A CONCORD THEATRICALS TITLE

As Thousands Cheer

Musical Revue / Cabaret, Satire/Political Satire  /  3w, 3m

Sketches by Moss Hart
Music and Lyrics by Irving Berlin

This Depression-era musical revue features Moss Hart's sharp, witty and hilarious sketches, peppered with Irving Berlin songs, ranging from wry to satiric to poignant.

As Thousands Cheer

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    3w, 3m
  • Duration
    Duration
    120 minutes (2 hours)
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Period, Parody / Spoof, Docudrama/Historic
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Appropriate for all audiences

Details

Summary

Considered a masterpiece of that specialized genre known as the topical revue, As Thousands Cheer inspired some of Hart's best solo work as a comedy writer and afforded Berlin the opportunity to pen some of Broadway's greatest musical gems.

It was the Depression era version of Saturday Night Live and The Daily Show. Moss Hart's sketches were sharp, witty and hilarious and Irving Berlin's songs ranged from wry to satiric to poignant. Their inspiration? The newspaper headlines of the day, from affairs to society photos and advice to the lovelorn; even comic strips and the weather report were fair game! A cast that included Clifton Webb, Ethel Waters and Marilyn Miller impersonated the likes of Joan Crawford, the Hoovers, John D. Rockefeller, Mahatma Gandhi and Josephine Baker for over 400 performances beginning in September of 1933.

History

A successor to Moss and Berlin’s Face the Music, As Thousands Cheer opened on Broadway at the Music Box Theatre on September 30, 1933. Featuring several hit songs, including “Heat Wave”, “Easter Parade” and “Harlem on my Mind”, the show was a hit, running for 400 performances.

Keywords
Performing Groups

PRINCIPALS
3 Women
3 Men

CHARACTERS
Langley – A butler
Mr. Andrews
Mrs. Andrews
Gertrude – A Pomeranian
Mr. Hoover
Mrs. Hoover
Frank – A moving man
Barbara Hutton
2 Suitors
The Chauffeur
The Weathercaster
Joan Crawford
Douglas Fairbanks Jr.
Will Hays
Representative of England
Representative of Italy
Representative of Germany
Representative of France
The Statue of Liberty
John D. Rockefeller, Sr.
John D. Rockefeller, Jr.
Mrs. John D. Rockefeller, Jr.
John D. Rockefeller, Jr.'s Children
The Radio Announcer
Monsieur Peppiton – The famous chef
Mr. Williams
Mrs. Williams
Miss Williams – their daughter
Opera Singer
Mahatma Gandhi
Aimee Semple McPherson
The Director
The Camera Operator
A Native
Customers
A Bellboy
Mrs. Fisher – The housekeeper
Ella – A scrubwoman
Aggie – A chambermaid
Henry – A waiter
A Window Cleaner
Josephine Baker
Her Personal Secretary
The King
The Queen
The Prince of Wales
The Prime Minister
The Gossip Columnist

ENSEMBLE
“The Ladies and Gentlemen of the Chorus”

The original 1933 production employed a cast that numbered nearly 50 while the 1998 revival used a cast of only 6. The rousing success of both productions indicates that this topical revue can be produced on as large or as intimate a scale as you wish. A minimum of 6 actors is needed.

The original 1933 production employed a cast that numbered nearly 50, while the 1998 revival used a cast of only 6. The rousing success of
both productions indicates that this topical revue can be produced on as
large or as intimate a scale as you wish. A minimum of 6 actors is
needed.

  • Time Period 1930s
  • Setting A neutral space suggesting various locations.
  • Features Period Costumes
  • Duration 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • Cautions
    • Mild Adult Themes

Media

“Charming, delightful, witty, trenchant... as fresh and relevant today as it was in 1933.” – American Arts Today

“[Moss Hart's sketches are] so sharply barbed that [they] seem daring even now.” – Sun Sentinel, January 01, 2001

“It deserves thousands of cheers!” – Palm Beach Daily News, January 01, 2001

“This charming, delightful, witty, trenchant satire on the press and society is as fresh and relevant today as it was in 1933.” – American Arts Today, January 01, 1998

Music

Music Samples

1. “Man Bites Dog” – Reporter, Editor, Chorus, All
2. “How's Chances?” – Suitors, Chauffer, Barbara,
3. “Heat Wave” – Newscaster, Men
4. “Debts” – Englishman, Italian, German, Frenchman, All, Statue Of Liberty
5. “Lonely Heart” – Lonely Woman
6. “The Funnies” – Man
7. “Easter Parade” – Gentleman, Men, Women
8. “Metropolitan Opening” – All
9. “Supper Time” – Woman
10. “Our Wedding Day” – Bridesmaids, Ushers, All, Groom, Bride
11. “Harlem On My Mind” – Josephine
12. “Through A Key Hole” – Gossip Columnist, All, Women,
13. “Finale – Not For All The Rice In China” – All

Full Orchestration

Piano
Bass

  • Musical Style Classic Broadway, Jazz
  • Dance Requirements Moderate
  • Vocal DemandsModerate
  • Orchestra Size Small/Combo
  • 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!

28 Libretto Vocal
1 Piano Vocal

1 Bass
1 Logo Pack

28 Libretto Vocal
1 Piano Vocal
1 Logo Pack
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Add-Ons

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Authors

Moss Hart

Moss Hart

Moss Hart (1904-1961) began his career as a playwright, director and producer in 1930 when, with George S. Kaufman, he wrote Once in a Lifetime. Subsequent Kaufman and Hart successes include Merrily We Roll Along, You Can't Take It With You and The Man Who Came To Dinner, amo ...

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Irving Berlin

Irving Berlin

With a life that spanned more than 100 years and a catalogue that boasts over 1,000 songs, Irving Berlin (1888-1989) epitomized Jerome Kern’s famous maxim that “Irving Berlin has no place in American music – he is American music.” Berlin wrote scores to 13 Broadway musicals, ...

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