THE MADWOMAN OF CHAILLOT is an optimistic play. Paradoxically, it was conceived at a desperate time in Giraudoux's life -- the German occupation of France. Its premise is that the "little people" can make a difference and that the pure in heart will inherit the earth -- if only for a moment in time. Thought Giraudoux's world was devastated by the malignancy of World War II, he did not give up hope that sanity -- or at least a benign madness -- would ultimately prevail. Our production invites you to share this hope, as it shines through the play's colorful facade of fantasy and satire.