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Overview

Synopsis

One of show business's most classic and beloved tales, 42nd Street tells the story of Peggy Sawyer, a talented young performer with stars in her eyes who gets her big break on Broadway.

Peggy arrives in New York City from her hometown of Allentown, Pennsylvania, armed with her tap shoes and big dreams. Peggy’s talent catches the eye of legendary Broadway director Julian Marsh, who gives her a spot in the chorus of Pretty Lady, his newest show. Pretty Lady stars Dorothy Brock, the classic Broadway diva, who takes an instant dislike to the new girl in the cast. When Dorothy is injured during the show’s previews, Pretty Lady looks like it will have to close, unless a new girl talented enough to lead the show can be found — someone like Peggy Sawyer!

Peggy’s rise from showgirl to star is the stuff of show business dreams. 42nd Street is full of crowd-pleasing tap dances, popular musical theatre standards, and show-stopping ensemble production numbers.

Show Information

Music
Harry Warren
Lyrics
Al Dubin
Category
Musical
Age Guidance
Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
Number of Acts
1
First Produced
2017
Genres
Comedy
Settings
Spectacle
Time & Place
New York City, 1933
Cast Size
medium
Orchestra Size
Recording
Dancing
Heavy
Ideal For
Community Theatre, Ensemble Cast, Elementary School, Large Cast, Middle School, Star Vehicle Female, Theatre For Young Audiences (TYA), Mostly Female Cast, Includes Child, Early Teen, Late Teen Characters, Medium Cast

Context

Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Billy Lawlor

Lead

Male

Tenor

Julian March

Lead

Male

Baritone

Peggy Sawyer

Lead

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Dorothy Brock

Lead

Female

Alto

Bert Barry

Supporting

Male

Baritone

Andy Lee

Supporting

Either Gender

Mezzo-Soprano, Baritone

Pat Denning

Supporting

Male

Baritone

Abner Dillon

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Maggie Jones

Supporting

Female

Alto

Annie Reilly

Supporting

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Phyllis Dale

Featured

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Mac

Featured

Either Gender

Non-singer

Lorraine Flemming

Featured

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Ensemble

Ensemble

Either Gender

Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone

Songs

  • “Overture & Opening Act One” - Orchestra
  • “Young and Healthy” - Peggy, Billy
  • *“Shadow Waltz” - Maggie, Dorothy, Girls
  • *“Go Into Your Dance” - Maggie, Peggy, Annie, Phyllis, Lorraine, Andy
  • *“You’re Getting to Be a Habit With Me” - Dorothy
  • “Getting Out of Town” - Maggie, Bert, Pat, Chorus
  • *“We’re In the Money” - Annie, Phyllis, Lorraine, Peggy, Billy, Chorus
  • “I Only Have Eyes for You” - Dorothy, Billy, Ensemble
    • Replaces “I Know Now” which was featured in the original Broadway production.
  • Act One Finale (Part 1) - Orchestra
  • Act One Finale (Part 2) - Dorothy
  • “Lullaby of Broadway” - Julian, Billy, Andy, Bert, Annie, Phyllis, Lorraine, Gladys, Maggie, Abner, Chorus
  • “About a Quarter to Nine” - Dorothy, Peggy
  • “Shuffle Off to Buffalo” - Bert, Maggie, Annie, Girls
  • *“42nd Street” - Peggy, Dancers
  • “Finale - Julian
  • “Bows” - Orchestra

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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