Virtue Is Its Own Reward; or, All That Glitters May Be Gold is a musical melodrama in 2 acts by Alice McDonald, with music by Carol Zadnik. Nine tuneful songs fully scored for piano and Alice McDonald's book provide a lively old-fashioned musical melodrama that has entertained thousands of theatre patrons throughout America.

The plot centers around pure, sweet, virtuous Verity Vale who, recently orphaned, heads to the Wild West to live with her Aunt Belle—not knowing that Belle is dead. But Belle's greedy, conniving twin sister Estelle steps into the void intent upon corrupting sweet, trusting Verity. Estelle finds an eager collaborator in villainous Rupert R. Rupert. Coming to the aid of Verity is brave and noble Noble Mann, who is searching for a lost gold mine. He discovers gold in his family's defunct mine, making Verity, who owns some "worthless" shares, a rich woman. Mrs. Mann now welcomes Verity into the family as Belle's "spirit" helps cause the villains to "eat" their just deserts as they flee.

Two acts; Set, lavish sitting room in a Nevada mining town; Costumes, period clothes of 1856. For all groups.

Another McDonald musical: Lily, the Virtuous Seamstress

See also: Melodramas