Forty five minutes from broadway
A Play with Music in Three Acts
Music, Book and Lyrics by George M. Cohan
CAST OF CHARACTERS
Mary Jane Jenkins, the Housemaid – Prima Donna-Soubrette Soprano
Flora Dora Dean, a foot-light favorite – Soubrette (non-singing)
Mrs. David Dean, her mother – Character overbearing mother (non singing)
Mrs. Purdy, a Resident of New Rochelle – Character old woman (non-singing)
Tom Bennett, the Heir at Law – Juvenile Lead, high baritone
Kid Burns, his secretary – Principal comedy baritone
James Blake, Public Administrator, Man About Town – (non singing)
Daniel Cronin, in the Mining Business – Character heavy (non singing)
Andy Gray, the Butler – Character light comedy (non singing)
Station Master – Chorus bit
Police Sergeant – Chorus Bit
Messenger Boy – Chorus Bit
Ensemble of New Rochelle Girls (6), Reporters (3) Policemen (3)
SYNOPSIS OF SCENES
Act I. Exterior of the Castleton Mansion – Morning
Act II. Interior – Evening
Act III. Railroad Station – Next Morning
Argument
The first act opens in the courtyard of the Cecil Hotel, London, and shows a party of Americans waiting to welcome Johnny Jones, who is due to arrive in London to ride in the derby. His sweetheart, who is traveling in Europe with her aunt and her guardian, the latter an unscrupulous man who wishes to separated Johnny and his ward for his own interest and who is aided by a Chinese who pretends to be an emissary of the Emperor but who is really a smuggler and a thief. At the end of the act they accuse him of being a crooked deal at the racetrack.
The second act shows the steamer landing at Liverpool with the steamer about to sail for home. Johnny sees all his friends sail but stays on shore to clear himself of the charge. The singing of “Give My Regards to Broadway” as the steamer supposingly sails for his home is said to be one of the prettiest things in the play.
The third and last act finds them all in Chinatown, San Francisco. The Unknown finally proves his case against the plotters, and everyone is made happy except the “Villain” who couldn’t be happy or there wouldn’t be a play.
History
One of the most popular musical comedies of the turn of the century, Forty-Five Minutes From Broadway was George M. Cohan’s second big Broadway success. The show opened at the New Amsterdam Theatre on January 1, 1906 and ran 90 performances. The role of Mary Jane Jenkins was created by Fay Templeton and Kid Burns was played by Victor Moore. The play was revived on March 14, 1912 with Cohan at George. M. Cohan’s Theatre and ran for 36 performances with Cohan as Kid Burns. Cohan, regarded as the “Father of American Musical Theatre,” wrote the book, lyrics and music, produced and directed the production. The score includes three of Cohan’s most famous songs, “Mary,” “So Long Mary,” and “Forty-Five Minutes from Broadway.” A 1920 silent film was based on the play and a two songs were included in Cohan’s 1942 biopic Yankee Doodle Dandy. Cohan revolutionized musical theatre, creating for the first time a truly American musical comedy in contrast to the European operetta tradition.
Orchestration
Flute
Clarinet (in B-flat and A)
Horn 1
Horn 2
Cornet 1
Cornet 2
Trombone
Percussion (1 Player: Timpani, Bells, Drum Set (Snare Drum, Bass Drum & pedal cymbal attachment or hi-hat, suspended cymbal) Triangle, Woodblock)
Violin 1
Violin 2
Viola
Cello
Bass
