Storyline of the musical Star
STAR
music: Hubert Bittman
book and lyrics: Daniel Raus
Rome
It all begins in ancient Rome, in the Imperial Palace on Palatine Hill. It’s dark, the lights gradually turn on, while symbols of Roman power – such as the eagle – appear. The festively decorated hall is full of people in Roman togas. Senators, members of the imperial family, poets, dignitaries, serving slaves. Everyone is there for the feast which is about to begin. Balatro announces the arrival of emperor Augustus.
He is greeted with a roaring applause and guests gather around him. The emperor is dignified, but restrained and informal. He didn't just come to the feast to eat and drink. He is about to make an important announcement: a census will be taken throughout the empire. It will increase Rome's wealth and influence, which Augustus needs in order to build an empire that will survive a thousand years. He knows this is going to take stricter discipline and higher morals. Rome's time had come. The world must now play by Augustus’ rules. (Laurel wreath).
Unknown landscape
We find ourselves far from Rome, somewhere in the east, in a rural landscape covered under the canopy of a night sky. The first wise man arrives. He sings of a miraculous star that appeared to him and beckoned him to follow her. Two other wise men join him as the song progresses. They all seem serious but casual. They are of different ages. They're obviously not poor, but they're not very wealthy either. (I've seen the starlight).
They sit down on the ground, remaining in the background, while the personified Star appears in the sky, accompanied by many small stars. It’s an unprecedented phenomenon. The Star is graceful, otherworldly. She assures the wise men that she is real, as is the path they have taken. Her song isn’t directed towards the wise men, but towards the audience, and is set against a background of a deep night sky. (No delusion).
Jeruzalem
We are transported to Jerusalem. King Herod is alone, holding a sealed scroll in his hand. It's a letter from caesar Augustus ordering a census of the people, which is something that orthodox Jews consider a crime against their faith and a public act of dishonor towards God. This signals problems ahead. Herod has two sides; on one hand he sucks up to Rome, but on the other hand he displays a bloated ego in front of his subjects. Solitude reveals his third side—a man consumed with fear that turns into bouts of fury. He is seriously ill, but no one is to know. (Small pond).
Herod's younger sister Salome enters and looks like she's plotting something. She is nothing like Herod—while he's controlled by his every emotion, she is cold and rational. It bears the account of the protests which fell victim to the statue of the Roman eagle in the facade of the Temple of Jerusalem, a structure of which Herod is particularly proud of. Salome's real intention however, is to get rid of Herod's oldest son Antipater, who is next in line to the throne. Salome falsely accuses him of plotting to gain power. Herod refuses to kill him, but sends him to prison. (Keep a cool head).
Roman Baths
We arrive at the Roman baths, a place of luxury, which includes public spaces and a library. The famous poet Ovid dances in a comical style, surrounded by a group of girls. Pulling verses out of his sleeve, he is completely engrossed in his own glory. He has a laurel wreath on his head to signify that he's the biggest star in Rome. His poetry is known by all and he refers to his girls as muses. Two figures stand out from the rest of the crowd and are shown special attention and respect. One is the emperor's daughter Julia and the other is her lover Antonius. Both belong to Rome's highest elite and it is as though the world belongs to them. Everyone is in an ecstatic mood, holding hands, dancing, and stumbling around the stage. The world belongs to them. (My verses).
The dancing stops for a moment. Julia steps out to the forefront and the others listen as she begins to sing. She sings lightheartedly despite the deep bitterness which resides in her heart and she medicates with lavish parties. She is famous, a popular and admired woman who some even consider a goddess. But she's been used as a pawn for political alliances since her childhood. Following the end of her marriage to Tiberius, her life fell apart. But at least she is enjoying herself. (We are all gods).
Julia’s lover, Antonius, speaks next. He expresses concern over whether things aren't going too far. If this comes to light and a scandal breaks out, he’ll be the one to pay the highest price. After all, he is the son of Augustus' former rival Marc Anthony. At one point, Julia and Anthony’s fathers had waged a life-and-death war with one other. A masked Balatro suddenly appears in the back, goes unnoticed, and disappears again. (What will happen next).
