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Overview
Synopsis
A charming tale of love and bread in a provincial French village, The Baker’s Wife never reached Broadway, but received favorable reviews and developed a cult following. The story opens with Denise, the cafe owner’s wife, welcoming the audience to their little town where nothing changes, and explaining that they are awaiting the arrival of their new baker. When middle-aged Aimable Castagenet appears, he is treated as a celebrity – and when his young wife Genevieve arrives, she is greeted with wonder, fascination, and a little bit of scorn. The village is curious about how an older man could win such a young woman, and Genevieve herself reveals her own doubts about her life with Aimable. When the Mayor Marquis’ playboy driver, Dominique, flirts with Genevieve and lures her away, Aimable is undone and unable to bake. The village rallies together to find the baker’s wife and bring her home – but is it too late? A sweet little tale from the composer of Pippin, Wicked, and Godspell, The Baker’s Wife is most famous for its music, including “Meadowlark” and “Chanson,” and provides an opportunity for a female voice to soar.
Show Information
- Book
- Joseph Stein
- Music
- Stephen Schwartz
- Lyrics
- Stephen Schwartz
- Based on the Play/Book/Film
- Le Femme Du Boulanger by Marcel Pagnol and Jean Giono
- Category
- Musical
- Age Guidance
- Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 1989
- Genres
- Comedy, Romance
- Settings
- Period, Multiple Settings
- Time & Place
- French village, 1930s
- Cast Size
- large
- Orchestra Size
- Medium
- Dancing
- Some Dance
- Licensor
- Music Theatre International
- Ideal For
- College/University, Community Theatre, Ensemble Cast, High School, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Small Cast, Star Vehicle Female, Theatre, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Child, Early Teen, Late Teen, Young Adult, Adult, Mature Adult Characters, Large Cast
Context
Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
|
Songs
Act One
"Chanson" – Denise
"If It Wasn't for You" – Teacher, Priest, Marquis, and Villagers
*"Merci, Madame" – Aimable and Geneviève
*"Bread – Villagers
"Gifts of Love" – Geneviève
"Proud Lady" – Dominique
“If It Wasn’t For Her” – Therese, Teacher, Marquis, Villagers
"Serenade" – Dominique, Philippe, Aimable, and Geneviève
"Meadowlark" – Geneviève
"Any-Day-Now Day" – Aimable, Villagers
Act Two
"Chanson (Reprise)" – Denise
“The World’s Luckiest Man” – Claude, Barnaby, Antoine, Doumergue, Pierre, Men
"Feminine Companionship" – Claude, Village Men, Marquis, Simone, Inèz, Nicole
“If It Wasn’t For You (Reprise)” - Priest
"If I Have to Live Alone" – Aimable
*"Romance" – Denise, Hortense, Thérèse, Simone, Inez, Nicole
"Where is the Warmth?" – Geneviève
"Finale Act Two" – Denise, Aimable, Geneviève, Villagers
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
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Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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Guide Written By:
Cindi Calhoun
Theatre teacher, director, writer, and seamstress