SHOUT! The Mod Musical
This mod musical brings back the beautiful birds and smashing sounds that made England swing in the '60s.
Show Essentials
5
Roles
PG
Rated
1
Act

Full Synopsis

Lights up on five young women in London, England, during the swinging 1960s. They are swept up in the enthusiasm of the city and the era, looking for excitement around every corner ("Shout Opening: England Swings / Round Every Corner / I Know a Place"). The women are all subscribers to the fictional Shout! magazine, which identifies them with colors based on their personalities. Orange is domestic and maternal... completely content and in denial; Red is an exciting blend of youthful contradictions; Blue has poise and beauty... and no friends; Green is a bit wild; Yellow is driven by her emotions... otherwise known as American. Although they are all very different, they have one thing in common – they're looking for love ("Talk about Love").

Shout!'s advice columnist, Gwendolyn Holmes, answers the women's letters. Orange asks if she should rush into marriage, and Gwendolyn tells her that it is never a mistake to get married. Orange only has eyes for her new man, Miles, and she wants to make sure that everyone knows it ("I Only Want to Be with You / Tell the Boys").

The 1964 edition of Shout! comes out, and the women gab about their new fashion choices, which are chic but not quite functional. Red writes to Gwendolyn Holmes, explaining that she is not traditionally pretty, and asks if she should be suspect of her new beau's affection. Gwendolyn sends her to a beauty salon. The women wonder how you know if a guy is in to you and strategize how to get their men ("How Can You Tell / Wishin' and Hopin'").

An advertisement for the skin product, Ectocil, which pushes dead skin cells right off of your face, transitions us to outside of Paul McCartney's house. Yellow is waiting in the bushes for him to emerge; she's come all the way from Ohio. When he brings out the trash, other women who are also hiding in the bushes, rush toward his garbage. Yellow, however, manages to wrestle away his comb ("One Two Three / Paul McCartney's Comb / To Sir with Love"). Then, Green enters and explains her many tactics for breaking up with men.

We now see Orange, waiting for her husband to come home for their second wedding anniversary. She remembers their time together fondly, until it becomes clear that Miles is stuck at the office again ("Wives and Lovers – My Handsome Prince"). Blue, meanwhile, performs a song and dance number that expresses her malaise for her many suitors ("Don't Sleep in the Subway").

The Shout! 1965 is released with a new round of advice and gossip tidbits. An ad comes on for the pill, advising the women of this new miracle drug and its long list of unpleasant side effects.*

Yellow takes to the stage to explain how the only man who could ever reach her was Billy Ray, a preacher's son ("Son of a Preacher Man"). The magazine then has a section that addresses the "devil's weed," or the truth about marijuana. The women promptly smoke up and go on a titillating trip.**

This leads the women into a rumination on the man with the pleasing, but also freezing, touch ("Goldfinger").

Next, the 1966 edition of Shout! comes out with even more news and advice. Orange has become even more frustrated with Miles, whom she implores to stay close to her, even if he isn't as affectionate as he once was ("You Don't Have to Say You Love Me"). Green writes to Gwendolyn about breaking up with her boyfriend because he was bad in bed, but Gwendolyn advises her that carnal joys are less important for women, and tells her to go to Harrod's. However, times are changing, and the women are not satisfied with old ideas ("Winds of Change Medley").

The years begin to fly by. In 1967, Red tries to impress her boyfriend by singing in a talent contest, but she makes a fool of herself and forgets the words; her boyfriend is nevertheless impressed. In 1968, Paul McCartney is getting married, and Yellow is devastated ("I Just Don't Know What to Do"). The girls check out their horoscopes ("Fashion Show – Sign of the Times"). They transition into an empowered decision to kick out an old flame ("These Boots Are Made for Walking").

Blue writes to Gwendolyn Holmes, explaining that she doesn't feel sparks with her new beau. Holmes offers no substantial help. The women all take a test to find out of their man is the right one for them, and it turns out that Blue's secret desire is Penelope! Green also makes a shocking discovery about her secret desire: it's just one man! ("I Couldn't Live without Your Love"). Yellow then writes to Gwendolyn about her recent marriage and how her husband hits her. Gwendolyn advises Yellow to see a marriage counselor instead of leaving. Blue deals with her revelation and is joined by Orange ("You're My World / All I See Is You").

