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Starlight Express

A child’s train set magically comes to life in this Cinderella story following Rusty the Steam train.

More information

Description

  • Full Length Musical
  • Backing Tracks, Comedy
  • 120 minutes

  • Target Audience: Appropriate for all audiences
  • Set Requirements: Flexible
  • Cautions: No Special Cautions
  • Orchestra Size: Small/Combo

  • Performance Group:
  • Dinner Theatre, Community Theatre, High School/Secondary, Professional Theatre, College Theatre / Student

  • Accolades:
  • Nominee! Olivier Award for Musical of the Year (1984)
    Winner! Tony Award for Best Costumes (1987)
    Winner! Two Drama Desk Awards (1987)
A child’s train set magically comes to life and the various engines compete to become the “Fastest engine in the World!” The underdog, Rusty the Steam train, has little chance until he is inspired by the legend of the “Starlight Express.” He ultimately defeats his archrivals Greaseball and Electra before going on to win the hand of the lovely first class coach, Pearl.

As with Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s catchy score features an eclectic mix of musical styles. The Definitive version of Starlight Express is now available to schools, colleges and universities. This is the incarnation of the show that you’ll have recently seen on tour in the U.K., which includes the new song “I Do” and the full “Megamix.” The classic moments of the musical still remain, including “U.N.C.O.U.P.L.E.D.,” “Rolling Stock,” “Pumping Iron” and “AC/DC.”

Although the Tony-nominated tuner was originally staged on roller skates, schools have performed it with scooters, heelys… and simply feet! Whichever way you choose to mount Starlight Express, this is the fastest and most dynamic musical you will ever experience, and truly is a show with something for everyone.
REVIEWS:

"A simple story, extravagantly told... one of those rare nights at the theatre guaranteed to appeal to audiences of all ages."

 Linda Joffee, The Christian Science Monitor

"As a child, I’d wanted to see Starlight again and again. I still do... Starlight Express is simply a child’s imagination made real."

 Chris Cox, The Guardian

"A spectacle that stirs the blood and puts a smile on your face."

 Neil Norman, The Daily Express

Premiere Production:

With music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Richard Stilgoe and choreography by Arlene Phillips, Starlight Express has been seen by over 20 million people and gross box office worldwide is estimated at over $1.4 billion dollars.

The show opened at the West End’s Apollo Victoria Theatre on March 27, 1984, taking the revolutionary approach of building a race track all the way around the auditorium. In April 1991, Starlight Express became the second longest-running musical in London theatre history at that time.

Starlight Express ran for 761 performances on Broadway and received seven Tony Award nominations in 1987, including Best Musical, winning for John Napier’s Costume Design.

The tuner has been mounted around the world from Japan to Australia and Germany, where the Bochum production has been running for over 25 years. It has been seen by more than fifteen million people there, making Starlight Express Germany’s most popular musical.

Characters

  • Casting: 4M, 4F
  • Casting Attributes: Ensemble cast, Roles for Multicultural Casting, Strong Role for Leading Woman (Star Vehicle), Strong Role for Leading Man (Star Vehicle), Roles for Children
  • Chorus Size: Medium

  • RUSTY
    PEARL
    ELECTRA
    GREASEBALL
    POPPA
    DINAH
    DUVAY
    BUFFY
    HIP HOPPER #1, #2, #3
    CABOOSE
    DUSTIN
    FLAT TOP
    ENGINE #1, #2, #3, #4
    TRAX
    PURSE
    JOULE
    FOLTA
    WRENCH
    VOICE OF CONTROL

    • Available Material

    Name Price
    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.

    20 Libretto/Vocal Scores
    2 Piano Vocal Scores

    		$550.00 +$135.00/pm
    Orchestral Material Shipped a minimum of 1 month before the last performance. This is optional.

    *The Definitive Starlight Express requires click tracks and keyboard programming which are provided with the hire set.

    Full Scores Act 1 & Act 2
    Woodwind (Piccolo, Alto Sax, Tenor Sax, Flute)
    Trumpet
    Trombone
    Keyboard I (keyboard programming provided)
    Keyboard II (keyboard programming provided)
    Guitar (Electric, Acoustic)
    Bass
    Drums

    Backing Track Option
    The track can work for both performance and as a rehearsal tool. It will correspond exactly with the 8 piece orchestral materials except for the Races (which now have a slightly different routine).

    		$350.00 +$135.00/pm
    Pre-Production Pack Shipped upon receipt of a signed License Agreement and full payment of all invoices. This is optional.

    1 Libretto/Vocal Score
    1 Piano Vocal Score

    		 $75.00
    Perusal Material Shipped immediately. This is optional. Order Now

    1 Libretto/Vocal Score
    1 Piano Vocal Score

    		 $24.00

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