C. Michael Perry

C. MICHAEL PERRY — Winner of an 1978 Emmy Award and a Best of the West award for his score to the television puppet musical, “CINDERABBIT” on PBS (the Cinderella story with animal characters/puppets) he has been writing, producing, directing and choreographing professional and amateur shows since his late teens. Other “Best Musical” awards have been given to his FAUNTLEROY! and his ANNE WITH AN E: THE GREEN GABLES MUSICAL, as well as ENTERTAINING MARK TWAIN, JEDEDIAH, and CURSES, FOILED AGAIN! His AN ENCHANTED APRIL - THE MUSICAL played Off-Broadway in 2019 to great reviews, but was cut short by Covid-19, 4 months later. His first commissioned work was in 1972 at the age of 18. The musical was written over the next 6 months and produced for a City Festival that ran for the month of August in 1974 near Chicago. He received another commission from a 2001 Olympics venue to create a new musical, HOW THE WEST WAS DONE with Elizabeth Hansen (his Enchanted April partner) which played for 8 weeks during the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics. He has written a total of nearly 75 shows, 40 of which have been produced/published, not mentioned by title here. His musicals have been produced across the USA and Canada, the UK, and elsewhere in Europe, South America, Africa, India, Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong. His musicals POLLYANNA, and THE SHADOW DANCERS, (with Coni Koepfinger) have had industry readings, along with a version of EAST OF THE SUN, WEST OF THE MOON, (with George and Gayanne King). Their STAR OF ISRAEL, COMING HOME, and HEIDI have also had recent workshop productions. He is currently involved in creating the score to PINOCCHIA (a female cousin to Pinocchio) and IMAGINARY BOY (with June Rachelson-Ospa), TWELVE DANCING PRINCESSES (with George and Gayanne King). SARA CREWE: LITTLE PRINCESS and TINKERTOWN! (with Coni Koepfinger) are also in the works. Adaptations of TEMPEST; THE MUSICAL, GREAT EXPECTATIONS and LITTLE MEN (based on the sequel to “Little Women”) are gathering interest. He has taught college courses in adjunct and also spent 13 years teaching Theatre Arts in high school where his program became prominent and award-winning, also being honored as Teacher of the Year in the State. 

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  Curses, Foiled Again!

Melodrama Musical by C. Michael Perry James G. Lambert

42 pages

6 m, 5 w, extras, doubling possible


Papa Praiseworthy has mortgaged the family farm to have money to pay for the long-needed operation to cure Mama and create a trousseau for sweet Polly’s marriage to our hero, Jedediah Justice, of Justice Junction. Little does the family know when they stop to help an ill traveler on the road, the man is the evil brother of the villain, Delvin Dastardly. The Dastardly brothers frame Papa and get him thrown onto a chain gang. Now Polly will have to bring in the harvest with only the aid of her brother Penrose and sister Penny. Too proud to do less, Polly woeful...

  As You Like It

Shakespeare by C. Michael Perry

56 pages

Flexible cast of about 30


This delightful adaptation updates the action to 20th century New Orleans Mardi Gras celebration! It has been edited for time and archaic expressions, but otherwise the language is the same. The through-line is still very evident as Shakespeare's comment on the classes and pastoralism. Included in the oversized script are four original songs, New Orleans jazz style, which use Shakespeare's poems as the lyrics, with the suggestion of a grand finale of "When the Saints Go Marching In." The costumes are modern day but still very much in the style of Shakespeare ...

  Snow White - Miracle of Mirador

Musical by C. Michael Perry

56 pages

6 m, 4 w, 9 either


Here’s an exciting, magical and very untraditional version of Snow White! This time the evil Queen Zantha wants to change the ending so she’ll win. Her goal is to not only be the fairest in the land, but to unite a special scepter and mystical orb which will give her ultimate power. She will then rule both Snow’s kingdom of Aradon and the Prince’s kingdom of Mirador. Zantha cons Snow into eating a poisoned apple. The Prince, who wishes to marry Snow, and the Loyal Huntsman can only use magic and sorcery to fight Zantha, and her equally power-hungry family inc...

  Tempest

Shakespeare by C. Michael Perry

40 pages

11 m, 4 f, 1 Either + sprites, nymphs, reapers and sailors.


The plotting, the revenge, the tempered justice, requited love, compassion and forgiveness is all here in Shakespeare's fantasy-comedy masterpiece. This version has edited the archaic terms and unnecessary business and dialogue. Perfect for high school and college theatre departments. A special CD is available of sound effects and flute songs. (Song sample at right is "Nymphs and Reapers Dance.")

