
Adding Machine: A Musical
Full Length Musical, Drama / 5m, 4f
Musical adaptation of Elmer Rice's incendiary 1923 play.
Note on Digital Perusal: Samuel French's new digital perusal process grants easy, digital access to music perusals while protecting the intellectual property of our composers, book writers, and lyricists. Samuel French perusals are intended to be used for finding the perfect show to fit your theater, casting pool, and resources. Perusals should be used to get acquainted with the music and script. They cannot be used to hold auditions, produce the show without a license, or find sheet music for a separate performance.

Adding Machine: A Musical
Use this tool for cost estimates based on your specific needs.
Cast Size
5m, 4fDuration
105 MinutesSubgenre
Fantasy, Adaptations (Stage & Screen), Period, ExperimentalAccolades
From Off-BroadwayTarget Audience
- Appropriate for all audiences
Additional Info
Accolades
- Winner! 2008 Lucille Lortel Award - Outstanding Musical
Winner! 2008 Outer Critics Circle Award - Outstanding New Off-Broadway Musical and Outstanding New Score
Reviews
REVIEWS
"CRITICS PICK! A brillant musical! A superb libretto by Loewith and Schmidt and music that gets under your skin and stays there." - New York Times, Read More
"Exciting and adventurous!" - NY Post, Read More
"THE BEST NEW MUSICAL of 2008!" - Time Out New York, Read More
"A marvel! Joshua Schmidt's music sneaks up on us until we are begging for more! Adding Machine dazzles!" - Bloomberg.com
"A masterpiece of expressionism. Brave and bold!" - Variety, Read More
RELATED ARTICLE ON BREAKING CHARACTERMr. Zero's Journey: ADDING MACHINE, A MUSICAL
by Ben Coleman
November 25, 2014
Videos
Considerations
Performing Groups
- College Theatre / Student
- Community Theatre
- Professional Theatre
- Large Stage
Cautions
- Strong Language
- Mild Adult Themes
License details
- Licensing fees and rental materials quoted upon application.
This title is currently restricted in London, please contact the Licensing Department for further details.
Production
Details
- Time Period: 1920s
- Duration: 105 Minutes
- Setting: Here and the afterlife. An American city in the 1920s.
- Additional Features: Not Applicable
- Features / Contains: Period Costumes
Music
- Musical Style: Operetta
- Vocal Demands: Difficult
- Orchestra Size: Small/Combo
- Chorus Size: Small
Song Samples
Casting
5m, 4fMR. ZERO (Tenor/Baritone) - Male, 40s-50s. "Antihero" who murders his boss after being replaced by an adding machine after 25 years on the job.
MRS. ZERO (Soprano) - Female, 45. Mr. Zero's wife of 25 years. Chronic complainer and gossipy unkempt housewife.
DAISY DOROTHEA DEVORE (Mezzo Soprano) - Female, middle-aged. Mr. Zero's assistant book-keeper who is infatuated with him.
SHRDLU (Tenor) - Male. Jailmate who bears a great amount of guilt and confides in Mr. Zero.
THE BOSS (Same actor plays FIXER & CHARLES; does not sing) - Male, middle-aged. BOSS: Mr. Zero's boss. Informs Mr. Zero about his termination which results in his own death. FIXER: an allegorical figure with wings suggesting an angel. Points out Zero's life has been worthless. CHARLES: An immortal, he functions in the place where souls are prepared for reincarnation and is charged with dispatching Zero back to earth
CHORUS:
SOPRANO (MRS. ONE/MAE/PRISONER’S WIFE)
ALTO (MRS. TWO/BETTY/MATRON)
TENOR (MR. ONE/PRISONER)
BASS (MR. TWO/PRISON GUARD)
Cast Attributes
- Ensemble cast
- Non-Traditional casting
- Flexible casting
- Strong Role for Leading Man (Star Vehicle)
Casting Notes
Plus SATB chorus
Resources
Rehearsal Resources
Music Material Rental Packages
Full Package
1 Piano/Vocal Score
9 Vocal Chorus Books
1 Media CD
1 Full Conductor’s Score
Synthesizer
Percussion
Available Services
Scripts
Want the full script?
Rent a digital perusalMore
Authors
Adding Machine: A Musical was developed and received its world premiere at the Next Theatre Company, Artistic Director Jason Loewith.
Adding Machine: A Musical was produced in New York by Scott Morfee, Tom Wirtshafter and Margaret Cotter at the Minetta Lane Theatre,opening night February 25, 2008.
Community Experiences