Celebrating Rosie the Riveter!
The Homefront Soldiers of WW2
book & lyrics by Kathryn G. McCarty
music & orchestration by Mitchell Covington
RIVETS
CHARACTER LIST
The main action of RIVETS takes place in the Kaiser Richmond Shipyard, from 1942-1944.
The action is fluid, without blackout.
The Mitchell Sisters
Martha Mitchell Eldest, A Rosie the Riveter
Evelyn Mitchell Journalist for Fore ‘n Aft, Kaiser Shipyards newspaper
Nancy Mitchell Youngest Sister, Shipyard Nurse's Aide, 17
Ike Lampley(Doubles Worker) Martha’s Fiancee, Shipyard Superintendent
(Doubles Worker) Martha’s Fiancee, Shipyard SuperintendentMr. William Biondi Shipyard Superintendent
Henry Biondi William Biondi’s Blind brother, musician 18
Mr. Benjamin Walker Assistant Superintendent
Mrs. Tilden Blair African American Union Organizer
Biddie Blair Tilden’s Daughter, Song Writer and Vocalist, 18
Martin Blair (Doubles Worker)Tilden’s Son, A Tuskegee Fighter
Tilden’s Son, A Tuskegee FighterJoe Boy Presa (Doubles Worker)Soldier
SoldierCatherine Rutledge Mitchell aunt, Orlando and Peggy's mother.
Orlando Rutledge Ages from Boy Scout to Enlisted soldier
Peggy Rutledge Radio singer, Henry and Biddie’s best friend, 18
Mr. Wayne (Doubles Bartender) Radio announcer
Secretary (Doubles as Worker & Newbie) Ditsy blonde
Ensemble of Rosie the Riveter Shipyard Workers and Soldiers
Shirley Jones Former sorority girl, now Rosie
Wisniewski Shipyard Worker
Rosalia Guzman Spanish Rosie
Alberto Guzman Spanish Shipyard worker
Scatter Patter USO entertainer
Peabody (Doubles Priest/Director) Older Shipyard Worker
Older Shipyard WorkerCameraman
Gladys, a Rosie Actress
Store Clerk
ANOTHER DAY
ANOTHER DAY! ANOTHER NIGHT!
FROM SHIFT TO SHIFT, NO END IN SIGHT.
WORKING ROUND AND ROUND THE CLOCK
ON THIS DOCK.
PUNCH OUT MY DAY IS DONE!
MIDNIGHT MY DAY'S BEGUN!
FORTY FEET ABOVE THE SEE, NOTHING BETWEEN THE LAND AND ME,
DO MY JOB, STEADY MY FOOTING,
KEEP MY EYES FORWARD.
DONT SURRENDER TO MY FEAR, JUST KEEP BELIEVING.
PANTS
MEN SELDOM GLANCE,
WHEN I WEAR PANTS.
IT'S THE STYLE, AIN'T IT CUTE?
WE'RE IN VOGUE IN STEEL TOED BOOTS!
THERE'S NOTHING THIS GIRL LACKS,
WEARING NICELY FITTED SLACKS.
BUT WHEN I WANT A MAN TO LOOK AT ME?
I WEAR MY HEM ABOVE THE KNEE!
WE'VE GOT A JOB TO DO -
TELL YOUR SISTERS AND YOUR AUNTS!
IT'S UP TO ME, IT'S UP TO YOU, FROM NOW ON
WE'LL WEAR THE PANTS!
THESE SHIPS
THESE SHIPS ARE NAMED FOR
FOLKS WHO CHANGED HISTORY
ORDINARY PEOPLE LIKE YOU AND ME
WHO CHOSE TO BE EXTRAORDINARY
FOR SOMETHING GREATER THAN THEMSELVES
MARCHING MEASURES THAT ARE FAR BEYOND
BECAUSE THIS NATION KNOWS
EVERYBODY KNOWS
THERE’S A WAR GOING ON ………….
KITCHENWARE TO GUNS
FROM KITCHENWARE TO GUNS
FROM SEWING MACHINES TO BOMBS
FROM OUR HOMES TO BATTLEFIELDS
WE KEEP MOVING ON!
FROM SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES,
FROM 5 AND DIMES
NURSING CHILDREN, NURSING SOLDIERS
MARCHING TO THE TIMES
WE’RE MODERN PIONEERS
FROM OREGON TO DELAWARE
IN RAILROAD CARS AND BUSSES
WE HAIL FROM EVERYWHERE
SAMPLE LYRICS
Registered 1941292
“A Sweeping Story, Beautifully staged” Pat Craig Contra Costa Times
“Wow! What a Show!” Charles Jarrett, Rossmoor News
“Fascinating piece of history!” Sally Hogarty, Walnut Creek Journal
A musical for your 2021 theatre season,
honoring the 80th Anniversary of America's entry into WW2.
The Story of RIVETS:
Rosie the Riveter Martha Mitchell and her fellow Homefront soldiers of WW 2 battle the ever changing landscape of family, country and love in this fictionalized history of the Kaiser Richmond Shipyards.
A full length, two act musical, RIVETS celebrates the rich history and American spirit of the Kaiser Shipyards, which constructed more ships in WW 2 than any other shipyard in the country.
Please consider including the World Premiere of RIVETS in your next season.
RIVETS has been produced in workshops on The Red Oak Victory, the last surviving Victory Ship built in the Kaiser yards in the The Rosie the Riveter National Park, at Contra Costa College and the Lesher Center for the Arts.
