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A Taste of Things to Come

Full-Length Musical, Dramatic Comedy  /  4w

Book, Music and Lyrics by Debra Barsha and Hollye Levin

There was a time when the kitchen was a proving ground for women, a time when cooking up a tasty casserole garnered the same respect as being the CEO of Sears. In 1957, four women see an opportunity to make their mark and enter a Betty Crocker Cooking Contest in hopes of changing their lives. When they meet up again in 1967, what they get is more than what they bargained for… just a little taste of things to come.

A Taste of Things to Come

  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    4w
  • Duration
    Duration
    120 minutes (2 hours)
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult

Details

Summary
A laugh-out-loud, fabulously fun romp that celebrates the friendships of four very different women from middle America, with Act 1 taking place in 1957 and Act 2 in 1967. An all-female cast and band bring a saucy zest to this exciting new musical comedy, but also some serious food for thought about socio-political changes spanning the era. The show’s original score is reflective of the chart-topping songs from the ’50s & ’60s, inspired by the pop, soul, folk and R&B grooves of the time.
History
A Taste of Things to Come premiered at Bucks County Playhouse in New Hope, Pennsylvania on 30 January, 2016. The show made its off-Broadway premiere at the York Theatre on 9 November, 2016. Directed and choreographed by Lorin Latarro, the production featured Janet Dacal, Paige Faure, Allison Guinn and Autumn Hurlbert.
Cast Attributes
Performing Groups

JOAN SMITH – Twenty-four, married for six years. Her husband, Bob, is a traveling salesman. Her real name: Chaia Bayla Frankel. Born to Jewish immigrant parents who changed their name upon arriving at Ellis Island right before the start of WWII. She has not told anyone that she’s Jewish. The other girls are slightly jealous of her because she appears to “have everything.” She smokes. Hairdo: Annette Funicello. Fashion sense: 1950s sophisticated (Act One), hippie-chic (Act Two).

CONNIE OLSEN – Twenty-three, blonde, blue-eyed all-American of Scandinavian descent. Married for two years. Nine months pregnant and about to “burst,” in more ways than one. Her husband, Skip, is an award-winning shoe salesman at JCPenney. Skip is never home, so Connie dreams. Hairdo: short bob. Fashion sense: maternity... sailor’s outfits with matching hats and uncomfortable patent-leather heels (Act One), traditional West Indian garb (Act Two).

AGNES CROOKSHANK – Twenty-three and single. Olive-skinned and sexy/sultry. She wants to “be somebody” and fancies herself “too big for the small-town mentality.” She loves to sing, act and dance. Hairdo: glamorous. Fashion sense: Brigitte Bardot (Act One), Sophia Loren (Act Two).

DOTTIE O’FARRELL – Twenty-five, Catholic, and married to her high school sweetheart in a shotgun wedding at seventeen. She already has four children. Two more in Act Two. Her husband, Jim, is a repairman for Bell Telephone. She’s forever on the latest fad diet. Hairdo: teased to the max. Fashion sense: none (Act One), still none (Act Two).

  • Time Period 1960s, 1950s
  • Setting Joan’s home in Winnetka, Illinois: a kitchen/den. 1957 & 1967.
  • Features Period Costumes
  • Duration 120 minutes (2 hours)

Media

“A recipe for catchy musical theater!” – The New York Times

“Explores the intricate dynamics of female friendship, especially during this more innocent era, all in a fun, festive musical comedy... slick, polished and highly entertaining, with a positive message about the power of friendship and change... this is one more example of supreme, unstoppable girl power.” – Chicago Theatre Review

“A recipe for catchy musical theater... This is a fine show for small regional theaters.” – The New York Times

“A sensational and savory new musical! An all-female cast, and band, bring a saucy, curvy zest to this all appealing comedy, but also some serious food for thought regarding sociopolitical changes spanning over a decade, from the later 1940s to the 'swingin' 60s.” – Phindie.com

“Sparkling talent... Right on the money! An enjoyable holiday diversion… A celebration of home cooking, staunch friendships and more!” – CurtainUp

“What a joy… Outstanding! An exceptional original score... reflects the tone and popular songs of the '50s and '60s! the cast couldn't be any more perfect. Delightful!” – Theater Pizzaz

“Empowering! An honest, heartfelt look at surviving when the values you held dear are torn apart in favor of new ones... It's a message that should never be forgotten!” – TheaterMania

Videos

  • A Taste of Things to Come - Broadway in Chicago youtube thumbnail

    A Taste of Things to Come - Broadway in Chicago

  • A Taste of Things to Come: Sneak Peek (York Theatre) youtube thumbnail

    A Taste of Things to Come: Sneak Peek (York Theatre)

  • A Taste of Things to Come (York Theatre) Testimonials youtube thumbnail

    A Taste of Things to Come (York Theatre) Testimonials

  • Cocktails With Agnes (How To Make A "Crazy Cuban") youtube thumbnail

    Cocktails With Agnes (How To Make A "Crazy Cuban")

Music

Music Samples

Cookin’
Dear Abby
Didja Hear?
New Trier Fight Song
Just in Case
I’m Outta Here
Happy Hour
Somethin’s Burnin’
In Limbo
Ya Dig?
Ten Years
Just a Mom
The Whomp
Blessing in Disguise
Food
In Time
Bows: The Whomp (Reprise)
  • Musical Style Pop/Rock, Jazz, Contemporary Broadway
  • Vocal DemandsModerate
  • Orchestra Size Small/Combo
  • Chorus Size No Chorus

Licensing & Materials

  • Licensing fees and rental materials quoted upon application.

Music Rentals

Concord offers a full suite of resources to help you put on the show of a lifetime!
5 Piano-Conductor
1 Electric Guitar
1 Drums
1 Bass
5 Piano-Conductor

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Authors

Debra Barsha

Debra Barsha's A Taste of Things To Come (co-written with Hollye Levin) ran at the Bucks County Theatre, Broadway Playhouse (Chicago), and off-Broadway at The York Theatre (dir. Lorin Latarro) and is published by Concord Theatricals. Barsha won the Jonathan Larson Performing ...

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Hollye Levin

Hollye Levin’s decision to become a playwright was as easy as falling off a cliff— literally! In fact it was that life-changing fall and the months and months of recovery and rehab that turned her focus from music and touring to penning plays.

“I thought my life and music care ...

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