Show Synopsis:
Flaminio Scala?s commedia dell?arte troupe is a mess of romantic entanglements: the dwarf Armanda is in love with Flaminio, who has a hot-and-cold relationship with leading lady Columbina, while Pantalone loves Columbina. Flaminio teaches the talented young Francesco everything about comedy and invites him to join his troupe, which ravels to Europe. Francesco falls in love with the noblewoman Isabella, they elope, and Isabella becomes the new leading lady. Francesco suggests that the troupe perform Isabella?s play, which presents more substantial material than their typical comedy. Flaminio hates the idea but aggress to play Captain Spavento. During the performance, he finds it too difficult to perform this kind of theatre, and after heavy improvisation, he kills himself in front of the audience. The troupe remembers him fondly, and as they arrive in heaven with him, they see the future of comedy lit up before them, and they know that they have all made a difference in entertainment.
Character:
Isabella Andreini, a beautiful young woman who rejects her privileged lifestyle; talented and determined .
Song Context:
Isabella has shown Francesco her play "The Moon Woman," because she trusts him and enjoys his company. When he praises it and they realize that they have similar artistic sensibilities, they begin to think that they might be more than friends.
Fun Facts:
1. The plot of this musical is based on the real commedia dell'arte troupe of Flaminio Scala, which performed around Europe in the late sixteenth century.
2. Erin Davie originated the role of Isabella in the Off-Broadway production.
3. Lyricist and bookwriter Lynn Ahrens describes the role of Isabella as "lyrical, dramatic, and romantic."
"As the curtain slowly opens
To reveal the starry sky,
We see figures at the garden,
Two silhouettes ? you and I.
?Isabella, what?s the moon??
Nothing will appease her.
As she hums a haunting little tune,
Harlequino sees her.
He desires her,
She inspires him,
So he steals the moon from on high.
What a start ? simple, romantic, and new.
And I was born for the part,
Born to play opposite you.
You can teach me all you know,
I will go where you will lead me.
We were born to make it so,
We were born fly.
I would give up all I know just to be with you forever.
Heart and soul and flesh and bone,
Yours until I die.
In the music of another age, I was born to hear you,
Born to stand beside you on a stage,
Ever to be near you.
We?ll be silhouettes
Turning pirouettes
On the painted sets
Of the sky,
Kindred hearts making the world something new,
Casting the simplest of parts,
Born to play opposite you,
Opposite you."