A CONCORD THEATRICALS TITLE

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

Full-Length Musical, Comedy  /  6w, 5m, 1girl(s)

Based on the story by James Thurber
Book by Joe Manchester
Music by Leon Carr
Lyrics by Earl Shuman

On his 40th birthday, Walter Mitty reflects on his drab, ordinary life. Defeated in his quest for wealth and glory by family responsibilities, a mortgage, and a routine job, he creates elaborate fantasies in which he is the hero.

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    6w, 5m, 1girl(s)
  • Duration
    Duration
    120 minutes (2 hours)
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Adaptation (Literature)
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Appropriate for All Audiences

Details

Summary
On his 40th birthday, Walter Mitty reflects on his drab, ordinary life. Defeated in his quest for wealth and glory by family responsibilities, a mortgage, and a routine job, he creates elaborate fantasies in which he is the hero. His secret world is so enticing that he often loses sight of the boundary between dream and reality and comically slips into his imagination. An attractive would-be chanteuse aptly named Willa de Wisp encourages Walter to leave his wife, shed the burdens of suburban living and really live the secret life. Unfortunately, this dream is as unattainable as it is appealing. Ultimately, Walter discovers that he is happily committed to the real world, complete with its mortgages and responsibilities.
History
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty premiered off-Broadway at the Players Theatre on 26 October 1964. Directed by Mervyn Nelson, the production featured Marc London, Cathryn Damon, Lorraine Serabian and Rue McLanahan.
Cast Attributes

WALTER MITTY – Male, 40. A whimsical, henpecked dreamer supreme. Instantly likeable.
AGNES – Female, 30-40. Mitty’s wife. Reasonably attractive, nagging, practical, but underneath her strong veneer, she is sensitive, understanding and smart.
PENINNAH – Female, 10-11. Mitty and Agnes’ daughter. Unspoiled and sweet.
HARRY – Male, 40s. Pleasant, friendly bartender type.
WILLA – Female, Late 20s. Sexy and kookie nightclub singer.
IRVING – Male, 30. Slightly dense. He is a stern believer in health foods and spas, and looks it.
RUTHIE – Female, Mid-20s. Volatile and a little on the crude side. Pretty in a cheap sort of way.
GORMAN – Male, 40. A successful salesman type with a gift of gab and great charm.
HAZEL – Female, Mid-20s. Speaks with a lisp, dumb as they come.
SYLVIA – Female, Mid-20s. Definitely not the finishing school type.
MACMILLAN – Male, 50. A large, pompous, gruff man.

CHORUS (SATB) – Firing Squad, Peasants, Mission Control Operator, Surgical Patient, Dr. Renshaw, Dr. Benbow, Nurses, Professor Remington, Dr. Pritchard-Mitford, Crêpe Suzette, Tortoni, Apple Turnover, Townspeople, Blind Date, Folies Customers, Male Dancers, Group Therapy Patients

A total of 15 actors were used in the original New York production, each one playing several roles. However, as many more actors as desired may be used.

  • Time Period 1960s
  • Setting Waterbury, CT and Walter’s imagination. Autumn 1964.
  • Features Contemporary Costumes/Street Clothes, Period Costumes
  • Duration 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • Cautions
    • No Special Cautions

Media

“A thoroughly pleasant musical evening.” – Time
“Both funny and feeling… the music is light and fun.” – StageBuzz

Music

Music Samples

Act I

1. “Opening (The Secret Life)” – Ensemble
1a. “Tapocketa Dream Music” – Orchestra
2. “The Walter Mitty March” – Ensemble
2a. “Astronaut Dream” – Orchestra
3. “Walkin’ with Peninnah” – Walter, Peninnah
3a. “Tapocketa Dream Theme” – Orchestra
4. “Drip, Drop, Tapocketa” – Nurses, Mitty, Doctors
5. “Aggie” – Mitty
5a. “Scene Change” – Orchestra
6. “Don’t Forget” – Agnes, Walter
6a. “Scene Change” – Orchestra
7. “Marriage Is for Old Folks” – Willa, Ensemble
8. “Hello, I Love You, Goodbye” – Gorman, Mitty
9. “Strip (Playboy Dream)” – Girls
10. “Willa, Willa” – Irving
11. “Confidence” – Harry, Willa, Mitty
11a. “Dialogue Underscore” – Orchestra
12. “Keep Dialing” – Ensemble, Mitty, Agnes, Mother
13. “The New Walter Mitty” – Mitty, Ensemble

Act II

14. “Entr’acte” – Orchestra
15. “Two Little Pussycats” – Ruthie, Hazel
15a. “Playoff Music” – Orchestra
16. “Fan the Flame (Part 1)” – Orchestra
16a. “Fan the Flame (Part 2)” – Orchestra
16b. “Fan the Flame (Part 3)” – Ensemble
16c. “Fan the Flame (Part 4)” – Willa, Boys
17. “She’s Talking Out Her Problem” – Mitty, Agnes, Ensemble
18. “Now That I Am Forty” – Willa, Harry, Mitty, Ensemble
18a. “Crowd Exit Music” – Orchestra
19. “You’re Not” – Mitty, Agnes, Ensemble
20. “Aggie Reprise” – Agnes
21. “Walkin’ with Peninnah (Reprise)” – Walter
22. “The Lonely Ones” – Gorman, Willa, Irving
23. “The Walter Mitty March (2nd Act)” – Ensemble
24. “Finale: The Secret Life” – Ensemble
25. “Bows” – Orchestra
26. “Exit Music” – Orchestra

Large Orchestration:
1 Piano-Conductor

1 Flute/Piccolo
1 Clarinet/Alto Saxophone 1 
1 Clarinet/Alto Saxophone 2
1 Trumpet 1
1 Trumpet 2
1 Trombone
1 Percussion (Timpani, Bells, Drum Set, Cymbal, Triangle, Wood Block, Cowbell, Tom-Tom, Bongo (Or Bongo Sound), Castanets, Gun Shot Sound)
1 Harp
2 Violins I & 2
1 Viola
1 Cello
1 Bass


Small Orchestration:
1 Piano-Conductor

1 Reed (Piccolo, Flute, Bb Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Tenor Sax)
1 Percussion (Drum Set, Vibraphone, Cymbal, Wood Block, Tom-Tom, Triangle, Bongo (Or Bongo Sound), Castanets)
1 Bass

  • Musical Style Classic Broadway
  • Vocal DemandsModerate
  • 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!
Large Orchestration:
1 Piano-Conductor
13 Vocal Books

1 Flute/Piccolo
1 Clarinet/Alto Saxophone 1
1 Clarinet/Alto Saxophone 2
1 Trumpet 1
1 Trumpet 2
1 Trombone
1 Percussion
1 Harp
2 Violins I&2
1 Viola
1 Cello
1 Bass

Small Orchestration:
1 Piano-Conductor
13 Vocal Books

1 Reed
1 Percussion
1 Bass
1 Piano-Conductor
13 Vocal Books

Add-Ons

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

Authors

Author

Leon Carr

Author

Joe Manchester

Author

Earl Shuman

Author

James Thurber

Now Playing