63 pages
2 men, optional extras
Vibrant and rich with song and dance, this musical tells the life story of the master American showman, George M. Cohan. The framework for the story is an interview between an older Cohan and a persistent young college man named Walter Kerr who wants to write a play about Cohan. In 1937-38, Cohan enjoyed a tremendous success on Broadway, capping a spectacular 50-year career as an entertainer, songwriter, and playwright. Cohan had a good hunch about the admiring young man who would grow up to become a Pulitzer Prize-winning theater critic. Cohan regales Kerr, ...
67 pages
12 to 24+ actors: 14 m, 9 w, doubling possible
Inspired by actual events, legendary songwriter Irving Berlin shares his life story with two teens. It's a rags-to-riches tale--terrific for schools, colleges, community theaters, and more--about a poor immigrant kid rising to become the most successful songwriter in the world. Along the way, we get to hear such timeless Berlin songs as "I Love a Piano," "All by Myself," "Play a Simple Melody," "Ragtime Violin," and "Alexander's Ragtime Band." The songs are pure Americana--great for singing and dancing.
52 pages
Flexible cast, approx. 10 m, 4 w (or 7 actors with doubling)
A one-set operetta about the 1880s Colorado mining town of Dead Dog Gulch - oops, we mean, Columbine Valley. You see, the ladies of the Beautification Society have purtied the town - the general store is now a pink "emporium," and even the jail - well, crime is down because no man would be caught dead in it! Now the miners are always fighting, that is, until the cowboys arrive and start shooting and making fun of this sissy town. The kids and ladies solve the problem but pretend the miners did it all. Unison songs. About 60 minutes.
40 pages
Approx. 6 m, 5 w, 6 flexible, extras. Much doubling possible
Calvin is a slight youngster who can’t compete with the more athletically-inclined kids in the neighborhood. A wise magician lends him an old “Magic Machine.” Through its erratic powers Calvin, his best friend Jenny, and a lost dragon drop into odd versions of three fairy tales. In "The Three Little Bears" Calvin stops the bears from eating them for dinner and teaches the bears how to be happy. In "Rumpelstiltskin" Calvin helps the miller’s daughter by shouting out the evil little man’s name, and in the third story, "Alice in Wonderland," Calvin stops the cou...
0 pages
Large, flexible cast (minimum of 15)
Four timid page boys in the Court of King Arthur will soon become squires by performing acts of courage and skill. The girls of the court chide them for their fear and lack of ability. Merlin the Magician helps the boys in adventures that include rescuing their teacher, Lady Katherine; subduing the Grouchlinks, the evil slaves of Morgan LeFey; and slaying a dragon. Very clever lines with comedy situations. Some 13 songs including "I Don't Want to Go," "Knock! Knock!" "The Wishing Song," and "Dragons in England."
36 pages
Large, flexible cast (approx. 17 boys and 19 girls)
If you want to know what really goes on in middle school, join these students as they perform insightful songs highlighting their monologues and scenes. "Doing the Tag" introduces friendships and rivalries, "Hanging in the Hallway" finds a girl longing for the boy of her dreams to notice her, and "I'm Hot/I'm Not" shows us all about popularity. "America" tells the troubles facing a foreign-born student, while "Cambiata" deals with the challenge of the unchanged male voice in chorus class. "Hormonal Blues" finds a boy in the throes of first love with a girl he...