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Jolson and Company

Full-Length Musical, Drama  /  1w, 2m

Stephen Mo Hanan, Jay Berkow

This musical captures on stage the story of America's greatest entertainer during his years as a star in the 1920s and his comeback in the 1940s. While Al Jolson recalls colorful moments from his life during an interview, two actors play all of the other characters, including some show business luminaries and his wives, Ruby Keeler among them.

Jolson and Company

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    1w, 2m
  • Duration
    Duration
    105 Minutes
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Biography, Period
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult, Senior

Details

Summary
This musical captures on stage the story of America's greatest entertainer during his years as a star in the 1920s and his comeback in the 1940s. While Al Jolson recalls colorful moments from his life during an interview, two actors play all of the other characters, including some show business luminaries and his wives, Ruby Keeler among them. The vivid memories his mother, vaudeville, Broadway, feature films and five marriages together with unforgettable renditions of "Swanee," "You Made Me Love You," "Sonny Boy," "California Here I Come," "April Showers," "Mammy" and other Jolson standards made this sparkling bio musical a hit Off-Broadway and in London.
History
Jolson and Company was first produced at the York Theatre Company in New York City. It was directed by Jay Berkow.
Keywords
Performing Groups

Actor 1 - 50s
Al Jolson

Actor 2 - 30s - 50s
Barry Gray, Poppa, Harry Jolson, Dockstader, Lloyd Bacon, Chuck DiAngelo, Col. Webster, Harry Cohn, Morris Stoloff

Actor 3 - 20s
Nancy, Naomi, Mae, Ethel, Josephine, Ruby, Martha, Erle

The play can be performed by various sized casts. The original production was performed with three actors, but can be expanded to as many as 18.

  • Time Period 1940s / WWII
  • Features Contemporary Costumes / Street Clothes, Period Costumes
  • Additional Features Play w/ Music
  • Duration 105 Minutes
  • Cautions
    • Mild Adult Themes

Media

"An intelligent and winning musical...that brought cheers and applause...Does justice to the man and his music." - The New York Times

"It's impossible not to enjoy...There is both charm and humor and it flows incredibly well dramatically...Highly recommended." - nytheatre.com.

"Working with a clear vision, a diagrammatic book and a tiny cast with a lot of chutzpah. Hannan and company pull it off with terrific efficiency." - Variety

"So much fun... The narrative is given a strong element of continuity...The character of Jolson is a boon as well: capricious egotism and pig headedness offset by disarming magnetism...The audience wants to sing along, and is given its chance in the final concert segment." - Financial Times

Music

  • Musical Style Classic Broadway
  • Vocal DemandsEasy
  • Orchestra Size Small/Combo
  • Chorus Size Medium

Licensing & Materials

  • Licensing fees and rental materials quoted upon application.

Music Rentals

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4 Piano-Conductor

1 Violin
1 Ukulele
1 Banjo
1 Guitar
1 Bass
4 Piano-Conductor
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Authors

Author

Stephen Mo Hanan

Author

Jay Berkow

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