A FAMILY AFFAIR

Musical comedy in 2 acts: Music by John Kander : Book by James and William Goldman: Lyrics by James Goldman and Jolin Kander

Billy Rose Theatre, Broadway - January 27, 1962 (65 perfs)

Story:

Gerry Siegal has asked Sally Nathan to marry him. Sally's family is small, and her uncle, Alfie, wants a small, intimate wedding. Gerry's family is large, and mother Tilly and father Morris would like to see something a little larger. Alfie begins to become suspicious at the preliminary planning meetings. Discussions become tedious as large lawn parties begin to break out. As the groom's parents continue the planning for a large country club affair, Uncle Alfie and his friends declare war. A wedding consultant is hired. She has her own ideas. Meanwhile, the Nathans and Siegals are no longer speaking. Morris chastises Tilly for taking over, and Alfie is plotting revenge. Finally, they realize that they have almost destroyed the wedding. However, the bride and groom have retained their sanity and step in to announce their own intentions for a quiet family affair. In the end there is a wedding.

Musical Numbers:

1. Overture
   
2. Anything for You - Gerry & Sally
   
3. Beautiful - Alfie
   
4. My Son, the Lawyer - Tilly
   
5. Every Girl Wants to Get Married - Sally & Babs
   
6. Right Girls - Tilly & Morris
   
7. Kalua Bay - Gerry & Sally
   
8. There's a Room in My House - Gerry & Sally
   
9. Siegal Marching Song
   
10. Nathan Marching Song
    
11. Harmony - Miss Lumpe, Mr Weaver, Harry & Fifi
    
12. Now, Morris - Morris
    
13. Wonderful Party - Gerry & Kenny
    
14. Revenge - Alfie & Voices
    
15. Summer Is Over - Tilly
    
16. I'm Worse Than Anybody - Tilly Morris & Alfie
    
17. What I Say Goes - Gerry
    
18. The Wedding.

Instrumentation:

Violin, cello, bass, alto sax (Eb clar, pic, flute), alto sax (flute, pic, clar), tenor sax (clar, oboe, Eng. horn), bari sax (bass clar, flute, clar), trumpet I, II, III, trombone, horn, percussion, guitar, harp, piano/conductor.

Cast:

33 parts, 6 principal, 6 supporting roles.

Alfie, comic actor who sings and dances.
Gerry and Sally, the bride and groom, actors who sing and dance.
Tilly, character actress who sings.
Morris, character actor who sings.
Miss Lumpe, comedienne who sings and dances.

Some intricate choral work. Total cast, 33-50.

Scenes and Settings

2 acts, 22 scenes, 5 full stage sets, 8 partial stage sets, 4 drops, 1 wedding canopy.

ACT I

Scene 1a: A Bare Area.
Scene 1b: Nook of Alfie's Den and Siegals' TV room.
Scene 1c: Foyer in Nathan Apartment.
Scene 2: The Siegals' Bedroom.
Scene 2a: A Telephone Traveller.
Scene 3: In Front of Traveller, Alfie's Office, Bookshop, Flowershop, and Bakery.
Scene 4: Bridal Shop at Marshall Field.
Scene 5: Country Club Gym.
Scene 6: Siegals' Backyard.
Scene 7: Alfie's Backyard.
Scene 7A: A Football Field.
Scene 8: Old Oaks Country Club.
Scene 9: Nook of Alfie's Den.

ACT II

Scene 1: Siegals' Kitchen.
Scene 2: Nook of Alfie's Den.
Scene 3: Bachelor Dinner.
Scene 4: Nook of Alfie's Den.
Scene 5: Corridor at Country Club.
Scene 6: In Front of Traveller.
Scene 7: Nook of Alfie's Den.
Scene 8: Corridor at Country Club.
Scene 9: The Wedding.

Period and Costume:

The present: suits, dresses, casual clothes, bathrobes, bridal fashions, gym suits, ridiculous cook-out aprons, frivolous clothes of affluent suburbia, uniforms for Country Club staff, sleazy evening dresses, wedding ensembles for all.

 

Discography:

OCR - United Artists 5099