Books $7.00
Royalty $50.00
Printed Music Score (piano/vocal) $50.00
33 pages text
C Y

By Mary Jane Evans and Deborah Anderson. Lyrics by Mary Jane Evans. Score by Ed Archer. First produced by University Theatre of California State University-Northridge. A brilliantly theatrical adaptation of four favorite Andersen tales turning them into song, dance, mime and transformations. Single set. Basic Victorian costumes with added pieces for character changes. The original cast featured 12 performers. CAST: 12 (5 F, 7 M) with dougling, or up to 50+ (16 F, 22 M, 12 + Either) with roles distributed.

As a Storyteller sings of "Stories to Tell. Stories to Sell," he is joined by a chorus who spontaneously take up the action of a rhythmic rendition of "What the Old Man Does Is Always Right." Caught up in the fun, they then decide to enact "The Princess on the Pea." As this ends a skeptic sings of his doubts that it was a real story. To prove the power of imagination, the company transforms him into "The Ugly Duckling," becoming the other characters in that tale. "Numbskull Jack" fulfills the company's sung request to have a funny story follow the "happy-sad" Duckling adventure. A reprise of "Stories to Tell" reminds the audience that they've just begun to share the fun (and joy!) of Hans Christian Andersen.

Books $7.00
Royalty $40.00
35 pages text
C Y

Adapted by Tom Behm from the stories collected by Richard Chase in THE JACK TALES and GRANDFATHER TALES. Successful, repeat productions at the North Carolina Theatre for Young People. Five stories are presented by an ensemble cast in story theatre/audience participation style. Ideal for touring with unit set and simple costumes. CAST: (5 Either) with doubling, or up to (16 Either) with roles distributed.

The actors greet the audience as they arrive and introduce participation through mime and improvisational activities. The first tale is JACK AND THE NORTHWEST WIND and as Jack seeks the source of the wind and makes his fortune, the audience participates as the howling wind. THE BIG TOE is a humorous ghost story like those "jump tales" told around a camp fire. OLD DRY FRYE follows the misadventures of a dead body around the community with the audience joining in the refrain, "Everybody Knows Old Dry Frye." WICKED JOHN AND THE DEVIL includes six lucky volunteers from the audience in John's successful efforts at outsmarting the Devil. JACK AND THE ROBBERS is a popular closing story featuring a donkey, a dog, a cat and a rooster.

Books $7.00
Royalty $50.00
77 pages text
Approx. running time: 90 min.
Bilingual: English/American Sign Language
Y T YA

By Suzan L. Zeder.  Premiered at Seattle Children’s Theatre, Seattle, Washington.  Bilingual play in American Sign Language and spoken English.  Set in the 1920s – 1930s, in multiple locations, we follow the childhood of Tuc (in the dreams of the adult Tuc) in a moving prequel to Zeder’s acclaimed MOTHER HICKS.  Time is memory.  Multiple locations.  1920s rural midwest costumes.  (Inquire about restrictions regarding shortening the text.) Some doubling possible.  Expansion of cast possible, particularly for students in the School for the Deaf and interpreters if the production uses shadow signing. CAST: 9 (5 F, 4 M including 1 M Deaf actor-required & 1 M Deaf actor-strongly suggested) with doubling, or up to 21 + (6 F, 5 M including 1 M Deaf actor-required, 1 M Deaf actor-strongly suggested, 10 + Either) with roles distributed.

ALSO see MOTHER HICKS by Suzan Zeder (part II of Tuc's story)

Books $7.00
Royalty $50.00
Printed Music Score (piano/vocal) $60.00
36 pages text
Y T

By Kate Paxton, creator of book, music and lyrics. Commissioned and premiered by Express Theatre at The Children’s Museum of Houston, Texas.  A Russian, winter tale of a young girl and her family facing hardship with courage, generosity and a willingness to sacrifice for each other.  Piano/vocal score available.  Simple, tourable set.  Colorful, late 19^th century, Russian folk costumes.  CAST: 4 (2 F, 2 M) with doubing, or up to 7 (4 F, 3 M).

