A CONCORD THEATRICALS TITLE
No Way to Treat a Lady
Full-Length Musical, Dramatic Comedy / 2w, 2m
Based on the novel by Academy Award Winner William Goldman ( Marathon Man, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid)
This theatrically charged musical comedy thriller, based on the bestselling novel and renowned movie, is a devilish blend of humor, romance and murder.
“Terrific! Hilarious! Dynamic! An unabashedly histrionic romp with plenty of laughs, a fair share of romance and a welcome abundance of drollery.” – The Los Angeles Times
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Cast Size
2w, 2m -
Duration
120 minutes (2 hours) -
Subgenre
Adventure, Adaptation (Stage & Screen), Mystery/Thriller, Romantic Comedy -
Target Audience
Adult, Senior, Teen (Age 14-18)
Accolades
Winner! Richard Rodgers Grant, 1987
Nominee: Best Revival of a Musical at the New York Outer Critics Circle
Details
Summary
This theatrically charged musical comedy thriller about a publicity-crazed actor-turned-killer and the endearing detective who pursues him is based on the bestselling novel that became a renowned movie. It is a devilish blend of humor, romance, and murder with four meaty roles, two requiring great versatility. The killer adopts a myriad of disguises, including a tango instructor, French waiter, female barfly and priest, while one actress plays the detective’s mother, the killer’s mother, and three of his victims. This winner of a 1987 Richard Rodgers grant was nominated for Best Revival by the New York Outer Critics Circle.
Douglas J. Cohen is the recipient of the Fred Ebb Award for Musical Theatre Songwriting, two Richard Rodgers Awards, a Jonathan Larson Grant, the Gilman & Gonzalez-Falla Theatre Foundation Award, and the inaugural Noël Coward Prize.
History
No Way to Treat a Lady premiered off-Broadway in a sold-out, extended run at the Hudson Guild Theatre in 1987, directed by Tony Award winner Jack Hofsiss and starring Stephen Bogardus, Liz Callaway, Peter Slutsker and June Gable. The show was revived off-Broadway in 1996-97 at the York Theatre Company, directed by Scott Schwartz and starring Adam Grupper, Paul Schoeffler, Alex Korey and Marguerite MacIntyre. The production was nominated for two Outer Critics Circle Awards (Best Revival and Best Featured Actress) and a Drama Desk Award.
Cast Attributes
- Time Period 1970s
- Setting Summer, 1970, New York City.
- Features Contemporary Costumes/Street Clothes, Fantasy Costumes, Period Costumes
- Additional Features Physical Comedy, Play with Music, Stage Combat
- Duration 120 minutes (2 hours)
- Cautions
- Gun Shots
- Mild Adult Themes
Media
“Catchy tunes and snappy lyrics.. A beguiling musical!” – The New York Times
“Terrific! Hilarious! Dynamic! An unabashedly histrionic romp with plenty of laughs, a fair share of romance and a welcome abundance of drollery.” – The Los Angeles Times
“The best news about this 1987 Off-Broadway vehicle, which incorporates an oddball premise for a musical into a surprisingly conventional framework, was the arrival of a major musical-theatre tunesmith. Cohen's delightful songs (love ballads, soft-shoe ditties, jazz, and more), boasting smart lyrics and lilting melodies, display a hand adept at revealing character nuances and advancing the story. Four triple-threat performers maximize the pleasures here...fresh and vibrant offering is a splendid way to treat an audience.” – Backstage
“CRITIC'S PICK! 5 out of 5 Stars! A divinely fresh entertainment!” – StageHappenings.com
“A fine way to treat a musical! A real winner.” – The New York Post
“Catchy tunes and snappy lyrics... Mr. Cohen's score is a reassuring fusion, a mastery of traditional musical comedy style adorning and informing an offbeat story. A beguiling musical!” – The New York Times
“A lighthearted romp.” – Associated Press
“A fine and dandy way to treat an audience... It should be on Broadway.” – The New York Observer
ON BREAKING CHARACTER
The Musical That Has It All: NO WAY TO TREAT A LADY
by Chris Kam
October 14, 2015
NO WAY TO TREAT A LADY Gets a New Digital Release!
February 12, 2013
Videos
Highlights from the 54 Below Concert
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I Need A Life
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So Much In Common
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Still
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No Way to Treat a Lady
Music
Music Samples
- Musical Style Classic Broadway, Jazz
- Vocal DemandsModerate
- Orchestra Size Small/Combo
- Chorus Size No Chorus
Licensing & Materials
- Licensing fees and rental materials quoted upon application.
Music Rentals
Scripts
Available Formats:
Authors
Douglas J. Cohen
Douglas Cohen received the 2010 Fred Ebb Award and two Richard Rodgers Awards for No Way To Treat A Lady (150 productions globally; Off-Broadway productions at Hudson Guild and York Theatre; Ghostlight Records on iTunes), and The Gig (workshops/readings: O’Neill, MTC Stage II ...