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1997-1998 Readings of Wise Guys |
A private reading was held on March 27, 1997 at Raw Space, New York City. It was supervised by Lori Steinberg with a draft of the full script and two long musical numbers. There was another reading on November 8, 1997, again directed by Lori Steinberg. Most of the numbers of the first act were complete. Paul Gemignani was the musical director with David Evans as accompanist.
Only the third reading on November 1, 1998 had a complete score. It was directed by Sam Mendes, with Paul Gemignani as the musical director and Paul Ford as accompanist. All readings were produced by Ira Weitzman, with Scott Rudin, Roger Berlind, Dodger Endemol Theatricals and the Kennedy Center.
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Cast (First Reading)
Wilson Mizner- Victor Garber
Addison Mizner - Patrick Quinn
Mama - Cass Morgan
Paris Singer - Howard McGillin
Ensemble - Bob Ari, Candy Buckley, Nick Cokas, Randy Graff,
Dee Hoty, Tom Ikeda, Greg Jbara, Norm Lewis, Michael McGrath, and Robert Westenberg
Cast (Second Reading)
Wilson Mizner- Victor Garber
Addison Mizner - Nathan Lane
Mama - Debra Monk
Paris Singer - Howard McGillin
Ensemble - William Parry, Ray Willis, Randy Graff, and Greg Jbara
Cast (Third Reading)
Wilson Mizner- Victor Garber
Addison Mizner - Nathan Lane
Mama - Debra Monk
Paris Singer - Howard McGillin
Ensemble - William Parry, Ray Willis, Randy Graff, Lauren Mitchell, and Paula Newsome
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Musical Numbers
Act One
- "First Vaudeville" - Wilson and Addison
- "Benicia" - Mama and Ensemble
- "My Two Young Men" - Mama
- "Gold!" - Prospector, Wilson, Addison, Mama, and Ensemble
- "Second Vaudeville" - Wilson and Addison
- "Next to You" - Wilson, Addison, and Mama
- "Addison’s Trip" - Addison and Ensemble
- "Dowagers" - Addison
- "The Good Life" - Wilson
- "The Game" - Wilson
- "Journalists" - Wilson
- "What’s Next?" - Wilson
- "The Game (reprise)" - Wilson
- "What’s Next? (reprise)" - Wilson and Ensemble
- "Third Vaudeville" - Wilson and Addison
- "What’s Next? (reprise)" - Addison
- "I’m on My Way (reprise)" (from "Addison’s Trip") - Addison
Act Two
- "Fourth Vaudeville" - Wilson and Addison
- "Palm Beach Sequence" - Addison, Paris and Ensemble
- "Fifth Vaudeville" - Addison, Paris, and Wilson
- "Boca Raton Sequence" - Ensemble
- "Get Out of My Life" (includes "Go") - Wilson and Addison
- "Final Vaudeville" - Wilson and Addison
This listing of numbers is an "amalgam of the first three readings," according to Sondheim's second book of collected lyrics Look, I Made a Hat (Alfred A. Knopf, 2011, pp. 179-215). Although this version of Wise Guys was never produced on stage, it is listed here to provide context and comparison to later versions.
