Musicals For Young Audiences
The Little Princess
Adapted by Jenna Zark Music by Gary Rue Based on the beloved book by Frances Hodgson Burnett, Author of The Secret Garden Frances Hodgson Burnet's classic tale A Little Princess takes a musical spin in this new production. Meet Sarah Crewe, a rich-girl-turned-orphan whose stories save her and those around her when life becomes too harsh. Set in Victorian England, Sarah and the others at Miss Minchin's school find there is power in make-believe, love, and each other. Opening October 21st!
The Stinky Cheese MAn
THE STINKY CHEESE MAN And Other Fair(l)y (Stoopid) Tales is a whirlwind of whacky, whimsical wisecrackers! An array of the usual fairy tale suspects pal up to produce preposterous vignettes such as “Cinderumplestiltskin or “The Girl Who Really Blew It”, “The Other Frog Prince”, “The REALLY Ugly Duckling”, and the malodorous “Stinky Cheese Man”. Amusing, absurd anthems in styles ranging from vaudeville to Trocadero. Enmesh the frantic nonsense of these crazy and twisted tales.
The Great Family Tree
When their computer grows larger than life, two boys, Josh and Lou Tou, enter it to meet a Magical Tree that takes them on a journey through Asian family stories. The stories include a Hmong story of an adoptive son who overcomes prejudice and the dishonesty of others to find his fortune, a Korean story of a son who realizes true filial love from a tigress and a Chinese story of a young girl who is left abandoned, only to return later in life as the adoptive daughter of a rich family. Through songs and stories, the boys realize the value and importance of family.
True Stories
TRUE STORIES combines two of award-winning children’s author Jon Scieszka’s beloved classics into one laugh-filled, hour-long musical for family audiences. The satirical “True Story of the Three Little Pigs” features B.B. Wolf, protesting from prison his innocence in a recent crime wave and offering his version of the events, which, as he says, are all about “a sneeze and a cup of sugar”. With a musical score ranging from rockabilly to street bebop, “Pigs” delightfully skewers everything from celebrity criminals to new-agers to NIMBYS. Interwoven with “Pigs” is the hilarious and touching “The Frog Prince, Continued” which tells the story never told: what happens after “happily ever”. When tensions reach the breaking point in his marriage to the Princess, the Frog Prince goes on a quest to find someone who will turn him back into a frog. Gary Rue’s beautiful melodies and Kent Stephens’ clever lyrics will have you laughing and crying at the same time. Recommended for producing groups and audiences of all ages.
Snow White and the Several Dwarves
SNOW WHITE AND SEVERAL DWARVES - When Mean Queen Floribunda celebrates her birthday, the fur flies and Snow White dies -- but only temporarily. This is a musical treatment of the classic fairy tale as told by the Queen's Mirror, Mrs. Detweiler. Here is a story of friendship and resurrection peopled with 25 actors (adjustable cast) and with a score which includes "She's Sooooo Nice," "Look at Her, She's Breathing," and "I Don't Love Her," (the latter sung by the Queen's long-suffering dog).
The Lion's Tale
Cultures collide as two young Somali immigrants attend their first American birthday party. What their friends see as generous and fun, Ali and Asha take as materialistic and greedy. The friends learn to overcome their cultural differences as they are all magically transported to Somalia where they become characters in a series of ancient folktales about village life, and surviving the dangerous lion. This fantasy-musical incorporates exciting Somali stories and traditional music in a play that celebrates generosity, friendship, and cultural understanding.
Hmong Tiger Tales
The Thao family in St. Paul is in turmoil with kids bickering and the parents at their wits end. But grandma Pu comes to the rescue, settling everyone down with tales of Tigers back home in Laos. The stories range from ironic as in Nine Cubs Every Year, to scary and metaphorical as in Yer and the Tiger, where a young girl fends off a sneaky tiger. Full of fun songs and quirky characters like singing monkeys and clever crows, this play brings home the Hmong storytelling traditions in a way that can apply to all our lives today.
