Tomfoolery

Tomfoolery
A revue of the witty, wicked and thoroughly twisted world of famed satirical songwriter Tom Lehrer.



Tomfoolery
is based on The Tom Lehrer Songbook and is a show like no other. Written by Cameron Mackintosh and Robin Ray, with music and lyrics by Tom Lehrer, this is one wildly wicked musical revue of novelty songs (there are no sad ones in this bunch). Music, laughter and no one spared – when you're dealing with the humor of Tom Lehrer, nothing is sacred.

In concerts, television appearances and a series of now-classic recordings, the Harvard-educated math professor delighted millions of fans during the 1950s and '60s with his dry and cynical, but good-humored, attacks on the A-bomb, racism, pollution, pornography, the military, the Boy Scouts and, of course, mathematics. Nothing is sacred in this hysterical revue that features such Lehrer favorites as "Poisoning Pigeons in the Park," "When You Are Old and Grey," "The Masochism Tango," "The Old Dope Peddler" and "The Vatican Rag," as well as an unforgettable Gilbert and Sullivan-esque recitation of the table of elements, linked together with his own inimitable concert patter.

Four actors, stools, a piano and a healthy dose of attitude are all that you need to stage this delightful revue. Audience will be beside themselves with the clever lyrics and hummable tunes. Rediscover the man and the songs that have delighted and skewered the world for over forty years in Tomfoolery!

Concert Selections for Tomfoolery

MTI is pleased to provide the pre-approved rental materials of select songs for your symphonic concert performance. Please note, MTI is unable to grant the necessary Performance Rights with this material rental. The Performance Rights needed must be obtained separately through the individual song’s respective small rights agency such as ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC. Please email concerts@mtishows.com with any questions.

  • I CAN DO BETTER THAN THAT
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    Jason Robert Brown
    Lyrics by
    Jason Robert Brown
    Orchestrated by
    Jason Robert Brown
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Show Extraction
    Arranged for
    1 Voice (Typically Female)
    Starting Key
    A
    Estimated duration
    5 min 11 sec
    Instrumentation

    (2x) PIANO/CONDUCTOR SCORE; (1x) VIOLIN; (1x) CELLO 1; (1x) CELLO 2 (+Crotales); (1x) GUITAR: Acoustic; (1x) BASS: Electric

  • I CAN SEE IT
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    Harvey Schmidt
    Lyrics by
    Tom Jones
    Orchestrated by
    Jack Elliot
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Show Extraction
    Arranged for
    2 Voices (Typically Male)
    Starting Key
    Am
    Estimated duration
    4 min 08 sec
    Instrumentation
    (3x) PIANO/CONDUCTOR SCORE, (3x) REED 1 (Alto Saxophone, Piccolo, Flute), (1x) REED 2 (Oboe), (2x) REED 3 (Bass Clarinet, Clarinet), (1x) HORN, (1x) TRUMPET 1, (1x) TRUMPET 2, (1x) TROMBONE 1, (1x) TROMBONE 2, (1x) PERCUSSION (Drum Set), (1x) KEYBOARD 1 (Acoustic Piano), (1x) KEYBOARD 2 (Synthesizer), (9x) VIOLIN 1, (8x) VIOLIN 2, (7x) VIOLA, (6x) CELLO, (5x) BASS
  • I DO, I DO IN THE SKY
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    Lisa Lambert
    Greg Morrison
    Lyrics by
    Lisa Lambert
    Greg Morrison
    Orchestrated by
    Larry Blank
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Show Extraction
  • I DON'T NEED ANYTHING BUT YOU
    From
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    STROUSE, CHARLES
    Lyrics by
    CHARNIN, MARTIN
    Orchestrated by
    LANG, PHILIP J.
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Show Extraction
    Arranged for
    1 GIRL'S VOICE, 1 MALE VOICE, CHORUS
    Starting Key
    D
    Estimated duration
    5 min 00 sec
    Instrumentation

    2 Reed 1(Clarinet ,Alto sax, Flute), 2 Reed 2(Clarinet, Alto sax, Flute), 2 Reed 3(Clarinet, Tenor sax), 2 Reed 5(Clarinet, Flute, Baritone sax), 2 Trumpet 1&2, 1 Trombone 1, 1 Trombone 2, 1 Tuba, 17 Violin, 6 Cello, 5 Bass, 1 Guitar(no amp)Banjo), 2 Percussion(Drum set, Bells, Xylo, Timp)2 Piano Vocal, 25 Chorus books

