THE ROAD TO RUIN is a musical comedy based on the 1928 silent movie. It is a story of sexual exploitation, immorality, promiscuity and death. But it sings and dances!

The story begins as narrator, Willis Kent, welcomes the audience to his "Traveling Tent Show" and introduces the cast who proceed to tell the story of 15 year old "Little Sally Canfield" -- the nicest girl at Central High. We soon meet Eve, the evil temptress whose only interest is herself and the almighty dollar. She exposes Sally to her dark, delinquent side and destroys her dreams. But Eve is not the only road to Sally's ruin. Sally's provincial life is surrounded by dark forces.

The play within a play (or tent) allows the actors to create characters on several levels. We meet narcissistic parents, a holier-than-thou entrepreneur, an alcoholic business woman, desperate housewives lusting after well-built young men, as well as an assortment of college athletes, strippers, prostitutes and dancing rabbits. The 1928 setting mirrors aspects of the cultural climate of today. The absurdity of America's moral conscience is exposed through Corporate Christians, the self-help movement, and the bottled water health craze. By the operetta finale - secrets are revealed, justice is served and Sally is redeemed through her love of cookies and dogs.

THE BACKGROUND

In the 1920's and 30's exploitation films warned American parents of the dangers of sex delinquency, homosexuality and drug addiction. Such films as "Reefer Madness" "Cocaine Fiends" and "The Road to Ruin" were shown in tents on the outskirts of small town America to expose, instruct and supposedly uplift and edify -- but the moral warnings implicit in these films were actually an excuse to delve in risqué subject matter and provide a cheap thrill. Audience members would get a lecture and pamphlet on the "Evils of the Evening."

In the musical "The Road to Ruin" - all the trends cited (Radithor, Autosuggestion and the best-selling book, The Man Nobody Knows) have a factual basis. The operetta finale is a tip of the hat to Gershwin shows from the late 20's and early 30's. And finally, Willis Kent, was an actual producer and screenplay writer for several of the exploitation films from this period, including The Road to Ruin.