"]].
* NowWhat: Said at the end of the musical, after [[spoiler: KOKGNAB's defeat.]] The answer? [[spoiler: Rebel against the monarchy, end the Motor Law, and restore democracy to America. Which they start doing over the course of six months.]] Of course, [[RealityEnsues they still have a lot of work to do before democracy is fully restored]], but it's still a far cry from the OppressiveStatesOfAmerica.

** Do ''not'' speak about breaking the Motor Law anywhere in [[TheFundamentalist Samuel's]] direction. Thomas learned this the hard way immediately after "Red Barchetta," in which he bragged about doing exactly that.

* ForcedCurfews: By word of the Motor Law, all citizens must go to bed at 8:00 PM on the dot.