Storyville
by Ed Bullins, Mildred Kayden

Storyville Book Cover — Storyville Cover

Highlights

Female

Male

120 mins1910s/WWIRole(s) for Black Actor(s)Unit Set/Multiple SettingsPeriod Costumes

Synopsis

Ed Bullins and Mildred Kayden’s ebullient musical celebrates the birth of jazz and dramatizes an important chapter in the history of New Orleans.

In the 1910s, in New Orleans’ notorious legalized vice district known as Storyville, a musician and former prizefighter named Butch “Cobra” Brown falls in love with the elegant torch singer Tigre Savoy.

Singing at Mickey Mulligan's nightclub, Tigre is joined by a splashy array of fellow performers, including vocalist Fifi Foxy and bandleader Hot Licks Sam.

When the city’s corrupt political machine prevents Cobra from becoming a musician, Cobra agrees to participate in a prizefight.

But the fight devolves into a brutal street brawl, leading to the death of a sailor.

The secretary of the Navy shuts down the neighborhood, forcing Cobra, Tigre and the other entertainers to find a new home.

Press Reviews

"Storyville rocked its audience – the music and lyrics are sensitive, satirical, spirited and strong."
— Los Angeles Times

"Storyville's music soars. What we have here is something of a jazz operetta, packed solidly with a score, lyrics and a bang up cast of artists, all to die for."
— Entertainment News and Views

"Tirelessly exuberant... And a crack band... keep the feet tapping and the joint swinging."
— The New York Times

Characters

Character	Gender	Age	Description
“COUNTESS” DOLLY DANGER	—	—	—
HOT LICKS SAM	—	—	—
BIG MAMA LITTLE	—	—	—
GEORGIE “PUNCHIE” SAVOY	—	—	—
MAYOR MICKEY P. MULLIGAN	—	—	—
BUTCH “COBRA” BROWN	—	—	—
FIFI FOXY	—	—	—
FRANKY	—	—	—
TIGRE SAVOY	—	—	—
BARON CHARLES DE FRONTBLEAU	—	—	—
TEXAS	—	—	—
TANGO ROSE	—	—	—
ENSEMBLE Back O'Town Folks, Redneck, Steward, Policeman, Black Benny, No Nose Nick, Salome, Fanny Kooler	—	—	Back O'Town Folks, Redneck, Steward, Policeman, Black Benny, No Nose Nick, Salome, Fanny Kooler