A CONCORD THEATRICALS TITLE

Steel Pier

Full-Length Musical, Comedy  /  13w, 15m

Book by David Thompson
Music and Lyrics by John Kander and Fred Ebb
Conceived by Scott Ellis, Susan Stroman and David Thompson

In the honky-tonk world of marathon dancing in Atlantic City in 1933, a captivating assortment of depression-era souls gather on the Steel Pier, hoping to dance their way to fame and prizes.

  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    13w, 15m
  • Duration
    Duration
    120 minutes (2 hours)
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Period, Romantic Comedy
  • Suggested Use
    • Competition or audition material
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult, Senior, Teen (Age 14 - 18)
Accolades
Accolades
  • Nominee: Eleven 1997 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Book, Score and Orchestrations
    Nominee: Nine 1997 Drama Desk Awards, including Outstanding Musical, Music and Orchestrations

Details

Summary
In the honky tonk world of marathon dancing in Atlantic City in 1933, a captivating assortment of depression era souls eager to dance their way into fame and prizes gather on the Steel Pier. The spectacle is presided over by an oily tongued emcee who is secretly married to Rita Racine, the champion dancer. Her usual partner doesn't show up, so she is paired with a handsome pilot on leave. As the hours of dancing whirl on, Rita becomes increasingly disillusioned with her sleazy, conniving husband and more and more infatuated with the handsome young aviator and a vision of life in a peaceful cottage. Songs by the creators of Chicago, Cabaret and other Broadway classics perfectly capture the rhythms of the 1930's dance era.
History
Steel Pier first premiered on Broadway at the Richard Rogers Theatre on April 24, 1997. Directed by Scott Ellis and choreographed by Susan Stroman, the production featured Joel Blum, Kristin Chenoweth, Daniel McDonald, Debra Monk and Karen Ziemba.

BILL KELLY - Late 30s. A daredevil who has crashed his plane. Ever since he first saw Rita at an airshow, he has been in love with her. He is a hot-dog flyer. An American classic. Someone who still believes in the power of having a dream. Strong tenor with good high notes – Ab.
RITA RACINE – late 30s. Was "Lindy's Lovebird" – the first woman to kiss Lindbergh when he crossed the Atlantic. Was the darling of the press and the Vaudeville circuit. Over the last few years, however, she has been performing in stage shows...side shows...air shows. And now, as the Depression takes hold of the country – dance marathons. Rita is full of life. Wildly charismatic. And vulnerable. High belt with a good mix. 
SHELBY STEVENS – 40s. She is one of the marathon's featured performers. Quick. Dry. Biting. “Everyone's Girl.” Loves the life of the marathon dancer. Loves the marathons. She dances with Luke. Strong low belt with a good head voice.
MICK HAMILTON – 40s. The marathon's promoter. He serves as the marathon's master of ceremonies. Smooth. Stylish. Performs for the crowds. He has fought all his life for what he has been able to call his own. Beneath the polish, he's a street fighter – willing to do anything to get what he wants. Baritone with a strong F.
MR. WALKER – 55-60. The floor judge. He has been traveling with Michk to the different marathons. A kind man in a dirty business. He is Mick's henchman – the go-between. Must sing. High tenor.
BUDDY BECKER – 40-45. Vaudevillian. A non-stop talker. Always quick with a story. Even if no wants to hear it. Oblivious to those around him. Dances with his sister, Bette. Tenor.
BETTE BECKER – 35-40. Buddy's sister. Always tries to be optimistic. Tries to see the bright side of everything. Must sing.
JOHNNY ADEL – Early 30s. An athlete. Imposing. Someone who wrestled in the Olympics. Sees the marathon as just another sport. Disciplined. Someone who would probably win. Dances with Dora. Baritone.
DORA FOSTER – 45-50. An attractive woman who at one time in her life had money. Now she has nothing. Still tries to keep up the facade. Dances with Johnny Adel. Mezzo.
HAPPY MCGUIRE – Early 20s. Precious' husband. Raised on a farm. Strapping. Despite his and and inexperience, he is much smarter – and even more worldly – than he appears. Lyric baritone.
PRECIOUS MCGUIRE – 18-20. The young newlywed. Married to Happy. On the surface seems innocent. Wide-eyed. Fresh. She is however, drive, steely. Determined to get her show so that she never has to return home. Soprano with a lovely high C and an E above that, if possible.
LUKE ADAMS – 30-35. Quiet. Keeps to himself. Plays instruments. Must play at least one of the following instruments proficiently: harmonica, fiddle, guitar, ukulele, concertina, accordion. Dances with Shelby.
MICK'S PICKS – 3 women who sing back-up for Mick during the radio show. They must be oustanding singers with talent for blending and singing tight harmony. Two sopranos. One alto. Must also be able to dance.
CORKY 
DR. JOHNSON
SONNY
PREACHER
THE FLYING DUNLAPS – 5 actors
CHORUS – Dancers in the marathon. Must be outstanding dancers who can sing. They must also span a wide range of types and ages. 5 women and 8 men. 

