Overview
Synopsis
New Girl in Town is based on Anna Christie, Eugene O'Neill's Pulitzer Prize-winning play. Chris, an old Swedish sailor, is ecstatic when his daughter, Anna, comes to visit him after fifteen years of estrangement. He envisions her still as his sweet, innocent, little girl, but the truth is very different. Chris’ live-in companion, Marthy, discovers that Anna is a former prostitute who has recently served time in jail. Anna has come to New York for shelter from her father, her only remaining possibility of rebuilding her shattered life.Slowly, Anna finds stability and even begins to fall in love for the first time with love-sick sailor, Mat. However, her happiness is short-lived when a jealous Marthy reveals Anna’s secret at a neighborhood ball. Rejected by Mat, Anna sets to rebuilding her life alone, until she receives a surprise visit the following year.
New Girl in Town was written as a star vehicle for Gwen Verdon and is subsequently the perfect showcase for a talented "triple-threat" performer.
Show Information
- Book
- George Abbott
- Music
- Bob Merrill
- Lyrics
- Bob Merrill
- Based on the Play/Book/Film
- Eugene O'Neill's Anna Christie (1921)
- Category
- Musical
- Age Guidance
- Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 1957
- Genres
- Drama, Romance
- Settings
- Period, Multiple Settings
- Time & Place
- New York City, 1921
- Cast Size
- medium
- Orchestra Size
- Medium
- Dancing
- Some Dance
- Licensor
- Music Theatre International
- Ideal For
- College/University, Community Theatre, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Female, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Young Adult, Adult, Mature Adult Characters, Medium Cast
Context
Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Baritone, Tenor |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Alto, Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone, Bass, Bass-Baritone |
Songs
Act 1
- * Roll Yer Socks Up - Ensemble
- Anna Lilla - Chris
- Sunshine Girl - Larry, Ensemble
- On the Farm - Anna
- Flings - Marthy, Lily, Pearl
- It's Good To Be Alive - Anna
- Look at 'Er - Mat
- It's Good To Be Alive (reprise) - Mat
- Yer My Friend, Aintcha? - Marthy, Chris
- Did You Close Your Eyes? - Anna, Mat
- * At the Check Apron Ball - Ensemble
- * There Ain't No Flies on Me - Anna, Ensemble
Act 2
- * Ven I Valse - Anna, Chris, Ensemble
- Sunshine Girl (reprise) - Ensemble
- If That Was Love - Anna
- * Ballet - Anna, Ensemble
- Chess and Checkers - Marthy, Ensemble
- Look at 'Er (reprise) - Mat
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
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Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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Guide Written By:
Alexandra Appleton
Writer, editor and theatre researcher