A Brief History of Curtains

The musical Curtains came to be in a most bizarre way, as it saw long-time collaborators John Kander and Fred Ebb reunite to attempt to catch lightning in a bottle like they did previously with such shows as Cabaret and Chicago. Peter Stone, the original book writer, was working on the idea for a murder-mystery musical back in 1986 under the title Who Killed David Merrick?. After decades of rewrites and failed attempts to mount the production, the newly-named musical Curtains was beginning to find footing in the early 2000s. Unfortunately, while working on the show, Ebb and Stone passed away in 2004 and 2003 respectively before Curtains was complete. Rupert Holmes was then brought on to finish the new libretto, switching the setting from the 1980s to 1959 Boston and rewriting the show-within-a-show to a comedy western musical called Robbin’ Hood. Curtains eventually debuted in July 2006 at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles. Reviews were mixed, to say the least, but nonetheless, Curtains got the green light to transfer to Broadway after minor changes to the book and music. March 2007 saw the Broadway debut of Curtains, starring David Hyde Pierce and Debra Monk, among others. It went on to win one Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical (Pierce) and two Drama Desk Awards for Outstanding Book of a Musical and Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical (Monk). A UK tour and West End debut began in fall of 2019 but was ultimately cut short due to the Covid-19 global pandemic in March 2020. Reviews were mostly positive for the revival and starred English comedian Jason Manford as the leading role.

*For a more in-depth history of Curtains, please click HERE.

Musical Synopsis

Murder mystery meets 1950s musical in this action-packed show within a show as Lieutenant Frank Cioffi of the Boston Police is on the case to solve the murder of Jessica Cranshaw, leading lady of a very rocky production of Robbin’ Hood. While investigating, Cioffi, who is also a theatre aficionado, decides to help the doomed production get ready for their second opening night, even though the rest of the ensemble sees it as fruitless. Throughout the show, many other murders and attempted murders occur, which ultimately leads Cioffi to solving the case of the mysterious killer. They are quickly apprehended, Cioffi falls in love, and volunteers to takes the place of an injured cast member in their second opening night. Cioffi not only solves the mystery but also saves the production of Robbin’ Hood from utter failure, fulfilling his role as police officer and theatre enthusiast.

Character (Suspect) List

LIEUTENANT FRANK CIOFFI (40s) Local Boston detective who is also a musical theatre aficionado. Aside from being exceptionally good at his job, he has also aspired to be a musical theatre performer his entire life. He falls in love with Niki.

NIKI HARRIS (20s-early 30s) Pretty, naïve ingénue. Niki is a chorus girl/understudy in the chorus of the show-within-the-show during its Boston tryout. She aspires to make it as a performer on Broadway. She meets and falls in love with Dt. Frank Cioffi who is investigating a murder at the theatre. Actress must have legit Soprano and good comic timing.

GEORGIA HENDRICKS (30s) Female half of our songwriting team. She ends up taking on the leading lady role. She must sing and dance well.

CARMEN BERNSTEIN (45-65) Brassy Broadway producer. She is a terrific comedic actress who sings well.

AARON FOX (40s) The composer of the show-within-the-show. His songwriting partner, Georgia, is also his wife from whom he's separated. He's a sexy, charming ladies man.

SIDNEY BERNSTEIN (Late 50s-Mid 60s) The producer of an out-of-town flop. Sidney is tough and self-serving. Actor should have good comic timing.

CHRISTOPHER BELLING (40-60) English director. Very camp. Very funny. Requires a good comic lead actor.

BAMBI BERNÉT (Early 20s-early 30s) Performer in the chorus and daughter of Carmen, the lead producer. Hungry to work her way up to leading performer many think she was only hired because of her mother. Bambi is a good dancer/comedienne who sings well.

DARYL GRADY (30s) A Theatre critic for the local Boston newspaper, he enjoys using the power he has to make or break shows during their out-of-town tryouts.

JOHNNY HARMON (40s-50s) The Stage Manager of the show-within-the-show. Johnny is a character man who is gruff but lovable. He keeps the company in line and on their toes throughout the rehearsal process.

OSCAR SHAPIRO (45-65) The general manager. He is an agreeable if slightly gruff man. He is always looking for any angle to find money. Requires a good comic actor who sings.

BOBBY PEPPER (20s to early 30s) The choreographer and lead dancer. He is a strong singer who dances well.

JESSICA CRANSHAW (30s-40s) Fading Hollywood star. A diva, who has no right to be one, she is a terrible singer and actress who stars in the show-within-the-show and gets murdered on its opening night.

SASHA ILJINSKY The show’s pit conductor. He/she sings the opening song in Act II and leads the orchestra.

Song List

Act I

Overture - The Orchestra
Wide Open Spaces - Bobby, Jessica Cranshaw, Randy, Niki and Ensemble
What Kind of Man? - Carmen, Oscar, Aaron, Georgia
Thinking of Him - Georgia, Aaron, Bobby
The Woman's Dead - Georgia, Aaron, Niki, Bobby, Belling, Johnny, Bambi, Oscar, Carmen, Company
Show People - Carmen, Cioffi, Georgia, Aaron, Oscar, Belling, Bobby, Company
Coffee Shop Nights - Cioffi
In the Same Boat #1 - Georgia, Niki, Bambi
I Miss the Music - Aaron
Thataway! - Georgia, Bobby and Ensemble

Act II

The Man is Dead - Sasha
He Did It - Bobby, Georgia, Niki, Aaron, Belling, Oscar, Ensemble
In the Same Boat #2 - Bobby, Randy, Harv
It's a Business - Carmen, Male Ensemble
Kansasland - Randy, Harv, Bambi, Bobby, Ensemble
She Did It (Reprise) - Company
Thinking of Him/I Miss The Music (Reprise) - Aaron and Georgia
A Tough Act to Follow - Cioffi, Niki and Ensemble
In the Same Boat #3 - Company
In the Same Boat Completed - Georgia, Niki, Bambi, Bobby, Randy, Harv, Cioffi and Ensemble
Show People (Reprise) - Cioffi and Carmen
Wide Open Spaces (Finale) - Ensemble
A Tough Act to Follow (Reprise) - Company