Scialli Productions

“…the people can always be brought to the bidding of their leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to dangers. It works the same in any country.”

Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring, Nuremberg Trials, 1946

Victoria, fortune teller in an English circus during World War I, really can see the future. But no one wants to hear how we keep making the same mistakes and how each war only leads to the next war. Victoria is unhappy that she can do nothing to fix the future she sees. She tells fellow performer Leah not to send her man to war, that he will be killed, but Leah is outraged at Victoria’s unpatriotic sentiments. Teddy Roosevelt appears, intent on promoting US involvement in the war. Victoria expresses her anti-war sentiments to TR, who finds her offensive and frames her for the sabotage of a munitions factory. Victoria is jailed but escapes and meets Leah, who now understands from Luke’s letters that he will soon be killed. Victoria feels deeply for her, and the two women form a bond against the world of aggressive men. Victoria learns from Leah that the way to change the future is to change the present.

Video

The Circus to End All Circuses, previously called "Dora," was presented at a staged reading in October 2021 at the Jerry Orbach Theater in Times Square. A video recording of the show can be seen here: The Circus to End All Circuses

Act 1

A small circus in England in 1916. Although The Colors are Pretty, there is not much to eat. We meet Victoria, cursed with the gift of seeing the future, which leaves her lonely since no one wants to be nagged about how we keep making the same mistakes. Roger the Socialist is hiding from the police (DORA), and Roger the Pacifist is reluctant to kill and be killed (Be A Man). Leah, the trapeze artist has compelled her partner, Luke, to join the army although Victoria gave her an unwelcome warning that Luke will die in the war. Luke has been replaced by Hilda, a substitute trapeze artist from parts unknown. Leah receives a Letter to Leah in which Luke expresses some misgivings about being in the war. The Policeman explains to Leah that it is necessary for young men to go to war to protect their Way of Life. Victoria tells the Rogers that her ability to see The Future is a curse, because the future is not very pleasant, and she fears that she will remain alone. Teddy Roosevelt appears. He has come to England to learn more about the war for which he has been advocating US involvement. Once he can get Woodrow Wilson to enter the war, TR will encourage all young men to enlist (My Boy). Hilda is enthusiastic about the war; she explains the benefits the war has brought to England (Community). Victoria argues that there is too much war, now and in the future. Teddy Roosevelt and the Rogers express their admiration, Teddy Roosevelt for Hilda, who is A Real American Girl, and the Rogers for Victoria. Victoria tells Teddy Roosevelt about the future of the United States as an aggressor nation (Presidents’ Parade), angering TR, who promises vengeance. When the Policeman arrives to announce that saboteurs have blown up the local munitions factory (Catastrophe), Teddy Roosevelt denounces Victoria as the traitor. The Policeman takes her into custody.

Act 2

The Rogers distract the Policeman by getting him drunk in a series of toasts (Death to Us), and they free Victoria. Luke writes from the front how frightened he is and how doubtful he is about the war (Letter to Leah Reprise), shaking Leah’s commitment to the war effort. Victoria wonders which (A Boy Named Roger) she might be able to love. Leah is very upset about what she has done to Luke. Leah reproaches Victoria but is then comforted by Victoria. Leah and Victoria are Sisters in a world of war-loving aggressive men. Roger the Socialist proposes that he and Victoria escape to America in disguise. Teddy Roosevelt raps that Americans don't like foreigners (Land of the Savage). TR agrees to arrange passage to Cuba for the fugitives if they will meet him that evening. Leah receives a letter from the government; Luke has been killed (Your Little Boy). Teddy Roosevelt approaches Hilda and declares his love for A Girl Named Hilda, but she rebuffs him. Roger the Socialist and Victoria appear for their appointed meeting with Teddy Roosevelt. It is a trap; the Policeman is there to arrest them. Roger the Pacifist arrives. He punches Roger the Socialist in the nose and lays claim to Victoria’s love with a kiss, but Victoria is not ready to love either of the Rogers. Leah and Roger the Pacifist expose Hilda as the saboteur. The Policeman arrests Hilda but also arrests Roger the Socialist for saying discouraging things about the war, violating what we now discover is the Defense of the Realm Act (DORA reprise).  Leah makes believe that Roger the Socialist is her beau and argues that the Crown should not rob her twice in such quick succession of a lover. The Policeman is firm in his decision to arrest the Socialist until the ghost of Luke appears and instructs the trembling Constable that he must let the Socialist go. The Rogers, Luke, and Victoria agree to go together to America. Victoria has horrifying visions about the future of America. Leah sees Victoria's distress and kisses her, releasing Victoria from her visions and allowing her to believe that American can be a Land of Peace.