The It Girl
by BT McNicholl, Paul McKibbins, Michael Small

Name: The It Girl
Brand: BT McNicholl
SKU: 9780573628726
Rating: 4 (1 reviews)

The It Girl Book Cover — The It Girl Cover

Highlights

Female

Male

1920s Expandable Casting Unit Set/Multiple Settings Period Costumes

Synopsis

Based on the 1927 Paramount Picture It , this delightful, tuneful musical offers today’s audiences the same lighthearted escape from life’s complexities that silent films once gave to audiences in the Roaring ’20s.

Inspired by the novels of Elinor Glyn, the silent movie It introduced Clara Bow, who defined a new type of sex appeal for the Jazz Age.

“‘It’ is a rather naughty quality that merges a hint of sex with a whiff of intelligence,” says one observer in the musical.

Retelling the story of the silent movie onstage, The It Girl gives ingenues a chance to convey that irresistible quality.

Shop girl Betty Lou Spence falls in love with her boss, initially winning him over because she has “it.”

When class differences divide Betty from her beau, she triumphs by putting her sense of justice – and her special charms – to good use.

Inspired by the language and melodies of the silent movie era, the book by Michael Small and BT McNicholl, music by Paul McKibbins, and lyrics by McNicholl have won over critics and continue to earn ovations from audiences everywhere.

To visit the official website with sheet music, production information and tools for producing the show, click here!

Press Reviews

"Perky… irresistible melodies… a savvy score… makes frivolity a virtue. A very pleasant surprise!"
— The New York Times

"A total charmer! Hugely effective. A neat, very witty book. Not to be casually missed."
— New York Post

"Flapper flamboyance gives ‘It’ to ‘Girl’… [This charming] musical with plenty to flaunt… funny, frothy tunes."
— New York Daily News

"One of the best performances I have ever seen in Vancouver… everything you will ever want in a musical."
— Review Vancouver

"If you’re looking for a fun, innovative and quirky production, The It Girl has everything you need."
— Davie Village

Characters

Character	Gender	Age	Description
Jonathan Waltham The IT boy. Mid 20s-mid 30s. A leading man with light comedic skills and easy charm. Masculine but gentle. Classic proper, upstanding member of society with Ivy League good looks. A button-down man who, unconsciously, wants to be unbuttoned. Confident lyric baritone.	—	20s	The IT boy. Mid 20s-mid 30s. A leading man with light comedic skills and easy charm. Masculine but gentle. Classic proper, upstanding member of society with Ivy League good looks. A button-down man who, unconsciously, wants to be unbuttoned. Confident lyric baritone.
Monty Montgomery The Comedic Sidekick. Mid 20s-mid 30s. Energetic, nimble light comedian with sure-fire timing and a period sensibility. An upper-crust dilettante concerned with the latest fads, impulsively adventurous, a good-hearted but sometimes simple-minded man of leisure. Jonathan’s best friend. Facility with physical comedy. Character baritone.	—	20s	The Comedic Sidekick. Mid 20s-mid 30s. Energetic, nimble light comedian with sure-fire timing and a period sensibility. An upper-crust dilettante concerned with the latest fads, impulsively adventurous, a good-hearted but sometimes simple-minded man of leisure. Jonathan’s best friend. Facility with physical comedy. Character baritone.
Adela Van Norman The Comic Villainess. 20s-early 30s. Socialite whose bad behavior stems from insecurity and desperation, not an evil nature. Stylish, manipulative, aggressive former debutante who slyly balances charm and wicked determination in order to snag her man. Alto/mezzo/belt.	female	20s	The Comic Villainess. 20s-early 30s. Socialite whose bad behavior stems from insecurity and desperation, not an evil nature. Stylish, manipulative, aggressive former debutante who slyly balances charm and wicked determination in order to snag her man. Alto/mezzo/belt.
Jane/Mrs. Van Norman/Mrs. Sullivan Mid 20s-mid 30s. Jane is a brash, wisecracking shop girl from Brooklyn (a young Bea Arthur or Elaine Stritch); Mrs. Van Norman (Adela’s mother) is a haughty, demanding aristocratic matron who values money and breeding (a la Margaret Dumont); Mrs. Sullivan is a shriveled, feisty Irish landlady. Must move well. Alto/character singer, only needs to carry a tune.	female	20s	Mid 20s-mid 30s. Jane is a brash, wisecracking shop girl from Brooklyn (a young Bea Arthur or Elaine Stritch); Mrs. Van Norman (Adela’s mother) is a haughty, demanding aristocratic matron who values money and breeding (a la Margaret Dumont); Mrs. Sullivan is a shriveled, feisty Irish landlady. Must move well. Alto/character singer, only needs to carry a tune.
Molly/Daisy/Brearly 20s-early 30s. Molly is a sweet but plucky Lillian Gish type who shows spirit in the face of adversity; Betty’s upbeat loyal best friend. Daisy is a delicate, innocent eager-to-please shopgirl. Lyric soprano who can also give vocal punch to a ragtime tune.	—	20s	20s-early 30s. Molly is a sweet but plucky Lillian Gish type who shows spirit in the face of adversity; Betty’s upbeat loyal best friend. Daisy is a delicate, innocent eager-to-please shopgirl. Lyric soprano who can also give vocal punch to a ragtime tune.
Mr. Notting/Man Of A Thousand Faces 20s-mid 30s. Mr. Notting is a self-important, punctilious, officious shop manager who lives life by the time clock. Plays other roles which require him to be adept physical comedy skills: an aristocratic gossip, a French waiter, a Coney Island barker, a scandal sheet reporter and a sailor. Tenor.	male	20s	20s-mid 30s. Mr. Notting is a self-important, punctilious, officious shop manager who lives life by the time clock. Plays other roles which require him to be adept physical comedy skills: an aristocratic gossip, a French waiter, a Coney Island barker, a scandal sheet reporter and a sailor. Tenor.
Betty Lou Spence The IT girl. 20s-early 30s. Vivacious dynamo with spunk, effortless sex appeal, tomboy charm and street smarts. Creative physical comedienne, dynamic singer and high-stepping dancer. Adorable, altogether winning ingenue with fire and moxie. Soprano/Belt.	—	20s	The IT girl. 20s-early 30s. Vivacious dynamo with spunk, effortless sex appeal, tomboy charm and street smarts. Creative physical comedienne, dynamic singer and high-stepping dancer. Adorable, altogether winning ingenue with fire and moxie. Soprano/Belt.