On the Twentieth Century centers around the egomaniacal theatre producer Oscar Jaffee and his volatile personal and professional relationship with the spoiled actress Lily Garland. After producing four flops in a row, Jaffee's theater is being foreclosed. He then books a suite on the luxury train the Twentieth Century Limited, heading from Chicago to New York City with Garland and her new beau, narcissistic heartthrob Bruce Granit, on board, in the hope he can lure her back to the stage and salvage his sinking career. Garland, who abhors Jaffee, is just as determined to escape his charm, and a battle of wits begins as the locomotive travels across the country. However, despite their animosity, perhaps this arrogant couple deserve each other after all! The Tony-award winning score and book capture the screwball comedy of the situations perfectly, as well as the sound and feel of the moving train.
On the Twentieth Century guide sections