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The Hello Girls

From New York to Paris, from ragtime to jazz: THE HELLO GIRLS chronicles the story of America’s first women soldiers in this new musical inspired by history. These intrepid heroines served as bilingual telephone operators on the front lines, helping turn the tide of World War I. They then returned home to fight a decades-long battle for equality and recognition, paving the way for future generations.

THE HELLO GIRLS was commissioned and premiered by NYC’s Prospect Theater Company to celebrate the centennial of these groundbreaking women.

More information

Description

  • Full Length Musical
  • Drama

  • Time Period: 1910s / WWI
  • Target Audience: Teen (Age 14 - 18), Adult

  • Performance Group:
  • Community Theatre, Blackbox / Second Stage /Fringe Groups, Professional Theatre
The protagonist of THE HELLO GIRLS is Grace Banker, chief of the first female telephone operators' unit of the US Army Signal Corps. The unit was set up in 1917 on the orders of General Pershing, who wanted skilled telephone operators to ensure effective communications between the American Expeditionary Forces in Europe. Of course, the best operators at that time were women, so that's who Pershing set out to recruit.

In order to coordinate with Ferdinand Foch's army, the operators also need to be fluent in French, making Franco-American Louise LeBreton a shoo-in. Idaho farm girl Helen Hill has been speaking French with her maman since she could crawl. Bertha Hunt isn't content to sit at home while her husband ships off, so she joins the army too. Suzanne Prevot sees enlistment as an opportunity for adventure. She convinces Grace to join her, arguing, "Girls like us -- we aren't cut out for tending Victory Gardens." Of course, Grace will have to cultivate her professional relationship with her immediate superior, Lt. Joseph Riser, a man's man who is none too thrilled about leading a company of ladies. 
REVIEWS:

"Move over, Mean Girls and Wicked: There’s a new musical exploding with grrrl power, female camaraderie and uplifting songs."

 TimeOut NY

"Simply stated, don’t miss it…fascinating historical story, great music, an exceptional cast, and the finest staging…The company of The Hello Girls is tops."

 BroadwayWorld

"Filled with memorable songs and brilliant performances, it is a musical as triumphant as the true story on which it is based…Mills (who wrote the music and lyrics) has filled this action-packed war story with instant-classic songs…a particularly joyous experience. You won’t want to say goodbye."

 TheaterMania

"First-class entertainment…musically rich, beautifully staged and vibrantly performed."

 CurtainUp

"One of the best new musicals I’ve seen Off-Broadway…a consummate ensemble piece…The Hello Girls is a winner on all fronts."

 BlogCritics.org

"The musical numbers are catchy, and the lyrics are bright and intelligent…winning performances."

 Wolf Entertainment Guide

"Terrific beyond belief…Mills is a “deft lyricist” and “one of our major lyric writing talents."

BroadwayRadio

Premiere Production: Commissioned by Prospect Theatre Company, New York, NY (2018).

Characters

  • Casting: 5M, 5F
  • Casting Attributes: Ensemble cast
  • Casting Notes: With the exception of Capt. Riser and Gen. Pershing, the men all play a variety of supporting roles

  • GRACE BANKER - Articulate and poised, with a core of steely strength that makes itself apparent as she grows into her role as leader.

  • SUZANNE PREVOT - From New York City. Feisty, sardonic, tough-talking. A close friend of Grace's from AT&T.

  • HELEN HILL - From Idaho. A typical small-town farm girl... Sweet, over-enthusiastic, wholesomely kooky and prone to nervous panic.

  • BERTHA HUNT - Married to a Navy doctor who is also serving. Older, wiser, reliable -- The Den Mother. extremely knowledgeable about military matters.

  • LOUISE LEBRETON - 18. Fearless, flirty, headstrong and often insubordinate. Born in France, she has family fighting with the French army.

  • CPT. JOSEPH RISER - The Signal Corps officer who recruits and trains the women. A career army man, a stickler for rules and order, he is skeptical of the women's presence in the army.

  • LT. ERNEST WESSEN - Head of the recruiting center for the Signal Corps.

  • PVT. EUGENE MATTERSON - An enlisted man who works closely with Lt. Riser.

  • PVT. ROBERT DEMPSEY - A Signal Corps operator at the Paris Telephone Exchange.

  • GEN. JOHN PERSHING - Commander of the American Expeditionary Forces. Hard, relentless, inflexible, with a deep sense of honor and American individualism and identity.

    • Available Material

    Name Price
    Digital Perusal Material Shipped immediately. This is optional. Order Now

    1 x Script/Vocal Score Sampler
    Once purchased a link will be emailed to you allowing the download to take place.

    		$10.00
    Pre-Production Pack Shipped upon receipt of a signed License Agreement and full payment of all invoices. This is optional.

    1 x Director's Script
    1 x Cast Script/Vocal Book
    1 x Piano-Conductor's Score

    		$75.00
    Rehearsal Material Shipped a minimum of 3 months before the last performance. This must be hired as a condition of the License to produce this show.

    10 x Cast Script/Vocal Books
    2 x Director's Script
    2 x Piano-Conductor's Scores
    Logo Pack

    		$400.00 +$135.00/pm
    Orchestral Material Shipped a minimum of 1 month before the last performance. This is optional.

    1 x Piano/Conductor Score
    1 x Keyboard 2/Accordion/Bells
    1 x Bass
    1 x Drums
    1 x Guitar
    1 x Violin
    1 x Cello
    1 x Clarinet
    1 x Trumpet/Euphonium 

    		$350.00 +$135.00/pm
    Full Conductor's Score Shipped a minimum of 1 month before the last performance. This is optional.

    1 x Act I
    1 x Act II

    		$120.00 +$120.00/pm

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