Tenderloin
A crusading minister attempts to shut down the notorious red-light district on the West Side of Manhattan.
Show Essentials
13
Roles
+ Ensemble
PG
Rated
2
Acts

Full Synopsis

Act One

It is the turn of the twentieth century in New York City's infamous Tenderloin district, where everyone's livelihood depends on an economy of sin. The rich men pay the call girls. The call girls pay off the police. The police are in cahoots with Tommy Howatt, a slick and ambitious young reporter who will do anything to climb the ladder of success. But there's one person who threatens to ruin it for everyone: the pious Reverend Brock, whose fervent crusade to shut down the Tenderloin has ignited a furor from the district's resident sinners. Nita and her fellow call girls, in particular, can't understand why this Reverend Brock can't just mind his own business and let everyone else mind theirs ("Little Old New York").

Tommy Howatt comes out of a Parish House arguing with Jessica, the Parish clerk. She has denied him an interview with the Reverend. Along comes the beautiful society girl, Laura Crosbie, followed by her elegant young suitor, Ellington Dupont Smythe, the Second. When Tommy learns that Laura is a member of the church choir, he dupes Jessica into letting him enter the church by telling her that he would also like to sing in the choir.

Inside of the Parish House, Laura's Uncle Purdy, an elderly, well-dressed businessman, sits with the nouveau-riche country bumpkin, Joe Kovack, who's recently found coal on his farmland. Rev. Brock enters, and the two men hesitantly tell him that some of his parishioners don't agree with his attack on the Tenderloin. Martin, the choirmaster, joins them to deliver a similar plea on behalf of the ladies auxiliary, who would like Brock to give more traditional sermons. The men leave, and Brock sits alone, frustrated that his church wishes to remain ignorant of the sin that surrounds them. He resolves that he must continue his crusade full force – every day of the week ("Dr. Brock").

Jessica escorts Tommy into the church. She goes to find Martin, leaving Tommy alone with Laura. He tries to schmooze her into getting him an interview with Brock, finding himself attracted to her. Copying Ellington, he introduces himself as Thomas Howatt... the Second. She's on to his ploys, but seems a bit charmed in spite of herself. Jessica enters with Martin, who sizes up Tommy and determines that he's not fit for the church choir. Tommy, who makes some cash by singing in a club in the Tenderloin, gets an idea. He opens the door to Brock's office the tiniest bit and lures Brock out with his fantastic singing ("Artificial Flowers"). Brock calls for Martin and orders him to use Tommy in the choir. Tommy tells Brock that he heard his inspiring sermon last week and would like to help him with his cause by informing him about the goings-on to which he's privy, from his job as a reporter at The Tatler. Although they're each suspicious of the other, they share a certain stealthy ambition ("What's in It for You?").

At the Nineteenth Precinct Police Station, Tommy waits to speak to Lieutenant Schmidt. The Precinct is full of a rag-tag group of prostitutes and drunks. Tommy warns Schmidt that Reverend Brock is on his way to the police station to have it out with him. It seems as though Tommy is something of a double-agent. The Sergeant spots Rev. Brock outside, hitching up his horse, and pandemonium erupts as Schmidt orders all of the derelicts out of the room. By the time Rev. Brock enters, all is quiet, and Schmidt feigns surprise at Brock's visit. Brock reports lascivious behavior at Spanish Anna's, one of the Tenderloin's most active bordellos, suggesting that Schmidt and his men investigate. Schmidt pulls the wool over Brock's eyes, insisting that he's never heard of such a thing going on in his precinct and promising to come down hard on any immoral behavior. Brock exits, and Tommy comes back in, having proven himself of great worth to the Lieutenant. Gertie, a young prostitute, and a couple of her friends spot Rev. Brock on the street. The girls mock his useless attempts to change the Tenderloin ("Reform").

