Overview
Synopsis
Boston, 1959. At the Colonial Theatre, the cast of Robbin’ Hood takes their bows on opening night. Just as the curtain falls, so does Jessica Cranshaw, the profoundly untalented leading lady of the production. Enter Lieutenant Frank Cioffi, a fast-talking cop with a love for musical theatre. He quarantines the cast and crew inside the theatre while he searches for clues. But Cioffi doesn’t just investigate the murder--he also offers advice and insight into improving Robbin’ Hood. The musical will open again in 24 hours with a new leading lady, so the clock is ticking to find the killer and put on a killer show. Who could it be? Carmen Bernstein, the sassy and brassy producer? Christopher Belling, the campy and egotistical director? Georgia Hendricks, the lyricist who replaces Jessica onstage? Niki Harris, the ingenue with a secret? Everyone is a suspect, and only Cioffi can make sense of the evidence. Curtains is a musical-theatre parody of whodunnit classics, with numbers ranging from the classic musical theatre song-and-dance “A Tough Act to Follow” to the heartfelt “I Miss the Music.” A comedic send-up suitable for all ages, Curtains will have the audience laughing until the last curtain falls.
Show Information
Context
The conceptual origin of the musical comedy whodunit Curtains traces back to the late 1980s, when book writer Peter Stone pitched a backstage murder mystery concept to the iconic songwriting duo John Kander and Fred Ebb. Stone, a acclaimed writer known for his sharp theatrical structures, envisioned a classic golden-age musical that simultaneously served as an affectionate satire of the genre and a genuine Agatha Christie-style puzzle. Development proceeded fitfully over the next decade as
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Act I
It’s 1959, and the new musical Robbin’ Hood!—a Wild West spin on the legendary outlaw—is in the middle of its preview performances at Boston’s Colonial Theatre. The show is hoping to make the leap to Broadway, but judging by what happens onstage tonight, that dream may be in serious trouble.
As the musical reaches its grand finale, Madame Marian, played by fading movie star Jessica Cranshaw, watches as Rob Hood, played by leading man Bobby Pepper, wins a sharp-shooting contest and
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Showing 8 of 29 characters
Character Portrayals
See StageAgent members who have performed roles in Curtains.
Showing 8 of 32 portrayals
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Songs
Act I
- Overture - The Orchestra
- Wide Open Spaces - Randy Dexter, Niki Harris, Jessica Cranshaw, Bobby Pepper and Ensemble
- What Kind of Man? - Carmen Bernstein, Oscar Shapiro, Aaron Fox and Georgia Hendricks
- Thinking of Him - Georgia, Aaron and Bobby
- The Woman's Dead - Entire Company
- Show People - Carmen, Lieutenant Frank Cioffi and Company
- Coffee Shop Nights - Cioffi
- In the Same Boat 1 - Georgia, Niki and Bambi Bernét
- I Miss the Music - Aaron
- Thataway! - Georgia and Ensemble
Act II
- The Man is Dead (reprise) - Sasha (the conductor)
- He Did It - Company
- In the Same Boat 2 - Bobby, Randy and Harv Fremont
- It's a Business - Carmen and Stagehands
- Kansasland - Randy, Harv, Bambi and Ensemble
- She Did It (reprise) - Company
- Thinking of Him/I Miss The Music (Reprise) - Aaron and Georgia
- A Tough Act to Follow - Cioffi, Niki and Ensemble
- In the Same Boat 3, 4, and 5 - Company
- In the Same Boat Completed - Cioffi and Ensemble
- Show People (Reprise) - Cioffi and Carmen
- Wide Open Spaces (Finale) - Ensemble
- A Tough Act to Follow (Reprise) - Company
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.
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
THEMES
Love of the Theatre and the Magic of Performance
At its core, Curtains is a affectionate love letter to the world of musical theatre, celebrating the devotion, resilience, and passion of those who devote their lives to the stage. The musical contrasts the mundane reality of the outside world with the extraordinary, transformative magic of live performance. This idea is exemplified in the character of Detective Frank Cioffi, a lonely police detective whose true passion lies in
to read about the themes, symbols and motifs from Curtains and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Key Terms
The creative leader of a theatrical production, responsible for interpreting the script and guiding the cast and crew.
In theatre and film, the ingénue is a stock character representing a young, innocent, and often naïve woman, typically portrayed with charm and vulnerability. She is usually cast as the romantic interest, embodying purity and youthful idealism in contrast to more worldly or complex characters. The role often highlights themes of coming-of-age, first love, and the challenges of navigating adult society.
The writer responsible for crafting the words sung in a musical or opera. Lyricists collaborate closely with composers and librettists to ensure the lyrics support character, mood, and narrative progression.
A form of self-referential drama where the play draws attention to its own theatricality. This device challenges the audience’s suspension of disbelief and is used in Epic Theatre and postmodern works.
Parody is a comedic imitation of a style, genre, or work that exaggerates its features for humorous or satirical effect. In theatre, it playfully mocks conventions, characters, or cultural icons while still relying on audience recognition of the original. Parody can both celebrate and critique its subject, often blurring the line between homage and ridicule.
A work imitating styles or genres from various sources, often used in postmodern theatre for satire or homage.
A mystery plot where the audience follows clues to identify the perpetrator, often used in suspenseful or comedic theatre.
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Guide Written By:
Cindi Calhoun
Theatre teacher, director, writer, and seamstress