A CONCORD THEATRICALS TITLE

What's a Nice Country Like You Doing in a State Like This?

Musical Revue / Cabaret, Satire/Political Satire  /  2w, 3m

Music by Cary Hoffman
Lyrics by Ira Gasman

“Gives a once-over lightly to such timely issues as nuclear testing, Latin American revolutions, and American politics as usual.” – The New York Times

“Funny... and very topical indeed. Recalls the great New Faces revues of Leonard Sillman.” – New York Post

What's a Nice Country Like You Doing in a State Like This?

  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    2w, 3m
  • Duration
    Duration
    105 Minutes
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult, Teen (Age 14 - 18)
What's a Nice Country Like You Doing in a State Like This?

Details

Summary
New Revised Version. This hilarious, all-musical revue of social and political satire offers enough sparkling material for anywhere from five to a dozen performers.
History
What's a Nice Country Like You Doing in a State Like This? premiered off-Broadway at Jimmy's Upstage on April 19, 1973. Directed and choreographed by Miriam Fond, the production featured Betty Buckley, Sam Freed, Bill La Vallee, Priscilla Lopez and Barry Michlin. On July 5, 1985, a new version of the show premiered at the Actors' Playhouse. Again directed by Fond, the production featured Missy Baldino, Patty Granau, Steve Mulch, Hugh Panaro and Rob Resnick.

BARRY
BETTY
BILL
PRISCILLA
SAM

The original off-Broadway cast consisted of two women and three men, but the cast can easily be expanded to 6-12 performers.

  • Features Contemporary Costumes / Street Clothes
  • Duration 105 Minutes
  • Cautions
    • Mild Adult Themes

Media

“Merrily murderous entertainment!” – Los Angeles Free Press

“Witty... pointed hilarity. Deserves to be planted in the middle of the Kennedy Center!” – John Simon

“Gives a once-over lightly to such timely issues as nuclear testing, Latin American revolutions, and American politics as usual.” – The New York Times

“Funny... and very topical indeed. Recalls the great New Faces revues of Leonard Sillman.” – New York Post

Music

Act I

“Get Out of Here” – Company
“Church and State” – Bill & Barry
“I’m in Love With” – Priscilla
“Terrorist Trio” – Barry, Bill & Sam
“Hard to Be a Liberal” – Sam
“I’m in Love With (Reprise)” – Priscilla
“Male Chauvinist Pig of Myself” – Sam
“The Liberation Tango” – Priscilla
“Changing Partners” – Priscilla, Barry & Betty
“I’m Not Taking a Chance on Love” – Betty & Sam
“The Last One of the Boys” – Barry
“I’m in Love With (Reprise)” – Priscilla
“Runaways Suite (Street Suite)” – Company
A. “Runaways” – Bill, Priscilla & Company
B. “It’s Getting Better” – Bill
C. “Runaways (Reprise)” – Sam, Priscilla & Barry
D. “I Like Me” – Company
“I’m in Love With (Reprise)” – Priscilla
“There’s No Such Thing as the Mafia” – Barry
“Farewell, First Amendment” – Company
“I Just Pressed Button ‘A’” – Bill
“Nuclear Winter” – Sam & Priscilla
“New York Suite” – Company

A. “But I Love New York” – Company
B. “Why Do I Keep Going to the Theatre?” – Betty & Barry
C. “Girl of My Dreams” – Sam
D. “But I Love New York (Reprise)” – Company
E. “A Mugger’s Work is Never Done” – Bill
F. “But I Love New York (Reprise)” – Company

Act II

“Hallelujah” – Barry & Company
“Carlos, Juan & Miguel” – Barry, Bill & Sam
“Nicaragua” – Betty
“I’m Not Myself Anymore” – Barry
“I’m in Love With (Reprise)” – Priscilla
“Keeping the Peace” – Company
“I’m in Love With (Reprise)” – Priscilla
“America, You’re Looking Good” – Sam
“They Aren’t There” – Priscilla & Bill
“America, You’re Looking Good (Reprise)” – Sam
“Fill-er Up” – Betty
“Porcupine Suite” – Company

A. “People are Like Porcupines” – Company
B. “The Bar Scene” – Sam & Priscilla
C. “Threesome” – Bill, Betty & Barry
D. “Bedroom Scene” – Sam & Priscilla
E. “Scale of 1 to 10” – Betty & Barry
F. “People are Like Porcupines (Reprise)” – Company

“Johannesburg” – Barry
“I’m in Love (Reprise)” – Priscilla
“Take Us Back, King George” – Bill, Barry & Sam
“Come on, Daisy” – Betty & Company
“Finale” – Company

Additional Songs

“What the Hell”
“How’m I Doing?” (The Ed Koch Song)
“Everybody Ought to Have a Gun” (The Bernhard Goetz Song)
“The Four R’s”

  • Musical Style Classic Broadway
  • Orchestra Size Piano Only

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!
7 Piano-Conductor (Piano, Celeste, Keyboard Bass)

This title is orchestrated for Keyboard Only.
(No Chorus Books available.)

Add-Ons

Take a look below at how you can enhance your show!

Authors

Author

Cary Hoffman

Author

Ira Gasman

Now Playing