Stonecutter, Zossim, is nearly out of malachite for carving.  His young daughter, Tatyana, tells him her dream of a golden doe that helps her find malachite.  Privately, old Babushka admonishes Zossim that it is time to tell Tatyana the truth of Zoya, her mother – how she disappeared while searching for firewood in the snow ten years earlier. But Zossim wishes to protect his daughter from this sad story. Babushka gives Tatyana an amber necklace to open her eyes to the ancestor sprit, Domovoi, and tells her to have courage to do what he says.  Tatyana strikes up a friendship with the furry, little Domovoi, and he leads her to a real golden doe, just as in her dream. The golden doe happily produces malachite and gold. When Tatyana returns, her father is overjoyed with the malachite and begins his next set of carvings.  But a greedy bully, Zavodchik, storms in demanding payment for the golden doe, which he says belongs to him. Tatyana suggests giving him the gold to appease him.  This works, and the two make their way back to the woods to thank the golden doe for her gift.  Again, the bully arrives, this time capturing the doe and revealing that she is actually Zoya, under a spell. Tatyana and her father offer all his carvings and her necklace in exchange for the golden doe’s release.  Zavodchik refuses, but the spell is broken, by the “gifts of deepest love,” returning Zoya to her natural state.  Tatyana demonstrates courage once more, capturing the bully in his own net and the family begins a spontaneous vechurinka – party – to celebrate their reunion.

Books $7.00
Royalty $40.00
80 pages text
Approx run time: 65 min+
Y

By Max Bush. Successfully premiered at Michigan State University. An action-packed play that illustrates the choices we make between doing what is right and doing what satisfies our greed. Set in a forest, two golddiggers find themselves on opposite sides of this equation as they encounter fairies, spriggans, and the Greedy Bogle on their journey to find the gold.  One set.  CAST: 7 (3 F, 4 M.)

Casey Smith hires a teen-aged Brian to help him dig for gold on a forested site he has just purchased.  When Brian eats food left by fairies, he’s able to see and talk to them.  He learns that they need gold to sustain life and tells Smith he won’t help him take away the gold.   Smith is determined though, and turns to the forest’s Greedy Bogle who answers questions in exchange for gold.  Soon, Smith has enough clues and the help of the Greedy Bogle to continue his search.  In an elaborate race to a buried treasure, Smith and Brian encounter the hideous Spriggans, guardians of the hill treasure; as well as Lara, Queen of Hollow Hill.  The treasure is discovered, but is guarded by magic and a 13-bell warning.  When the bells have sounded, Smith finds he has become the forest’s new Greedy Bogle. For young Brian, the life-and-death events are a rite of passage from childhood into a larger universe.

Books $7.00
Royalty $50.00
CD: Color Art Images Set for projection $55.00
35 pages text
Y T

Based freely on the work and early life of surrealist artist Rene Magritte, this is an unorthodox adventure in theatrical form. It celebrates art and the imagination, and the ways in which these help us confront life's mysteries. Here is the story of young Rene who wants to be an artist, a notion dismissed by his father as "a pipe dream." Encouraged by his mother, before her untimely death, the boy begins his quest, following his vision into the delightfully absurd magic-realism of his famous paintings. Boy and audience discover something of the true power of dreams and the triumph of imagination.

Books $8.00
Royalty $40.00
43 pages text
Y T

Arranged for staging by Robin Hall. Successful premiere and tour by the Crescent Players of Southern Connecticut State College in New Haven, CT. Story theatre versions of three Japanese folk tales, designed to be performed as a trilogy. Simple, abstract set suggesting various locales. Easy to tour. Costumes: black tights, Japanese socks, bamboo sandals, and happi coats with costume pieces added for different characters. CAST: 10 (5 F, 5 M with doubling) or up to 14 (8 F, 6 M).

Included are three tales -- "The Magic Fan," "The Princess of the Sea," and "The Little Peach Boy" - - which are as familiar to Japanese children as "Cinderella" is to us. The narrative theatre style is derived from the traditional Bunraku, Kabuki and Noh plays - - and the author, who has lived and studied in Japan, gives detailed suggestions for each aspect of production.

