The plot machinations of this 1940 hit musical could have been ripped from today's headlines. Set in New Orleans, the musical lampoons Huey Long and his stronghold on Louisiana politics.
When Senator Loganberry arrives in the Big Easy to investigate the dubious doings at the Louisiana Purchasing Company, it isn't long before he's set up for plenty of scandalous trouble himself. In his review of the 1996 Carnegie Hall concert production, New York Times critic Lawrence Van Gelder asked, "Does the South still produce corrupt Democratic politicians and businessmen? Are there still Republican senators eager to expose them to further their own Presidential ambitions? Is sex still a weapon in these wars?" LOUISIANA PURCHASE answers these questions with a gleeful wink of the eye and a score full of Berlin magic!
Cast Requirements: PRINCIPALS
3 Women
2 Men
FEATURED
3 Women
8 Men
ENSEMBLE
Singing Chorus
CHARACTERS
A Secretary
Sam Liebowitz, a lawyer
Colonel Davis D. Davis, Sr.
Colonel Davis D. Davis, Jr. ("Junior")
Dean Joseph T. Manning
Captain Whitfield
Jim Taylor
Beatrice, an employee at Madame Bordelaise's café
Lee Davis, the second son of Col. Davis
Emmy-Lou, the niece of Jim Taylor
Marina Van Linden
Madame Yvonne Bordelaise - proprietress of a cafe
Senator Oliver P. Loganberry
Alphonse - a waiter at Madame Bordelaise's cafe
A Singing Quartet (2 Women, 2 Men)
Set Requirements: LOUISIANA PURCHASE takes place in New Orleans during Mardi Gras, 1940.
SPECIFIC LOCATIONS
Sam Liebowitz's Office
The Library of The Jefferson Davis Club
A New Orleans Street Corner
Madame Bordelaise's Café
A Small Park Across the Street from Madame Bordelaise's Café
A Private Room Upstairs in Madame Bordelaise's Café
The Beaux Arts Ball
Senator Loganberry's Hotel Bedroom
Baton Rouge
Outside the Capitol in Baton Rouge
Genre / Style: Musical Comedy, 1940's
Rehearsal / Orchestral Material: Rehearsal Set
20 Libretto-Vocal Books
2 PIANO CONDUCTOR SCORE
Orchestration Package (21 Books)
1 PIANO CONDUCTOR SCORE
1 REED I (Flute, Piccolo, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone)
1 REED II (Flute, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Bass Clarinet)
1 REED III (Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone, Alto Saxophone)
1 REED IV (Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone, Oboe, English Horn)
1 REED V (Flute, Alto Flute, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Baritone Saxophone)
1 TRUMPET I
1 TRUMPET II
1 TRUMPET III
1 TROMBONE I
1 TROMBONE II
2 DRUMS/PERCUSSION
1 GUITAR
1 VIOLIN A (Divisi)
1 VIOLIN B (Divisi)
1 VIOLIN C (Divisi)
1 VIOLA (Divisi)
1 CELLO (Divisi)
1 BASS
Musical Numbers: Sex Marches On, Louisiana Purchase, It's A Lovely Day Tomorrow, It'll Come To You, Tonight At the Mardi Gras, Outside Of That I Love You, Latins Know How, What Chance Have I With Love? The Lord Done Fixed Up My Soul