Bright Lights, Big City
Book, Music and Lyrics By Paul Scott Goodman
Based on the novel of the same name, this show follows Jamie, an aspiring writer stuck in fact-checking, as he hides from pain and loss by partying in the drug-infested clubs of Manhattan during the 1980s. The rock-n-roll score provides a robust sound that echoes Jamie's inner torment as he wanders aimlessly through the city's seedy party scene. After losing his wife and job, Jamie spirals out of control. Fortunately for him, the bonds of family and the promise of love are strong enough to intervene and provide a way out. BRIGHT LIGHTS, BIG CITY carries the message of hope for the future, no matter what is at present.
Cast Size: Medium (5-21). Vocal Demands: Moderate. Good For: College/University • Amateur/Community • Professional Theatre.
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About The Show
Production Info
To request the rights to make merchandise for this show email brian.sherman@rnh.com.
Fan Info:
I had a, well, magical experience on Saturday night. Andy Einhorn, the indefatigable conductor and musical director of Rodgers + Hammerstein’s CINDERELLA, invited me to sit in the orchestra pit of the Broadway Theatre during the performance. Because the pit is big enough, there is a space where, once the orchestra members are settled in their seats, a chair can be placed safely, between the bows of the violins and the constant instrument shifting of the woodwind section. Read more →
With the 9 Tony Award nominations for Rodgers + Hammerstein’s CINDERELLA announced this morning, once again Rodgers and Hammerstein stand tall and proud among the best of Broadway.
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Read more →
As I am now based in London, where Rodgers & Hammerstein is launching our own European theatrical licensing division – R&H Theatricals Europe – I had the great pleasure of hopping down to Madrid for 24 hours in late December, to see SONRISAS…, meet the cast and equally hardworking crew, and revel in a production of the timeless musical that seems to “bloom and grow forever” – and everywhere.
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February 24, 1999
June 20, 2012
“Goodman's music is exhilarating; it convincingly evokes the sound of 1980s rock without resorting to parody, but does not sound dated. The arrangements shine." — Tim Dunleavy, TalkinBroadway.com
“Goodman's music is exhilarating; it convincingly evokes the sound of 1980s rock without resorting to parody, but does not sound dated. The arrangements shine." — Tim Dunleavy, TalkinBroadway.com
"The show’s rock-music score is a tribute to what can be accomplished when one blends rock music and musical theatre, and is both fun and meaningful to listen to... for anyone interested in the progression of modern musical theatre.” — Michael Bihovsky, Review Stream
Song #
Song Name
Character Name
Play
Other Versions
3
Sunday Morning 6 AM
Chuck Bean, Jamie, Mary O'Brien McCann, Amanda, Mother, Company
10
Happy Birthday, Darling
Mother
18
You Couldn't Handle It
Clara, Jamie
21
Camera Wall
Chuck Bean, Amanda, Jamie, Michael, Mother, Coma Baby, Mary O'Brien McCann, Company
24
Mummies At The Met/So Many Little Things (Reprise)
Mother, Jamie, Coma Baby, Mary O'Brien McCann, Company
25
Are You Still Holding My Hand
Mother
29
Bright Lights, Big City 3
Jamie, Company
Vocal Range of Characters:
Written By: Paul Scott Goodman
On a breezy beautiful August day way back in ’96, I stood upon the deck of a modern country house near Woodstock and banged out the opening riff of BRIGHT LIGHTS, BIG CITY on my Ovation 12 string guitar. I came back to Manhattan and over the next few weeks welcomed many other songs, all directly inspired by the heightened poetry of Jay McInerney’s novel. As the tunes continued to tumble, I remember thinking, “This is very rock and roll.” So now, more than a decade later, I would like to say to whoever decides to present this piece of work: thank you for doing so, don’t change the words or the music, but in matters of acting, singing, lighting, staging, dance, tone, sound, bravado, feel free to be brave, to break barriers and attempt to give the audience something they’ve never seen before. Be fresh and inevitable. Rock and roll!
Playbill VIP:
MAKE YOUR OWN PLAYBILL! Playbill VIP allows you to create your very own Playbill Program. We have provided Playbill with all of the credits, song listings, musical numbers and more so that most of the work is already done for you. Just add your productions details, photos of the cast and share it with all of your friends. Learn more: www.playbillvip.com
STANDARD
- Orchestration Pkg. (6 Books)
- 1 – KEYBOARD I/CONDUCTOR
- 1 – KEYBOARD II
- 1 – GUITAR I (Acoustic Twelve String and Electric)
- 1 – GUITAR II (Six String Acoustic and Electric. Also Mandolin.)
