Zorro (musical)

Prologue

Deep inside a cave, a band of gypsies stop to rest for the night, while dancing and singing, they listen eagerly as their leader tells them about an old gypsy myth - the infamous story of the legendary hero, Zorro.

Act I

Don Diego de la Vega, a wealthy young caballero, is sent away from his California home by his father, Don Alejandro, to school in Spain. He is forced to leave his childhood love Luisa, who is also being sent away by Diego's father. At the same time, Don Alejandro announces that Diego and Luisa's childhood friend Ramon shall become captain of the army, which pleases both Diego and Luisa.

Later, in Spain, Diego has run away from school and joined a band of gypsies who perform in the backstreets of the city ("Baila Me"). He is their star attraction, and after showing several tricks to an enthralled audience, he sees Luisa. Luisa persuades Diego to return to California to stop Ramon, who has become a tyrant. Inez, another gypsy and evidently Diego's lover, is not pleased to see Luisa and decides that she and all the other gypsies must accompany them. In California, Diego finds that Ramon has stripped the people of their rights and has put himself in charge ever since Don Alejandro "died." However, unbeknownst to everyone, Don Alejandro is not dead and is being held captive by Ramon. Ramon demonstrates his cruelty by sentencing three men to death for stealing; the men had added rocks to their sacks of grain to gain extra money for their hungry families. As the men are taken away, their women angrily declare their hatred of Ramon and his treatment of the people ("Liberdad").

After witnessing the cruelty of his old friend, and with the help of Inez (the only one who knows his plans), Diego adopts a heroic alter ego, Zorro, to defend the people of the pueblo ("Hope"). At the same time, to keep his identity secret, he presents himself to Ramon as an idiot of no real threat. He offers himself to Ramon as a personal servant, a move that angers Luisa, who believes that she brought Diego back for nothing.

The following day, the three men prepare to be hanged. As they are led to the gallows, Luisa and the women of the pueblo lament over the way the pueblo used to be and express hope that things will get better ("In One Day"). Before the noose can be tightened, Zorro makes a name for himself by saving the prisoners. Zorro swings in spectacularly out of nowhere and manages to appear almost simultaneously as Zorro and Diego, so that no one will suspect Diego.

After another spectacular rescue, Zorro flees from Ramon's guards and find himself in Luisa's room, having walked in on her while she is in the bath. Embarrassed, he lets it slip that he knows her name, but his identity is kept safe from her, and she begins to fall in love with Zorro, just as Diego has always been in love with her ("Falling").

Meanwhile, the gypsies cause a stir in the pueblo by drinking and dancing together ("Bamboleo/There's a Tale"), enticing Ramon's cowardly but warm-hearted Sergeant Garcia. Flirting and joking with Garcia, Inez soon finds a new admirer, and Garcia tries his best to act strong and brave like Zorro. But Inez still has eyes for Diego and finds Garcia merely entertaining. Ramon, initially intrigued by the idea of free wine, eventually turns against the gypsies and their radical ways and tries to prevent their activities. He finally attempts to exert his power by forcing himself upon Luisa, the woman he lusts over but who hates everything that he has become. However, Zorro appears just in time to save Luisa. He forces Ramon to his knees and carves his mark, "Z," into Ramon's chest, as Ramon screams in agony and anger.

Act II

The second act opens with the band of gypsies from the prologue reappearing on stage and performing a large song and dance routine. ("Entrada")

When the storyline continues, Ramon reveals the full extent of his injury: he is permanently scarred with the mark of Zorro. The gypsies and citizens mock him, and he angrily declares a curfew and that anyone out after the curfew will be shot. The crowd protests ("Freedom"). Inez tells Luisa that it is too dangerous for her to stay in Los Angeles; Luisa says that she knows a place where Ramon can never find her. Ramon orders the guards to shoot into the crowd. The people flee, leaving Inez and Ramon alone. She tells Ramon that his empire is crumbling around him and that soon his greed will consume him ("Bamboleo (Reprise)"). Ramon leaves in denial, but her words have a great effect on him.

Diego tries to advise Garcia on how to express his love for Inez, but when she arrives, Garcia becomes embarrassed and runs off. Diego enquires about Luisa's whereabouts. Inez tells him and also admits that she understands that Diego loves Luisa. Diego, dressed as Zorro, finds the cave where Luisa is hiding. Luisa confesses her feelings to Zorro, and the two dance outside the cave together ("Serenade"). The dance ends with Diego kissing Luisa but then pulling away. Luisa asks him why he's so afraid of his feelings; outside the cave, Diego sadly confesses that he wants to be with Luisa but is afraid that he risks putting her life in danger ("A Love We'll Never Live").

The following day, Garcia tries to impress Inez ("One More Beer"). Ramon, still distressed by Inez's words, goes to confession; he soon notices the priest is actually Zorro, who has learned that Don Alejandro is still alive and is trying to find him. Ramon sets a trap for Zorro, but Zorro manages to escape. Luisa goes to the gypsy camp where Inez transforms her into a gypsy ("Djobi Djoba"). Ramon bursts in and arrests Luisa. Inez calls Garcia a coward because he does nothing to stop Ramon.

