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DUSTY - The Original Pop Diva

DUSTY tells the story of Mary O'Brien who the world knew as Dusty Springfield. In the 1960s Dusty Springfield takes the entertainment world by storm with a score of hits, a top TV show and a legion of fans. She was the most influential British female artist of the 60’s. Known as the White Lady of Soul, she was responsible for bringing the Motown sound to the UK. But the success she wanted is hollow and real happiness eludes her.

More information

Description

  • Full Length Musical
  • Drama, Australian

  • Time Period: 1950's, 1960s
  • Set Requirements: Unit Set/Multiple Settings

  • Performance Group:
  • Amateur, High School/Secondary, Community Theatre, Professional Theatre
In the 1950’s, a star-struck, plain and dumpy London schoolgirl imagines she could become a glamorous movie idol. Her parents tell her that her fantasies will never come true and not to dream the impossible dream. But nothing deters her. 

Blessed with an amazing voice and talent, she sets out to become a singer and a star. Soon, plain Mary O’Brien has transformed herself into the blonde pop icon, Dusty Springfield. But while Dusty, the gorgeous blonde star, is the image the world sees, it is an illusion behind which little Mary O’Brien still lives; the alter ego from which Dusty can never escape and who remains with her throughout her life.

In the 1960’s, Dusty Springfield takes the entertainment world by storm with a score of hits, a top TV show and a legion of fans. But the success she wanted is hollow and real happiness eludes her. Driven by her sense of perfection, Dusty takes on the world even as she discovers a desperate need to be loved in a way that could cause her career to crash. At the pinnacle of international success, with triumphs in Britain and America, Dusty finds the pressure unbearable. Unable to be what other people expect, and finding the spotlight’s heat can burn, she retreats from the world into a dark place.  

Finding strength in adversity, Dusty returns to soar to the top. With the world applauding again, she has one more battle to fight.

Find more information at OzTheatrical

Premiere Production: The World Premiere took place on January 12, 2006 at The Arts Centre in Melbourne, Australia.

Characters

  • Casting: 8M, 10F
  • Casting Attributes: Strong Role for Leading Woman (Star Vehicle)

  • DUSTY - An emotional role. The character will develop as the story progresses. Strong acting ability will be required to carry her extremely complex personality. Requires an excellent pop voice that can handle the Dusty Springfield range and style. Very demanding vocally. Sings almost every song in the show. All the songs are in Dusty's original keys. MD should become very familiar with Dusty's original recordings. Her range is very deceptive.
    Range: G below Middle C to Strong Chest C above Middle C.
    Age Range: 20-40 years. General movement.

  • RENO - Reno is the lead singer of a black female trio "The Nevadas." The role is written for a black pop/soul singer. She has a closer relationship with Dusty. Strong contemporary soul voice.
    Range: A below Middle C to C above Middle C.
    Age Range: 20-40 years. Typical Motown style movement.

  • MARY O'BRIEN - Mary is the young, gawky, bespectacled Dusty and is portrayed in the show as a juvenile school girl who takes the journey through Dusty's formative experiences. This character takes on a narrative role and is continually on stage. Strong pop ballad voice.
    Age Range: 18-25 years. Strong acting and vocal ability with good movement.

  • RODNEY - Hairdresser, who is one of Dusty's long time confidantes. Theatrically "camp" and extremely loyal to Dusty through her career. Good at harmonies.
    Vocal Range: High Pop Baritone to D.
    Age Range: 20-40 years. Good mover.

  • PEG - Theatrical dresser. Another of Dusty's closest friends. Good pop voice.
    Range: A below Middle C to C above Middle C.
    Age Range: 20 - 40 years. Good mover.

  • KAY O'BRIEN (MOTHER) & MR. O'BRIEN (FATHER) - Typical Irish working class parents. Both with a sense of humour. Actors with comedic style.
    Vocal Range: Kay - Mature ballad voice. Solo song.
    Vocal Range: Mr. O'Brien - Basically a non-singing role. Some harmony work. Baritone C to C.
    Age Range: 30-50 years. Both these roles will double-up in other parts.

  • TOM - Mary/Dusty's Brother. He helps arrange early songs and performs as part of her original backing group. Strong vocals.
    Vocal Range: Tenor up to G.
    Age Range: 20 - 35 years. Good movement (Double Up).

  • BACKING VOCALISTS: NEVADAS, LANA SISTERS, SPRINGFIELDS, DRAG QUEENS - Typical 60's style backing vocalists. Good contemporary singers. Must be excellent at harmonies and blending.
    Vocal Range: Nevadas - 2 girl singers. B below Middle C to C above Middle C.
    Vocal Range: Lana Sisters - 2 girl singers. A below Middle C to D above Middle C.
    Vocal Range: Springfields - 2 boy singers. Pop Baritone up to D.
    Drag Queens - Strong Movement.

  • COMPANY/ENSEMBLE - School girls, Young Tom, Al Saxon, TV Announcer, Radio Announcer, Go-Go Dancers, Starlets, etc.
    Up to 12 in total. This is an exciting dance and ensemble singing show with lots of intricate choreography in the 60's style. Must be able to carry the vocal demands of the show. The ensemble will also play a variety of small speaking/vocal roles and take on some key backing vocal parts. Some boys will need to wear drag for the Drag Queen and company scene.
    Vocal Range: All must be excellent at harmonies and blending.
    Age Range: 16+ years (Double Up).

    • Available Material

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

    1 x Vocal Score
    1 x Script

    		 $24.00
    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.

    20 Scripts
    20 Vocal Scores
    2 Piano Vocal / Rehearsal Score (Act 1)
    2 Piano Vocal / Rehearsal Score (Act 2)
    1 CD Backing Track for "That's the Kind of Love I've Got For You"

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

    1 Keyboard I (Acoustic Piano and Electric Piano)
    1 Keyboard II (2 keyboards required for the one player)
    1 Guitar (Acoustic and Electric)
    1 Bass (Electric)
    1 Drums (Kit and a Mark Tree)
    1 Trumpet (Trumpet and Flugel)
    1 Alto Sax (Alto and Flute)
    1 Tenor Sax (Tenor and Clarinet)
    1 Trombone (Trombone)

    Full Scores (Conductor’s Score)
    2 Full Scores (Act 1 & Act 2)

    Note: In the professional tour of Dusty the MD is the Keyboard 1 player (mainly piano) and used the Piano/Vocal/Rehearsal book during performances which has all the Keys 1 parts and all the conductor cues etc. 

    Alternatively, you may hire the Full Score (Conductor's Score) if the MD doesn't play piano.

    		$350.00 +$135.00/pm
    Script/Vocal Scores 10 Pack Shipped with (or after) Rehearsal Material. This is optional.

    10 Scripts
    10 Vocal Scores

    		 $50.00 +$50.00/pm
    Digital Perusal Material Shipped immediately. This is optional. Order Now

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

    		$10.00

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