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Fade Out - Fade In

Full-Length Musical, Comedy  /  2w, 4m

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

Original production directed by George Abbott
Produced for the Broadway Stage by Lester Osterman and Jule Styne

A rollicking satire of Hollywood in the 1930s, Fade Out - Fade In is the rags-to-riches tale of an enthusiastic (but woefully untalented) movie house usherette who improbably becomes a star.

Fade Out - Fade In

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    2w, 4m
  • Duration
    Duration
    More than 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Parody/Spoof, Romantic Comedy
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Appropriate for All Audiences
Fade Out - Fade In

Details

Summary
Fade Out - Fade In, a rollicking satire of Hollywood in the 1930s, takes place just after the introduction of talking pictures. Hope Springfield, an ebullient movie house usherette with no talent for performing, accidentally gets the starring role in a new movie. When the error is discovered, heads roll and the completed film is shelved. But Rudolf, the nephew of studio head Lionel Z. Governor, takes a liking to Hope and arranges for a sneak preview. The movie - surprisingly - is a success, and Hope becomes a star.
History
Fade Out - Fade In opened on Broadway at the Mark Hellinger Theatre on May 26, 1964, starring Carol Burnett as Hope, Dick Patterson as Rudolf, and Lou Jacobi as Lionel Z. Governor. The show was a huge critical success, but the production staggered when Ms. Burnett was injured in a taxi cab accident, forcing the production to close for three months. The show reopened on February 15, 1965, but it never fully recovered from the break. Closing shortly thereafter, Fade Out- Fade In played a total of 271 performances.
Keywords
Performing Groups
Movie house usherette Hope Springfield, full of hope but not much talent, is accidentally given the starring role in a new movie. When the error is discovered, heads roll and the completed film is shelved. But Rudolf, the nephew of studio head Lionel Z. Governor, takes a liking to the girl and arranges for a sneak preview. The movie is a success, Hope (rechristened Lila Tremaine) becomes a star, and in true Hollywood happily-ever-after fashion, she and Rudolf walk off into the sunset, hand in hand.
Principals
(2 female; 4 male)

Hope Springfield
Gloria Currie

Byron Prong
Rudolf Governor
Lionel Z. Governor
Lou Williams

Others

Pops
Two Autograph Kids
Helga Sixtrees
Roscoe
Billy Vespers
Lyman
Rex
Chauffeur
1st Girl
1st Cowboy Extra
2nd Cowboy Extra
Gangster Extra
Ralph Governor
George Governor
Frank Governor
Harold Governor
Arnold Governor
Three Waiters
Publicity Assistants
Four Convicts
Myra May Melrose
Seamstress
Custer Corkley
Max Welch
Dora Dailey
Dr. Anton Traurig
Madame Barrymore
Showgirls
Singers
Dancers
Lead Dancer

  • Time Period 1930s
  • Setting New York and Hollywood. Mid-1930s.
  • Features Period Costumes
  • Duration More than 120 minutes (2 hours)

Music

Music Samples

Act I

1. Overture – Orchestra
[No numbers 2-4]
5. “It’s Good To Be Back Home” – Hope
6. Scene Change – Orchestra
7. “Fear” – The Six Governor Nephews: Rudolf, Ralph, George, Frank, Harold & Arnold
8. Reprise: “Fear” – Byron & Chorus
9. Scene Change – Orchestra
10. “Call Me Savage” – Hope & Rudolf
11. “Usher From The Mezzanine” – Hope
12. “My Heart Is Like A Violin” – Byron
13. Paginini bit – Orchestra
14. Scene Change – Orchestra
15. Scene Change – Orchestra
16. “I’m With You” – Hope & Byron
17. I’m With You (Dance) – Hope, Byron & Chorus
18. “Notice Me” – Rudolf
19. “My Fortune Is My Face” – Byron
20. Reprise: “Fear” – Six Nephews
21. Tag After Fear – Six Nephews
22. “A Girl To Remember” – Hope

Act II

23. Entr’acte – Orchestra
[No number 24]
25. Scene Change – Orchestra
26. “Close Harmony” – Byron, L.Z., Gloria & Men
27. Scene Change – Orchestra
28. “You Mustn’t Be Discouraged” – Hope & Lou Williams
29. “Shirley Leaves” – Hope
30. Scene Change – Orchestra
31. “Dangerous Age” – L.Z.
32. Ballet: L.Z. In Quest Of His Youth – Orchestra
33. Scene Change – Orchestra
34. “I’m With You (Fiddler And The Fighter Planes)” – Byron & Chorus
35. “Fade Out – Fade In” – Hope & Rudolf
36. Fanfare – Orchestra
37. Scene Change – Orchestra
38. Underscore – Orchestra
39. Footprint Fanfare – Orchestra
40. Curtain Act II (Lila Tremain) – Orchestra
41. “Fade Out – Fade In” Bow (Vocal) – Full Company
42. Exit Music – Orchestra

Full Orchestration

Violins
Cello
Bass

Reed 1: Alto Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute & Piccolo
Reed 2: Alto Saxophone, Flute (or Clarinet) and Clarinet
Reed 3: Tenor Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute & Bass Clarinet (or Tenor Sax.)
Reed 4: Tenor Saxophone, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Oboe (or Clarinet) & English Horn (or Clarinet)
Reed 5: Baritone Saxophone, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet (or Bassoon) & Bassoon

Horns 1 & 2
Trumpets 1 & 2
Trumpet 3
Trombone 1
Trombone 2
Trombone 3

Percussion 1 & 2:
Timpani (2)
Bass Drum
Snare Drum
Bongo Drums
Tom Toms (3)
Finger Cymbals
Suspended Cymbals
Hi-Hat Cymbals
Sizzle Cymbal
Hand Cymbals
Tam Tam
Temple Blocks (3)
Maracas
Tambourine
Triangle
Wood Block
Cowbell
Ratchet
Glockenspiel
Xylophone
Vibraphone
Bird Whistle
Slide Whistle
Flexatone

Piano & Celeste (Piano-Conductor’s Score)

Harp

  • 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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34 Libretto-Vocal Book
1 Piano-Conductor
1 Reed 1
1 Reed 2
1 Reed 3
1 Reed 4
1 Reed 5
2 Horn 1&2
2 Trumpet 1&2
1 Trumpet 3
1 Trombone 1
1 Trombone 2
1 Trombone 3
2 Percussion 1&2
1 Harp
3 Violins
1 Cello
1 Bass
34 Libretto-Vocal Book
1 Piano-Conductor
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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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