Luisa is about to be executed by a firing squad when Zorro, accompanied by several other men dressed as Zorro, fights off the guards. Ramon puts a knife to Inez's throat and tries to make Zorro choose between Luisa and Inez, but Inez throws Ramon to the ground. She tells Ramon that the love between Zorro and Luisa is a love that he can never know. Ramon produces a pistol from his pocket and shoots Inez. A heartbroken Zorro surrenders and is dragged away by the guards as Ramon forces Luisa to agree to marry him. As Ramon leaves with Luisa, the gypsies appear and begin to mourn as they carry Inez's body away.

In his prison cell, Diego laments his failure to protect the people and blames himself for the suffering of the ones he loves ("Hope (Reprise)"). Garcia arrives and, admitting his cowardice, tells Zorro that he can take him to Don Alejandro. Meanwhile, Luisa is dressed by attendants for her wedding to Ramon. She wishes that she could have known the true identity of Zorro ("The Man Behind the Mask") and laments that in order to protect her love, she must sacrifice it as well as her happiness.

As the wedding begins, Zorro arrives, but this Zorro is revealed to be Don Alejandro, who confronts Ramon about his cruelty. The guards now turn against Ramon, and Don Alejandro orders Ramon to be arrested. But Ramon says that if they dare to arrest him, he will kill Luisa. The wedding proceeds, but just before Luisa gives her vows, Zorro swings into the chapel. During the ensuing sword fight with Ramon, Zorro reveals his true identity to Ramon and asks him to stop fighting, saying that they are brothers. Ramon appears to agree but then draws a small knife. Diego evades the blade and causes Ramon to fall on his own knife. Ramon is fatally wounded and dies.

Diego is distressed by what he has done, when Luisa and Don Alejandro reenter the room. Luisa, seeing that Zorro is unmasked, begs him to show her his face. Reluctantly he does so, and Luisa is shocked by the discovery that Zorro is Diego, but still declares that she loves him. The two kiss and embrace. All rejoice ("Fiesta").

Principal characters and original cast

Critical reception

Zorro opened at the Garrick Theatre in London to almost entirely favourable reviews. The Flamenco-based score and choreography were especially praised, as were the fight scenes. Michael Billington of the Guardian wrote, "The show may not be high art but it's great fun and brings a refreshingly different, Hispanic sound to the jaded world of West End musicals." He also noted, “The show is popular theatre that actually delivers the goods.” The Times noted, "Stephen Clark's book and Christopher Renshaw's production have the merit of not taking themselves too seriously. However, that's a plus bought at a price, for narrative excitement is largely sacrificed. Imagine a mix of Errol Flynn and Monty Python, and you have the feel." Michael Coveney of What's On Stage wrote, “An onstage flamenco fiesta that sets feet tapping and blood racing round the stalls.” Charles Spencer of The Daily Telegraph referred to Zorro as, “An insanely enjoyable musical.”

In its preview, the Evening Standard stated that whether the show becomes a hit or flop, "an eclectic combination of talents and influences will make Zorro the musical memorable." Since its successful opening, Zorro has announced that it is extending its contract into 2009.

Closing

Zorro the musical ended its West End run on the 14th of March 2009. Since closing in London, Zorro has appeared in other countries such as France, Japan, China, Korea, Holland, Russia, Bulgaria, Israel and Brazil. Worldwide the show has grossed more than $70 million to date in ticket sales and earned several awards and nominations including the Laurence Olivier Awards for Best Actor for the show's star, Matt Rawle and for Best Supporting Performance in a Musical for Lesli Margherita.

International productions

Scheduled to open in Atlanta, Georgia at the Alliance Theatre April 10, 2013, and in Los Angeles at The Ahmanson Theatre Fall 2014. Directed by Chris Renshaw.

The play made its American debut at the Hale Centre Theatre in West Vally City (Salt Lake City), Utah from February 15 - April 11, 2012. Directed by David Tinney

In Sofia, Bulgaria, Zorro opened at The Musical Theatre of Sofia in January 2012 and continues to run.

In South Korea, Zorro opened on November 4, 2011, directed by David Swan. It will reopen at the Charlotte Theatre in October 2014

In the Netherlands a Dutch production ran from April 2, 2011 until January 8, 2012, produced by Stage Entertainment. The role of Zorro was cast through a television show 'Op zoek naar Zorro'. Directed by Chris Renshaw.

In Tokyo, Japan, the musical ran from January 2011 to March 2011. Directed by Chris Renshaw.

In Russia, the musical ran from 2 October 2010 to 31 May 2011 at the MDM Theater (Moscow Youth Palace) produced by Stage Entertainment. Directed by Chris Renshaw.

A French production ran at Folies Bergère, Paris, from 5 November 2009 to 27 June 2010 produced by Stage Entertainment. Directed by Chris Renshaw.

Zorro the Musical officially premiered at the Garrick Theatre, in London's West End, on July 15th, 2008. Directed by Chris Renshaw.

Scheduled to run in Brno, Czech Republic, at the Brno City Theatre opening March 16, 2013.

Scheduled to run in Warsaw, Poland, Teatr Komedia, opening December 2013.

Multi-City U.S.A, and Canada tour, including Broadway is scheduled for 2014 & 2015. Directed by Chris Renshaw.

In 2014, original star Lesli Margherita said that plans were in place to open a production of Zorro in New York in 2015.

The international high school premiere production ran from 10-13 February 2015 at Valley Park School, Maidstone, UK.

Chadwick School piloted the first North American High School production of Zorro from February 25-28, 2015 in Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA.

The original German production premiered on the 13th of June 2015 in Tecklenburg.