Rome - Imperial Palace
It is night, darkness everywhere, a storm rages outside. Augustus is lying in bed and wakes up in a sweat, clearly upset. He summons the Vestal. Nervously, he walks around the room trying to remember what he had just dreamed. It was an unpleasant, terrifying dream. As the ruler of the world, he is a pragmatist, but he takes seriously everything he considers a sign. Looking out the window at a sleeping Rome, he remembers the visions from his dream: the crosses, the sign of the fish, the burning city, and finally, a strange star. During the song, the Vestal enters the room. She listens carefully and says the visions were not a dream but a prophecy. (What did I dream).
Suddenly, Augustus remembers his devoted legate Quirinius has been waiting for an audience with him. The Vestal remains but steps aside and Quirinius is surprised by her presence as they’ve been hiding their love carefully. Quirinius reports on the critical situation in Judea, which is getting out of Herod’s weakening hands. Augustus wants to keep the peace at all cost, so he immediately sends Quirinius to Jerusalem. (Head out immediately).
Quirinius and the Vestal’s secret love makes it through difficult obstacles. As a priestess of the temple of the goddess Vesta, the Vestal is not allowed to have a relationship with a man and would face the draconian punishment of being buried alive if she did. Now she remains alone — with the hope that, even in the worst conditions, their love can miraculously survive. (Why should my love have to fight).
Roman street
We find ourselves in front of the Roman barracks. Quirinius arrives accompanied by several soldiers in military clothing. They’re on a mission to fulfill the task Augustus assigned to Quirinius. They embark on an uncertain voyage to Judea. At this time of the year the journey can be dangerous, but Quirinius is used to danger. (My fate is Rome).
Unknown landscape
In the far east, the wise men are following the Star. They stand bewildered, looking at the sky inquisitively. They don't know where to go next. They’ve lost the Star, and are waiting for a miracle. (Pleiades in the sky).
A silhouette of the village appears in the distance. It's getting dark and there are lights flickering in the windows of distant houses. The magi hear the sound of a whistle nearby. It’s a little girl named Curiosity. She is an orphan who has no one, so the wise men take her with them. (Curiosity).
Evening comes and the last lights in the nearby village go out. When the magi and Curiosity fall asleep, the Star comes and stretches out her hand over them as if to bless them. (World of Miracles).
Jeruzalem
Herod is alone in a dark room. Shadows flicker across the walls from the fireplace and there is an eerie atmosphere in the room. Herod holds an apple in his hand. He paces around the room confused. His royal robe is open as if he can't breathe and he reacts to every shadow on the walls. He is scared. His madness manifests itself in boundless cruelty by day and overwhelming fear by night. He is haunted by the ghosts of those he has murdered: his wife Mariamne, king Hyrcanus, princess Alexandra, his own sons Alexander and Aristobulos. Shadows turn into ghosts whose voices he suddenly hears. He wants to drive them away and draws an imaginary dagger, which he even turns against himself at one point. (Herod's specters).
Meanwhile, Salome is plotting more intrigues. Herod's eldest son Antipater has only been put in prison as of right now, but she is determined to have him killed. She knows how to play a winning game. (I call the shots).
Herod appears as he comes out of a fit of madness. He talks about his visions and the heavenly signs he saw with some confusion. But things suddenly take a turn for the worse as a jailer arrives with an unexpected message. He describes how Herod's imprisoned son Antipater heard a noise in the palace and assumed the king had died. To get the jailer to let him go, he offered him a hefty reward. Herod falls into another fit of madness and orders the jailer to kill Antipater immediately. Salome has a hard time hiding her joy. (Your son must die).
Unknown landscape
Far in the east country, the wise men’s journey toward the Star continues. At this moment, only Curiosity appears, pondering her fate in a child-like manner. (Why am I asking why).
We see her and the wise men on the road again. She embodies the spirit of curiosity that leads the wise men on their uncertain journey. They too have a sincere, childlike desire to uncover the mysteries of the world. The landscape changes as the long pilgrimage continues.
Curiosity makes it go by faster with the funny questions she asks which the wise men tirelessly answer. (Another cat).