  • I HATE THE BUS
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    Jeanine Tesori
    Lyrics by
    Tony Kushner
    Orchestrated by
    R Basset, J Joubert, B Red
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Show Extraction
    Instrumentation

    2 Piano Conductor Score, 1 Guitar, 1 Piano, 2 Percussion (Ride Cymbal, Suspended Cymbal), 1 Violin 1, 1 Violin 2, 1 Viola, 1 Cello, 1 Bass (Acoustic)

  • I KNOW IT'S TODAY
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Show Extraction
  • I KNOW THINGS NOW
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    Stephen Sondheim
    Lyrics by
    Stephen Sondheim
    Orchestrated by
    Jonathan Tunick
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Show Extraction
    Arranged for
    1 Voice (Typically Female)
    Starting Key
    C
    Estimated duration
    1 min 48 sec
    Instrumentation

    (1x) FULL SCORE; (2x) PIANO/VOCAL SCORE; (1x) FLUTE; (1x) CLARINET; (1x) BASSOON; (2x) HORNS 1 & 2; (1x) TRUMPET (in C); (1x) ALT. TRUMPET (in Bb); (1x) PIANO; (1x) SYNTHESIZER; (3x) PERCUSSION: Triangle, Bells; (17x) VIOLINS; (7x) VIOLAS; (6x) CELLO; (5x) BASS

  • I KNOW WHERE I'VE BEEN
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    Marc Shaiman
    Lyrics by
    Marc Shaiman &
    Scott Wittman
    Orchestrated by
    Harold Wheeler
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Show Extraction
    Starting Key
    A♭
    Estimated duration
    4 min 02 sec
    Instrumentation

    (24x) KEYBOARD 1/CONDUCTOR SCORE; (1x) REED 1: Alto Saxophone; (1x) REED 2: Tenor Saxophone; (1x) TRUMPET: Trumpet, Flugelhorn; (1x) TROMBONE; (2x) GUITARS 1 & 2; (2x) PERCUSSION: Tambourine, Timpani, Suspended Cymbal; (1x) DRUMS; (1x) KEYBOARD 2: "Strings"; (1x) KEYBOARD 3: "Fender Rhodes," "Organ"; (6x) VIOLIN; (4x) CELLO; (1x) BASS: Electric

  • I MISS THE MOUNTAINS
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    Tom Kitt
    Lyrics by
    Brian Yorkey
    Orchestrated by
    Michael Starobin & Tom Kitt
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Show Extraction
    Arranged for
    1 Voice (Typically Female)
    Starting Key
    C
    Estimated duration
    3 min 46 sec
    Instrumentation
    (1x) PIANO/VOCAL SCORE, (2x) PIANO/CONDUCTOR SCORE, (1x) GUITAR (Acoustic), (1x) VIOLIN, (1x) CELLO, (1x) BASS (Acoustic), (2x) PERCUSSION (Vibraphone, Shaker, Drum Kit)
  • I NEVER KNEW HIS NAME
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    WILDHORN, FRANK
    Lyrics by
    WILDHORN, FRANK
    BOYD, GREGORY
    MURPHY, JACK
    Orchestrated by
    SCHARNBERG, KIM
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Show Extraction
    Arranged for
    1 FEMALE VOICE
    Starting Key
    C
  • I REMEMBER (ARR. MCKIBBINS)
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    SONDHEIM, STEPHEN
    Lyrics by
    SONDHEIM, STEPHEN
    Arranged by
    MCKIBBINS, PAUL
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Concert/Symphonic Arrangement (with vocal)
    Arranged for
    1 FEMALE VOICE
    Starting Key
    Am
    Estimated duration
    2 min 15 sec
    Instrumentation

    1 Flute 1, 1 Flute 2, 1 Oboe, 1 Eng.Horn, 1 Clarinet 1, 1 Clarinet 2, 1 Bassoon 2, 1 Bassoon 1, 2 Horns 2&4, 2 Horns 1&3, 2 Trumpets 1&2, 1 Trombone 1, 1 Bass Trombone, 9 Violin 1. 8 Violin 2, 7 Viola, 6 Cello, 5 Bass, 3 Percussion, 1 Piano, 1 Conductor Score, 1 Chorus book

  • I REMEMBER (TUNICK)
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    SONDHEIM, STEPHEN
    Lyrics by
    SONDHEIM, STEPHEN
    Orchestrated by
    TUNICK, JONATHAN
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Concert/Symphonic Arrangement (with vocal)
    Arranged for
    1 FEMALE VOICE
    Starting Key
    Am
    Estimated duration
    2 min 15 sec
    Instrumentation

