TIN PAN ALI
Music by David Nield, book and lyrics by Jeremy James Taylor
It's the familiar story of Ali Baba, the Arabian peasant whose discovery of a magic cave containing a trove of stolen riches leads to wealth and relentless pursuit by a band of forty thieves, except now the setting is Prohibition-era Chicago, our hero is a street sweeper, and the thieves are a bunch of inept gangsters – a tuneful, charming, inspired adaptation of an old chestnut.
SYNOPSIS
Princess Scheherazade is telling the one thousand and first tale to the Sultan - the story of Ali Baba, set in 1930's Chicago. Ali Baba, a street-sweeper, sees some gangsters dump a haul of jewels in a warehouse manned by Sesame. Ali steals the loot and takes it home to his girlfriend, Morgiana. The thieves discover Kassim, Ali Baba's brother, grabbing his share, and, led by Carooni, they search for Ali Baba, disguising themselves as street-sweepers. Just as they think they have caught him, they are outwitted by Morgiana. The ending is happy for everyone as Carooni is unmasked as Oscar, Ali Baba's father, and is reunited with his mother Fatimoma. Combining a witty script with a brilliant score, this show was highly acclaimed in its London and Edinburgh performances.
Principals: 6 female, 10 male
- Princess Scheherazade
- The Sultan
- The Executioner
- Ali Baba
- Morgiana
- Minnie 'Fatimoma' Baba
- Billie Baba
- Tootsie Baba
- Owls Baba
- Claude Baba
- Kassim Baba
- Grandma Emily Baba
- Grandpa Zachariah Baba
- Sesame
- Oscar Haroun Al Carooni
- Freddie the Fiddler
- Kneecaps
- Hunky
- Jem
- Legs
- Buster
- Micky
- Periscope pete
- Prince tiny
- Small fry
- Big ears
- Skinny
- Blue eyes
- Four eyes
- Smiler
- Doll the moll
SMALLER / ENSEMBLE CHARACTERS Charlie Risenshine, Cuddles, Joey, Lubin, Blind Beggar, Cop 1, Cop 2, Six Party Guests, Two Solo Voices, Waiter, Champagne Cheryl, Elmer, Large Lady, Shapely Girl, Bloated Business Man, Chorus Of Theives, Street Vendors And Party Guests
MUSICAL NUMBERS
- Ali Baba Doupa - Ali Baba, Street Vendors
- We Are Carooni's Boys - Thieves
- Start The Action - Carooni, Thieves
- Maybe I Can - Ali Baba
- The Pride Of Old Chicago Town - Ali Baba, Fatimoma, Baba Family
- What Really Matters Most Is You - Ali Baba, Morgiana
- Sesame, Sesame - Ali Baba, Sesame
- Oh Yeah! - Carooni, Doll
- The Dust Cart Rag - Ali Baba, Morgiana, Thieves
- Move Along
- The Dancing Song - Ali Baba, Fatimoma, Grandma, Party Guests
- For She's A Jolly Good Fellow - Company
- Sesame's Song - Ali Baba, Morgiana
- The Conga - Company
- The Repercussion Boogie Blues - Company
Music that would appeal to any generation. - The Daily Telegraph
"Children's Theatre at its best." - Times Educations Supplement
Instrumentation:
- Reed I (soprano sax, alto sax, opt. baritone sax, clarinet), Reed II
(alto sax, clarinet), Reed III (tenor sax, clarinet, bass clarinet),
Reed IV (tenor sax, clarinet, flute), 3 trumpets, 2 trombones, piano,
bass
Recording: Cassette available on sale from Josef Weinberger |