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1999 Workshop of Wise Guys |
Opened October 29, 1999 at the New York Theatre Workshop, NYC
Closed November 20, 1999
Produced by Scott Rudin, Roger Berlind, Dodger Theatricals
and the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Directed by Sam Mendes
Choreographed by Jonathan Butterell
Music Director: Ted Sperling
Scenery Designed by Mark Thompson
Costumes Designed by Santo Loquasto
Lighting Designed by Jules Fisher & Peggy Eisenhauer
Sound Designed by Jonathan Deans
Musical Supervisor: Paul Gemignani
Orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick
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Cast
Wilson Mizner - Victor Garber
Reporter - Christopher Fitzgerald
Addison Mizner - Nathan Lane
Papa - William Parry
Mama - Candy Buckley
A Prospector - Kevin Chamberlin
Poker Players - William Parry, Ray Wills, Kevin Chamberlin, Brooks Ashmanskas
Assayer - Clarke Thorell
Ticket Seller - Ray Wills
Business Man #1 - Michael Hall
Business Man #2 - Nancy Opel
Solicitor - Brooks Ashmanskas
Chinese Warlord - Kevin Chamberlin
Plantation Owner - William Parry
Doorman - Kevin Chamberlin
Myra Yerkes - Jessica Molaskey
Paris Singer - Michael Hall
Playwright - Brooks Ashmanskas
Boxer - Ray Wills
Gangster - Clarke Thorell
Stanley Ketchel - Ray Wills
Flatbush Phil - Clarke Thorell
Paul Armstrong - Brooks Ashmanskas
Newsboy - Christoper Fitzgerald
Gladys - Jessica Boevers
Real Estate Agent - Kevin Chaberlin
Mrs. Eva Slotesbury - Nancy Opel
Mr. Sloatesbury - William Parry
Mrs. Lilly Cosden - Lauren Ward
Mr. Cosden - Ray Wills
Mrs.Trumbouer - Jessica Boevers
Mr.Trumboer - Brooks Ashmanskas
Mrs.Wannamaker - Jessica Molasky
Mrs. Dupont - Candy Buckley
Souvenir Sellers, Club Patrons and Millionaires, Boca Raton Choir, Buyers, Sellers, and other participants - Brooks Ashmanskas, Jessica Boevers, Kevin Chamberlin, Christopher Fitzgerald, Michael Hall, Jessica Molasky, Nancy Opel, William Parry, Clark Thorell, Lauren Ward and Ray Wills
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Musical Numbers [early performance]
Act One
- "Wise Guys" - Addison and Wilson
- "It's in Your Hands" - Papa Mizner
- "My Two Young Men" - Mama Mizner
- "Gold" / "Alaska" - Prospector, Addison, and Wilson
- "The Game" - Wilson
- "Wise Guys" (reprise) - Addison and Wilson
- "Next to You" - Addison and Wilson
- "On My Way" - Addison
- "Souvenir" - Ensemble
- "Stay Right Where You Are" - Wilson and Myra
- "Willy - King of New York" - Playwright, Boxer, Gangster,
and Myra
- "Wise Guys" (reprise) - Addison and Wilson
- "A House for Mama" - Addison
- "Isn't He Something?" - Mama Mizner
- "Wise Guys" (reprise) - Addison and Wilson
Act Two
- "Wise Guys" (reprise) - Addison
- "Florida Land Boom" / "Get Rich Quick" - Real Estate
Agent
- "Paris' Dream" - Paris Singer
- "Where Have You Been All My Life" - Addison, Paris, and Ensemble
- "Make It Through the Night" - Addison
Musical Numbers [last performance]
Act One
- "Wise Guys" - Addison and Wilson
- "It's in Your Hands" - Papa Mizner
- "My Two Young Men" - Mama Mizner
- "Gold" - Prospector
- "You and Me Together" - Wilson
- "The Game" - Wilson
- "Wise Guys" (reprise) - Addison and Wilson
- "Next to You" - Addison and Wilson
- "On My Way" - Addison
- "Stay Right Where You Are" - Wilson and Myra
- "That Was a Year" - Wilson
- "A House for Mama" - Addison
- "Isn't He Something?" - Mama Mizner
- "Wise Guys" (reprise) - Addison and Wilson
Act Two
- "Talent" - Paris Singer
- "You" - Addison and Paris
- "Make It Through the Night" - Addison
- "Wise Guys" (reprise) - Addison, Wilson and Paris
- "Boca Raton" - Wilson, Addison, Ensemble
- "It's in Your Hands Now" - Wilson, Addison, Ensemble
- "Coming Home" - Wilson
- "Get Out of My Life" - Addison
- "Wise Guys" (reprise) - Addison and Wilson
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2003 Goodman Theatre Production of Bounce |

Previews began June 20, 2003 at the Goodman Theatre, Chicago
Opened June 30, 2003; Closed August 10, 2003
Ran for 7 preview and 47 regular performances
Produced by The Goodman Theatre
Directed by Harold Prince
Choreographed by Michael Arnold
Set Design by Eugene Lee
Costume Design by Miguel Angel Huidor