Plus a chorus of 8 male and 5 female.

  • Time Period 1930s
  • Setting Atlantic City's Steel Pier. August, 1933.
  • Features Period Costumes
  • Duration 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • Cautions
    • No Special Cautions

Media

“Spectacular!” – New York Post

“Beautiful songs skillfully interwoven with the plot.” – New York Daily News

“Steeped in wistfulness.” – The New York Times

Videos

  • Steel Pier youtube thumbnail

    Steel Pier

Music

Music Samples

Act I

“Willing to Ride” – Rita
“Everybody Dance” – Mick, Mick's Picks and Company
“Second Chance” – Bill
“Montage I” – Company
“A Powerful Thing” – Mick and Company
“Dance With Me / The Last Girl” – Mick, Rita, Bill and Company
“Montage II” – Company
“Everybody's Girl” – Shelby
“Wet” – Rita and Bill
“Lovebird” – Rita
“Everybody Dance (Reprise)” – Mick and Company

Act II

“Leave the World Behind” – Bill, Rita and Company
“Montage III” – Company
“Somebody Older” – Shelby
“Running in Place” – Rita
“Two Little Words” – Precious, Mick's Picks and Company
“First You Dream” – Bill and Rita
“Steel Pier” – Mick, Rita and Mick's Picks
“Steel Pier (Reprise)” – Company

Piano-Conductor

1 Reed 1 (Piccolo, Flute, Clarinet, Soprano Sax, Alto Sax, Recorder)
1 Reed 2 (Flute, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Alto Sax)
1 Reed 3 (English Horn, Oboe, Clarinet, Tenor Sax)
1 Reed 4 (Clarinet, Alto Sax, Bari Sax, Bassoon)
1 Horn 1
1 Horn 2
1 Trumpet 1
1 Trumpet 2
1 Trumpet 3
1 Trombone 1
1 Trombone 2
1 Keyboard 1
1 Keyboard 2
1 Guitar
1 Drums
2 Percussion
1 Violins A
1 Violins B
1 Viola
1 Cello
1 Bass
  • Musical Style Classic Broadway
  • Vocal DemandsModerate
  • Orchestra Size Medium
  • Chorus Size Medium

Licensing & Materials

  • Licensing fees and rental materials quoted upon application.

Music Rentals

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20 Piano-Conductor

1 Reed 1
1 Reed 2
1 Reed 3
1 Reed 4
1 Horn 1
1 Horn 2
1 Trumpet 1
1 Trumpet 2
1 Trumpet 3
1 Trombone 1
1 Trombone 2
1 Keyboard 1
1 Keyboard 2
1 Guitar
1 Drums
2 Percussion
1 Violins A
1 Violins B
1 Viola
1 Cello
1 Bass
20 Piano-Conductor

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Authors

Fred Ebb

Fred Ebb (1933–2004) was an award-winning lyricist, librettist and director who frequently and successfully collaborated with composer John Kander. Ebb's work for the theatre included Flora, The Red Menace; Cabaret; The Happy Time; Zorba; 70, Girls, 70; Chicago; The Act; Woma ...

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John Kander

John Kander is a Tony, Emmy and Grammy-winning composer, a recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors Award, and a member of the American Theatre Hall of Fame. With frequent collaborator Fred Ebb, he composed the score to dozens of Broadway musicals, including Cabaret, Zorba, Chi ...

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Susan Stroman

Susan Stroman is a five-time Tony Award-winning director and choreographer best known for Crazy For You, Contact, The Scottsboro Boys and The Producers. Her work has been honored with Olivier, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, Lucille Lortel and a record six Astaire Awards.

Sh ...

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David Thompson

David Thompson's theatre credits include And the World Goes ’Round (Drama Desk and Outer Circle Critics Award), The Look of Love, Thou Shalt Not, Flora the Red Menace (Drama Desk Award nomination), Steel Pier (Tony Award nomination) and the 1996 Broadway revival of Chicago, f ...
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Author

Scott Ellis, Inc.

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