Signor Bigcheesi, the Impresario of the Slambardi Opera Company, finds the audience that greets the opening performance of his company at Angelton a very appreciative one, but Signor Bigcheesi finds cold consolation in this fact because behind the scenes bedlam reigns. Signor Muchmoutho, the much advertised basso, has discovered that the fickle public has grown cold in their appreciation of his art and has transferred its favor to Signor Somebumma, the tenor of the company. To add to his sorrow, Muchmoutho, finds that Madame Highschreechi, the prima donna, has likewise transferred her fickle affections to his hated rival. The basso and the tenor have a heated argument in the wings and an exciting outbreak before the audience, and Signor Bigcheesi fines all three a week’s salary for creating the disturbance. Then follows an “artists’ strike.” Bigcheesi, in despair, puts a musical stagehand in the tenor’s role, but is at his wits’ ends to fill the place made vacant by the prima donna. He rushes away to a lunch counter for a cup of coffee to steady his nerves. Miss Hasher sings his order in such an artistic manner that Bigcheesi immediately signs her up as a prima donna. The “striking artists” are greatly surprised when they read the next day of the wonderful success of the substitutes, and Miss Highschreechi becomes “green with envy” when she reads further that Miss Hasher is soon to become the bride of Signor Bigcheesi.