‘The Hurricane’ synopsis with song placements
ACT I
Madam Sparrow, the owner of an inn on Fire Island, is the guardian of Miranda. She also was once a powerful CEO until her brother Antonio, in league with a rival company headed by Alonso and his brother Sebastian, manufacture a scandal against her. Left bankrupt and divorced, she brought the young Miranda to the island and began a new life as Madam Sparrow.
Upon hearing that Alonso is traveling by yacht to Martha’s Vineyard, Madam Sparrow unleashes the power of a magical monkey paw to bring her old enemies to her island by drawing forth a hurricane (MONKEY PAW). She then enchants the entire island (THIS ISLAND IS MINE).
Madam Sparrow, the owner of an inn on Fire Island, is the guardian of Miranda. She also was once a powerful CEO until her brother Antonio, in league with a rival company headed by Alonso and his brother Sebastian, manufacture a scandal against her. Left bankrupt and divorced, she brought the young Miranda to the island and began a new life as Madam Sparrow.
Upon hearing that Alonso is traveling by yacht to Martha’s Vineyard, Madam Sparrow unleashes the power of a magical monkey paw to bring her old enemies to her island by drawing forth a hurricane (MONKEY PAW). She then enchants the entire island (THIS ISLAND IS MINE).
Miranda knows nothing of her past or the powers of the monkey paw. But that all changes after the hurricane hits the barrier islands and the handsome young Ferdinand (Alonso’s son) is drawn by song to seek help at the inn. He reveals that his father’s yacht has run aground. Madam Sparrow sends Ferdinand back to the others (Antonio, Sebastian and Alonso). Miranda, growing up on a gay resort island, has rarely had a chance with a straight man and is instantly smitten (STRAIGHT).
Madam Sparrow summons Ariel, who owes Madam Sparrow his servitude for having paid off his irresponsibly large credit card debts (PLASTIC), to plot her revenge. It is revealed that the monkey paw was in fact a purchase of Ariel’s made on his travels.
Back on the beach, Alonso, whose behavior has become increasingly bizarre since the death of his wife several years earlier, becomes distraught when he cannot find Ferdinand. Antonio, annoyed with Alonso, convinces Sebastian (who is bitter and depressed in part because of his own closeted homosexuality) that Alonso is no longer fit to run the company (THE GAME). They agree to manufacture a scandal that will leave Sebastian in charge. Ferdinand returns as Alonso muses that the island must be enchanted. Ariel soon arrives to bring everyone back to the inn. Ariel kisses a surprised Ferdinand, claiming that he knows him.
Madam Sparrow puts Miranda into a magic sleep in order to observe her dreams (PINK SKIES, GREEN CLOUDS) and becomes concerned that Miranda is naive about the world. Caliban, the inn’s bitter handyman, arrives and frightens Miranda with his volatile anger. Madam Sparrow arrives and magically commands Caliban to reveal the source of his negativity (MORNINGS)
and discovers he is afraid of dying alone and forgotten. After dismissing Caliban, she confesses to Miranda that she was formerly Adam Prospero, her father, and asks for her forgiveness. Miranda, upset that she has been lied to for so many years, runs off to find Ferdinand.
and discovers he is afraid of dying alone and forgotten. After dismissing Caliban, she confesses to Miranda that she was formerly Adam Prospero, her father, and asks for her forgiveness. Miranda, upset that she has been lied to for so many years, runs off to find Ferdinand.
Finding Ferdinand returning from the beach, Miranda flirts with him but he can only promise her one magical night together (ONE NIGHT). Worse still, unknown to Miranda, Madam Sparrow has instructed Ariel to pose as Ferdinand’s lover and betrothed, a charade that an enchanted Ferdinand joins. Ariel continues to lay Madam Sparrow’s trap by suggesting to Antonio that Ferdinand has been using company funds to lavish him with expensive gifts and shows off an expensive gold watch as proof (a watch he actually purchased for himself on credit years before). He claims Ferdinand is marrying him to keep the secret.
This false information provides Antonio with the scandal he was hoping for and he becomes empowered with the idea that he can use it unseat Alonso. Alonso, who remains in a deep denial about his wife’s death (GINSENG AND BONSAIS), begs Ariel to leave his son alone and becomes desperate when he contemplates losing Ferdinand to Ariel. (ACT I FINALE).
ACT II
Ariel laments that his time with Ferdinand is only a charade (ADONIS). The charade has forced Sebastian to finally come to terms with his own homosexuality. Madam Sparrow instructs Ariel to arrange a meeting between Sebastian and Caliban (BRIGHT AND SUNNY DAY). Sebastian is drawn to the dour Caliban, who in turn is drawn to the wealthy Sebastian. Antonio, unaware of Sebastian’s homosexuality, becomes even more convinced his scandal will work (THE GAME, REPRISE).
Ariel laments that his time with Ferdinand is only a charade (ADONIS). The charade has forced Sebastian to finally come to terms with his own homosexuality. Madam Sparrow instructs Ariel to arrange a meeting between Sebastian and Caliban (BRIGHT AND SUNNY DAY). Sebastian is drawn to the dour Caliban, who in turn is drawn to the wealthy Sebastian. Antonio, unaware of Sebastian’s homosexuality, becomes even more convinced his scandal will work (THE GAME, REPRISE).
Meanwhile, Madam Sparrow uses her magic to command Ferdinand to reveal his own secret: the death of his mother has left him emotionally hollow (TIME). Feeling that he has harmed something innocent, Ferdinand asks Ariel to lead him to Miranda, who is still taking refuge by the lighthouse. Miranda confronts both Ariel and Ferdinand about their deception and accuses them of having hearts of steel (LOVE’S A BORE).
Now more focused on Caliban, Sebastian decides against helping with Antonio’s scheme. Antonio, scrambling to salvage his plot, turns on Sebastian. Miranda confronts Madam Sparrow and demands to know why she never told her of her past. Madam Sparrow confesses it was her pride that prevented her and encourages her to help Ferdinand acknowledge his grief.
Miranda recognizes that Madam Sparrow has been trying to right the wrongs of the past and helps Ferdinand to let go (ICE AND SNOW). Moved by their song, Alonso lets go of his own denial, accepts his wife’s death and recovers his old self.
Miranda recognizes that Madam Sparrow has been trying to right the wrongs of the past and helps Ferdinand to let go (ICE AND SNOW). Moved by their song, Alonso lets go of his own denial, accepts his wife’s death and recovers his old self.
Antonio, desperate to save his scandal and himself, falls into Madam Sparrow’s trap as Ariel exposes the truth behind the watch and his relationship with Ferdinand. Alonso, now able to think clearly again, sees Antonio’s deceptions and fires him. Madam Sparrow finally reveals herself. Enraged by her brother, she uses the magic of the monkey paw against Antonio, but stops herself before causing serious harm to him. She warns Alonso that she intends to return to the corporate world and to warn his investors that there will be fierce competition.
Observing Miranda now paired with Ferdinand and Sebastian paired with Caliban, Madam Sparrow vows never to use the power of the monkey paw again as all agree that forgiveness and love is best (ACT II FINALE).
Observing Miranda now paired with Ferdinand and Sebastian paired with Caliban, Madam Sparrow vows never to use the power of the monkey paw again as all agree that forgiveness and love is best (ACT II FINALE).