Book, lyrics and music by John Dusenberry.
The Wedding at the Cantina is a captivating new musical based on Chaucer’s classic love story, “The Black Rocks of Brittany.”
It tells the story of two young lovers in the quaint East Coast fishing village of Meri, Mexico broken apart when a traveling perfumer obtains a mysterious and powerful new scent from an amnesiac man, and uses it on the young girl.
Set amongst the backdrop of the town’s festive dance celebrations, the strange lover’s triangle finds itself frequenting Louise’s Cantina, where a colorful cast of barnacle-ridden bar flies and wait staff explore their take on the romantic drama unfolding before them.
Cast size: 10 men, 9 women, and a mixed chorus
4 Sets: (in order of size, largest to smallest) Meri’s harbor front, Cantina interior, Living room, Front porch
Music: Solos, duets, trios, chorus (short solos for some chorus members), dance
Orchestra: Small to medium
NOTE: A * indicates a live singer. Click on links to see lyrics for demos using sampled vocal sounds.
*She Walks Alone (Monica watching her daughter Magdalena walking home alone on a cold night.)
Some of the choral music (choral lyrics).
A Medley of dance music.
* It’s Almost Morning (young lovers Magdalena and Enrico, at sunrise on the day Enrico leaves on a rescue mission – Note: Enrico demo singer not in character.)
Magdalena’s dream and dance scene (dream dance dialogue and lyrics).
* I Never Loved Him (Magdalena fighting her feelings of love for Enrico.)
Magdalena’s friends try to calm her fears, to no avail (friends dialogue and lyrics).
At Meri’s celebration dance – Magdalena can walk! (celebration dance).
Rescue ship returns celebration and dance. (They’re Home)
The new cook demonstrates the effect of the fear-inducing potion at Louise’s Cantina (mauricio and fear potion).
Music by John Dusenberry 