Overview
Synopsis
In Transit is a love song to New York City, an a cappella romp through the subway stations and the places connected by the trains. Street performer Boxman welcomes the audience and explains that the average commute is one hour--so passengers spend two hours every day, in between destinations. And as he says, “If you’re not there, and you’re not here, then where are you?� This question in mind, Boxman navigates and narrates the lives of New York City commuters: Jane, an aspiring Broadway actress ready to give up on her dreams; Trent and Steven, an engaged couple worried about whether Trent’s mother will accept them; Nate, a out-of-work banker who accidentally hit “reply all� on an email; Ali, Nate’s sister who is newly obsessed with running in order to get over her boyfriend; and the friends and family that weave through their lives. In Transit reaches emotional highs and lows, and every sound is produced by a human voice. It is full of witty New York City moments like Pizza Rat running through the station or the Times Square Elsas that warn each other to “Let it go.� Tourists will enjoy the sights and sounds of the city, while New Yorkers will appreciate the inside jokes--mostly at the expense of the MTA--and everyone will adore their trip In Transit, in the place from there to here.
Show Information
- Lyrics
- Kristen Anderson-Lopez , James-Allen Ford , Russ Kaplan , Sara Wordsworth
- Category
- Musical
- Age Guidance
- Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
- Number of Acts
- 1
- First Produced
- 2010
- Genres
- Comedy
- Settings
- Contemporary, Multiple Settings, Simple/No Set
- Time & Place
- New York City, present day
- Cast Size
- medium
- Orchestra Size
- None
- Dancing
- Musical Staging
- Ideal For
- College/University, Diverse Cast, Ensemble Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Mostly Female Cast, Includes Adult, Young Adult, Mature Adult Characters, Medium Cast
Context
Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Soprano |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
|
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Bass |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Alto |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Alto |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Alto |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Soprano |
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone, Bass |
Songs
- "Deep Beneath the City" / "Not There Yet" � All
- "Do What I Do" � Jane
- "Four Days Home" � Trent, Steven and All
- "Broke" � Nate
- "Saturday Night Obsession" � Ali
- "Wingman" � Chris and All
- "But, Ya Know" � Nate and Jane
- "Not There Yet" (Reprise) � Ali, Trent, Jane, Nate, and Althea
- "Keep It Goin'" � Althea and All
- "A Little Friendly Advice" � Ms. Williams
- "Choosing Not to Know" � Trent
- "The Moving Song" � Ali
- "We Are Home" � Steven and Trent
- "Getting There" � Jane
- Finale � All
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
A piece of music sung without accompaniment.
Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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Guide Written By:
Cindi Calhoun
Theatre teacher, director, writer, and seamstress