10-MINUTE MUSICAL COLLECTION
Run This Town
Music by Assaf Gleizner, Book & Lyrics by Cindy Sideris
A jazzy comedy about a gangster in the 1920s who is frustrated with his friends and accomplices, and wants to work with and learn from a pro. However, he soon realizes people aren't always who they seem to be, and sometimes your friends are your best partners.
Comedy
Overview
Cast Size
3m, 3f, 3a
Duration
10-12 Mins Approx.
Setting
Chicago, 1925
Cautions
Mild Adult Themes, Alcohol References
Subgenre
Parody/Spoof
Themes
Business, Friendship, Politics
Target Audience
Appropriate for all audiences
Style
Classic/Standard Musical Theatre
Instrumentation
Piano/Vocal
Additional Resources
N/A
Synopsis
Run This Town is a jazzy comedy about a 1920's gangster named Big Al who is frustrated with his friends and accomplices, and wants to work with and learn from a pro. He laments his current friends and their botched crimes “RUN THIS TOWN.” He soon meets a mysterious stranger who promises him he can learn from his friend, a real pro “NOWHERE TO HIDE.” He is taken to a jazz club where the Hairdo Sisters greet him “THERE’S NOTHING SHADY GOING ON IN THIS JOINT.” He meets One-Eyed Pete, who isn’t as he seems “THE CONFESSION.” Al soon realizes that the people he idolized aren't all they've portrayed to be- and sometimes you need to stick with your friends to make an honest living out of a life of crime “RUN THIS TOWN (REPRISE).”
Casting Information
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Big Al - Male Identifying, a gangster modeled after a young Al Capone, who is the protagonist of the piece, but is definitely more goofy than threatening.
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Hairdo Sisters - Three, Female Identifying/non-binary “Andrews Sisters” type singers in a 1920’s jazz club.
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One-Eyed Pete - Male Identifying, a burly, over-confident gangster who is not who he appears to be. Donald Trump, but a 1920’s gangster character version.
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Gangsters #1 and #2 – any gender – goofy gangsters who are terrible at committing crimes
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Shady Man – Male Identifying, accomplice to One-Eyed Pete, slightly mysterious, but never very threatening.
Note: The roles of HAIRDO SISTERS and GANGSTERS #1 AND #2 can be played by the same actors.
Songs
Media
Production History
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First performed: The BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theater Workshop – 10 minute musicals presentation, NYC
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2018 - Theatre Now’s SOUND BITES 5.0, Festival of 10-minute musicals at Signature Theatre, NY
Author Bios
ASSAF GLEIZNER was born and raised in Israel and has been working as a composer, musical director, orchestrator, and arranger both in NYC and around the world for the past ten years. Select credits include: Broadway: Stephen Schwartz 70th Birthday Concert- Featuring Ben Platt, Renee Fleming, Lindsey Mendez, & Andrew Lippa (Hudson Theater)- Orchestrator, Arranger. Arts For Autism- Featuring Kelli O'Hara, Julia Murney, & Christopher Jackson (Gershwin Theater)- Orchestrator, Arranger. Off-Broadway: Friends the Musical Parody)- Composer, Orchestrator. 90210! The Musical- Composer, Orchestrator. Full House Musical Parody- MD, Orchestrator. Regional: The Swingaroos (Florida Studio Theater)- Composer, MD. Other: The Astonishing Times of Timothy Cratchit (The Workshop Theatre, NYC)- Cast Recording Featuring Adam Kaplan & Emily Skeggs. You're the Pest: The Web Series- Composer, Music Supervisor. Assaf is also a member of the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop.
CINDY SIDERIS has been working as a writer and creative producer for nine years. She began her training with the Upright Citizens Brigade, completing their Improv and Advanced Sketch Comedy Writing programs. Her sketch comedy musical West Side Story Remade had a sold-out run at The PIT. Other: Run This Town (Theatre Now’s SOUND BITES 5.0 Festival, Signature Theatre). Cindy holds an MBA from NYU with a focus on Entertainment, Media and Technology, and works as an Associate Producer for the annual NYU Tisch Gala. She is a proud member of The Dramatists Guild and The BMI Musical Theatre Advanced Workshop.
