Full Synopsis
Show History
Inspiration
Conceived by director/lyricist Martin Charnin (Annie), The No-Frills Revue takes its cue from the brilliantly sardonic topical revues of the 1950's, employing original songs, sketches, a small cast and trio of musicians in an hilarious all-out assault on the world as we know it. It is a tribute to the type of 1950s and 60s nightclub act pioneered by Julius Monk, or in modern terms a sort of musical Saturday Night Live!
Productions
The No-Frills Revue opened at Off Broadway's Cherry Lane Theater on November 25, 1987. The cast included Adinah Alexander, Sasha Charnin, Clare Fields, Stephani Hardy, Sarah Knapp, Eddie Korbich, Andre Montgomery, Lynn Paynter, Justin Ross and Bob Stillman.
Since then it has been performed many times regionally and at colleges and universities.
Cultural Influence
- The creative team for The No-Frills Revue includes such Broadway notables as Martin Charnin (Annie), Thomas Meehan (Annie, Hairspray) and Marvin Hamlisch (A Chorus Line).
- Prior to working on the The No-Frills Revue, Martin Charnin contributed material to the long running off-Broadway revue Upstairs at O'Neal's, which was also done in a '50s and '60s nightclub style.
Trivia
- In his production notes, Mr. Charnin writes, "There is a very specific aesthetic attached to this musical revue -- embodied in the opening lyrics to The No-Frills Revue -- and that is, less is more." The piece calls for minimal costumes, props, and set pieces, and interchangeable male and female roles. Though the revue was performed originally with nine performers, it can be done with as few as six -- three men and three women.
Critical Reaction
"For comedy, No-Frills is lighter than air!" -New York Times
"A welcome new potpourri of songs, sketches and skits!" -New York Post
"Proves that the revue form, when offered with intelligence and savvy acting, is robustly alive." -Daily News
Connect
Billing
- Book by
- Music by
- Sketches, Music and Lyrics by
Requirements
in all programs in the following manner:
"THE NO-FRILLS REVUE" Dialogue, Music and Lyrics by Martin Charnin
"STOOLS" Music and Lyrics by Martin Charnin
"YMA DREAM" Written by Thomas Meehan
"MY REUNION PRAYER" Music and Lyrics by Bill Weeden, David Finkle and Sally Fay
"BEING WITH ME" Music by Brian Lasser, Lyrics by Michael Leeds
"SOMEONE'S GOT TO DO IT" Dialogue, Music and Lyrics by Michael Abbott, Sarah Weeks and Martin Charnin
"PRIVACY" Music and Lyrics by Craig Carnelia
"A BRAND NEW HAMMER" Music and Lyrics by Bill Weeden, David Finkle and Sally Fay
"WE HAVE TO SING THIS SONG" Music and Lyrics by Douglas Bernstein & Denis Markell
"I KNOW WHERE THE BODIES ARE BURIED" Music and Lyrics by Martin Charnin
"THE SUPREME CHORDS" Chords by Steven M. Alper, Written by Martin Charnin
"TIPPY-TAPPY" Music by Marvin Hamlisch, Lyrics by Martin Charnin
"BUD, LOU, AND WHO?" Written by Thomas Meehan
"IN THE QUIET OF YOUR ARMS" Music and Lyrics by Martin Charnin
"YES! WE HAVE THE MANUSCRIPTS!" Written by Ronny Graham and Martin Charnin, Music by Ronny Graham
"IT HASN'T BEEN EASY" Music and Lyrics by Bill Weeden, David Finkle and Sally Fay
All Material Subject to Change, Re-arrangements, Re-casting and Substitutions.
No Extra Charge for Substitutions.
THE NO-FRILILS REVUE is performed without intermission
Included Materials
Item | Quantity Included |
---|---|
LIBRETTO/VOCAL BOOK | 10 |
PIANO CONDUCTOR'S SCORE | 2 |
Production Resources
Resource |
---|
HOW DOES THE SHOW GO ON-10/CS |
HOW DOES THE SHOW GO ON? |
PRODUCTIONPRO-DIGITAL SCRIPT/SCORE |
STAGE WRITE APPLICATION |
STANDARD ORCHESTRATION
Instrumentation | Doubling |
---|---|
DRUMS | TEMPLE BLOCKS , TRIANGLE , WOOD BLOCK |
KEYBOARD 1 |