Books $7.00
Royalty $50.00
45 pages text
Approx. Running Time: 60 min
Y

By Rosemary Nursey-Bray. Adapted from Lewis Carroll's classic, this imaginative stage version premiered at Hartley College in Magill, South Australia. Alice enters the Looking Glass into a world of strange back-to-front magic. One basic set. Optional use of puppets and Black Light Theatre interludes. Fantasy costumes. A music score for vocal with chords is inclulded in the script. CAST: 9 + (3 F, 2 M, 4 + Either) with doubling, or up to 35 + (5 F, 4 M, 26 + Either) with roles distributed.

One sleepy afternoon while playing Chess by herself, Alice sees a real Red Queen through the Looking Glass.  Stepping through the mirror she meets the kings and queens of her Chess set.  The world inside the glass is marked out as a chess board, across which she must travel as a pawn.  She meets talking flowers, Tweedledum and Tweedledee, sees Humpty Dumpty fall from his wall, meets the Mad Hatter and the March Hare, and witnesses the furious battle between the Lion and the Unicorn fighting for the crown.  The gentle White Knight rescues her from the cruel Red Knight, so that she can reach the eighth square and become Queen.  Or is it all a dream? 

ALSO see ALICE IN WONDERLAND by Madge Miller

Books $7.00
Royalty $50.00
67 pages text
34 pages text short version
C Y

By Aurand Harris. Written under a Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts and premiered at University of Texas at Austin. Toby is a great role for an energetic actors. (A shortened version of this play is also available.)One interior set. 1915 American upper to working class costumes. (A shortened version of this play is also available.) CAST: 7 + (4 F, 3 M) plus extras for vaudeville entr'acts.

A TOBY SHOW brings back to the stage an American folk character -- Toby, the country bumpkin who through naivete, honesty, and homespun humor outwits the city slickers. This farce-melodrama recreates with traditional situations and stock characters -- as well as jokes and stage business -- a colorful segment of American drama: the traveling tent repertoire shows. Starring in the Cinderella story, Toby enacts a comic variation of the fairy godmother. With music and specialty numbers, the production excitingly evokes a Toby Show for children of all ages, allowing them the joy of experiencing an authentic example of American folk theatre. As the early posters advertised: A laugh a minute! A cyclone of fun! Toby, a stick of dyna-mirth!

Books $7.00
Royalty $40.00
58 pages text
C Y

By Pieter Scholtz. First presentedin the Natal University Open-Air Theatre. Tokoloshe is a ubiquitous and mischievous water-sprite who can become invisible by swallowing a pebble. He is central in most Zulu folklore and legends, as he is in this one, a modern yet magical story revolving about a young girl named Thandi. Open stage. Costumes may range from uniform jumpsuits or dungarees, to imaginative and fanciful, as desired. CAST: 6 (2 F, 2 M, 2 Either) with doubling, or up to 10 (2 F, 3 M, 5 Either)

The heroine is Thandi, a young girl who catches a strange and wonderful fish - no less than the water-sprite, Tokoloshe, with the powers of shape-changing. In return for his freedom Tokoloshe vows to serve Thandi. He saves her from the clutches of a malevolent Go-Go (her grandmother) and an unwelcome suitor. He also aids her search in the city for her long-lost father. The play ends with a magical and unexpected climax - as delightful to Western audiences as it is to Zulu children.

Books $7.00
Royalty $50.00
Printed Music by Barbara Bornham, if desired, at $40.00
61 pages text
Y

Dramatized by Sara Spencer. A literal adaptation of the Mark Twain story. The frequent change of scene, which is necessary to portray the versatile adventures of these Missouri children, is easily handled with a few well-chosen set pieces to suggest the effect. 19th century Midwest American costumes. CAST: 20 (2 F, 6 M, 5 G, 7 B)

All chief adventures of Tom and his friends are brought to the stage -- the famous white-washing, the school-room episodes, the graveyard experience, the pirate adventure on Jackson's Island, the return to their own funeral at the village church, the trial of Muff Potter, the finding and losing of treasure, the getting lost in MacDougall's Cave, the village rejoicing at their rescue.