As the 1970s begin, Red enters as a hippie. She is soon joined by the other women, all dressed in '70s garb ("Those Were the Days"). Orange writes an empowered note to Gwendolyn, telling her that she's been giving her terrible advice and that her way of seeing the world is dead; Gwendolyn implodes, and her column is discontinued. The women celebrate their freedom ("Shout!").

In the Epilogue, the women reveal their ultimate fate ("Epilogue: Pictures from the Past / Downtown"). They all have experienced a wide array of life's moments, thus shaping who they became. They are able to appreciate that they're representative of the era. The curtain falls.

Alternate Scenes

In an effort to make the show more age-appropriate and family-friendly for schools, the authors have provided the following alternate scenes in place of "The Pill" and "Smoking."

*   An ad comes on for Reduce-a-Lot, the magical weight loss treatment, advising the women of this new miracle drug and its very long list of unpleasant side effects.

** The magazine then has a section on new spirituality and sances. The girls hold a seance that leads all of them to become possessed by Ian Fleming!

Casting
← Back to SHOUT! The Mod Musical
Cast Size: Small (Up to 10 performers)
Cast Type: Ensemble Cast
Dance Requirements: Standard

Character Breakdown

Blue Girl
A blue-blooded fashion model. Sophisticated, poised, and cool. She is vain and not particularly friendly.
Gender: female
Age: 20 to 30
Vocal range top: F5
Vocal range bottom: F3
Yellow Girl
A loud, uninhibited American girl driven by her emotions. She is a ray of sunshine with a surprising vulnerability. Possesses a big, rock diva belt.
Gender: female
Age: 25 to 35
Vocal range top: E5
Vocal range bottom: F3
Orange Girl
The "mother" of the group. Domestic and maternal, she is wise, soulful, and mature. Slowly asserting her new-found independence.
Gender: female
Age: 35 to 45
Vocal range top: B5
Vocal range bottom: F3
Green Girl
A good-time girl. Blousy, middle-class, and zany. She is a bit frayed at the edges, and hopelessly single. A comedian of sorts.
Gender: female
Age: 30 to 40
Vocal range top: F5
Vocal range bottom: F3
Red Girl
The "baby" of the group, she is an exciting blend of youthful contradictions. Quirky, enthusiastic, and naïve. A hopeless romantic who is insecure about her looks.
Gender: female
Age: 18 to 25
Vocal range top: G5
Vocal range bottom: F3
Full Song List
SHOUT! The Mod Musical: England Swings/Round Every Corner/I Know a Place
SHOUT! The Mod Musical: I Only Want to Be With You/Tell the Boys
SHOUT! The Mod Musical: How Can You Tell
SHOUT! The Mod Musical: Wishin' & Hopin'
SHOUT! The Mod Musical: One Two Three
SHOUT! The Mod Musical: To Sir With Love
SHOUT! The Mod Musical: Don't Sleep in the Subway
SHOUT! The Mod Musical: Son of a Preacher Man
SHOUT! The Mod Musical: James Bond Theme/Coldfinger
SHOUT! The Mod Musical: You Don't Hav To Say You Love Me
SHOUT! The Mod Musical: Diamonds Are Forever
SHOUT! The Mod Musical: Puppet on a String
SHOUT! The Mod Musical: Georgy Girl/Windy
SHOUT! The Mod Musical: Who Am I?
SHOUT! The Mod Musical: Don't Give Up
SHOUT! The Mod Musical: I Just Don't Know What to Do with Myself
SHOUT! The Mod Musical: These Boots Are Made For Walking
SHOUT! The Mod Musical: I Couldn't Live Without Your Love
SHOUT! The Mod Musical: You're My World/All I See is You
SHOUT! The Mod Musical: Those Were the Days
SHOUT! The Mod Musical: Shout!
SHOUT! The Mod Musical: Goin' Back
SHOUT! The Mod Musical: Downtown
SHOUT! The Mod Musical: Downtown (Dance Remix)

Show History

Inspiration


Traveling in time from 1960 to 1970, SHOUT! chronicles the dawning liberation of women, from the rise of Dusty Springfield, Petula Clark and Cilla Black as independent women with major careers, to their American counterparts, redefining themselves in the face of changing attitudes about gender. The story is influenced by true-life events, and the score is made up of music from the time period.