  Cinderabbit

Musical Theatre Youth by C. Michael Perry Mimi Bean

45 pages

8 m, 8 w, numerous flexible roles


A wonderful musical adapted from the classic Cinderella story with animal characters. Prince Richard--the Rabbit-Hearted and Princess Tabitha of the Blue Mountain Grove are the center of this adaptation. It seems that when the Grove burned down years ago, Tabitha's parents left her on the doorsteps of the Bugmerks, a family of toads on the edge of a swamp. Life is only bearable for her by her close friend and confidant, Mercedes, a mouse. When the night of the ball comes, the Bugmerks leave poor Cinderabbit behind. And who appears? Gracie--Cinderabbit's Jewis...

  The Apple Kingdom

Fantasy by Carol Lynn Pearson C. Michael Perry

41 pages

4 m, 4 w, 1 boy, 1 girl + villagers 1 exterior


The people in the Apple Kingdom live on apples: apple soup, apple salad and, of course, apple pies. Jonathan and Blossom are two fun-loving but not so innocent twins and on their birthday they play a trick on the townspeople that backfires. They say that an "Applephoon" is coming that will destroy all of the apples in the kingdom's orchards. The villagers, all being selfish, immediately run to the orchards and begin picking all the apples and carrying them home by the buckets full. After all the apples are picked, the villagers find that they are stricken wit...

  Hamlet, Prince of Denmark

Shakespeare by C. Michael Perry

74 pages

16 m, 4 w + extras


Here is Shakespeare's classic story of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, with all of the psychology, guilt and tragedy that one is accustomed to in the original story. Nothing vital has been cut, but the play has been shortened, maintaining an incredible through-line of action. This version sails along. Perfect for high school and college theatre departments. A special CD of music and sound effects is available to enhance your production. (Music sample at right is "Ophelia's Theme.") About 2 hours.

  Onstage!

Musical Theatre by Nancy Zelenak C. Michael Perry

76 pages

6 m, 10 w, 2 flexible


Sixteen students have been invited to a week-long audition for a summer production at the Professional Actors School of Theatre and they are vying for the top eight leads. Working under the take-no-prisoners stage manager, we see the students in private moments of triumph and disaster as they learn lines, songs and dance routines. Penny misses her deceased father who used to encourage her so much; Jake is frantic because his assigned reading requires him to cry; and Melanie may have to go back home to help with the family finances. The exuberance and determin...

  Rumpelstiltskin - A Medieval Musical Fairy Tale

Comedy Musical by Mimi Bean C. Michael Perry

60 pages

3 m, 3 w, 3 flexible, and chorus


"Rumpelstiltskin, A Medieval Musical Fairy Tale" takes place during a May Festival, somewhere centuries ago. two traveling minstrels visit a small community where, with the help of the townspeople, they stage a production of the strange tale of a small man who steals children and sells them -- Rumpelstiltskin. It just so happens that they cast a real evil magician in the title role. Music, romance and magic weave together as the townspeople unite to outwit the man who sells children, both in the imaginary tale and in real life. We invite you to join with us a...

  Anne With an 'e'

Adaptation Classic Musical by Neil K. Newell C. Michael Perry

73 pages

Main roles for 4 m, 8 w, 3 g, also numerous children and adults as extras


“Anne of Green Gables,” by L. M. Montgomery, is an enduring story of innocence, joy, and the true meaning of love that has delighted and inspired readers for over a century. Now this heartwarming story of the irrepressible Anne Shirley is impressively adapted to the stage and has inspired a musical score that will knock your socks off! The story begins as Anne arrives at Green Gables and follows her through mishaps and adventures, through Matthew’s death and her reconciliation with Gilbert, and finally to her determination to stay at Green Gables and help Mar...

  A Christmas Memory

Adult Christmas Musical by Jason Anderson C. Michael Perry

52 pages

4 m, 5 w, 1 teen boy, 1 teen girl, 1 boy, 6 girls


It is Christmas time. The Rasmussen family is gathering at Grandma's country home for the holidays. Everyone will be there - except Grandpa, who died recently. All are concerned for Grandma in her first Christmas without Grandpa, but Danni McKenna, a sort of step-granddaughter, may be the solution. Danni is now living with her stepmom, Samantha, who is Grandma's daughter. Danni has problems. She doesn't want to fit in or maybe she's decided that she can't fit in. She feels unloved and unwanted. By solving Danni's problems Grandma eases the loss of her beloved...