Editing Little Tramp

{{Short description|Musical by David Pomeranz and Steven David Horwich}}
{{more citations needed|date=November 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox Musical
|name= Little Tramp
|subtitle=
|image= LittleTramp.jpg
|caption= Concept Recording
|music= [[David Pomeranz]]
|lyrics= [[David Pomeranz]]
|book= [[David Pomeranz]] <br> [[Steven David Horwich]]
|basis= The life of [[Charles Chaplin|Charlie Chaplin]]
|productions= 1995 [[Waterford, Connecticut|Waterford]] <br> 1996 [[St. Petersburg, Russia|St. Petersburg]], [[Russia]]
<!-- Please do not include production-specific (acting, directing, etc.) awards -->
|awards= 
}}
: ''See [[The Tramp]] for the character played by [[Charlie Chaplin]]''.

'''''Little Tramp''''' is a [[musical theatre|musical]] with a book by [[David Pomeranz]] and Steven David Horwich and music and lyrics by David Pomeranz.

Based on the life of comedian [[Charles Chaplin]] and named after his [[The Tramp|most famous character, The Tramp]], it opens at the 1971 [[Academy Awards]] ceremony at which the aging star, long exiled from the [[United States]], is about to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award. The trajectory of the impressive professional career and turbulent private life that leads to this moment is traced via [[Flashback (narrative)|flashback]]s in which Chaplin recalls his introduction to Hollywood and [[silent movie]]s, his failed marriages and problems with the press, his dealings with the [[Federal Bureau of Investigation|FBI]], and the creation of his most beloved character, the iconic Little Tramp.
 
In 1992, in order to create interest in a staged production, Pomeranz gathered together what he referred to as his "dream cast" and recorded a CD of the score.  Artists participating in the project included [[Petula Clark]], [[Lea Salonga]], [[Tim Curry]], [[Mel Brooks]], [[Treat Williams]], and [[Peter Duncan (actor)|Peter Duncan]] as Chaplin. It was released on the Warner Music UK Ltd. label.

''Little Tramp'' received its first staging in 1995 at the prestigious [[Eugene O'Neill]] Theater Festival in [[Waterford, Connecticut]] (Eugene O'Neill having been the father of Chaplin's wife, [[Oona O'Neill]]).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Haun |first=Harry |date=2012-08-14 |title=Tramp! Tramp! Tramp! Charlie Chaplin is Marching to Broadway |url=https://observer.com/2012/08/tramp-tramp-tramp-charlie-chaplin-is-marching-to-broadway/ |access-date=2024-11-02 |website=Observer |language=en-US}}</ref> The following year, a concert version was presented in [[St. Petersburg]], [[Russia]] to inaugurate the world's first East/West Musical Theater Conference.

The show was first performed in the UK by Imagine Productions in Preston, and was endorsed by Richard Attenborough, director of the biopic ''[[Chaplin (film)|Chaplin]]''.

==Synopsis==
At the [[43rd Academy Awards|1971 Academy Awards ceremony]] in [[Los Angeles]], an 82-year-old [[Charlie Chaplin]] is about to receive a special Life Achievement award. 20 years earlier, Charlie had been barred from re-entry into the United States on the grounds that he was a [[Communism|Communist]] ("In America Again").

Charlie looks back at his life. His mother, a failed music hall performer, trying to make ends meet to support little Charlie and his older brother [[Sydney Chaplin|Sydney]], reminds her sons that they have something more than mere material possessions ("Something No One Can Ever Take Away").

Not able to support her children, [[Hannah Chaplin]] is taken to the workhouse. The boys try selling their old clothing on the streets but there are no takers. Hungry and heartbroken, Sydney tries to cheer things up ("When the World Stops Turning") while the Charlie of 1971 rejoins them.

When Sydney joined the Navy, Charlie is left to fend for himself. Determined to help his mother, Charlie joined a dance troupe called "[[The Eight Lancashire Lads]]", but his mother's condition worsens, and she is placed in an insane asylum. Dodging truant officers, Charlie sees a sign, "Blackmore's Theatrical Agency" and barges into the agent's office ("Number One").

