THE QUAKER GIRL by James T. Tanner, Adrian Ross, Percy Greenbank and Lionel Monckton Adelphi Theatre, London 5th November, 1910 - (536 perfs) Park Theatre, Broadway - 23 October, 1911 (240 perfs) The text was revised and the play revived at the London Coliseum on 25th May, 1944. This production closed owing to flying bombs, went on tour, and later opened again in London, this time at the Stoll Theatre in February, 1945 "THE QUAKER GIRL" then toured England and Scotland continuously from the Summer of 1945, until December, 1948, being received everywhere with great enthusiasm. STORY Original Version Prudence is the niece of Nathaniel and Rachel Pym, a prim and proper pair, who rule the Quaker Community of a pic-turesque English village. Into the serene atmosphere of this Community there arrives a certain exiled French Lady of great distinction, the Princess Mathilde, followed by Captain Charteris, to whom she is to be married. Charteris has armed himself with a special marriage licence and even more special 'best man' in the person of Tony Chute, of the American Embassy in Paris. The ceremony duly takes place in the village church in the presence of all the rustics who join in the festivities on the village green, among their number being Prudence who quickly attracts the attention of the highly susceptible Tony. Prudence, carried away by the life and gaiety of the scene, is induced to take a sip of wine by her wayward cousin, Jeremiah, but alas, at this moment, with the wine to her lips, Nathaniel, Rachel and other Quakers appear on the scene. They sternly command her to leave these sinful people and follow them. But life as a Quaker is so dull that she prefers to entrust herself to the care of, Madame Blum of the "Maison Blum", Paris, who is in attendance on the Princess. Madame Blum, with a practical eye to business, sees possibilities in the alluring simplicity of the Quaker dress, and thus we next see Prudence as a Mannequin in Madame's establishment in Paris where she herself becomes all the rage with the men, and her simple costume with the women. Princess Mathilde in company with. her maid Phoebe has also returned to France disguised as one of Madame's work girls. Among Prudence's admirers are Prince Carlo and Monsieur Duhamel, a distinguished senator. The prince invites them all to a Ball, but Tony, knowing the Prince's character, begs Prudence not to go. She is compelled to break her promise as the Princess is being hotly pursued by Monsieur Larose, Chief of Police. As the Prince has recognised Princess Mathilde amongst the work girls, he threatens to disclose her to Larose should Prudence not accompany him to the ball. For the sake of Mathilde, Prudence reluctantly breaks her promise to Tony, who is furious but when he learns the true reason, he sees the wisdom of it all and begs forgiveness for having doubted her. Thus the little story comes to a bright and happy end. MUSICAL NUMBERS ACT I - An English country village. 1. Chorus and Solo (Mrs. Lukyn) - Jarge, we've such a tale to tell 2. Entrance of Quakers and Double Chorus - While our worthy village neighbours 3. Song (Mathilde) - O, time, time! 4. Duet (Mathilde and Charteris) - Wonderful 5. Quartet (Mathilde, Phoebe, Charteris and Tony) - A Runaway Match
6. Song (Prudence) - A Quaker Girl 7. Duet (Prudence and Tony) - A bad boy and a good girl 8. Concerted Number - Tip-Toe 9. Song (Jeremiah) and Chorus - Just As Father Used to Do 10. Finale - It's the Wedding Day ACT II - Madame Blum's Dressmaking Salon, Paris 11. Opening Chorus - Girls - In this Abode 12. Song (Phoebe) and Chorus of Girls - Or Thereabouts! 13. Chorus - On Revient de Chantilly 14. Valse Song (Prince) and Chorus - Come to the Ball 15. Duet (Prudence and Tony) - A Dancing Lesson 16. March Quintet - Barbizon 17. Finale - Ah! Ha! Monsieur Larose! ACT III - The Pré Catalan, outside Paris 18. Introduction 19. Song (Prince) and Chorus - Couleur de Rose 20. Duet (Jeremiah and Phoebe) - Mr. Jeremiah, Esquire! 21. Song (Prudence) - Tony, from America 22. Duet (Prudence and Tony) - The First Dance 23. Finale - Love, I have Met You SCENES AND SETTINGS • ACT I - An English Country Village. • ACT II - Madame Blum's Dressmaking Salon, Paris. • ACT III - The Pré Catalan, outside Paris. CAST • Captain Charteris • Jeremiah • Monsieur Duhamel • Prince Carlo • Monsieur Larose • William • Nathanel Pym • Jarge • Tony Chute • Phoebe • Princess Mathilde • Diane • Madam Blum • Mrs Lukyn • Rachel Pym • Toinette • Prudence Pym Chorus: Villagers, Quakers, Work Girls, Guests, Customers, Racing Guests. A Revised version of the original musical The Quaker Girl was freely adapted and arranged by Andrew Nicklin and PHilip Beeson
