Explore this Show
Overview
Synopsis
The singular setting for The Front Page is the press room at the Chicago Criminal Courts Building in 1928. The room is particularly abuzz with anticipation of the imminent execution of Earl Wilson, a white man and alleged Communist convicted of murdering a black police officer. Populating the room is a fraternal mob of old-fashioned newspaper reporters, each with a own colorful personality. Hildy Johnson, the cocky star reporter for the Herald Examiner, drives much of the play’s action as he struggles to walk away from the adrenaline rush of a big scoop. Drawing on their own experiences as Chicago reporters, Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur create a frenetic environment ripe with misogynistic and racist language (recent revivals have softened the play’s racial epithets). The play also taps into the underbelly of political corruption and still feels like a relevant examination of the collision between politics and old-fashioned journalism.
Show Information
- Book
- Ben Hecht , Charles MacArthur
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
- Number of Acts
- 3
- First Produced
- 1928
- Genres
- Comedy, Dark Comedy
- Settings
- Period, Unit/Single Set
- Time & Place
- The press room of the Criminal Courts Building in Chicago., 1928
- Cast Size
- large
- Orchestra Size
- None
- Dancing
- None
- Licensor
- None/royalty-free
- Ideal For
- Regional Theatre, Professional Theatre, Mostly Male Cast, Large Cast, Ensemble Cast, College/University, Includes Adult, Mature Adult Characters
Context
Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
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Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
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Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Female |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Female |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Ensemble |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Ensemble |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Ensemble |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Ensemble |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Ensemble |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Ensemble |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Ensemble |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Ensemble |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Ensemble |
Female |
Non-singer |
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Ensemble |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Ensemble |
Male |
Non-singer |
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|
Ensemble |
Male |
Non-singer |
Songs
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
A group of musicians, actors, or dancers who perform together.
Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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Guide Written By:
Kevan Dunkelberg
Oklahoma-based drama teacher, actor and playwright