The Man Who Would Be King

Based on the Kipling novella from an anti-colonialist perspective, the musical adaptation recounts the frequently comic, but ultimately tragic adventures of Daniel and Peachy, a ragged pair of scoundrels who manage to take reign over a tribal society sequestered in the mountains of Imperial India. Though they seek to abscond with gold rumored to have been left behind by Alexander the Great, Daniel is immediately mistaken to be the culture’s long-promised messiah. While they wait for the spring thaw to return to the British Empire as rich men, Daniel acts as counselor for all tribes, and Peachy loses his heart to the high priest's mesmerizing daughter, Roxane. Their scheme becomes a web of intrigue when Daniel decides that he’ll stay and marry Roxane to cement his place as god king. Peachy, having become aware that their scheme to undermine the tenets of an ancient society is both dangerous and unethical, watches in horror as their elaborate charade is undone by a kiss.