32^nd Festival Season - 2010

El Capitan

Music by: John Philip Sousa

Lyrics by: Thomas Frost

Book by: Charles Klein

ACT I: Since his arrival from Spain, the newly appointed viceroy of Peru, Don Medigua, has kept a low profile in his new country. This is part of his scheme to thwart a rebellion by followers loyal to the deposed viceroy, Don Cazarro, who wants to reconquer the throne. To lead them in battle, the rebel forces have engaged the services of the famed Spanish mercenary, El Capitan. Medigua, however, knows that El Capitan has been killed en route from Spain. As he is yet unknown to the populace, he will impersonate the mercenary, exaggerate El Capitan’s past heroics, and offer his services to Cazarro’s army. Cazarro, feeling that his own power is threatened by the imminent arrival of such a hero, invades the royal palace prematurely, but finds there only Medigua’s wife, Marghanza, and daughter, Isabel. El Capitan “arrives” and immediately captures the attention of Cazarro’s daughter, Estrelda, whose manipulation Medigua sees as a tool in keeping his rival under his control.

ACT II: The viceroy’s palace has fallen to the insurgents. The court chamberlain, Pozzo, is mistaken for Medigua and arrested. El Capitan is fêted as a hero and offered by Cazarro as a husband for the eager Estrelda. In addition to his failure to convince her to reconsider—and his concerns over bigamy—El Capitan’s problems multiply when his wife and daughter—and Pozzo—are brought in as prisoners and likely to inadvertently blow his cover. News arrives that Spanish soldiers have landed to help in battling the rebels; El Capitan, feeling empowered, calls on all to follow him into battle. To weaken the rebel forces, El Capitan has led them in exhaustive drills all day, followed by a bout of drinking. The Spanish troops claim victory and confirm Don Medigua as viceroy. Before he can vanish, El Capitan is denounced and exposed by Estrelda. Despite his protests and claim to be Don Medigua, El Capitan is dragged away. Only through some identity verification by Medigua’s wife does peace again fall on Peru.