    1 Reed 1, 1 Reed 2(Oboe, Eng.Horn), 1 Reed 3, 1 Reed 4, 1 Reed 5, 1 Trumpet 1, 1 Trumpet 2, 2 Horn 1&2, 2 Trombone 1&2, 17 Violin 1&2, 7 Viola, 6 Cello, 5 Bass, 1 Harp, 2 Percussion(Triangle), 2 Piano(Celesta), 1 Vocal (Piano), 1 Full Score

  • I STAND ALONE
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    YESTON, MAURY
    Lyrics by
    YESTON, MAURY
    Arranged by
    OLSON, BYRON
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Concert/Symphonic Arrangement (with vocal)
    Arranged for
    MALE VOICE
    Starting Key
    D♭
    Estimated duration
    3 min 35 sec
    Instrumentation

    1 Flute1, 1 Flute2, 1 Clarinet1, 1 Clarinet2, 1 Bass Clarinet, 1 Trumpet1, 1 Trumpet2, 1 Trumpet3, 1Trumpet4, 1 Trombone1, 1 Trombone2, 1 Horn1, 1Horn2, 1 Horn3, 1 Horn4, 1 Bass Trombone, 17 Violins, 7 Violas, 6 Cello, 5 Bass, 1 Fender Bass(Rhythm), 1 Percussion1, 1 Percussion2, 1 Percussion(Rhythm), 1 Keyboard 1(Rhythm), 1 Keyboard2(Rhythm), 1 Harp, 1 Drums(Rhythm), Vocal, 1 Full Score Optional Rock Combo - indicated as "(Rhythm)" above

  • I THINK I'M GONNA LIKE IT HERE
    From
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    STROUSE, CHARLES
    Lyrics by
    CHARNIN, MARTIN
    Orchestrated by
    LANG, PHILIP J.
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Show Extraction
    Arranged for
    1 GIRL'S VOICE, 1 FEMALE VOICE, CHORUS
    Starting Key
    C
    Estimated duration
    4 min 25 sec
    Instrumentation

    1 Reed 1, 1 Reed 2(Baritone sax ,Clarinet), 1 Reed 3(Bass clarinet ,Tenor sax ,Clarinet), 1 Reed 4, 1 Reed 5, 2 Trumpet 1&2, 1 Trombone 1, 1 Trombone 2, 1 Tuba, 17 Violin, 6 Cello, 5 Bass, 1 Guitar, 2 Percussion 1&2(Drum set ,Timp, Bells, Xylo), 8 Vocal, 2 Piano/Conductor