Lighting Design by Howell Binkley
Sound Design by Duncan Robert Edwards
Orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick
Music Director: David Caddick
Dance Arrangements by Robert Lindsey Nassif
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Cast
Addison Mizner - Richard Kind
Wilson Mizner - Howard McGillin
Nellie - Michele Pawk
Hollis Bessemer - Gavin Creel
Mama Mizner - Jane Powell
Papa Mizner - Herndon Lackey
Ensemble - Sean Blake, Marilyn Bogetich, Tom Daugherty, Jeff Dumas, Deanna Dunagan, Nicole Grothues, Rick Hilsabeck, Jeff Parker, Harriet Nzinga Plumpp, Jenny Powers, Craig Ramsey, Jacquelyn Ritz, Fred Zimmerman
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Musical Numbers
Act One
- "Bounce" - Wilson and Addison Mizner
- "Opportunity" - Papa, Addison, Wilson, Mama
- "Gold!" - Prospector, Wilson, Mama, Addison, Alaskans
- "Gold!" - Poker Players
- "What's Your Rush?" - Nellie
- "Next to You" - Addison, Wilson, Mama
- Addison's Trip Around the World ("On My Way") - Addison, Salesman, Guatemalans, Servants
- "What's Your Rush?" - Wilson, Mrs. Yerkes
- "Alaska" - Mrs. Yerkes, Wilson
- New York Sequence - Wilson, Nellie, Reporters, Photographer, Ketchel, Armstong, Jockey, Gamblers, Policeman, Wilson's Women
- "The Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me" - Wilson, Nellie
- "Isn't He Something?" - Mama
- "Bounce" (reprise) - Addison
Act Two
- "The Game" (reprise) - Addison, Nellie, Wilson, Promoter
- "Talent" - Hollis
- "You" - Addison, Hollis, Aristocrats
- "Addison's City" - Hollis, Wilson, Addison, Nellie
- "Boca Raton" - Boca Girl, Sportsmen, Fashion Models, Yachtsmen, Caruso, Salvador Dali, Wilson, Addison, Nellie, Hollis, Prospector, Varmints, Bobby Jones, Mae West, Princess Ghika, Chorus
- Last Fight - Addison, Wilson
- "Bounce" - Wilson, Addison
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2003 Kennedy Center Production of Bounce |

Previews began October 21, 2003 at the Eisenhower Theater, Kennedy Center, Washington DC
Opened October 30, 2003; Closed November 16, 2003; Ran for 32 performances
The Kennedy Center presents the Goodman Theatre production
[Robert Falls, Artistic Director; Roche Schulfer, Executive Director]
Directed by Harold Prince
Choreographed by Michael Arnold
Music Director: David Caddick
Scenery Designed by Eugene Lee
Costumes Designed by Miguel Huidor
Lighting Designed by Howell Binkley
Sound Designed by Duncan Robert Edwards
Dance and Incidental Music by Robert Lindsey Nassif
Orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick
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Cast
Addison Mizner - Richard Kind
Wilson Mizner - Howard McGillin
Nellie - Michele Pawk
Hollis Bessemer - Gavin Creel
Mama Mizner - Jane Powell
Papa Mizner - Herndon Lackey
Ensemble - Sean Blake, Marilyn Bogetich, Tom Daugherty, Jeff Dumas, Deanna Dunagan, Nicole Grothues, Rick Hilsabeck, Jeff Parker, Harriet Nzinga Plumpp, Jenny Powers, Craig Ramsey, Jacquelyn Ritz, Fred Zimmerman
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Musical Numbers
Act One
- "Bounce" - Wilson, Addison
- "Opportunity" - Papa, Mama
- "Gold!" - Prospector, Wilson, Mama, Addison, Alaskans
- "What's Your Rush?" - Nellie
- "The Game" - Wilson
- "Next to You" - Addison, Wilson, Mama
- Addison's Trip - Addison, Salesman, Guatemalans, Servants
- "The Best Thing That Ever Has Happened" - Wilson, Nellie
- "I Love This Town" - Wilson, Nellie, Addison and Company
- "Isn't He Something?" - Mama
- "Bounce" (reprise) - Addison
Act Two
- "The Game" (reprise) - Addison, Nellie, Wilson, Promoter
- "Talent" - Hollis
- "You" - Addison, Hollis, Aristocrats
- "Addison's City" - Hollis, Wilson, Nellie, Addison
- "Get Rich Quick" - Company
- Last Fight - Addison, Wilson
- "Bounce" - Wilson, Addison
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Original Cast Recording |
Recording
Bounce - A New Musical
Recording produced by Tommy Krasker and Robert Hurwitz
Sessions produced by Robert Hurwitz and Jonathan Tunick
Engineered by Tom Lazarus
Recorded November 10, 2003 at NPR Studios, Washington DC
Additional recording at The Enchanted Cottage, Los Angeles
Engineered by Thomas Griep
- Compact Disc, 2004 [Nonesuch 79830-2] (73:22 mins.)
