A SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. TITLE

The Curse of an Aching Heart or Trapped in the Spider's Web

Short Play, Melodrama  /  7w, 4m

Herbert Swayne

This modern treatment of an old melodrama will have folks hissing, booing and applauding. The sweet heroine is Melody Lane, a self educated and lovely orphan who falls into the hands of scoundrel Windermere Hightower. After Melody and the villain are married, he tells her that he expects her to carr…

The Curse of an Aching Heart or Trapped in the Spider's Web

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    7w, 4m
  • Duration
    Duration
    120 minutes (2 hours)
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult, Senior

Details

Summary
This modern treatment of an old melodrama will have folks hissing, booing and applauding. The sweet heroine is Melody Lane, a self educated and lovely orphan who falls into the hands of scoundrel Windermere Hightower. After Melody and the villain are married, he tells her that he expects her to carry out his criminal schemes. Revolted, she flees a wife in name only. Several months later she is at the None Such ranch where she falls in love with stalwart Lucius Goodenough. When Windermere appears at the ranch, Melody is appalled. He tries to force his attentions on her and Lucius knocks him down. For revenge, Winderemere steals money and plants it on Lucius. His dirty work is discovered and he is unmasked but he gets away and returns to the ranch disguised as a peddler. And once again the virtuous heroine is rescued by guess who?
History
The Curse of an Aching Heart; or Trapped in the Spider’s Web! premiered at The Little Theatre in 1982 and was directed by Gerald Gutierrez.
Keywords
Performing Groups
MELODY LANE - Our heroine, who will run through your heart like a song.
LUCIUS GOODENOUGH - He is the manly bosom, who always manages to arrive in the nick of time.
WINDMERE HIGHTOWER - Schemer and arch-villain, who has had to have his ears rounded so that he won't resemble a wolf.
HIRAM ABERNATHY - With a heart of gold, who runs the "None Such" ranch.
SARAH ABERNATHY - His devoted wife.
AURELIA ABERNATHY - Their attractive young daughter.
RED WING - A girl employed on the ranch.
BATTLE AXE ANNIE - The local sheriff.
NELLIE BLYTHE - An important visitor from nearby Four Corners.
MURIEL ATKINS - Who covers up her real identity. 
AN UNEXPECTED MALE ARRIVAL


  • Time Period Wild West
  • Setting The ranch house of the "None Such" ranch, located somewhere in the Southwest.
  • Features Period Costumes
  • Duration 120 minutes (2 hours)

Music

  • Musical Style N/A (Not a musical)
  • Vocal DemandsN/A (Not a musical)
  • Chorus Size N/A (Not a musical)

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: $65 per performance

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Authors

Author

Herbert Swayne

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