A TAMS-WITMARK TITLE

Wildcat

Full-Length Musical, Dramatic Comedy  /  3w, 7m

A Musical Play by N. Richard Nash
Lyrics by Carolyn Leigh
Music by Cy Coleman

This dynamic musical comedy about Wildcat Jackson, an all-American oil prospector in 1912, introduced the rousing showstopper "Hey, Look Me Over."

Wildcat

Request licence
Get the Script
  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    3w, 7m
  • Duration
    Duration
    More than 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Period, Romantic Comedy
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Appropriate for All Audiences
Wildcat

Details

Summary

Wildcat “Wildy” Jackson and her sister Jane arrive in Centavo City with big dreams of striking it rich in the oil business. Though Wildy has neither land nor know-how, she convinces Joe Dynamite, a crew foreman, to help her prospect. Joe doubts they'll ever find oil, but Wildy persists. After several adventures and a turbulent romance, Wildy and Joe ultimately prevail, and a gusher explodes over their triumphant finale. The score (the Broadway debut of Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh) includes the showstopper "Hey, Look Me Over."

History
Wildcat opened on Broadway at the Alvin Theatre on Dec 16, 1960, starring Lucille Ball and Keith Andes. The show ran for 171 performances.
Cast Attributes
Keywords
Performing Groups

In 1912, Wildcat “Wildy” Jackson and her younger, daintier sister Jane arrive in Centavo City, hoping to strike it rich in the oil business. Wildy, trying her best to compete in a man’s world, maintains a tough demeanor and a positive outlook ("Hey, Look Me Over!"). The sisters meet Joe Dynamite, the most successful crew foreman in the territory. Joe finds Wildy’s ruggedness appealing and agrees to work with her if she can prove ownership to her claimed land and hire a crew.

Wildy and Jane meet and befriend Countess Emily O’Brien, who lets them share her house. Wildy meets an odoriferous, unwashed hermit named Sookie, who stays dirty to keep other people away. Wildy and Sookie make a deal to go fifty-fifty on any oil discovered on Sookie’s land (“What Takes My Fancy”). She stretches the truth to attract Joe, and sparks fly between them (“You’re A Liar”). Meanwhile. Jane falls for Hank, a pleasant mild-mannered young Mexican boy ("One Day We Dance").

Wildy attempts to lure Joe with her female charms ("Give A Little Whistle"), but when he rejects her plans, she has him falsely arrested and released into her custody. Joe gratefully agrees to start work on the project but abandons it once he discovers it was Wildy who had him jailed. Left high and literally dry by her partner and crew, Wildy resorts to desperate measures. At a Mexican fiesta, she dresses like a lady and dances merrily (“El Sombrero”), eventually winning Joe back. Wildy, Joe and the crew dig a well on Sookie’s hill, but no oil arises. Naysayers cry that Joe Dynamite has finally dug a dry one. All appears lost. But Wildy keeps at it, and at last… wham! A Texas-sized gusher.

Principals
(3 female; 7 male)

Wildcat "Wildy" Jackson
Jane Jackson
Countess Emily O’Brien

Joe Dynamite
Hank
Sookie
Sheriff Sam Gore
Tattoo
Oney
Cisco

Supporting

Auctioneer
Barney
Luke
Miguel
Matt
Corky
Sandy
Postman
Inez
Blonde

Ensemble

People of Centavo City and the Plaza

  • Time Period 1910s/WWI
  • Setting

    Centavo City, a border town. 1912.

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

Music

Music Samples

Act I

1. Overture – Orchestra
2. Opening – Orchestra
3. “Oil" – Ensemble
4. Change of Scene – Orchestra
5. “Hey, Look Me Over!” – Wildy & Janie
6. "Lease Bidding” – Auctioneer & Men
7. Reprise: “Hey, Look Me Over” – Wildy
8. Incidental Mariachi – Orchestra
9. "You've Come Home" – Joe
10. Change of Scene – Orchestra
11. Opening Scene 5 (Music Box) - Orchestra
12. Change of Scene (Hey Look Me Over) - Orchestra
13. “What Takes My Fancy” – Wildy & Sookie
14. Prairie – Orchestra
15. “You’re A Liar” – Wildy & Joe
16. Change of Scene (You’re A Liar) – Orchestra
17. “One Day We Dance” – Janie & Hank
18. Playoff: One Day – Orchestra
19. “Give A Little Whistle” – Wildy, Joe & Ensemble
20. Give A Little Whistle Ballet – Wildy, Joe, & Chorus
21. Reprise: “Give A Little Whistle” – Wildy & Sheriff
22. Change of Scene (Whistle) – Orchestra
23. Change of Scene (Whistle) – Orchestra
24. Incidental: Scene 11 – Guitar
25. Incidental – Guitar
26. “Tall Hope” – Tattoo, Oney & Men
27. Act I Finale: “Tall Hope” – Men

Act II

28. Entr’acte – Orchestra
29. Opening Act II – Orchestra
30. “Dancing On My Tippy Tippy Toes” – Wildy & Countess
31. Procession – Orchestra
32. “El Sombrero” – Wildy, Oney, Cisco, & Chorus
33. Sombrero (Dance) – Chorus
34. Post Sombrero – Orchestra
35. Incidental: Mariachi – Orchestra
36. Kiss Incidental – Orchestra
37. Change of Scene – Orchestra
38. Change of Scene – Orchestra
39. "Corduroy Road" – Joe & Men
40. Incidental: Sad Corduroy – Orchestra
41. Cantina Rhumba – Orchestra
42. Reprise: “You've Come Home” – Joe
43. Opening Scene 8 (Whistle) – Orchestra
44. One Day Exit – Orchestra
45. Finale: "Tall Hope" Reprise – Company
46. Curtain Call: "Hey, Look Me Over" – Company
47. Exit March – Orchestra

Full Orchestration

Violin ABCD
Cello ABC
Bass

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

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

Percussion I & II:

Timpani (2)
Timpani (2 drums)
Snare Drum
Bongo Drums
Suspended Cymbal
Hi-Hat Cymbals
Xylophone
Marimba
Glockenspiel
Chimes
Wood Block
Steel Plate
Wind Whistle
Slide Whistle
Boat Whistle (sharp, high pitch)
Small Handbell
Castanets
Ratchet
Gargling Sound
Cowbells (3)
Tambourine

Guitar/Banjo/Mandolin

  • Musical Style Classic Broadway
  • Dance Requirements Easy
  • Vocal DemandsModerate
  • Orchestra Size Large
  • Chorus Size Medium

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!

30 Libretto-Vocal Book
1 Piano-Conductor
1 Reed 1
1 Reed 2
1 Reed 3
1 Reed 4
1 Reed 5
1 Horn
2 Trumpet 1&2
1 Trumpet 3
1 Trombone 1
1 Trombone 2
1 Trombone 3
2 Percussion 1&2
1Guitar/Banjo/Mandolin
3 Violin ABCD
2 Cello ABC
1 Bass

30 Libretto-Vocal Book
1 Piano-Conductor

Get the Script

Add-Ons

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

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 ...

View full profile
N. Richard Nash

N. Richard Nash

N. Richard Nash (1913-2000) wrote with distinction for the theatre, television, film, poetry and fiction. He is best known for The Rainmaker, which has been translated into nearly 40 languages. Nash wrote the screenplay for Porgy and Bess and the libretti for The Happy Time a ...

View full profile
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 ...

View full profile

Now Playing

Related