George M. Cohan Tonight!Meet “The Yankee Doodle Boy” himself in this upbeat one-man journey through the life, music, and artistry of this legendary entertainer. George M. Cohan Tonight! is a dazzling showcase that reveals the essence of the man, his music, and the fabulous era of show business he helped shape. With roots in vaudeville that would shape his life and career, Cohan means it when he says, “Give My Regards To Broadway,” having left an indelible mark on American theater. Featuring hit songs such as “Over There,” “Forty-Five Minutes From Broadway,” “You’re A Grand Old Flag,” and “All Aboard For Broadway,” this high-energy show is insightful and entertaining— a delightful salute to the man who almost single-handedly invented the American musical comedy. |
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Roles
1M
Musicians
4
Acts
1
Duration
95 minutes |
Creators
Chip Deffaa
Written, Arranged, and Originally Directed Chip Deffaa is the author of 15 published plays (including George M. Cohan Tonight!, Irving Berlin’s America, Theater Boys, and The Seven Little Foys
George M. Cohan
Music & Lyrics George M. Cohan (1978-1942) rose to the top of his field as an entertainer, songwriter, playwright, and producer with virtually no formal education. No one is theatrical history...
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Reviews
"Brash, energetic, and endlessly euphoric!"
The New York Times
Orchestration
4 Musicians
PIANO/VOCAL
Bb Instrument (TRUMPET in Bb, CLARINET, etc.)
BASS (Acoustic or Electric)
Casting
Casting Note
The actor who starred in the original Off-Broadway production of George M. Cohan Tonight! was in his 40s when the play opened; but other actors, both younger and older, have played the role well. Since we are supposed to be seeing the ghost of Cohan, the exact age of the actor is not so important, so long as he can convincingly conjure up for us this consummate entertainer, and his cohorts.
George M. Cohan
Male - 30s-40s
The quintessential song-and-dance man: jaunty, confident, projecting great vitality. The actor playing him in this solo show must be a real triple-threat— able to sing, act, and tap dance with elan. Cohan is tremendously self-assured but also charming, endearing, likable. (If he comes across as conceited in a way that audiences find off-putting, the play will not work.) The actor must be able to convey vulnerability, too; the songs that are quieter, more poignant, such as “I Won’t be an Actor No More” and “Life’s a Funny Proposition After All,” are just as important as the boisterous flag-wavers. The actor playing Cohan must also be versatile since— over the course of this 90-minute one-man play— he will be showing us (without changes of makeup) Cohan from boyhood to old age; he will also be portraying, at various points in the play, other characters Cohan encounters, and each must be a distinct personality.
Production Materials
The required production package will include the materials listed below. These materials will be shipped upon receipt of payment if your license request is approved.
1 Cast Script/Vocal Book
A combination of the show’s full script and the full vocal book. All dialogue within each song is printed in the score to prevent flipping back and forth during rehearsals. All books are spiral-bound and double-sided.
2 Director’s Scripts
A single-sided, spiral-bound script designed with plenty of space for the director to take notes and add blocking during the rehearsal process.
1 Stage Manager’s Script
A single-sided, three-hole punched script that can be inserted into your three-ring binder.
2 Piano/Vocal Scores
This piano score includes all vocal parts. It can be used during the rehearsal process and during performance.
Orchestration Set
Bass, Bb Instrument, Drums
Promotional Resources
Official Logo Pack
Included with license
Includes color and black and white high-resolution logo files in JPG, PNG, and EPS formats.
Official Show Artwork
$175
Creating artwork for your performance has never been easier – customize online in minutes, download a print-ready PDF, order printed posters, access layered files.
Social Media Marketing Kit
$250
Includes everything you need to plan and implement the promotion of your show – 50+ graphics for social media, original show specific content, social media guide, promotion calendar and press release template.
Production Resources
Performance Tracks
Our top-quality digital performance tracks are sent to you through a simple link. Quickly download them to your computer, tablet or smartphone and start rehearsing!
$200
Additional Printed Books
Additional books (Cast Script/Vocal, Piano/Conductor, etc.) are available.
$25 each
Full Conductor Score
An ideal solution for those who choose to conduct their show from the podium, as opposed to the piano. Each detailed instrument staff is always right in front of you--giving you the most comprehensive layout for full control of your orchestra.
$125/Print, $100/Digital, $175/both
Digital Orchestration PDFs
Prefer playing or rehearsing from your tablet? All of our orchestration scores (including PC and PV) are available in digital copies.
Digital PC or PV $50
Full Digital Orchestration Set $150
Broadway Plus
A workshop experience in which a Broadway artist speaks and works with students in an educational setting through our partnership with Broadway Plus.
Prices Vary by Product
TurnKey Transpositions
Our catalogue is full of iconic music, and we can customize many of our titles to your performers' unique voices with our TurnKey Transpositions. Get the perfect key for the perfect actor! Our team will transpose any songs at your request during any point in your license period. All files will be delivered digitally and priced for your specific needs.
$50 per song for PV or PC
$150 per song for all orchestral parts (including PC/PV)
