O, MARRY ME!

Music by Robert Kessler

Libretto and Lyrics by Lola Pergament, based on Oliver Goldsmith's She Stoops to Conquer

Gate Theatre - Off-Broadway 27 October, 1961 (21 perfs)

THE STORY

(Late 18th Century England)

Marlow is a bashful young man who only feels easy with serving girls and barmaids. He therefore sets out with reluctance to win the hand of Miss Kate Hardcastle, a young lady of quality. He is tricked by the mischievous Tony Lumpkin into believing that the home of Kate's father is a village inn and goes there accompanied by his friend Hastings. Marlow treats the enraged Mr Hardcastle as if he were an impudent landlord. Kate takes advantage of the situation by posing first as a barmaid and then as a poor relative, thus 'conquering' young Marlow. Constance Neville, who is Kate's friend and cousin, fails in love with Hastings. This does not please Mrs Hardcastle who dotes on her oafish Tony, her son by a previous marriage. She had intended a match for him with Constance. The mistakes of the evening unravel with the arrival of Marlow's father. Mr Hardcastle forgives young Marlow and all ends happily.

PRINCIPAL CHARACTERS

(plus Chorus)

Miss Kate Hardcastle (soprano)
Young Marlow (baritone)
Miss Constance Neville (soprano)
Hastings (baritone)
Mrs Hardcastle (mezzo)
Squire Hardcastle (baritone)
Tony Lumpkin (baritone)

PRINCIPAL MUSICAL NUMBERS 

The Kind of Man (Kate)
Be A Lover (Hastings, Marlow)
Fashions (Mrs Hardcastle, Hastings)
Perish The Baubles (Hastings)
The Braggart (Marlow, Kate)
My Proper Due (Tony)
Betrayed (Ensemble)
O Marry Me (Kate)
I Love Everything That's Old (Mr Hardcastle)

INSTRUMENTATION

(Total number of books = 3)

1 Cello
1 Flute/Clarinet
1 Piano