QUASIMODO Musical by Lionel Bart based on the novel, The Hunchback of Notre Dame by Victor Hugo King's Head Theatre, London - 22 March - 13th April, 2013 (season) SYNOPSIS The tragic tale of deformed outsider Quasimodo and the gypsy girl Esmerelda . It is a poignant protest against prejudice and corruption. “I am not a man, and I am not an animal. What am I?” asks Quasimodo of Esmeralda, whom he has saved from the gallows. Archdeacon Frollo saves a deformed baby’s life and names him Quasimodo. He later rescues him again when, as grown lad, he has been flogged for a crime he never committed but then suddenly, because of lusting after Esmeralda he becomes a villain. “I love sex and fights!” cries Clopin, king of the Paris underworld, where, in this tough fifteenth century world, sex and violence seem commonplace. Esmeralda is no pure young girl; she offers to become the wife of poet Gringoire to save his life but spurns his bed and instead makes a purely sexual assignation with soldier Phoebus. Love duets mark duplicity and lust but not romance. It is not until Quasimodo and Esmeralda have become obvious victims of injustice that one becomes entirely on their side. Quasimodo bemoans the ugliness he describes himself as having. In public he stumbles and stutters but in private he can sing with a clear voice. CAST Quasimodo Frollo Esmerelda Gringoire Clopin Fleurien Phoebus Pacquette Yvette
QUEEN HIGH A Musical Play : Music - Lewis E. Gensler; Lyrics - B.G. DeSylva; Book - Lawrence Schwab; additional songs by Bernard Green Ambassador Theatre, New York, NY - September 8, 1926 (378 perfs) Queen's Theatre, London - 2nd November, 1926 SYNOPSIS The storyline loosely concerns a rivalry between two businessmen that results in a game of poker. Whoever loses the game becomes the winner's servant for a year. MUSICAL NUMBERS 1. It Pays to Advertise 2. Everything Will Happen for the Best 3. You'll Never Know 4. Don't Forget 5. Who? You! 6. Beautiful Baby 7. Weaker Sex, The 8. My Lady 9. Cross Your Heart 10. Sez You? Sez I! 11. Two Million Surplus Women 12. Brother Just Laugh It Off 13. I'm Afraid of You 14. Who'll Mend a Broken Heart? 15. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes 16. Springtime 17. Oh, What a Lovely Day! 18. Queen High 19. Seems to Me Cast (in order of appearance) • Jimmy • Richard Johns • Garter models - Noddy, Jerry. Pat, Kitty • George B. Nettleton • T. Boggs John • Polly Nettleton • Mrs George B. Nettleton • Florence Cole • Jerry Vanderholt • Coddles • Garter Girls and Attendants at Eureka Novelty Company and Guests
THE QUEEN OF BRILLIANTS A comic opera in 3 acts by Brandon Thomas adapted from the German of 'Theodore Taube' (Bohdan Hrdlčka) and Isidor Fuchs. Music by Edward Jakobowski. Carltheater, Vienna as Die Brillantett-Königin 25 March, 1894. Royal LyceumTheatre, London - 8 September - 18 October, 1894. (41 perfs) season. Abbey's Theatre, New York, (Adapted by H. J. W. Dam) - 7 November - 2 December, 1894 (29 perfs) CAST • Florian Bauer • Della Fontana • Lucca Rabbiato • Grelotto • Major Victor Pulvereitzer. • Count Radaman Caprimonte • Moritz • Max • Beppo • Andrea • Waiter • Fritz • Don Garcia • Footman • Hackney Coachman • Head Gardener • Madame Engelstein • Emma • Orsola • Mirandola • Carola • Fioretta • Minna • Fraukin Kauf • Fraulein Schmitt • Betta • Head Matron • Postillions and Dancers CAST: American adaptation • Florian Bauer, a poor young architect from Vienna • Della Fontana, an Adventurer, Podesta of Borghovecchio, a Innkeeper, and Agent for Madame Engelstein's Matrimonial Agency, "The Temple of Hymen," at Vienna • Caprimonti (2): Lucca Rabbiato, an Itinerant Knife-Grinder • Grelotto, Town Clerk of Borghovecchio • Colonel Victor Pulvereitzer of the Imperial Guard • Count Radaman Caprimonte, Head of the Noble but Impecunious House of Caprimonte of Borghovecchio • Caprimonti (2): Boo • Andrea • The Doctor, Della Fontana's servant • Fritz, the Count's Servant • Don Garcia, Client at Madame Engelstein's • Footman at Madame Engelstein's • A Hackney Coachman • Head Gardener at Betta's New Villa, Borghovecchio • Madame Engelstein, Proprietress of the celebrated Matrimonial Agency at Vienna, "The Temple of Hymen, " and Founder of the "Retreat of Peace" at Borghovecchio • Irmma, her daughter • Orsola, Lucca' wife
