Information

Show Credits: Book by Joe Darion
Lyrics by Joe Darion
Book by Mel Brooks
Music by George Kleinsinger

Description: ARCHY & MEHITABEL is a beguiling, sexy and somewhat nostalgic modern-day fable full of wit, wisdom and the unexpected.

In a deserted office, a cockroach dives headfirst onto the keys of a typewriter, pouring out the ruminations of his soul. It’s “archy” (he’s too small to hold down the shift key), poet, philosopher, moralist and futile worshipper of “mehitabel,” the alley cat.

This bizarre, highly original musical takes us into the streets of the big city as archy tries hopelessly to bring the "toujours gai" mehitabel off the back fence and into a respectable home as a housecat.

Versatile actors play the various urbane, non-human city dwellers we encounter along the way, suggesting their animal characteristics without explicit costumes. Designers will have a field day with the unit set of oversized props and set pieces. Featuring a book by Joe Darion and comic legend Mel Brooks and a "cool" jazz score which remains one of the only examples of this genre in the commercial theatre, ARCHY & MEHITABEL is one of the most daring musicals of its time. 

Insight from the experts Staging Tip: If you do decide to use a set at all, it should probably be a unit set with different playing areas. Locales include a newspaper office, a few alleys, the "Bug Snuggery" (an insect clip joint), a rug in a suburban home. Props should be huge, so that the actors look small in comparison. The authors remind you that the characters shouldn't be dressed like the animals they portray, but rather be human representations of those animals. (In the original Eartha Kitt wore fishnet stockings and a slinky suit to signify Mehitabel's disposition.). If you're stumped on how to find huge props, there are several companies online that specialize in this sort of thing.