A CONCORD THEATRICALS TITLE

The Club

Musical Revue / Cabaret, Dramatic Comedy  /  7w

Book, Lyrics and Music by Eve Merriam
Songs from the period of 1894-1905 arranged by Alexandra Ivanoff

Members of a stuffy all-male club, circa 1905, tap dance and sing 14 songs of the era, all indicative of male smugness and superiority. During the finale, the audience discovers that the top hats, white ties and rails are actually being worn by women.

The Club

Request license
Get the Script
  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    7w
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult, Teen (Age 14 - 18)
Accolades
Accolades
    • Nominee: Two 1977 Drama Desk Awards for Unique Theatrical Experience and OUtstanding Director - Musical
      Winner! 1977 Obie Award for Distinguished Production

Details

Summary
Members of a stuffy all-male club, circa 1905, tap dance and sing 14 songs of the era, all indicative of male smugness and superiority. During the finale, the audience discovers that the top hats, white ties and rails are actually being worn by women.
History
The Club was originally presented by Lenox Arts Center/Music-Theatre Performing Group in July, 1976. A subsequent production, directed by Tommy Tune, opened at Circle in the Square on Octover 14, 1976.
Cast Attributes
Keywords
Performing Groups
The scene is an exclusive men's club in 1903, a time when male chauvinist behavior and banter were in full flower. There are seven characters, all portrayed by women in men's full dress apparel.

ALGY – Governor of the Club, thrice married. Somewhat older, jovial, commanding presence.
FREDDIE – Charman of the membership committee. A handsome, vain bachelor who is a wealthy gynecologist. Witty and cynical.
BERTIE – Treasurer of the Club. Extremely attractive to the ladies. Married to a banker's daughter; he loves the good rich life he leads and has a suppressed rage about being the male counterpart to a woman who marries for money.
BOBBY – Newly elected member of the Club. A newlywed, doting on his wife and still wuite attached to mama's apron strings. A young Franklin Roosevelt in type.
HENRY – The stereotypical servant of the times.
JOHNNY – A diminutive page, source of information of all kinds for the Club members.
MAESTRO – Musical conductor who is onstage and participates in all Club doings.
  • Time Period 1900-1910
  • Features Period Costumes
  • Additional Features Drag Performance
  • Cautions
    • No Special Cautions

Media

“[A] wickedly witty, delicious musical!” – Cue
“Extraordinary... high caliber... [with] style and verve... A refracting lens for the condescension and bigotry that pervade those good old songs, and by implication, our culture.” – The New York Post

Music

All the music from The Club is from the period 1894-1905.

"Come to the Club Tonight" – Members in Good Standing
"The Juice of the Grape" – Imbibers
"To the Ladies" – Gentlemen Songbirds and Steppers
"String of Pearls" – Freddie and Friends
"Coquin De Printemps" – Monsieur Algy
"Ticker Tape" – Johnny and Co.
"A Good Cigar" – Bertie with Puffers
"Pinky Panky Poo" – Sporting Players
"If Money Talks (It Ain't On Speakin' Terms With Me)" – Henry
"New Shoes" – Ragtime Tappers
"A Little Valise" – Maestro
"He Reminds Her of His Father" – Bobby
"Following in Father's Footsteps" – Dad and the Sonnyboys
"Dreams of a Rarebit Fiend" – Cane Dancers
"Bertie's Annual Aria" – Bertie
"Spring Frolic: Rose Garden" – Company
"Juice of the Grape (Reprise)" – Company
"Come to the Club tonight (Reprise)" – Company

  • Vocal DemandsModerate
  • Orchestra Size Piano Only
  • Chorus Size No Chorus

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!
7   Vocal Book
1   Piano-Vocal

This title is orchestrated for Piano Only
Get the Script

Add-Ons

Take a look below at how you can enhance your show!

Authors

Eve Merriam

Eve Merriam
Eve Merriam (1916-1992) was a poet, playwright, director and lecturer. Born in Philadelphia in 1916, she attended Cornell University, University of Pennsylvania, University of Wisconsin and Columbia University, and taught and lectured at many other institutions. Her first boo ...
View full profile
Author

Alexandra Ivanoff

Now Playing