alphabetical author index

Curtains Young@Part®

CURTAINS Young@Part® is the authorized 65-70 minute edition of the Broadway musical for elementary and middle schools, and youth theatres. Through a series of workshops with industry professionals and actual kids, the Young@Part® musicals are tailor-made for younger actors. Song keys are changed where needed, songs and scenes are edited for time and content, while keeping the spirit of the original Broadway show intact. There are great parts for girls, boys and can feature any size ensemble/chorus, who are featured throughout the show.

Each Young@Part® title comes complete with Performance Tracks, Guide Vocal Tracks, Director's Guide, 30 Student Scripts and more with an affordable Performance Licence package.

  • Short Musical
  • Backing Tracks, Comedy, Mystery/Thriller
  • 70 minutes

  • Time Period: 1950s
  • Target Audience: Pre-Teen (Age 11 - 13), Teen (Age 14 - 18), Appropriate for all audiences

  • Performance Group:
  • Elementary School / Primary, Community Theatre, Jr High/Primary, High School/Secondary, Youth Groups
It's the brassy, bright and promising year of 1959. Boston's Colonial Theatre is host to the opening night performance of Robbin' Hood!, "a new musical of the Old West." The curtains rise on the show's merciful finale. Act Two. Scene 23.

As the valiant cast proclaims their undying affection for the Wide Open Spaces of Kansas, a sour note is sounded by the voice of faded film star Jessica Cranshaw, who can't act, can't sing, and can't dance -- not even a little. Jessica's name may be above the title, but her performance has been beneath contempt, both on-stage and off. She takes her mandatory bow in front of the cowboy-costumed company, gathers up her obligatory bouquets from a pair of tuxedoed ushers, and collapses in a heap, easily the most graceful move she's made all evening.

The cast rushes to their fallen star behind the fallen curtain and bear the unbearable Jessica off to Boston Hospital. A few hours later, on the now darkened Colonial stage, four tormented souls in evening dress search the night owl editions of the Boston morning papers for a single charitable review. The show's composer, Aaron Fox and lyricist Georgia Hendricks -- recently divorced but professionally reunited in an attempt to create musical magic where their marriage has otherwise gone flat -- find nary a quote to pull. Equally empty-handed is the show's lone financial backer Oscar Shapiro, garment district maven but theatre district novitiate. Slightly less daunted is Carmen Bernstein, co-producer (with her husband Sidney) of Robbin' Hood! The four speculate about "What Kind of Man," woman, or beast would ever choose to be a critic.

They are joined by feverishly fey director, Christopher Belling, who announces he's just given birth to a brainchild the producers must instantly adopt. To demonstrate his plan, he asks Georgia to sing Jessica Cranshaw's first ballad in the show. It's no secret to the company that Georgia has recently rekindled a past romance with leading man Bobby Pepper. Though her ex-husband may be accompanying her at the piano, Georgia is clearing thinking of Bobby as she sings "Thinking of Him."

Director Belling reveals his masterful plan: as long as Jessica Cranshaw is indisposed, her part should be filled by Georgia, a former stage performer who obviously knows the show inside and out because she is its co-creator. All approve, except ex-husband Aaron, who points out the issue is academic if Jessica Cranshaw returns to work. But the fateful news arrives: "The Woman's Dead."

An impromptu funeral ceremony in Jessica's honor is interrupted by the arrival of Homicide Lieutenant Frank Cioffi, who saw Robbin' Hood! in previews and thinks that, with the exception of the late Miss Cranshaw, the cast are all spectacular performers in one heck of a show. The Lieutenant has done some amateur theatrical work himself, and is shocked as Carmen Bernstein to learn that the cast does not feel the show must go on. He and Carmen must remind the company that they are part of a special breed known as "Show People." 

With their faith in themselves and Robbin' Hood! renewed, the cast prepares to leave for the night when Cioffi explains that they can't. Since an autopsy has revealed that Jessica Cranshaw swallowed poison pellets in the last minutes of the show, during which time she never left the stage, it's clear she was murdered by a member of the company. Cioffi feels the surest way to solve the crime will be to keep the entire cast of suspicious characters sequestered in the theatre.

Sidney Bernsetin, the show's senior producing partner (and Carmen's philandering lesser half) arrives from New York -- or at least that's where he claims to have been at the time of the murder. Cioffi is left alone with local neophyte actress Niki Harris, who understudied Jessica Cranshaw but is now covering for Georgia. The police detective is clearly smitten with Niki's winsome charm and confides in her about his investigation. They learn that they are both married... to their respective careers, which in Cioffi's case has resulted in a life of lunch counter mornings and "Coffee Shop Nights."

