Written and Arranged by Chip Deffaa
This revue is a lively celebration of Irving Berlin (1888-1989), focusing on the early years of his career, when he was known as “the King of Ragtime.” The most successful individual songwriter in American history, Berlin wrote about 1500 songs. This song-driven show presents some 40 spirited musical numbers (plus commentary) from the first dozen or so years of Berlin’s long career. This revue includes the terrific songs that first put Irving Berlin on the map. Great dancing, including tap, could be an added feature to your production!
PLAY DETAILS
- 5M 5F (1b 1g 1tb 1tg 3m 3w)
- MISSY––14-16
ALEX––11-12 (tap dancer)
EMMIE ––16-17
MICHAEL––16-17
BEN––adult
SAMANTHA––adult
JESSEE––adult
BROOKE––adult
CHIP––adult
SOPHIE––adult
- MISSY––14-16
- About 2 hours
- Open Stage with props and furniture
- ORDER #3144
COMMENTS & REVIEWS
“Chip Deffaa, who wrote, arranged and directed this revue, has put together a masterpiece of musical theater…. `The Irving Berlin Ragtime Revue’ is a huge hit. It deserves to run for years.” –Thomas Robert Stevens, “Applause! Applause!”
“Chip Deffaa’s high-energy `Irving Berlin Ragtime Revue’ drew packed houses throughout its run, in its world-premiere engagement.” –Theaterscene.net
“The production floated on marvelous musical air and the 21st century… disappeared for a dreamy time warp…. Long live vaudeville!” –Rob Lester, Cabaretscenes.org
“‘The Irving Berlin Ragtime Revue’, packed with some 40 spirited numbers, drew standing-room-only houses throughout its limited engagement.” –Broadwayworld.com
“This is a show that will appeal to everyone.” –Eva Heineman, “Hi Drama”
PERUSAL MATERIALS
- A PDF PERUSAL PAGES file is available IrvingBerlinRagtimeRevuePERUSAL It contains the first half of the script.
- SONG LIST
- 1. “A SIMPLE MELODY”/”MUSICAL DEMON” (words and music by Irving Berlin, 1914)
2. “WHEN THE MIDNIGHT CHOO CHOO LEAVES FOR ALABAM’” (words and music by Irving Berlin, 1912)
3. “DAT DRAGGY RAG” (words and music by Irving Berlin, 1910)
4. “OH! THAT BEAUTIFUL RAG” (music by Ted Snyder, words by Irving Berlin, 1911)
5. “THAT MYSTERIOUS RAG” (music by Ted Snyder, words by Irving Berlin, 1911)
6. “SADIE SALOME GO HOME” (words and music by Irving Berlin and Edgar Leslie, 1909)
7. “THE INTERNATIONAL RAG” (words and music by Irving Berlin, 1913)
8. “A PRETTY GIRL IS LIKE A MELODY” (words and music by Irving Berlin, 1919)
9. “ALEXANDER’S RAGTIME BAND” (words and music by Irving Berlin, 1911)
10. “AFTER THE BALL” (words and music by Charles K. Harris, 1892)
11. “EVERYBODY’S DOING IT NOW” (words and music by Irving Berlin, 1911)
12. “EVERYTHING IN AMERICA IS RAGTIME” (words and music by Irving Berlin, 1916)
13. “THE SYNCOPATED WALK” (words and music by Irving Berlin, 1914)
14. “EVERYBODY STEP” (words and music by Irving Berlin, 1921)
15. “SCHOOLHOUSE BLUES” (words and music by Irving Berlin, 1921)
16. “I LIKE IT” (words and music by Irving Berlin, 1921)
17. “YOU’D BE SURPRISED” (words and music by Irving Berlin, 1919)
18. “I’VE GOT TO HAVE SOME LOVIN’ NOW” (Irving Berlin, 1912)
19. “STOP! STOP! STOP!” (words and music by Irving Berlin, 1910)
20. “SAY IT WITH MUSIC” (words and music by Irving Berlin, 1921)
21. “HOMESICK” (words and music by Irving Berlin, 1922)
22. “WHEN I GET BACK TO THE USA” (words and music by Irving Berlin, 1915)
23. “ I BEG YOUR PARDON DEAR OLD BROADWAY” (words and music by Irving Berlin, 1911)* * *ACT TWO:
24. “BRING ON THE PEPPER” (words and music by Irving Berlin, 1922)
25. “SMILE AND SHOW YOUR DIMPLE” (words and music by Irving Berlin, 1917)
26. “I WANT TO BE IN DIXIE” (music by Ted Snyder, words by Irving Berlin, 1912)
27. “ARABY” (words and music by Irving Berlin, 1915)