Now grown up and a consummate English Stage comedian, Charlie is discovered by filmmaker [[Mack Sennett]] and signed to a contract at [[Keystone Studios]] in [[California]]. Sennett's style of "pie in the face" comedy is different from Chaplin's slower, more deliberate style, and when Charlie tries to assert his ideas, Sennett gives him some strong advice ("Less It Ends with a Chase").

Charlie is relentless. Sennett finally throws up his hands in frustration and gives Charlie a chance ("The Tramp"/"He's Got to be Someone").

Charlie becomes an overnight sensation. Film distributors, fans and theater owners can't get enough of him ("Chaplin Films").

Charlie opens his own picture studio, and he becomes one of the most beloved public figures.  One evening, he is visited by a local chapter of Chaplin Fan Club ("Thank You").

By this time, Sydney returns as Charlie's personal manager. Getting ready for a swank Hollywood party, Sydney reminisces how far they've come ("Heaven").

Back to 1971, Charlie's wife, [[Oona O'Neill|Oona]], is instructed by the show's assistant director on how Charlie should play to the camera. Furthermore, a government official then warns her that Charlie should avoid making any political comments. Oona is incensed ("He's Got to be Someone (Reprise)").

The story returns to the 1920s. Charlie's career and personal life are at a low point. His mother just died, and he just underwent two bitter divorces. He is overworked, reporters are on to him and to make things worse, talking pictures are threatening his artistic survival ("Too Many Words").

Nonetheless his success continued, and Charlie revisits England to attend a Royal Premiere of ''[[City Lights]]''. He wanders through his old neighborhood and is stunned that injustice and poverty still exists. In an effort to improve such degenerate conditions, he decides to speak out on behalf of the [[Russian War Relief]]. He contends that it's no concern whether or not these people are Communist, they're being slaughtered by the [[Nazism|Nazis]]. After one of his speeches, [[FBI]] agent Tippy Gray takes notes and reports his finding to Bureau Chief [[J. Edgar Hoover]] ("I Got Me a Red"/"There's Got to be a Law").

A paternity suit is filed against Chaplin, giving Hoover ammunition he needed. Although a blood test disproves the allegation, the press crucifies him. His fans turn on him and his films are boycotted. Charlie is dejected. He is convinced that it is just a matter of time before his new wife Oona leaves him too. However. Oona assures him that she won't ("This is What I Dreamed").

The Chaplins decide to cruise Europe, but aboard the ship, Charlie receives a cable from Washington stating that in order to re-enter the U.S., he must answer to political and moral charges. Crestfallen, Charlie decided to spend the next 20 years living in [[Veney]], [[Switzerland]].

Back to 1971, Charlie is escorted to the stage while deeply regarding what he will tell his audience ("Finale").

==Concept album (1992)==
'''Cast'''

[[Charlie Chaplin]] (age 9) - Leonard Kirby

Charlie Chaplin (middle years) - [[Peter Duncan (actor)|Peter Duncan]]

Charlie Chaplin (age 82) - [[Richard Harris]]

[[Sydney Chaplin]] - [[Johnny Logan (singer)|Johnny Logan]]

Sydney Chaplin (age 12) - Jonathan Rudoe

[[Hannah Chaplin]] - [[Petula Clark]]

[[Oona O'Neill|Oona Chaplin]] - [[Lea Salonga]]

[[Mack Sennett]] - [[Mel Brooks]]

Tippy Gray - [[Tim Curry]]

[[J. Edgar Hoover]] - [[Treat Williams]]

Fan Club President - [[David Pomeranz]]

Mr. Blackmore - [[Mel Smith]]

Mrs. Henley - Jacquie Toye

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==

{{Charlie Chaplin}}

[[Category:1992 musicals]]
[[Category:American musicals]]
[[Category:Biographical musicals]]
[[Category:Cultural depictions of Charlie Chaplin]]
[[Category:Cultural depictions of J. Edgar Hoover]]