Overview
Synopsis
Set in New Orleans of the 1890s, the story is loosely based on the Greek play, Medea. Marie Christine, an African-American, falls madly in love with a white ship captain, Dante, and becomes pregnant. Marie's brothers object to the relationship and beat Dante. Coming to his defense, Marie ends up stabbing her brother and she and Dante escape to Chicago. Once in Chicago, Dante abandons Marie for his political career. He ends up being engaged to his benefactor's daughter, Helena. In the end, Marie murders Helena and her own children.
Show Information
- Music
- Michael John Lachiusa
- Lyrics
- Michael John Lachiusa
- Category
- Musical
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- Genres
- Drama, Farce, Romance
- Cast Size
- large
- Licensor
- Music Theatre International
- Ideal For
- Mostly Female Cast, Includes Young Adult, Adult, Late Teen, Mature Adult Characters, Large Cast
Context
Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
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Lead |
Female |
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Lead |
Male |
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Supporting |
Male |
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Supporting |
Female |
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Supporting |
Male |
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Supporting |
Male |
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Supporting |
Female |
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Supporting |
Female |
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Supporting |
Male |
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Supporting |
Female |
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Featured |
Female |
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Featured |
Male |
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Featured |
Male |
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Featured |
Female |
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Featured |
Female |
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Featured |
Female |
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Featured |
Female |
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Featured |
Male |
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Featured |
Male |
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Featured |
Female |
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Featured |
Female |
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Featured |
Female |
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Featured |
Male |
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Featured |
Male |
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Featured |
Male |
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Songs
- "The Map of Your Heart" – Paris, Jean and Marie Christine
- "Before the Morning" – Women
- "Mamzell' Marie" – Marie Christine and Company
- "Ton Grandpere est le Soleil" – Marie Christine's Mother
- "Beautiful" – Marie Christine
- "Way Back to Paradise" – Marie Christine and Lisette
- "Storm" – Dante Keyes
- "To Find a Lover" – Marie Christine and Company
- "Nothing Beats Chicago" / "Ocean is Different" / "Danced with a Girl" – Dante Keyes
- "Tou Mi Mi" – Lisette
- "Miracles and Mysteries" – Marie Christine's Mother and Prisoners
- "I Don't Hear the Ocean" – Dante Keyes and Marie Christine
- "Bird Inside the House" – Maids and Valets
- "All Eyes Look Upon You" – Jean L'Adrese
- "A Month Ago" – Maids
- "Danced With a Girl" (Reprise) – Dante
- "We're Gonna Go to Chicago" – Dante Keyes and Marie Christine
- "Dansez Calinda" – Lisette
- "I Will Give" – Marie Christine and Prisoners
- "Finale of Act I" – Paris L'Adrese and Company
- "Opening" / "I Will Love You" – Prisoners, Dante Keyes and Marie Christine
- "Cincinnati" – Magdalena and Daughters
- "You're Looking at the Man" – Leary, McMahon, Dante Keyes and Company
- "The Scorpion" – Dante Keyes and Marie Christine
- "Lover Bring Me Summer" – Olivia Parker and Grace Parker
- "Old Dante" – Old Dante Keyes
- "Tell Me" – Marie Christine
- "Paradise is Burning Down" – Magdalena
- "Prison in a Prison" – Marie Christine, Prisoners, Helena and Dante Keyes
- "Better & Best" – Leary and McMahon
- "Good Looking Woman" – Gates, Leary and McMahon
- "No Turning Back" – Paris, Mother, Jean and Lisette
- "Beautiful" (Reprise) – Marie Christine
- "A Lovely Wedding" – Magdalena
- "I Will Love You" (Reprise) – Marie Christine
- "Your Name" – Dante Keyes
- "Finale of Act II" – Women
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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Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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