Retail: The Musical

So, I've been working in the retail industry for a few years, and I've been thinking that a musical about employees at a retail store has the possibility to be very funny. I don't know if this thought has been explored before or not, but as I said before I think it could be very funny.

I would take the task of writing this musical, but I don't have the experience necessary to do that. I thought of a good song title called "Do You Work Here?" Because at my current job at Kohl's I always get these stupid customers who ask me if I work there and I always want to say "no, I'm just wearing the name tag for my health." And there are so many little stupid things that people say or do, and I feel that you really have no idea how stupid people can get until you work in retail.

Anyways, tell me what you think.

---

Updated On: 8/1/07 at 06:55 PM

Like I said, this is just an idea. I would not actually make it into a musical, because I don't have any experience doing that. I just thought it would be a great idea.

And I also figured that there are other things to write musicals about other than love stories. Because while finding the person you want to spend the rest of your life with is a big part of life, there is so much more to life than that.

---

I think the experience of working in retail lends itself well to the musical comedy genre

---

I get the same question from people looking for Customer Service. One time I actually said "right over there by the big sign that says Customer Service." The customer didn't get mad though, thankfully, they just laughed at themselves.

---

I wouldn't mind writing this, but I have no idea where to start. And writing the songs... I definitley don't know if I could do that.

---

Hey guys...I just wanted to let you know that Retail: The Musical is already in progress. In May my composer and I held a workshop in Boston at the Calderwood Pavilion at the Boston Center for the Arts. Retail: The Musical is about the employees and customers of a premiere home furnishings store. The songs include "Welcome to the Store" (the show's opening chorus number), I Don't Care (the customer service rep's diva number), Dinero, and many others. We got great feedback and are in the process of getting the show more visability.

A show about a department store would be hilarious as well. It's amazing how many areas of retail we couldn't fit into the show. Good luck!!!

How about Starbucks: The Musical? I used to swear I was gonna write a book...

---

my parents own retail stores, so I literally grew up in them. I always wanted to write a musical about it, too. There would be a big scary number sung by the gremins who work in the stock rooms...

"How about Starbucks: The Musical? I used to swear I was gonna write a book..."

Ha, I can't believe you said that! I had the exact same idea a few days ago when I was at Starbucks! The opening number I came up with is called "So Completely Caffinated!" Then I thought of another song which a customer could sing, called "5 Frappuchinos of Every Flavor." That idea came from a story this girl I know told me about a customer who came into Starbucks while she was the only person making the drinks, and he ordered 20 frappuchinos, all different flavors, for everyone at his job. It was pretty hilarious.
Hm. I should really work on this more.

A musical called Retail! The musical played last summer at the Chicago Comedy Co. theatre in the chicago area. I know because i wrote the libretto. Very similar to what you're talking about.

There is Shopping: The Musical in San Francisco.