It is based on Nathaniel Hawthorne's short story, "Feathertop", but greatly expands upon the tale.
The play was revived twice in New York (most recently in 2005), has been made into an opera, and has become a favorite in regional theatre in the United States.
It stars Gene Wilder, Blythe Danner, Pete Duel, Norman Lloyd, and Will Geer.
"Feathertop", the Nathaniel Hawthorne story on which the play is based, has been presented in two television productions - one of them an adaptation on the General Electric Theater starring Natalie Wood and Carleton Carpenter, the other a musical starring Hugh O'Brian in the title role and Jane Powell as Julie Balfour (rather than Rachel).
Years ago, Justice Gilead Merton deserted his mistress Goody Rickby after she gave birth to a son.
The Scarecrow, horrified, and finally realizing the true meaning of his "mission", breaks his corncob pipe and collapses, only to momentarily revive and see in the mirror that his sacrifice for Rachel has transformed him into a real human being.