Overview
Synopsis
It’s a typical day in wretched and picturesque Dogpatch, USA, and the local yokels are up to their usual tricks: brewing moonshine, cuddling pigs, and collecting unemployment. Beautiful Daisy Mae is pining after strong handsome Li’l Abner, an unsentimental youth who escapes her pursuit to go fishing. But when Dogpatch is chosen for an atomic test site, and Daisy Mae is claimed in marriage by dirty wrestler Earthquake McGoon, Li’l Abner has to step up and fight for the things he doesn’t know he loves. Guided and guarded by traveling preacher Marryin’ Sam, Li’l Abner travels to Washington, DC, where he tangles with a gaggle of goofy scientists, unscrupulous capitalist General Bullmoose, and scheming minx Appassionata Von Climax. Experience the suspense of a Cornpone Meeting, the romantic free-for-all that is the Sadie Hawkins Day race--where the girls put on their running shoes to catch themselves a groom--and the shenanigans that ensue when a snooty Washington, DC, engagement party is invaded by Hillbillies. Based on Al Capp’s beloved comic strip, with clever book by Norman Panama and Melvin Frank, and catchy score by Johnny Mercer and Gene de Paul, Li’l Abner is a rousing, bombastic, tuneful American musical, which is equal parts slapstick comedy, knowing government satire, and tale of young love.
Show Information
- Music
- Gene de Paul
- Lyrics
- Johnny Mercer
- Based on the Play/Book/Film
- Al Capp's Li'l Abner comic strip
- Category
- Musical
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 1956
- Genres
- Comedy, Fairy Tale/Fantasy
- Settings
- Fantasy/Imaginary, Multiple Settings
- Time & Place
- dogpatch, southern usa, washington dc, 1950s
- Cast Size
- large
- Orchestra Size
- Medium
- Dancing
- Heavy
- Licensor
- Tams Witmark Music Library
- Ideal For
- College/University, Community Theatre, High School, Large Cast, Middle School, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Young Adult, Adult, Mature Adult, Late Teen, Child, Early Teen Characters
Context
Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano, Alto |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Alto |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone, Bass |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano, Alto |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Silent |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Spoken |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone, Bass |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone, Bass |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone, Bass |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
Spoken |
|
|
Ensemble |
Female |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto |
|
|
Ensemble |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone |
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
Spoken, Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone, Bass |
|
|
Ensemble |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone, Bass |
Songs
Act One
- A Typical Day - Company
- If I Had My Druthers - Li’l Abner, Cronies
- If I Had My Druthers (Reprise) - Daisy Mae
- Jubilation T. Cornpone - Marryin’ Sam, Dogpatchers
- Rag Off’n the Bush - Dogpatchers
- *Dogpatch Dance - Dogpatchers
- Namely You - Lil Abner, Daisy Mae
- Unnecessary Town - Li’l Abner, Daisy Mae, Dogpatchers
- What’s Good for General Bullmoose - Secretaries
- There’s Room Enough for Us - Dogpatchers
- The Country’s in the Very Best of Hands - Li’l Abner, Marryin’ Sam
- *Sadie Hawkins Ballet - Company
Act Two
- Oh Happy Day - Dr. Smithhorn, Dr. Finsdale, Dr. Krogmeyer, Dr. Schleifitz
- Past My Prime - Daisy Mae, Marryin’ Sam
- Love in a Home - Li’l Abner, Daisy Mae
- Progress is the Root of All Evil - General Bullmoose
- *In Society - Ensemble
- Progress is the Root of All Evil (Reprise) - General Bullmoose
- Put ‘Em Back - Dogpatch Wives
- Namely You (Reprise) - Daisy Mae
- Matrimonial Stomp - Marryin’ Sam, Dogpatchers
- Finale (Jubilation T. Cornpone) - 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
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Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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