• Mina, the Serpent Charmer of Della Fontana's Troupe • Head Matron at the "Retreat of Peace," Borghovecchio • Betta, also a Caprimonte, neglected and allowed to run wild, afterwards "Queen of Brilliants" Postillions, Citizens, Work-people, Fisher-boys and Girls, Matrons etc. at Borghovecchio, Clients, Engaged Couples, Servants, etc. at Madame Engelstein's, Soldiers, Gardeners, Acrobats, Clowns, Pages, Heralds, Footmen, Council, Students, etc. SCENES AND SETTINGS • Act I: Piazza at Borghovecchio. • Act 2: Madame Engelstein's "Temple of Hymen." • Act 3: Villa overlooking Harbour at Borghovecchio.
QUEEN OF THE MIST Musical in 2 Acts. Music by Michael John LaChiusa. Commissioned by Transport Group Theatre The Gym at Judson Memorial Church, Off Broadway - 6th November, 2011 Jack Studio Theatre, London, produced by Pint of Wine Theatre Company, Opened April 9, 2019 : closed on April 27, 2019. SYNOPSIS Anna Edson Taylor, who, in 1901 at the age of 63, set out to be the first woman to shoot Niagara Falls in a barrel of her own design. Navigating both the treacherous Falls and a fickle public with a ravenous appetite for sensationalism, this unconventional heroine vies for her legacy in a world clamouring with swindling managers, assassins, revolutionaries, moralizing family, anarchists and activists. Convinced that there is greatness in her and determined not to live as ordinary, she sets out to battle her fear and tempt her fate. MUSICAL NUMBERS ACT I • Opening - Company • There Is Greatness In Me - Anna Edson Taylor • A Letter to Jane/The Tiger - Anna, Jane • Charity - Panhandlers, Anna • Glorious Devil/The Waters - Barker, Company, Anna • The Barrel/Cradle or Coffin - Anna • Types Like You - Mr. Russell, Anna • Do the Pan! - Company, Anna, Mr. Russell • Floating Cloud/Cradle or Coffin Reprise - Rivermen, Anna • Laugh at the Tiger - Anna • On the Other Side - Mr. Russell • Act One Finale - Mr. Russell, Company, Anna ACT II • The Quintessential Hero - Anna, Company • Million Dolla’ Momma - Mr. Russell • Expectations - Mr. Russell • Bookings (Part One) - New Manager, Company, Anna • Break Down the Door - Carrie Nation, Company • The Green - Anna • Bookings (Part Two) - Anna, New Manager • Postcards - Company • The Fall (Act Two Finale) - Anna, Company CAST • Anna “Annie” Edson Taylor • Mr. Frank Russell, Anna’s Manager • Jane, Anna’s Sister • Man with his Hand Wrapped in a Handkerchief • Carrie Nation • Mike Taylor, a Soldier INSTRUMENTATION • French Horn • Keyboard 1 • Violin • Woodwinds • Bass • Keyboard 2 • Cello Original London Cast Recording
QUEENIE A musical Comedy in 2 acts. Music by Ted Manning and Marvin Laird; lyrics and book by Ted Willis based on No Trees In the Street. Comedy Theatre, 22 June - 8 July, 1967. (20 perfs) SYNOPSIS Set in the London in the years just before World War II, when England hadn't completely dug itself out of the worldwide depression. Tommy is an aimless teenager who tries to escape his squalid surroundings by entering a life of crime. He falls in with local hoodlum, Wilkie, who holds the rest of the slum citizens in the grip of fear--including Tommy's own family. It chronicles Tommy's sordid progress from nickel-and-dime thefts to murder. This was the ballad tale of a young widow, the landlady of the Queen of Sheba public house, and her attempts to re-marry. She has her heart set on James, her barman, and to try and get him to propose to her, she pretends to take on a succession of three “trial” husbands: Tom, Dick and Harry. A sub-plot involves the love affair of a much younger couple. Notes: This “ballad-opera” began life as a short TV play – claimed to be the first ever play written entirely in verse. The musical adaptation retained the rhyming couplets in an attempt to re-create the “ballad” feel. MUSICAL NUMBERS 1. Ballad - James 2. Here Is the Key of the Door, Bill - Queenie, Polly, and Customer 3. Birthday Dance - Customers 4. I Can’t Help Remembering - Queenie 5. Queenie - Customers and Queenie 6. We’re Gonna Be Dead and Gone - Polly 7. Bill’s Dance - Bill 8. Special Kind of Man - Queenie and Polly 9. Starting from Now - Queenie, Polly, and Girls 10. Poor Poor Man - James, Bill, Tom, Dick, Harry 11. This Is the Meaning of Love - Queenie 12. Ballad (Reprise) - James 13. That’s Beautiful Tom, Dick, Harry 14. How Does He Look in the Morning? - Queenie 15. Now That the Kissing Has Started - Polly and Bill 16. Young People - James 17. I Feel Fabulous Tonight - Harry 18. Excuse Me for Speaking My Mind. - Queenie and James 19. Ballad (Reprise) - James 20. Finale - The Company. CAST: • Queenie • Dick • Polly • Albert • Bill • Fred • Tommy • Gertrude • Burton • Rosie • Harry • Miss R • Ellie • Charlie
