Ilya Darling

Ilya Darling.

Ilya Darling is a stage musical.

Cast

• Melina Mercouri - Illya
• Orson Bean - Homer Thrace
• Nikos Kourkolos - Tonio
• Titos Vandis - Yorgo
• Rudy Bond - Captain
• Despo

Plot

Illya, a carefree prostitute, plies her trade in the port town of Piraeus outside Athens. With no set rates, no pimp, and an inclination to sleep only with men she likes, she differs dramatically from the other local ladies-of-the-evening. Their pimp, Garbage, works for the mysterious No Face, who charges the girls exorbitant rents. Into her life comes Homer Thrace, a priggish American in search of the glories of Ancient Greece. Attracted by Illya's physical charms, he decides to teach her about the classics and to help her become a cultured lady, while she in turn introduces him to sensual pleasures. Homer's lesson plan is to separate her from her friends and the virile Tonio. Neither ends up happier.

Musical numbers

Act I

• "Po, Po, Po" – Homer Thrace and Tonio
• "Zebekiko" – Yorgo
• "Piraeus, My Love" – Illya and Men
• "Golden Land" – Homer Thrace and Ensemble
• "Zebekiko" (Reprise) – Yorgo
• "Love, Love, Love" – Illya
• "I Think She Needs Me" – Homer Thrace
• "I'll Never Lay Down Any More" – Despo
• "After Love" – Tonio
• "Birthday Song" – Tonio, Captain and Men
• "Illya Darling" – Illya, Yorgo and Ensemble

Act 2

• "Dear Mr. Schubert" – Illya
• "The Lesson" – Illya and Homer Thrace
• "Never on Sunday" – Illya and Ensemble
• "Piraeus, My Love" (Reprise) – Illya
• "Heaven Help A Sailor" – Male Ensemble
• "Ya Chara" – Company