Productions


SHOUT! first appeared on stage as a musical revue at The Duplex in New York City. It then transferred to London's Jermyn Street Theatre, where spoken material was added. In 2004, SHOUT! returned to New York City and opened at the New York Musical Theater Festival (NYMF). In 2005, SHOUT! had a developmental staged reading at the Lambs Theater in New York City, where more spoken material was added. In June of 2006, SHOUT! premiered at The Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts in West Palm Beach, Florida. In July of the same year, SHOUT! opened an Off-Broadway run at the Julia Miles Theatre in New York City.

Victoria Lang & P.P. Piccoli, Brent Peek and Mark Schwartz produced SHOUT! Off-Broadway. The official opening was July 27, 2006, after 20 preview performances, and the show then ran for 156 performances, closing on December 10, 2006. The director was Phillip George, the choreographer was David Lowenstein and the music director was Bradley Vieth. Scenic design was by David Gallo, Jason Lyons was the lighting designer, Philip Heckman was the costume designer and Tony Meola was the sound designer. The production stage manager was Jana Llynn.

Cultural Influence

  • Rhino records released an Original Cast Recording of SHOUT! in 2006, after it had reached its 100th performance.
  • SHOUT! features many iconic songs by powerhouse female vocalists from the 1960s, including "Son of a Preacher Man," "Downtown," To Sir with Love," "These Boots Are Made for Walking" and "Goldfinger."

Trivia

  • When it ran at Jermyn Street Theatre, SHOUT! was nominated for Best Musical by Whatsonstage.com, alongside all of the big West End Shows.
     
  • SHOUT! opened the first New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) in 2004.
     
  • The original Off-Broadway cast featured Marie-France Arcilla (Blue Girl), Erin Crosby (Yellow Girl), Julie Dingman Evans (Orange Girl), Erica Schroeder (Green Girl), Denise Summerford (Red Girl), Carole Shelley (Gwendolyn Holmes) and Holter Graham (The Voice of the Magazine).

     

Critical Reaction

"The Hottest New Musical in New York!"
– Good Morning America



"SHOUT! rivals Jersey Boys for sheer fun."
– David Cote, Time Out NY



"Delightfully Entertaining!"
– John Simon, Bloomberg Radio



"The sleeper hit of the season. This is a show to see!"
– United Press International

"A nicely nostalgic night out with the girls. Light and lively entertainment."
– The Star Ledger

"Buoyant, lively, and utterly charming review. a total delight... something to shout about!"
– Gay City News

"SHOUT! has been an absolute dream of a show for A Chocolate Theatre! We selected it as a 'fill in show' to cheer us up & get us through the dreary Autumn months; it worked! The whole cast & crew are suffering with withdrawal symptoms now that the show has finished!  We would recommend SHOUT! to any society that wants to showcase five strong female singers & actresses & who have a chorus who are keen to step in & take on many, varied roles! We were fortunate enough to have the support of The Chocolate Candy Band – who loved the catchy songs & the brilliantly, hilarious script for the 3 night run! SHOUT! proved to be an absolute winner of a show for Chocolate."
– The Chocolate Theatre, Swindon, UK

Connect

Billing

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.
SHOUT! THE MOD MUSICAL
100%
Created By Phillip George & David Lowenstein
50%
"Mod Musings" & "Groovy Gab" by Peter Charles Morris & Phillip George
50%
Orchestrations & Additional Arrangements by Bradley Vieth
25%
Originally Directed Off-Broadway by Phillip George
25%
Originally Choreographed Off-Broadway by David Lowenstein
25%
Originally produced Off-Broadway in New York City by
Victoria Lang & P.P. Piccoli and Mark Schwartz
25%
Developed in association with Amas Musical Theatre, Donna Trinkoff, Producing Director
(the above should fit on one line if possible)
12.5%
 

 

