A CONCORD THEATRICALS TITLE

Touch of the Child

Full-Length Musical, Comedy  /  3w, 7m, 1any gender (adult)

Max Showalter, Father Bob Curtis, Peter Walker, William Howe

Music and Lyrics by Max Showalter / Book by Father Bob Curtis / Special Lyrics Peter Walker / Additional Lyrics by William Howe

The story of Mary and Joseph, chosen to nurture and protect the world's most precious gift, is theatrically extolled in this unique, extremely moving musical.

Touch of the Child

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    3w, 7m, 1any gender (adult)
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Adaptations (Literature), Christmas/Holiday, Faith-based
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Appropriate for all audiences

Details

Summary
The soaring score, romantic and with more than a little wit, illuminates the wonder and breadth of the Nativity while capturing its simpler, more evasive human aspects as well. Between the musical episodes appears a contemporary narrator who examines our relationship with faith, emphasizing the fragile humanity of all people. Originally conceived by Hollywood and Broadway veteran Max Showalter as a benefit performance, it was lauded by the likes of Mary Martin, Katharine Hepburn, Cole Porter, Ethel Merman, Irene Dunn, Ezra Stone and Richard Rodgers, all of whom believed this extraordinary musical should have a further life. Touch of the Child is a beautifully crafted musical portrayal of a family in which we can all see ourselves.
Keywords
Performing Groups
PRINCIPALS
3 Women
7 Men
1 Narrator

ENSEMBLE
Singing ensemble as large as desired (a choir and/or children's choir can be effectively incorporated)

CHARACTERS
Narrator
Joseph
Mary
Zechariah
Elizabeth
Herod
The Three Magi
Simeon
Anna
Troubadour
Townspeople, Philosophers, Innkeepers, and Young Shepherd
  • Time Period Greek; Roman & Biblical
  • Features Period Costumes

Music

1. "Come With Me, My Love" - Joseph
2. "Joseph" - Mary
3. "A Girl In Love" - Mary and the Women's Chorus
4. "This Impossible Situation" - Zechariah
5. "Conversation" - Zechariah and Elizabeth
6. "You're Only As Old As You Think You Are" - Elizabeth and Zechariah
7. "When I Woke Up In The Morning" - Mary
8. "Is Everything Just The Same As Usual" - Mary
9. "We're Building Dreams" - Joseph and The Young Boy's Chorus
10. "Questions And Answers" - Joseph
11. "Hip, Hip, Hosanna!" - The Chorus
12. "Joseph (Reprise)" - Mary and Joseph
13. "State Of Maternity" - Elizabeth and Mary
14. "You're Only As Old As You Think You Are(Reprise 1)" - Elizabeth and Zechariah
15. "Little Fat Star" - Zechariah and Elizabeth
16. "You're Only As Old As You Think You Are(Reprise 2)" - Zechariah, Elizabeth and the Chorus
17. "Finale Act 1" - Zechariah, Narrator Andthe Chorus
18. "Where?" - Mary and Joseph
19. "Hold Out Your Hand To The Lord" - Joseph and Mary
20. "Isn't It Fun Watching The Sheep?" - The Young Shepards
21. "Through This Child You Touched Me" - Joseph
22. "Herod, Mighty Herod" - Herod and the Chorus
23. "By The Star" - The First Magi
24. "Sleep, Holy Family, Sleep" - The Three Magi and the Chorus
25. "Find Him" - Herod
26. "Herod's Men Are Coming" - The Chorus
27. "Herod, We Dare You To Show Your Head" - The Chorus
28. "Now" - Simeon
29. "Chatter" - Anna
30. "Hip, Hip, Hosanna! (Reprise)" - The Chorus
31. "Coming Home" - Mary, Joseph and the Chorus
32. "Jesus, Jesus, Take My Hand" - Mary, Joseph and the Chorus

Full Orchestration

Keyboard Vocal
Reed (Flute, Bb Clarinet, Bb Bass Clarinet, Bb Soprano Sax, Eb Baritone Sax)
Cello
Percussion (Trap Set, Timpani, Gong)
Harp
Recorder (On-Stage, Optional Flute)

  • Musical Style Classic Broadway
  • 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!
18 Libretto-Vocal
1 Keyboard-Vocal
1 Reed
1 Recorder
1 Percussion
1 Harp
1 Cello
1 Digital Logo
18 Libretto-Vocal
1 Keyboard-Vocal
1 Digital Logo
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Add-Ons

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Authors

Max Showalter

Max Showalter

Max Showalter, the composer/lyricist of TOUCH OF THE CHILD, was born in Caldwell, Kansas and worked at the Pasadena Playhouse, where he was discovered by Oscar Hammerstein II. He wrote the first musical ever televised, NBC's TIME FOR LOVE, a revue for Hermione Gingold's U.S. ...

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Father Bob Curtis

Father Bob Curtis

Father Bob Curtis grew up as pageboy in Congress, from age 12 to 17. He attended Dartmouth and later entered the Air Force as a navigator with SAC. Father Curtis then attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, where he tied for and split a scholarship with Robert Redford ...

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Peter Walker

Peter Walker

Peter Walker is a native New Yorker known to Broadway audiences through FOLLIES, DEAR WORLD, DRACULA, WHERE'S CHARLEY, INTO THE LIGHT and MY OLD FRIENDS, which garnered him a Drama Desk nomination as Outstanding Actor in a Musical. His favorite film work has been as Salesman ...

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William Howe

William Howe

Bill Howe is a native of Dallas. He moved to California in its golden days to graduate from LA High School, and UCLA in time to sail the seven seas during the Second World War. After several years of writing film reviews and special material in post-war Manhattan, he returned ...

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