On the other side of town, Laura and Jessica sit in the parlor of Laura's posh Fifth-Avenue home. Jessica reads aloud to Laura about Lieutenant Schmidt's raid on Spanish Anna's. Purdy enters, disgusted that the girls are bothering themselves with such filth. He's disgusted by Brock's campaign against sin and all of the lowlives that it seems to be stirring up and bringing out into the open. He's particularly disgusted with Tommy Howatt. Laura protests, insisting that Tommy is not the ruffian that her uncles believe him to be. She informs him that she has invited Tommy over that very afternoon. When Tommy arrives, Jessica goes to fetch some tea, leaving Laura alone with Tommy's exaggerated stories and obvious advances. Laura finally blows a fuse when Tommy reads to her a poem by Lord Byron that he claims to have written himself... just for her. Laura pleads for him just to be himself, but when Tommy leaves, Laura recognizes that she is not being herself, either; her calm is a façade to hide the growing excitement that she feels for this crude young gent ("Tommy, Tommy").

That evening at Clark's tavern, Detective Frye conducts a horse race with two prostitutes mounted on the shoulders of two male customers. The rest of the rowdy patrons look on, laughing and cheering. Joe Kovack enters nervously but befriends Nita with a twenty-dollar bill. The two sit and chat over champagne. Tommy walks, in late for his call, and goes right up onstage to sing a number for the bar ("The Picture of Happiness"). Joe recognizes Tommy from singing at the church. Nita thinks this is a hoot and shoos Joe away to find out what Tommy is up to. Old, gentle Joe protests; it appears that he's very quickly become attached to Nita, but she tells him to get lost, pushing him into a booth with Gertie. Tommy tells Nita all about how he's double-crossing both the police and Rev. Brock. Later that night, a very drunk Joe Kovack is escorted out of Clark's by a cop.

Early the next afternoon, Purdy sits on a beach dourly reading The Wall Street Journal as his niece, Laura, enjoys the sun with Jessica and some girlfriends. Purdy begin to argue with Brock about the Tenderloin, but Brock cuts him off, insisting that it's much too nice of a day to bother themselves with their differences ("Dear Friend"). Tommy joins the group, and he and Laura spend some time taking pictures of each other and wrestling playfully. Joe then enters, distraught. He admits to his night out and his subsequent trip to jail. He also tells Brock that he overheard some guys in jail talking about how Lieutenant Schmidt had fooled Brock with a fake raid on Spanish Anna's bordello. Brock confirms the story with Tommy. With a new resolve to take down the Tenderloin, Brock enlists Tommy and a group of stalwart young men to join his now explosively fanatical crusade. He plans to infiltrate the houses of ill repute disguised as patrons and collect evidence. He will then give the evidence to state and city officials, who will have no choice but to close down the Tenderloin for good. With God on his side, Brock rallies the spirits of his men ("The Army of the Just").

That night at Clark's, the usual party rages on. Joe enters and approaches Nita. He admits that he's fallen in love with her. However, he knows better than to get mixed up with a woman who makes her living by giving men "special attention." He's planning to go away for awhile, until he gets over it, but not before he can give her a small present. Nita opens the package to reveal a huge diamond ring. Joe tells her that he has recently become a millionaire. His thinking is: if she ever gets into a jam, she can sell the ring. He begins to bid her farewell, but she asks him to come back to see her tomorrow. Joe sees Brock and his men enter Clark's and shimmies out on his hands and knees to avoid being spotted.

Brock and his army make their way around the joint, pretending to be customers; they take notes on the depravity that they're witnessing. One thing leads to another, and Brock finds himself in a wild game of leapfrog with a group of women. He takes notes all the while. Nita is still aglow from scoring a millionaire. She and the group reflect on how easily money changes hands in the Tenderloin ("Money Changes Hands"). At the end of the night, Brock and his crew have enough evidence to take down the Tenderloin.

Act Two

A few days later, Purdy wanders through Central Park, searching for Laura, when he happens upon Joe, who is dejected by his impossible love for Nita. Brock and Martin, in the midst of a grave conversation, approach. They stop to discuss the details of Brock's latest sermon denouncing the Tenderloin in light of the raucous behavior that they witnessed at Clark's. Mrs. Barker, an older church lady, invites Brock to join her group of friends for a game of spoons, but he refrains. Just then, Jessica runs in, breathless – Lieutenant Schmidt is looking for Brock. She's concerned that something bad is about to happen, but Brock takes this to mean that the Governor has taken action on the Tenderloin, and the cops have come to beg for mercy. Delighted, he takes Mrs. Barker up on her offer, after all ("Good Clean Fun").

