Triumph of Love is a musical with a book by James Magruder, lyrics by Susan Birkenhead, and music by Jeffrey Stock. It is based on a play of the same name by the 18th-century French playwright Pierre de Marivaux.
Synopsis Resembling a chamber musical more than a traditional book musical, it is based on the 1732 Pierre de Marivaux commedia dell'arte play Le Triomphe de l'Amour. The story centers on Spartan princess Léonide, whose love for Agis is complicated by the fact her throne was wrongfully wrested by her family from the object of her affection. Agis has been raised an educated man ruled by reason rather than passion by his uncle Hermocrates and his aunt Hesione. The princess, conspiring with her servant Corine, disguises herself as Phocion in order to infiltrate the guarded "men-only" palace compound occupied by Agis, who is plotting her assassination. Complications ensue when both Agis and Hermocrates separately guess her secret, and she tells the former she's Cécile, on the lam from an undesirable paramour, and to the latter claims to be Aspasie, who wishes to study philosophy with him. Adding to the convoluted plot are Hermocrates' valet Harlequin and gardener Dimas.
Background Triumph of Love opened on Broadway on October 23, 1997 at the Royale Theatre, where it ran for 85 performances and 30 previews."'Triumph of Love' Broadway" Playbill (vault), accessed March 28, 2016 The musical was directed by Michael Mayer and choreographed by Doug Varone. Comedian Elayne Boosler had been announced to play Corine but dropped out during rehearsals due to creative differences."COMINGS AND GOINGS: Elayne Boosler Says Bye-Bye Love" Playbill, August 27, 1997
Original cast and characters CharacterBroadway (1997)Playbill 1997 Bio Cast Listaccessed 07/22/2023HesioneBetty BuckleyHermocratesF. Murray AbrahamPrincess Leonide Susan EganAgis Christopher SieberDimasKevin ChamberlinCorine Nancy OpelHarlequinRoger Bart
Songs Source:"'Triumph of Love' Listing" guidetomusicaltheatre.com, accessed March 28, 2016
Act I This Day of Days - Hesione, Harlequin, Agis, and Hermocrates Anything - Princess Leonide Classic Clown - Harlequin The Bond that Can't Be Broken - Princess Leonide, Agis Mr. Right - Corine, Harlequin You May Call Me Phocion - Princess Leonide, Hesione Mr. Right (Reprise) - Corine, Dimas Emotions - Hermocrates, Princess Leonide The Sad and Sordid Saga of Cécile - Princess Leonide, Agis, Corine, Harlequin, Dimas Serenity - Hesione Issue in Question - Agis Teach Me Not to Love You - The Company
Act II Have A Little Faith - Corine, Princess Leonide, Harlequin, Dimas The Tree - Hesione, Hermocrates What Have I Done? - Princess Leonide Henchmen Are Forgotten - Harlequin, Dimas, Corine Love Won't Take No For An Answer - Hermocrates, Hesione, Agis This Day of Days (Reprise) - Princess Leonide, Agis, Corine, Harlequin, Dimas
An original cast recording was released by Jay Records. As a bonus track, it included Buckley's cut solo from Act II, "If I Cannot Love."
Critical response The Variety reviewer called the musical "Modest in everything but talent and charm, this chamber-size comedy just might have the sass to take its place alongside the season’s big-budget lions."Evans, Greg. "Review: ‘Triumph of Love’" Variety, November 1, 1997
Original Broadway production Year Award Category Nominee Result1998 Tony Award Best Actress in a MusicalBetty Buckley Drama Desk Award Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical Outstanding Lyrics Susan Birkenhead Outstanding Costume Design Catherine Zuber Drama League AwardDistinguished Production of a Musical
See also Triumph of Love (2001), a film based on the same story
References
External links Internet Broadway Database listing Triumph of Love at MTI Shows New York Times review