Taking My Turn

A CONCORD THEATRICALS TITLE

Taking My Turn

Full-Length Musical, Drama  /  4w, 4m

Gary William Friedman, Bob Livingston, Will Holt

Conceived and Adapted by Robert H. Livingston / Music by Gary William Friedman / Lyrics by Will Holt

One of the first musicals to deal with aging, Taking My Turn is a heartwarming non-linear show featuring adults "in their prime."

Taking My Turn

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    4w, 4m
  • Duration
    Duration
    90 minutes
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Not Applicable
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Appropriate for all audiences, Adult, Senior
Accolades
Accolades
  • Winner! 1984 Outer Critic's Circle Award for Best Lyrics/Music
    Nominee: 1984 Drama Desk Award for Best Musical
    Presented on PBS Great Performance Series

Details

Summary
Taking My Turn is the award-winning, critically acclaimed musical by the same team that collaborated on the hit show The Me Nobody Knows. Taking My Turn was one of the first musicals to deal with aging. The spoken words were collected from interviews with people “in their prime," which became the basis for the non-linear book. The size of the cast may vary according to the needs of each production.

History

Taking My Turn was first presented at The Entermedia Theatre in New York City. It opened on June 9, 1983.

Taking My Turn was featured on the PBS Great Performance Series.

Keywords
Performing Groups
ERIC - a would-be writer who has been around the world often, sort of a philosopher-poet, a man of the street and the earth.
JOHN - a retured school teacher, eager to find something else to do with the rest of his years, does not quite have the courage.
CHARLES - a railroad steward, knows he missed an opportunity early in life when he chose the security of working for the railroads rather than a life in the world of music.
BENJAMIN - a lawyer, still active in his practice, has been writing letters to public figures for years and is married to Dorothy.
DOROTHY - for years an activist and still out there fighting for causes. She and Ben lost a grown son.
HELEN - a physical therapist, mother and grandmother, who takes each day as a challenge.
EDNA - a music teacher, just overcoming her timidity, daring to accept the romance and adventure that life offers.
JANET - a widow of two years, is at first a recluse, afraid to re-enter life on her own, and later a fine spirited, gracious woman of means.
  • Time Period Present Day
  • Setting The play take place during the course of one year. This year.
  • Features Contemporary Costumes / Street Clothes
  • Additional Features Not Applicable
  • Duration 90 minutes
  • Cautions
    • No Special Cautions

Media

“Irrepressibly young at heart. A life-enhancing musical evening” – Mel Gussow, The New York Times

“A lovely, exultant show…I had a great time!” – Clive Barnes, The New York Post

“Taking my Turn left me walking on air!” – Rex Reed

Videos

  • "Taking Our Turn" from Taking My Turn youtube thumbnail

    "Taking Our Turn" from Taking My Turn

  • "I Am Not Old" from Taking My Turn youtube thumbnail

    "I Am Not Old" from Taking My Turn

  • "The Kite" from Taking My Turn youtube thumbnail

    "The Kite" from Taking My Turn

  • "Two of Me" from Taking My Turn youtube thumbnail

    "Two of Me" from Taking My Turn

Music

Song Samples

This Is My Song
Somebody Else
Fine For The Shape I'm In
Two Of Me
Janet Get Up
I Like It
I Never Made Money From Music
Vivaldi
In April
Do You Remember
Pick More Daisies
Taking Our Turn
Sweet Longings
I Am Not Old
Do You Remember (Reprise)
The Kite
Good Luck To You
In The House
It Still Isn't Over
This Is My Song (Reprise)
9 Piano/Conductor’s Scores

Reed (Flute, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, English Horn)
Horn
Trombone
Bass
Percussion

  • Musical Style Classic Broadway, Jazz
  • Dance Requirements Minimal
  • Vocal DemandsModerate
  • Orchestra Size Small/Combo
  • Chorus Size No Chorus

Licensing & Materials

  • Licensing fees and rental materials quoted upon application.

Music Rentals

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9 Piano-Conductor

1 Reed
Horn
Trombone
Bass
Percussion
9 Piano-Conductor
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Authors

Gary William Friedman

Gary William Friedman

Gary William Friedman is the composer of the Tony-nominated, Obie Award-winning musical The Me Nobody Knows. Other theater credits include Taking My Turn (Outer Critic's Circle Award), which was presented on PBS Television's Great Performance Series, and Treasure Island (Broa ...

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Author

Bob Livingston

Will Holt

Will Holt
Will Holt (April 30, 1929 – May 31, 2015) was an American singer, songwriter, librettist and lyricist. He was known first and primarily as a folk performer during the 1950s, when he made early and influential recordings of such songs as “Sinner Man” and “Lemon Tree,” for whic ...
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