Winner! 1993 Olivier Award Best Musical Revival Winner! Five 1994 Tony Awards including Best Revival of a Musical Winner! Three 1994 Drama Desk Awards Nominee: Seven 1994 Drama Desk Awards including Outstanding Musical Revival Winner! Two 2018 Tony Awards Nominee: Eleven 2018 Tony Awards including Best Revival of a Musical Winner! Five 2018 Drama Desk Awards including Outstanding Orchestrations Nominee: Twelve 2018 Drama Desk Awards including Outstanding Musical Revival In a Maine coastal village toward the end of the 19th century the swaggering carefree carnival barker Billy Bigelow captivates and marries the gentle millworker Julie Jordan. Billy loses his job just as he learns that Julie is pregnant and desperately intent upon providing a decent life for his family he is coerced into being an accomplice to a robbery. Caught in the act and facing the certainty of prison he takes his own life and is sent 'up there.' Billy is allowed to return to earth for one day fifteen years later and he encounters the daughter he never knew. She is a lonely friendless teenager her father's reputation as a thief and bully having haunted her throughout her young life. How Billy instills in both the child and her mother a sense of hope and dignity is a dramatic testimony to the power of love.

Ferenc Molnár's "Liliom: A Legend in Seven Scenes and a Prologue" is a classic Hungarian drama exploring themes of love, loss, and redemption beyond the earthly realm. This timeless tale blends fantasy and romance, venturing into the afterlife as it contemplates the possibilities of purgatory. A cornerstone of European drama, "Liliom" has captivated audiences and inspired numerous adaptations across various artistic mediums. Molnár's poignant exploration of human nature continues to resonate, inviting reflection on the choices we make and their consequences, even after death. This meticulously prepared print edition preserves the integrity of the original work, offering a new opportunity to experience this enduring story. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

The Devil begins his work by planting doubts in János’s mind, making him question his fiancée’s loyalty and commitment. Meanwhile, he tempts Hilda with the allure of personal freedom and excitement, suggesting that true happiness can only be achieved by casting aside societal and moral constraints. The Devil’s words resonate with both characters, each facing a growing internal conflict between their moral beliefs and burgeoning desires. His relentless probing begins to strain the couple’s relationship, pushing them closer to betrayal. Through wit, irony, and suspense, Molnár crafts a story that serves as both a moral fable and a psychological drama, exploring how easily people can be swayed by temptation. In the end, while the couple grapples with their newfound insights and the Devil’s impact, they must confront their own choices and decide if love or self-interest will ultimately prevail. Molnár’s play remains a classic in examining the struggle between good and evil, personal agency, and the enduring allure of forbidden desires.