Selections:
Overture (2:51), Bounce (4:07), Opportunity (2:23), Gold! (2:54), Gold! - Part 2 (0:31), What's Your Rush? (2:33), The Game (2:31), Next to You (3:47), Addison's Trip (6:32), The Best Thing That Ever Has Happened (4:13), I Love This Town (3:57), Isn't He Something! (3:11), Bounce (1:42), The Game (5:33), Talent (2:28), You (4:10), Addison's City (4:17), Boca Raton (6:29), Boca Raton Aftermath (0:32), Get Out of My Life (3:03), Bounce (1:36)
Bonus Track: A Little House for Mama (3:34)
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2008 Public Theater Production of Road Show |

Previews begin October 28, 2008 at the Newman Theater, New York City
Opened November 18, 2008; Closed December 28, 2008
Produced by The Public Theater
[Artistic Director: Oskar Eustis;
Executive Director: Mara Manus]
Directed and Set Designed by John Doyle
Costume Design: Ann Hould-Ward
Lighting Design: Jane Cox
Sound Design: Dan Moses Schreier
Wig and Hair Design: Paul Huntley
Music Director: Mary-Mitchell Campbell
Music Coordinator: Seymour Red Press
Orchestrations: Jonathan Tunick
Production Stage Manager: Jame Latus
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Cast
Addison Mizner - Alexander Gemignani
Wilson Mizner - Michael Cerveris
Hollis Bessemer - Claybourne Elder
Mama Mizner - Alma Cuervo
Papa Mizner - William Parry
Ensemble - Aisha de Haas, Colleen Fitzpatrick, David Garry, Mylinda Hull,
Mel Johnson, Jr., Orville Mendoza, Anne L. Nathan, Tom Nelis, Matthew Stocke,
Katrina Yaukey, William Youmans and Kristine Zbornik
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Musical Numbers
[Performed as one act without intermission]
- "Waste" - Full Company
- "It's In Your Hands Now" - Papa
- "Gold!" - Full Company
- "Brotherly Love" - Addison, Wilson
- "The Game" - Wilson
- "Addison's Trip" - Full Company
- "That Was A Year" - Full Company
- "Isn't He Something!" - Mama
- "Land Boom" - Real Estate Agent
- "Talent" - Hollis
- "You" - Full Company
- "The Best Thing That Ever Has Happened" - Addison, Hollis
- "The Game" (Reprise) - Wilson
- "Addison's City" - Addison, Hollis, Wilson
- "Boca Raton" - Full Company
- "Get Out" - Addison
- "Go" - Wilson
- Finale - Addison, Wilson
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Recording
Road Show
Recording produced by Tommy Krasker
Recorded February 23, 2009 at Avatar Studios, NYC
Recorded and mixed by Tom Lazarus
Edited by Bart Migal
Assistant Engineers: Bob Mallory, Brian Montgomery
Mastered by Bart Migal
Music Preparation: Katharine Edmonds / Emily Grishman
Orchestra Contractor: Seymour Red Press
Recording Executive Producer: Sean Patrick Flahaven
Liner notes and synopsis by Sean Patrick Flahaven
Lyrics included
- Compact Disc, June 30, 2009 [Nonesuch / PS Classics 518940-2] (64:48 mins.)
