Show Synopsis:
Queenie wants to throw a party so she can embarrass her boyfriend Burrs, and invites a number of ecccentric people, including Mr. Black. Mr. Black believes Queenie needs to saved from Burrs, despite the fact he's dating Kate. Kate tries to seduce Burrs but he confesses he is upset with his relationship with Queenie and scolds Queenie for trying to seduce Mr. Black. As Burrs slips slowly into insanity and begins to hallucinate, Queenie and Mr. Black begin to have sex, but are stopped by Burrs. Black kills Burrs and flees.
Character:
Queenie, a showgirl who cannot find satisfaction in a relationship; manipulative.
Song Context:
After the chaotic events of the night, Queenie is left without a man who loves her, and the one she has been living with is dead on the ground. She starts to think about how something that started out so innocently could end with so much blood and tears.
Fun Facts:
1) Julia Murney originated the role of Queenie Off-Broadway and was nominated for a Drama Desk Award for her performance.
2) This musical is based on Joseph Moncure March's narrative poem of the same name.
3) This musical premiered Off-Broadway during the same season that another musical based on March's poem opened on Broadway.
"We're all so sure,
We're all so wise.
No limits,
No boundaries,
No compromise.
Laughing at our neighbor,
Smiling through a hiss,
How did we come to this?
We're all amused.
We're all inspired,
So cunning,
So clever,
And so admired.
Easy to be angry,
Easy to dismiss.
How did we come to this?
Maybe I've been living in a daydream.
Maybe I've been talking in my sleep.
If I've been awake,
Pardon my mistake,
But time is running low
And talk is growing cheap.
We play our games,
We place our bets,
No witness,
No weakness,
And no regrets.
Filling up with frenzy,
Killing with a kiss,
How did we all come to this?
Time goes by,
Plans grow stale,
People die,
And parties fail.
How did we come to this?"