On a spring day in Rainbow Valley, the Sheriff is about to auction off a parcel of land for non-payment of taxes. Property owner, Susan Mahoney, who was born mute, delays the auction until her brother, Woody, can arrive ("This Time of the Year"). Susan heads off to meet Woddy's train as Finian and his daughter, Sharon, arrive from Ireland ("How Are Things in Glocca Morra?") Finian reveals that he has "borrowed" a leprechaun's gold and plans to bury it so it will grow into more money.
Finally, Woody arrives ("Woody's Entrance") and, with a little help from Sharon, pays off the debt. To show his thanks for the help, Woody gives Sharon and Finian a share of the land. Finian now has a place to bury his gold. Sharon tells the people of Rainbow Valley about her home ("Look to the Rainbow"), and she and her father are soon welcomed in like old friends. That evening, Og, the leprechaun, shows up, demanding that Finian return his stolen gold. Og is scared away when Sharon and Woody arrive, looking for Finian ("Old Devil Moon").
The next morning, knowing that gold has been found in Rainbow Valley, the Senator tries to buy the land now owned by Finian, but he will not sell. Before leaving, the Senator disparages the workers on the land for "looking different" than he does.
Sharon is washing clothes ("How Are Things in Glocca Morra? – Reprise"), when she is approached by Og, who is quite smitten with her ("Something Sort of Grandish"). Og hides as Woody approaches. The lovers begin to quarrel, but they are interrupted by the arrival of friends. Finian has hatched a plan to get Woody betrothed to his daughter ("We're Havin' a Party," "Sharon's Getting Betrothed," "Woody's Getting Betrothed"). The Senator tries to buy the land again, making bigoted comments about the "rainbow-colored" Sharecroppers. Sharon is not happy and wishes the Senator looked just like the Sharecroppers... and, because she is standing over the buried gold, the wish comes true!
A Sharecropper announces that gold has been found in Rainbow Valley ("That Great Come-and-Get-it Day"). Finian and Woody convince the Sharecroppers not to dig for it, but once Susan is alone, she discovers Finian's gold and moves it ("Dance of the Golden Crock"). A few weeks later, the people of Rainbow Valley are rejoicing ("When the Idle Poor Become the Idle Rich"), and Finian has convinced Sharon and Woody to marry. The Sheriff enters and threatens a murder charge on Susan if the Senator, who has not returned since Sharon "changed" him, is not found by Tuesday.
In the woods, Og encounters the transformed Senator and realizes that what he really needs is a new inside ("Fiddle-Faddle"), not outside. The "cured" Senator is happy again and is soon welcomed as a member of the Passion Pilgrim Gospeleers ("The Begat").
Just before the deadline, Finian finds Og and pleads with him to change the Senator back. Og doesn't know where the gold is, but when he mistakes Susan for Sharon ("When I'm Not Near the Girl I Love") he falls in love with her. As Og searches for his gold, he wishes that Susan could speak since she might know where the gold is hidden. His wish comes true, and Og realizes where his gold is buried. Og decides to stay mortal so he can be with Susan and uses the last wish to change the Senator back. Sharon and Woody are saved, and the Senator returns a changed man. Finian sets off to keep hope alive throughout the world ("Look to the Rainbow – Reprise," "Finale Ultimo/How Are Things in Glocca Morra?" "Curtain Act II/That Great Come-and-Get-it Day").
Finian Mclonergan
An Irishman hoping to make his dreams come true in America. He has a big personality and a plan for everything, including getting his daughter married. Finian only has a few small singing solos, so cast one of your strongest and most engaging actors in their major role, rather than your best singer.
Gender: male
Vocal range top: Db5
Vocal range bottom: Ab3
Sharon Mclonergan
Finian's daughter. A strong woman who is generous of heart. While she is homesick for her beautiful Ireland, she believes that she will build a happy life in America. Sharon stands up for her beliefs and is willing to fight for what is right. Cast your very best singer and actress in this multidimensional role.
Gender: female
Vocal range top: E5
Vocal range bottom: Ab3
Woody Mahoney
The charming leading man of the story. Woody is a landowner in Rainbow Valley who does everything he can to take care of his friends and neighbors. Cast your strongest singer and actor for this role
Gender: male
Vocal range top: G5
Vocal range bottom: C4
Susan Mahoney
Woody's mute sister. She is well liked by everyone and communicates through "foot-talk" instead of typical American sign language. She dances throughout the show, so you will want to cast your best and most expressive dancer as Susan.
