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Overview
Synopsis
Eliot Rosewater, the president of the Rosewater Foundation, the heir to the fourteenth largest family fortune in America, is insane. He wants to do more with his life than just writing checks to people looking for grants and donations, and sets off on a journey to find his purpose and meaning. This search takes him home to Rosewater County, Indianapolis, a derelict and impoverished town that has lost all hope and respect. The colorful and bizarre residents immediately sing Eliot’s praises, and he believes that he has finally found meaning in his life. However, Eliot’s wife Sylvia--as devoted as can be--can’t keep up with her husband’s philanthropy. His father--a United States Senator--disapproves of Eliot’s choices. And Norman Mushari--a greedy and unethical lawyer--hatches a plot to get his hands on the family fortune. If Mushari can make sure that Eliot is declared legally insane, then Eliot loses the fortune and inheritance, and all of his charitable works come to an end. Can Eliot--despite his neuroses and psychoses--confound Mushari’s scheme? Can he get his hero Kilgore Trout--a prolific and unsuccessful science fiction writer--to justify why he devotes so much time and money to the destitute and derelict? And how will Eliot’s legacy live on?
Based on Kurt Vonnegut’s 1965 novel, God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater pays homage to Vonnegut’s witty humor and energetic dialogue, interspersed with fun and poignant music. This musical is the first collaboration between Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, and helped catapult their careers as one of the most recognizable musical writing duos of the twentieth century.
Show Information
- Book
- Howard Ashman
- Music
- Alan Menken
- Lyrics
- Howard Ashman , Dennis Green
- Based on the Play/Book/Film
- Based on Kurt Vonnegut’s 1965 novel God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater
- Category
- Musical
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 1979
- Genres
- Dark Comedy
- Settings
- Contemporary, Multiple Settings
- Time & Place
- 1960s, New York City, Rosewater, Indiana
- Cast Size
- large
- Orchestra Size
- Rock Combo
- Dancing
- Musical Staging
- Licensor
- Music Theatre International
- Ideal For
- College/University, Community Theatre, Diverse Cast, High School, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Male, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Adult, Elderly, Mature Adult, Young Adult Characters, Large Cast
Context
Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano, Alto |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone |
Songs
Act I
- “The Rosewater Foundation” - Company
- “The Rosewater Foundation (Reprise)” - Eliot
- “Dear Ophelia” - Eliot
- “Thank God for the Volunteer Fire Brigade” - Eliot, Volunteer Firemen
- “Mushari's Waltz (Magical Moment)” - Mushari
- “Thirty Miles From the Banks of the Ohio/Look Who's Here” - Eliot, Company
- “Cheese Nips” - Sylvia
- “The Rosewater Foundation (Reprise II)” - Eliot, Charley, Mary
- “Since You Came to This Town” - Diana, Mary, Dawn, Delbert, Jerome, Company
Act II
- “A Poem by William Blake” - Choir
- “The Rhode Island Tango” - Fred, Caroline, Mushari
- “Eliot/Sylvia” - Eliot, Sylvia
- “Plain Clean Average Americans” - Mushari, Fred, Caroline, Company
- “A Firestorm Consuming Indianapolis” - Eliot
- “Dear Ophelia (Reprise)” - Eliot
- “I, Eliot Rosewater” - Eliot, 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
A play, musical, or opera that has been adapted from a written work.
A reference, usually implied, to a literary or historical person, place, event, or idea.
A type of song, usually early in the musical, in which the protagonist expresses their desires. The "I Want" song establishes the character's objectives.
A production designed especially to show off the talents of a particular performer.
Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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Guide Written By:
Cindi Calhoun
Theatre teacher, director, writer, and seamstress