GREENWILLOW Musical comedy in 2 acts, 15 scenes: Book by Lesser Samuels and Frank Loesser; Based on the novel Greenwillow by B.J. Chute; Music & Lyrics by Frank Loesser: Alvin Theatre, Broadway - 8 March, 1960 (97 perfs) An idyll of bygone rural America. A homespun fantasy that has to do with quaint superstitions and folklore of a mythical village located on the Meander River - or somewhere down the road from Brigadoon and Glocca Morra. The action takes place during four seasons in and about the (New England) village of Greenwillow. STORY: Gideon Briggs would like nothing better than to settle down in the village of Greenwill with his girlfriend, Dorrie. Unfortunately, Gideon believes in the superstition that the eldest son in the family is afflicted with the call to wander. It has already affected several of his ancestors and Gideon believes he is next. His problem is compounded by the fact that he loves Dorrie and, more importantly, Dorrie loves him. He resists fiercely the urge to marriage but hopes to break the spell and spare the woman he loves the agony of of a home without a husband. So, while Gideon awaits the call the spell has imposed, Dorrie laments the spell that she knows will keep them apart. The villagers are sympathetic to Gideon's predicament but they are unable to help him overcome it. The two ministers of the village, Rev. Lapp and the Rev. Birdsong each deals with the curse in his own, highly individual manner. Dorrie in convinced she should wish her love away and yet she recalls Gideon with tender yearning when faced with another love. In an effort to boost family morale, Gramma Briggs wheedles the loan of a cow from her miserly childhood sweetheart. Apparently the cow was the part of a disputed dowry from an almost wedding - but that's another story - and anyway, it happened so long ago .... When the cow gives birth to a calf, the Briggs family celebrates the occasion by holding a baptism. And yet, all around Greenwillow is the Gideon call to wander ... Eventually, of course, love conquers all. CAST (in order of appearance): Jabez Briggs Clara Clegg Mrs. Hasty. Mr. Preebs Mrs. Lunny Reverend Lapp Gramma Briggs Maidy Emma Gideon Briggs Amos Briggs Micah Briggs Martha Briggs SheLby Briggs Thomas Clegg Reverend Birdsong Young Churchgoer Will Nell Andrew
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