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A Fine And Private Place
Synopsis:
Act I
Jonathan Rebeck is the only living inhabitant of the Bronx's striking Yorkchester Cemetery. He passes his days playing chess with the ghosts of new comers. A talking Raven flies in his foods with a fondness for sarcastic humor and fast food.
The newest arriver is Michael Morgan, newly dead and really angry about it. Rebeck gives an explanation that death is the chance to face oneself and "travel on into the night" which troubles Michael, who is nursing a secret he repents. While Rebeck and Michael are talking, Gertrude Klapper approaches. She comes there to visit her husband's mausoleum. Her friend's dislike her post-mortem loyalty but she feels a more understanding soul in Rebeck. For the first time in 20 years Rebeck talks to a living person and enjoys it. Michael leaves the two and starts a conversation with a newcomer Laura Durand. Meanwhile a troubled Rebeck returns as the unsuspecting Klapper practically exposed him to Campos, the cemetery gatekeeper. Rebeck rubbishes any feelings for Klapper but alone at the end of the day; he finds out that she had left him her phone number under a chess piece.
Laura asks the unwilling Michael to speak about his death, meanwhile Klapper returns in search of Rebeck. Michael and Laura try their best to get the two together. Just as Laura feels that she likes Michael, she discovers that he had committed suicide. Laura tries to go away from Michael but finds out that she is in love with him. Michael thinks of convincing Laura that he had not committed suicide but drops the idea, as he himself is not convinced. In the meantime, Klapper gets apprehensive of Rebeck's address and in order to avoid losing her, he decides to tell her the truth.
Act II
Everyone is confused; they spend their days thinking what to do. Klapper wants Rebeck to shift in with her and he doesn't want to. Laura confesses her love to Michael but due to his guilt he denies having any feelings for her. Laura decides to sleep and Michael resolves that without Laura, he no longer wishes to resist death. Both the lovers go individually to Rebeck to say goodbye. Klapper also comes to say her goodbye and Rebeck tries to tell her about his gift of communicating with ghosts: "They need me. It's what I do. That's why I can't go with you." Meanwhile Rebeck realizes that Laura and Michael are in love and he asks her how to keep them together. Klapper think that Rebeck is discussing their relationship and tells him that nothing is certain in life except the failure of not trying. Michael and Laura hear her advice and talk to each other. Laura narrates that Michael should not let his wife be charged for murder. The ghosts and Rebeck, get into the gatekeepers office to call the police and tell them about Michael's suicide note. Just then a drunken Campos enters the office. Rebecks gets the shock of his life, when he learns that Campos had known about him all along, can talk to ghosts, and even to the Raven. Rebecks's self worth, his mission in the cemetery and his unique bond with the Raven is shattered. Next day it is learnt that Michael will be moved to another cemetery as he had committed suicide, the lovers will be separated. Laura asks for Rebeck's help, she suggests that he and the gatekeeper bury her in the new cemetery. Finally annoyed by Laura and Michael, Rebeck leaves the cemetery. After Rebeck has left the Raven also flies out of the cemetery forever. Rebeck and Klapper go to Mt. Merrill Cemetery but they can't see the ghost couple nor can they be seen.
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A Fine and Private Place is a musical fantasy that deals about finding love, emancipation, and last chances in the most surprising places. Based on the novel by Peter S. Beagle, the musical in two acts has been directed by Gabriel Barre.
