A Connecticut Yankee

Musical

Writers: Herbert Fields Richard Rodgers Lorenz Hart

Overview

Show Information

Lyrics
Based on the Play/Book/Film
A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court by Mark Twain
Category
Musical
Number of Acts
2
First Produced
1927
Genres
Comedy, Fairy Tale/Fantasy, Satire
Settings
Period, Fantasy/Imaginary, Multiple Settings
Time & Place
1920's Connecticut, Camelot, 5th Century England, A military base
Cast Size
medium
Orchestra Size
Large
Dancing
Some Dance
Ideal for
College/University, Community Theatre, Ensemble Cast, High School, Large Cast, Middle School, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Female, Star Vehicle Male, Religious Groups
Casting Notes
Mostly male cast
Includes adult, young adult characters

Synopsis

Originally opening on Broadway in 1927, Rodgers & Hart's A Connecticut Yankee introduces the audience to modern-day Martin, who is about to get married to Fay Morgan, but she knocks him in the head when she sees him talking to his former fiancée, Alice. While Martin is unconscious, he dreams of being in the court of King Arthur and gaining immense wealth and prestige by industrializing the realm. During the dream he falls in love with Demoiselle Alisande, who is then kidnapped by the king's evil sister Morgan Le Fay. Martin rescues Alisande just as he wakes up and realizes that he should be marrying Alice in the present day instead of Fay.

The show was revived on Broadway in 1943, which saw the addition of five new songs, and deletion of several others, plus as updating of the modern-day scenes to a military unit. This is the version currently available for licensing. A Connecticut Yankee is a delightful romp from the early days of Broadway featuring classic Rodgers & Hart tunes like the delightful "Thou Swell" and the showstopping comedy number "To Keep My Love Alive."

Lead Characters

A Connecticut Yankee guide sections