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Overview

Synopsis

Welcome to the celebrated Ziegfeld Follies! As decreed by the great Florenze Ziegfeld himself, the current spectacular celebrates the--somewhat elaborated--life of the great American cowboy, entertainer, and popular star, Will Rogers. With Ziegfeld’s voice booming out instructions, Rogers is your host for the evening. He leads you through his life, from his departure from the family cattle ranch to his exponential rise in fame, concluding finally with his untimely death. Accompanied by the glamorous Follies (led by Ziegfeld’s favorite), he introduces the important characters in his life. We begin in the small Oklahoma town where he grew up and meet his father, Clem, who just wants his only son to take over the ranch. But Will has other plans. He travels the world, experiencing life outside of Oklahoma and becoming a truly cosmopolitan cowboy. Will returns home to marry Betty, the love of his life, and she accompanies him on tour across the country as the star of a popular Wild West Show. When Will is offered a spot on Vaudeville, then a radio show, and finally the chance to be a star in Hollywood, who can refuse?! Though his family grows and Betty desperately wants him home, Will becomes more and more famous for his quirky humor and cowboy tricks. He even runs for President! However, when the Great Depression hits America and Will loses most of his fortune, he finds himself wondering what he has truly done with his life.

Show Information

Book
Peter Stone
Music
Cy Coleman
Lyrics
Betty Comden , Adolph Green
Category
Musical
Age Guidance
Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
Number of Acts
2
First Produced
1991
Genres
Comedy, Romance, Historical/Biographical
Settings
Period, Unit/Single Set
Time & Place
America, 1920s
Cast Size
medium
Orchestra Size
Large
Dancing
Heavy
Licensor
Concord Theatricals
Ideal For
College/University, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, High School, Star Vehicle Male, Star Vehicle Female, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Mature Adult, Young Adult, Adult, Child, Late Teen Characters, Medium Cast

Context


Plot


Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Betty Blake

Lead

Female

Alto, Mezzo-Soprano

Will Rogers

Lead

Male

Baritone

Clem Rogers

Supporting

Male

Baritone

Clem Rogers

Supporting

Male

Baritone

Ziegfeld's Favorite

Supporting

Female

Alto

Florenz Ziegfield

Featured

Male

Non-singer

Wiley Post

Featured

Male

Non-singer

Ensemble

Ensemble

Either Gender

Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone, Bass

Songs

Act One

  • Prelude - "Let's Go Flying" - Chorus
  • "Will-a-Mania" - Ziegfeld's Favorite and Chorus
  • "Give a Man Enough Rope" - Will and Ziegfeld's cowboys
  • "It's a Boy!" - Clem and Girls Sextet (Will's sisters)
  • "It's a Boy! (Reprise)" - Clem
  • "My Unknown Someone" - Betty Blake
  • "The St. Louis Fair" - Girls Sextet (Betty's sisters)
  • "The Big Time" - Will, Betty, Will Jr., Mary, James, and Freddy
  • "My Big Mistake" - Betty Blake
  • "The Powder Puff Ballet" - Ziegfeld Girls
  • "Marry Me Now" - Will, Betty, and Ensemble
  • "I Got You" - Will, Betty and Ensemble

Act Two

  • "Give a Man Enough Rope (Reprise)" - Will and Ziegfeld's cowboys
  • "Look Around" - Will Rogers
  • "Our Favorite Son" - Will, Ziegfeld's Favorite, Ziegfeld Girls, and Ziegfeld's cowboys
  • "No Man Left For Me" - Betty Blake
  • "Presents for Mrs. Rogers" - Will and Ziefeld's cowboys
  • "Never Met a Man I Didn't Like" - Will Rogers
  • "Will-a-Mania (Reprise)" - Clem, Will, and Chorus
  • "Without You" - Betty Blake
  • "Never Met a Man I Didn't Like (Reprise)" - Will and Chorus

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

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Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

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Guide Written By:

Alexandra Appleton

Alexandra Appleton

Writer, editor and theatre researcher