Gender: female
Og
A leprechaun who's desperate to retrieve his stolen gold because without the gold, he will turn into a human. Og's emotions and thoughts are always transparent, and he can be overly dramatic. It's important that the student playing Og has a sense of play in his acting and good physical control of his body. He doesn't need to be a dancer just a good mover. In addition, Og should have a solid voice
Gender: any
Vocal range top: F#5
Vocal range bottom: B3
Senator Rawkins
A self-righteous politician who openly dislikes anyone different than himself. He pretends to be kind and gracious to get what he wants, but quickly drops that pretense once he achieves his goal. During the show, the Senator magically changes into a different man (on the outside), and by the end of the show, even though his appearance changes back to his original form, the Senator learns to be a kind and caring person. You can cast one person or two different people in this role. If you cast two, one actor will play the Senator before the change, called "Senator" in the script, and one for after the transformation, called "Rawkins" in the script. The actor who plays the Senator will return to the role for the end of the show when his appearance is changed back. Also, if you have two actors playing this role, the actor playing Rawkins should be a good singer and dancer. The Sentator needs to be an excellent actor.
Gender: any
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: Eb4
Sheriff
The Senator's right hand man and as closed minded as his boss. Look for a boy or girl who is a powerful speaker and someone who isn't afraid to act tough.
Gender: any
Narrator
A Sharecropper who keeps the audience up-to-speed on what is happening. Cast an engaging performer with a clear speaking voice.
Gender: any
Harriet
A formidable, opinionated woman. She's a Sharecropper and Henrietta's mother. Cast a girl with a strong voice and powerful acting skills.
Gender: female
Vocal range top: Bb4
Vocal range bottom: C4
Lucy
A dreamer looking forward to the day when the Sharecroppers' lives will be better. Find a good singer and actor who radiates a hopeful energy to bring this character to life.
Gender: female
Vocal range top: Db5
Vocal range bottom: Ab3
Rosa
Lucy and Harriet's friend, so cast a performer who works well with these actresses.
Gender: female
Henrietta
A happy child who has befriended everyone in Rainbow Valley. Henrietta sings a few solo lines, so look for an actress with a good voice and youthful energy.
Gender: female
Vocal range top: F5
Vocal range bottom: Eb4
Howard
A Sharecropper biding his time until he can go away to college. He has a quiet strength. Cast a strong actor and singer in this excellent featured role.
Gender: male
Vocal range top: Eb5
Vocal range bottom: G3
Gospeleers
Three spokespeople for a group of traveling singers. They are larger than life as they spread joy throughout Rainbow Valley with their songs.
Workers
Two small roles with a few lines. These roles are perfect for your students who are new to performing. Workers 1 and 2 have solos in "Necessity."
Vocal range top: C5
Vocal range bottom: C4
Geologist
A small role with a few lines. Perfect for students who are new to performing.
Gender: any
Sharecroppers
Small Roles with a few lines. These roles are perfect for your students who are new to performing.
Soloists
There is a great opportunity to highlight three soloists in "When the Idle Rich Become the Idle Poor." Feature actresses that might not be ready for a lead role.
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: B3
Ensemble
Workers 1 and 2, Geologist, Gospeleers and Rainbow Valley Sharecroppers.
Gender: any
Playbill Vault (Original)
Playbill Vault (1955 Revival)
Playbill Vault (1960 Revival)
Playbill Vault (2009 Revival)
Facebook page for 2009 revival
- Storytelling
- Legends
- Geology
- Metric Units and Conversions
- Travel
- Irish Folklore
- Marketing
Playbill Vault (Original)
Playbill Vault (1955 Revival)
Playbill Vault (1960 Revival)
Playbill Vault (2009 Revival)
Facebook page for 2009 revival
Billing
Requirements
Author Billing – Finian's Rainbow JR.
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Music By:
BURTON LANE
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Lyrics By:
YIP HARBURG
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Book By:
YIP HARBURG and FRED SAIDY
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Video Warning
The videotaping or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibitedIncluded Materials
| Resource | Quantity |
|---|---|
| ACTOR'S BOOK | 30 |
| DIRECTOR'S GUIDE | 1 |
| DOWNLOADABLE RESOURCES AND MEDIA | 1 |
| FAMILY MATTERS | 30 |
| GUIDE VOCAL AND PERF TRACKS DIGITAL | 1 |
| GUIDE VOCAL AND PERF TRACKS DIGITAL | 1 |
| PIANO VOCAL SCORE | 1 |