A CONCORD THEATRICALS TITLE

The Cocoanuts

Full-Length Musical, Comedy  /  3w, 7m

Music and Lyrics by Irving Berlin
Book by George S. Kaufman

At Cocoanut Manor, the service stinks but the gags are four-star in this Marx Brothers romp featuring an Irving Berlin score.

The Cocoanuts

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    3w, 7m
  • Duration
    Duration
    More than 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Farce, Romantic Comedy
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Appropriate for All Audiences
Also Available
The Cocoanuts (Bedard Adaptation)

Details

Summary

The “plot” is really more of a series of opportunities for the Marx Brothers to let loose their particular brand of insanity. But, for the record: in the midst of the Florida land boom, Mr. Schlemmer (Groucho) is trying desperately to run Cococanut Manor (“This is Cocoanut Manor, no snow, no ice. Well, get some onions, that’ll make your ice water.”) and put the moves on the wealthy Mrs. Potter. When Mrs. Potter’s necklace disappears, the suspects are drawn from Silent Sam (Harpo) and Willie (Chico), two vagabonds intent on stealing the hotel’s silverware, and a hotel clerk in love with Mrs. Potter’s daughter, Polly. More to the point, the show includes the classic “Why a Duck?” routine, and the classic auction scene.

History

The Cocoanuts opened on Broadway on December 8, 1925 at the Lyric Theatre, where it ran for 218 performances, produced by Sam H. Harris.

Keywords
Performing Groups

PRINCIPALS
3 Women
5 Men (including 4 Marx Brothers)

FEATURED
2 Men

ENSEMBLE
Singing-dancing ensemble with numerous small roles.

CHARACTERS
Jamison (Zeppo)
Mrs. Potter
Harvey Yates
Penelope Martyn
Polly Potter
Robert Adams
Henry W. Schlemmer (Groucho)
Willie the Shill (Chico)
Silent Sam (Harpo)
Hennessey

Four of the characters are to be played by actors impersonating the Marx Brothers. Singing and dancing ensemble. 

  • Time Period 1920s
  • Features Period Costumes
  • Duration More than 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • Cautions
    • No Special Cautions

Media

“This happy confection offers not only the resurrection of Groucho, Chico and Harpo, but also the wit of George S. Kaufman and a score by Irving Berlin that includes the evergreen ‘Always.’” – The New York Times

“The Cocoanuts offers more than brilliantly calibrated chaos. Compared to Animal Crackers, this musical owes less to the rhythms of vaudeville and features kinder, gentler characters. The central Mr. Hammer (Groucho) is no famed hunter of wild game but the bummed owner of a “bum hotel.” His musical boast of sexual magnetism comes off as adorably impossible rather than grandiose, and his courtship of the amply proportioned Mrs. Potter is more playful than sardonic at her expense. The Cocoanuts finally evokes a youthful world of harmless mischief, where cleverness prevails over malice.” – Oregon Public Radio

“Full of snappy novelty numbers... everything works to do what old-fashioned musicals used to do – entertain.” – New York Daily News

Music

1. "Florida By The Sea" - Bob, Jamison & the Company
2. "The Bellhops" - The Bellboys
3. "What A Family Reputation" - Bob, Polly & the Company
4. "Lucky Boy" - Jamison, Bob & the Boys
5. "Why Am I A Hit With The Ladies?" - Schlemmer & the Girls
6. "A Little Bungalow" - Bob & Polly
7. "Florida By The Sea (Reprise)" - Jamison & the Company
8. "The Monkey-Doodle-Do" - Bob, Polly & the Company
9. "Finelettto" - The Company
10. "Five O'clock Tea" - The Company
11. "Everyone In The World Is Doing The Charleston" - Penelope & the Company
12. "Always" - Bob & Polly
13. "Tango Melody" - Penelope, Schlemmer & the Company
14. "Piano Specialty" - Willie
15. "The Tale Of A Shirt" - Hennessey & the Company
16. "Finale" - The Company
Full Orchestration

Piano Conductor
Reed I (Flute, Clarinet, Alto Sax)
Reed II (Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Tenor Sax)
Violin
Trumpet
Bass (Doubling Tuba)
Percussion

  • Musical Style Classic Broadway, Jazz
  • Dance Requirements Moderate
  • Vocal DemandsModerate
  • Orchestra Size Small/Combo
  • Chorus Size Medium

Licensing & Materials

  • Licensing fees and rental materials quoted upon application.

    PLEASE BE ADVISED: There are multiple versions of this title. Before you proceed, please double-check to ensure that you are applying for the version you want. We will not be able to refund rental or shipping fees if you pay for the wrong version. If you’re not sure which version best suits your needs, you may purchase a perusal for each available version.

Music Rentals

Concord offers a full suite of resources to help you put on the show of a lifetime!
14 Libretto-Vocal Book
1 Piano-Conductor
1 Reed 1
1 Reed 2
1 Trumpet
1 Percussion
1 Violin
1 Bass
1 Logo Pack
14 Libretto-Vocal Book
1 Piano-Conductor
1 Logo Pack
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Add-Ons

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Authors

Irving Berlin

Irving Berlin

With a life that spanned more than 100 years and a catalogue that boasts over 1,000 songs, Irving Berlin (1888-1989) epitomized Jerome Kern’s famous maxim that “Irving Berlin has no place in American music – he is American music.” Berlin wrote scores to 13 Broadway musicals, ...

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George S. Kaufman

George S. Kaufman

George S. Kaufman was born in Pittsburgh in 1889. During his early career as a reporter and drama critic , he began to write for the theatre. For 40 years, beginning in 1921 with the production of Dulcy, there was rarely a year without a Kaufman play — usually written in coll ...

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