Ruthless!

A CONCORD THEATRICALS TITLE

Ruthless!

Full-Length Musical, Comedy  /  7w

Book and Lyrics by Joel Paley
Music by Marvin Laird

“A wonderfully smart and funny send-up of every Broadway brat from Gypsy to The Bad Seed... loaded with campy wit and charm.” – Variety

Image: 2018 West End Production (Tristram Kenton)

Ruthless!

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    7w
  • Duration
    Duration
    105 Minutes
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Farce, Parody/Spoof
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult, Pre-Teen (Age 11-13), Teen (Age 14-18)
Accolades
Accolades
  • Winner! 1992 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Lyrics
    Nominee: Five 1992 Drama Desk Awards, including Outstanding Musical
    Winner! 1993 Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Off-Broadway Musical
    Winner! Five 2002 Musical Stages Awards, including Best Musical Production (Off West End)
Ruthless!

Details

Summary

Revised in August 2015 to reflect the 2015 off-Broadway production.

Eight-year-old Tina Denmark knows she was born to play Pippi Longstocking, and she will do anything to win the part in her school musical. "Anything" includes murdering the leading lady! This aggressively outrageous musical hit garnered rave reviews during its long Off-Broadway run.

History
Ruthless! was first presented at the Players Theater in New York City on May 6, 1992. Directed by Joal Paley, the production featured Laura Bell Bundy, Donna English and Joel Vig. On July 13, 2015, a new streamlined version of Ruthless! premiered at St. Luke’s Theatre in New York City. Directed by Joel Paley, the cast included Paley, Tori Murray, Kim Maresca and Peter Land.
Keywords
Performing Groups
  • Time Period Contemporary, 1960s, 1950s
  • Setting An era reminiscent of the 1950's and 60s.
  • Features Contemporary Costumes/Street Clothes
  • Additional Features Drag Performance
  • Duration 105 Minutes
  • Cautions
    • No Special Cautions

Media

“Merry mayhem... Malicious, delicious and a total joy!” – New York Observer

“A spoof that has enough absurd plot twists and multiple identities to fill several old movies... The fun comes from the sheer brazenness.” – The New York Times

“Wild amusement.” – New York Post

“A demented pleasure. Cheery, cheeky burlesque humor that evokes Your Show of Shows.” – New York Newsday

“Hilarious... It is beyond praise!” – New York Daily News

“Brilliant.” – USA Today

“A wonderfully smart and funny send-up of every Broadway brat from Gypsy to The Bad Seed... loaded with campy wit and charm.” – Variety

ON BREAKING CHARACTER

20 Plays & Musicals for Spooky Season
Annette Storckman
September 27, 2019

Staff Picks: RUTHLESS
by Courtney Kochuba with Annette Storckman
November 11, 2014

Videos

  • Ruthless! The Musical - Trailer youtube thumbnail

    Ruthless! The Musical - Trailer

  • Ruthless! - I Hate Musicals youtube thumbnail

    Ruthless! - I Hate Musicals

  • Ruthless! - Tina's Mother youtube thumbnail

    Ruthless! - Tina's Mother

  • Bernadette Peters - Angel Mom youtube thumbnail

    Bernadette Peters - Angel Mom

Photos

  • Ruthless!

    Image: 2018 West End Production (Tristram Kenton)

Music

Music Samples

  • Musical Style Classic Broadway
  • Vocal DemandsModerate
  • Orchestra Size Small/Combo
  • Chorus Size No Chorus

Licensing & Materials

  • Licensing fees and rental materials quoted upon application.

Music Rentals

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Authors

Marvin Laird

Marvin Laird
Marvin Laird (1939-2024) was the composer of the award-winning off-Broadway musical Ruthless!. His collaboration with Joel Paley, the author/lyricist of that show, continued for over 25 years. Their piece The Yiddish are Coming...! The Yiddish are Coming...! played regionally ...
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Author

Joel Paley

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