Have you ever read any of Ethan Mordden's fiction?
(And if you haven't read his books about musical theater, do so immediately!)
In his book "Buddies", in one story, the narrator recalls being in a leather bar and watching these two tough looking leather-men deep in conversation. He wanders over to them, expecting to hear tips on whips and spankings and he hears one to say to the other, "Barbara Cook can play Sally and Angela could be Phyllis..."
I actually have a copy of the libretto to "Prettybelle", an early draft (before "Manic Depressives" was written) and it reads pretty much the way you would expect it read based on the score. Interesting, but scattered all over the place. And the scene in the strip bar, where the guy assaults the stripper would still be squirm inducing.
Now a show that also folded in Boston that same season (and also had a sex in a motel song in it) that really be revived is Alan Jay Lerner and John Barry's "Lolita, My Love". A fabulous score with some of Lerner's best lyrics, post-Lowe (try to track down the bootleg recording put out in the early '80's, or offer to clean the apartment of someone who has it and can make a copy of it for you) with terrific music. And Lerner's libretto is head and shoulders above the stage version that Edward Albee wrote.
"A coherent existance after so many years of muddle" - Desiree' Armfelt, A Little Night Music
"Life keeps happening everyday, Say Yes" - 70, Girls, 70
"Life is what you do while you're waiting to die" - Zorba