Books $7.00
Royalty $40.00
Printed Music Score (piano/vocal) $30.00
Musical CD - Performance Accompaniment and Vocal Rehearsal tracks $30.00
26 pages (without musical scene) or 32 pages text with musical scene
Approx. run time: 30 minutes; 40 minutes with optional musical scene
Y T

Words, music and dramatization by Dinah Toups. Lyrics and music by Barbara Walker. Originally produced by the Bossier Arts Council Kids Stage in Louisiana.This is a unique and fun retelling, in multiple styles, of the classic battle of wit and deception: Little Red Riding Hood. We meet Red (who is nobody's fool) and the wolf (who tries to be cool) and granny ––well, sometimes she's left in the dark!. Simple set, suitable for touring. Neutral costumes with layered character pieces. Good roles for teens and young adult actors. CAST: 5 (2 F, 3 M) with doubling, or up to 30 (7 F, 10 M, 9 + Either) with roles distributed.

Totally RED! begins with a humorous version in storybook theatre style, followed by 3 to 5 minute retellings of sections of the story performed in the styles of melodrama (The Perils of Being Miss Red); Elizabethan (Much Ado About Red), 80s Hip-hop slang (REDz in the Hood); and avant-garde (Call the Moment RED). There is also an option to include an additional scene in American musical style (RED! The Musical!) This play is as much fun for the performers as it is for the audience. VIEW an authorized VIDEO EXCERPT from the play (Much Ado About Red)

Books $7.00
Royalty $40.00
65 pages text
Y T

By Sharon Whitney. After its premiere at Springfield High School in Oregon, TOTTY was a winner in the Fourth National Youth Playwriting Competition (now known as the Bonderman Award) in Indianapolis. A coming of age story inspired by the young life of Eleanor Roosevelt -- at age 15, who would become "First Lady of the World." A growing-up story of a plain and miserably shy girl, who emerges as her own person with a deep sense of truth and fair play. A powerful play ideal for high school or college students. Victorian set pieces and costumes. CAST: 5 + (1 F, 4 G) extras optional.

A fearful Eleanor is sent to school in England where she meets an eloquent headmistress, Mlle. Souvestre, and girls with strong opinions. Gradually the girls warm to her shy innocence, but volatile Jane tried to control her. There is a humiliating showdown at a party, but Eleanor rises above the hurt she feels to plead with Mlle. Souvestre for another chance for her nemesis, Jane. Jane is lost, but a new maturity is won by Eleanor under the wise eyes of Mlle. Souvestre.

Books $7.00
Royalty $40.00
29 pages text
C Y

By Vicky Ireland. Originally commissioned by Merseyside Young Peoples Theatre Company of Liverpool and subsequently performed by London's Polka Children's Theater. A feisty enactment of the popular tale of a country mouse in a great city, turned into an irresistible play which became a national success in England. An ingenious "Story Book" setting described in the text. CAST: 5 (3 F, 2 M) with doublling, or up to 7 (3 F, 2 M, 2 Either) with added puppets.

William Boot, a country mouse, bored with rural life at his grandmother's house, Toecap Cottage, is visited by his city cousin, Monty, and learns that he has inherited Tallyhoe Lodge in London. Joyfully, William departs with Monty and runs a gauntlet of adventures -- among them a dangerous cat, poisons, traps, and the wiles of two tricky twin mice, Snowey and the malicious Silver. At last, a wiser William returns to Toecap Cottage, grateful to settle down in his rural paradise.

Books $7.00
Royalty $50.00
Printed Music Score (piano/vocal) by Kevin Dunn $40.00
39 pages text
Y T

Dramatized by Aurand Harris. Premiered at California State University-Northridge.An exciting theatrical adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's novel. Young audiences will thrill to the lightning adventure, exotic settings, sea chanteys, and the salty pirate dialogue that makes this dramatization of Jim Hawkins' adventures irresistible in the hands of Aurand Harris, an American master-playwright for young people. Three suggested sets. 18th century English costumes. CAST: 13 (1 F, 12 M) or 10 minimum (1 F 9 M) with doubling.

Along with young Jim Hawkins, the audience sails abroad the HMS Hispaniola for a daring adventure on Treasure Island. In a conflict between good and evil, Jim courageously faces danger, learns that evil can masquerade as good, and matures from a boy into manhood. All of Stevenson's famous characters are aboard -- the good doctor and the Squire, the sinister Blind Pew, the marooned Ben Gunn, the infamous Long John Silver, and a colorful crew of buccaneers.

