A CONCORD THEATRICALS TITLE

Meet John Doe

Full-Length Musical, Comedy  /  1w, 5m

Based on the Film by Frank Capra
Music by Andrew Gerle, Lyrics by Eddie Sugarman
Book by Andrew Gerle and Eddie Sugarman

Additional Story by Matt August

Meet John Doe, based on Frank Capra's beloved film, is an epic, Depression-era musical about media, politics and the American Dream, featuring a powerful score, razor-sharp dialogue and an iconic female lead.

Meet John Doe

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    1w, 5m
  • Duration
    Duration
    120 minutes (2 hours)
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Adaptations (Literature), Period, Docudrama/Historic
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Appropriate for all audiences
Accolades
Accolades
  • Winner! Jonathan Larson Grant
    Nominee: 2008 Helen Hayes Awards, Outstanding New Play or Musical
    Nominee: 2008 Helen Hayes Awards, Outstanding Resident Musical

Details

Summary
When ambitious newspaper reporter Ann Mitchell loses her job, she prints a phony letter from a "John Doe" who promises to jump off the Brooklyn Bridge on Christmas Eve to protest the state of society. Circulation goes through the roof and Ann convinces her editor to hire an out-of-work ballplayer to play "John" while she ghost-writes a column. With her words and his down-home charm, John Doe quickly becomes a national sensation and a complicated romance blooms between the pair. When the paper's powerful owner reveals his true plans for the John Doe movement, Ann and John must confront the hoax they've created and decide what is worth fighting for.
History

MEET JOHN DOE TIMELINE
Written By: Eddie Sugarman and Andrew Gerle

1924 – 1939: Writer Richard Connell writes the satiric short story “A Reputation,” about a clerk who threatens to drown himself in New York City’s Central Park Reservoir in protest against the state of society. This leads to a screenplay by Connell and screenwriter Robert Presnell called The Life and Death of John Doe, about a poor worker at Grand Central Station whose announcement of his intention to commit suicide sparks a national populist movement. Film director Frank Capra and screenwriter Robert Riskin buy the rights to “A Reputation” and The Life and Death of John Doe and create their version of the story entitled Meet John Doe, which starred Gary Cooper and Barbara Stanwyk. The film, for which Capra filmed five different endings, opens in 1941 and is nominated for an Oscar for its story.

62 years pass.

2001-2002: Andrew Gerle and Eddie Sugarman write and workshop a contemporary version of the John Doe story. Finding the modern setting does not work, they start over with a musical adaptation set at the height of the Great Depression.

2003-2004: Their new version of the show is developed in the BMI Musical Theatre Workshop. In the fall of 2004, a sold-out production of Meet John Doe is presented as part of the 1st Annual New York Musical Theatre Festival.

2005: Meet John Doe is developed as part of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) Musical Theatre Workshop. In the fall, Meet John Doe is selected for the National Alliance for Musical Theatre's annual Festival of New Musicals.

2006: Andrew and Eddie develop the show at Theatreworks in Palo Alto, CA; Carousel Dinner Theatre in Akron, OH; and The Hartt School in Connecticut. Also this year, Eddie and Andrew win the Jonathan Larson Grant for their work on Meet John Doe.

2007-2008: Meet John Doe is extensively rewritten and plays Goodspeed Musicals in Connecticut in preparation for its world premiere production at Ford’s Theatre in Washington D.C.. The Ford’s production, with orchestrations by Tony Award-winner Jonathan Tunick, is a hit, resulting in rave reviews, an extension and 9 Helen Hayes Award nominations. Lead actress Heidi Blickenstaff and director Eric Schaeffer win Helen Hayes Awards for their work on Meet John Doe.

2011: Porchlight Music Theater of Chicago produces the Midwest premiere of Meet John Doe and Andrew and Eddie continue to rewrite the show including all-new, five-piece orchestrations by composer Andrew Gerle.

2012: R&H Theatricals licenses this new American musical, making it possible for everyone to Meet John Doe.

Keywords
Performing Groups

PRINCIPALS
1 Woman
5 Men

ENSEMBLE
9 or more

CHARACTERS
Ann Mitchell – Early thirties, smart, ambitious newspaper reporter who's less cynical than she thinks she is.
John Willoughby – Thirty, down-and-out ex-baseball pitcher, tall, plain-spoken, with a deep sense of fair play.
D.B. Norton – Forties/fifties, a ruthless, charming and wealthy oil mogul turned newspaper owner.
Richard Connell – Late fifties, an experienced and unsentimental newspaper editor; surprisingly, also a true patriot.
The Colonel – Fifties, professional hobo and grouch, suspicious of the system and intent on living "off the grid."
Beany – Twenties, Connell's high-strung assistant who reveals a sober, mercenary side.

Ensemble – Nine or more strong personalities, of all types and ages, representing a real cross-section of America.

