Synopsis
In short: Men are mean to a weird lady.
In long…
I. – Introduction:
The narrator states: “This is a production about the Queer Experience.” Then describes a strange woman, Madame Vee Q.R.S. (mezzo-soprano) sitting in a cafe. She has odd likes and dislikes and an individual nature, almost to the point of disbelief.
II. – The Order:
The cafe, which is attended by an experienced head waiter, Gilbert (baritone), and a younger waiter, Anton (soprano), comes to life with business as it opens. The wait staff at first tries to avoid Madame Vee Q.R.S., but eventually approach her. She refuses to speak to them, however. Despite this, they attempt to bring her what they think she might want, to no avail. With each attempt, Gilbert grows increasingly angry and Anton increasingly afraid. after Gilbert storms out of the room, Anton, who speaks only in quotes from the poetic works of Edgar Allan Poe, has a surreal and ominous premonition.
III. – Francophonic Waiter’s Lament:
Gilbert reaches his limit and sings a musette (then polka)-inspired song about his experiences working in the best French-speaking cafes in the world. This culminates in his resignation.
IV. – Delight:
As Anton is now left with the goings on of the cafe, a gentleman, Mr. Wallace (bass), enters. As Anton is too busy to seat him, he sits with Madame Vee Q.R.S., who is apprehensive at first. he begins to order for the both of them, and for the first time, her needs are appropriately anticipated. She falls in love with him.
V. – …the hollow heart…:
Madame Vee Q.R.S., through two separate trains of thought, examines her apprehension to state her wants and needs to the people in her life. With the prospect of love from Mr. Wallace, she decides, perhaps for the first time, to reveal herself to another person.
VI. – The End
Mr. Wallace orders scallops for himself and Madame Vee Q.R.S. For the first time, Madame Vee Q.R.S. speaks her truth: she is allergic to shellfish. The narrator explains that Mr. Wallace is extraordinarily fond of shellfish. So, Mr. Wallace murders Madame Vee Q.R.S. Anton realizes his premonition has come to pass. The narrator taunts the audience: “I told you so.”
Instrumentation
Narrator – Speaker (low voice preferred)
Madame Vee Q.R.S. – Mezzo-Soprano
Mr. Wallace – Bass
Anton – Soprano
Gibert – Baritone
Flute
Clarinet
Bassoon
Horn
Percussion (trap set: crash, ride, hi-hat, 2 woodblocks, snare, 3 toms, kick drum)
Piano
Violin I
Violin II
Viola
Cello
Notes
This production was first presented at Trevor Zavac’s masters recital on Saturday, April 25th at 10:30 AM in Schoenfeld Symphonic Hall at the University of Southern California.