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Two Gentlemen of Verona

Full-Length Musical, Comedy  /  3w, 6m

Adapted by John Guare & Mel Shapiro
Lyrics by John Guare
Music by Galt MacDermot

Based on the play by William Shakespeare

This ebullient rock musical adaptation of Shakespeare's comedy features a score from Galt MacDermot, composer of Hair. In Renaissance Italy, lifelong friends Proteus and Valentine both fall for the fair Sylvia, and comic antics inevitably ensue.

Two Gentlemen of Verona

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    3w, 6m
  • Duration
    Duration
    More than 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Adaptation (Shakespeare), Romantic Comedy
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult, Pre-Teen (Age 11-13), Teen (Age 14-18)
Accolades
Accolades
  • NOMINEE: Eight 1972 Tony Awards, including Best Original Score
    WINNER! Two 1972 Tony Awards for Best Musical and Best Book
    WINNER! Seven 1972 Drama Desk Awards, including Outstanding Book, Lyrics and Music
    WINNER! 1972 Theatre World Award
Two Gentlemen of Verona

Details

Summary
Based on William Shakespeare’s comedy of the same name, Two Gentlemen of Verona tells the story of lifelong friends Proteus and Valentine, who leave their rural hometown to experience life in urban Milan. Valentine falls in love with Sylvia, whose father has betrothed her against her will to the wealthy but undesirable Thurio, and plots to win her hand. Disregarding his loyalty to Valentine and his hometown sweetheart, Julia, Proteus also sets his sights on Sylvia. He plans to expose his friend's intentions to her father, have Valentine banished from Milan, and claim her for himself.
History
Two Gentlemen of Verona opened on Broadway at the St. James Theatre, December 1, 1971 and played for 614 performances starring Raul Julia, Clifton Davis, Jonelle Allen and Diana Davila.
Keywords
Performing Groups
Bachelor friends Valentine and Proteus compete for the loves of Silvia and then Julia before being paired with their rightful mates in Galt MacDermot, John Guare and Mel Shapiro's musical adaptation of William Shakespeare's comedy.
Thurio Betrothed to Silvia
Speed Servant/friend to Valentine
Valentine Gentleman of Verona, lover of Silvia
Proteus Gentleman of Verona, lover of Julia
Julia (Sebastian) Lover of Proteus
Lucetta (Caesario) Servant/friend to Julia
Launce Servant/friend to Proteus
Antonio Father of Proteus
Duke of Milan Father of Silvia
Silvia Daughter of the Duke who’s hand is sought by Thurio, Eglamour,
Proteus & Valentine
Eglamour Lover of Silvia whom the Duke sent to war
Innkeeper
Milkmaid
Crab Launce’s dog
Citizens of Verona & Milan
  • Time Period 16th Century/Elizabethan
  • Setting Verona, Milan and the Forest
  • Features Period Costumes
  • Duration More than 120 minutes (2 hours)

Music

Music Samples

Act I

1. “Summer Summer” – Chorus
2. “I Love My Father” – Chorus
3. “That’s a Very Interesting Question” – Proteus
4. “I’d Like To Be A Rose” – Proteus, Valentine & Chorus
5. “Thou Hast Metamorphosed Me” (Part I) – Proteus
6. “Symphony” – Proteus & Chorus
7. “I Am Not Interested In Love” – Julia
8. “Love, Is That You?” – Thurio & a Soprano
9. “Thou Hast Metamorphosed Me” (Part II) – Julia & Chorus
10. “What Does A Lover Pack?” – Julia, Proteus & Chorus
11. “Pearls” – Launce
12. Reprise: “I Love My Father” – Proteus
13. “Two Gentlemen of Verona” – Julia, Lucetta & Women
14. “Follow The Rainbow” – Valentine, Speed, Proteus, Launce, Lucetta & Chorus
15. “Where’s North?” – Valentine, Speed, Duke & Chorus
16. “Bring All The Boys Back Home” – Duke & Chorus
16a. “Who Is Silvia?” – Silvia & Valentine
17. “Love’s Revenge” – Valentine
18. “To Whom It May Concern Me” – Silvia & Valentine
19. “Night Letter” – Silvia & Valentine
19a. Underscore: Thou Hast Metamorphosed Me – Orchestra
20. Reprise: “Love’s Revenge” – Valentine, Speed, Launce & Proteus
21. “Calla Lily Lady” – Proteus
22. Act I Curtain – Orchestra

