A CONCORD THEATRICALS TITLE

Little Mary Sunshine

Full-Length Musical, Comedy  /  10w, 13m

Book, Music and Lyrics by Rick Besoyan

Billed as “a new musical about an old operetta,” Little Mary Sunshine gently spoofs such old-time favorites as Rose Marie and Naughty Marietta with a personality all its own.

Little Mary Sunshine

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    10w, 13m
  • Duration
    Duration
    120 minutes (2 hours)
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Parody/Spoof, Romantic Comedy
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult, Senior
Accolades
Accolades
  • Winner! 1960 Obie Award

Details

Summary
This hugely successful off-Broadway show played for almost three years at New York’s Orpheum Theatre, winning an Obie award as the Best of the Season. Billed as “a new musical about an old operetta,” Little Mary Sunshine gently spoofs such old-time favorites as Rose Marie and Naughty Marietta, but has a personality all its own. The plot is a little bit of everything: Colorado Rangers led by stalwart Captain Jim; the lovely Mary Sunshine and her “naughty” maid Nancy; a chorus of giggling schoolgirls; and the ominous but benevolent Indian chief. Hearts are won and lost and won again in this delightful, laugh-filled and charming show.
History
Little Mary Sunshine premiered off-Broadway at the Orpheum Theatre on November 18, 1959. Directed and choreographed by Ray Harrison, the production featured Eileen Brennan and John McMartin.
Keywords
Performing Groups

CHIEF BROWN BEAR – Chief of the Lakota Indians
CPL “BILLY” JESTER – A forest ranger, tenor or high baritone
CAPT. “BIG JIM” WARINGTON – Captain of the forest rangers, handsome, baritone
“LITTLE MARY SUNSHINE” (MARY POTTS) – Proprietress of the Colorado Inn, soprano
MADAME ERNESTINE VON LIEBEDICH – An opera singer, contralto
NANCY TWINKLE – Little Mary's maid, soubrette
FLEET FOOT – An elderly Indian guide
YELLOW FEATHER – Chief Brown Bear's rogue son
GEN. OSCAR FAIRFAX, RET – a Washington diplomat, likes to flirt with younger ladies

YOUNG LADIES FROM THE EASTCHESTER FINISHING SCHOOL – CORA, HENRIETTA, GWENDOLYN, BLANCHE, MAUD, MILLICENT and MABEL
YOUNG GENTLEMEN OF THE UNITED STATES FOREST RANGERS – PETE, SLIM, TEX, BUSTER, HANK, CHUCK and TOM

Maud has no speaking lines. 

  • Time Period 1900-1910, Wild West
  • Setting The exterior of the Colorado Inn. The early 20th century.
  • Features Period Costumes
  • Duration 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • Cautions
    • Gun Shots

Media

“Bubbles with music and mirth.” – New York Herald Tribune

“The burlesque is delightful, lively and humorous. Mr. Besoyan's musical parody is tuneful, genteel and amiable... He also has a way with lyrics.” – The New York Times

“Wild improbabilities follow one another in wooly sequences... Audiences shout with laughter at every sinister turn in the plot.” – Time Magazine

Music

Music Samples

Act I

Overture
1. “The Forest Rangers”
2. “Little Mary Sunshine”
3. “Look for a Sky of Blue”
4. “You're the Fairest Flower”
5. “In Izzenschnooken on the Lovely Essenzook Zee”
6. “Playing Croquet”
6a. “Swinging”
[There is no #7]
8. “Tell a Handsome Stranger”
9. “Once in a Blue Moon”
10. “Colorado Love Call”
11. “Every Little Nothing”
12. “Finale Act I: What Has Happened?/Look for a Sky of Blue”

Act II

12a. Entr’acte
13. Prelude to Merry Party
13a. “Such a Merry Party”
13b. “Merry Party Incidental”
14. “Say Uncle”
15. Forest Ranger Exit
15a. Indian Incidental
16. “Heap Big Injun”
16a. Entrance to Act II Scene 4
17. “Naughty, Naughty Nancy”
18.“Mata Hari”
18a. Mata Hari Change of Scene
19. “Do You Ever Dream of Vienna?”
20. “A Shell Game” (Dance)
21. “Coo Coo”
21a. Little Mary Crossover
22. “Colorado Love Call (Reprise)”
23. “The Forest Rangers (Reprise)”
24. “Finale: Look for a Sky of Blue”

  • Musical Style Operetta
  • 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!
Rental materials for this title may present challenges for some licensees. Please purchase a music perusal prior to licensing.
1 Piano-Conductor
23 Vocal Books

1 Flute
1 Oboe
1 Clarinet 1
1 Clarinet 2
1 Bassoon
1 Horn
2 Trumpets 1 & 2
1 Trombone
1 Drums
1 Harp
1 Violins
1 Viola
1 Cello
1 Bass

Duo-piano arrangement also available upon request.
1 Piano-Conductor
23 Vocal Books
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Authors

Author

Rick Besoyan

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