The Temptation of Lady Amsterdam

Book and Lyrics by Greg Edwards, Music by Jonathan Breit

Lady Amsterdam and her father attempt to save their theatre from the rapacious overtures of Mr. Tussaud-Ripley.

Characters

  • LADY AMSTERDAM. A 1930s-style ingenue. She has a vivacity unmatched by the Lindbergh baby.
  • MR. AMSTERDAM. A theatrical purist with a tendency to drive audiences away and/or into comas.
  • MR. TUSSAUD-RIPLEY, 30s. A seductive huckster with his eye firmly on the bottom line.
  • THE WHORUS. Jezebel, Isabel, and Wasabel are a trio of 1930s Times Square hookers.

Productions

  • Prospect Musical Theater Lab (New York, 2011)

Press

Backstory

Jonathan and I wrote this for the Prospect Musical Theatre Lab's "Souvenir Stories" series. Our assignment: given a souvenir, create a ten-minute musical . Our souvenir: an old box office sign advertising "All Seats $2.50." Our thought: chorus of Times Square whores!

PS: Our contract with the Prospect Theatre gives them the right to "pubic performances" of our work, so we're currently adapting the songs for Jenna Jameson.


"I take one look at those girls, and my heart sinks when I realize their appearance has doomed each to become a governess or schoolteacher. And what schools will have them? Only the dimly lit." ~ Lady Barouche, Longston Park