Overview
Synopsis
Lucky Stiff is a madcap, hilarious romp of a musical that follows Harry Witherspoon’s journey from England to Monte Carlo...with a rather unusual traveling companion. Based on Michael Butterworth’s novel, The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo, Harry receives the unexpected news that he has inherited a fortune from his late Uncle Anthony, on the condition that he takes Anthony’s dead body on a special trip to Monte Carlo. If Harry fails, the money will go to the Universal Dog Home of Brooklyn. However, also hot on the tail of Uncle Anthony’s money is Rita, Anthony’s lover with whom he embezzled $6 million behind her husband’s back. And hot on Rita’s trail is her brother Vinnie, who has been blamed for the crime! With mistaken identities, love interests, disguises, farcical chases, and an omnipresent corpse, Lucky Stiff is an offbeat murder mystery with a difference.
Show Information
- Book
- Lynn Ahrens
- Music
- Stephen Flaherty
- Lyrics
- Lynn Ahrens
- Based on the Play/Book/Film
- Michael Butterworth's The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo
- Category
- Musical
- Age Guidance
- Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 1988
- Genres
- Comedy, Farce
- Settings
- Multiple Settings
- Time & Place
- Monte Carlo, 1980s
- Cast Size
- small
- Orchestra Size
- Rock Combo
- Dancing
- Musical Staging
- Licensor
- Music Theatre International
- Ideal For
- College/University, Community Theatre, High School, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Male, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Adult, Mature Adult, Young Adult Characters, Small Cast
Context
Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Alto |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Baritone, Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Silent |
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone, Bass |
Songs
Act One
- Something Funny's Going On - Company
- Mr. Witherspoon's Friday Night - Harry, Landlady, Telegram Deliverer, Spinster, Lorry Driver, Punk
- Rita's Confession - Rita and Vinnie
- Good To Be Alive - Harry, Luigi, and Company
- Lucky - Harry
- Dogs Vs. You - Harry and Annabel
- The Phone Call - Vinnie
- A Day Around Town (Dance) - Company
- Monte Carlo! - Emcee
- Speaking French - Dominique du Monaco
- Times Like This - Annabel
- Monte Carlo! (Reprise) - Emcee
- Fancy Meeting You Here - Rita
- Act One Finale: Good To Be Alive - Company
Act Two
- Something Funny's Going On (Reprise) - Company
- Him, Them, It, Her - Harry, Annabel, Rita, Vinnie, and Company
- Nice - Annabel and Harry
- Welcome Back, Mr. Witherspoon - Company
- A Woman In My Bathroom - Harry
- Nice (Reprise) - Harry and Annabel
- Confession #2 (Reprise) - Tony, Rita, Harry, and Annabel
- Fancy Meeting You Here (Reprise) - Rita and Tony
- Act Two Finale: Good To Be Alive - Company
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
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Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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Guide Written By:
Alexandra Appleton
Writer, editor and theatre researcher