Tommy and Laura enter the park together. Laura reveals that her uncle believes that Tommy makes his money by gambling. Obliged to conceal his true source of income, Tommy pretends that he is, in fact, a gambler and that he always wins on account of a lucky picture that he keeps of Rev. Brock. Purdy wants Laura to stop seeing Tommy, but she refuses. Tommy's levity, whether of truth or fabrication, seems to lift her spirits, and Tommy takes her in his arms to dance ("My Miss Mary").

Meanwhile, Schmidt arrives to confront Brock about his crusade. Schmidt tells Brock that he doesn't like the bordellos any more than Brock does, but he's reconciled that the sin in the city is what keeps both him and Brock in business. Schmidt argues that shutting down the Tenderloin won't clear the city of sin. Meanwhile, Brock has alienated his congregation, and Schmidt faces losing his job. Schmidt becomes infuriated when Brock won't listen.

At Clark's, the girls lament the loss of business. Nita scoffs at Gertie for dreaming of finding love, but inside, she laments losing Joe ("My Gentle Young Johnny"). Just then, Joe enters. He tries to pay, but Nita refuses the money, telling Joe how she's missed him. Impulsively, Joe asks Nita to marry him, and when she accepts, the girls erupt in a giddy celebration ("The Picture of Happiness – Reprise"). Tommy arrives, and Schmidt asks him about his lucky picture of Rev. Brock. As Schmidt and Deacon examine the picture, it's clear that they have a scheme brewing.

Days later, Jessica, Laura, Joe and Purdy find themselves reading scandalous news of Rev. Brock philandering in the Tenderloin – the proof is a doctored photo of him with two women ("The Trial"). That night, Clark's is ablaze with celebration as Frye gives the girls the perfect imitation of Brock and his failed crusade. Meanwhile, at the Parish House, Brock sits alone, solemnly reading The Bible. Tommy comes in to apologize for the way that things have turned out. Regardless of Brock's impractical idealism, Tommy has come to value the Reverend. As Brock insists that he still believes that people are fundamentally good, Tommy rushes out in a swell of guilt for giving Schmidt the photograph.

Back in court the next day, Brock sits on trial as the chairman interrogates him about the picture. Finally, Tommy stands up and admits that the picture is fake. Schmidt roars at him, but Tommy presses on, exposing the entire truth. Brock is satisfied that Schmidt's evil-doing will at last close the Tenderloin.

Schmidt and Frye patrol a dead-quiet street. They've got a hitman looking for Tommy, because all of the establishments of the Tenderloin have closed and all of their business has dried up. Schmidt is sickened by the sight of a group of girls with their bags packed. They're heading west to find work elsewhere – they assume that they shouldn't have any trouble; all men are depraved ("Little Old New York – Reprise").

Vindicated, Brock relaxes at the Parish house with Laura, Jessica and Joe. Purdy comes in with news from the Church Elders. It appears that although they appreciate Brock's determination and regret the scandal that he endured, they feel that all of the turmoil has destroyed the character of their church. They ask him to step down. Brock, now an exile, stands in shock as Tommy, likewise an exile, enters to wish Laura farewell. He is going to start over in Denver ("Tommy, Tommy – Reprise"). Tommy bids Brock goodbye, and the Revered thanks the young man for giving him back his name.

In Detroit, Brock addresses his new congregation. He has already begun to plot a new crusade against sin. This place is no different from the Tenderloin, and as Brock continues with his tirade, he is slowly drowned out by the sounds of prostitutes, bums, liquor, dancing, cops, ambitious journalists and zealous old preachers colluding in a new, but strangely familiar refrain ("Little Old Detroit").

