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The Melody Lingers On

A biographical revue of Irving Berlin as remembered by his daughter.

More information

Description

  • Full Length Musical
  • Revue, Dramatic Comedy
  • 120 minutes

  • Time Period: 20th Century
  • Target Audience: Appropriate for all audiences
  • Set Requirements: Unit Set/Multiple Settings
  • Orchestra Size: Small/Combo

  • Performance Group:
  • High School/Secondary, College Theatre / Student, Church / Religious Groups, Community Theatre
"It is all history now - ancient history. The celebrated romance of the Catholic golden girl, born to millions, and the immigrant cantor's son from the Lower East Side." So writes Mary Ellin Barrett in her biography Irving Berlin: A Daughter's Memoir, on which this biographical revue is based. 

In a life that spanned more than 100 years, and with a creative output of over 1,000 songs, Irving Berlin epitomized Jerome Kern's famous adage that "Irving Berlin has no place in American music. He is American music." Over a period of five decades, Berlin's outpouring of ballads, dance numbers, novelty tunes and love songs defined American popular music. 

This revue was developed at the distinguished Trinity School in New York City and introduced hundreds of high school kids to the work of a man whose name was only familiar to some as the composer of "God Bless America." As this new generation learned the story of the Russian Immigrant who started as a singing waiter at a saloon on the Bowery, they became increasingly exhilarated with the discovery of each new song. They also found in Berlin's marriage a compelling, contemporary love story. 

From Tin Pan Alley to Broadway, from Hollywood to tours of duty throughout Europe and the Pacific, the story of Irving Berlin is the story of this American century.
REVIEWS:

"A wonderfully entertaining ride that one minute has you laughing out loud, and the next minute is tugging at your heartstrings. The power of Irving Berlin's genius is thrilling!"

The Blowing Rock Pocket

"The show is part show biz nostalgia, part history of New York, and wholly enjoyable... The script is swift and smart, and full of sentimental sentiments."

Elias Stimac

"A hugely enjoyable evening. Memorable stuff!"

Richard Dunn

Characters

  • Casting: 5M, 5F
  • Casting Attributes: Room for Extras
  • Casting Notes: While the premiere production featured a cast of more than 70, a subsequent production with a cast of only 10 was no less effective.
  • Chorus Size: Small

  • MARK - Consistently plays the role of Irving Berlin, among others.
    JULIET - Consistently plays the role of Ellin Mackay, among others.
    JEFFREY
    KATHY
    KEVIN
    BAMBI
    JEREMY
    JESSICA
    STEVE
    JENNIFER

    • Available Material

    Name Price
    Perusal Material Shipped immediately. This is optional.

    1 x Libretto-Vocal Book
    1 x Piano Conductor Score

    		$24.00
    Rehearsal Material Shipped a minimum of 3 months before the last performance. This must be hired as a condition of the License to produce this show.

    20 x Libretto-Vocal Books
    2 x Piano Conductor Scores

    		$550.00 +$135.00/pm
    Orchestral Material Shipped a minimum of 1 month before the last performance. This is optional.

    1 x Piano Conductor Score
    1 x Violin
    1 x Reed (Flute, Piccolo, Clarinet, Alto Sax)
    1 x Trombone (with F Attachment)
    1 x Bass (Acoustic)
    1 x Percussion (Trap Set, Xylophone, Glockenspiel, Wood Blocks, Bell Tree, Mark Tree, Wind Chimes, 2 Triangles, Optional Timpani, Ratchet, Cowbell)

    		$350.00 +$135.00/pm
    Lib/Vocal Book 10 Pack Shipped with (or after) Rehearsal Material. This is optional.

    10 x Libretto-Vocal Books

    		$50.00 +$50.00/pm

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