The Thing About Men
Book and Lyrics by Joe DiPietro | Music by Jimmy Roberts | Based Upon The Screenplay "MEN" by Doris Dorrie
Tom is cheating on his wife Lucy (with several women). Lucy is cheating on her husband Tom (with Sebastian). Tom moves out on Lucy and, in disguise, moves in with Sebastian. These are the circumstances that set the mood of hilarious intrigue in this often moving but always light hearted musical about men.
Cast Size: No Chorus • Small (1-10). Vocal Demands: Moderate. Dance Requirements: Minimal. 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:
R&H licenses many large- and medium-scale tours all across the globe, but was interested to learn about the Arts Club Theatre's small-scale tours of Vancouver.We asked Artistic Managing Director Bill Millerd to talk to us about this area of his business... read more
If your production budget is currently straining under the weight of large scale shows, you can still present the high quality entertainmentfull of the first rate words and music, humor and pathos that your audiences expect... read more
In 2003 THE THING ABOUT MEN opened off-Broadway at the Promenade Theatre where it ran for over 200 performances.
In 2004, THE THING ABOUT MEN by Joe DiPietro and Jimmy Roberts closed after an off-Broadway run of over 200 performances.
"THE THING ABOUT MEN could quite possibly be just what you're waiting for.... [R]obust enough musically, comedically, and dramatically to take the sting out of late summer malaise, and keep you grinning straight into the fall. It's a cheerful but sobering reminder not only of life, love, and friendship but what can - and must - be done to maintain them and keep them all in top working order." — TalkinBroadway.com
"An uproarious musical." — The New Yorker
"Smart and funny!" — The Wall Street Journal
"A serious musical comedy, aimed squarely at adults, and brimming with the wry sophistication of a show that knows it can succeed while taking the high road.” — TalkinBroadway.com
"There's a Sondheimian hue to one of the best numbers, the second-act "Me, Too": a paean to dating rituals and the thrill of the first kiss.” — Matt Wolf, Theatre.com
"The book and lyrics by DiPietro are very funny and the music by Mr. Roberts is quite appealing. THE THING ABOUT MEN makes a great "date musical" if such a thing exists. I guarantee you will be laughing the whole way through." — Claudia Perry, AisleSay
"A quirky, clever musical about infidelity and male friendship and the unusual bisection of the two as a cuckolded husband (who was philandering himself) bonds with his wife's new lover." — Mark Shenton, thestage.co.uk
"Well staged, with great sets, costumes and props, this show also features superb arrangement and accompaniment by Musical Director Sophie Thomas and fellow pianist, Cameron Thomas. Likewise, Director Aaron Joyner has a handle on just how to bring out the show's quirky comic edge and his inventive subversion of the musical form pays dividends all the way through." — David Crofts, AussieTheatre.com, July 03, 2008
"Musicals as fresh and cleverly written as THE THING ABOUT MEN are few and far between making the Australian premiere well worth a ticket." — David Crofts, AussieTheatre.com, July 03, 2008
"This production by Melbourne-based company Magnormos has a lot going for it, with a strong central performance by Parker. He stamps his authority on Tom from the outset, managing to communicate his driving ambition and insensitivity yet still reveal his deep-seated insecurity and vulnerability." — David Crofts, AussieTheatre.com, July 03, 2008
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Song Name
Character Name
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Other Versions
MAX Awards
— Award for Best Musical of the YearVocal Range of Characters:
Written By: Joe DiPietro
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
- THE THING ABOUT MEN - Orchestra Package (4 Books/4 Players)
- 1 – PIANO CONDUCTOR SCORE (Doubling on Synthesizer)
- 1 – CELLO (Doubling on Bell Tree, Mark Tree and Wood Block (with stick and pencil))
- 1 – VIOLIN (Doubling on Cymbal (with brush, stick and triangle beater))
- 1 – REED (Flute, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Tenor Sax and Soprano Sax)
- Rehearsal Set (12 Books)
- 10 – Libretto-Vocal Books
- 1 – Logo CD
- 2 – PIANO CONDUCTOR SCORE (Doubling on Synthesizer)
- Digital Logo
ADDITIONAL
- Libretto/Vocal Books 10 pack
- 10 – Libretto-Vocal Books
- THE THING ABOUT MEN - PRE-PRODUCTION PACKAGE
- 1 – Libretto-Vocal Books
- 1 – PIANO CONDUCTOR SCORE (Doubling on Synthesizer)
2 Women (1 woman plays multiple roles; see list below)
3 Men (1 man plays multiple roles; see list below)
CHARACTERS
Tom Ambrose - A middle-aged, middle class, overworked husband who struggles to stay faithful to his wife
Lucy Ambrose - Tom's wife, who turns to Sebastian upon learning of Tom's infidelity
Sebastian - Lucy's lover, a poor artist
Woman - Jessica (Tom's colleague with whom he's having an affair); a Mother; Okasana (Sebastian's roommate); a Bar Fly; Edith, Sebastian's Neighbor; Janice, a Gym Employee; Cindy, a Model; Juke Box Singer; a Sushi Deliverywoman; a Stylist; Vivian, a Secretary
Man - Darryl, Tom's Assistant; Manuel, a Taxi Driver; a Grunge Teenager; a Bartender; a Priest; Bernard, a Maitre D'; Lance, a Waiter; Another Bartender; a Sushi Deliveryman; a Stylist
The original New York production employed a unit set. Smaller units and additional pieces were used to suggest the following
SPECIFIC LOCATIONS
Tom and Lucy's Home
Tom's Office
A Taxi Cab
A Park
Outside Sebastian's Apt. Bldg.
Blue Bar (a downtown dive)
Sebastian's Apartment (a loft)
A Gym
A Way Too Trendy Restaurant
A Country Bar
Materials Notes
Featured News
Bill Millerd/Arts Club Theatre, Vancouver, British Columbia
R&H licenses many large- and medium-scale tours all across the globe, but was interested to learn about the Arts Club Theatre's small-scale tours of Vancouver.We asked Artistic Managing Director Bill Millerd to talk to us about this area of his business...
Read MoreGREAT Things Come in SMALL Packages
If your production budget is currently straining under the weight of large scale shows, you can still present the high quality entertainmentfull of the first rate words and music, humor and pathos that your audiences expect...
Read MoreMedia Rights
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