Full Synopsis

Act One

The show opens with a woman stating simply that, no matter what good or bad things happen in life, the world continues, and life goes on ("And the World Goes 'Round"). The rest of the cast joins her to express the philosophy of saying yes to get the most out of life ("Yes"). They then explore the problem with a life that is far too rushed and highly caffeinated ("Coffee in a Cardboard Cup").

Elsewhere, a man is trying to get his wife to remember happier times so that he can see her smile again ("The Happy Time"). The woman, however, can only seem to remember fragments of her youth, thus noticing that there now seems to be something missing from her life ("Colored Lights"). Two people, who have an easier time finding happiness, appear. A man finds happiness in Sara Lee products ("Sara Lee"), while the woman has discovered a great way to lower her stress levels ("Arthur in the Afternoon").

We move on to hear stories of loss and love ("And the World Goes 'Round – Reprise"). The first is from a woman who has watched the man that she trusted walk away forever ("My Coloring Book"). Next is a man choosing not to think of those memories ("I Don't Remember You"), as well as another man who is trying to remember the last time a whole day went by without thinking about the love he lost ("Sometimes a Day Goes By"). The audience is then propelled into a more salacious time, where a woman invites us to a raucous evening of booze and music ("All That Jazz"). Two women – clearly not the perfect examples of class – complain about the current days of loose values and empty morals ("Class"). Meanwhile, a man laments that, no matter what he does, he is never going to be noticed ("Mr. Cellophane"). The cast comes together to assure the audience that everything will be okay ("Me and My Baby").

Next, three women come together to emulate an old vocal jazz routine à la the Andrews Sisters ("There Goes the Ball Game"). The number is followed by commentary on what it is like to be living the high life in style ("How Lucky Can You Get?"). Two men come together to discuss how women would rather go to the skating rink for dates than a nice evening out, and the women join them, all on skates, hailing the joys of the rink ("The Rink").

Act Two

The act begins with the story of a woman who travels around the world to find a husband, only to fall for the boy next door, after meeting him in a foreign country ("Ring Them Bells"). We are then told of the dangers of the Spider Woman ("Kiss of the Spider Woman"). Elsewhere, a woman longs for love as she watches two lovers pass by ("Only Love"). The man proposes, but the woman, somewhat bewildered, turns him down ("Marry Me"). After he leaves, she realizes that she does actually love him, but she had trouble realizing it because it was not what she expected ("A Quiet Thing"). He returns, and they dance together. She accepts his proposal. They continue dancing, and the others join them. There, they all wonder why dancers don't ever talk about how much it hurts to dance ("Pain"). Afterwards, we see two women greeting each other, when a man comes up and asks for an autograph. One of them is a Broadway star. He ignores the other woman, and, after he leaves, the two women comment on how the other lives ("The Grass Is Always Greener").

We now return to the theme of love ("And the World Goes 'Round – Reprise"). A man is sure that, with love, they can get through anything ("We Can Make It"). A woman then hopes that, this time, things will be better with her man ("Maybe This Time"). Another woman wonders if life is better with a friend instead of a lover ("Isn't This Better").

The cast begins to look at another part of life ("And the World Goes 'Round – Reprise") as they all find themselves in a bit of chaos when they see what really makes the world go around ("Money, Money"). They remind us all to live life to its fullest ("Cabaret"). They also reiterate the idea that, no matter what, the world will continue to turn ("And the World Goes 'Round – Finale"). Finally, the cast members each take on a different language as they remark on the joys of New York ("New York, New York").