Overview
Synopsis
Dusty - The Original Pop Diva takes its audience through ups and downs of the life and career of one of England’s most famous singers, Dusty Springfield. We start in 1950s London, where plain, bespectacled, but ambitious Mary O’Brien dreams of success in the charts. Despite the discouragement of her parents, Mary transforms herself into the blonde, pop icon Dusty Springfield. But can you ever truly change that much? As Dusty finds success on stage, she becomes a loud, over-the-top alter ego behind which little Mary O’Brien shelters. Dusty achieves a string of hits in the 1960s, but her need for perfection and a growing drink problem soon hinders her success. Despite finding love with Reno, an American Motown singer, and international success in both Britain and America, Dusty retreats into a dark place from which it seems inescapable. Thanks to the support of her close friends, Rodney and Peg, Dusty emerges to find new musical success in the late 1980s. However, a decade later, she has one more battle to fight.
Show Information
- Category
- Musical
- Age Guidance
- Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 2006
- Genres
- Historical/Biographical, Jukebox/Revue
- Settings
- Period, Multiple Settings
- Time & Place
- 1950s to 1990s
- Cast Size
- medium
- Orchestra Size
- Medium
- Dancing
- Musical Staging
- Licensor
- Theatrical Rights Worldwide
- Ideal For
- Diverse Cast, Regional Theatre, Professional Theatre, Star Vehicle Female, Mostly Female Cast, Includes Adult, Early Teen, Late Teen, Mature Adult, Young Adult Characters, Medium Cast
Context
Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Female |
Alto |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Alto |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Alto |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Alto |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone, Bass |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Backing vocalists: Nevadas, Lana Sisters, Springfields, Drag Queens |
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone, Bass |
Songs
Act One
- Overture
- I Only Want to Be with You – Dusty
- Yesterday When I Was Young – Dusty
- When the Midnight Choo Choo Leaves for Alabam' – Mary and Tom
- Dusty Springfield – Mary
- Mama's Little Girl – Mary and Dusty
- Little by Little (1) – Mary and The Lana Sisters
- Seven Little Girls Sitting in the Back Seat – Al Saxon and The Lana Sisters
- Little by Little (2) – Mary and The Springfields
- Springfields Medley – The Springfields
- Little by Little (3) – Dusty, Rodney and Peg
- Stay Awhile – Dusty
- Nothing Has Been Proved – Dusty and Company
- Dancin' in the Street – Reno and The Nevadas
- Dancin' in the Street (Reprise) – Dusty, Reno and Company
- Wishin' and Hopin' – Dusty and Reno
- My Generation – Company
- The Look of Love – Dusty
- Stay Awhile (Reprise) – Dusty and Company
- The Look of Love (Reprise) – Reno
- Who Can I Turn to? – Dusty and Mary
Act Two
- In the Middle of Nowhere – Dusty
- I Just Don't Know What to Do with Myself – Dusty and Reno
- The Windmills of Your Mind – Dusty
- Son of a Preacher Man – Dusty
- I Close My Eyes and Count to Ten – Dusty and Reno
- Soft Core – Reno and Company
- My Colouring Book – Kay
- I Think It's Going to Rain Today – Dusty and Company
- Quiet Please, There's a Lady on Stage – Dusty and Girls
- What Have I Done to Deserve This? – Neil Tennant and Dusty
- Heart and Soul – Dusty, Rodney and Peg
- I Close My Eyes and Count to Ten (Reprise) – Reno
- All I See Is You – Dusty and Mary
- You Don't Have to Say You Love Me – Dusty and Company
- Dusty Megamix – 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 musical that features hit songs of a popular music group or genre.
The script of the musical, separate from the musical orchestrations.
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