Jane Eyre is a musical
drama based on the novel by Charlotte Brontë. The musical debuted on Broadway in
2000 and closed in 2001 after 245 performances. The actress who played the
title character won a Drama Desk Award and the Outer Critics Circle Award. Days
after the Tony Award nominations were announced, a closing date of May 20 was
announced. Alanis Morissette, a friend of Paul Gordon's, bought $150,000 worth
of tickets to the musical and donated them to various charity groups, which
would allow the show to be open past the Tony Award telecast, although the show
closed a week after.
Act I
Jane Eyre, a young orphan, is living at Gateshead but is ill-treated by her
Aunt Mrs. Reed and cousin John Reed. Jane is sent to a boarding school. Over
the years, Jane becomes a teacher at the boarding school but longs to see other
sights. She becomes a tutor of Adele Varens, a young French girl who lives at
Thornfield Hall as the ward of the owner, Edward Rochester. When a fire breaks
out, Jane puts it out and saves Edward's life, and the two become close.
Edward, however, cannot accept his affection for Jane, and so invites wealthy
guests as a distraction. It appears that Blanche Ingram and Edward may be
getting married, and Jane is unhappy over this.
Mason, an old friend, arrives, and Edward is disturbed. He asks Jane
whether she would leave if he had a terrible secret, and she vows her
faithfulness.
Act II
When Mason is attacked in the attic, he is helped by Jane and Edward and
leaves.
Edward, pretending to be a gypsy, tells Blanche Ingram that he is not rich,
and she hastily departs Thornfield. Edward at last tells Jane that he loves her
and proposes marriage, and Jane happily accepts. However, on the day of the
wedding, Mason tells the secret. Edward is already married to Bertha (who is
Mason's sister) and his mad wife lives in the attic of Thornfield. Jane,
unwilling to live with Edward without being married, leaves. Bertha meanwhile
sets fire to Thornfield, and dies in the flames.
Jane, hungry and exhausted after wandering the moors, has returned to
Gateshead Hall, and discovers that her aged aunt is near death. Mrs. Reed has
tried to steal her inheritance, but Jane forgives this last evil treatment. St.
John Rivers, a clergyman, proposes marriage and Jane almost accepts. But, she
hears Edward calling out to her. She returns to Thornfield to see that it has
been destroyed. Jane and Edward, blind and crippled in the attempt to save his
wife, are married. Edward's sight is partially restored as Jane shows him their
new-born son.
