45 Minutes from Broadway

Musical. Adapted from the George M. Cohan musical by June Walker Rogers
Original production opened January 1, 1906 at the New Amsterdam Theatre (90 perfs)

Synopsis

The irresistible excitement of George M. Cohan's music and the period charm of his most enjoy able libretto are put into a modem school situation and with this you have the best of all (musical) worlds! "Let's do a musical!" is the cry from the members of the school's drama club. The problem is, which one? This common dilemma is solved by the appearance of an old theatrical trunk filled with the memorabilia of early show business days, such as some George M. Cohan props; his derby straw hat and cane and a script of 45 Minutes from Broadway. Miss Templeton, the teacher, and Jason, the student director, guide the cast through the auditions and casting and presentation of the old Cohan musical. This is an example of a show within-a-show, complete with such rousing George M. Cohan numbers as "I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy, " "Give My Regards to Broadway" and "You're a Grand Old Flag."

Scenes and Settings

• Act 1: Exterior of Castleton Mansions in New Rochelle. Morning
• Act 2: Interior. Evening
• Act 3: Railroad Station. Next Morning

Cast: 7m., 6w., extras, chorus.

• Orchestration available.

Musical Numbers (original)

Gentlemen of the Press - Policemen and reporters
(I Want to be a) Popular Millionaire - Tom Bennett and Chorus
Mary is a Grand Old Name - Mary Jane Jenkins
Forty-Five Minutes from Broadway - Kid Burns and chorus
So Long, Mary - Mary Jane Jenkins