Selections:
Waste (2:35), It's In Your Hands Now (3:14), Gold! (2:39), Brotherly Love (2:35), The Game (4:39), Addison's Trip (8:12), That Was A Year (5:31), Isn't He Something! (3:15), Land Boom! (1:02), Talent (2:35), You (5:28), The Best Thing That Ever Has Happened (3:11), The Game (Reprise) (2:01), Addison's City (4:09), Boca Raton (5:33), Get Out / Go (3:51), Finale (3:24)
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2011 London Production of Road Show |
Previews began June 24, 2011 at the Menier Chocolate Factory
Opened July 6, 2011; closed September 18, 2011
Directed by John Doyle
Costume Design by Matthew Wright
Lighting Design by Jane Cox
Sound Design by Gareth Owen
Set Design by John Doyle
Musical Director: Catherine Jayes
Orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick
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Cast
Addison Mizner - David Bedella
Wilson Mizner - Michael Jibson
Hollis Bessemer - Jon Robyns
Mama Mizner - Gillian Bevan
Papa Mizner - Glyn Kerslake
Ensemble - Adrian Der Gregorian, Fiona Dunn, Sarah Ingram, Julie Jupp, Elizabeth Marsh, Christopher Ragland, Robbie Scotcher, and Phil Wrigly
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Recordings of Songs |
- Addison's City
- Gavin Creel, Howard McGillin, Richard Kind, Michele Pawk
Bounce Original Cast 2004
- Claybourne Elder, Michael Cerveris, Alexander Gemignani and Company
Road Show Original Cast 2009
- Addison's Trip [lyrics slightly different in each version of the show; sometimes titled "I'm on My Way" or "On My Way", but this is the composer's preferred title]
- Richard Kind and Ensemble
Bounce Original Cast 2004
- Alexander Gemignani and Company
Road Show Original Cast 2009
- Alaska [part of Gold! that was included in the reprise of What's Your Rush? which was cut after the Chicago production of Bounce]
- Benicia [cut song, used only in the Wise Guys readings]
- The Best Thing That Ever Has Happened [first version, written for Bounce]
- Howard McGillin and Michele Pawk
Bounce Original Cast 2004
- The Best Thing That Ever Has Happened [second version, with revised lyrics for Road Show]
- Claybourne Elder and Alexander Gemignani
Road Show Original Cast 2009
- Boca Raton Sequence
- Howard McGillin, Richard Kind, Michele Pawk, Gavin Creel and Ensemble
Bounce Original Cast 2004
- Company
Road Show Original Cast 2009
- Bounce [rewritten for Road Show with new lyrics as Waste]
- Brotherly Love
- Alexander Gemignani and Michael Cerveris
Road Show Original Cast 2009
- Call It Home [cut song, written for the Wise Guys workshop]
- Dowagers [cut song, first used in the Wise Guys readings, and then incorporated into the workshop version of Palm Beach Sequence]
- Fifth Vaudeville [see First Vaudeville]
- Final Vaudeville [see First Vaudeville]
- Finale [includes parts of Waste and It's in Your Hands Now]
- Michael Cerveris, Alexander Gemignani, William Parry and Company
Road Show Original Cast 2009
- First Vaudeville [cut song, used in the Wise Guys readings and workshop, titled "Wise Guys" in the program; there were five reprises, the last titled "Final Vaudeville"]
- Fourth Vaudeville [see First Vaudeville]
- The Game [first version; cut song, used only in the Wise Guys readings]
- The Game [final version]
- Howard McGillin and Richard Kind
Bounce Original Cast 2004
- Alexander Gemignani, Michael Cerveris and Company
Road Show Original Cast 2009
- The Game (reprise)
- Howard McGillin, Richard Kind, Michele Pawk and Herndon Lackey
Bounce Original Cast 2004
- Michael Cerveris
Road Show Original Cast 2009
- Get Out of My Life [includes Go in all recordings; titled Last Fight in the Bounce cast recording, titled Get Out / Go in the program for Road Show and its cast recording]
- Richard Kind and Howard McGillin
Bounce Original Cast 2004
- Alexander Gemignani and Michael Cerveris
Road Show Original Cast 2009
- Get Rich Quick [see Boca Raton Sequence]
- Go [separate song according to the composer's collected lyrics book, but always performed and recorded as part of Get Out of My Life]
- Gold! [parts were reprised as Alaska in the Chicago production of Bounce, and other parts were reprised as Land Boom! in Road Show]
- Howard McGillin, Richard Kind, Jane Powell and Ensemble
Bounce Original Cast 2004
- Alma Cuervo, Michael Cerveris, Alexander Gemignani and Company
Road Show Original Cast 2009
- The Good Life [cut song, used only in the Wise Guys readings]
- A House for Mama [see A Little House for Mama]
- I Love This Town [written for Bounce, titled New York Sequence in the Chicago production; dropped from Road Show, replaced by That Was a Year]
- Howard McGillin, Michele Pawk and Ensemble
Bounce Original Cast 2004
- I'm on My Way [see Addison's Trip]
- Isn't He Something!
