The Connector

About the show

Robin Martinez appears on stage and tells the audience that the story they're about to hear first appeared in 1997 in the final issue of the acclaimed magazine, The Connector. In 1995, at the office of The Connector, The aging editor-in-chief, Conrad O'Brien, toasts the assembled writers and editors, the new corporate owners (a German media corporation), and the past, present, and future of the magazine ("The Whole World Changed"). Later, Ethan Dobson, a talented and ambitious young writer, arrives at the office for a meeting, where he meets Robin, a 30-year-old copy editor. Robin has tried and failed to get Conrad interested in her writing, so she's fascinated by Ethan's boldness and casual manner, and the two of them begin to form a friendship. Conrad, too, is charmed and impressed by Ethan and gives him a job ("See Yourself"). As Ethan makes his way through the offices, connecting with every staff member, Robin observes him with jealousy and bemusement ("I'm Watching You"). Ethan's first article, a story about his encounter with the Scrabble Prodigy, Waldo Pine, gains popularity ("Success"). Robin and Ethan celebrate in a nearby bar and voice their displeasure with where they came from ("So I Came To New York"). Conrad encourages Ethan to push harder on the next story and refrain from writing in his comfort zone. Several months go by, with Ethan delivering story after story with great acclaim. When Conrad is interviewed on Booknotes with Brian Lamb, Ethan imagines himself on TV ("Voice Of My Generation"). Among Ethan's new fans is Mona Bland, a devoted reader and nitpicker known for writing fact-checking letters that come to Muriel, the senior fact-checker and longest-serving staff member, committed to upholding the magazine's integrity. Robin shares with Ethan her growing frustration that Conrad disregards her writing. Ethan tries to defend Conrad, but Robin knows the only voices that will be heard in writing belong to people who look and sound like Conrad and Ethan ("Cassandra"). Ethan's newest story is a political exposé about Willis Taylor, a man who has a copy of a videotape of the Mayor of Jersey City smoking crack with a teenager ("Wind In My Sails"). It's legally risky for the magazine to publish, especially since Ethan's sources are seemingly impossible to confirm. Muriel advises against publishing, but Conrad overrules her. The article sends out shock waves, and the Mayor resigns. Conrad, his faith in Ethan rewarded, confides to Zachary, the magazine's attorney, that he sees retirement soon, knowing someone soon will replace him ("Now What"). Mona finds many inconsistencies in Ethan's story and writes her monthly letter to Muriel. Robin leaves The Connector to join the far less prestigious New York Press staff. Ethan is taken aback by her decision to trade The Connector for a free publication. Offended by his reaction, Robin cuts ties with Ethan. Ethan then begins piecing together his next story ("Help Me Forget Everything"). At Mona's urging, Muriel uncovers evidence suggesting that Ethan may have entirely fabricated his story of the Jersey City Mayor. After explaining her passion for fact-checking, Muriel collects her findings and shares them with Robin ("Proof"). Ethan spots Robin and the editor of The New York Press entering a meeting with Conrad, sending him into a panic. He narrates his final, unpublished article for The Connector ("The Western Wall"). Conrad, Zachary and Robin interrogate Ethan to find verifiable information in his stories. Ethan, his panic growing more and more, begins to unravel until it becomes clear the entirety of his work is a lie. At the discovery of Ethan's falseness, Conrad begins drafting his resignation, hoping, in vain, that the magazine can be saved. Ethan, disgraced and alone, tries to defend himself. He tears up his notebooks and papers in frustration. Robin holds up a copy of The Connector's final issue and glances back at him. As he sweeps the shredded paper off his desk, the scene transforms into a whirlwind of loose magazine pages falling to the floor ("There Never Was").