The Total Bent

When a British record producer arrives in Montgomery, Alabama to hook Marty Roy, a young black musical prodigy, he launches us back into Marty’s tumultuous upbringing. The son of a gospel star and self-proclaimed healer, Marty spent his childhood writing the songs that have made his charismatic father famous. But in a nation on the verge of social upheaval, with the rising heat from the street guiding his pen, Marty finds himself at odds with his spiritually forceful father as he strives to create a masterpiece that will change America—no matter the cost. A funny, fiery, one-of-a-kind show, THE TOTAL BENT is about the passions that divide a father and son as they make their music and make their choice between salvation and selling out.
Roles
8M, 4 Any
Musicians
7
Acts
1
Duration
110 minutes

Creators

Stew

Stew

Text and Music Passing Strange, which Stew starred in and co-wrote with Heidi Rodewald, premiered at Berkeley Rep and the Public Theater (2006/2007) before transferring to Broadway in 2008. The show has been honored with...

Read More

Heidi Rodewald

Heidi Rodewald

Music Heidi Rodewald has spent over a decade as a performer, arranger, producer, and composer for both The Negro Problem and the multi-disciplinary ensemble known as Stew. She co-wrote the musical Passing...

Read More

Reviews

"Blazingly entertaining, fresh, and funny, 'The Total Bent' keeps you hooked through the surging power of its sensational score, which blends elements of the blues, gospel, funk and throbbing guitar-driven rock. Stew’s lyrics, too, are a consistent pleasure. An ecstatic combination of revival meeting and rock concert."

New York Times


"Daring! A shaggy, idiosyncratic patchwork of Civil Rights–era satire, father-son drama and an allegory about the birth of funk. The music is funky, fierce, and sticky-sweet."

Time Out New York


"A religious experience of the highest caliber. The music is revelatory. Stew and Rodewald have created a thrilling score— sharp, often bitingly funny, and thoroughly mesmerizing from start to finish."

TheaterMania


"If you’re at all familiar with the Stew/Rodewald collaboration, you know it produces wildly pleasing music across pretty much every contemporary genre. 'The Total Bent' is no exception, and as always, this one is just packed with heart."

Deadline


Orchestration

7 Musicians

PIANO/VOCAL (For Rehearsal Only)
KEYBOARD 1
ORGAN (Keyboard 2)
TRUMPET
REED (Tenor Sax, Bari Sax, Clarinet, Flute)
BASS (Electric), GUITAR (Acoustic or Electric)
DRUMS

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.

12 Cast Script/Vocal Books

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, Drums, Guitar 1, Keyboard 1, Organ (Keyboard 2), Trumpet, Winds

Promotional Resources

The Total Bent Logo Pack

Official Logo Pack

Included with license

Includes color and black and white high-resolution logo files in JPG, PNG, and EPS formats.

Learn More

The Total Bent Official Show Artwork

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.

Learn More

The Total Bent Promotion Kit & Social Media Guide

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.

Learn More

Production Resources

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

Also Available

Passing Strange