SYNOPSIS

Act I
It is the year 1941 in England. World War II is taking its toll on the British Isles, and the Royal Air Force is running nighttime bombing raids on the enemy. The pilots and crew have a one in five rate of survival, and are expected to fly thirty missions - if they are not shot down before reaching that quota.

Several young women have joined the WAAFs for varying personal reasons: Amy feels out of place because of the coarseness and coldness of the others, and Lou is excited to begin her life in the Air Force. Jasmine (Jas) hopes to be assigned to a thrilling post and Sally wants a better life than her mother's. ("First Day/Not A Chance I'd Miss/Our Chance"). However, they soon realize that their dreams were just dreams, and buckle down to the reality of being a WAAF when they meet their NCO, Woods ("Jump").

The women celebrate their contribution as they pack the parachutes that save the lives of their pilots; Amy and Jane, working in the radio tower, sometimes are the first to know that the men have been shot down ("Song of the Parachute Packers").

Guy and Gareth comment upon what they see as the trivial contribution made by the WAAFs, while Lou fumes at her mundane work assignment ("Tea/Frozen"). Gareth asks her to set up a meeting between Guy and Amy, which adds to her frustration.

Lou tells Amy of Guy's interest in her, and convinces her to meet with him despite her protests ("Get that Man!"), while Sally and Jas, preparing for an evening at the club, fret over their appearance ("Bloomin' Cap"). The pair mock Guy and Amy as they have their first date ("Story of Your Life/Much More than a Kiss").

Ridiculed by the others, Amy hotly protests Jas' and Sally's assertion that Guy will insist on a physical relationship. She is given advice about guarding her emotions by Jane, who has lost the man she loves in battle ("The Chances Are"). Amy takes her wisdom to heart.

The WAAFs' duties include staying up all night ("All Night Long") to man the radio towers and perform other duties. Amy frantically tries to locate Guy's plane on radar, and manages to bring him back safely ("One Dread Moment). The pilots and WAAFs celebrate the crew's safe return ("In the Messes and Clubs").

Guy entreats Amy to sleep with him; she is fearful of the pain such a commitment would cause should he die, and refuses ("Save My Life a Second Time"). Lonely, Lou recognizes that her friend will now have less time for her ("I've Lost My Ground).

Relieved at having survived the crash, Gareth approaches Lou and attempts to seduce Amy's vulnerable best friend ("One Stolen Evening"). He fails and moves onto the more amenable Sally.

Jas receives word that her brother, also in the RAF, has died at sea in a plane crash, causing her to lose her faith in God and in the rightness of war ("Wake Me O Wake Me).

Guy complains to Gareth about Amy's reticence, and his friend tries to urge him to patience ("No!"), as Lou encourages Amy to commit to the pilot ("It's Not that I Don't Care"). Jane reminds Amy of the danger of falling in love with someone who has such a strong chance of dying, as the other WAAFs come to the realization that no matter what the pilots claim, their first and only love is their plane ("The Chances Are (reprise)").

Act II
Amy and Lou reflect upon the lost innocence of their lives before the war ("Before the War"), and it becomes apparent that Guy and Lou have become an item. Pam and Janet discuss the couple in not so flattering terms ("Gossip).

Jas discovers that her hometown of Glasgow has been bombed, but is not allowed leave to return. Furious, she considers abandoning the Air Force, but is encouraged to stay by her friends. She remarks upon the fallacy of the view held by most when they first joined ("Stay/Uniform").

Lou has slept with Guy. Although he appreciates her, he knows that he still loves Amy - as does she. Amy, however, is aware that something is going on between her best friend and her boyfriend ("My Heart Lies Somewhere Else").

Woods challenges Jas on her pacifist views, and Amy confronts Lou. Guy attempts to justify his actions to Gareth ("The Real War").

Gareth and Sally appreciate the finer things in life ("We Dance On") before it is time for him and Guy to take off on their thirtieth mission ("Final Flight").

Sally and the other WAAFs challenge Jas, angry at her complaining while the men who have become their friends risk their lives, but she defends herself. Amy realizes that once Guy returns and celebrates with Lou, she will be free of him ("Talk of Victory").

The men have a successful return and celebrate with the WAAFs ("Another Last Night/In the Messes and Clubs"), and Guy informs Lou that he still loves Amy and is no longer interested in her ("Remember").

The party in the club continues ("Another Last Night (reprise)"), and an irate Guy attacks Jas for her beliefs ("Fight to Win"). After he leaves, she again threatens to quit but is encouraged to stay by the others ("Stay/Uniform (reprise)"). Others celebrate ("Another Last Night (reprise)").

Guy begs Amy to take him back but she refuses, chastising him for hurting Lou and blaming the war for his poor behavior ("Not Strangers Yet"). Lou leaves the party ("Another Last Night (reprise 2)") and approaches Amy. They both realize the amount of growth and learning that is ahead of them as they lament the situation in which they've found themselves ("Not to Miss Chances").