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

Book
Herbert Fields , Dorothy Fields , Sidney Sheldon , David Shaw
Music
Albert Hague
Lyrics
Dorothy Fields
Category
Musical
Age Guidance
Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
Number of Acts
2
First Produced
1959
Genres
Drama, Romance
Settings
Period
Time & Place
London, 19th Century
Cast Size
medium
Orchestra Size
Medium
Dancing
Heavy
Licensor
Music Theatre International
Ideal For
College/University, Community Theatre, Large Cast, Regional Theatre, Professional Theatre, Star Vehicle Female, Includes Adult, Mature Adult, Late Teen, Young Adult Characters, Medium Cast

Context


Plot


Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Essie Whimple

Lead

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Tom Baxter

Lead

Male

Baritone

Howard Cavanaugh

Supporting

Male

Baritone

Maude Simpson

Supporting

Female

Soprano

Sarah Simpson

Supporting

Female

Alto

George Poppett

Supporting

Male

Tenor

Inspector White

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

May

Supporting

Female

Non-singer

Tilly

Supporting

Female

Non-singer

Jailer

Featured

Male

Silent

Sir Charles Willingham

Featured

Male

Non-singer

Ruth LaRue

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

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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

    Actor

    A person who performs a character in a play or production, interpreting dialogue and embodying emotions.

    Golden Age

    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.

    Golden Age Musical

    Broadway musicals from the 1940s–60s, known for integrating plot and song, such as *Oklahoma!* and *The Sound of Music*.

    I Want Song

    A staple of musical theatre where the protagonist expresses a deep personal desire, setting the emotional tone for the narrative.

    Victorian

    Relating to the period of Queen Victoria’s reign (1837–1901), which influenced theatrical style, costume, and themes.

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