Bells Are Ringing

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Bells Are Ringing

Full-Length Musical, Comedy  /  3w, 3m plus ensemble

Book and Lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green
Music by Jule Styne

Entire Original Production Directed by Jerome Robbins
Dance and Musical Numbers of Original Production Staged by Jerome Robbins and Bob Fosse
Produced on the Broadway Stage by The Theatre Guild

A delightful showcase for a singing comedienne, Bells Are Ringing is a charming musical comedy about the romantic exploits of a telephone answering service operator.

Image: 2010 New York City Center Production (Joan Marcus)

Bells Are Ringing

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    3w, 3m plus ensemble
  • Duration
    Duration
    More than 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Romantic Comedy
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Appropriate for All Audiences
Accolades
Accolades
  • Winner! Two 1957 Tony Awards, for Best Actress and Best Featured Actor
    Nominee: Four 1957 Tony Awards, including Best Musical
    Winner! 1957 Theatre World Award (Sydney Chaplin)
    Nominee: Two 2001 Tony Awards, including Best Revival of a Musical
    Nominee: Two 2001 Drama Desk Awards, including Outstanding Revival of a Musical
Bells Are Ringing

Details

Summary
This charming romantic comedy follows the exploits of Ella, a telephone answering service operator with a fascination for her client's private lives. At Susanswerphone, Ella uses a variety of voices and personae to keep herself entertained. As she follows the lives of her customers, Ella becomes inextricably involved with a handsome playwright, a fledgling record company, and a dangerous crime ring. Bells Are Ringing is a delightful showcase for a singing comedienne, filled with heart and humor. The tuneful score, with lyrics by Comden & Green, features some of Jule Styne's most popular songs, including "Just in Time," "The Party's Over," "Long Before I Knew You" and "Better Than a Dream."
History
Bells Are Ringing opened at Broadway's Shubert Theatre on November 29, 1956, starring Judy Holliday and Sydney Chaplin. It later transferred to the Alvin Theatre, running for a total of 924 performances. In 2001, the show was revived on Broadway starring Faith Prince.
Keywords
Performing Groups
  • Time Period 1950s
  • Setting New York City, 1956.
  • Features Period Costumes
  • Duration More than 120 minutes (2 hours)

Media

“A bonafide hit!! It doesn't get much better than this.” – The Berkshire Edge

“Terrific songs and a fantastically kooky heroine.” – The Guardian

“Still holds up as smart, funny, and great fun… makes you wonder why it has not been revived more often… This is a show you can take everyone you know to see and feel certain they’ll walk out smiling.” – ArtsFuse

“Charming… an entertaining window onto what the traditional American musical looked and sounded like at the moment in time when rock ’n’ roll was muscling its way to permanent cultural primacy. – Boston Globe

“[A] tuneful gem… Styne's ‘up’ music for Bells is jazzy with a whiff of Gershwin, and the melodious ballad ‘The Party's Over’ has become a late standard in the American Songbook.” – Houston Press

Photos

  • Bells Are Ringing

    Image: 2010 New York City Center Production (Joan Marcus)

Music

Music Samples

  • Musical Style Classic Broadway
  • Dance Requirements Moderate
  • Vocal DemandsDifficult
  • Orchestra Size Large
  • Chorus Size Large

Licensing & Materials

  • Licensing fees and rental materials quoted upon application.

Music Rentals

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Authors

Adolph Green

Adolph Green

Adolph Green (1914-2002) was an award-winning screenwriter, librettist and lyricist, co-writing with his longtime creative partner, Betty Comden. Comden and Green had a groundbreaking partnership of over 60 years, winning Tony Awards for their lyrics and/or librettos for Appl ...

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Betty Comden

Betty Comden

Betty Comden (1917-2006) was an award-winning screenwriter, librettist and lyricist, co-writing with her longtime creative partner, Adolph Green. Comden and Green had a groundbreaking partnership of over 60 years, winning Tony Awards for their lyrics and/or librettos for Appl ...

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Jule Styne

Jule Styne

Jule Styne (1905-1994) made Broadway sing for 50 years with shows including High Button Shoes; Gentlemen Prefer Blondes; Hazel Flagg; Gypsy; Peter Pan; Bells Are Ringing; Do Re Mi; Subways Are For Sleeping; Funny Girl; Fade Out-Fade In; Hallelujah, Baby!; The Red Shoes; and D ...

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