Overview
Synopsis
A jukebox musical featuring the songs of The Go-Go’s and based on Philip Sidney’s The Countess of Pembroke’s Arcadia, Head Over Heels is the story of what happens when the royal court of Arcadia is threatened by the mystical Oracle of Delphi with the loss of its “Beat,” the divine power that ensures the kingdom’s prosperity. King Basilius, whose own title is at stake, forces the members of the royal family and court on a journey to the woods in an attempt to escape the Oracle’s seemingly unavoidable prophecies. Through a plot containing usurped kingship, unlikely lovers, and gender-fluid disguises, Head Over Heels preaches unconditional love and acceptance of yourself and everyone you know, no matter their gender or sexual identity, and uses some of the greatest pop rock hits of the late 20th century.
Show Information
- Book
- Jeff Whitty , James Magruder
- Music
- The Go-Go's
- Lyrics
- The Go-Go's
- Conceived By
- Jeff Whitty
- Based on the Play/Book/Film
- The Countess of Pembroke’s Arcadia by Philip Sydney
- Category
- Musical
- Age Guidance
- Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 2015
- Genres
- Comedy, Fairy Tale/Fantasy, Jukebox/Revue
- Settings
- Fantasy/Imaginary, Spectacle
- Time & Place
- 16th Century, The Kingdom of Arcadia
- Cast Size
- medium
- Orchestra Size
- Medium
- Dancing
- Heavy
- Licensor
- Broadway Licensing
- Ideal For
- Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Mostly Female Cast, Includes Adult, Mature Adult, Young Adult Characters, Medium Cast
Context
Head Over Heels had its world premiere on June 3, 2015, at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. After that run, Jeff Whitty’s original book was heavily revamped by James Magruder. The updated version premiered in San Francisco on April 10, 2018, before opening on Broadway at the Hudson Theatre on July 26, 2018. The updated version introduced the character of Pythio.
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Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Alto |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone, Bass |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Featured |
Non-binary |
Alto, Bass |
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone, Bass |
Songs
Act One
- *We Got the Beat - Company
- Beautiful - Pamela, Ensemble
- *Vision of Nowness - Pythio, Ensemble
- Get Up and Go - Basilius, Company
- Mad About You - Musidorus, Male Ensemble
- Good Girl - Philoclea, Mopsa, Pamela
- Vision of Nowness/Beautiful (Reprise) - Musidorus, Pythio, Female Ensemble
- Automatic Rainy Day - Pamela, Mopsa
- *Cool Jerk - Company
- Vacation - Mopsa, Female Ensemble
- How Much More - Pamela
- Our Lips Are Sealed - Musidorus, Philoclea, Pamela, Mopsa, Pythio, Ensemble
Act Two
- Head Over Heels - Musidorus, Philoclea, Mopsa, Pamela, Company
- This Old Feeling - Gynecia, Basilius
- Turn to You - Mopsa, Pamela, Ensemble
- *Heaven Is a Place on Earth - Pythio, Gynecia, Basilius, Ensemble
- Lust to Love - Basilius, Ensemble
- Here You Are - Philoclea, Company
- Mad About You (Reprise) - Company
- Finale - 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
A musical that features hit songs of a popular music group or genre.
A prediction, often used in classical theatre to foreshadow tragic events.
The accepted generic term for the LGBTQ+ theatre movement.
A musical theatre work using rock music.
Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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