LITTLE BLACK BOXES ™

Production Specifications
 

SCENES & SONGS:
TIME: 1920's PLACE: A small town named Springfield 

ACT ONE
 “Overture” ..... Instrumental
SCENE 1 The Park
“Do It” ..... Instrumental
“Little Black Boxes” ..... Boxman, Muldoon, Vil.
“Magic Boxes” ..... Maggie
SCENE 2 Town Hall
“Work”..... Mrs. Mayor & Muldoon
SCENE 3 The Park
 “Sharing” ..... Mary & John
SCENE 4 People’s Homes
“Honey” ... Cynthia, Todd, Muldoon, Mother, Vil.
SCENE 5 The Park at Night
“Victory” ..... Cat Burglar
SCENE 6 Cynthia’s Apartment
“Once in Awhile” ..... Cynthia
SCENE 7 Christopher’s Bedroom
“Anthony”..... The Boxman
SCENE 8 The Park, Next Day
“Magic Boxes” ..... Angela & Christopher
SCENE 9 Town Hall
“Runaway”..... Todd & Mrs. Mayor
“Alive” ..... Mrs. Mayor & the Villagers

ACT TWO
“Entr’acte” ..... Instrumental
SCENE 1 Mrs. Mayor’s Bedroom
“Alive” (reprise) ..... Instrumental
SCENE 2 The Park
“Do It” (reprise) ..... Instrumental
“The Pie March” ..... The Villagers
“Marche Humoristique” ..... Instrumental
“Cats” ..... The Judges
SCENE 3 Town Hall
“This Man in Uniform” ..... Maggie & Muldoon
SCENE 4 Cynthia's House—Mayor's House—Cafe
“I Never Would Have Guessed” ..... Maggie, Muldoon
SCENE 5 Dawson’s Woods
“Runaway” ..... Instrumental
“Anthony” (reprise) ..... Instrumental
SCENE 6 Next Day at the Park
“At Last” (reprise) ..... Instrumental
SCENE 7 Next Day at the Park
“Little Black Boxes” (reprise) ..... Ensemble
“Anthony” (2nd reprise) ..... Ensemble

SETS:

THE VILLAGE PARK— Town Hall building or backdrop, and two trees on wheels.

THE WOODS— Same trees as above, with lighting effects.

ADDITIONAL SETS are created with furniture alone.

 

FURNITURE:

Trash can, lamppost, park bench, bush, bed on wheels, nightstand and light, dresser, window frame, 3 desks with chairs, couch, optional side chair, rug, kitchen table, optional cafe table, coat rack, paddywagon (optional)

 

PROPS:

Fan, dead leaves, sack, newspaper, wanted poster, cane, bicycle, whistle, "bomb detector", lumber on sawhorse, pipe, 2 tool chests and tools, articles for office desks, push broom, invoices, lunch bag, baking items, flowers, vase, lots of little black boxes, larger boxes (all types), bedding, 2 framed photos, turntable, gavel, signs and posters, crutches, pocket watch, marching band instrument, large suitcase, piles of clothes, tea set, serving platter, dishes, lanterns, pistol, little gold heart, play money, giant lock, old-fashioned camera, small candy bag, cloth or basket.

 CHARACTERS:

The Cat Burglar (played by Todd)
Maggie  (fortune teller, outgoing)
Constable Muldoon  (tall, shy, big-heart)
Old Mr. Parker * (spry)
Cynthia  (innocent, caring, seeks husband)
Christopher  (her son)
Angela  (his younger sister)
Boxman  (mysterious, dramatic, wise)  
John  (handsome, kind, generous)
Mrs. Mayor  (opinionated, pushy)
Clerk *
Janitor, Carpenter, Plumber *
Todd Greeley  (slimy, thin, abusive)
Ronnie  (his son, troubled)
Mary  (a homeless woman)
Muldoon's Mother *  (Irish)
Bert Peterson *
Mrs. Peterson *  (nagging)
3 Silly Lads *  (mischievous)
Ernie Wallace *
2 Nurses *
Clown *
Marcher *
Mother *
Her Child *
2 or 3 Judges *  (nerdy)
5 Cats *  (wear cat costumes)
Pierre the Waiter *  (French)
Rudy and Searchers *
Villagers *  (all sorts)
  
* minor roles or roles that can be doubled


CAST REQUIREMENTS:

11women, 11 men, many flexible, plus unlimited ensemble. (minimum 22 players with doubled roles. Ideal cast size is 40+)

 

COSTUMES:

Typical of the 1920's: Hats, dresses, suspenders, bow ties, etc. All easy to find.

 

LIGHTING:

Optional Gobos of trees or leaves for woods scene,

Floor light to project shadow,

Park light must be lit,

Fog machine,

Colors, esp. deep blue for nighttime.

 

MUSIC:

17 Original songs, plus Reprises, Overture & Entr'acte.

Music is currently only available on a fully orchestrated performance/rehearsal CD or as a piano/conductor score.

Fully orchestrated MIDI files can be supplied to accommodate those interested in printing their own sheet music)

Sung song demos are also available.

 

SOUND EFFECTS:

Included with our music tracks.

 

PERFORMANCE LENGTH:

2 Hours plus intermission


© Copyright 1999, 2000 T. E. Breitenbach. All rights reserved.
No part of the music, lyrics, dialogue, pictures, or logos may be reproduced or utilized in any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from: T. E. Breitenbach, c/o Premiere Musicals Guild, PO Box 538, Altamont NY 12009  USA