QUICK, QUICK, SLOW Musical in 2 acts: Music by Monty Norman, Lyrics by Julian More, Book by David Turner adapted from the television play, Way Off Beat. Birmingham Repertory Theatre, 20 August - 27 September, 1969 (season) MUSICAL NUMBERS 1. A Tiny Silver Pot 2. One Step Ahead 3. Something to Look Forward To 4. Nothing to Look Forward To 5. Going Round in Circles 6. Ballroom 7. Gang Bang 8. Inside Knowledge 9. In the Middle of the Dance 10. Mister Antonio Laveline 11. I Went All the Way 12. Linda's Place 13. They Can't Sabotage My Big Night 14. Arthur's Beautiful Moment 15. The Wearin' of the Gown 16. We've Come to the End of the Road, Love. Cast • Master of Ceremonies • Arthur Bradshaw • Betty Bradshaw, his wife • Linda Bradshaw, his daughter • Norman Wentworth • Head Waiter • Colin Wentworth, Norman’s brother • Jill, Colin’s girl friend • Alberto, a hairdresser • Vicky, a ballroom instructress • Antonio Lavelline, a ballroom dancing adjudicator • A Workman Chorus of Competitors, Workers, Beginners, etc.
QUILT A Musical Celebration BACKGROUND An unusual look at an unusual subject, Quilt focuses on the universality of the AIDS epidemic with compassion, humour and anger and celebrates the courage of living and dying in the age of AIDS. A kaleidoscope of the varied emotions contained in stories for, from and about the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt, this series of monologues and songs are threaded together by a volunteer's experience while making a quilt panel in memory of a friend. Few who have seen the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt can ever forget the experience or the powerful emotions evoked by this patchwork of panels celebrating the memory of a friend or family member who has died of this terrible scourge. This series of stories for, from and about the Quilt is threaded together by a volunteer's experience while making a panel in memory of a friend. In monologues and songs that bring the audience through the full range of emotions, “Quilt, A Musical Celebration” commemorates the victims and survivors of this disease and the ones left behind. “Quilt, A Musical Celebration” is a unique and affecting work dealing with a timely, contemporary subject. Its educational qualities have been embraced by many schools. Minimal band, set and cast requirements and a flexible running order make it perfect for theatres of any size, as well as for benefit or concert performances. • QUILT is a collage of stories for, from, and about The NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt, the, most powerful piece of spontaneous art ever created. As of the writing of the show the AIDS Quilt incorporates over 43,000 individual panels and is still growing. Each panel measures 3 x 6 feet. • QUILT examines one 32-panel Block of the Quilt in Song and Story. • QUILT is primarily about people who have created panels. Its structure is revue-like, with most characters appearing only once. But some characters and stories do recur and develop, giving the piece several simple through-lines. • QUILT has a cast that is multi-racial and represents ages 12-70. The cast can be large (over 30) or small (13) depending on the abilities of the actors to double and triple in roles as well as budget considerations. The original production had 22 in the cast. • QUILT is about change. About losses and gains. It looks at AIDS and its surrounding issues from many points of view. It celebrates life in the face of death. • QUILT is not a documentary. While it is based on real people and real situations, creative licence has been used, and stories and events have been combined, shaped, and altered. Please note: although performances of the complete musical are royalty bearing, selected segments of Quilt may be performed at AIDS benefits without payment of royalty and with a greatly reduced rental fee. Such benefit performances must be approved and licensed by Josef Weinberger on behalf of MTI. A portion of all royalties from Quilt is donated to various AIDS organisations, including the NAMES Project. SYNOPSIS ACT I A folded Quilt block is seen. A Reader enters and begins the opening, The Names Project AIDS Memorial Quilt ceremony - reading names shown on the panels that will be concerned in the show, in order of appearance. As the names are read, lights come up on eight Quilt unfolders dressed in white who perform the unfolding ritual with the Quilt Block.
