CAST OF CHARACTERS

43rd Street is a musical parody that pays homage to many classic Broadway and Hollywood musicals, and pokes fun at the persona of screen legend Joan Crawford. Utilizing updated and re-worked songs from some of Tin Pan Alley’s greatest composers, it’s the ultimate backstage musical.

43rd Street draws a lot of energy from the staples of the traditional drag show: mockery of “traditional” values, camp humor, references to popular culture, and winks and nods at the audience. There is also an attitude of fringe in the script, but where many fringe shows seek to alienate older adults, it still reaches out to fans of classic cinema and early jazz music.

For the person with a keen knowledge of the genre, there are over one hundred and fifty musicals referenced in the script, and a large portion of the dialogue is composed of show-tune lyrics.

43rd Street is a two act musical that requires fourteen actors, has minimal set requirements, and has been described as “An odd cross between a John Waters film and the Carol Burnett show.”

*Should be played a male actor in drag.

With the exception of Grandma and Tennie, the other roles do not have to be double cast.  

If desired, additional chorus members may be added.

Demo Recording Company

Vocals:

Jodi Ewen, Will Wilhelm, Marty Grubbs,

Bree Gordon, Panagiota Valkanas,

Chad Gearig-Howe, 

Stephanie Hansen and Mike Pope, 

Musicians:

Justin Harner, Donny Walker

WITH DOUBLING, 43RD STREET REQUIRES 14 ACTORS

4F, 10M

A NOTE ABOUT THE DEMO RECORDINGS .

The demo recordings were recorded in Chicago by a volunteer cast and crew.  They were basically done cold, with no rehearsals and in one take.  They are very rough.   Some vocals have been layered over the computer generated orchestra.  The volume and tempos do not always match.  In addition, they were done early in the process and some lyrics and roles have been changed.  Recordings are not available for several of the songs, but the demo samples give a general idea of the tunes.

One of my favorite possessions . . . 

BETSY: A young, perky, ambitious but slightly naïve girl. 

KATHIE: A very pregnant, indentured singer with an amazing voice.

*PENNY: Joan Crawford as her character from the film Torch Song.

JEFFERSON: The world’s greatest director.

DICK: A young, handsome, multi-talented Broadway actor.

SKIP: The choreographer and assistant director.

PETER: A young, attractive chorus boy.

FILMORE: A young, handsome, physical fitness entrepreneur.

FANNY: A chorus girl who rarely says “No.”

BANKS: A powerful banker and backer of Broadway shows.

*GRANDMA: Betsy’s sweet grandmother. **

*TEENIE: Penny’s maid who yearns for more

HARRY: A young, attractive chorus boy.

A DIRECTOR IN INDIANA: A Midwestern Theatre Director

THE ACTOR: A theatre veteran.

GABE: A powerful businessman and womanizing Broadway Angel

MONA: A chorus girl who is far from the brightest bulb on Broadway.

DR. BROCKTON: Jefferson’s doctor.

( 1)     THEY ALWAYS PICK ON ME

( 0)     OVERTURE

( 2)     THERE'S A BROKEN HEART FOR EVERY LIGHT ON BROADWAY

( 3)     I CAN ALWAYS FIND A LITTLE SUNSHINE

( 4)     I CAN ALWAYS FIND A LITTLE SUNSHINE REPRISE

( 5)     SHE'S A BIG STAR

( 6)     YOU'RE JUST THE TYPE FOR A BUNGALOW

( 7)     I NEVER KNEW I COULD LOVE ANYBODY

( 9)     A LITTLE KIND TREATMENT

(10)     TURN OUT YOUR LIGHT MR. MOONMAN

(11)     ALL BY MYSELF

(12)     MAMA WHIP!  MAMA SPANK!

(13)     I'LL MAKE YOU WANT ME

(14)     GEE! BUT I HATE TO GO HOME ALONE

(16)     YOU THINK HE'S YOUR MAN

(18)     I'VE GOT THE BLUES BUT I'M JUST TOO MEAN TO CRY

(19)     DON'T BRING ME PANSIES

(20)     CRY BABY BLUES

(21)     SWEET INDIANA HOME

(22)     TAP THAT!

(23-23)     43RD STREET AND REPRISE