GENTLEMEN, BE SEATED!
THE CAST & PRODUCTION
THE SHOW
CAST
LYRICS
MUSIC
PLAYBILL
SET DESIGN
ARTICLES/REVIEWS
ORIGINAL PRODUCTION
A Musical Entertainment In Two Acts
Book by JEROME MOROSS and EDWARD EAGER
Lyrics by EDWARD EAGER
Music by JEROME MOROSS
CHARACTERS
MISTER INTERLOCUTORÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Baritone (pop-style)
MISTER TAMBOÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Tenor (pop-style)
MISTER BONESÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Baritone (pop-style)
CONTRALTO SOLOIST
COMEDIENNEÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Mezzo-soprano
JOHNNY REBÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Tenor
BILLY YANKÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Baritone
SOUTHERN GIRLÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Soprano
NORTHERN GIRLÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Mezzo-soprano
CHARACTER ACTORÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Tenor
MR. BANJO
MR. TAPS (optional)
SINGING CHORUSES (White and Black)
DANCERS (White)
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N.B.
The Contralto Soloist sings the roles of HARRIET TUBMAN, AMANDA, etc.
The Comedienne sings the roles of THE DOWAGER, BELLE BOYD, etc.
The Character Actor sings the roles of THE SENATOR, THE GENERAL, etc.
If the performer playing MR. INTERLOCUTOR cannot tap-dance, a new character, Mr. Taps, may be introduced to perform the dance sections of THE DOME and WHAT HAS BECOME OF BEAUTY.
The other minor character parts, FARMER McCLEAN, ERMYNTRUDE etc. should be played by members of the chorus.
The scenery should be simple and flexible. A number of gilt ball room chairs form the Minstrel Circle. At the opening and closing, Mr. Interlocutor is seated in the center on a sort of throne. Absolute requirements are a scrim and a scenic piece with an open oval in which cards may be placed with painted representation upon them.
The dancing should derive from the style of the 1860’s and should utilize tap steps, buck and wing, soft shoe, clog-waltz’ etc.
The minstrel characters, (Interlocutor, Tambo and Bones,) should wear a basic costume in which the characterizations they portray can be created by the simple addition of coat, or hat, etc.
The dialogues should always be performed in front of the same curtain. Â
GENTLEMEN, BE SEATED!
THE COMPLETE VOCAL SCORE
Gentlemen, Be Seated! is an anti-war, anti-racist musical history of the War Between the States. Music was composed by Jerome Moross with lyrics by Edward Eager. It was completed in 1956 and produced and presented by New York City Opera in 1963. This is the complete vocal score.
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WINDFLOWERS: THE SONGS OF JEROME MOROSS
WINDFLOWERS offers delectable proof, with selections from his stage shows Ballet Ballads, The Golden Apple, Underworld, and Gentlemen, Be Seated! Alice Ripley, Richard Muenz, Jessica Molaskey, Philip Chaffin and Jenny Giering – five singers equally at home on Broadway, in cabaret and in the recording studio – celebrate an American original, in nineteen selections alternately playful and atmospheric, and always highly melodic.