Sweet Charity

ACT ONE

“THE ADVENTURES OF CHARITY”

“THE STORY OF A GIRL”

“WHO WANTED TO BE . . .”

“LOVED.”

Thus begins Sweet Charity. Underneath these words beamed in fluorescent neon light is Charity Hope Valentine, an indomitable force of optimism who sees the world through rose-colored glasses. She sports a tattoo of a heart with a man’s name across it, and carries a purse. Charity is walking somewhere, moving aimlessly on the stage. This gradually transforms into a dance, as Charity happily enjoys dancing alone on stage (“Charity’s Theme”).

Charity is on her way to meet her boyfriend, Charlie, in Central Park by the lake. Charity is completely smitten with Charlie (“You Should See Yourself”). In comparison, Charlie seems to be rather aloof. It would be a bad sign to most, but not the ever-optimistic, hopeless romantic Charity. She happily details the plans she has for their future, and tells him she brought enough money for the two to make some down-payments on furniture sets; she calls it her