The advertising firm of STEWART & GRAY assigned the new, corporate assistant manager, Dona Shatford the task to re-hire the eccentric, hermit-like, painter/artist Harry Duggin, who resides in the depressed ghetto, to paint a book cover for a new client.
Harry reluctantly accepts the position, on the condition that they find a certain magical “Tin Can” that appeared in one of his dreams. The quest for this the tin can sends Dona and Harry searching through back alleys and garbage cans, which leads them to a homeless boy named Peter Pan.
Harry insists that Dona hire Peter to model for his painting, holding this special “Tin Can”. The deal is struck and Peter moves in with Harry. The two form an instant friendship.
Later that evening, alone in the living room, Peter takes off his hat and exposes her long hair. [The audience discovers that Peter is a girl named Penny.]
Months later, after the book is released, Penny’s mother recognizes her daughter on the cover of the book. Harry is arrested for kidnapping. Penny and her mother are reunited. (Mrs. Pandera sings) I NEVER STOPPED LOVING YOU
.
The news media have field-day frenzy. Book sales soar...while Harry sits alone is an isolated jail cell.
(Harry sings) SAD MUSIC IN MY HEAD.
During an appearance on the TV talk show “WE KNOW IT ALL”, Penny and her mother discover the truth about her kidnapping. This new information frees Harry, who then reverts back to his hermit-like lifestyle until he receives a special message (delivered by Dona) from Penny that is contained in the “Tin Can”.
*Denotes a primary speaking or singing part.
THE TIN CAN CAST
(In order of appearance)
HOMELESS PEOPLE
SHIFTLESS PEOPLE
BOB
BUD
MARY
MARK
PETER/PENNY*
BELL RINGING LADY
SAXOPHONE PLAYER
LADY WITH SHOPPING BAG
STOREKEEPER
POLICEMAN A
POLICEMAN B
MAIL PERSON (Man or woman)
OFFICE PERSONNEL
MARSHA*
DONA*
MR. ARTHUR STEWART*
HARRY*
MRS. PANDERA*
NEWS REPORTER
CORRINE STAR
GAIL MICHAEL*
DIRECTOR
TINA
BOY A
BOY B
*Denotes a primary speaking or singing part.
MUSICAL SYNOPSIS OF SCENES
*Click on the arrows to hear a sample of each song below.
ACT I
SCENE 1:
THE MEAN STREETS…….......Bob, Bud, Mary, Peter & Ensemble
SCENE 2:
BUSY BUSY WORK………………..............Marsha
SCENE 3:
GOING NOWHERE…..Shopping Bag Lady, Peter & Ensemble
SCENE 4:
WOULDN’T YOU LIKE TO BE.........................Dona
SCENE 5:
THE TIN CAN……………..………… Harry & Dona
SCENE 6:
IF I HAD A HOME…………………. Peter/Penny
ACT II
SCENE 1:
WOULDN’T YOU LIKE TO BE (REPRISE)………. Dona
SCENE 2:
TRY TO REPLACE ME……………................................ Marsha
SCENE 3:
On a busy sidewalk at a magazine stand.
SCENE 4:
I NEVER STOPPED LOVING YOU………Mrs. Pendera & Peter/Penny
SCENE 5:
On a sidewalk outside of The Hampton Coffee House.
SCENE 6:
SAD MUSIC IN MY HEAD ……………………….. Harry
SCENE 7:
WE KNOW IT ALL (JINGLE)……………………….. TV Trio
SCENE 8:
THE TIN CAN (REPRISE) …………………………………………Harry
