Show Synopsis:
Many young men in New York City do not want to be drafted to fight in the Civil War, including Timmy, who helps out Maggie Flynn at the orphanage. Maggie manages to get a bunch of men to donate some coins to the orphanage, despite officers looking down upon it. The circus comes to town and the ringleader is Maggie?s ?dead husband? Phineas, who couldn?t face Maggie after his ?big break? went sour seven years ago. Maggie tells him she?s engaged to be married to John and is working on getting him legally declared dead, but needs a full divorce now that he?s turned up. Phineas tries to win Maggie back by entertaining the orphans, and Maggie is surprised when her fiance Colonel John Farraday shows up to urge her to get married soon, since he?s been transferred to New York City permanently. John wants to give Maggie a life of riches and leisure, and Phineas sees that Maggie would be happy with him. Maggie hesitates because John?s general doesn?t think much of Maggie taking care of black orphans, but Maggie does not want to desert them. They get quarantined in the orphanage together because some of the orphans have measles, and the children become very attached to Phineas, while Maggie starts to fall for him again herself. Maggie addresses a group of society ladies with her plea for funds for the orphans, and when they resist, Phineas charms them into throwing a benefit ball. The army orders a raid on the orphanage in light of oncoming Confederates and anti-draft riots, and suspicious boxes being sent to Maggie?s. Phineas declares his love to Maggie at the ball, but then her engagement is publicly announced. During the raid at the orphanage, the army discovers that the renters in Maggie?s basement are leading the draft riots and plan to hand out guns to rioters to defend themselves against police. The police arrest Maggie for being their landlord  and Maggie insists that the children go with her to jail to be protected. During Maggie?s questioning, John reveals that he has suspicions and doesn?t completely trust Maggie. She also found out he lied about the general?s feelings towards black children - it was John?s prejudice. Timmy vouches for Maggie?s innocence, because he wasn?t aware how intense the riot was going to be and feels bad about having worked towards it. One of the orphans, Efram, is killed in the riot, sacrificing himself to the bigoted rioters to spare the other children and Maggie. Maggie and the others return to the orphanage, where Phineas is hiding. They escape the orphanage as it burns, and Maggie is inspired to start a new life with nothing but Phineas and the children who love her.	

Character:
Phineas, an earnest and smart young actor completely in love with Maggie.

Song Context:
Maggie tells Phineas that she is absolutely marrying Colonel Farraday and that they cannot be together anymore. Phineas does not believe that she will go through with it. He tries to put on a brave face for the party the Vanderhoffs are throwing.	

Fun Facts:
1. This musical was based on a true story about the New York Draft Riots of 1863. 
2. Jack Cassidy originated the role of Phineas (or "The Clown") on Broadway in his final Broadway musical. He was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Actors in a Musical for this role. 
3. Cassidy was married for eighteen years to his leading lady in this musical, Shirley Jones.