NOTE: In no case may the director of your production be billed in size or type or prominence over 50% larger than the billing for the original director and choreographer
Shortened Billing: In advertisements of 1/4 page size or less or where only the title of the play, performance dates and venue are provided, the following "shortened billing" is permissible:
SHOUT! The Mod Musical
 
Licensee further agrees to insert in each program of the play the credit line for each of the compositions and the program notes as described below.
The Songs
Song Title
Writers
Publisher
All I See Is You
Benjamin Weisman/ Gerald Clive Westlake
Warner Chapell Music
Coldfinger
John Barry /Parody lyrics Phillip George
N/A
Colour My World
Anthony Peter Hatch / Jackie Trent
Welbeck Music LTD
Don’t Give Up
Anthony Peter Hatch / Jackie Trent
Welbeck Music LTD
Don’t Sleep in the Subway
Anthony Peter Hatch / Jackie Trent
Welbeck Music LTD
Downtown
Anthony Peter Hatch
Welbeck Music LTD
England Swings
Roger Miller
Sony/ATV
Georgy Girl
Jim Dale / Dion O’Brien
Warner Chapell Music
How Can You Tell
Chris Andrews
Warner Chapell Music
I Couldn’t Live Without Your Love
Anthony Peter Hatch / Jackie Trent    
Welbeck Music LTD
I Just Don’t Know What To Do With Myself
Burt Bacharach / Hal David
Warner Chapell Music
I Know a Place
Anthony Peter Hatch
Welbeck Music LTD
I Only Wanna Be With You
Mike Hawker / Ivor Raymonde
Warner Chapell Music
One, Two, Three
Leonard Borisoff / Lamont Dozier
Welbeck Music LTD
Pictures of the Past
David Caldwell/Peter Charles Morris
Self Published
Round Every Corner
Anthony Peter Hatch
Welbeck Music LTD
Sign of the Times
Anthony Peter Hatch
Welbeck Music LTD
Shout!
Kelly O. Isley / Ronald Isley Jr. / Rudolph Isley
EMI Music Publishing
Son of a Preacher Man
John David Hurley / Ronnie Stephen Wilkins    
Sony/ATV
Talk About Love
Christopher Fredrick Andrews
WB Music Corp. 
Tell The Boys
Peter Callander / Mitch Murray
Painted Desert Music Corporation
These Boots Were Made For Walking
Lee Hazelwood
Criterion Music Publishing
Those Were the Days
Eugene Raskin
Essex Music, Inc
To Sir With Love
Donald Black / Mark London
EMI Music Publishing
Who Am I?
Anthony Peter Hatch
Welbeck Music LTD
Windy
Ruthann Frideman
Welbeck Music LTD
Wishin’ and Hopin’
Burt Bacharach / Hal David
Warner Chapell Music
Wives & Lovers
Burt Bacharach    
Warner Chapell Music
You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me
Giuseppe Donaggoio / Simon Napier-Bell /         EMI Music Publishing
                    Vito Pallavicini
EMI Music Publishing
You’re My World
UmBurto Bindi / Gino Paoli
Welbeck Music LTD

 

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
ERRATA LIST1
LIBRETTO/VOCAL BOOK8
PIANO VOCAL SCORE2

Production Resources

Resource
SHOUT! Additional Resources
HOW DOES THE SHOW GO ON-10/CS
HOW DOES THE SHOW GO ON?
KEYBOARDTEK
LOGO PACK
LOGO PACK DIGITAL
PRODUCTIONPRO-DIGITAL SCRIPT/SCORE
REFERENCE RECORDING
STAGE WRITE APPLICATION
STREAMING LICENSE
VIRTUAL STAGE MANAGER

STANDARD ORCHESTRATION

InstrumentationDoubling
KEYBOARD 1
KEYBOARD 2
PERCUSSIONBELL TREE , CALL BELL , COWBELL , CRASH CYMBAL , DUCK CALL , FLOOR TOM , HIGH HAT CYMBALS , KICK BASS DRUM , MARK TREE , RACHET , RACK TAMBOURINE , RACK TOM , RIDE CYMBAL , SLIDE WHISTLE , SNARE DRUM , TRIANGLE , WOODBLOCKS(HI & LOW)