Act II

23. Entr’acte – Orchestra
24. “I Come From The Land Of Betrayal” – Lucetta
25. “Thurio’s Samba” – Thurio, Duke & Chorus
25a. Thurio’s Exit – Orchestra
26. “Hot Lover” – Launce & Speed
27. “What A Nice Idea” – Julia & Chorus
28. Reprise: “Who Is Silvia?” – Proteus & Chorus
29. “Love Me” – Silvia & Chorus
30. “Eglamour” – Silvia & Eglamour
31. “Kidnapped” – Duke, Proteus, Thurio, Julia, Lucetta & Chorus
32. Reprise: “Eglamour” – Eglamour & Silvia
33. “Howl” – Valentine
33a. “Eglamour” (Acappella) – Silvia & Eglamour
34. “What’s A Nice Girl Like Her?” – Proteus
35. Dragon Fight – Orchestra
36. “Don’t Have The Baby” – Lucetta, Speed, Launce & Julia
37. Reprise: “Love, Is That You?” – Lucetta & Thurio
38. “Milkmaid” – Launce & Milkmaid
39. Finale: “Love Has Driven Me Sane” – Full Company
40. Exit Music – Orchestra

Bass (Electric and Upright)
Guitars I & II (Electric, Classical & Stage Guitar)
Drums/Percussion
Drums: Trap Drum Set
Percussion: Conga Drum, Cabasa, Tambourine, Timpani, Cow Bell & Suspended Cymbal

Reed: Baritone Saxophone, Piccolo, Flute, Clarinet & Alto Saxophone

Trumpet I & I
Trumpet III
Trombone I
Trombone II

* Violin I & II (1 player doubles Mandolin and stage Marimba)
* Viola
* Cello

* String Quartet players should double on various percussion instruments ad libitum at the
discretion of the conductor.

  • Musical Style Pop/Rock
  • Dance Requirements Easy
  • Vocal DemandsModerate
  • Orchestra Size Medium
  • Chorus Size Medium

Licensing & Materials

  • Licensing fees and rental materials quoted upon application.

Music Rentals

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37 Libretto-Vocal Book
1 Piano-Conductor
1 Reed
2 Trumpet 1&2
1 Trumpet 3
1 Trombone 1
1 Trombone 2
2 Drums/Percussion
2 Guitars 1&2
1 Violin 1
1 Violin 2
1 Viola
1 Cello
1 Bass
37 Libretto-Vocal Book
1 Piano-Conductor
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Authors

John Guare

John Guare
John Guare's plays include Lydie Breeze; Bosoms and Neglect; The House of Blue Leaves, which won an Obie and NY Drama Critics Circle Award for the Best American Play of 1970-71 and four Tonys in its 1986 Lincoln Center revival; and Six Degrees of Separation, which received th ...
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Mel Shapiro

Mel Shapiro

Mel Shapiro's off-Broadway productions include the original staging of John Guare's The House of Blue Leaves, which won the New York Drama Critics' Circle Award for Best American Play in 1971, and Rachel Owen's The Karl Marx Play for the American Place Theatre. London product ...

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Galt MacDermot

Galt MacDermot

Galt MacDermot (1928-2018). Two-time Grammy and Tony Award-winning composer Galt MacDermot is best known for the music he wrote for the Broadway scores of HAIR and Two Gentlemen of Verona. He garnered his first Grammy for the song "African Waltz" in 1960. His work spans the g ...

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Author

William Shakespeare

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