  • I WANNA BE A PRODUCER
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    Mel Brooks
    Lyrics by
    Mel Brooks
    Arranged by
    Glen Kelly
    Orchestrated by
    Doug Besterman
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Show Extraction
    Starting Key
    Cm
    Estimated duration
    6 min 46 sec
    Instrumentation
    (2x) PIANO/CONDUCTOR SCORE, (20x) VOCAL BOOK, (3x) REED 1 (Piccolo, Flute, Alto Saxophone), (3x) REED 3 (Clarinet, Flute, Alto Saxophone), (2x) REED 3 (Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone), (3x) REED 4 (Oboe, Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone), (2x) REED 5 (Bassoon, Baritone Saxophone), (1x) HORN, (1x) TRUMPET 1, (1x) TRUMPET 2, (1x) TRUMPET 3, (1x) TROMBONE 1, (1x) TROMBONE 2, (1x) TROMBONE 3, (3x) PERCUSSION (Timpani, Typewriter Keys, Ratchet, Crotales, Mark Tree, Triangle, Bell Tree, Glockenspiel, Suspended Cymbal, Xylophone, Vibraphone, Chimes), (1x) DRUMS, (1x) KEYBOARD, (1x) HARP, (16x) VIOLINS, (6x) CELLO, (5x) BASS
  • I WANT IT ALL
    First Performance Fee:
    $0
    Each Additional Performance:
    $0
  • I WANT IT ALL
    First Performance Fee:
    $0
    Each Additional Performance:
    $0
  • I WANT IT ALL
    First Performance Fee:
    $0
    Each Additional Performance:
    $0
  • I WANT IT ALL
    First Performance Fee:
    $0
    Each Additional Performance:
    $0
  • I WANT IT ALL
    First Performance Fee:
    $0
    Each Additional Performance:
    $0
  • I WANT IT ALL
    First Performance Fee:
    $0
    Each Additional Performance:
    $0
  • I WANT IT ALL
    First Performance Fee:
    $0
    Each Additional Performance:
    $0
  • I WANT IT ALL
    First Performance Fee:
    $0
    Each Additional Performance:
    $0
  • I WANT IT ALL
    First Performance Fee:
    $0
    Each Additional Performance:
    $0
  • I WANT IT ALL
    From
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    David Shire
    Lyrics by
    Richard Maltby, Jr.
    Orchestrated by
    Jonathan Tunick
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Show Extraction
    Arranged for
    3 Voices (Typically Female)
    Starting Key
    C
    Estimated duration
    4 min 09 sec
    Instrumentation
    1 Oboe, 1 English horn, 1 Clarinet 1, 1 Clarinet 2, 1 Bass clarinet, 1 Bassoon 1, 1 Bassoon 2, 1 Alto sax, 1 Tenor sax, 1 Baritone sax, 2 Trumpet 1&2, 1 Trumpet 3, 1 Horn, 1 Trombone, 17 Violin ABC, 7 Viola, 6 Cello, 1 Guitar, 1 Bass, 2 Drum(Bells, Drum set), 1 Keyboard 1(Acoustic piano), 1 Keyboard 2(Synthesizer, Rock bass w/ fuzz Organ), 2 Piano Conductor, 3 Chorus books
  • I WANT IT ALL
  • I WISH I COULD FORGET YOU
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    SONDHEIM, STEPHEN
    Lyrics by
    SONDHEIM, STEPHEN
    Orchestrated by
    TUNICK, JONATHAN
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Show Extraction
    Arranged for
    1 FEMALE VOICE, 1 MALE VOICE
    Starting Key
    D♭
    Estimated duration
    2 min 00 sec
    Instrumentation

    1 Reed 1, 1 Reed 2, 1 Reed 3, 1 Reed 4, 1 Trumpet, 2 Horn 1&2, 17 Violin 1&2, 7 Viola, 6 Cello, 5 Bass, 1 Keyboard 1(Harp), 1 Keyboard 2(Strings), 3 Percussion(Cymb,Timp), 2 Piano/Conductor, 2 Chorus books

  • I WISH I DIDN'T LOVE YOU SO
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    Frank Loesser
    Orchestrated by
    Jeffrey Klitz
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Concert/Symphonic Arrangement (with vocal)
    Starting Key
    BFile:Flat.svg
  • I'D GIVE IT ALL FOR YOU (SYMPHONIC VERSION)
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    Jason Robert Brown
    Lyrics by
    Jason Robert Brown
    Orchestrated by
    Jason Robert Brown
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Concert/Symphonic Arrangement (with vocal)
    Arranged for
    2 Voices (Typically 1 Male, 1 Female)
    Starting Key
    D
    Estimated duration
    4 min 56 sec
    Instrumentation

    2 Flute, 2 Oboe, 2 Clarinet, 2 Bassoon, 4 Horn, 2 Trumpet, 2 Trombone, 2 Percussion, 1 Drums, 1 Acoustic Guitar, 1 Electric Bass, 1 Piano, (8) Violin I, (8) Violin II, (7) Viola, (6) Cello, (5) Contrabass. Your rental materials will also include 1 Full Score and 3 copies of the Piano Vocal Score.

  • I'LL COVER YOU
    From
    First Performance Fee:
    $175
    Each Additional Performance:
    $100
    Music by
    Jonathan Larson
    Lyrics by
    Jonathan Larson
    show more...
    Arrangement Details
    Song Type: Show Extraction
    Instrumentation

    2 Piano Conductor Score, 1 Guitar (Electric), 1 Keyboard (Guitar 2), 1 Bass (Electric), 1 Drum Set

Resources

No matter where you are on your theatrical journey, our innovative production resources will enhance your show experience!
Two smiling people with their phones out

Manage your events and ticket sales online and create epic experiences.

Performance

Give Your Cast and Crew the Tools for a Successful Rehearsal Process

Pre Performance
How Does the Show Go On

The ultimate book for theater lovers of all ages.

Logo Packs

Promote your show with the officially licensed logo.

Pre Performance

Listen to a cast or demo recording before licensing your next musical.

Pre Performance

Enable your creative team to easily track the moving pieces of your production.

Pre Performance

Questions & Answers

There don't appear to be any questions submitted.