Wes enters and sits on the floor writing on the edge of a Quilt Block with a magic marker. He writes to his friend, Philip, who has recently died, welcoming him to eternity. He talks of how he initially had to be dragged to Washington to see the Quilt, but leaves happy that he came. Although it has taken a long time, the silence surrounding AIDS has at last been broken. The Quilt Block goes up in the air. The cast enters. It is now clear that the audience will be meeting the people whose lives (past and present) make up this wonderful Quilt. WES 1 MAY 1 An alarm goes off and Wes whom we met at the Quilt in the previous scene enters. He looks upward and talks to Philip, his dead lover, and tells him how much he misses him. Wes is also HIV+ and confesses that he has considered killing himself, but that making a memorial panel for Philip has given him a reason to live a while longer. He has also started volunteering at the Gay and Lesbian Centre Quilting Workshop. Although this is fulfilling, he still has a prescription that can end his life and he looks ahead to a time when he can join Philip. KAREN'S SONG 9:00 a.m. We see Karen in a bathrobe. She is thirty-five, attractive, intelligent, thin and hyper. She carries two large shopping bags and transfers items meaninglessly from one bag to the other. She is finishing a call on a cordless phone and is finding out that the Gay and Lesbian Centre is open and is offering its Quilting Workshop today - July 4. She plans on going to the centre, but is very nervous since she isn't gay. She realises that she just needs to go. She has all of her fabric and thread to make her panel. FAMILY VALUES Cordelia Winthrop is a stately and regal 70-year-old woman. She wonders how her granddaughter, Allison, could have died of AIDS, coming from such a fine family background. Cordelia commissioned this Quilt panel for her granddaughter; however, she won't let the family name be put on it. Vernon Duke, a Southern dirt farmer, wonders how his son, Jeb, could have contracted AIDS living in a small Southern town. A robber at an all-night gas station shot him down and killed him. When he was dying, he asked that his body be given to help others. Unfortunately, those body parts contained HIV. Maria is a Hispanic woman whose son, Hector, received one of Jeb's kidneys. Hector has since died. Mrs. Polaski, who comes from a small town in Ohio, thinks that it is all gossip when people say that her son, Christopher, died of AIDS. He died of pneumonia. And his roommate was just a friend! HOT SEX Mikey and the Back-Up Boyz are dressed in hip clothing, and look and perform like a rap group. Mike is a straight boy who loves his hot sex. His teacher wants him to go on a field trip to see the AIDS Quilt. He has no interest in going, but if he doesn't he'll fail his class, so he decides to go. When he sees the Quilt, he notices a panel that is dedicated to Peggy Parker, the first girl with whom he ever had sex. She moved away two years ago from his town. This terrifies Mike, but he still tries to talk himself out of it, saying that maybe it was a different Peggy Parker. Mike believes that because he is not a drug user or a homosexual he is safe from AIDS. WES 2 JUNE 25 Wes is at The Quilt Workshop at the Gay and Lesbian Centre talking once again to Philip up above. Today is Gay Pride Day , and Wes is organising things at the Centre while celebrating the 19th anniversary of Judy Garland's death. He thinks back on how life was for all gays before and after Stonewall and how far everyone has come. Wes isn't feeling that well and is going in to have some routine blood tests. He senses that he might be joining Philip soon. AT A DISTANCE Paul, a photographer, enters with a camera around his neck. He made a panel for his brother Peter. Paul had a hard time accepting his brother's life-style and only came to terms with it after his death. In an attempt to make amends for time lost, he began volunteering at GMHC as a buddy, providing ongoing support
