Charlotte Sweet

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 a Christmas bûche—i.e. log cake—from the bakery where he works. They pledge to love each other “Forever”. Afterwards, they join their neighbors to admire the “Liverpool Sunset”. Meanwhile at home, Charlotte’s poor mother—a chronic shiverer—has suffocated under the massive “Layers Of Underwear” it took to warm her. The chilly details are recounted by Charlotte’s father, Bob Sweet, and the evil visitors, Barnaby and Katinka Bugaboo. Barnaby is the impresario of a music-hall troupe featuring Katinka,