- It's in Your Hands Now [written for the Wise Guys workshop; cut from Bounce, replaced by Opportunity, and restored in Road Show; music from Flag Song which was cut from Assassins]
- Journalists [cut song, used only in the Wise Guys readings]
- Land Boom! [reprise of Gold!]
- [Real Estate Agent]
Road Show Original Cast 2009
- Last Fight [see Get Out of My Life]
- A Little House for Mama [cut song, written for the Wise Guys workshop]
- Richard Kind
Bounce Original Cast 2004 [bonus track]
- Make It Through the Night [cut song, written for the Wise Guys workshop]
- My Two Young Men [originally a separate song, and later reprised in Next to You, in both the Wise Guys readings and workshop; only used as part of Next to You in Bounce]
- Never Say Die [cut song, written for Bounce, replaced by Opportunity]
- New York Sequence [see I Love This Town]
- Next to You [includes My Two Young Men]
- Howard McGillin, Richard Kind and Jane Powell
Bounce Original Cast 2004
- On My Left [cut song, written for Bounce; probably a revision of the opening vaudeville of the Wise Guys readngs and workshop]
- On My Way [see Addison's Trip]
- Opportunity
- Herndon Lackey, Richard Kind, Howard McGillin and Jane Powell
Bounce Original Cast 2004
- Overture
- Orchestra
Bounce Original Cast 2004
- Palm Beach Sequence [first version; used only in the Wise Guys workshop; incorporated Dowagers, and reprised parts of Gold! and Addison's Trip]
- Palm Beach Sequence [second version; written for the Wise Guys workshop, only the You section was used in Bounce and Road Show]
- Second Vaudeville [see First Vaudeville]
- Souvenir [became part of the Addison's Trip sequence]
- Stay Right Where You Are [cut song, written for the Wise Guys workshop]
- Talent
- Gavin Creel
Bounce Original Cast 2004
- Claybourne Elder
Road Show Original Cast 2009
- That Was a Year [written for the Wise Guys workshop, cut from Bounce, expanded for Road Show]
- Michael Cerveris and Company
Road Show Original Cast 2009
- Third Vaudeville [see First Vaudeville]
- Waste [new version of the opening number of Bounce, rewritten for Road Show with new lyrics]
- What a Waste [see Finale of Road Show]
- What's Next [cut song, used only in the Wise Guys readings]
- What's Your Rush? [written for Bounce, cut from Road Show]
- Michele Pawk
Bounce Original Cast 2004
- Where Have You Been All My Life? [see You]
- Willy - King of New York [see That Was a Year]
- Wise Guys [see First Vaudeville]
- You [originally part of the Wise Guys workshop version of Palm Beach Sequence]
- Richard Kind, Gavin Creel and Ensemble
Bounce Original Cast 2004
- Alexander Gemignani, Claybourne Elder and Company
Road Show Original Cast 2009
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Top of Bounce
Last modified on Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Compiled by Michael H. Hutchins
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