Baby (2021 Version)

Baby (2021 Version)
Times change, but parenthood is timeless.

Updated for a new era of parenthood, Baby (2021 Version) examines the journey to parenthood from morning sickness to hormone injections to existential angst. 

Three couples on a university campus deal with the impending arrival of a baby at different stages of life. Danny and Lizzie are college students, barely at the beginning of their adult lives; thirty-somethings Nicki and Pam will do whatever it takes to conceive; Alan and Arlene are looking forward to seeing their last child graduate from college... when a night of unexpected passion lands them back where they started.

From acclaimed duo Richard Maltby, Jr. and David Shire, Baby (2021 Version) is vulnerable, funny, and tender. Requiring a small cast and minimal technical elements, this musical is accessible for any stage and relatable to any audience.

Read the authors' note on the 2021 version here.

Richard Maltby, Jr. on updating Baby for a new century

Full SynopsisMaterials and Orchestration

Concert Selections for Baby

MTI is pleased to provide the pre-approved rental materials of select songs for your symphonic concert performance. Please note, MTI is unable to grant the necessary Performance Rights with this material rental. The Performance Rights needed must be obtained separately through the individual song’s respective small rights agency such as ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC. Please email concerts@mtishows.com with any questions.

  • AT NIGHT SHE COMES HOME TO ME
    From
    Baby
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    SHIRE, DAVID
    Lyrics by
    MALTBY JR., RICHARD
    Orchestrated by
    TUNICK, JONATHAN
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Show Extraction
    Arranged for
    2 MALE VOICES
    Starting Key
    G♭
    Estimated duration
    3 min 15 sec
    Instrumentation

    1 Flute, 1 Oboe, 1 Clarinet 1, 1 Clarinet 2, 1 Bass Clarinet, 2 Trumpet 1&2, 1 Trumpet 3, 1 French horn, 1 Trombone, 17 Violin 1&2, 7 Viola, 6 Cello, 1 Guitar, 1 Electric bass, 1 Drum, 1 Keyboard 1(Piano), 1 Keyboard 2(Rhodes), 2 Piano Conductor

  • I WANT IT ALL
    From
    Baby
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    David Shire
    Lyrics by
    Richard Maltby, Jr.
    Orchestrated by
    Jonathan Tunick
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Show Extraction
    Arranged for
    3 Voices (Typically Female)
    Starting Key
    C
    Estimated duration
    4 min 09 sec
    Instrumentation
    1 Oboe, 1 English horn, 1 Clarinet 1, 1 Clarinet 2, 1 Bass clarinet, 1 Bassoon 1, 1 Bassoon 2, 1 Alto sax, 1 Tenor sax, 1 Baritone sax, 2 Trumpet 1&2, 1 Trumpet 3, 1 Horn, 1 Trombone, 17 Violin ABC, 7 Viola, 6 Cello, 1 Guitar, 1 Bass, 2 Drum(Bells, Drum set), 1 Keyboard 1(Acoustic piano), 1 Keyboard 2(Synthesizer, Rock bass w/ fuzz Organ), 2 Piano Conductor, 3 Chorus books
  • PATTERNS
    From
    Baby
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    SHIRE, DAVID
    Lyrics by
    MALTBY, RICHARD
    Orchestrated by
    TUNICK, JONATHAN
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Show Extraction
    Arranged for
    1 FEMALE VOICE
    Starting Key
    G♭
    Estimated duration
    3 min 33 sec
    Instrumentation

    1 Reed 1, 1 Reed 2, 1 Trombone, 2 Trumpet 1&2, 1 Trumpet 3, 1 Horn, 6 Cello, 17 Violin, 5 Bass, 3 Drum, 1 Guitar, 2 Piano Conductor, 1 Keyboard 1, 1 Keyboard 2

  • STORY GOES ON
    From
    Baby
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    SHIRE, DAVID
    Lyrics by
    MALTBY JR., RICHARD
    Orchestrated by
    TUNICK, JONATHAN
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Show Extraction
    Arranged for
    1 FEMALE VOICE
    Starting Key
    C
    Estimated duration
    4 min 26 sec
    Instrumentation

    1 English horn, 1 Clarinet 1, 1 Clarinet 2, 1 Bass clarinet, 1 Bassoon, 1 Alto sax, 1 Tenor sax, 1 Baritone sax, 2 Trumpet 1&2, 1 Trumpet 3, 1 Horn, 1 Trombone, 17 Violin, 7 Viola, 6 Cello, 5 Bass, 1 Guitar, 3 Drum(Crotales, Bell tree, Timp, Bell, Drum set), 1 Keyboard 1(Acoustic piano), 1 Keyboard 2(Rhodes), 2 Piano Conductor

  • TWO PEOPLE IN LOVE
    From
    Baby
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    SHIRE, DAVID
    Lyrics by
    MALTBY JR., RICHARD
    Orchestrated by
    TUNICK, JONATHAN
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Show Extraction
    Arranged for
    1 FEMALE VOICE, 1 MALE VOICE
    Starting Key
    D
    Estimated duration
    3 min 24 sec
    Instrumentation

    1 Reed 1, 1 Reed 2, 1 Reed 3, 2 Trumpet 1&2, 1 Trumpet 3, 1 Horn, 1 Trombone, 17 Violin, 6 Cello, 5 Bass, 1 Guitar, 1 Drums, 2 Keyboard 1&2, 25 Vocal, 2 Piano Conductor

Show Essentials

Book by
Sybille PearsonSybille Pearson
Music by
David ShireDavid Shire
lyrics by
Richard Maltby, Jr.Richard Maltby, Jr.
Full Billing

Songs

Opening - We Start Today

What Could Be Better

The Plaza Song

Baby Baby Baby

Transition #1 - Midterms

I Want It All

At Night She Comes To Me

Transition #2 - May

Fatherhood Blues

Romance I

I Chose Right

Transition #3

The Story Goes On

The Ladies Singing Their Song

Patterns

Transition #4 - Autumn

Romance II

Easier To Love

Romance III

I Want It All (Reprise)

Two People In Love

And What If We Had Loved Like That

With You

Finale The Story Goes On (Reprise)

Full Song List

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Similar Shows

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Starting Here, Starting Now
Maltby and Shire's Closer Than Ever

Tags

Baby 2021 Version
Contemporary Broadway
Comedy
Drama
Romance
Book Musical
Contemporary
New Releases
Small Cast Collection
Minimal Design

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Stage Write: Staging Assistant

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Questions & Answers

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By Kknipe64
February 13, 2026
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Related shows or resources: Baby (2021 Version)
Lizzie and Danny - are theatres required to use disabled actors?

As a small community theatre, I am concerned about proposing this show. Is there a restriction to cast disabled actors in these parts? Is there any guidance for portraying these characters with dignity and sincerity - how much do we need to lean into the blind and deaf aspects? Is there any way to take out the references to the disabilities completely? Thank you!

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