Dick Tracy
June 1994
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An original script, written by one of our members, and inspired by the Dick Tracy stories, combined with songs from the film starring Warren Beatty & Madonna to create this musical, in which 1930s gangland Chicago is the sinister setting for a tale of murder, mayhem, greed and lust. Putting an end to a long-standing feud, gang leader Lips Manless is bumped off by rival Big Boy Caprice. However, before he's sent swimming in concrete shoes, Lips is forced to sign over everything he owns to Caprice. That means not only his illegal drinking den, the Top Hat club, but it's staff and his girlfriend, the club's singing star, Breathless Mahoney
Not surprisingly, Breathl;ess is none too pleased at being sold on. However, she is a calculating femme fatale, who uses her charms on men to further her own ambitions, and jealously guards her "meal ticket". Nightclub piano player Keys, who has always adored her from afar, only finds his affection returned when it looks as if he holds the key to her advancement.
Even good hearted, if sometimes unconventional, cop, Dick Tracy, is not safe from Breathless' attentions, when she believes he could help her escape the criminal underworld to a better life. However, her attempts at seduction are in vain because he loves girlfriend, Tess Trueheart. Although, despite his love for her, such is his devotion to the job that Tess is frequently stood up or let down because of the call of duty. Further more, Tracy says he won't be free to marry her until he's cleaned all the crime from the city.
With Breathless on the scene, things start to get difficult too for Caprice with the local, corrupt D.A., who, as well as taking his bribes in return for her turning a blind eye, is also his lover.
When Tracy suspects him of being behind Lips' disappearance, he starts to make life difficult for Caprice, who in turn vows to rid himself of the nuisance one way or another.
Before long, the D.A. has been shot in a café, apparently by Dick Tracy himself. So, Tracy is discredited, the police force are in shock and Caprice is left at liberty to go about his nefarious business unhindered.
The question is, could Dick Tracy clear his name, clean up the city, resist the charms of Breathless and keep his true love?
