This course explores history, language, and theater through the lens of an Italian collection of fairy tales, Basile's The Tale of Tales, which provides the basis for an original musical to be produced and performed by the class. Additionally, students will learn the craft of musical theatre writing by examining librettos, scores, and productions of selected Broadway musicals. Working in the town's historic palazzo, students will collaborate to create a site-specific performance involving local community artists, thereby developing an understanding of new works process and the principles of musical theater storytelling.