Origin
Sign In My Cart
Search
alphabetical author index
a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

Behavior of Broadus, The

The Behavior of Broadus puts the origins of our pop culture consumerist society under a satirical magnifying glass.

More information

Description

  • Full Length Musical
  • Comedy, Biography
  • 120 minutes

  • Time Period: 1900-1910, 1940s / WWII, 1920s, 1910s / WWI, 1930s, 19th Century, 1950s
  • Target Audience: Adult
  • Set Requirements: Unit Set/Multiple Settings
  • Cautions: Alcohol, Smoking, Strong Language, Mild Adult Themes
  • Orchestra Size: Medium

  • Performance Group:
  • College Theatre / Student, Professional Theatre, Blackbox / Second Stage /Fringe Groups

  • Accolades:
  • WINNER! Ovation Award for Best Book of an Original Musical (2015)
    WINNER! Ovation Award fro Best Lyrics / Composition of an Original Musical (2015)
The Behavior of Broadus is the incredible sort-of-true story of John Broadus Watson, father of behaviorism and modern advertising. He has the power to control your brain. Indeed, we suspect he's making you read this right now. 

This Mad Men-esque dark comedy puts the origins of our pop culture consumerist society under a satirical magnifying glass.
REVIEWS:

"Triumphant [...] As delightfully self-assured as it is comically self-referential, made up of equal parts whimsy, wacky, profane and profound, this cracked experiment in satirical musical development is a wickedly entertaining watershed."

 Los Angeles Times

"A darkly funny, oddly joyful musical [...] this piece is a transcendent breakthrough [...] This is LA's intimate theater at its complicated best. Don't miss this one."

 KCRW

"A delightfully twisted musical [...] The book slyly references pop culture, skewers psychological and scientific hauteur, and takes a swipe at the unending American obsession with product."

 Stage Raw

"It's a startlingly refreshing blend of the American gumption of Oklahoma! and the satire of Urinetown [...] a great escape and mandatory viewing for anyone interested in musical theater."

 Stage and Cinema

"The Behavior of Broadus is the most audacious, provocative, entertaining, original musical to premiere in LA since 2008's Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson [...] Few musicals offer as much food for the mind."

 Arts in LA

Premiere Production: The Behavior of Broadus premiered in co-production between Sacred Fools and Center Theatre Group in Los Angeles, CA in September 2014 under the direction of Matt Almos and Ken Roht.

Characters

  • Casting: 6M, 4F
  • Casting Attributes: Ensemble cast, Reduced casting (Doubling Possible)
  • Chorus Size: Small

  • JOHN BROADUS WATSON
    MARY WATSON
    LITTLE ALBERT
    WHITEY
    EMMA WATSON
    PHIL THE RAT
    JACQUES LOEB
    WILLIAM McDOUGALL
    ROSALIE RAYNOR
    DEAN STEVENS
    CHORUS

    • Related Works