Overview
Synopsis
Filled with romance, swordplay, high aspirations and low comedy, ‘The Vagabond King’ recreates the world of medieval Paris saved from the Burgundians by a "king for a day"--the poet-thief François Villon. Paris is under siege by the forces of the Duke of Burgundy and popular support of King Louis XI is at a low point. Poet, braggart, thief Villon, the darling of the Paris rabble, has sent anonymous love poems to the beautiful Katherine de Vaucelles, causing her to reject proposals from King Louis. She goes to seek the mysterious poet at an inn, but King Louis shadows her in diguise. Louis is incensed to hear Villon mocking the failures of his reign and saying what he would do instead "if I were king." The infuriated monarch reveals himself. As punishment for his treasonous speech, he gives Villon a hard choice: he must either shut up and give up courting Katherine or accept the position of Grand Marshal -- with all the powers of King -- for 24 hours during which time he must make good on his boasts and free Paris. If he chooses the second but fails, Villon will hang.
Show Information
- Book
- Brian Hooker , William H. Post
- Music
- Rudolf Friml
- Lyrics
- Brian Hooker , William H. Post
- Category
- Musical
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 4
- First Produced
- 1925
- Genres
- Cast Size
- large
- Licensor
- Samuel French
- Ideal For
- Mostly Male Cast, Includes Late Teen, Young Adult, Adult Characters, Large Cast
Context
Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
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Lead |
Female |
Soprano |
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Lead |
Male |
Baritone |
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Lead |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
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Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
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Female |
Spoken |
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Male |
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Female |
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Female |
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Female |
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Male |
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Male |
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Songs
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
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Quizzes
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Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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