Making Scents is a two act musical comedy that follows the travails of a fragrance entrepreneur's misguided quest for love and success complicated by the intervention of Greek gods of love, Eros and Aphrodite.
February 14, 7:30p (In addition to regular tickets, we are offering a VIP ticket for this show. This includes early entry and Pre-Show refreshments)
February 15, 7:30pm
February 16, 2:00pm
Burke Center for Performing Arts, 144 Granite Street, Worcester MA
(Click on Performer name for picture and biography)
Cast List:
Heidi Choe - Psyche
Paula Guilbault - Rhonda
Nicole Lian - Aphrodite
Tracy Martino - Mona
Ian Flannery - Danny
Robert Herstedt - Eros
Steve Pinner - Peter
Michael Quitadamo - Warren
Peter Russo - Leon
Full Synopsis below:
ACT ONE
It’s Valentines Day at the Goddess of Love Fragrance Company and all is well because they are finally MAKING DOLLARS MAKING SCENTS. Peter has recently landed a big contract for Goddess of Love to sell their smells on the Impulse Shopping Network. Tonight is the night and the whole staff is excited about what their future will bring. Especially, Mona, whose desire for success and fame is rivaled, only by her desire for ISN’s host, Warren Stone, a faded sci-fi television actor who fails to realize he his way past prime time. Mona, has enlisted the help of her chief scientist, Leon, who is devising a secret love potion for her to use on the air tonight so she is IRRESISTIBLE to Warren Stone. Through the help of his LITTLE LABORATORY RATS, Leon discovers that his new potion is a success.
Meanwhile, up in the Heavens, Aphrodite (the real Goddess of love), has to deal with her restless son Eros who is discontent with his station in life always arranging love for others, yet never falling in love himself. He bemoans THE LIFE THAT I’VE GOT as no life at all
Attempts to spread VALENTINES DAY mirth, by Danny, the fragrance company’s office manager & defacto cruise director are met with resistance by the more single & somber members of the staff. Eros arrives on scene with a work order to unite Warren and Mona, but when he lays his eyes on Psyche Sullivan, the newest member of Mona staff, his desire for her is all consuming. Her beauty passion and soul beckon him through EYES LIKE STARLIGHT.
Eros quits to become a human and the new mail boy for the company. But Pysche has no interest in a mere mail boy, She his holding out for a man who is RICH TALL AND NICE. This seems fool-hearty to Rhonda the receptionist who knows A MEDIOCRE MAN is much more malleable and may result in the nearest approximation to happiness a couple can expect to have.
Psyche discovers a clause in the contract with ISN giving Warren Stone ownership of the Goddess of Love company if sales reach a certain threshold during the broadcast. Psyche confronts Warren about the contract. Warren threatens to ruin Psyche’s career if she reveals the clause to Mona. He considers himself ON A ROLL and unstoppable.
Just as the team prepares to go live on air, Eros burst into the studio and, unable to wait a moment longer, declares his love to Psyche, who deflects his advances telling him I DON’T BELIEVE in love at first sight. But it is apparent to all except her that she has, in fact, fallen for Eros.
Mona, now on air is about to uncork the bottle and release the secret love gas which works a little too well. Aphrodite arrives to take control and stop the madness. But in to teach her son a lesson, she decides do let the folly ensue, to let the love gas work its magic and let each fall in love with the first person they set eyes on., but gives them all A LITTLE PUSH so the pairs are formed by the most unlikely sorts.
ACT TWO
The mismatched mortals are distracted by their new infatuations as they dance to the LOVE WALTZ. Warren Stone has successfully executed a legal maneuver that transfers ownership of Goddess of Love Fragrances to him. The effects of the love potion have spread to the outside world, creating havoc. Aphrodite tries to convince Eros to return with her to Olympus. Eros decides instead to remain among the mortals to find an antidote to the mysterious love gas in hopes of restoring normalcy and his relationship with Psyche. After a series of madcap adventures, Eros sacrifices his own human life to restore order to the world. Aphrodite, impressed by her son's supreme sacrifice, makes a deal with Hades to bring Eros back to the world of the living as a god. Mona reveals her business savvy with a contract clause that gives her ownership of the Impulse Shopping Network. Eros and Psyche are reunited, but relationships between gods and mortals are forbidden. Aphrodite saves the day by elevating Psyche to the position of Assistant Goddess and matching the mortals with their true loves.
Making Scents is based on public domain material and is not subject to adaptation rights.