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The Greek Musical Romp
By Michael Colby and Gerald Jay Markoe
In this zany musical send-up of ancient Greek mythology, Candora is a young prophetess with a problem: her unflagging truthfulness gets on everyone’s nerves! After being convinced by the stalwart Pectorus to apply for the lofty position of Oracle, the two set off on their mission to Delphi, only to run head first into two other seers on the same mission. While being romanced by the dashing Cyclops and avoiding Hernia, the Greek Goddess of Inner Disorder, Candora must ultimately decide what (and even who) she wants in this epic and madcap musical adventure.
The Story
Act I
The pseudo-ringmaster, Apollo, sings about the current state of Greece (Opening [We Greeks Have a Myth]). Delphi has lost its great soothsayer and Apollo has sent his messenger, Pectorus, across the land in search of three possible candidates (We Need Someone Now).
Pectorus comes across Candora, a young prophetess, and tests her prophetic talent (The Test 1). Candora explains her gift (I Know Everybody’s Business) and also reveals that she can’t see her own future. Pectorus describes the importance of the soothsaying responsibilities (The Oracle at Delphi). Candora is not sure if it is the right life for her but Pectorus encourages her to come along (You Could Make History).
They depart Athens and arrive at the Eleusis Shoreline. There, they come across two siblings, Zircony and Asphodel. Zircony is entrapped in chains of jewelry. Her brother, Asphodel, is incapable of helping his sister because he is entranced by his own reflection. As the travelers approach, they see the creature Waspra, half wasp and half human, ready to attack Zircony (Song of the Waspra). Pectorus and Candora intervene and Waspra, defeated, literally buzzes off.
Safe now, Zircony describes the affliction that keeps her brother drawn to his own image and Asphodel explains (When I Gaze).
Zircony reveals that she too has prophetic powers (though it is clear she is lying) and then uses her flirtatious flattery to convince Pectorus of her skills (The Test 2).
It’s nighttime and, as the woods become creepy, it is obvious that Pectorus has a soft spot for scary things, which he explains he inherited from his mother (Mother). They set up camp in the woods and the other characters console the large man (To Help You Through the Night). In the middle of the night, Zircony tries to seduce Pectorus while Asphodel and Candora have a more innocent love connection. The travelers wake up and are haunted by the sound of buzzing, a curse that Waspra placed on them (Birth of the Snore).
Nebula, a wood nymph, and her protector, Cy, a Cyclops, approach and introduce themselves. Nebula is an authentic prophet, who channels voices of future Hollywood movie stars (Believe Her). Pectorus then gives her the opportunity to prove her powers (The Test 3). Candora senses there is something else haunting Nebula, and the nymph confesses she has run away from her tyrannical mother, Hernia (Its Own Reward).
The group has finally reached Delphi and Apollo is there to greet them (Apollo’s Entrance). Apollo then asks the three candidates to prove their talents (May I Be Candid?). Hernia has put Apollo under a spell and the group is informed that a human sacrifice will be chosen in addition to a soothsayer. Zircony and Nebula both flee but Candora is forced to remain because she can only tell the truth: she is best for the prophetic task. Hernia and Apollo prepare to kill Candora (Finaletto, Act I).
Act II
The company is chained together and each of their powers is hindered (Unus Ex Machina). As Apollo is about to bring an axe to Candora’s head, Cy is able to stop him for a moment. Apollo is awoken from his spell as Hernia storms off (A Hopeless Day). Apollo gives the task of choosing the prophet to Cy and his clear-seeing eye. When the Cyclops gets Candora alone, it is clear that he has fallen in love with her (Even If I’m Not Your Type). Candora is confused by this new affection and runs off.
Zircony enters having seen the previous action and attempts to seduce Cy (Give Me the Chance). Candora is torn between her newfound love and her goal of becoming prophet (Right for Me), and all of the young lovers begin to grow weary and jealous of each other. Hernia enters casting a sleeping spell on all of them. While they are asleep she casts several spells to wreak havok.
Apollo returns to hear the decision as the others wake up. Cy picks Zircony because of Hernia’s spell and chaos breaks loose (Duel Ex Machina [This Has Got to Stop!]). In the midst of the action, Hernia fatally stabs Pectorus. Candora is visited by Zeus who gives her the answer to break the spell. As Hernia tries to attack, Candora offers her magical wine and makes her sick. Then, when Hernia goes after Cy, Candora protects her newfound love and kills off the wicked enchantress.
In the end, Cy and Apollo elect Zircony as the prophet. She is visited by the ghost of Pectorus who tells her he will return to give her the visions she needs (Fate Can Be Funny/Finale).
