Cradle Will Rock, The

Written by:
Marc Blitzstein

Opening: October 15, 2004

Closing: October 24, 2004

Number of performances: 8

Time:1937

Setting:
Steeltown, USA

Synopsis:
Moll, a streetwalker in “Steeltown, USA”, is arrested when a vice-squad detective tries to extort her for sexual favors. In night court, she witnesses the arraignment of “The Liberty Committee,” distinguished citizens who have been mistakenly arrested by a cop who mistook them for union organizers. The Steelworkers Union is scheduled to rally that night, and the Liberty Committee had appeared to oppose them. Harry Druggist, once a thriving drug store owner but now a drunken vagrant, tells Moll the story of the corruption of the Liberty Committee: how the minister, newspaper editor, doctor, college president, professors and artists all sold out their principles for cash and power, both offered by Steeltown’s real boss, Mister Mister. He also tells how he himself was corrupted, leading to the death of his son and his current dereliction. Mister Mister, meanwhile, has everything his own way, with only the slight inconveniences posed by a vapid wife, a sex-obsessed daughter, and a doltish son. Finally the union organizer, Larry Foreman, is brought into court. He gives hope to the bitter prostitute and the cynical druggist, and when Mister Mister himself offers to buy Foreman’s loyalties, he refuses. Suddenly, the sounds outside bring exciting news: the other unions have joined the Steelworkers. The Liberty Committee leaves Mister Mister alone; a coward, he realizes that he is finished.