Overview
Synopsis
The well-known merchant Kasim Baba (brother of Ali Baba) is preparing to give a lavish banquet for the wealthy Chu Chin Chow, who is on his way from China. Abu Hassan wishes to add to his riches the property of Kasim and has installed the slave girl Zahrat in Kasim's house as a spy. Zahrat sends a message to Abu Hasan, letting him know about the banquet. Hasan arrives at Kasim's palace in disguise as Chu Chin Chow. His gang of thieves rob and slaughter Chu Chin Chow while he is still traveling. Meanwhile, Kasim's brother Ali Baba discovers Hasan's secret cave and helps himself to some of the thieves' treasure. While Hasan impersonates Chu Chin Chow at Kasim's court, Kasim persuades his brother to tell him where his sudden wealth came from. Even as the greedy Kasim slips out to see what he can find at Hasan's cave, Hasan is plotting further violence and thievery. Zahrat gets her revenge on both Hassan and his forty thieves, lovers are united, and all ends happily.
Show Information
- Book
- Oscar Asche
- Music
- Frederic Norton
- Category
- Musical
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 1916
- Genres
- Farce, Romance
- Cast Size
- large
- Licensor
- Samuel French
- Ideal For
- Mostly Male Cast, Includes Adult, Mature Adult, Young Adult, Late Teen Characters, Large Cast
Context
Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
|
|
|
Lead |
Male |
|
|
|
Lead |
Female |
|
|
|
Lead |
Male |
|
|
|
Lead |
Female |
|
|
|
Lead |
Female |
|
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
|
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
|
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
|
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
|
|
|
Featured |
Female |
|
|
|
Featured |
Male |
|
|
|
Featured |
Male |
|
|
|
Featured |
Male |
|
|
|
Featured |
Male |
|
|
|
Featured |
Male |
|
|
|
Featured |
Male |
|
Songs
- Here Be Oysters Stewed In Honey (Abdullah and Chorus)
- I am Chu Chin Chow (Abu Hasan and Chorus)
- Cleopatra's Nile (Marjanah and Chorus)
- I'll Sing & Dance (Ali Baba and Company)
- Corraline (Nur-Al-Huda and Marjanah)
- When a Pullet is Plump (Ali Baba)
- We Are The Robbers Of The Woods (Robber's Chorus)
- All My Days Till End Of Life (Marjanah and Ali Baba) *
- Temperamental am I (Ali Baba, Marjanah and Nur)
- Behold (Abdullah)
- Desert Song (Zahrat and Chorus)
- I Long for the Sun (Alcolom and Chorus)
- Mahbubah (Ali, Kassim, Marjanah, Nur and Alcolom)
- I Built a Fairy Palace (Mahbubah)
- The Song Of The Scimitar (Abu Hasan and Chorus)
- Any Time's Kissing Time (Alcolom)
- The Cobbler's Song (Baba Mustafa)
- We Bring Ye Fruits (Fruit Girls)
- From Cairo, Baghdad, Khorasan (Otbah)
- How Dear Is Our Day (Alcolom and Ali Baba)
- Olive Oil (Abdullah and Chorus) Wedding Procession (Ensemble)
Additional Songs added in the 1940 revival
- I Shiver And Shake With Fear (Ali Baba, Marjanah and Nur-Al-Huda)
- Beans, Beans, Beans (Mabudah)
- At Siesta Time (Marjanah and Chorus)
- If I Liken Thy Shape (Marjanah and Nur-Al-Huda)
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
Sorry! We do not currently have terms for this guide.
Videos
Sorry! We do not currently have videos for this guide.
Quizzes
Sorry! We do not currently have quizzes for this guide.
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
Sorry! We do not currently have learning modules for this guide.
Quote Analysis
Sorry! We do not currently have learning modules for this guide.