Sweet Charity

Sweet Charity is a musical theatre classic, with original choreography and direction by Bob Fosse, book by Neil Simon, music by Cy Coleman and lyrics by Dorothy Fields. It follows the romantic trials and tribulations of Charity Hope Valentine, a woman seeking love in all the wrong places. As a taxi dancer at the seedy Fan Dango Ballroom, she cultivates an unusually optimistic and romantic worldview - vindicated when, through a chance meeting, she spends an evening with the international film star Vittorio Vidal. After sharing the details of this encounter with her friends Nickie and Helene, they each eventually reveal their dreams for “something better”, leaving Charity resolute in her desire for a more fulfilling life. Her newfound commitment to self-empowerment takes her to the 92nd St Y, where she meets Oscar: a neurotic, socially awkward tax accountant. Their relationship begins unconventionally as they find themselves trapped in an old elevator together, but soon blossoms on the many dates that follow. Charity starts to believe he is ‘the one’ and they become engaged. However, things don’t end with happily ever after, leaving her utterly heartbroken. In her darkest hour, she comes to realise that she is the “bravest individual” she has ever met - a turning point that brings her into a more honest relationship with herself and ultimately sets her on a new path to a more fulfilling life.

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