It was the Depression era version of SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE and THE DAILY SHOW. Moss Hart's sketches were sharp, witty and hilarious and Irving Berlin's songs ranged from wry to satiric to poignant. Their inspiration? The newspaper headlines of the day, from affairs to society photos and advice to the lovelorn; even comic strips and the weather report were fair game! A cast that included Clifton Webb, Ethel Waters and Marilyn Miller impersonated the likes of Joan Crawford, the Hoovers, John D. Rockefeller, Mahatma Gandhi and Josephine Baker for over 400 performances beginning in September of 1933. Considered a masterpiece of that specialized genre known as the topical revue, AS THOUSANDS CHEER inspired some of Harts best solo work as a comedy writer and afforded Berlin the opportunity to pen some of the greatest musical gems.
Cast Requirements: PRINCIPALS
3 Women
3 Men
ENSEMBLE
Singing-dancing chorus as large as desired featuring The Ladies and Gentlemen of the Chorus.
COMMENTS
The original 1933 production employed a cast that numbered nearly 50 while the 1998 revival used a cast of only 6. The rousing success of both productions indicates that this topical revue can be produced on as large or as intimate a scale as you wish. A minimum of 6 actors is needed.
CHARACTERS
Langley - a butler
Mr. Andrews
Mrs. Andrews
Gertrude - a Pomeranian
Mr. Hoover
Mrs. Hoover
Frank - a moving man
Barbara Hutton
2 Suitors
The Chauffeur
The Weathercaster
Joan Crawford
Douglas Fairbanks Jr.
Will Hays
Representative of England
Representative of Italy
Representative of Germany
Representative of France
The Statue of Liberty
John D. Rockefeller, Sr.
John D. Rockefeller, Jr.
Mrs. John D. Rockefeller, Jr.
John D. Rockefeller, Jr.'s Children
The Radio Announcer
Monsieur Peppiton - the
Set Requirements: Set Requirements AS THOUSANDS CHEER is a musical revue, and although it suggests various locales, it does not take place in a specific location.
Genre / Style: Musical Revue, Topical
Rehearsal / Orchestral Material: Rental Materials Rehearsal Set (23 Books) 20 Libretto/Vocal Books, 2 Piano Vocal Scores, 1 BASS
Musical Numbers: Man Bites Dog, Heat Wave, Easter Parade, How's Chances? Supper Time, Lonely Heart, Harlem On My Mind, Through A Keyhole, Not For All The Rice In China.