Overview
Synopsis
The Olivier-nominated Enter the Guardsman, is a lyrical, delicate, and altogether delicious backstage musical. In the soft glow of the ghost light we smell the heavy scent of deep red roses -- the gift of an anonymous lover to a beautiful Actress. The Actress is married to her longtime co-star, the Actor, and they are settling into two long runs: the routine of married life, and yet another long-running onstage romance. Actors are known for their penchant for drama in lieu of routine, so it comes as no surprise that the Actress becomes distracted by a secret admirer. Nervous and pre-emptively heartbroken, the Actor must decide: will he capitulate to the tyranny of time, and the inevitability of the next lover -- or, in a manipulative, daring, professionally intriguing move, will he step into the Guardsman’s manly boots and become his own rival, fighting for his own wife’s affections? Narrated by the sardonic, insightful Playwright who helps the plot unfold, supported by a melodious ensemble of backstage crew, Enter the Guardsman features a deeply elegant and romantic score, influenced by the Viennese waltz. It contains such tunes as the rousing “Enter the Guardsman”, the poignant “Waiting in the Wings”, the sprightly and romantic “Language of Flowers’” and a dreamy, bittersweet meditation on “Art Imitating Life.” Based upon Ferenc Molnar’s The Guardsman, a play made famous as a vehicle for star couple Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne, this musical is an intricate, humorous, and tender examination of what it takes to keep a relationship, a narrative, or the long run of a play, fresh and engaging.
Show Information
- Book
- Scott Wentworth
- Music
- Craig Bohmler
- Lyrics
- Marion Adler
- Category
- Musical
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 1997
- Genres
- Comedy, Romance
- Settings
- Period, Unit/Single Set
- Time & Place
- 1900-1910 (pre wwi), backstage, european city
- Cast Size
- small
- Orchestra Size
- Small
- Dancing
- Musical Staging
- Licensor
- Theatrical Rights Worldwide
- Ideal For
- Mostly Male Cast, Includes Adult, Mature Adult, Young Adult Characters, Small Cast
Context
Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Soprano |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
Songs
Act One
- Overture
- Tonight Was Like the First Night - Full Company
- Chopin - Actor, Playwright
- My One Great Love - Actress
- The Language of Flowers - Wardrobe Mistress, Wigs Master, Assistant Stage Manager
- Drama - Playwright, Dresser
- The Actor’s Fantasy - Actor, Playwright
- You Have the Ring - Dresser, Actress
- Reprise: You Have the Ring - Actress
- Enter the Guardsman - Full Company
- True to Me - Actor, Guardsman
Act Two
- She’s a Little Off - Wardrobe Mistress, Assistant Stage Manager, Wigs Master, Actress
- I Can’t Go On - Actor, Actress, Playwright
- Waiting in the Wings - Dresser
- Reprise: My One Great Love - Actress, GUardsman
- They Die - Playwright
- The Long Run - Wigs Master, Wardrobe Mistress, Assistant Stage Manager, Dresser
- Reprise: Tonight Was Like the First Night - Actress, Actor
- Art Imitating Life - Playwright
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
Quizzes
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Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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