“If a lot of people love each other, the world would be a better place to be.” - Tommy Wiseau

In 1849, Joshua Norton steps off the boat from South Africa into San Francisco in the throes of the gold rush. Within a decade he’s lost everything, so he does what any reasonable person does: declares himself Emperor of the United States.

In 2003, Tommy Wiseau releases the future cult classic film The Room. Deciding to pivot to theater, Tommy decides to write and narrate a musical about Emperor Norton the First, seeing himself in the oft-mocked figure.

When the American Civil War prompts a violent culture war in San Francisco, Tommy and Norton find their pacifism shaken. Is kindness really the best way to make the world a better place?