Little Me

A TAMS-WITMARK TITLE

Little Me

Full-Length Musical, Comedy  /  2w, 6m

Book by Neil Simon
Lyrics by Carolyn Leigh
Music by Cy Coleman
Based on a novel by Patrick Dennis

Musical numbers and dances staged by Bob Fosse
Directed by Cy Feuer and Bob Fosse
Produced for the Broadway stage by Feuer and Martin

Fast-paced, zany, and thoroughly hilarious, this musical adaptation of Patrick Dennis's comic novel follows Belle Poitrine as she makes her way from humble beginnings to superstardom.

Image: 2014 New York City Center Production (Joan Marcus)

Little Me

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    2w, 6m
  • Duration
    Duration
    More than 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Farce, Period
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Appropriate for All Audiences
Accolades
Accolades

  • NOMINEE: Ten 1963 Tony Awards, including Best Musical
    WINNER! 1963 Tony Award for Best Choreography (Bob Fosse)
    WINNER! 1963 Theatre World Award (Swen Swenson)
    WINNER! 1999 Tony Award for Best Actor (Martin Short)

Little Me

Details

Summary
Little Me is based on Patrick Dennis’s comic novel Little Me: The Intimate Memoirs of that Great Star of Stage, Screen and Television, Belle Poitrine. The show follows Belle’s career -- from humble beginnings, through a series of advantageous marriages, to a diva’s life of luxury. Originally tailored to the talents of Sid Caesar, the show featured choreography by Bob Fosse.
History
Little Me opened on Broadway at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on November 17, 1962, starring Sid Caesar, Virginia Martin, and Nancy Andrews. The original production ran for 257 performances. It has since been revived twice, most recently in 1998 starring Martin Short and Faith Prince.
Keywords
Performing Groups
Little Me is the story of Belle Poitrine’s ascent from the wrong side of the railroad tracks in Venezuela, Illinois to the exquisite luxury of Southampton, Long Island, where the bar is concealed in a golden grand piano. The action is carried through a series of vignettes with integrated music and choreography. There are two Belles: the older Belle of today who is a genial, plump, self-indulgent, wealthy boozer. She is telling an interviewer the story of her life. The story is acted by the younger Belle, who plays the scenes as they occur. Early in the story she meets high-born Noble Eggleston. He cannot marry her because she does not have "wealth, culture and social position." She achieves these goals through her association with seven men, some of whom help her progress by being taken dead at opportune moments. On Broadway all the men were played by Sid Caesar. Actually they can be played by different actors.
Principals
(2 female; 6-10 male)

Older Belle (Miss Poitrine, Today)
Young Belle

Patrick Dennis
Noble Eggelston*
Mr. Pinchley*
Pinchley Junior
Bernie Buchsbaum
Bennie Buchsbaum
Val Du Val*
George Musgrove
Fred Poitrine*
Prince Cherney*

Supporting

Momma
Mrs. Eggelston
Defense Lawyer
German Officer
Otto Schnitzler*
Yulnick
Baby
Noble Junior*

*In the original Broadway production, all seven starred parts were played by the same actor. The cast consisted of 37 people, and some doubling was employed in minor parts.

  • Time Period 1950s
  • Features Period Costumes
  • Duration More than 120 minutes (2 hours)

Media

Photos

  • Little Me

    Image: 2014 New York City Center Production (Joan Marcus)

Music

Music Samples

Act I

1. Overture – Orchestra
2. “Here’s To Us” – Southampton
3. “The Truth” – Older Belle, Patrick, & Men
4. Tracks – Underscore
5. Garbage – Orchestra
6. I Love You Themes “A”, “B”, and “C” – Orchestra
7. “The Other Side of The Tracks” – Young Belle
7a. Tag: “Other Side of The Tracks” – Chorus
8. “Rich Kids Rag” – Chorus
9. I Love Theme – Orchestra
10. “I Love You” – Young Belle, Noble, & Chorus
11. Tracks Scene Change – Orchestra
12. Reprise: “Other Side of The Tracks” – Young Belle
13. “Deep Down Inside” (Section I) – Young Belle, Pinchley, & Junior
13a. “Deep Down Inside” (Section II) – Young Belle, Pinchley, & Chorus
13b. Tag: “Deep Down Inside” – Pinchley
14. Newsboy – Orchestra
15. “Be A Performer” – Benny & Bernie
15a. Stingers – Orchestra
16. “Oh! Dem Doggone Dimples” – Young Belle & Men
16a. Dimples Bows – Orchestra
17. Val Fanfare – Orchestra
17a. Boom Boom Intro. & Play-on – Orchestra
17b. “Boom Boom” – Val & Girls
17c. Boom Boom Bows – Orchestra
17d. Drum Cue – Orchestra
18. “I’ve Got Your Number” – George
18a. I’ve Got Your Number (Dance) – Orchestra
19. Doughboy Party – Orchestra
20. Intro: Real Live Girl – Orchestra
20a. “Real Live Girl” – Fred
20b. Drum Cue – Orchestra
21. Production: “Real Live Girl” – Men
22. “Boom Boom Wartime” – Young Belle & Val
23. I Love Theme – Orchestra
23a. I Love Theme – Orchestra
24. Finale Act I – Young Belle