Casting
← Back to Tenderloin
Cast Size: Flexible Cast Size
Cast Type: Ensemble Cast
Dance Requirements: Standard

Character Breakdown

Deacon
A seedy old man hired by Tommy to take pictures. He is willing to do anything for greed and lacks a moral conscience.
Gender: male
Age: 50 to 70
Ellington Dupont Smythe The Second
Laura's elegant suitor. Wealthy, proper, and rather dull.
Gender: male
Age: 20 to 30
Frye
A plains clothes detective and a regular at Clark's Tavern in the Tenderloin. Corrupt, jovial, and a little daft.
Gender: male
Age: 30 to 50
Vocal range top: G4
Vocal range bottom: D#3
Gertie
A dreamy and vivacious prostitute. She flaunts her flirty nature to make a lot of money.
Gender: female
Age: 18 to 30
Vocal range top: C5
Vocal range bottom: Ab3
Jessica Havemeyer
Laura's friend and the clerk at the church Parish House. Book-smart, skittish, meek.
Gender: female
Age: 18 to 30
Vocal range top: F5
Vocal range bottom: B3
Joe Kovack
The farmer who has made an instant fortune by discovering cole on his farm. A frequent church-goer, he is haunted by his trip to the Tenderloin. He falls for Nita.
Gender: male
Age: 30 to 50
Vocal range top: E4
Vocal range bottom: F#3
Laura Crosbie
A pretty, smart society girl. She falls for Tommy against her better judgement and her wealthy uncle's protests.
Gender: female
Age: 18 to 30
Vocal range top: E5
Vocal range bottom: B3
Martin
The church choirmaster. Rigid and prudish, he disapproves of Tommy's antics in the choir.
Gender: male
Age: 30 to 60
Vocal range top: B3
Vocal range bottom: B2
Nita
The sassy, earthy immigrant beauty of the Tenderloin. She dreams of leaving prostitution and finds her way out when she falls in love with Joe Kovack.
Gender: female
Age: 30 to 40
Vocal range top: C#5
Vocal range bottom: E3
Purdy
A prosperous businessman and rigid follower of Reverend Brock, he looks down on any sinful activities and unkempt individuals. Laura's wealthy uncle.
Gender: male
Age: 50 to 65
Vocal range top: E4
Vocal range bottom: G#3
Reverend Brock
A pious and idealistic old preacher. His undying ambition to bring down the Tenderloin creates a wave of scandal in every corner of the city. He believes all people are naturally good, which makes him one of Tom's closest companions.
Gender: male
Age: 60 to 70
Vocal range top: F4
Vocal range bottom: B2
Schmidt
The corrupt police lieutenant. He understands that the city is dependent upon its underground dealings. A somewhat slimy character who plays the stern role in the company of certain men.
Gender: male
Age: 40 to 60
Tommy Howatt
A slick and ambitious reporter. He is determined, ruthless, and will do anything to climb the ladder of success. He craftily navigates between a singing career in the Tenderloin, a friendship with Reverend Brock, and a budding relationship with Laura.
Gender: male
Age: 18 to 30
Vocal range top: A4
Vocal range bottom: G2
Ensemble
Derelicts; Prostitutes (Pearl, Maggie, Nellie, Liz, Margie); Drunks; Pickpockets; Stalwarts; Cops
Full Song List
Tenderloin: Overture
Tenderloin: Prologue
Tenderloin: Little Old New York
Tenderloin: Dr. Brock
Tenderloin: Artificial Flowers
Tenderloin: What's In It For You?
Tenderloin: Reform
Tenderloin: Tommy, Tommy
Tenderloin: Picture Of Happiness
Tenderloin: My Miss Mary - Acapella
Tenderloin: Dear Friend
Tenderloin: The Army Of The Just
Tenderloin: The Money Changes Hands
Tenderloin: Good Clean Fun
Tenderloin: My Gentle Young Johnny
Tenderloin: The Trial
Tenderloin: Epilogue

Show History

Inspiration

Tenderloin features a book by George Abbott and Jerome Wediman, music by Jerry Bock and lyrics by Sheldon Harnick.  It is based on the novel of the same name by Samuel Hopkins Adams, which depicts a minister's crusade to "clean up" a slum in New York City, and a seedy reporter who plans to use the movement for his own personal gain.

Productions

After six previews, Tenderloin premiered on Broadway on October 17, 1960.  It played at the 46th Street Theatre, now known as the Richard Rodgers Theatre, and featured direction from bookwriter George Abbott and choreography from Joseph Layton (Once upon a Mattress, The Sound of Music).  The production ran for 216 performances.

