The Witches of Eastwick
Witches of Eastwick
November 18th to 21st 2015
A Musical Comedy. Book and lyrics by John Dempsey; music by Dana P. Rowe; based on the novel by John Updike.
The Story
In the small New England town of Eastwick, Rhode Island, live three unhappy divorcees - Alexandra Spofford, Jane Smart and Sukie Rougemont . The town is “managed” by self-appointed first citizen, Felicia Gabriel.
Failed sculptress Alexandra is worried about her teenaged son, Michael and his romance with Felicia's college-bound daughter, Jennifer. Uptight music teacher Jane is grappling with her divorce from her purportedly gay husband. And nervy bookworm Sukie is troubled over her tedious affair with Clyde, Felicia's husband and editor of the paper where Sukie works.
One stormy night, drinking Martinis together, they wish for their perfect man! In no time at all, the town's legendary Lenox House is bought and its grounds ecologically disfigured by a stranger from New York City - one Darryl Van Horne. Sweeping into town the charismatic newcomer makes a sardonic case for small-town living and seduces the whole town into a trance like state.
Shortly after arriving Darryl visits all three women.
As Jane practices her 'cello the next evening, Darryl comes to call, violin in hand. Playing a duet with her, he unleashes the passion both in her music and her soul.
The following day, Van Horne intrudes upon Sukie's home, questioning her seeming inability to finish a sentence. He remedies the problem.
Finally Van Horne visits Alexandra, romancing, repulsing and chiding her for failing to see the beauty in herself.
The three women are transformed from dull divorcees into sexy vamps and
Eastwick is awash with rumours of Van Horne and his veritable harem. Rallying her troops, Felicia sends Jennifer off to college early, getting her safely away from Alexandra's son, Michael, and the carnal insanity that has gripped their little town.
Darryl invites all three ladies to his Mansion for a game of tennis. They all arrive together and that’s when it dawns on them that they are all under his spell and they are all sleeping with him. From then on he invites them all to visit at the same time without the pretence.
On their way to the Lenox House for one such evening, the three women reflect upon both their childhood dreams and their recent transformations. Darryl, watching them, marvels at his handiwork. Once arrived, they use a charmed cookie jar, cursing Felicia with a variety of objects - tennis balls, bracelets, feathers - which come flying out of her mouth. Enraptured and enamored, the three witches are sent flying into the New England skies.
Darryl wanders into the middle of Michael's shift at Nemo's Diner where he conjures up a lesson in the ways of the fairer sex for the lovelorn boy and the men of Eastwick.
The three ladies and Darryl continue to plague Felicia with wicked spells pouring drawing-pins, toenail clippings, spiders and cherry stones into the magic cookie jar … the objects magically appear out of Felicia's vile mouth. In her kitchen Felicia is stricken by the spell, even as she attempts to harangue her husband. Clyde ends it all with a well-timed frying pan, and then hangs himself (off stage!)
News of Clyde and Felicia's mysterious deaths swiftly spread through the town. Jennifer comes home from college to clear out the house. A newly educated Michael is chasing after every girl in Eastwick. Alexandra, Jane and Sukie, filled with guilt, distance themselves from Darryl, and an abandoned Darryl is none too happy about it, vowing revenge upon his coven. Coming across Jennifer at the docks a remorseful Sukie ruminates on the ever-present past.
Van Horne moves in on the orphan girl, however, and under his considerable influence, Jennifer is seduced. The two quickly become engaged to be married which prompts the three women to make their plans, even as Van Horne prepares for his wedding, gloating all the while.
On the wedding day, Alexandra, Jane and Sukie gatecrash the proceedings at the church. Armed with an effigy of Darryl and a hat pin, they cast Darryl out of Eastwick.
Young Jennifer and Michael are reunited; Alexandra, Jane and Sukie have all found peace with themselves and their lives, poised to live happily ever after. Darryl Van Horne is out of their lives forever or is he?
