Show Synopsis:
Two Riff farmers, Hadji and Neri, bring news of the French to the Red Shadow and his band, not knowing that the Red Shadow is actually Pierre, the son of the governor of the French Moroccan Province in disguise. He asks his right hand band Hassi to not harm the French girl Margot, because he is actually in love with her, and tells him that he acts witless around his father's house to divert suspicion from him being a spy for the revolutionaries. The band captures a British reporter named Benjamin, who is acquainted with Pierre, and they let him go as they start fighting the French army. Captain Paul Fontaine, who yearns to capture the Red Shadow, is surprised to find that his lover Azuri has been hiding by the Red Shadow's camp, and she is upset that Paul has lately shown affection towards Margot. Benjamin returns to the governor's house and tells his secretary and fiancee Susan everything he saw, and Margot leads all the girls in mocking the soldiers by wearing their uniforms. Margot's father tells her to marry Paul, though she is not fond of the idea and would rather have real romance. The Red Shadow runs through the house to Pierre's room, where he becomes dimwited Pierre again, and Paul is frustrated that the Red Shadow outwitted him again. Benjamin calls off his engagement with Susan, since he only ever saw her as a last resort, and Azuri bribes Paul with the name of the Red Shadow for some affection, though he is looking forward to the idea of marrying Margot. The Red Shadow begins to seduce Margot, and they kiss, so Paul vows to kill the Red Shadow once and for all before the wedding. Azuri leads the Moroccan dancing girls in a wedding dance to cover up her grief at Paul marrying another woman, slowly seducing him. The revoutionary band breaks in and kidnaps Benjamin and Susan while the Red Shadow takes Margot, though she does not resist. They go to Ali Ben Ali's harem, but Benjamin insults him and he threatens Benjamin's life. Benjamin disguises himself in Susan's clothing so that she does not risk her life carrying a message to the French, and Ali Ben Ali tells the Red Shadow that he and his men do not want to fight the French just so that The Red Shadow can have a girl. Susan and Benjamin are caught in their disguises, and Margot tells the Red Shadow that she loves Pierre, then tells Pierre she loves The Red Shadow. Azuri tells Margot she loves Paul, and Margot asks for her help in escaping the harem in exchange for Paul. The French attack the harem and The Red Shadow surrenders as Susan and Benjamin return to the General's house after a few long days in the desert, and they confess their love for each other. Azuri drunkenly tells the General that his son is the Red Shadow, and he hurries off to stop his soldiers from killing Pierre. He tells Pierre that he is proud for not fighting him at the harem, and Pierre shows Margot that she can be in love with both Pierre and the Red Shadow.	

Character:
Captain Paul Fontaine, a confident young French man in his 30s who longs to be a hero; cannot resist beautiful women; longs to kill the Red Shadow and gets increasingly frustrated at his escapes.

Song Context:
Paul longs to return to General Birabeau's house so that he can see Margot again and impress her with his tales of bravery.	

Fun Facts:
1. This musical was based on the real life uprising of the Moroccan Riffs in 1925 against the French colonists, as well as some stories of Lawrene of Arabia.
2. There have been four film adaptations of this musical, with the 1929 adaptation being the most popular. 
3. Glen Dale originated the role of Paul on Broadway.