Act II

25. Entr’acte – Orchestra
25a. “Here’s To Us” – Southampton
26. I Love Theme – Orchestra
27. “I Love Sinking You” – Young Belle, Noble & Chorus
28. “Poor Little Hollywood Star” – Young Belle
28a. Playoff: Hollywood Star – Orchestra
29. Reprise: “Be A Performer” – Benny & Bernie
29a. Performer Scene Change – Orchestra
30. “Little Me” – Older Belle & Young Belle
31. Background for Casino – Orchestra
32. “Goodbye” (Section I) – Prince & Chorus
32a. “Goodbye” (Section II) – Prince & Chorus
32b. Tag: “Goodbye” – Prince
33. Drunken Governor Impeached – Orchestra
34. “Here’s To Us” – Older Belle & Chorus
35. Sad Love Theme – Orchestra
36. I Love Theme – Orchestra
37. Finale Act II – Orchestra
38. Bows – Entire Company
39. Exit Music – Orchestra

Full Orchestration

Violin AB
Violin C
Cello
Bass & Tuba

Reed I: Piccolo, Flute, Clarinet & Alto Saxophone
Reed II: Flute, Clarinet & Alto Saxophone
Reed III: Oboe, English Horn (or Clarinet), Clarinet & Tenor Saxophone
Reed IV: Flute (or Clarinet) & Tenor Saxophone
Reed V: Eb Clarinet (or Clarinet), Clarinet, Bass Clarinet & Baritone Saxophone

Trumpet I & II
Trumpet III
Trombone I
Trombone II
Trombone III

Percussion I & II:

Timpani (2 drums)
Snare Drum
Bass Drum
Field Drum
Tom Toms (2)
Suspended Cymbals
Hi-Hat Cymbals
Egyptian Finger Cymbals
Hand Cymbals
Triangle
Police Whistle
Xylophone
Vibraphone
Glockenspiel
Cowbell
Siren Wind Whistle
Ratchet
Sandpaper Blocks
Tap Shoes
Wood Block
Temple Blocks
Pop Gun
Train Whistle
Tambourine
Metal Pipes (Sword Sound)

Harp
Banjo

Piano-Celeste (Piano-Conductor Score)

  • Musical Style Classic Broadway
  • Dance Requirements Moderate
  • Vocal DemandsDifficult
  • Orchestra Size Large
  • Chorus Size Large

Licensing & Materials

  • Licensing fees and rental materials quoted upon application.

Music Rentals

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25 Libretto-Vocal Book
1 Piano-Conductor
1 Reed 1
1 Reed 2
1 Reed 3
1 Reed 4
1 Reed 5
2 Trumpet 1&2
1 Trumpet 3
1 Trombone 1
1 Trombone 2
1 Trombone 3
1 Percussion 1&2
1 Harp
1 Banjo
2 Violins AB
1 Violin C
1 Cello
1 Bass

25 Libretto-Vocal Book
1 Piano-Conductor

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Authors

Cy Coleman

Cy Coleman

Cy Coleman (1929–2004) was born Seymour Kaufman in New York City to Eastern European Jewish parents, and was raised in the Bronx. A child prodigy, Coleman gave piano recitals at Steinway Hall, Town Hall and Carnegie Hall between the ages of six and nine. His educational backg ...

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Neil Simon

Neil Simon

American playwright and screenwriter Neil Simon (1927-2018) is widely regarded as one of the most successful, prolific and performed playwrights in theatre history. In addition to Lost In Yonkers, which won a Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize, his plays and musicals include Come ...

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Carolyn Leigh

Carolyn Leigh

CAROLYN LEIGH left a legacy to her family and to the world. Her lyrics, co-written with composers of note are well known. Carolyn’s standard songs include “Young At Heart,” “The Best Is Yet To Come,” “Hey, Look Me Over,” “Witchcraft,” “Doodlin’ Song,” “It Amazes Me,” “Pass Me ...

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