The musical relates events in the life of early 20th century
evangelist and
pop culture icon
Aimee Semple McPherson. It follows her life and career from her childhood to her controversial death in 1944, focusing on her mysterious
kidnapping and the ensuing trial. Other highlights include her becoming the first woman to obtain a radio broadcast license in the United States, her cross-country drive unaccompanied by a man, her
multimedia empire that included several newspapers, and her interactions with such contemporaries as
Charles Chaplin and
William Randolph Hearst.
Four years later, the musical played at the
5th Avenue Theatre in
Seattle, Washington, from September 30 to October 29, 2011.[3] It was directed by
David Armstrong, artistic director at 5th Avenue, with choreography by Lorin Laterro, sets by Walt Spangler and costumes by Gregory A. Poplyk. Carmello again played Aimee, with
Judy Kaye as Minnie Kennedy,
Roz Ryan as Emma Jo Schaffer and
Ed Dixon.[4]
The musical premiered on
Broadway at the
Neil Simon Theatre, with previews starting on October 13, 2012, and opening officially on November 15, 2012.[5] Carmello stars, with
George Hearn playing both Aimee's father James Kennedy and a preacher Brother Bob. Ed Watts plays Aimee's husband, and Roz Ryan is again Emma Jo.[6] Direction and choreography are again by Armstrong and Latarro, sets and costumes are again by Spangler and Poplyk, and lighting is by
Natasha Katz. The new title of the musical is Scandalous: The Life and Trials of Aimee Semple McPherson.[7] The producers include Foursquare Foundation and
Dick DeVos, which The New York Times noted are "unusual newcomers", as Foursquare Foundation "provides grants to evangelical churches and ministries."[8]
Scandalous closed on December 9, 2012 after 29 regular performances and 31 previews. Difficulties arising from
Hurricane Sandy were cited as a contributing factor to the closing.[9]
"Moses and Pharaoh" – Aimee, David, Emma Jo & Ensemble
"Hollywood Aimee (Part 4) - Reporters
"It's Just You" – Kenneth
"This Time I'll Blame It On Love" – Aimee & David
"Lost or Found?/The Trial" - Full Company
"He'll Be My Home" (Reprise) - Aimee
"Oh, the Power" (Reprise) - Aimee & Ensemble
"I Have a Fire" - Aimee & Ensemble
The musical numbers from the 2007 Virginia production are:
Act I
"Stand Up" – Aimee & Ensemble
"For Such a Time as This" - Minnie
"Why Can't I?" – Aimee
"He Will Be My Home" – Robert & Aimee
"That Sweet Lass From Cork" – Ensemble
"Come Whatever May" – Robert & Aimee
"I Will Love You That Way" - Mac (Harold Stewart McPherson) & Aimee
"Follow Me!" – Aimee & Ensemble
"A Girl's Gotta Do What a Girl's Gotta Do" – Emma Jo & Girls
"Why Can't I Just Be a Woman" - Aimee
Act II
"God Will Provide" - Emma Jo
"Adam and Eve" – Aimee, David & Eve
"Samson and Delilha" – Aimee, David & Ensemble
"Let My People Go!" – Aimee, David, Emma Jo & Ensemble
"Saving Aimee" – Minnie
"The Silent, Sorrowful Shadows" - Aimee
"Demon in a Dress" - Brother Bob
"Emma Jo's Lament" - Emma Jo
"Lost or Found?" - Aimee, Asa & Ensemble
"Paying The Price" - Aimee
"I Had Fire" - Aimee & Ensemble
Songs cut from earlier versions of the production:
"The Silent, Sorrowful Shadows" - Aimee
"God Will Provide" - Emma Jo
"Emma Jo's Lament" - Emma Jo
"A Letter From Home" - James
"Demon in a Dress" - Brother Bob
"Saving Aimee" - Minnie
Critical reception
In its review of the Signature Theatre production, Variety wrote: "All is contained in Gifford's exceedingly thorough book, ripping nonstop from one crisis to another under Schaeffer's free-flowing direction. Pomeranz and Friedman break up the action with an enjoyable blend of tunes that opens with the spirited "Stand Up!"; highlights include an Irish jig, a rousing spiritual, some big ensemble numbers, and Aimee's signature tune, "Why Can't I Just Be a Woman?" "[2] The theatremania reviewer of the same production wrote that the musical is a "rousing experience, thanks to a group of tour-de-force performances, especially from ... Carmello in the title role, and songs ... that add layers of emotional shading missing from the dialogue played out between them. Director Eric Schaeffer's deft hand maximizes the show's strengths, fusing performers, songs, and story into an entertaining blend."[12]