Cruisin'
Peter Waterman & Rod Christian
Genre: Drama
Cast size: 16 +Chorus
Duration: Two Act
Peter Waterman & Rod Christian | Musical | Full-length | Principals : 5m, 4f Support : 3m, 5f (+Chorus)
Short synopsis
- Synopsis
- Characters
- Reviews
Cruisin’ is a lively musical with humour, emotion, and memorable songs inspired by early rock and roll legends.
It tells a vibrant, energetic and engaging musical story that follows Vinnie Russo, a young Italian kid as he struggles to escape from his Papa's expectations, to take his place in the modern 1950's world of motorbikes, rock and roll - and girls!
Vincenzo Russo emigrated to the UK in 1948 to help with the post-war rebuilding ,leaving his family behind in Italy. With his friend Johnny DiMaccio and others in a similar position, he is waiting at the docks for his wife Rosa and their children Vinnie and Maria. He is 'old school' and dreams that his children will grow up in the traditional family - the Italian way.
The years pass until 1959 when Vinnie at seventeen and in his final year at school finds that he is torn between his love for music and his family traditions. His father thinks that Vinnie is wasting his time with rock and roll music instead of concentrating on his Italian heritage and a solid career in the family small good’s business.
Conflict comes to a head when Maria, Vinnie's younger sister, leaves home to be with Phil (the guitarist and lead singer in the band Cruisin’) and Vinnie joins the band at the local Rock and Roll Club run by Johnny DiMaccio, who is now a streetwise entrepreneur, calling himself Johnny Angel.
It takes courage and determination for Rosa and Johnny Angel to convince Vinnie's father that this “crazy rock and roll music” may not be such a bad thing after all.
Eventually, the traditional family values stay intact and the Russos come to terms with the new British way of life. Music becomes the instrument of reconciliation, bridging the generation gap and creating a new cultural harmony and optimism for the future.
With 21 original songs fully scored for an 8 piece band, a vocal and piano score and rock and roll and dance numbers, Cruisin’ is a show that appeals to all ages and cultures
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