THE GOLDEN APPLE A Musical in 2 Acts, 10 Scenes. Book and lyrics by John Latouche. (A contemporary adaptation of Homer's The Iliad and The Odyssey.) Music by Jerome Moross. Settings by William and Jean Eckart. Orchestral arrangements by Jerome Moross and Hershy Kay. Choreography and musical numbers staged by Hanya holm. Phoenix Theatre, Off-Broadway - 11th March - 18th April, 1954 (48 perfs) Alvin Theatre, Broadway: opened 20th April, 1954; closed 7th August, 1954 (125 perfs). SYNOPSIS Set in Angel's Roost near the town of Rhododendron, Washington State, the story relocates the mythical tale of Penelope and Ulysses to the first decade of the 20th Century. Ulysses has been fighting in the Spanish /American War but is now on his way home to be reunited with his beloved Penelope. Paris is a salesman who lands by balloon at the county fair and promptly falls in love with local farmer's daughter, Helen. They decide to elope to Rhododendron but unfortunately Helen is already married - to the local sheriff, Manelaus. Ulysses sets out on a ten year journey to find Helen. Eventually he reaches Rhododendron where the local mayor, Hector, tries to distract him with earthly pleasures, including the attention of enchantresses Circe and Siren. Ulysses is not distracted however, and, after a fight with Paris, brings back Helen to Angel's Roost and her husband and he is reunited with his wife Penelope. Story The Golden Apple transplants Homer's epic to the little town of Angel's Roost, nestled at the foot of Washington state's Mt. Olympus in turn-of-the- century America. Ulysses and his men are now returning veterans of the Spanish–American War. Patient Penelope is his loyal, long-suffering housewife. Impatient Helen is a farmer's daughter of easy virtue recently married to the much older Sheriff Menelaus who stayed behind as her legion of town beaux went off to war. The Olympian goddesses who meddle in mortal affairs are transformed into three high-powered townswomen: Minerva, goddess of Wisdom, becomes Miss Minerva Oliver, the spinster schoolmarm; Juno, goddess of Women and Marriage, becomes Mrs. Juniper, the mayor's proper wife; and Aphrodite. goddess of Love, is Lovey Mars, matchmaking busybody married to the local military captain. Eris, Goddess of Discord, who deliberately sets the events in motion that will lead to war, is turned into Mother Hare, local mountaindwelling mystic whom the townswomen consult for potions, herbs, and predictions of the future, but whom they consider too strange to include in the social life of Angel's Roost. Hector, hero of Troy, becomes Mayor Hector of the neighbouring city of Rhododendron, a sleazy, song and dance man. And Paris becomes that quintessential American figure, the travelling salesman. Essentially, Act One is The Iliad and Act Two is The Odyssey. Penelope is thrilled that her wandering husband is coining back from the war. The whole town turns out as the Heroes come home, and Ulysses tells of their many exploits. A celebration begins. A glowering Mother Hare interrupts it with a dark prophecy regarding Ulysses' future, intended to spur his wanderlust. A furious Penelope sends her packing, after which she and Ulysses reaffirm their commitment to each other.
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