The Magic Bus To Asian Folk Tales
When the kids get on the old school bus to go home, the mysterious new bus driver treats them to a whole series of Asian folktales. His words are sprinkled like magic dust on them and they are transported back to Asia. His stories are new versions of old folktales such as the Chinese story where a young boy’s honesty about his own failure leads to success, and the Hmong story about two brothers, one generous ad one greedy, who finds a magical tree, and finally the Filipino story of a young woman who goes after bandits to avenge her father’s death. The stories are full of action and songs, and make the kids on the bus so much more aware of the richness of their own Asian heritage.
Young Lindy
Charles Lindbergh is struggling over a difficult decision. The twenty-five year old pilot, sitting in his single engine plane on a rainy, muddy runway, tries to decide if he should fly across the Atlantic to Paris. He questions his younger, twelve-year-old self if he really can make it. Young Lindy and the Chorus take Charles back to his boyhood in Little Falls, MN and Washington D.C. These memories past become his present, as Charles relives swimming in the Mississippi River, traveling east by train, and his lonely days living with his mother in Washington. Saddened by difficult memories, the older Charles wonders if he really is brave enough to fly across the Atlantic. But then he experiences again his success in Army Flight School, when he graduated top in his class. Confidence restored, Charles puts on his goggles and starts to taxi the Spirit of St. Louis down the runway. After he clears a telephone line by just twenty feet, Lindbergh is on his way to Paris and his place in history.
Young Peacemakers
Young Peacemakers: Instead of trying to “stop violence”, this play attempts to create a paradigm shift: Peace is what cannot be stopped. A chorus of Peacemakers show us scenes of Samantha Smith, Iqbal Massih, and Zlata Filipovic to inspire and guide us. Using music and the stories of these and other real young people who have made a difference in our world, Young Peacemakers is an honest, upbeat and real possibility for all of us to live by.
The Story of Hope
Celebrate Black History Month with the inspirational story of Hope. Based on the book, Hope, by actress and storyteller Isabell Monk, this play asks the question “what is it like to be of mixed race?” and explores the issue of being biracial in a polarized world. A little girl is made to feel bad for being “mixed.” By exploring her family’s history, she comes to realize that she is created by love and a hope for a better world. Follow Hope and Jacqui’s journey along the branches of their family tree, through their family history and the history of our nation. On this journey Jacqui gives Hope insight into who she is and how her name speaks of a positive future. “I am generations of faith mixed with lots of love! I AM HOPE!
Mother Goose Rocks!
MOTHER GOOSE ROCKS! - A rock-and-roll opera for children incorporating Mother Goose rhymes. When Little Bo-Peep's sheep Melvin goes astray, a search commences that results in the hiring of detective Dickery Dare, Sheep-and-Cat gang activity, the demise of Humpty-Dumpty and the near-drowning of one of the shoe-dwelling children. This is a true opera with a cast of 20 (doubling possible), all singing, all-dancing and with no spoken dialogue. It's a story about a community raising children (and sheep and cats) and features such songs as "Lib-er-ated Sheep," "You Don't Need a Hero," "Better than Pigs in the Air," "Curly Little Bundle" and "I'm Scrambled."
Hanuman the Girl Prince
HANUMAN & THE GIRL PRINCE A play for youth in iambic verse. Loosely adapted from a brief incident in the Mahabharata, and the dance drama "Chitrangada" by Rabindranath Tagore. The Princess Chitrangada has spent the majority of her life disguised as a Prince in order to rule her kingdom. When the hero Arjuna arrives in Manipur seeking the prince's assistance against their mutual enemy the Kauravas, she wants nothing more than to shed her disguise and be a princess, but complications ensue. Running time: approx. 70 minutes Cast size: 12+ Music by Gary Rue
THE NIGHTINGALE
The Nightingale is a story that tells of the power of friendship and loyalty. In Andersen’s beloved tale, the Chinese Emperor receives a gift of a Nightingale. Although clad in plain feathers, the Nightingale’s song is so lovely and enchanting, the Emperor thinks that there is nothing more beautiful – until he receives a another gift, that of a bejeweled wind-up bird!
