The golden apple
Subtitle: a musical in two acts.
By: Written by John Latouche. The music composed by Jerome Moross.
Contributors: Latouche, John, 1917-1956.
Series: A Random House play
Publisher: Random House
Published: 1954
Place of publication: New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 133
Subjects: Musicals -- Librettos
Description: This musical was based on the Iliad and the Odyssey. The story has been transplanted to the town of Angel's Roost, Washington, at the foot of Mt. Olympus just after the Spanish-American war. Adventure-loving Ulysses and his men return triumphant to their various women, including Ulysses's wife Penelope and Helen, a young woman married to the old Sheriff Menelaus. In honor of the returning soldiers, the townsfolk organize a fair, in which there will be a baking competition. Old Mother Hare, who supplies the women with herbs and prophecies, is left out of the festivities, but she shows up anyway. She has an apple made of gold wire that she will award to the best baker. Three important townswomen, Miss Minerva, Mrs. Juniper, and Lovey Mars, elect the balloon-riding traveling salesman, Paris, to judge the contest, then promptly try to influence his vote. Lovey Mars wins because she promises him Helen. Soon Paris and Helen are wafting away to Rhododendron, the big city, as Mother Hare gleefully waves goodbye. Although Ulysses had promised Penelope that he'd stay home for a change, he immediately gathers his men and goes off to retrieve Helen. --www.rationalmusic.com.