21 Chump Street

A CONCORD THEATRICALS TITLE

21 Chump Street

Short Musical, Dramatic Comedy  /  1w, 5m

Music and Lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda

Based on the story by Robbie Brown which originally appeared on WBEZ’s This American Life

A cautionary tale about an honours student who will do anything for his new crush.

Image: 2014 Brooklyn Academy of Music Production (Adrianne Mathiowetz)

  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    1w, 5m
  • Duration
    Duration
    10 minutes
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Docudrama/History
  • Suggested Use
    • Competition or Audition Material
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult, Pre-Teen (Age 11-13), Teen (Age 14-18)

Details

Summary
Lin-Manuel Miranda's 21 Chump Street is a 14-minute musical based on a true story as reported in the series This American Life. 21 Chump Street is a cautionary tale of Justin, a high school honors student who falls for a cute transfer girl. Justin goes to great lengths to oblige Naomi's request for marijuana in the hopes of winning her affection - only to find out that his crush is actually an undercover cop planted in the school to find drug dealers. 21 Chump Street discusses the ramifications of peer pressure, conformity and drug use in our schools with a message that will stay with teenagers long after they leave the theater. Perfect for charity evenings, galas, special events and student/community outreach programs.
PRINCIPALS
5 Men
1 Woman

CHARACTERS
Narrator
Justin - [F#3-A4]
Naomi - [G3-D5]
Tevin (Boy 1) / Cousin 1 - [D3-C5]
Derek (Boy 2) / Cousin 2 / Lawyer - [E3-A4]
Andrew (Boy 3) / Cousin 3 / Police Officer - [D3-A4]
  • Time Period Contemporary
  • Setting Park Vista Community High School.
  • Features Contemporary Costumes/Street Clothes
  • Additional Features No Intermission
  • Duration 10 minutes
  • Cautions
    • Drugs
    • No Special Cautions

Media

"Lin-Manuel Miranda continues to prove his immense talent with a funny, alive, endearing, and interesting show that explores a world of teenage love" — Michael Kras, The Cast Album Review

"This would be a great musical with a great score even if it hadn't been written in such an admirably short time... but the fact that it was created that fast says even more about it. Lin-Manuel Miranda continues to prove his immense talent with a funny, alive, endearing, and interesting show that explores a world of teenage love and the complications surrounding Justin's unknowing infatuation with an undercover police officer, and how the officer uses this to her advantage to make an arrest. There's a moral ambiguity here that makes for fascinating theatre, supported by a memorable score that leaves us wanting more. As it is, 21 Chump Street is a delicious little bite-sized musical that's totally satisfying." — Michael Kras, The Cast Album Review

"The evening’s melodic highlight belonged to Lin-Manuel Miranda’s 21 Chump Street. Giddy and bittersweet, this quickie musical adapts a tale of bad romance that was broadcast in 2012 on the “What I Did For Love” episode of This American Life." — Alexis Soloski, New York Times

"I have no idea if the musical on our show this weekend had the same effect on you that it did for all of us who sat through it during a week of rehearsals, but I and pretty much everyone else could NOT get the tunes out of our heads. I heard the dancers singing it in their dressing room. One producer heard her kids singing it in their room, even though they hadn't been to the show. They'd heard her singing the songs around the house and they picked it up like a virus." — Ira Glass, This American Life

Videos

  • "What the Heck I Gotta Do" - Lin-Manuel Miranda youtube thumbnail

    "What the Heck I Gotta Do" - Lin-Manuel Miranda

Photos

  • 21 Chump Street

    Image: 2014 Brooklyn Academy of Music Production (Adrianne Mathiowetz)

Music

Music Samples

1. "What the Heck I Gotta Do?" - Justin
2. "One School at a Time" - Naomi
3. "Everybody's Got a Cousin" - Justin
4. "The Money" - Justin & Naomi
5. "Epilogue" - Naomi

Piano-Conductor
Guitar (Electric & Nylon String)
Electric Bass
Drums
Violin
Cello
Electronic Loops & SFX (with click)

  • Musical Style Contemporary Broadway
  • Dance Requirements Moderate
  • Vocal DemandsModerate
  • Orchestra Size Medium
  • 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!
8 Piano-Vocal
1 Piano-Conductor
8 Libretto
1 Guitar
1 Electric Bass
1 Drums
1 Violin
1 Cello
1 Electronic Music Elements Set
1 Digital Logo

Add-Ons

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Authors

Lin-Manuel Miranda

Lin-Manuel Miranda is a Pulitzer Prize, Grammy, Emmy and Tony award-winning songwriter, actor and director. He is the creator and original star of Broadway’s Tony-winning Hamilton and In the Heights. His additional Broadway credits include Freestyle Love Supreme (2020 Special ...

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