NUTCRACKER!
NUTCRACKER! - A holiday show about a holiday show. When Dorsett Middle School auditions for and produces Tchaikovsky's "Nutcracker Suite," things go a little awry. Here's the creative process with all its warts and glory. The songs include "Anyone Can Dance," "Venus and Mars" and "No One Stays Little Forever." Everyone who auditions is cast, including the girl who lists state capitals, the boy who does a Goosebumps book report, and the entire soccer team. There's an adjustable cast of 25 and a school production that defies description -- and gravity.
Puss In Boots
PUSS 'N BOOTS - A musical adaptation for children of the classic fairy tale featuring such songs as "Eating the Cat," "Boots!" and "I Wouldn't Say I'm Mean Exactly." An ogre named Maurice is terrorizing the countryside, and a brave little cat (who happens to be a girl) and her friend Douglas come up with a plan to turn the tables on the bully. The ogre's magic backfires, and Douglas finds a princess. The cast consists of 22 children and/or adults which can be tailored to size as required and teaches that even the least of us has the power to change the world and that love and friendship make life much more adventurous.
The Reluctant Dragon
THE RELUCTANT DRAGON - A musical adaptation for children of Kenneth Grahame's classic tale. When a lonely dragon who writes poetry and yearns for a family moves into a cave outside the village, fear and unfounded gossip sweep through the community With the help of a thoughtful little boy and a flamboyant (but adaptable) knight, peace reigns. This is a study in conflict resolution with a cast of 18 (adjustable) children and/or adults, and featuring such songs as "I'm Hummin'" and "It Had a Tail That Was Big As A. . ."
Goats!
GOATS! - A musical adaptation of the classic fairy tale, "The Three Billy Goats Gruff." A family of goats uses a bridge to cross over from their spring to winter pasture. When a family of trolls takes up permanent residence under the bridge, a feud breaks out. The two youngest members of the families strike up a friendship, and a late-night bridge crossing brings about a surprising truce. Tolerance is the theme of this play for children featuring a cast of 22 (adjustable) children and/or adults, including the goats' Aunt Genevieve (she's French), and such songs as "Look, I'm Dancin' On The Bridge" and "The Grass Pie Song."
Peter Rabbit
Peter Rabbit & Company is a bright and snappy musical based on three Beatrix Potter short stories: PETER RABBIT, BENJAMIN BUNNY and THE FLOPSY BUNNIES. The musical has a slow motion/fast motion chase scene through Mr. McGregor's garden. While designed for the youngest audiences, the musical has sophisticated lyrics that sail over the head of the young ones to engage and entertain adults and older siblings. There is a mouse chorus (expandable) that dances.
Riding the Rails
At the height of the Great Depression an estimated 250,000 children roamed America by jumping on trains. RIDING THE RAILS, an hour long musical written for an ensemble of children to perform, is a fictional account of these child hobos. The play tells the story of world-wise Sam, who gives newcomer Rook a hand. Rook and Sam meet wily Jumpin’ Joe and a whole chorus of hobos. During the course of their adventures, Rook learns “the rules of the road” and Sam learns to trust her new friend. The piece was produced at SteppingStone theatre in 2002 and won honorable mention in the Jackie White Memorial National Playwriting contest.
The Rainbow Crow
with music by Gary Rue – Musical, 1 hour – Based on a Lenape Native American story, the crow, once known for her beautiful voice and colorful feathers embarks on a journey to save her world from a new thing called “snow!” Along the way, she discovers that inner beauty and loyalty are more important than appearance. 2008 Produced and commissioned by Stepping Stone Theatre in Saint Paul, MN.
Chile Pod
Chile Pod - 40 minutes Like many San Diegans, Carmen and her family moved from Mexico for a better life. But unlike her classmates, Carmen speaks neither English nor Spanish: she speaks Mixtec, a language of the indigenous people of Oaxaca. Frustrated and confused, Carmen must become the hero of her own story, embracing her heritage while learning to make a home in a whole new world. Chile Pod explores one young person’s journey to a place of belonging, and celebrates diversity, compassion and Oaxacan culture. 2009 Commissioned by La Jolla Playhouse for production and tour February 2 to March 19, 2010.
