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KEAN A Musical Comedy in 2 Acts, a Prologue and 12 Scenes. Book by Peter Stone from the comedy of the same name by Jean-Paul Sartre, based on a play by Alexandre Dumas. Lyrics by: George Forrest and Robert Wright. Music by: George Forrest and Robert Wright. Broadway Theatre, New York - Opened 2nd November, 1961, closed 20th January, 1962 (92 perfs) SYNOPSIS The swaggering adventures of noted Eighteenth Century actor Sir Edmund Kean come to breathtaking life in the Wright and Forrest musical Kean. Considered the greatest Shakespearean actor of his time, he was as well known for his rowdy behaviour offstage as he was for his stellar performances onstage. The plot of Kean finds the actor juggling two women in his life: the lovely Elena, married to the Danish Ambassador and Anna, a young aspiring actress. Complications ensue as Kean works to perfect his art and keep his paramours from finding out about each other. Originally a vehicle for the late, great musical actor Alfred Drake, Kean is filled with soaring melodies and graceful lyrics that could only come from the pens of Robert Wright and George "Chet" Forrest (Kismet, Magdalena, Anastasia Affaire, Grand Hotel: The Musical). STORY: During the Overture we are introduced to a spirited mountebank (Christie) outside the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane hawking pictures of Edmund Kean, 18th century London's leading Shakespearean actor. As he sprints off the stage, we find ourselves inside the theatre where the curtain has just fallen on Hamlet and we meet the legend in the flesh. Kean is furious with his Laertes (Barnaby) claiming that he was nearly run-through in one of the sword fights. Kean doesn't get to finish this rather heated disagreement as he is summoned by the applause of his adoring fans to take another bow. There is already more than a hint of the discrepancy between the on and off-stage personas of this talented man. Safely back in his dressing room, Kean is informed by his factotum (Solomon) that he has been invited to a ball to honour the Prince of Wales given by the Danish ambassador (Count de Koeberg ). Kean's interest is aroused, but he decides it unwise to accept the invitation as he is having an affair with the Ambassador's wife (Countess Elena de Koeberg)! Solomon produces a letter from Anna Danby, a beautiful young woman who attends all of Kean's performances. The discussion of Miss Danby is interrupted by the entrance of her fiancé, Lord Neville. Miss Danby is missing and Lord Neville, knowing of her infatuation with the actor, is certain that Kean has information of her whereabouts. Kean is flattered, but denies any complicity in the young woman's disappearance. Upon Neville's exit, Kean informs Solomon that he has changed his mind and will attend the ball at the embassy. Kean begins to realise that the characters he performs on stage are virtually indiscernible from the "character" he has become in real life. Gossip is afoot at the Embassy as the ladies and gentlemen of the court dance a stately Polonaise. Lady Amy Goswell is trying to dissuade her dear friend, the Countess, from pursuing the affair with Kean knowing that he is a renowned drunk, debaucher and womaniser. The Prince of Wales enters the elegant ballroom and announces there is a rumour Kean has run off with Miss Danby for financial gain, but the renowned actor,

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