Overview
Synopsis
In the heyday of music halls in Victorian London, a young actress is murdered by a mysterious strangler. Wanting to capitalize on the scintillating event, the Simpson Sisters' Waxworks puts on an exhibit dramatizing the murder. The exhibit angers actor Tom Baxter, the murdered actress’ former partner, and while he rails against the Simpson sisters, their niece Essie catches sight of the strong man and falls deeply in love. In order to gain Tom’s attention, Essie fabricates an attack by the murderer - a lie which soon comes true when the strangler sets his sights on Essie herself.
This buoyant murder mystery musical won six Tony awards in the year of its premiere, and was the directorial debut of the legendary Bob Fosse. The premiere performance of Redhead also featured Gwen Verdon in the role of Essie Whimple, for which she won her fourth Tony, just one year before she and Fosse were married.
Show Information
Context
Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Alto |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Silent |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Silent |
Songs
- The Simpson Sisters - Singers and Dancers
- The Right Finger of My Left Hand - Essie Whimple
- Just for Once - Essie Whimple, Tom Baxter and George Poppett
- Merely Marvelous - Essie Whimple
- The Uncle Sam Rag - George Poppett, Singers and Dancers
- Erbie Fitch's Twitch - Essie Whimple
- She's Not Enough Woman for Me - Tom Baxter and George Poppett
- Behave Yourself - Essie Whimple, Maude Simpson, Sarah Simpson and Tom Baxter
- Look Who's in Love - Essie Whimple and Tom Baxter
- My Girl Is Just Enough Woman for Me - Tom Baxter and Passersby
- Essie's Vision - Essie Whimple and her Dream People
- Two Faces in the Dark - Essie Whimple, The Tenor, Singers and Dancers
- I'm Back in Circulation - Tom Baxter
- We Loves Ya, Jimey - Essie Whimple, May, Tilly and Clientele of the Green Dragon
- Pick-Pocket Tango - Essie Whimple and Jailer
- Look Who's in Love (Reprise) - Tom Baxter
- I'll Try - Essie Whimple and Tom Baxter
- Finale - Essie Whimple, Tom Baxter and Company
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
An actor is a performer who portrays a character in theatre, film, or television through voice, movement, and emotional expression. Actors interpret scripts, collaborate with directors, and bring stories to life for audiences. The term applies to performers of any gender.
A period of artistic flourishing, often referring to 1940s-60s Broadway or English Renaissance theatre. This term plays a vital role in understanding theatrical structure and is commonly encountered in stagecraft or performance settings.
The “Golden Age Musical” refers to Broadway shows written roughly between the 1940s and 1960s, a period known for integrating songs, story, and character development. These musicals often balanced romance, comedy, and social themes with memorable melodies and large ensembles. Classics from this era continue to shape the foundation of modern musical theatre.
An “I Want Song” is a number, usually placed early in a musical, where a main character expresses their deepest desire or ambition. This song sets the character’s journey in motion and gives the audience a clear emotional stake in the story. It has become one of the most recognizable and enduring conventions of musical theatre structur
A ballroom dance originating in Buenos Aires. It is characterized by marked rhythms and postures and abrupt pauses.
Relating to the period of Queen Victoria’s reign (1837–1901), which influenced theatrical style, costume, and themes.
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Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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