- 1 – BASS (Fender and Fretless)
- 1 – DRUMS (Kit plus Percussion and V-Drums)
- Rehearsal Set (22 Books)
- 20 – Libretto-Vocal
- 1 – Logo CD
- 2 – KEYBOARD I/CONDUCTOR
- 0 – Digital Logo
ADDITIONAL
- Libretto-Vocal 10-pack
- BRIGHT LIGHTS, BIG CITY - PRE-PRODUCTION PACKAGE
- 1 – KEYBOARD I/CONDUCTOR
- 1 – Libretto-Vocal
4 Women
3 Men
FEATURED
3 Women
2 Men
ENSEMBLE
Ensemble can be small or large, some featured roles can double in the chorus.
CHARACTERS
Jamie - Mid 20's New Yorker reeling from a year of devastating events. Attractive and vulnerable.
Tad - Jamie's best friend, party animal, selfish, smart, charismatic.
Mother - Jaime's mother who we see as a youthful Mom and then on her death bed.
Michael - Jamie's younger brother.
Amanda - Jamie's supermodel ex-wife.
Vicky - Tad's cousin, a Princeton student, pretty and likeable.
Clara - Jamie's boss, her exterior masks marshmallow inside.
Coma Baby - A newspaper headline who comes to life in Jamie's mind.
Mary O'Brien McCann - A missing NYU student who appears in Jamie's mind.
Chuck Bean - A rambunctious 'on-the-town' reporter.
Elaine - Odeon club girl.
Theresa - Elaine's 'friend' and fellow clubbie.
Elise - 14 going on 32, club girl who Jamie meets at Odeon.
Chorus - Variety of roles (Fact Checkers, Models, etc) including featured parts (Drug Girl, Paul, etc.).
SPECIFIC LOCATIONS
Heartbreak, a Manhattan nightclub
A club called ODEON
Gotham Magazine, Department of Factual Verification
Washington Square Park
Rockefeller Centre
The streets of Manhattan
A subway train
A bed
A toilet stall
Various apartments
Many memories in Jamie's mind
Materials Notes
KEYBOARD NOTE: Both keyboards should be Yamaha s-90s or Motiffs. Other keyboards may be substituted, but these may not provide the same patch names or sounds.
Media Rights
Promotional
1. The Promotional Video shall be recorded and shown for the sole purposes of advertising your licensed production of the Play. For such a video, R&H allows theatres to film up to 10 minutes of total footage taken at either a performance or rehearsal (i.e.: 10 minutes of scripted moments.)
2. The Promotional Video may not include more than (i) 1 minute from any song or (ii) 3 minutes, in the aggregate, of footage of copyrighted material from the Play.
3. The Promotional Video may not include any sponsorship or underwriting without the prior consent of all R&H.
4. The Promotional Video must be submitted to R&H by sending the source video and video link to editor@rnh.com.
5. The Promotional Video must include the following: "Rights courtesy of Rodgers & Hammerstein, www.rnh.com"
6. Upon approval by R&H of the Promotional Video, you agree not to make any alterations in the approved copyrighted material used therein and you agree to obtain the prior written approval of R&H for any other use of the Promotional Video not specifically granted herein.
7. Upon termination of the Term, you shall cease to have any rights to use the Promotional Video including, without limitation, in connection with a future production of the Play, and shall immediately remove its content from any and all websites on the Internet.
8. You may not use a commercially available recording.
9. Any additional promotional rights must be approved by R&H by contactingTheatre@rnh.com.
Archival
1. Subject to the information provided in Licensee’s application and payment of the fee as set forth in Paragraph 3 herein, Licensee shall have the right to create a single copy of the Video for internal archival, private viewing purposes at Licensee’s address only and shall not be re-copied, distributed or otherwise exploited, in whole or in part, in any media now known or hereafter developed without the prior written approval of R&H. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Video shall not be (i) sold to anyone (ii) telecast by any television station or network, including, without limitation, any local cable station or (iii) distributed, exhibited or otherwise exploited over the Internet or as part of any online auction.
2. Licensee agrees to include the following language at the beginning of the Video:
©Year By R&H Theatricals. This production was videotaped by special arrangement with R&H Theatricals for archival purposes only. All Rights Reserved.
WARNING: Federal law provides severe civil and criminal penalties for the unauthorized reproduction, distribution or exhibition of copyrighted motion pictures, videotapes or videodiscs. Criminal copyright infringement is investigated by the FBI and may constitute a felony with a maximum penalty of up to five years in prison and/or a $250,000.00 fine.
This Video is provided to you for private, organizational and home viewing purposes only. By accepting the Video, you agree not to authorize or permit the Video to be copied, distributed, broadcast, telecast or otherwise exploited, in whole or in part, in any media now known or hereafter developed.
