Show Synopsis:
Julie and Carrie visit the town carousel one day, and Mrs. Mullin bans Julie from returning to the carousel when she lets Billy put his arm around her. Billy is fired for mocking Mrs. Mullin, and when he takes Julie for a drink, Julie is fired too since she is banned from being out late at night. A few months later, Julie tells Carrie that her new husband Billy has hit her, and then Billy and his friend Jigger make fun of Julie and Carrie's fiance Enoch. Julie tells Billy that she is pregnant, and Billy is concerned about finances, so he joins in on a robbery Jigger has organized. Enoch dumps Carrie at the town clambake when he thinks she's flirting with Jigger, and Julie begs Billy to not go on the robbery. The robbery fails, Billy dies, and the reunited Carrie and Enoch try to console Julie. Billy's spirit meets the Starkeeper who tells Billy that he can return to Earth for a single day fifteen years after his death to perform good deeds and redeem himself to get to heaven. Billy's daughter Louise is ostracized in their town, Carrie and Enoch are happy and wealthy, and their youngest son Enoch Jr. wants to marry Louise. Louise wants to run away and join an acting troupe, and they get into a fight. Billy gives Louise a star he stole from the heavens, pretending to be a friend of her deceased father, and when Louise tells Julie what happened, she has a feeling it is Billy speaking from beyond the grave. Billy goes to Louise's high school graduation and tries to convince her to reach out to other people so that she will not have to be a lonely outcast. Billy tells Julie that he loves her and finally goes to heaven.
Fun Facts:
1) This musical is based on the play Liliom by Ferenc Molnár.
2) The nine minutes of dialogue and music that make up "the bench scene" of this song are considered one of the most perfect love scenes in musical theatre, where Billy and Julie evolve from being complete strangers to lovers.
3) John Raitt originated the role of Billy on Broadway after playing Curly in the national tour of Oklahoma, another Rodgers and Hammerstein musical.
What's the use of wond'ring
If he's good or if he's bad,
Or if you like the way he wears his hat?
Oh, what's the use of wond'ring
If he's good or if he's bad?
He's your feller and you love him,
That's all there is to that.
Common sense may tell you
That the ending will be sad,
And now's the time to break and run away.
But what's the use of wond'ring
If the ending will be sad?
He's your feller and you love him,
There's nothing more to say.
Something made him the way that he is,
Whether he's false or true,
And something gave him the things that are his,
One of those things is you, so
When he wants your kisses,
You will give them to the lad,
And anywhere he leads you, you will walk.
And anytime he needs you,
You'll go running there like mad.
You're his girl and he's your feller,
And all the rest is talk.