Overview
Synopsis
Bonnie & Clyde tells the story of real-life fugitives, Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow. In the midst of the country-wide depression the couple find notoriety and love in this thrilling, fast-paced musical. Frustrated with their poor, ordinary lives, Bonnie and Clyde both dream of the exciting lives they have seen in the movies. After escaping from jail, Clyde meets Bonnie and recognizes a fellow dreamer. Their craving for fame and thrills leads them into a life of crime and a life on the run. Despite the pleas of their families, the couple embark on a series of robberies at gunpoint, continuously evading the police and becoming the celebrities they desperately wanted to be. They are soon joined by Clyde’s brother, Buck, and the “Barrow Gang” plans increasingly ambitious heists. As their fame and ambition grows, their inevitable fate draws closer. When Buck is killed by the police during an escape, Bonnie and Clyde decide to go and see their families once more. This decision leads them straight into the police firing line and they are both shot dead in the car. Sexy, exciting, and daring, Bonnie & Clyde combines gospel, rockabilly, and blues music to produce an innovative score that complements the action-filled plot.
Show Information
- Book
- Ivan Menchell
- Music
- Frank Wildhorn
- Lyrics
- Don Black
- Category
- Musical
- Age Guidance
- Mature Audiences (M)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 2009
- Genres
- Romance, Historical/Biographical
- Settings
- Contemporary, Multiple Settings
- Time & Place
- america, 1930s
- Cast Size
- large
- Orchestra Size
- Medium
- Dancing
- Musical Staging
- Licensor
- Music Theatre International
- Ideal For
- Large Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Female, Star Vehicle Male, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Young Adult, Adult, Mature Adult, Child Characters
Context
Bonnie & Clyde was conceived by Don Black and Frank Wildhorn following their collaboration on Dracula, the Musical. It began as a 13-track demo recording before being molded into the full musical. The show had its world premiere at the La Jolla Playhouse in California in 2009, with Laura Osnes as Bonnie and Stark Sands as Clyde. It won five San Diego Theatre Critics Awards that year. Following its success in California, Bonnie & Clyde opened at the Asolo Repertory Theatre in Florida in
to read the context for Bonnie & Clyde and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
Act One
As the lights come up, Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow are seen dead in a car, covered in blood. As the screen behind them flashes details of their demise, Young Bonnie appears. She dreams of becoming a film star and changing her life forever (“Picture Show”). However her dreaming is interrupted when her mother drags Bonnie into the church for her father’s funeral. In Texas, Young Clyde is also dreaming of being a movie star, imitating Billy the Kid with his rifle. Eight months
to read the plot for Bonnie & Clyde and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone, Bass |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone, Bass |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
|
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
|
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone, Bass |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone, Bass |
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone, Bass |
Songs
Act One
Picture Show - Young Bonnie, Young Clyde, Bonnie, Clyde
This World Will Remember Me - Clyde, Bonnie
You’re Goin’ Back to Jail - Blanche, Buck, Salon Women
When I Drive - Clyde, Buck
God’s Arms Are Always Open - Preacher, Ensemble
You Can Do Better Than Him - Ted, Clyde
You Love Who You Love - Bonnie, Blanche
Raise a Little Hell - Clyde
This World Will Remember Us - Clyde, Bonnie
Act Two
Made in America - Preacher, Ensemble
Too Late to Turn Back Now - Bonnie, Clyde
That’s What You Call a Dream - Blanche
What Was Good Enough for You - Clyde, Bonnie
Raise a Little Hell (reprise) - Clyde, Buck, Ted
God’s Arms Are Always Open (reprise) - Blanche, Preacher
Picture Show (reprise) - Young Bonnie, Young Clyde
Dyin’ Ain’t So Bad (reprise) - Clyde, Bonnie
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