A CONCORD THEATRICALS TITLE

No Strings

Full-Length Musical, Comedy  /  5w, 5m

Music and Lyrics by Richard Rodgers
Book by Samuel Taylor

An American author and a successful high-fashion model meet in Paris and pursue a whirlwind fling in this contemporary romantic comedy.

No Strings

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    5w, 5m
  • Duration
    Duration
    More than 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Romantic Comedy
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult, Pre-Teen (Age 11-13), Teen (Age 14-18)
Accolades
Accolades
  • Winner! Three 1952 Tony Awards, including Best Composer
    Nominee: Nine 1962 Tony Awards, including Best Musical

Details

Summary
Richard Rodgers and Samuel Taylor’s sophisticated romantic musical broke new ground as the first Broadway musical to depict an interracial love story. In Paris, Barbara, a successful Black American fashion model, meets and falls in love with David, a Pulitzer Prize-winning white American writer. Fighting a prolonged case of writer’s block, David has assumed the dubious role of charming intellectual-in-residence at some of the Continent’s more luxurious watering holes. As Barbara’s work takes them on a whirlwind tour of the most exclusive European playgrounds, their romance develops into the first deeply-felt, honest relationship either has ever known. Eventually, however, they ruefully come to realize that, if he’s ever to fulfill the promise of his earlier work, David must take responsibility for himself, go home and write, while Barbara must remain in Europe, where she has built her career. Reluctantly, but with no strings, they part, each having discovered anew their capacity to love.
History
No Strings opened on Broadway at the 54th St. Theatre on 15 March 1962, starring Diahann Carroll and Richard Kiley. The production transferred to the Broadhurst Theatre and ran for a total of 580 performances.
Keywords
Performing Groups
PRINCIPALS
1 Woman
1 Man

FEATURED
4 Women
4 Men

ENSEMBLE
Singing-dancing ensemble

CHARACTERS
Barbara Woodruff
David Jordan
Jeanette Valmy
Luc Delbert
Mollie Plummer
Mike Robinson
Louis dePourtal
Comfort O'Connell
Gabrielle Bertin
Marcello Agnolotti
  • Time Period 1960s
  • Setting Paris, Monte Carlo, Honfleur, Deauville and St. Tropez. 1962.

  • Features Period Costumes
  • Duration More than 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • Cautions
    • Mild Adult Themes

Media

“Tart, breezy and lovelorn... The revelation of No Strings is that [Richard Rodgers], one of songwriting's greatest collaborators, had it in him to fly high on his own.” – The New York Times
“The relationship between the fashion model and the writer is poignant and utterly believable. Rodgers’ score helps to heighten the effect... and one can cite a handful of lovely ballads to back that statement up.” – The Daily Oklahoman

Music

Music Samples

1. “The Sweetest Sounds” – Barbara and David
2. “How Sad” – David
3. “Loads Of Love” – Barbara
4. “The Man Who Has Everything” – Louis
5. “Be My Host” – David, Comfort, Mike, Luc, Gabrielle and Dancers
6. “La-La-La” – Jeanette and Luc
7. “You Don't Tell Me” – Barbara
8. “Love Makes the World Go” – Mollie, Comfort and Dancers
9. “Nobody Told Me” – David and Barbara
10. “Look No Further” – David and Barbara
11. “Maine” – David and Barbara
12. “An Orthodox Fool” – Barbara
13. “Eager Beaver” – Comfort, Mike and Dancers
14. “No Strings” – David and Barbara
15. “Maine (Reprise)” – Barbara and David
16. “The Sweetest Sounds (Reprise)” – David and Barbara

Full Orchestration

1 Reed I (Piccolo, Flute, Alto Flute, Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone)
1 Reed II (Flute, Clarinet, Bassoon, Baritone Saxophone)
1 Reed III (Piccolo, Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone)
1 Reed IV (Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Alto Saxophone)
1 Reed V (Flute, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone)
1 Reed VI (Flute, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone)
1 Reed VII (Flute, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone)
1 Reed VIII (Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Bassoon, Baritone Saxophone)
1 Trumpets I&IV
1 Trumpets II&III
1 Trombone I
1 Trombone II
1 Trombone III (Doubles Bass Trombone)
1 Drums
1 Guitar
1 Harp
1 Bass

1 Percussion
Trap Set
Xylophone
Optional Door Bell
Siren
Glockenspiel
Triangle
Timpani
Vibraphone
Woodblock
Large Bell
Orchestra Bells
Pop Gun
Temple Blocks
Train Whistle
Bongos
Tambourine
Triangle
Suspended Cymbal

The orchestral apparatus of the original Broadway production of NO STRINGS was entirely different from that of the usual Broadway musical play. There was no orchestra pit. The conductor and the orchestra were on stage, completely concealed behind the scenery to the right of the audience. The customary string section was eliminated and the only string instruments remaining were HARP, GUITAR, and BASS. The conductor and the orchestra appeared on stage only once in full view of the audience after the close of Act II to play the Exit Music. However, a specified number of musicians did appear and play on stage, either singly or in groups, and were an integral part of the action. These were REEDS I, II, III and IV TRUMPET I, TROMBONE and PERCUSSION.

  • Musical Style Classic Broadway
  • Dance Requirements Moderate
  • Vocal DemandsModerate
  • Orchestra Size Large
  • Chorus Size Medium

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!
15 Libretto
15 Piano-Vocal
1 Reed 1
1 Reed 2
1 Reed 3
1 Reed 4
1 Reed 5
1 Reed 6
1 Reed 7
1 Reed 8
1 Trumpets 1 & 4
1 Trumpets I2 & 3
1 Trombone 1
1 Trombone 2
1 Trombone 3
1 Drums
1 Percussion
1 Guitar
1 Harp
1 Bass
1 Logo Pack
15 Libretto
15 Piano-Vocal
1 Logo Pack
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Authors

Richard Rodgers

Richard Rodgers

Richard Rodgers' contribution to the musical theatre of his day was extraordinary, and his influence on the musical theatre of today and tomorrow is legendary. His career spanned more than six decades, his hits ranging from the silver screens of Hollywood to the bright light ...

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Samuel Taylor

Samuel Taylor

Samuel Taylor (1912-2000) wrote the Broadway plays The Happy Time, based on the book of the same name by Robert Fontaine, Sabrina Fair, The Pleasure of His Company (with C.O. Skinner), First Love (adapted from Romain Gray's memoir, Promise at Dawn), Beekman Place, Avanti!, A ...

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