The next day, as Georgia struggles to regain her show biz sea legs, Carmen and Sidney Bernstein invite Boston Globe senior drama critic Daryl Grady to pay them a visit, much to his bewilderment, since his review of the show found precious little to praise. The producers ask Grady to re-review their musical with its new lead, but the best he can offer is to appraise the next evening's re-opening.

With Grady's challenge accepted, Chris Belling prepares to restage a particularly troublesome number, entitled "In the Same Boat." Cioffi is startled to hear himself suggest that the problem might lie in the song itself, and the director is surprised to hear himself agree. Composer Aaron Fox is urged to concoct a different number for the same slot in the show, minus the assistance of his ex-wife who, owing to her frantic rehearsal schedule, has now become his ex-writing partner as well. In private with Lieutenant Cioffi, the composer makes a most unexpected confession, "I Miss the Music." Any doubt that Georgia could hold the stage is happily dispelled by the dress rehearsal of the big saloon hall number "Thataway!" But as the Act One descends, murder rises to the occasion, and a key member of the company is forced to face "The Big Blackout."

The second act begins with the updated medical status of the most recent victim: "The Man is Dead." Curtains rise upon a makeshift dormitory on the Colonial's stage, as things go bump in the night and the company, in varying stages of dress and undress, point fingers of suspicion at each other, puzzling over whether She or "He Did It." 

Cioffi arrives with a grim report from the coroner and even graver concerns about the show's rapidly approaching deadline. Aaron previews his best effort at "In the Same Boat #2" but the zealous Cioffi sends it back to the drawing board once again, while urging that star Bobby Pepper be added to the Fort Henderson square dance. This prompts Bambi, an aspiring chorine and also Carmen's daughter, to plead for a pas de deuc ("for two") for herself and Bobby, as a spotlight moment in the number.

Carmen reluctantly gives Bambi her chance, although she reminds her that a hard-nosed producer watches the box office, not the stage, and in commercial theatre, the bottom line is: "It's a Business." Much to Carmen's surprise, Bambi shines in the rehearsal of the restaged Kansasland. But even as Bambi gets her big shot, Bobby Pepper gets his, from a gun offstage. Or was someone else the target?

Cioffi's craft as a detective takes center stage as he traces the bullet's torturous path. He is also able to solve the mystery of why Aaron Fox and Georgia Hendricks were so anxious to work on Robbin' Hood! as the former husband and wife team discover ample reason to renew their vows ("Thinking of Him/I Miss the Music (reprise)").

With the spotlight suddenly on romance, Cioffi's magnifying glass focuses on the ingénue who's too-goo-to-be-true. In his wildest dreams, instead of tracking footprints, he's be trading steps with Niki up a theatrical stairway, making moves that even Fred and Ginger would find "A Tough Act to Follow." But in the realm of homicide, the blink of an eye can turn daydream into nightmare, as Cioffi realizes that Niki is carrying a secret, one she has shared with stage manager Johnny Harmon. Johnny's lips remain sealed -- and the killer hopes to keep them that way forever.

Cioffi's investigation takes him high above the stage and, hearing the chorus below as they rehearse "In the Same Boar #3," he hits upon a solution to some (if not all) the production's problems, in a melodic amalgam that finally sees "In the Same Boat Completed."

With that immense puzzle solved to the company's satisfaction, Cioffi has merely to piece together the clues he's gathered, correctly unmask the killer, save the life of he murderer's next intended victim, render the fiend harmless, make sense of a troubling telltale observation, and find a new finale for the show. In doing so, Carmen Bernstein gives Cioffi the highest praise he could ever hope to receive: he is truly one of those "Show People" who understands why the show must go on. The revamped "Wide Open Spaces Finale" may be "A Tough Act to Follow (reprise)," but for Lieutenant Frank Cioffi, the curtain is just about to rise on the greatest joy of his life.

Premiere Production: Young@Part® Edition originally produced at Broadway Workshop in New York City.
  • Casting: 10M, 6F
  • Casting Notes: The role of JOHNNY HARMON can be played by a woman using the name JENNY HARMON, with all the same character traits as described. It is not recommended that any other roles described above be played by the opposite gender, as it would be contrary to the dynamics of the mystery, the comedy, and the period.