Books $7.00
Royalty $40.00
77 pages text
Y

By James Saba. Successful long run at Carolina Actors Studio Theatre in Charlotte, NC. A rivalry between builders of tree houses, set in a in suburban back yard. Tension and competition lead to battle - - until peacemaking carries the day. One set, representational or realistic, as desired. Contemporary casual clothes. CAST: 12 (Roles may be either gender as long as there are girls and boys on both teams.)

Corky Johnson's tree house nestled peacefully at the end of his large yard, providing comfort and secrecy to all allowed to sit in it. But when Corky comes down to his tree house one summer morning, he is shocked to find that his enemy, Joel, has constructed a bigger and fancier tree house in the neighboring yard. Corky declares war. The two leaders enlist teams and attempt to outdo each other. Tension mounts until the members of both sides decide that the situation is out of hand. They conspire together to convince their leaders that this "battle" is wrong. The teams learn about friendship, allegiances, and finally, peacemaking.

Books $7.00
Royalty $40.00
36 pages text
Y T

By Virginia Glasgow Koste. First production by the Eastern Michigan University Children's Theatre. A fresh dramatization of Mark Twain's great original. Five simple settings suggested. Mid-nineteenth century American costumes. CAST: 26 (8 F, 18 M), or 13 minimum (5 F, 8 M) with doubling.

As the title suggests, the play dramatically focuses on the inner conflict of Tom one long summer ago -- a warm season of ripening, when the boy Tom proves his manhood, and the man (Mark Twain as narrator) relives his boyhood. Tom moves through the whitewash work/play enterprise and the school whipping, establishing his bravery in the young world, into the graveyard murder and climactic trial which tests his courage in the old world of life and death itself. Along the way is the escape into the play world of Jackson Island, and the happiest funeral in all literature as the boyish "drowned" listen to their own eulogies.

Books $7.00
Royalty $35.00
27 pages text
Y T YA

Adapted by Aurand Harris from the play by Moliere. A superb adaptation for one-act play contests, classroom study, and mini-productions. Open stage. Neapolitan costumes of 17th century.CAST: 10 (3 F, 7 M)

The comic tricks of that rascal Scapin, the farcical complications of mistaken identity, and the slap-stick elements of commedia dell'arte make this one of Moliere's most appealing comedies. In this short adaptation, brisk dialogue, short scenes, and mounting climaxes retain the joyous spirit of this French classic. The part of Scapin, an actor's dream, was played originally by Moliere himself.

Books $7.00
Royalty $40.00
61 pages text
Aprox. Run time: 55 min+
Y

By Max Bush.  A Goodman Theatre success.  An imaginative, original tale that shows how using “your good eye, not your no-eye” can help reveal the way to courage and change.  Wonderful physical action that builds the plot as well as the courage of Jack and his playmate Dana as they ultimately conquer their fears and save the village.  Unit set.  CAST: 5 (2 F, 3 M) with doubling, or up to 7 (3 F, 4 M).

The citizens of Trolltown obediently pay gold to the intimidating Troll to protect them from the awful, one-eyed, slithering Zanies.  One morning Jack arrives, a peasant boy with a toy elephant.  He meets Dana, a village girl, who joins him in fantastical, pretend play until the Troll sees something powerful in Jack and demands that he be handed over.  A mysterious traveler, Boult, steps in to defend Jack, who is confused as to why the Troll would want him.  Dana and Jack steal away and discover the truth about the Zanies, that they are gentle, music-playing, mountain creatures who wouldn’t hurt anyone.  The Troll manages to capture Jack.  With the help of Dana and Boult, Jack confronts the Troll and convinces the citizens to see with their “good eyes” the truth of the Troll’s trickery.

Books $7.00
Royalty $40.00
49 pages text
Y T YA

By Brian Kral. First produced by the California Young People’s Theatre.  Also a successful tour including a residency at the Kennedy Center’s Programs for Children and Youth in Washington DC.  Incorporating techniques of documentary drama and American Indian ritual, this imaginative play raises challenging questions for today’s audience on the subjects of death, family, and the environment. Multiple representational settings.  Suitable for touring. Contemporary costumes. CAST: 5 or 6 (2-3 F, 2-3 M).