28. “I WANT TO GO BACK TO MICHIGAN” (words and music by Irving Berlin, 1914)
29. “MONTMARTE” (words and music by Irving Berlin, 1922)
30. “I’M DOWN IN HONOLULU” (words and music by Irving Berlin, 1916)
31. “THE DANCE OF THE GRIZZLY BEAR” (words by Irving Berlin, music by George Botsford, 1910)
32 “THE GIRL ON THE MAGAZINE COVER” (words and music by Irving Berlin, 1915)
32 a. “THE GIRL ON THE MAGAZINE COVER”–OPTIONAL REPRISE (words and music by Irving Berlin, 1915)
33. “WILD CHERRIES RAG” (music by Ted Snyder, words by Irving Berlin, 1909)
34. “SNOOKEY OOKUMS” (words and music by Irving Berlin, 1911)
35. “RAGTIME VIOLIN” (words and music by Irving Berlin, 1911)
36. “PIANO MAN” (music by Ted Snyder, words by Irving Berlin, 1910)
37. “WHILE THE BAND PLAYED AN AMERICAN RAG” (words and music by Irving Berlin, 1915)
38. “RAGTIME SOLDIER MAN” (words and music by Irving Berlin, 1912)
39. “SOMEONE ELSE MAY BE THERE WHILE I’M GONE” (words and music by Irving Berlin, 1917)
40. “PACK UP YOUR SINS AND GO TO THE DEVIL” words and music by Irving Berlin, 1922)
41. “EVERYTHING IN AMERICA IS RAGTIME”–FINALE REPRISE (words and music by Irving Berlin, 1916)
42. BOWS: “EVERYTHING IN AMERICA IS RAGTIME” (music by Irving Berlin, 1916)
43. ENCORE: “I LOVE A PIANO” (words and music by Irving Berlin, 1915)
44. EXIT MUSIC: “DAT DRAGGY RAG” (music by Irving Berlin, 1910)
- 1. “A SIMPLE MELODY”/”MUSICAL DEMON” (words and music by Irving Berlin, 1914)
DEMO SAMPLES (Selected from the Original Cast Album: “IRVING BERLIN: In Person”)
- You can purchase the Original Cast Album (with all 44 music tracks) on the CD purchase page HERE.
PURCHASE REHEARSAL MATERIALS:
(Any PDF purchased will be emailed to your email address — if you need to provide that to us (not the one on your PayPal account?), email us. CDs will be mailed to a snail mail address)
- Performance License Application: No production rights can be granted until this application is filled out and sent to us. This is a filler form that after you click “SUBMIT” will send directly to our email address. Response averages 2-3 business days. (Some times we are lucky and we get it the same day!)
- Script Rental in PDF format — Order #3144a : $25.00 (from which you will be authorized to copy for your production)
- Vocal Book in PDF format — NO VOCAL BOOK AVAILABLE FOR THIS PRODUCTION
- Piano-Vocal Score Rental in PDF format — Order #3144c : $40.00 (from which you will be authorized to copy for your production)
- First Performance Amateur/Educational Royalty — Order #3144d : Royalty terms quoted on application.
- Second Performance Amateur/Educational Royalty — Order #3144e : Royalty terms quoted on application.
- Professional Royalties will be quoted upon application.
- Original Cast Album on CD — Order #3144f : $15.99
PRODUCTIONS
- 13th Street Repertory Theatre, NYC — 2019
BILLING CREDITS
The following is how the credits should read in all programs, posters, fliers, handbills and other promotional advertising for the show:
THE IRVING BERLIN RAGTIME REVUE
Written and Arranged by
CHIP DEFFAA
Music and Lyrics by
IRVING BERLIN
NOTE: The names of the Playwright(s), Composer, Lyricist, and Bookwriter shall be equal in size, type, coloring, boldness, and prominence. No billing shall appear in type larger or more prominent than the billing to the Authors except for the title of the play.
ALSO:
THIS NOTICE MUST APPEAR IN ALL PROGRAMS, ON ALL POSTERS AND PUBLICITY MATERIALS AND INTERNET ADVERTISING/WEBPAGES FOR THE PLAY:
“The Irving Berlin Ragtime Revue is presented through special arrangement with Leicester Bay Theatricals. All authorized materials are also supplied by LBT, www.leicesterbaytheatricals.com”
Available from
