A CONCORD THEATRICALS TITLE

Mr. President

Full-Length Musical, Comedy  /  3w, 6m

Music and Lyrics by Irving Berlin
Book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse

For his final Broadway score, Irving Berlin went straight to the top -- the exalted office of President of the United States -- to evoke the humanity within the First Family.

Mr. President

Request license
Get the Script
  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    3w, 6m
  • Duration
    Duration
    More than 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Period
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Appropriate for All Audiences, Adult

Details

Summary
President Stephen Decatur Henderson is en route to Russia when the proposed Soviet tour is canceled. Although a breach of protocol, he determines to land in Moscow nonetheless and the resulting humiliation costs him re-election. While his wife and two children are grateful to return home, the former President is not. He yearns to return to political life but when the offer of a Senate seat comes with compromising conditions attached, he turns it down. His love of country is primary though, and eventually he proudly returns to government at the behest of the new president.
Keywords
Performing Groups
PRINCIPALS
2 Women
3 Men

FEATURED
1 Woman
3 Men

ENSEMBLE
Large singing-dancing ensemble with several small roles

CHARACTERS
Manager
President Stephen Decatur Henderson
Nell Henderson - his wife
Leslie Henderson - his daughter
Larry Henderson - his son
Walter O'Connor - a Secretary in the Cabinet
David Caldwell
Youssein Davair
Tippy Taylor - a secretary
Pat Gregory - of the Secret Service
Charley Wayne - of the Secret Service
Princess Kyra
A Russian Soldier
Arthur Blanchard
Colonel Wilson - a pilot of the President's plane
Mrs. Lotta Pendleton
George Perkins
Mr. Thomas
Snow Queen
Radio Operator
Ali Hassoud
Abou
First Commentator
Second Commentator
A Workman
Miss Barnes
The Deacon
A Cashier
Sergeant Stone - of the State Police
Chester Kincaid
Betty Chandler
A Spieler
Governor Harmon Bardahl
  • Time Period 1960s
  • Features Period Costumes
  • Duration More than 120 minutes (2 hours)

Media

"The Berlin score contains sweetness, romantic lilt and rhythmic buoyancy."
— The New York Times

"A sheaf of tuneful melodies from the doyen of the songwriting profession...full of heart, sentimentality and patriotic fervor...production numbers that are dazzling...an exceedingly pleasant show."
— Women's Wear Daily

Music

Music Samples

1. "Opening" - The Manager
2. "Let's Go Back To The Waltz" - Nell and Ensemble
3. "In Our Hide-Away" - Nell and Steve
4. "The First Lady" - Nell
5. "Meat And Potatoes" - Pat and Charley
6. "I've Got To Be Around" - Pat
7. "The Secret Service" - Leslie
8. "It Gets Lonely In The White House" - Steve
9. "Is He The Only Man In The World" - Nell and Leslie
10. "They Love Me" - Nell
11. "Pigtails And Freckles" - Pat and Leslie
12. "Don't Be Afraid Of Romance" - Youssein
13. "Laugh It Up" - Nell, Steve, Leslie and Larry
14. "Empty Pockets Filled With Love" - Pat and Leslie
15. "In Our Hide-Away (Reprise)" - Nell and Steve
16. "Glad To Be Home" - Nell and Ensemble
17. "Laugh It Up (Reprise)" - Nell and Steve
18. "You Need A Hobby" - Nell and Steve
19. "Don't Be Afraid Of Romance (Reprise)" - Youssein
20. "The Washington Twist" - Leslie and Dancers
21. "Pigtails And Freckles (Reprise)" - Pat
22. "The Only Dance I Know" - Princess Kyra
23. "Meat And Potatoes (Reprise)" - Pat
24. "Is He The Only Man In The World (Reprise)" - Leslie
25. "I'm Gonna Get Him" - Nell and Leslie
26. "This Is A Great Country" - Steve
27. "Finale" - Entire Company
Full Orchestration

Piano/Celeste (Wood Sticks on Pail, Claves, Japanese Claves, Optional Wooden Sticks on Coke Bottle)
Reed I (Piccolo, Flute, Clarinet, Alto Sax)
Reed II (Clarinet, Alto Sax)
Reed III (Clarinet, Tenor Sax)
Reed IV (Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Tenor Sax)
Trumpet I&II (Trumpet I doubles Optional Claves, Optional Wooden Sticks on Coke Bottle)
Trumpet III (doubles Cow Bell)
Trombone I
Trombone II (Doubles Tom-Tom)
Violin A (Divisi)
Violin B (Divisi)
Viola (Divisi)
Cello (Divisi)
Bass
Harp
Guitar
Percussion
Trap Set
Timpani
Bells
Woodblock
Temple Blocks
Gong
Finger Cymbals
Bongos
Ratchet
Triangle
Whistle
Cowbell

  • Musical Style Classic Broadway
  • Dance Requirements Difficult
  • Vocal DemandsModerate
  • Orchestra Size X-Large
  • Chorus Size Medium

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!
15 Libretto-Vocal Book
1 Piano-Conductor
1 Reed 1
1 Reed 2
1 Reed 3
1 Reed 4
1 Trumpet 1&2
1 Trumpet 3
1 Trombone 1
1 Trombone 2
1 Piano/Celeste
1 Harp
1 Guitar
1 Percussion
1 Violin A
1 Violin B
1 Viola
1 Cello
1 Bass
1 Logo Pack
15 Libretto-Vocal Book
1 Piano-Conductor
1 Logo Pack
Get the Script

Add-Ons

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

Authors

Irving Berlin

Irving Berlin

With a life that spanned more than 100 years and a catalogue that boasts over 1,000 songs, Irving Berlin (1888-1989) epitomized Jerome Kern’s famous maxim that “Irving Berlin has no place in American music – he is American music.” Berlin wrote scores to 13 Broadway musicals, ...

View full profile
Howard Lindsay

Howard Lindsay

Howard Lindsay (1889-1968) was an actor, stage manager, director and playwright before teaming up with Russel Crouse. Lindsay and Crouse's partnership stands today as the longest collaboration of any writers in theatrical history, lasting for more than 28 years. The two men f ...

View full profile
Russel Crouse

Russel Crouse

Russel Crouse (1893-1966) was a newspaperman, a press agent for the Theatre Guild, the author of several books and a librettist before partnering with Howard Lindsay. Lindsay and Crouse's partnership stands today as the longest collaboration of any writers in theatrical histo ...

View full profile

Now Playing

Related