Overview
Synopsis
Rebecca Hershkowitz and her young son David arrive on the shores of America in 1910, hoping to find a better life than the one they left behind in Russia. However, New York City is not as welcoming to Jewish immigrants as Rebecca was hoping. A single mother in search of new opportunities, Rebecca finds a community of Jewish immigrants and other social outsiders who come together to find a sense of community in their new home. Rags is a heartwarming and dramatic tale that depicts the struggles and triumphs of the American Dream. Featuring the beautiful music of Stephen Schwartz and Charles Strouse, Rags is sure to captivate audiences as they follow a community of immigrants, looking towards a hopeful future.
This guide is based off of the 2020 London Cast Revival of Rags. Currently, the 2020 Revival is the version available for licensing through Music Theatre International.
Show Information
- Book
- Joseph Stein
- Music
- Charles Strouse
- Lyrics
- Stephen Schwartz
- Category
- Musical
- Age Guidance
- Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 1986
- Genres
- Settings
- Period, Multiple Settings
- Time & Place
- New York City, 1910
- Cast Size
- medium
- Orchestra Size
- Medium
- Dancing
- Some Dance
- Licensor
- Music Theatre International
- Ideal For
- Community Theatre, College/University, High School, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Religious Groups, Star Vehicle Female, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Young Adult, Adult, Late Teen, Child, Early Teen, Mature Adult, Elderly Characters, Medium Cast
Context
Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Female |
Soprano |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Soprano |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Alto |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass, Baritone, Bass-Baritone |
Songs
Act One
- Overture/I Remember - Company
- If We Never Meet Again - Bella, Rebecca
- Greenhorns - Americans, Ensemble
- Brand New World - Rebecca, Bella, Avram, David
- Edge of A Knife - Rebecca
- The Fabric of America - Jack, Bella, Ben, Rebecca, Ensemble
- Penny a Tune - Klezmer Musicians
- Greenhorn (Reprise) - Americans, Ensemble
- Bella’s Song - Part One - Ben
- Meet an Italian - Sal
- Friday Night Prayers - Company
- If We Never Meet Again/Edge of A Knife (Reprise) - Rebecca, Bella
- Little Lady - Bronfman, Rebecca
- Cheer Up, Chaimlet - Ensemble
- Take Our City Back - Americans, Ensemble
- Blame It on the Summer Night - Sal, Rebecca
- For My Mary - Anna, Ben, Irish Man
- Take Our Country Back - Americans, Ensemble
- Rags - Rebecca, Bella
ACT TWO
- On the Fourth Day of July - Americans, Ensemble
- Yankee Boy - Ben, David, Bella, Ensemble
- Uptown - Bronfman, Rebecca
- Wanting - Rebecca, Sal, Ensemble
- Rags (reprise) - David, Rebecca
- Three Sunny Rooms - Rachel, Avram, Bella, Ben
- Kaddish - Avram, Company
- Bella’s Song - Part Two - Ben
- If We Never Meet Again (Reprise) - Rebecca
- Bread and Freedom - Rebecca, Sal, Protestors
- Children of the Wind - Rebecca
- Finale - David, Rebecca, Company
Many songs were cut or rearranged from the original production. Songs that were cut from the revival are “Easy for You”, “Hard to be a Prince”, “What’s Wrong with That?”, “In America”, “Nothing Will Hurt Us Again”, “Cherry Street Cafe”, “The Sound of Love”, “Democratic Club Dance”, and “Dancing With the Fools”.
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:
Emma Houlahan
Canadian vocalist and actor now based in London.