Thirteen-year-old J.D. wants to save the starving deer in the Florida Everglades.  His Park Ranger brother, Michael, and college co-ed sister, Sandra, land squarely on opposite ends of the issue’s solutions.  J.D. feels pulled in both directions.  He and his American Indian friend, Bet, have each had dreams of a spirit deer and seek to understand its message.  When the mercy kill goes on as planned, J.D. tears into the Everglades, determined to save even one deer, if possible.  There is a magical moment when a deer touches J.D.’s hand with its muzzle, but a distant gun shot spooks her, causing her to injure herself.  Michael puts the deer down with his rifle, the only humane response to her suffering.  The play ends with questions: Are there any peaceful alternatives to ecological crises?  What is the best way to make a difference?  A multi-layered play about love and loss.

Books $7.00
Royalty $40.00
Printed music score is incorporated into the play book.
77 pages text
Y

By Alan Cullen. First performed by the Sheffield Repertory Company in England. Completely wild English-pantomime-type extravaganza, for the producer who is not intimidated by the impossible. There is even a loose King's Head who operates an inn. 11 sets that come and go while you watch. Outrageous costumes and get-ups. CAST: 23 + (4 F, 6 M 13 + Either)

Trudi, a pretty country girl who has left her overcrowded home, falls in with a Minstrel, who invites her to join him in seeking entrance to a castle where they might sing for their supper. At the castle, they fall afoul of the Baroness Von Grubelstein, whose magic book foretells that Trudi shall marry her son Siegfried. The Baroness plots to prevent this by disposing of Trudi, and when the Minstrel undertakes to protect her, they are subject to a variety of dangers from which they narrowly escape.

Books $7.00
Royalty $50.00
41 pages text
Approx. run time: 60 + min.
C Y Family

By Edith Weiss. Originally commissioned and produced by Backstage Theatre in Breckenridge, Colorado. Winner of the Colorado Theatre Guild Marlowe Award for "Best Children's Play 2008," here is a very funny script whose lessons include discovering self confidence, using your brain, and that following rules is sometimes a mighty good thing. Simple set, suitable for touring. Contemporary, enchanted and animal costumes. CAST: 11 (3 F, 3 M, 5 Either) or 6 minimum (2 F, 3 M, 1 Either) with doubling.

Ferdo and Floof are two not-very-bright dogs – well, at least not to your average fifth grader. Constantly getting into trouble with their owner Roger, due mainly to their desire to break his rules, the two dogs decide to run away and seek fame and fortune on their own. Despite the warnings of a very wise old owl, they enter the Enchanted Forest and encounter a cursed Prince who has been turned to stone by Queen Malevella; a hapless poodle, Mimi, who is a minion of the Queen; the legendary Dog Shouter; and finally the terribly wicked Queen herself. Ferdo and Floof must rally their brainpower to release the Prince and escape from the Queen’s dungeon.

Books $7.00
Royalty $40.00
49 pages text
Y

By Aad Greidanus, translated from the Dutch. First presented b Toneelgroep Arena, a professional Dutch theatre company for young audiences. The first English production was by the Unicorn Theatre of London. An exquisitely comic bit of folly. One exterior set. Folk costumes. CAST: 6 (2 F, 4 M)

All is at sixes and sevens in the village square, where Alphonso Goldpurse yearns to marry the Constable's daughter Simplina; and Dophilius the Shoemaker pines for the Constable's other daughter, Sandra. But Simplina's affections are directed to Dolphilius, while Sandra is drawn to Mr. Goldpurse. And in any case, their father the Constable refuses to allow his daughters to marry, since he needs them to do all his work, so he can sleep. Into this scene comes Hoddell de Boddel, the rag-and-bone man. By a hilarious series of pranks, he convinces the Constable that he is seeing things that do not exist -- and by further fancy footwork he persuades the girls that they are the victims of hallucinations, common to unmarried girls. Then he induces the two suitors to swap clothes and exchange places. The resulting situation creates some delicious comedy, while bringing all to rights.