  • Time Period 1930s
  • Features Period Costumes
  • Duration 120 minutes (2 hours)

Media

“A winning new musical with an old-fashioned heart, a stirring soul, rock-solid structure, and a rich collection of political and romantic themes ideally matched to our own tough times.” – Chicago Sun-Times

“Politics, passion and populism ignite the stage in the tuneful musical Meet John Doe.” – Baltimore Sun

“A smashing musical adaptation of Capra's most ambitious and controversial film... wonderfully catchy.” – The Examiner

“Meet John Doe is a winning new musical with an old-fashioned heart, a stirring soul, rock-solid structure, and a rich collection of political and romantic themes ideally matched to our own tough times. And oh yes, did I forget to mention that it comes with a book and score – the work of Andrew Gerle and Eddie Sugarman – that suggests the art of the well-made musical is very much alive and well?” – Chicago Sun-Times

“A great story about watching out for your fellow man that relates to the original time period as well as to today. It incorporates big Broadway-style tunes – original jazz and lyrics, that make you feel as if it's 1931.” – The DC Traveler

“Gerle's melodies are clean, clear and effective within a wide range of rhythmic styles and Sugarman's lyrics are often evocative, calling visual imagery to mind and playing skillfully with words.” – Potomac Stage

“A new 'old musical' may sound like a contradiction in terms, but that's exactly what Meet John Doe, now playing at Ford's Theater, is. At first, one might wonder if we need a show that takes us back to the days of classics like Kiss Me, Kate and Sweet Charity, but with such intelligent lyrics and such a satisfying blend of hope and cynicism, John Doe is more than a nostalgia trip, and doesn't have to break new ground in order to be considered fine entertainment… This is aided by a wonderful score from Eddie Sugarman and Andrew Gerle - the lyrics are smart and funny, the rhymes are unexpected, and there is a refreshing lack of cliché... In short, John Doe has something for both the cynic and the idealist in all of us.” – The DCist

“A dazzling, jangly score by the very talented team of composer Andrew Gerle and lyricist Eddie Sugarman.” – Talkin’ Broadway

“Gerle and Sugarman have given Meet John Doe an identity that should speak to regional theaters… Gerle’s melodies are Broadway-ready.” – Steven Bergman, Boston Edge

“There is the traditional, but comforting, take-home message with this musical that ordinary men (and women) can triumph against the odds.” – Holly Spanner, The Public Reviews

Videos

  • I'm Your Man Heidi Blickenstaff (54 Below) youtube thumbnail

    I'm Your Man Heidi Blickenstaff (54 Below)

  • I Feel Like a Man Again James Moye (54 Below) youtube thumbnail

    I Feel Like a Man Again James Moye (54 Below)

  • I Hope You Can See This Heidi Blickenstaff (54 Below) youtube thumbnail

    I Hope You Can See This Heidi Blickenstaff (54 Below)

  • Money Talks Gerle youtube thumbnail

    Money Talks Gerle

Music

Music Samples

Act I

1. Overture – Orchestra (Optional)
2. “Yesterday’s News” – Norton, Ann, Beany, Ensemble
3. “I’m Your Man” – Ann
4. “Page Eight, At the Top / Fast Talking” – Ensemble, Connell, Beany
5. “Cattle Call” – Orchestra
6. “My Aunt Sally” – John, Colonel
7. “I’m Your Man (Reprise)” – Ann
8. “I Hope You Can See This” – Ann
9. “I Feel Like a Man Again” – John
10. “Get the Picture” – John, Ann
11. “Page 8 (Reprise)” – Ensemble, Ann
12. “Be More” – Norton, Ann
13. “Scene Change” – Orchestra
14. “Money Talks” – Beany, Colonel
15. “He Threw Me” – Ann
16. “Scene Change” – Orchestra
17. “Pep Talk Underscore” – Orchestra
18. “He Speaks To Me” – Company

Act II

19. Entr’acte – Orchestra
20. “Meet John Doe Jingle” – Jingle Singers
21. “Thank You” – Townspeople
22. “Bigger Than Baseball” – Company
23. “Who the Hell...?” – Ann, John
24. “Be More (Reprise)” – Norton
25. “Ann Types” – Orchestra
26. “Who the Hell...? (Reprise)” – Ann
27. “Lighthouses” – Orchestra
28. “Lighthouses Playoff” – Orchestra
29. “Here’s to America” – Norton, Bosses
30. “New American Times” – John, Ann
31. “Scene Change” – Chattanooga Marching Does
32. “My Country, ’Tis of Thee” – Ensemble
33. “The Riot” – Orchestra
34. “Bridge Scene” – John, Does
35. “It’s Not Over Underscore” – Orchestra
36. “Finale” – Ann, Ensemble
37. “Curtain Call” – Orchestra
38. “Exit Music” – Orchestra

Full Orchestration

Piano Conductor
Reed (Piccolo/Flute; Clarinet/Bass Clarinet; Alto Sax/Tenor Sax)
Trumpet/Flugelhorn
Bass (Upright)
Drums

  • Musical Style Classic Broadway, Contemporary Broadway
  • Dance Requirements Moderate
  • Vocal DemandsModerate
  • Orchestra Size Small/Combo
  • 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!
1 Piano-Conductor
17 Libretto-Vocal
1 Reed
1 Trumpet-Flugelhorn
1 Bass
1 Drums
1 Logo Pack
1 Piano-Conductor
17 Libretto-Vocal
1 Logo Pack
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Authors

Andrew Gerle

Andrew Gerle

Composer, playwright and pianist Andrew Gerle won the Kleban Award for outstanding librettist for his show Gloryana, which also won a Richard Rodgers Award. He has also won three other Rodgers Awards for The Tutor (book and lyrics by Maryrose Wood). With lyricist Eddie Sugarm ...

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Eddie Sugarman

Eddie Sugarman

Eddie Sugarman is Managing Director of the 16th Street Theater in Berwyn, Illinois. He has worked in the marketing department of the Tony Award-winning Chicago Shakespeare Theater and was Managing Director of the Jedlicka Performing Arts Center for three seasons, where he pro ...

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Frank Capra

Frank Capra

Frank Capra (1897-1991), an American film director and producer noted for his sophisticated comedies, was born in Palermo, Italy. Capra was six years old when his family immigrated to the United States, settling in Los Angeles. His first important job in Hollywood was as a wr ...

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