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Overview

Synopsis

In 1967, Eddie Birdlace returns from the Vietnam War. He is going back to San Francisco, where he spent his last night in the United States before shipping out. His memories of that night flood back: It is November 21, 1963, and Eddie and his best friends Boland and Bernstein (The Three Bees) decide to spend their last night before deployment in a “dogfight”: who can find the ugliest girl in town and bring her to a party where she will be judged? The marines enthusiastically jump into the cruel contest. But when Eddie finally finds Rose Fenny, an awkward waitress who has never been on a date, he has a change of heart. She learns about the dogfight, but is determined to not let it define her as an ugly and pathetic girl, and her optimism has a profound effect on Eddie’s worldview. Adapted from a 1991 film of the same name, Dogfight is a statement about the military culture of the 1960s and the inevitable realization that no one is invincible. But even with this knowledge, it is possible for each person to have a profound and positive impact on the world around them.

Show Information

Based on the Play/Book/Film
Adapted from the 1991 film Dogfight by Nancy Savoca
Category
Musical
Age Guidance
Mature Audiences (M)
Number of Acts
2
First Produced
2012
Genres
Drama
Settings
Period, Multiple Settings
Time & Place
San Francisco, November 21, 1963, 1967
Cast Size
large
Orchestra Size
Medium
Dancing
Musical Staging
Ideal For
College/University, Community Theatre, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Female, Star Vehicle Male, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Young Adult, Adult, Mature Adult Characters, Large Cast

Context


Plot


Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Eddie Birdlace

Lead

Male

Tenor

Rose Fenny

Lead

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Marcy

Supporting

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Mama

Supporting

Female

Non-singer

Gibbs

Supporting

Male

Tenor, Baritone

Stevens

Supporting

Male

Tenor, Baritone

Fector

Supporting

Male

Tenor, Baritone

Lounge Singer

Supporting

Male

Tenor

Pete

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Boland

Supporting

Male

Tenor

Bernstein

Supporting

Male

Tenor

Ruth Two Bears

Featured

Female

Non-singer

Chippy

Featured

Female

Non-singer

Sergeant

Featured

Male

Non-singer

Peggy

Featured

Female

Librarian

Featured

Female

Non-singer

Waiter

Featured

Male

Non-singer

Suzette

Featured

Female

Non-singer

Big Tony

Featured

Male

Non-singer

Ensemble

Ensemble

Either Gender

Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone

Songs

Act I

  • “Prelude: Take Me Back” - Rose, Birdlace and Company
  • “Some Kinda Time” Birdlace and Marines
  • “We Three Bees” - Birdlace, Boland and Bernstein
  • “Hey Good Lookin’ ” - Marines and Girls
  • “Come to a Party” - Birdlace and Rose
  • “Nothing Short of Wonderful” - Rose
  • “Come to a Party (Reprise)” - Rose, Marcy, Birdlace and Marines
  • “That Face” - Lounge Singer and Marines
  • “Dogfight” - Marcy and Rose
  • “Pretty Funny” - Rose

Act II

  • “Hometown Hero’s Ticker Tape Parade” - Birdlace, Boland, Bernstein and Marines
  • “First Date”/”Last Night” - Rose and Birdlace
  • Before It’s Over” - Rose
  • “Give Way” - Rose and Company
  • “Some Kinda Time (Reprise)” - Birdlace, Boland, Bernstein and Marines
  • Come Back” - Birdlace
  • “Finale: Take Me Back” - 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

All monologues are the property and copyright of their owners.. Monologues are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this monologue, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

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.

Key Terms

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Guide Written By:

Cindi Calhoun

Cindi Calhoun

Theatre teacher, director, writer, and seamstress