Done There, Been That is a musical play about
divorce, as seen through the eyes of a child.
It tells the story of Ben and Ro, a couple who get
married in their early twenties and have a daughter, Amy. In spite of
the love between them, Ben and Ro begin to grow apart, and when they
reach their early thirties they realize it is time to go their separate
ways. So how does all of this affect Amy? Aha...!
Done There, Been That can be produced as a ‘compact’
musical, calling for ‘suggestions’ of sets and a cast of only four
actors. It can work in a small space.
It is a ‘high energy’ piece that is fueled by the
emotions of the characters and the story, and can therefore communicate
well to an audience in a large theater.
The roles are powerfully drawn and each performer is
presented with the opportunity to shine by means of his or her own
characterization.
Done There, Been That is a musical that will
speak to younger audiences in their twenties and thirties. It is
contemporary and it is their story. It also speaks to the other
individuals who are involved in family issues; namely parents, in-laws,
friends, and of course, the children.
The musical score reflects the sound of traditional ‘theater
music’ in the style of Bernstein, Sondheim, Rodgers, and Jerry Herman.
Cast of
Characters
Musical Numbers
CAST
OF CHARACTERS
(in order of appearance)
AMY
A ten year old child, who is experiencing the divorce of her
parents. Amy also acts as an observer and commentator before she is
born, and during the course of her upbringing. The family story is told
through her eyes.
RO (Rose-Marie)
Amy’s mother; age thirty. She is pretty, perky, intelligent, independent
and, at times, a bit vulnerable. We also meet her at age nineteen, before
she and Ben are married. It remains clear as life events unfold, that she
always tries to be a good wife and mother.
Note: Ro also plays her own mother, CARMEN.
BEN (Benjamin) GORDON
Amy’s father; early thirties. When we first meet him, at the time of the
divorce, he is attractive, self-assured, independent, and has largely
remained a responsible husband and a devoted father. When we encounter him
at age twenty, he is a shy, care-free, awkward boy, very much in love with
Ro. As the years pass, the responsibilities of being a husband and a
father will re-define him.
Note: Ben briefly plays his own father, JACK.
SWING
This versatile actor will play the following roles in order of
appearance:
SWING: (As
himself) Comments on the action and interacts with Amy.
VICTOR: Ben’s
mindless party buddy.
ESTELLE: Ben’s
mother; anxious and assertive.
MR. BEASLEY:
Ben’s gruff boss.
MACBETH: The
family dog; ugly, mangy, spirited and totally lovable.
SALESPEOPLE: A
variety of pantomime characters.
PEDIATRICIAN:
Elderly and kindhearted; with a shock of white hair.
TESS: A bar
acquaintance out of Ben’s drunk imagination.
CARMEN: Ro’s
mother; her back only, in pantomime. |
MUSICAL
NUMBERS
ACT ONE |
Done There, Been That |
RO and BEN |
Does Anybody Want Me? |
AMY |
Can A Bird Love A Fish? |
BEN and RO |
It's All Good |
SWING, AMY, RO and BEN |
Power Play |
RO and BEN |
Love Unconditional |
BEN with MACBETH |
Don't Try To Stop Me |
RO with SWING and AMY |
The Games Kids Play |
AMY with MACBETH |
The World's Greatest Lover |
BEN, RO, AMY, SWING and
PEDIATRICIAN |
|
|
|
|
ACT TWO |
We've Got It Made |
BEN, RO, AMY, SWING with
MACBETH |
Knock, Knock
(Bark, Bark) |
RO, AMY and BEN
AMY with MACBETH |
Compromise |
RO, ESTELLE, BEN, CARMEN and
JACK; plus AMY |
Old Before My Time |
RO; plus AMY |
Burp |
BEN with TESS |
Shirley Temple To The
Rescue |
AMY, BEN and RO with MACBETH |
Yesterday Ended Last Night |
RO and BEN |
Finale:
Done There, Been That |
BEN, RO with AMY |
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