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The Kids Left. The Dog Died. Now What?

Musical Revue / Cabaret, Comedy  /  2w, 2m

Carole Caplan Lonner

“Carole Caplan Lonner's production entitled The Kids Left. The Dog Died. Now What? is just plain fun! Its target audience is clear, and those of us who are empty-nesters know exactly what she is talking about!” – Stage Door Magazine

The Kids Left. The Dog Died. Now What?

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    2w, 2m
  • Duration
    Duration
    105 Minutes
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult, Senior

Details

Summary

As introduced on NBC's Today Show, The Kids Left. The Dog Died. Now What? is a musical comedy that salutes those valiantly struggling with divorce on their hands, gravity on their bodies, grandchildren on their self-images and the dating scene on their egos. The risks and uncertainties of being alive come alive through song and scene. Aging gracefully is the final frontier!

This entertaining musical about those facing a host of midlife crises first premiered at the New York Musical Theatre Festival in 2007. Boasting a four-person cast, the show takes a humorous and heartfelt look at the day-to-day concerns of the over-fifty “empty-nester” crowd, including everything from retirement, AARP and dating to divorce, plastic surgery and grandparenting.

Cast Attributes
Keywords
Performing Groups

WOMAN 1 – 50­ish
WOMAN 2 – 40­-45
MAN 1 – 50­-55­ish
MAN 2 – 50­-55­ish

The cast is comprised of four actors, who play numerous roles using props & costume pieces. Community theaters have the option of using 4­-36 different actors if they wish:

  • 4 actors: Divide up all characters; original form
  • 6 actors: (plus) EMILY, MICHAEL – all other characters divided
  • 8 actors: (plus) EMILY, MICHAEL, MARVIN, WIDOW – all other roles divided
  • 9-­36 actors: (plus) EMILY, MICHAEL, MARVIN, WIDOW, MISTRESS – the rest divided
  • Time Period New Millennium/21st Century
  • Features Contemporary Costumes / Street Clothes
  • Additional Features Physical Comedy
  • Duration 105 Minutes
  • Cautions
    • Mild Adult Themes

Media

“Just plain fun... Those of us who are empty-nesters know exactly what she is talking about!” – Stage Door Magazine, Philadelphia

“A sincere, mostly lighthearted package of songs and skits about living and living it up as one's senior years get nearer, from growing dependence on doctors to late-blooming romance.” – Backstage

Videos

  • The Kids Left. The Dog Died. Now What? youtube thumbnail

    The Kids Left. The Dog Died. Now What?

Music

Song Samples

Now What?
Who Says Progress Is Good?
Doctors
Firsts
Headlights / Tail Lights
I Got a Case
Doctors (Reprise 1)
Everybody's Got a Cheap Spot
Sandwich Generation
It's Not a Date
Now What? (Reprise)
If You Want to Stay Married
Things I Wish I Could Forget
Doctors (Reprise 2)
Perfect Bliss
Computer Chat
AARP
Casserole Stroll
New Firsts
Finale: Now What? (Reprise 2)

SCENES & SONGS

Scene One: New Beginnings
Full Company
Song 1: “Now What?”

Voice Over: Answering Machine Message-3

Scene Two: Technology
Ben & Alice
Song 2: “Who Says Progress Is Good?”

Scene Three: Meet Marvin #1
Marvin
Song 3A: “Doctors”

Voice Over: Answering Machine Message-1

Scene Four: Never Alone
Emily
Song 4: “Firsts”

Scene Five: The Visit
Grandparents: Barbara, Chuck, Jan, Larry
Song 5: “Headlights / Tail Lights”

Scene Six: The Happy Couple
Bob & Judy
Song 6: “If You Want To Stay Married”

Voice Over: Answering Machine Message-2

Scene Seven: Armani
Emily, Pam

Scene Eight: Doctors Reprise #2
Marvin
Song 3B: “Doctors (Reprise)”

Scene Nine: Cheap Spot
Dave, Sara, Fred & Karin
Song 7: “Everyone’s Got A Cheap Spot”

Scene Ten: Computer #1
Emily, Girlfriend Michael & Friend

Scene Eleven: Stuck In The Middle
Joey
Song 8: “Sandwich Generation Scene”

Scene Twelve: Wedding Reception
Peter /Elaine (Alex & Addrea­-Dance Partners)

Scene Thirteen: Time Moves On (Reprise)
All

Scene Fourteen: Doctors Reprise #3
Marvin
Song 9: “Doctors (Reprise 2)”

Scene Fifteen: It’s Not My Fault
Insurance Adjuster & Client
Song 10: “We Got A Case”

Scene Sixteen: Computer #2
Emily & Michael
Song 11: “The Chat”

Voice Over: Answering Machine Message

Scene Seventeen: Thursday Meet Widow
Mistress Meets Widow

Scene Eighteen: Temptation
Ted & Melinda
Song 12: “Perfect Bliss”

Scene Nineteen: Aarp
Ralph (Plus Greek Chorus of Three)
Song 13: “AARP”

Scene Twenty: He’s Got To Eat
Liz, Peggy, Susie (Man Dressed As Woman)
Song 14: “Casserole Stroll”

Voice Over: Answering Machine Message

Scene Twenty-One: Here Comes Marvin #4
Marvin

Scene Twenty-Two: One Ball Game
Michael & Emily
Song 15: “New Firsts (Reprise)”

Scene Twenty-Three: Finale
Full Company
Song 16: “Now What? (Reprise)”

  • Musical Style Classic Broadway
  • Vocal DemandsModerate
  • 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!
5 Piano-Vocal
1 Accompaniment/Performance CD
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Add-Ons

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Authors

Carole Caplan Lonner

Carole Caplan Lonner

Carole Caplan Lonner (1936-2011) was a composer, lyricist and librettist. At 50, when the kids left and the dog died, Carole left behind 30 years in interior design to go back to school for her passion, music. Through five titles, three readings, four staged workshops, a sold ...

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