Big Deal
A Musical in 2 acts, 24 scenes. Book Bob Fosse; Music various; Lyrics various based on the film "Big Deal on Madonna Street" ( I soliti ignoti) by Mario Monicelli.
Broadway Theatre, New York Opened 10th April, 1986; closed 8th June, 1986 a(6 previews, 69 performances)
Synopsis
The film is a comedy about a group of small-time thieves and never-do-wells who bungle an attempt to hold up a state-run pawn shop called Monte di Pietà in Rome. The musical was reset in the pre-dominantly black world of 1930s Chicago using selected period songs.
Musical Numbers
Act 1
- Life Is Just a Bowl of Cherries – Lilly
(Music and Lyrics By Lew Brown and Ray Henderson) - For No Good Reason At All – Narrators
(Music and Lyrics By Samuel M. Lewis, Abel Baer and Joseph Young) - Charley My Boy – Charley
(Music and Lyrics By Ted Fiorito and Gus Kahn) - I've Got a Feelin' You're Foolin' – Kokomo, Charley, Judge and Narrators
(Music and Lyrics By Nacio Herb Brown and Arthur Freed) - Ain't We Got Fun – Prisoners
(Lyrics By Gus Kahn and Raymond Egan) (Music By Richard Whiting) - For No Good Reason At All (Reprise) – Narrators and Dancers
(Music and Lyrics By Samuel M. Lewis, Abel Baer and Joseph Young) - Chicago – Narrators
(Music and Lyrics By Fred Fisher) - Pick Yourself Up – Charley, Willie, Slick, Sunnyboy and Otis
(Lyrics By Dorothy Fields, Music By Jerome Kern) - I'm Just Wild About Harry – Lilly
(Music and Lyrics By Eubie Blake and Noble Sissle) - Beat Me Daddy Eight to the Bar – Bandleader, Band and Dancers
(Music and Lyrics By Don Raye, Hughie Prince and Eleanor Sheehy) - The Music Goes 'Round and 'Round – Bandleader and Band
(Music and Lyrics By Edward Farley, Red Hodgson and Michael Riley) - Life Is Just a Bowl of Cherries (Reprise) – Lilly
(Music and Lyrics By Lew Brown and Ray Henderson)
Act II
- Now's the Time to Fall in Love – Narrators and Dancers
(Music and Lyrics By Al Sherman and Al Lewis) - Ain't She Sweet – Sunnyboy, Phoebe, Narrators and Dancers
(Lyrics By Jack Yellen, Music By Milton Ager) - Everybody Loves My Baby – Willie and Narrators
(Music and Lyrics By Jack Palmer and Spencer Williams) - Me and My Shadow – Dancin' Dan and Shadows
(Lyrics By Billy Rose, Music By Al Jolson and Dave Dreyer) - Love Is Just Around the Corner – Narrators
(Lyrics By Leo Robin, Music By Lewis E. Gensler)) - Just a Gigolo – Bandleader and Charley
(Julius Brammer and English Lyrics by Irving Caesar) (Music By Lionello Casucci) - Who's Your Little Who-zis? – Bandleader and Band Singer
(Lyrics By Walter Hirsch, Music By Hal Goering and Ben Bernie) - Yes Sir, That's My Baby – Charley
(Lyrics By Gus Kahn, Music By Walter Donaldson) - Button Up Your Overcoat – Lilly
(Music and Lyrics By Ray Henderson, Lew Brown and Bud G. DeSylva) - Daddy, You've Been a Mother to Me – Willie and Little Willie
(Music and Lyrics By Fred Fisher) - Hold Tight, Hold Tight – Otis and Ladies
(Music and Lyrics By Leonard Ware, Willie Spottswood, Edward Robinson, Ben Smith and Sidney Bechet) - Happy Days Are Here Again – Slick, Phoebe, Sunnyboy and Company
(Lyrics By Jack Yellen, Music By Milton Ager) - I'm Sitting On Top of the World – Charley and Company
(Music and Lyrics By Ray Henderson, Joseph Young and Samuel M. Lewis) - Life Is Just a Bowl of Cherries (Reprise)– Lilly
(Music and Lyrics By Lew Brown and Ray Henderson)
Scenes and Settings
Act 1
- Scene 1: Prologue.
- Scene 2: Locker Room and Fight Arena.
- Scene 3: The Judge's Chambers.
- Scene 4: Prsion Yard.
- Scene 5: Gem Theatre.
- Scene 6: The Men's Room at the Gem Theatre.
- Scene 7: A Camera Store.
- Scene 8: Cottage Grove Avenue.
- Scene 9: Pool Hall.
- Scene 10: Cottage Grove Avenue.
- Scene 11: Paradise Ballroom.
- Scene 12: Alley Outside Dancehall.
Act 2
- Scene I: Prologue.
- Scene 2: Slick's Apartment.
- Scene 3: Willie's House.
- Scene 4: A Pawnshop.
- Scene 5: Slick's Apartment.
- Scene 6: Charlie's Room.
- Scene 7: Lily's Rented Room.
- Scene 8: Refreshment Stand of Gem Theatre.
- Scene 9: Lily's Rented Room.
- Scene 10: The Robbery.
- Scene 11: The Fantasies.
- Scene 12: A Street.