A TAMS-WITMARK TITLE

The New Moon

Full-Length Musical, Drama  /  6w, 2m

Revolution, romance, lovers, pirates, mutiny and villainy come together
in this 1928 Sigmund Romberg operetta, set in 18th-century New Orleans, a
ship and a remote island.

  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    6w, 2m
  • Duration
    Duration
    More than 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Adventure
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Appropriate for All Audiences
The New Moon

Details

Summary
In 1788 New Orleans, Robert, a French revolutionist wanted by the Crown, is caught and put aboard The New Moon to stand trial in France. Mutiny is instigated by his beloved Marianne, and everyone on board starts a new, flourishing island republic which comes under attack from the French just as a revolution there changes everything.
History
The New Moon opened on Broadway at the Imperial Theatre on September 19, 1928, starring Evelyn Herbert, Robert Halliday and William O’Neal. The operetta later transferred to the Casino Theatre, playing a total of 519 performances. Two Broadway revivals followed, in 1942 and 1944.
Keywords

Robert is a young French aristocrat whose revolutionist inclinations force him to flee his country. Under an assumed name, he sells himself as a bond-servant to planter and ship-owner Monsieur Beaunoir and his family in New Orleans in 1792. Because the Paris police are looking everywhere for him, Robert cannot tell Beaunoir or Beaunoir's beautiful daughter Marianne, with whom he has fallen in love, that he is of noble blood.

Eventually Robert is tracked down by Vicomte Ribaud, the detective villain, and put aboard a ship, the New Moon, so that he can be returned to France. Robert thinks he has been betrayed by Marianne, who has gained her father's consent to travel on the same ship, pretending that she is in love with the ship's captain, Duval. A mutiny occurs, and Robert and the bond-servants come into power. Everyone goes ashore on the Isle of Pines, and a new republic is founded.

The republic flourishes under Robert's guidance, but Marianne, her pride hurt, at first refuses to marry Robert. French ships arrive, apparently to reclaim the island. Vicomte Ribaud expects them to conquer the island for the King of France. But the French Commander reveals that there has been a revolution in France, and that all aristocrats like himself must die unless they renounce their titles. Ribaud, a Royalist, heads for execution, but republican Robert renounces his title. All ends happily for him and Marianne.

Principals
(3 female; 7 male)

Marianne Beaunoir
Julie, Marianne’s Maid
Clotilde Lombaste of the Bride Ship

Robert, a bond servant
Alexander, another bond servant
Philippe, a friend of Robert
Besace, a Boatswain
Captain Duval
Vicomte Ribaud
M. Beaunoir, Marianne’s Father

Supporting

M. Fouchette
Jacques, a ship’s carpenter
Doorkeeper of Tavern
The Proprietor
A Sot
Spaniard
Flower Girl
A Dancer
Rosita
Ramon
Admiral de Jean

Ensemble

Courtiers, Ladies, Servants, Sailors, Pirates, etc.

  • Time Period 18th Century
  • Features Period Costumes
  • Duration More than 120 minutes (2 hours)

Music

Music Samples

Act I

1. Opening: "Dainty Wisp of a Thistledown" - Ensemble
2. "Marianne" - Robert
3. Entrance - Marianne & Ensemble
4. "The Girl on the Prow" - Marianne, Besace & Ensemble
5. "Gorgeous Alexander" - Julie, Alexander & Girls
6. "An Interrupted Love Song" - Marianne, Duval & Robert
7. Finaletto I - Robert & Ensemble
8. "Tavern Song" - Flower Girl, Dancer & Ensemble
9. "Softly, as in a Morning Sunrise" - Philippe & Ensemble
10. "Stouthearted Men" - Robert, Philippe & Men
11. Finaletto II - Robert & Philippe
12. Tango: "Fair Rosita" - Orchestra
13. Incidental - Orchestra
14. "One Kiss" - Marianne and Ensemble
15. The Trial ("Ladies of the Jury") - Alexander, Julie, Lombaste & Girls
16. "Wanting You" - Marianne & Robert

Act II

17. Intermezzo - Orchestra
18. Opening: "A Chanty" - Besace & Men
19. "Funny Little Sailor Men" - Julie, Alexander, Lombaste & Besace
20 "Lover, Come Back to Me" - Marianne
21. Battle Scene - Orchestra
22. Finaletto and Drill - Orchestra
23. "Love Is Quite a Simple Thing" - Robert, Besace, Alexander & Julie
24. Opening Music for Stockade - Orchestra
25. "Try Her Out at Dances" - Alexander, Julie & Ensemble
26. Reprise: "Softly, as in a Morning Sunrise" - Philippe & Men
27. "Never For You" - Marianne
28. Reprise: "Lover, Come Back to Me" - Robert, Marianne & Men
29. Dark Change - Orchestra
30. Finale ("One Kiss"/"Stouthearted Men") - Robert, Marianne & Company

Full Orchestration

Violin I
Violin II
Viola I
Viola II
Cello
Bass

Flute I & II (II doubles Piccolo)
Oboe & English Horn
Clarinet I & II (I doubles Alto Saxophone)

Horn I & II
Trumpet I & II
Trombone (opt. double on Euphonium)

Percussion

Timpani (2 drums)
Snare Drum
Bass Drum
Tom-tom
Indian Drum (without snares)
Bells
Vibraphone
Chimes
Suspended Cymbal
Castanets
Triangle
Ratchet
Wood Block
Tambourine

Harp

  • Musical Style Operetta
  • Dance Requirements Easy
  • Vocal DemandsDifficult
  • Orchestra Size Medium
  • Chorus Size Large

Licensing & Materials

  • Licensing fees and rental materials quoted upon application.

Music Rentals

Concord offers a full suite of resources to help you put on the show of a lifetime!
25 Libretto-Vocal Book
3 Piano-Conductor
2 Flute 1&2
1 Oboe & English Horn
2 Clarinet 1&2
2 Horn 1&2
2 Trumpet 1&2
1 Trombone
1 Percussion
1 Harp
2 Violin 1
1 Violin 2
1 Viola 1
1 Viola 2
1 Cello
1 Bass
25 Libretto-Vocal Book
3 Piano-Conductor

Add-Ons

Take a look below at how you can enhance your show!

Authors

Oscar Hammerstein II

Oscar Hammerstein II was born on July 12, 1895 in New York City. His father, William, was a theatre manager and for many years director of Hammerstein's Victoria, the most popular vaudeville theatre of its day. His uncle, Arthur Hammerstein, was a successful Broadway producer ...

View full profile
Author

Sigmund Romberg

Author

Frank Mandel

Author

Laurence Schwab

Now Playing

Related