In March 2000, Tenderloin returned to New York as a part of the New York City Center's "Encores!" series.  Walter Bobbie (A Grand Night for Singing) directed, while Rob Ashford (Thoroughly Modern Millie, The Wedding Singer) choreographed.  More recently, the musical concluded the "Musicals in Mufti" series celebrating lyricist Sheldon Harnick with a brief stint at the York Theatre Company from March 7-9, 2014.

Cultural Influence

  • Musician Bobby Darin covered the song, "Artificial Flowers," which reached #20 on the Billboard charts.

Trivia

  • The original Broadway production of Tenderloin was nominated for three Tony Awards in 1961.
  • Celebrities who have performed in Tenderloin include: Maurice Evans (Reverend Brock), Ron Husmann (Tommy), David Ogden Stiers (Reverend Brock), Patrick Wilson (Tommy), Sarah Uriatre Berry (Laura), Jennifer Cody, Mark Jacoby, Max von Essen and Katie Rose Clarke.

Critical Reaction

"A whopper of a musical"
– World-Telegram & Sun

"Bittersweet without the bitter... the score has a great deal of the sophisticated charm that is characteristic of the composer and lyricist, whose gift for time-specific musical spirit is apparently in numbers like the winking, over-sentimental ballad 'Artificial Flowers' and the ragtime-ish production number 'Little Old New York.'"
– The New York Times

"[The score] pays wonderful tribute to the show s Gilded Age milieu."
– Variety

Tony® Award

1961 - Costume Designer, Musical, Nominee (Cecil Beaton)
1961 - Musical Actor, Nominee (Maurice Evans)
1961 - Musical Actor -- Supporting, Nominee (Ron Husmann)
1961 - Best Actor in a Musical, Nominee (Maurice Evans)
1961 - Best Featured Actor in a Musical, Nominee (Ron Husmann)
1961 - Best Costume Design, Nominee (Cecil Beaton)

Theater World Award

1961 - Best Debut Performance, Winner (Ron Husmann)

Connect

Playbill Vault
Broadway World (York Theatre Company Revival)

Billing

Based on the novel by Samuel Hopkins Adams

Requirements

You must give the authors/creators billing credits, as specified in the Production Contract, in a conspicuous manner on the first page of credits in all programs and on houseboards, displays and in all other advertising announcements of any kind.
Percentages listed indicate required type size in relation to title size.
TENDERLOIN
based on the novel by Samuel Hopkins Adams
 
Book by
GEORGE ABBOTT and JEROME WEIDMAN
 
Music by
JERRY BOCK
 
Lyrics by
SHELDON HARNICK
 
Original production presented by Robert E. Griffith and Harold S. Prince
 
"The names of the authors 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. The name of Samuel Hopkins Adams shall be in size and type at least two-thirds of that given to George Abbott and Jerome Weidman."

Video Warning

In accordance with the Performance License, you MUST include the following warning in all programs and in a pre-show announcement:

ANY VIDEO AND/OR AUDIO RECORDING OF THIS PRODUCTION IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.

Included Materials

ItemQuantity Included
LIBRETTO/VOCAL BOOK35
PIANO CONDUCTOR'S SCORE2

Production Resources

Resource
HOW DOES THE SHOW GO ON-10/CS
HOW DOES THE SHOW GO ON?
REFERENCE RECORDING

STANDARD ORCHESTRATION

InstrumentationDoubling
BASS
CELLO
GUITAR
HARP
HORN
KEYBOARD 1CELESTE , ORGAN , PIANO
PERCUSSIONCOWBELL , GLOCKENSPIEL , GONG , KIT , SLIDE WHISTLE , TAMBOURINE , TEMPLE BLOCKS , TRIANGLE , TYMPANI , WOOD BLOCK , XYLOPHONE
REED 1ALTO FLUTE , CLARINET , FLUTE , PICCOLO
REED 2ALTO FLUTE , Bb CLARINET , BASS CLARINET , Eb CLARINET , FLUTE
REED 3CLARINET , ENGLISH HORN , FLUTE , OBOE , TENOR SAXOPHONE
REED 4BARITONE SAXOPHONE , BASS CLARINET , BASSOON , CLARINET
TROMBONE
TROMBONE 2
TRUMPET
VIOLA
VIOLIN