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Overview

Synopsis

It is 1929 in New York and the city is divided by gang warfare. On one side, Dandy Dan’s mob terrorise the district, taking out those they turn against with their new splurge guns. On the other side, Dandy Dan’s rival, Fat Sam, runs his successful Grand Slam Speakeasy. There, he deals with business and enjoys the attentions of his girlfriend, the seductive Tallulah. However Sam is jealous of Dandy Dan’s gang as he still uses old-fashioned custard pies to take out their victims. When Fat Sam’s gang is brutally splurged and his empire under severe threat, he engages the help of Bugsy Malone, a smooth-talking man about town. While Bugsy simultaneously attempts to woo Blousey Brown, the new-girl singer in town, he helps Fat Sam steal a fresh delivery of splurge guns from Dandy Dan. However Bugsy’s efforts cost him his relationship with Blousey after he lets her down by not taking her to Hollywood as promised. Returning to the speakeasy, Blousey and the rest of Fat Sam’s crew are unaware of Dandy Dan’s intent for revenge. His mob burst into the speakeasy and chaos ensues. Splurge, custard pies, and flour bombs fly across the bar. As the pandemonium comes to a sticky end, it emerges that Bugsy and Blousey have reconciled and there is finally peace between the two rival gangs.

Show Information

Category
Musical
Age Guidance
Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
Number of Acts
2
First Produced
1983
Genres
Comedy
Settings
Contemporary, Multiple Settings
Time & Place
new york, 1929
Cast Size
medium
Orchestra Size
Small
Dancing
Some Dance
Licensor
Samuel French
Ideal For
Community Theatre, High School, Large Cast, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Early Teen, Late Teen, Child Characters, Medium Cast

Context

Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Bugsy Malone

Lead

Male

Tenor, Baritone, Bass

Blousey Brown

Lead

Female

Alto

Cagey Joe

Supporting

Male

Baritone

Dandy Dan

Supporting

Male

Baritone

Fat Sam

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Fizzy

Supporting

Male

Tenor

Knuckles

Supporting

Male

Baritone

Lena Marelli

Supporting

Female

Soprano

Leroy

Supporting

Male

Bass

Tallulah

Supporting

Female

Alto

Ensemble

Ensemble

Either Gender

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

Songs

Act One

  • Bugsy Malone - Ensemble
  • *Fat Sam's Grand Slam - Ensemble
  • That’s Why They Call Him Dandy - Dandy Dan, Ensemble
  • *Tomorrow - Fizzy
  • *Show Business - Lena, Ensemble
  • *Bad Guys - Fat Sam’s Gang
  • I'm Feeling Fine - Blousey
  • Bugsy Malone (Reprise) - Ensemble

Act Two

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