to people with AIDS. The person he supported was Juan Ramirez, an ex-IV drug user. Paul’s life has been changed by this experience. TODD'S SONG Todd's lover is discovered sitting on a stool, wearing a sweat shirt with "Todd's Lover" written on it. He is sewing on a Quilt panel. Todd's mother enters, wearing a sweatshirt that reads "Todd's Mother." She moves a stool to the opposite end of the table picking up another Quilt Panel, which she works on. The two remember Todd very fondly. When they finish, they hold up the panels and embrace each other. KAREN'S SONG 12:00 NOON The Quilting Workshop at the Gay and Lesbian Centre. Karen's stuff is spread on the table in a disorganised fashion. Though she has calmed down a bit, she is still nervous. She cut her finger while sewing and had to have stitches. She is now using super glue and in her anxious state ends up gluing her hands together. TINKERBELL The Quilt Panel; shows Peter Pan and Tinkerbell. It reads "Peter Brown." Timmy Brown, a short, energetic skater with The Magic Kingdom on Ice in his late '20s, enters and reminisces about his late friend Peter, a fellow skater who played Peter Pan. Peter helped Timmy accept his sexuality, and even though Peter is gone and Timmy misses his best friend, he has learned to go on with his life. Yes, he, too, is HIV+, but he is trying his best to live as long as he can with the best attitude possible. LIVING WITH THE LITTLE THINGS The Quilt panel says, "Ralph - Ever the Best of Friends." Stewart appears. He is a neat, precise, and orderly antique dealer in his early 50s. He lives in Atlanta, Georgia. He talks about Ralph who left him a cat and bird to care for. Even though these animals drive him crazy, he is grateful to have them, for a part of Ralph lives on through his pets. VICTIM OF AIDS The Quilt Panel has a top hat, tap shoes, and music in the design. It is slightly tacky and homemade. The name reads "Tommie Dee." Mr. and Mrs. D'Angelo, a very middle class couple in their 40s, appear and talk about their son who moved to New York and appeared on Broadway. He told them he was gay, and they learned to accept both him and his lover Dave. One night they called home to tell Tommie’s parents that they were negative for the AIDS virus and were going out to celebrate. That evening Tommie and Dave were violently attacked by gay bashers. Dave got away and called the police, but Tommie was killed. Beside his body in blood was written: "AIDS FAGS DIE." Tommie became a victim of AIDS in a different way. COULDJA DO ME A FAVOUR? The Quilt Panel design is a door. It reads "Daniel G. Morris - 7J - The Boy Next Door." Jane Woodward appears. She is a nurse. Black. Warm. Larger-than-life. She remembers Danny, her neighbour and friend. They both did favours for each other all the time, and when he got AIDS she did more for him than every before. When he was in the hospital near the end, he asked her for one last favour; to smother him. She thought about it, and then looked at the morphine drip. As a registered nurse, she knew what to do, and she did it. She just hopes that Danny is happier now and that he puts in a good word for her. WES 3 JULY 2 The Quilt Workshop. The calendar says July 2, 1988. It is 10:00 a.m. Wes is not doing well. As he talks to Philip and he tells him how his blood counts are not very good. He feels that the time has come. He takes out some pills and starts putting them in his mouth. Suddenly, sirens shriek and red lights flash. Wes looks up startled. ACT II KAREN'S SONG 3:30 p.m. Again, at the Quilt Workshop at the Gay and Lesbian Centre, Karen is at a sewing machine. She is now calm. Wes taught her how to sew and everything seems to be going along rather smoothly. She remembers Tedd, a psychiatrist she worked along with at Cabrini Medical Centre after she got her MBA from NYU. He
was a handsome man, and she was wild about him. He even asked her out; however, every time he took her home, he kissed her like a sister. When she finally made him dinner at her house and confronted him about his aloofness, he told her that he was gay, but swore her to secrecy. He wasn't very comfortable with his sexuality and didn't want anyone to know the truth. So, Karen became his "official" date. Unfortunately, he didn't let anyone know that he was sick until it was too late. He disappeared to another hospital and Karen didn't see him until he was already in a coma. She loved him for who he was and just wished she could have said good-bye. I BELIEVE IN YOU The sound of crickets is heard and a flashlight flashes. A candle is lit. Katy, age 12, is revealed reading a letter she has written to the "Quilt People." Her Uncle Billy was her favourite Uncle. Her parents, however, didn't approve of him and the other man he brought around, Uncle Bruce. Finally, he stopped coming for visits, and he and Katy just wrote letters and cards. Eventually, the letters and cards stopped, too. Her parents told her that he died of AIDS. She saw the Quilt on television and made a panel for Uncle Billy using crayons. In the panel are the words that Uncle Billy wrote