Information

Show Credits: Music and Lyrics by Louis Jordan
Book by Clarke Peters

Description: His woman left him, he's broke, and it's almost five o'clock in the mornin'. But don't be worryin' 'bout our hero, Nomax. Out of Nomax's '30s-style radio pop FIVE GUYS NAMED MOE. They cajole, wheedle, comfort and jazz him with the whimsical hit songs of Louis Jordan, one of the most beloved songwriting talents of the twentieth century.

With more than fifty top ten singles on the rhythm and blues charts, this great composer and saxophonist brought a popular new slant to jazz that paved the way for the rock-and-roll of the 1950's.


An international sensation, FIVE GUYS NAMED MOE is an exhilarating, all-embracing theatrical experience, complete with some uproarious "audience participation" that'll have spectators leaping out of their seats to join the celebration!

Accolades/
Awards: Five Guys Named Moe was a Tony nominee for Musical and Book.

Insight from the experts Staging Tip: Minimal; Nomax's pad and the Funky Butt Club. Cameron Mackintosh, who brought the show to Broadway, said, "It would have been a terrible mistake to glitz the show up... [it's] something quite special." The energy doesn't just come from Jordan's clever songs, but also from the joy that comes from singing them. One reason the audience participation is written into the script is to keep the playfulness which was Jordan's trademark. Drill your actors; this show thrives on a strong ensemble. Consider serving drinks or food during the show in a cabaret setting. (Be sure to obtain the proper licenses first, though!) This kind of music deserves, demands, performances which are spontaneous and soul-stirring. Give your performers plenty of time to rehearse and room to explore.