Aesculapius, the god of medicine,delivers the prologue to a captivated audience.

The lovesick Phaedromus indulges in a bitof comic pining as Aesculapius tells the taleof his distess.

“What are we doing up at II in the morning?”Phaedromus and his slave, Palinurus, sleepilywander about before dawn.

The two argue in front of the house ofCapadox, the slave-dealer who ownsPhaedromus’ beloved, Planesium. If onlythey could get inside…

Capadox’s door-guard, Leaena, is lured outby the sweet smell of Juicy-Juice. To help pinpointthe source of the nourishing nectar, she calls onher four apprentices.

“What should we do?”The apprentices ponder the best way to findthe juice.

Singing seems like a good idea, sothey call on the musicians for help.Play on!

Leaena’s apprentices aren’t the only ones whoneed some food for thought. Phaedromus’ hungryparasite, Curculio, is coming back soon, so Phaedromushires some chefs to prepare a feast for his return.

Planesium laments her lack of freedomto the disgruntled Palinurus.

Fortunately for her, Phaedromusgives her a much more loving reception.

These aren’t just any chefs--they’reprophetic chefs. What work might the futurehave in store for them?

Two more prophetic chefs anxiouslyponder the future. It’s a tough job,but somebody has to do it!

The ailing slave-dealer, Capadox,loudly complains of his woes, tothe amusement of four of his slave-girls.

Capadox looks a little pale!Life sure is difficult when Aesculapius hates you.

The slave-girls provide moral (and choral)support for their master.

The slave-girls are actually nurses!Maybe they can cure Cappadox ofwhat ails him…

There’s no medicine like a good song,especially if it’s in Latin!

Cappadox greets a surprised Palinurus.

Cappadox is haunted by a disturbing dreamof Aesculapius. Never fear, however: theProphetic Chefs are here to help interpret it!

Apparently their interpretation is alittle hard for Cappadox to swallow.

Curculio has arrived! Date viam!Make way!

Phaedromus despairs as Curculio tellshim that he brought no money back from Caria.

Once an apprentice, always an apprentice.Having failed at being door-guards, theapprentices get a crash-course in economicsfrom the banker, Lyco.

Banking seems pretty hard…maybeit would be easier if they sang about it.

Then again, even Lyco thinks his prospects look bleak. What’s a bankrupt banker to do?

The apprentices try to charm the coinsfrom the spectators’ pockets with yetanother song and dance routine.

Curculio disguises himself totrick Lyco out of his money.

The cagey Lyco doesn’t quite buy Curculio’sact. Maybe it’s the eye-patch?

The nurses take some much-needed timeoff to complain about Cappadox.

Nothing relieves frustration like a goodLatin song.

Cappadox grudgingly frees Planesium andhands her over to Curculio.

Cappadox and Curculio finalize the saleof Planesium while Lyco thoughtfullylooks on.

Therapontigonus has arrived, and he isn’t happy.Someone has bought his beloved--Planesium!

Therapontigonus and Lyco try to get tothe bottom of things. Just who was thatone-eyed man who bought Planesium, anyway?

Irate that Cappadox has sold Planesiumto someone else, Therapontigonus stalks offin a huff.

Curculio boasts about how easily he duped“that stupid soldier.” Hey, wait a minute! Isn’tthat him right there?

That ring on Curculio’s finger…itlooks just like Planesium’s! Couldhe have taken it from Therapontigonus?

Wow! Planesium isn’t really a slave, after all!She’s the long-lost, freeborn sister ofTherapontigonus! Who could ever have guessed?

Now that Therapontigonus has found his sister,it’s time for her and Phaedromus to marry. Curculiodoes his best to move things along and get himselfinvited to the wedding-feast in the process.

Planesium tells Therapontigonus ofher undying love for Phaedromus.

A bad day for Cappadox! First he sells Planesiumto the wrong guy, then he has to pay Lyco 40 minaefor her, too! Phaedromus and Therapontigonus exhortthe doleful slave-dealer to cough up the cash.

It looks like Curculio’s found himself--fourof himself, to be exact. “I guess now he’s thegreatest of five weevils.”

The cast regales the appreciative audiencewith one last choral ode.

The Cast of Curculio.