to her in a poem. Uncle Billy appears behind her and the two of them share these special words. NAME REMOVED The Quilt Panel shows a Hawaiian shirt of tropical flowers. It reads Chris Polaski 1958-1986. Toby enters. He is black and about 28 years old. Toby remembers Chris and how he loved him so. He also talks of how he asked Chris's mother for help with the Quilt, but she refused. She even had everything Chris left to Toby taken away claiming that no dark-skinned roommate has rights to anything of her son's. She is Chris’s family. She even called the Quilt Project and asked that Chris's name be removed from the Quilt. After all, he didn't die from AIDS, and he wasn't gay! WES 4 - JULY 3 The Quilt Workshop and Wes is working on a panel. Wes is better than he thought. His T-cells are 800 not 80. The doctor made a mistake in reading the report. He talks to Philip and tells him that he will probably be staying down on earth for a while longer. In fact, he has met a younger guy, Timmy, who has been hanging around the Gay and Lesbian Centre. He, too, is HIV+. Wes is learning to trust Timmy and is quite happy. IN THE ABSENCE OF ANGELS The Quilt Panel is a child's artwork. It says "My Bri-Bri-Brian. 4 years old." Roberta Andrews steps forward. She is a former actress who was in a few made-for-television movies, but got married and left the business. She is a PWA (Person With AIDS) who received it during a transfusion and passed it on to her child when she gave birth to him. Unfortunately, this has been kept a secret because her husband is an esteemed state politician. She tried to use her connections to reach people of power. She even met President Reagan at the White House. She then decided to tell her story to the press and start The Coalition For Parents and Children With AIDS. She and her husband waited for the fallout, but their coalition became a huge success. Though her son died, what was done in his name has made a difference. AUTOBIOGRAPHY On the Quilt Panel is a business suit, white shirt, and tie. The name is "Michael Frank." Charles enters, dressed in a Brooks Brothers suit. He talks of how all along he denied his sexuality and bought into the conservative corporate system. He hid his relationship with Michael and life seemed perfect until Michael got sick. Then he found out the harsh reality of prejudice. Michael lost his job and eventually died. Now, Charles, has decided to not sit back anymore. He is member of ACT-UP and fights back against discrimination instead of buying into a system that doesn't care. KAREN'S SONG 10:00 p.m. We see Karen's finished Quilt Panel. On the top are letters that say "Dr. Tedd." The panel is an attractive mess. She proudly admires her handiwork. She is calm and happy and even thinks that she'll be back next week at the Centre to help out others in need.
WES 5 JULY 4 Wes talks with Philip about Karen saying how she finished her panel without killing herself and others in the process. Wes looks foreword to the day when his panel can be put on the Quilt. In fact, he has already begun work on it and it reads "At Last Over.” ONE VOICE All the characters come together to celebrate what they are capable of as one voice. Together they can and are changing the world. CAST: - 12-25 men and women Wes Cronk - An HIV-positive man who has recently lost his lover to AIDS. He volunteers at a GLBT quilting workshop and is contemplating suicide. - Age: 35 to 45 Karen An attractive, intelligent, hyper woman who is going to help at the quilting workshop. She fears going to the LGBT center as she is not gay but realizes she needs to go. -Age: 35 to 35 Cordelia Winthrop A stately and regal grandmother who lost her granddaughter to AIDS. She has commissioned a quilt pattern for Alison but won’t allow the family name to be put on it. - Age: 70 to 70 Vernon Dupace A dirt farmer from the south who is curious as to how he lost his son to AIDS. He is simpleminded and a bit naive. - Age: 40 to 50 Mrs. Pauline Polaski A mother from a small town in Ohio who feels that the rumors of her son dying from AIDS is gossip. She believes he died from pneumonia and that his roommate was only a friend. - Age: 40 to 50 Mikey A straight guy who performs with his friends as a rap group. Learns on his field trip to the Quilting workshop the girl he first had sex with has died of AIDS. - Age: 18 to 20 Paul A photographer. He serves as a friend to people at the center and it has changed his life. - Age: 35 to 45 Todd’s Mother The mother of Todd who sews the quilt on the opposite end of Todd’s lover. This moment brings them together. - Age: 45 to 55 Todd’s Lover The lover of Todd. He sews one end of the quilt as Todd’s mother sews the other. Age: 30 to 40 Timmy Bell A short, energetic skater who reminisces about Peter, a fellow skater who he lost to AIDS. Timmy is also HIV positive and doing all he can to enjoy the time he has left. He eventually starts to date Wes after meeting him at the Center. - Age: 20 to 28 Stuart A precise, neat and orderly antique dealer who lives in Atlanta, Georgia. He lost his friend but was left with the friend’s cat and bird upon his death. - Age: 50 to 55
