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Overview

Synopsis

In a small Sicilian-American community along the Gulf Coast, Serafina delle Rose is a fiery and passionate wife and mother. When her husband Rosario is murdered while smuggling contraband in a banana truck, Serafina shuts herself away from life and love. She ignores the town gossip--especially about Rosario’s infidelity--and lives in a stupor until her daughter Rosa declares herself in love. Frustrated and heartbroken, Serafina angrily attacks anyone who reason with her. That is, until a banana truck driver named Alvaro Mangicavallo arrives at her door. He has the body of her late husband, but the face of a clown. He awkwardly attempts to flirt and seduce--and his earnest and simple actions finally crack through Serafina’s heartbreak.

The play that Tennessee Williams called his “love-play to the world,” The Rose Tattoo is a passionate tale of superstitions, promises, and the possibility of love and passion after a broken heart. Revived on Broadway several times, The Rose Tattoo offers wit and comedy while reminding the audience to open their hearts and find hope where they least expect it.

Show Information

Category
Play
Age Guidance
Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
Number of Acts
3
First Produced
1950
Genres
Comedy, Drama
Settings
Period, Unit/Single Set
Time & Place
1950s, Gulf Coast village, Sicilian-American community
Cast Size
large
Dancing
None
Ideal For
College/University, Community Theatre, Large Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Female, Mostly Female Cast, Includes Adult, Early Teen, Late Teen, Young Adult, Mature Adult, Elderly, Child Characters

Context

Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Serafina delle Rose

Lead

Female

Non-singer

Rosa delle Rose

Lead

Female

Non-singer

Alvaro Mangiacavallo

Lead

Male

Non-singer

Father De Leo

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Assunta

Supporting

Female

Non-singer

Jack Hunter

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

The Strega

Supporting

Female

Non-singer

Estelle Hohengarten

Supporting

Female

Non-singer

Doctor

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Flora

Supporting

Female

Non-singer

Bessie

Supporting

Female

Non-singer

Miss Yorke

Supporting

Female

Non-singer

The Salesman

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Giuseppina

Supporting

Female

Non-singer

Peppina

Supporting

Female

Non-singer

Violetta

Supporting

Female

Non-singer

Mariella

Featured

Female

Non-singer

Teresa

Featured

Female

Non-singer

Vivi

Featured

Female

Non-singer

Bruno

Featured

Male

Non-singer

Salvatore

Featured

Male

Non-singer

Songs

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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

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Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Key Terms

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Videos

Quizzes

Themes, Symbols & Motifs

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Quote Analysis

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Guide Written By:

Cindi Calhoun

Cindi Calhoun

Theatre teacher, director, writer, and seamstress