  • LIEUTENANT FRANK CIOFFI - Sweetly endearing local Boston detective who idolizes the world of musical theatre and has reveled in the thrill of performing in community theatre. Called upon to solve the murder of the star of Robbin' Hood (a musical intended for Broadway that is currently out of town in Boston), Cioffi is very good at his job and, lamentably, married to his work. He is instantly smitten with ingénue Niki Harris. The undisputed central character of the musical. Required deft and charming comedy, good singing, solid dancing in one extended "Fred and Ginger" number.
  • NIKI HARRIS - Pretty, almost too innocent ingénue, a local performer in a small role hoping Robbin' Hood will be the Boston production that at last takes her to Broadway. Love interest for Lieutenant Cioffi, apparently reciprocated. Requires a legit soprano and strong dancing in an extended "Fred and Ginger" number.
  • GEORGIA HENDRICKS - Female half of our show-within-a-show's songwriting team on the lyric-writing side. Ends up taking on the leading lady role. Must sing and dance extremely well.
  • CARMEN BERNSTEIN - Brash and brassy Broadway producer. Terrific comedic actress with a belt.
  • AARON FOX - The composer of the show-within-the-show. His songwriting partner, Georgia, is also his wife, from whom he's separated but for whom he still pines. He's a handsome, intense, somewhat tortured artist-type. Requires a strong vocalist with comedy.
  • SIDNEY BERNSTEIN - The always-angry, sleazy, philandering producer of the out-of-town flop. Sidney is rough around the edges and completely self-serving. Requires a cartoon-like character actor who is funny on arrival. No singing required.
  • BELLING - English director. Very camp. Very droll. Noel Coward meets Addison DeWitt meets Clifton Webb. Requires a superb comic actor. *May be cast Male or Female.
  • BAMBI "BERNÉT" - Performer in the chorus, daughter of Carmen, step-daughter of Sidney. Genuinely brassy and artificially blonde. Hungry to work her way out of the chorus; many think she was only hired because of her mother. She surprises everyone, however, when she shows genuine dancing and singing talent when at last called upon. Requires great dancing, strong "Street-smart dumb blonde" comedy, and singing.
  • OSCAR SHAPIRO - From the garment district and sole investor in Robbin' Hood. A likeably gruff man who knows nothing about theatre and frets over every dime of his that's spent. Requires good "rough around the edges" comedy and singing.
  • BOBBY PEPPER - The Gene Kelly of Robbin' Hood, it's choreographer and male star, and a handsome rival to Aaron for Georgia's affection. Requires strong dancing, singing, comedy.
  • DARYL GRADY - Caustic and smug theatre critic for the local Boston newspaper. Patronizingly pompous, enjoys using his power to make or break shows during their Boston tryouts. Does not require strong singing or dancing.
  • JOHNNY HARMON - Stage Manager of the show-within-the-show, and both drill sergeant and mother hen to the cast. Barks orders but has a pleasant side as well, he keeps the company in line and on their toes throughout the rehearsal process. Comic actor who can sing.
  • JESSICA CRANSHAW - Faded Hollywood star, a grand diva with no right to be one, and a plague to the show-within-the-show and to her cast. An absolutely dreadful singer and inept actress who stars in the show-within-a-show and gets murdered on its opening night in Boston. Must be skillful enough to sing hilariously out-of-tune and ineptly, and adroit enough to dance perfectly out of step with the rest of the cast. Appears only in the first minutes of the musical; on Broadway, this performer then adopted a different look and became part of the ensemble.
  • RANDY DEXTER - A member of the singing & dancing ensemble featured in "Kansasland," pleasant but with a sensitive side.
  • HARV FREMONT - A member of the singing & dancing ensemble who bears a bouquet.
  • ROBERTA WOOSTER - A member of the singing & dancing ensemble who speaks from experience.
  • ENSEMBLE
  • Name Price
    Digital Perusal Material Shipped immediately. This is optional. Order Now

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

    $10.00
    Rehearsal Material Shipped upon receipt of a signed License Agreement and full payment of all invoices. This must be hired as a condition of the License to produce this show.

    Each Young@Part® title comes complete with:

    Performance Tracks
    Guide Vocal Tracks
    Director's Guide
    30 x Student Scripts/Vocal Books
    2 x Piano-Vocal Scores

    Additional materials can be ordered if required.

    $895.00