Rome - Imperial Palace
Augustus stands in the center of the atrium, where Ovid, Julia, and a group of muses arrive. For a short moment Balatro appears in the back with a mask, holding a cup of dice, which he rattles and disappears again. Augustus admires and supports the arts, but this group is a thorn in his side. Ovid and the muses are elated, which contrasts the stern expression on Augustus' face. They think the world is about to turn into one endless party. A conflict ensues in which Augustus asks Ovid to stop writing poetry with erotic themes at a time when he is introducing laws to fix Rome’s morals. In the end, Augustus would rather leave than explode in anger. Ovid thinks everything is a joke, completely unaware of the impending danger. (Change your tune).
Julia takes the floor. She alone knows how rotten Rome is. (Don't count on).
Rome - the temple of the goddess Vesta
The Vestal stands in the round space of the temple of the goddess Vesta and gazes into the flames. She addresses her feelings to the distant Quirinius, who is on his way to Judea. The Vestal dreams of escaping and being with him forever, but knows that’s not possible. In her heart, she releases Quirinius, knowing their happiness is just a beautiful dream. She alternates between feelings of surrender and anger towards the goddess Vesta who is the cause of her misfortune. (My dream).
Between heaven and earth
We find ourselves in a different time and space, as if we were looking behind the curtain of a clear sky for a moment. We see an otherworldly scene of the Star and a group of little stars in a mysterious illumination. Everything is accompanied by visual effects, dancing lights, to create a heavenly scene. (Sunrise - just in Czech: Svítá)
Jeruzalem
Herod welcomes the wise men and Curiosity to his palace. He has heard about their trip following the Star and wants to know more. He had wanted to kill them right away, but comes to the conclusion that they will be more useful to him if they find the birthplace of the future king. He asks them to inform him of their findings immediately, so he can bow to him, too. The magi promise they will. (What do you know about the star?).
When the wise men and Curiosity leave, Herod orders Salome to have them killed as soon as they return. He also instructs the newborn king be killed. (You must intervene).
Open landscape
Bethlehem is seen in the distance on the horizon. The sky is dotted with stars, the largest one shining above Bethlehem. The wise men and Curiosity are headed there and the closer they get, the bigger the stars become. (Through silent night).
Rome - Imperial Palace
Balatro wears a variety of playful masks. An angry Augustus enters. He has a report from his spies in hand, describing Julia's scandalous behavior and listing her lovers, including Antonius. There is also speculation that Julia wants to divorce Tiberius so she can marry Antonius, who would then become the future emperor. Balatro tries in vain to dissolve the tension. Augustus brings forth the judgement: Antonius will be forced to commit suicide and Julia will be sent into exile. Ovid narrowly escapes punishment this time. (Put on the tragic mask).
A spot light illuminates three different figures, one at a time. The first is Julia, who tries to reach her father, but in vain. The second is Augustus, who has decided to never see her or speak her name again. The third is Antonius, who kills himself by leaning on his sword. (The Cruel Reap).
Jeruzalem
Quirinius finally reaches Jerusalem after a long journey. He comes to king Herod to personally deliver a letter from emperor Augustus. Herod can barely control himself. (Times are changing, as are the rulers).
Following Quirinius’ departure, Herod has a fit of rage and sees visions again. The world is changing and there’s no place for Herod in it. Salome enters and he asks her to grant him one last wish. He reveals he’s had all the notable men of Judea assembled in the hippodrome and he wants her to promise that at the moment of his death, she’ll have them all killed at once.
Only then will the mourning throughout the kingdom be sincere. Salome promises and sees that Herod is done. She leaves him and has no intention to keep the promise. (Herod's last wish)
Betlehem
The wise men and Curiosity arrive in Bethlehem. They stop in front of a poor stable. There is light inside, and silhouettes of shepherds and pilgrims entering and leaving are seen. The sound of the Star and a choir of little stars singing resounds over the stable. The wise men and Curiosity enter the stable and we see their silhouettes as they bow, then leave. (Heavenly noise).
The scene in Betlehem turns into a powerful "hallelujah". Visual effects burst above and around the stable and more people enter the scene and mingle with the magi and choir of stars. The world is about to change, but in a very different way than anyone had expected.
Curiosity runs to the front of the stage and shouts, "We'll go out into the world with this news because everyone’s gonna want to know!" (Helehallelujah).