Explore this Show

Overview

Synopsis

Fame the Musical follows the highs and lows of the final class of New York City's illustrious High School for the Performing Arts from their first year in 1980 to their graduation in 1984. It tells the story of several of the students, depicting their struggles, triumphs and tempestuous relationships with sincerity and dramatic effect. We see their struggles with ambition, fame, and self-confidence through the eyes of students such as Carmen, the ambitious dancer obsessed with fame, serious actor Nick, overweight dancer Mabel, and the talented dancer Tyrone, who struggles desperately with dyslexia. The show does not shy away from complex issues, such as racial prejudice, drug abuse, and sexual exploitation, as the young performers explore the realities of striving for a career in showbusiness.

Fame the Musical is a worldwide success that continues to be performed by growing generations of young performers. It provides a unique opportunity to display a diverse range of talents on the one stage, including dancing, singing, acting, rapping and musicianship.

Show Information

Lyrics
Jacques Levy
Conceived By
David De Silva
Based on the Play/Book/Film
Fame (1980 film)
Category
Musical
Age Guidance
Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
Number of Acts
2
First Produced
1988
Genres
Drama, Romance
Settings
Contemporary, Multiple Settings
Time & Place
new york city, 1980s
Cast Size
large
Orchestra Size
Large
Dancing
Heavy
Ideal For
Diverse Cast, Large Cast, Includes Late Teen, Young Adult, Adult, Mature Adult Characters

Lead Characters

Context

Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Schlomo Metzenbaum

Lead

Male

Tenor

Jose 'Joe' Vegas

Lead

Male

Baritone

Tyrone Jackson

Lead

Male

Baritone

Nick Piazza

Lead

Male

Tenor

Iris Kelly

Lead

Female

Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto

Serena Katz

Lead

Female

Alto

Carmen Diaz

Lead

Female

Soprano

Mabel Washington

Lead

Female

Soprano

Goodman 'Goody' King

Supporting

Male

Tenor, Baritone, Bass

Mr. Myers

Supporting

Male

Tenor, Baritone, Bass

Mr. Sheinkopf

Supporting

Male

Tenor, Baritone, Bass

Miss Esther Sherman

Supporting

Female

Alto

Grace 'Lambchops' Lamb

Supporting

Female

Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto

Ms. Greta Bell

Supporting

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Ensemble

Ensemble

Either Gender

Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone, Bass

Songs

Act One

Pray I Make P.A. – Ensemble

*Hard Work – Ensemble

I Want to Make Magic – Nick

*Can’t Keep It Down – Joe, Students

*Tyrone’s Rap – Tyrone

*There She Goes! /Fame – Carmen, Students

Let’s Play a Love Scene -Serena

Bring on Tomorrow - Schlomo, Carmen

Teacher’s Argument – Miss Bell, Miss Sherman Hard Work [reprise] - Ensemble

Act Two

*I Want to Make Magic / There She Goes (Reprise) – Nick and Company

Mabel’s Prayer – Mabel, Students

Think of Meryl Streep – Serena

*Dancin’ on the Sidewalk – Tyrone, Students

These Are My Children – Miss Sherman

In L.A. – Carmen

Let’s Play a Love Scene (Reprise) – Nick and Serena

Bring on Tomorrow (Reprise) – Schlomo, Students

*Finale: Hard Work/Fame (Reprise) – 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:

Alexandra Appleton

Alexandra Appleton

Writer, editor and theatre researcher