Jane Woodward A warm, larger-than-life nurse whose next door neighbor, Danny, died from AIDS. She helps fulfill Daniel’s wish of dying faster in the hospital by adjusting his morphine drip. African American. - Age: 25 to 45 Katy A young girl who writes a letter about her favorite Uncle Billy. Her parents did not approve of her uncle’s life style so Katy was only left to write letters to him. - Age: 12 to 12 Toby A young African-American man. The lover of Mrs. Polaski’s son, Chris, who she claimed was just his roommate. - Age: 28 to 28 Roberta Andrews A former actress who is now married to a state politician. She has AIDS because of a transfusion and passed it down to her child upon birth. The founder of the Coalition for Parents and Children with AIDS. - Age: 35 to 45 Charlie A man who has denied his sexuality and bought into the conservative corporate world. Previously held a secret relationship with Michael. He eventually becomes a member of ACT-UP, a group fighting against discrimination. - Age: 30 to 50 Ensemble: Readers; Unfolders; Animal Voices; Act Up Activists; Chorus MUSICAL NUMBERS • Something Beautiful - Company • Karen's Song - Karen • Hot Sex - Mikey, Randy, Dick, Willy • At A Distance - Paul • Todd's Song - Todd's Mother, Todd's Lover • Living With The Little Things - Stewart • Victim Of AIDS - Mr. & Mrs. D'Angelo • Couldja Do Me A Favour - Jane • I Believe In You - Katy, Uncle Billy • In The Absence Of Angels - Roberta • Autobiography - Charlie, ACT UP Activists • One Voice - Wes, Company • Walter Lee - Donnie, Family • Robert Knows - Eddie INSTRUMENTATION: percussion, 2 keyboards
QUILTERS Music & lyrics by Barbara Damashek; Book by Molly Newman and Barbara Damashek : Based on The Quilters: Women and Domestic Arts by Patricia Cooper and Norma Bradley Allen. Jack Lawrence Theatre, Broadway - September 25, 1984 (24 perfs) STORY Ostensibly the story of a pioneer woman and her six daughters, Quilters blends a series of interrelated scenes into a rich mosaic which captures the sweep and beauty, the terror and joy, the harsh challenge and abiding rewards of frontier life. Illuminating stories contained in various patches or "blocks" with music, dance and drama, the action depicts the lot of women on the frontier: girlhood, marriage, childbirth, spinsterhood, twisters, fire, illness and death. But, with this, there is also love, warmth, rich and lively humour and the moving spectacle of simple human dignity and steadfastness in the face of adversity. In the end, when the various patches are assembled into one glorious, brilliantly colourful quilt, the effect is both breathtaking and magical---and a theatrical masterstroke which will finger in the mind and memory long after the house lights have dimmed. CAST: - 7 women, 5 musicians (bit parts) MUSICAL NUMBERS: Act 1 1. Pieces of Lives (first four lines from “The Quilt” by Dorothy MacFarlane) 2. Rocky Road 3. Little Babes (lyrics from “Our Homes and Their Adornments” by Almon C. Varney) 4. Thread the Needle 5. Cornelia 6. Windmill 7. Have You Been to Jesus by E.A. Hoffman 8. Butterfly 9. Pieces of Children’s Lives 10. Green, Green, Green 11. Needle’s Eye (chorus from the lyric of a traditional folk song Act II 12. Quiltin’ and Dreamin’ 13. Double Wedding Rings 14. Every Log in My House (first line by Eleanor Pruitt Stewart) 15. Never Grow Old by J.C. Moore 16. Who Will Count the Stitches? 17. Crosses and Losses part 1 18. Crosses and Losses part 2 19. Dandelion (lyrics by Clara J. Denton from the poem “Blooming in the Fall”) 20. Everything Has a Time 21. Hands All Hands INSTRUMENTATION: Piano/Conductor, Harp, Guitar 1, Guitar 2, Bass, Strings, Orchestrated for. Violin, Bass, Harp, Piccolo Freaka, Flute, Concertina, Hammered Dulcimer, Guitar (12 and 6 skiing), Mandolin, Tenor Banjo, Spoons, Harmonica in D, Penny whistle (Flute), Twanger, Octave Mandolin, Irish Tenor Drum, Creaky Chair.
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