Grandma's Tschotkes
In this warm and intimate story, a young girl learns all about her Russian Jewish grandmother through the trinkets Grandma collected throughout her life. Each one of those tsotchkes–a bag of pennies, a box of chess pieces, an old black shoe, and a glass ring–magically transport the girl into adventurous stories of her grandma’s flight from Russia to America.
Lento the Coyote
Set in the southwest during the Spanish conquest, a lost Navajo boy, Anahu, finds an unsmilingly friend in a coyote name Lento. The pair embarks on an adventure to find Anahu’s home, but they must first seek the help of the old wise man who lives on top of the mountain. These colorful and unusual characters come to life in this comic story of friendship, hope and the strength that lies with in us all.
CASSIE THE CRAB AND ROSITA THE ISLAND GIRL
Two misfits, Cassy, the crab, and Rosita, an island girl, find comfort in each other’s friendship as they endure the ridicule of others in pursue of their dreams. Their friendship and character are put to the test when they are trusted into the middle of an eminent environmental disaster cause by an oil tanker spill. Cassy and Rosita join forces with mystical creatures of the sea in an attempt to save their homes and in the process become unwilling heroes.
Tasty Baby Belly Buttons
Here come the Oni (giants) marching through the village taking all of the children for their favorite treat: baby belly buttons! But one brave little girl, Uriko-hime, was born in a watermelon and has no belly button! Uriko-hime enlists the help of her friends Dog, Pheasant, and Monkey to seek out the Oni and return the children of the village to their families. Based on a whimsical Japanese folktale, this musical is an adventure fantasy for all ages.
Tricksters
by Dane Stauffer Four Tricksters of different traditions intertwine: the Raven of Pacific Northwest Native culture, Tyll Jullenshpiel of Tyroll, Anancy, The spider man legend that leapt from The Ashanti tribe of West Africa to Jamaica. Storytellers vie to set the stage, and tell their tales thru stagecraft, music and movement until the storytellers end the show with a trick or two of their own!
Eye Spy
Inspired by the backstage discussions on self-esteem, beauty, and style, Steppingstone Theatre child actor veteran Naima Brown and her mother, Brenda Bell Brown, scripted Eye Spy: Beauty in My Eye. Emphasizing the strength of family and friendship connections, Eye Spy reveals the beauty of girls and women through historic presentations, song, and dance. From the well-known to the not-so-well-known, Eye Spy celebrates intelligence and mother-wit in its quest to share the greatness of feminine culture.
Anansi
An Afro-Latina spider, Anansi, helps Felipe and his friends save the forest when the mayor of the Caribbean Island town of San Pedro sells the surrounding forest to developers. In a rescue attempt, a group of kids join Anansi, the Spider, and his animal friends in seeking the help for Hurracan the Taino God of the wind to rid the forest of the developers. The motley crew encounters boxing turtles, and giant serpents and trick themselves out of dangerous situation in pursue of their mission.
Buried Treasure at Old Fort Snelling
Buried Treasure at Old Fort Snelling is the story of Barbara Ann Shadecker, a 13-year-old refugee from the Red River colony fleeing the starvation and turmoil that befell her family when they journeyed from Switzerland to the New World. Ann, as she prefers to be called, becomes governess to the colonel’s children at the army post, called Fort Snelling, in 1823, but is given less than a welcome reception by the Snelling children. Ann is unhappy at the Fort and though she meets other girls who would befriend her, Ann still dreams of going back home, where she lived in wealth and leisure. After hearing a rumor of buried treasure on the grounds of Fort Snelling, Ann decides to look for the treasure according to the clues she picks up from listening to the children. Yet when she goes seeking buried treasure, Ann finds one of the Snelling children lost in the woods. As she tends to him, trying to keep him warm in the cold, Ann finds something better than treasure—the warmth of friendship and the beginning of a new home and life.