Overview

Synopsis

Homer is an aspiring writer and a member of the Harbor Island community theatre group. When professional actor Lawrence Wood--a hometown hero--visits their rehearsal, Homer takes the opportunity to show off his musical adaptation of Anton Chekhov’s The Seagull (aptly named The Sea Gull). To his delight and the ensemble’s surprise, Lawrence likes Homer’s bizarre musical about a lonely woman who floats up to the moon, an isolated community in the middle of the second ice age, and singing penguins who are searching for the meaning of life. Full of inside jokes for community theatre fans, Birds of Paradise is a quirky look at how a show comes together and the conflicting personalities that bring it to life.

Show Information

Book
Winnie Holtzman , David Evans
Music
David Evans
Lyrics
Winnie Holtzman
Category
Musical
Age Guidance
Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
Number of Acts
2
First Produced
1987
Genres
Comedy
Settings
Contemporary, Unit/Single Set
Time & Place
Harbor Island, New York, present day
Cast Size
medium
Orchestra Size
Small
Dancing
Musical Staging
Licensor
Music Theatre International
Ideal For
College/University, Community Theatre, Ensemble Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Includes Young Adult, Adult, Mature Adult Characters, Medium Cast

Context


Plot


Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Lawrence

Lead

Male

Baritone

Julia

Lead

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Homer

Lead

Male

Tenor

Andy

Supporting

Male

Baritone

Dave

Supporting

Male

Baritone

Hope

Supporting

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Stella

Supporting

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Marjorie

Supporting

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Songs

Act One

  • "So Many Nights" - Homer, Marjorie, Stella, Andy, Hope & Dave
  • "Diva" - Hope, Dave & Andy
  • "Every Day Is Night" - Julia
  • "Somebody" - Wood & Company
  • "Coming True" - Homer & Julia
  • "It's Only a Play" - Homer & Company
  • "She's Out There" - Andy
  • "Birds of Paradise" - Marjorie, Stella & Hope
  • "Imagining You" - Company

Act Two

  • "Penguins Must Sing" - Dave, Hope & Andy
  • "You're Mine" - Marjorie
  • "Things I Can't Forget" - Homer & Marjorie
  • "After Opening Night" - Homer & Marjorie
  • "Chekhov" - Company
  • "Something New" - 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

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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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Quizzes

Themes, Symbols & Motifs

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Guide Written By:

Cindi Calhoun

Cindi Calhoun

Theatre teacher, director, writer, and seamstress