This ensemble musical chronicles nearly four decades in the life of an Everyman, Joseph Taylor Jr, from cradle through a mid-life discovery of who he is and what his life is truly about.
The first musical to be staged by a director who was also the choreographer (the legendary Agnes de Mille), its unique structural format allows the saga to whisk us from Joe's birth through his childhood, from college dorm to marriage altar, and on to his career; from the tranquility of his small Midwestern hometown to the hectic din of big city life, in a series of vignettes and musical sequences dazzling in their simplicity and stunning in their impact. Ahead of its time theatrically, ALLEGRO remains timeless in its appeal.
Cast Requirements: PRINCIPALS
3 Women
4 Men
FEATURED
2 Women
2 Men
ENSEMBLE
Singing-dancing ensemble with several small roles
CHARACTERS
Marjorie Taylor
Dr. Joseph Taylor
Mayor
Grandma Taylor
Friends of Joey (2)
Jennie Brinker
Principal
Georgie
Hazel Skinner
Charlie Townsend
Joeseph Taylor, Jr.
Miss Lipscomb
Cheer Leaders
Coach
Ned Brinker
English Professor
Chemistry Professor
Bertram Woolhaven
Molly
Beulah
Minister
Millie
Dot
Addie
Dr. Bigby Denby
Mrs. Mulhouse
Mrs. Lansdale
Jarman, a butler
Maid
Emily West
Doorman
Brook Lansdale
Harry Buckley
Set Requirements: Set Requirements ALLEGRO takes place in a small town, a college town, and a large city, all in the same Midwestern state, between 1905 and 1940. The action follows Joseph Taylor Jr.'s life from birth through his thirty-fifth year.
The original production had no stage "sets" in the conventional sense, but backgrounds for the action were achieved by small scenic pieces on a moving stage, the use of light projections and drops.
SPECIFIC LOCATIONS
Marjorie's Bedroom
The Taylor's Porch
The College Gym
The Football Field
The Campus
Jennie's Garden
Joe's Study
A Classroom
A Woodland
Another Part of the Woodland
Outside the Church
Inside the Church
The Backyard of the Taylor Home
Joe and Jennie's Bedroom
Dr. Taylor's Office
Joe and Jennie's Apartment in Chicago
The Foyer of the Taylor Apartment
The Street Entrance to the Apartment Building
Dr. Denby's Private Office
Joe's Office
The Lobby of the New Private Pavilion ps.
Genre / Style: Musical
Rehearsal / Orchestral Material: Rental Materials Rehearsal Set (22 Books)
20 Libretto/Vocal Books, 2 PIANO VOCAL SCORE.
Orchestration Package (26 Books)
1 FULL SCORE - Act I, 1 FULL SCORE - Act II,
1 FLUTE (Doubling Piccolo), 1 OBOE (English Horn), 1 CLARINET I, 1 CLARINET II, 1 BASSOON, 1 HORN I, 1 HORN II, 1 HORN III,
1 TRUMPET I, 1 TRUMPET II, 1 TRUMPET III, 1 TROMBONE I, 1 TROMBONE II, 1 TUBA, 1 PERCUSSION, 1 PIANO, 2 VIOLIN I (Divisi),
2 VIOLIN II (Divisi), 2 VIOLA, 1 CELLO, 1 BASS.
Musical Numbers: I Know It Can Happen, Winters Go By, Poor Joe, The Gentleman Is A Dope, A Fellow Needs A Girl, You Are Never Away, So Far, Money Isn't Everything.