Overview
Synopsis
In the heyday of music halls in Victorian London, a young actress is murdered by a mysterious strangler. Wanting to capitalize on the scintillating event, the Simpson Sisters' Waxworks puts on an exhibit dramatizing the murder. The exhibit angers actor Tom Baxter, the murdered actress’ former partner, and while he rails against the Simpson sisters, their niece Essie catches sight of the strong man and falls deeply in love. In order to gain Tom’s attention, Essie fabricates an attack by the murderer - a lie which soon comes true when the strangler sets his sights on Essie herself.
This buoyant murder mystery musical won six Tony awards in the year of its premiere, and was the directorial debut of the legendary Bob Fosse. The premiere performance of Redhead also featured Gwen Verdon in the role of Essie Whimple, for which she won her fourth Tony, just one year before she and Fosse were married.
Show Information
- Book
- Herbert Fields , Dorothy Fields , Sidney Sheldon , David Shaw
- Music
- Albert Hague
- Lyrics
- Dorothy Fields
- Category
- Musical
- Age Guidance
- Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 1959
- Genres
- Drama, Romance
- Settings
- Period
- Time & Place
- London, 19th Century
- Cast Size
- medium
- Orchestra Size
- Medium
- Dancing
- Heavy
- Licensor
- Music Theatre International
- Ideal For
- College/University, Community Theatre, Large Cast, Regional Theatre, Professional Theatre, Star Vehicle Female, Includes Adult, Mature Adult, Late Teen, Young Adult Characters, Medium Cast
Context
Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Alto |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Silent |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Silent |
Songs
- The Simpson Sisters - Singers and Dancers
- The Right Finger of My Left Hand - Essie Whimple
- Just for Once - Essie Whimple, Tom Baxter and George Poppett
- Merely Marvelous - Essie Whimple
- The Uncle Sam Rag - George Poppett, Singers and Dancers
- Erbie Fitch's Twitch - Essie Whimple
- She's Not Enough Woman for Me - Tom Baxter and George Poppett
- Behave Yourself - Essie Whimple, Maude Simpson, Sarah Simpson and Tom Baxter
- Look Who's in Love - Essie Whimple and Tom Baxter
- My Girl Is Just Enough Woman for Me - Tom Baxter and Passersby
- Essie's Vision - Essie Whimple and her Dream People
- Two Faces in the Dark - Essie Whimple, The Tenor, Singers and Dancers
- I'm Back in Circulation - Tom Baxter
- We Loves Ya, Jimey - Essie Whimple, May, Tilly and Clientele of the Green Dragon
- Pick-Pocket Tango - Essie Whimple and Jailer
- Look Who's in Love (Reprise) - Tom Baxter
- I'll Try - Essie Whimple and Tom Baxter
- Finale - Essie Whimple, Tom Baxter and 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.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
A male or female person who performs a role in a play, work of theatre, or movie.
References an era of book musicals written roughly between the 1940s and the 1960s.
A Broadway musical written and produced between 1943 and 1965.
A type of song, usually early in the musical, in which the protagonist expresses their desires. The "I Want" song establishes the character's objectives.
Relating to the reign of Queen Victoria (1837-1901) or a person who lived in the Victorian era.
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