Can a character from a classic holiday cartoon actually inspire an entire musical? Of course the answer is “yes” or why else would I ask the question? In “A Charlie Brown Christmas”, a girl addresses Pigpen and says “Look at you, you’re an absolute mess.” Pigpen responds, “On the contrary, I didn’t think I looked that good.” Thus the inspiration for a very interesting production, the first of several to explore a core belief of mine: being true to yourself.
First produced in 2004, Dirty is set at an all-boys school in Avon, Colorado. The setting is intentional as is the Shakespeare reference. The key to the entire show is the line “To thine own self be true.” We meet Jimsy and Jamesy, two maintenance workers who know a lot more about the school than you would think (It’s a Dirty World). Before starting the school day, the class sings their school song (Our Beloved School) Burt and Louie are cousins, one very clean, the other a mess. The rest of the class becomes involved in a discussion of the background of Shakespeare (Shakespeare was a British Man, Shakespeare was an Irish Man, Shakespeare was a Scottish Man). The class is presented with an opportunity to attend a Shakespeare festival, but they can only go if they can get the classroom, and themselves, spotless for a school celebration. Problem is, Burt and Louie come from wildly different family backgrounds (Clean Life/Grungy Life). Louie agrees to at least try to clean up.
Jimsy and Jamesy meet with the school’s owner, Mr. Todáro. Jimsy and Jamesy, by gathering data as part of their custodial work, know that Mr. Todaro is selling the school (Someday, We’ll Rule the World). Mr. Todaro has his reasons for selling, all dating back to an injury he suffered when he slipped on some water while dancing with the love of his life (Florizel’s Tango).
The big day arrives, and, well, that would be giving it away, but rest assured, Shakespeare’s advice plays out in the end (True).
By the way, I changed the title to Dirty (dropped the “boy”) as a way to ensure gender neutrality when a specific gender of the character is not essential to the plot.
I appreciate your comments. Enjoy.
THE SONGS
Dirty World: As I have done many times before, I open the musical with a quiet, understated song. Jimsy sings while he and Jamesy clean the classroom. As they clean they take time to gather information from the trash they collect.
The song celebrates the value of workers like Jimsy and Jamesy. The laid back triplet shuffle helps to emphasize just how these two workers are absolutely in control.
Our Beloved School: The words for the school anthem came from visiting web sites of British Boys’ Boarding Schools. The stiff nature of the music is similar to a piece I wrote for “Mystery at the Men’s Club. I think I just like playing around with semi-classical arrangements
Shakespeare Suite: The story of “Dirty” concerns itself with the idea of “To Thine Own Self Be True.” Early in the show, the members of the class have a good-natured debate about Shakespeare’s true national background. The melody for the Irish section came from a tune I wrote 20 years earlier for soprano recorder. The star of the medley is, “Shakespeare was Scottish Man.” Complete with a Scottish “snap” in the music, Scottish Man almost made a believer out of me. The cast member lucky enough to get the part wore a kilt! I anticipated resistance, but to my surprise, they couldn’t wait to get all Scottish. The chorus still holds up.
Shakespeare Was An Irish Man
Willy Shakespeare Was a Scottish Man
Pride of England
Clean Life/Grungy Life: As if a three-part Shakespeare medley wasn’t enough, now comes a split song about two very different households. The McClean house is spotless, almost to the point of being obsessive. The other house is a natural mess. The lyrics are really fun, and the arguments put forth are not without merit. I revived the show post-Covid and did feel a little uncomfortable about the messy house POV, but it ended up working.
I still remember the look on the faces of the cast members when I first did the Grungy rap. Priceless.
Someday We’ll Rule the World: To this point in the musical, Jamesy has not spoken. However, when the work is done and Jimsy decides to take a nap, Jamesy shares his thoughts on his career path and being a worker’s advocate.
The song is a Bolero with Jamesy speaking in a preaching voice, while the stage crew joins him on stage. It was a really cool moment.
Florizel’s Tango: I don’t like to write villains. If someone comes across as the antagonist, I need to have a reason for the character’s behaviors. When Florizel Todáro was young, he lost the love of his young life when he slipped on some water while helping her with a dance audition. He has never gotten over it.
I don’t think for a minute that anyone knowledgable about the tango would ever confuse my tango for the real thing, but it does have enough musical elements to get the point across.
True: This is it. This is my life philosophy in one, incredibly simple song.
Sean Breen 