The Story of the Opera
Act I
It is just prior to daybreak on the last day that the stranded Ark will be occupied by Noah and his family. Mother Noah is talking to one of the pair of cats she is about to release. She expresses her relief that the ordeal is over, but confesses to considerable confusion about what this devastating Flood was all about. "The plan...All of this according to The Plan...No plan revealed to me. Yet I was to be part of it all..."
In the quiet of this early morning a clandestine rendezvous is taking place between one of Noah's sons, Japheth, and Noema, the wife of Hamm, another of Noah's sons. The two are interrupted by the shouts of Japheth's brothers, Shem and Hamm. From the Ark's top deck, they begin dropping bundles to be unloaded from the vessel.
A jealous rivalry begins to surface as the three brothers dicker about which animals they shall take with them to start their new lives. Their arguing awakens Noah who is displeased with his sons' behavior and begins to doubt that the Flood has cleansed the Earth of human foibles.
As Noah moves on to begin a bout of drinking, Mother Noah and the three wives appear intent on a party, a celebration of their final morning together. As the singing and dancing gets underway it is announced by Hamm that Noah is lying drunk and naked on the deck of the Ark. By ancient belief this chance encounter between Hamm and his naked, drunken father causes a curse to be placed upon Hamm.
As though this disquieting development were not enough, a covering to be placed over Noah's nakedness is called for. From Shem's bundle of belongings a large fur is retrieved. It is obviously a new skin from the fresh kill of one of the animals aboard the Ark. The accusations arising from this discovery set the stage for future controversy.
Mother noah insists that the dawning of this day shall find them, not arguing, but celebrating, singing and dancing in gratitude for what the future may hold for them all. The first Act ends with the refrain: "Oh greet the sun with shouts of joy!...Rejoice in this your day!"