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Overview
Synopsis
This all-sung, all-rhymed musical was championed by such notables as Al Hirschfeld, Harold Prince, and Leonard Cohen. It is uniquely educational in demonstrating all vocal types, as embodied by its “Circus of Voices.”
Set in Victorian England, Charlotte Sweet spotlights Charlotte, a girl with one of the highest & most beautiful soprano voices in the world. Because of her father's debts, she is forced to leave Ludlow Ladd (her Liverpool sweetheart) and join Barnaby Bugaboo's Circus of Voices: a troupe of freak voices including low-voiced Katinka Bugaboo, fast-voiced Harry Host, bubble-voiced Cecily Macintosh, and Skitzy Scofield (with dual personalities & voices).
Becoming the troupe's biggest sensation, Charlotte is mercilessly exploited by Barnaby until she has a vocal breakdown. Thereupon, Barnaby & his wife Katinka addict Charlotte to helium balloons in order to maintain her high notes. Only when Ludlow Ladd arrives in disguise, is Charlotte able to rescue herself, in a scene full of surprises.
Show Information
- Music
- Gerald J. Markoe
- Lyrics
- Michael Colby
- Libretto
- Michael Colby
- Category
- Musical
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 1982
- Genres
- Satire, Comedy
- Settings
- Unit/Single Set, Period
- Time & Place
- End of the Victorian era, England
- Cast Size
- medium
- Licensor
- Theatrical Rights Worldwide
- Ideal For
- Community Theatre, College/University, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Small Cast, Includes Adult, Late Teen, Young Adult, Mature Adult Characters, Medium Cast
Context
Charlotte Sweet was nominated for three Drama Desk Awards: Outstanding Lyrics, Outstanding Music, and Outstanding Actress in a Musical.
to read the context for Charlotte Sweet and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
ACT ONE
An ensemble of music hall performers gather to enact “The Story of Charlotte Sweet” (At The Music Hall). In turn-of-the-20th-century England, we meet Charlotte Sweet, the darling of Liverpool (Charlotte Sweet). Charlotte attributes her sweetness to being born on Valentine’s Day. Charlotte’s beau is the equally cute Ludlow Ladd Grimble, who, coincidentally, was born on Christmas. Exchanging keepsakes, Charlotte gives her sweetheart a heart-shaped locket, while Ludlow give Charlotte
to read the plot for Charlotte Sweet and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
---|---|---|---|
Lead |
Female |
Soprano |
|
Lead |
Male |
Tenor |
|
Supporting |
Male |
Bass-Baritone |
|
Supporting |
Male |
Baritone |
|
Supporting |
Female |
Alto, Contralto |
|
Supporting |
Male |
Baritone, Tenor |
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano, Soprano |
|
Supporting |
Female |
Alto |
Songs
Act One
- "At the Music Hall" — Harry and Ensemble
- "Charlotte Sweet" — Bob, Charlotte, and Ensemble
- "A Daughter of Valentine's Day" — Charlotte and Ensemble
- "Forever" — Ludlow and Charlotte
- "Liverpool Sunset" — Ensemble
- "Layers of Underwear" — Bob, Katinka, Barnaby, and Charlotte
- "Quartet Agonistes" — Katinka, Barnaby, Charlotte, and Bob
- "Forever (Reprise)" — Barnaby and Katinka
- "The Circus of Voices" — Barnaby, Katinka, Skitzy, Cecily, Harry, and Charlotte
- "Keep It Low" — Katinka and Men’s Chorus (Harry and Skitzy)
- "Bubbles In Me Bonnet" — Cecily
- "Vegetable Reggie" — Harry
- "My Baby and Me" — Skitzy
- "A-Weaving" — Charlotte
- "Your High Note!" — Charlotte, Barnaby, and Katinka
- "Katinka/The Darkness" — Barnaby
Act Two
- "On It Goes" – Bob and Ensemble
- "You See In Me a Bobby" – “Patrick”, Barnaby, and Katinka
- "A Christmas Bûche" – Charlotte, Cecily, Skitzy, and Harry
- "The Letter (Me Charlotte Dear)" – Ludlow
- "Dover" – Skitzy
- "Volley of Indecision" – Skitzy, Harry, and Charlotte
- "Good Things Come" – Cecily
- "It Could Only Happen In the Theatre" – Cecily, Skitzy, “Patrick,” and Harry
- "Lonely Canary" – Charlotte
- "Queenly Comments" – “The Queen,” Barnaby, Katinka, “Patrick,” and Charlotte
- "Surprise! Surprise!" – Ensemble
- "The Reckoning" – Ensemble
- "Farewell to Auld Lang Syne/Finale" – Ensemble
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.
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