THE ADVENTURES OF TOM SAWYER
(or The Trial of Tom Sawyer)

Books $7.00
Royalty $40.00
36 pages text
Y T

By Virginia Glasgow Koste. A dramatization of Mark Twain's great original. 5 sets (simplified, stylized staging appropriate). Mid-Nineteenth Century American costumes. 27 characters (many possibilities for doubling).

Mark Twain himself narrates this lovingly crafted adaptation, preserving the classic language (and, in effect, reliving his boyhood). Precisely, as in the book, we follow the antics and inner conflict of Tom that single long summer. Tom moves through the whitewash work/play enterprise to the famous scenes in school where he establishes his bravery in the young world. And he proves his manhood in the events leading out of the graveyard murder to the climactic trial which tests his courage in the old world of life and death itself. Along the way we escape with him and his companions into the playworld of Jackson Island, and the happiest funeral in all literature as the boyish "drowned" listen to their own eulogies. Widely produced and beloved, this version enlarges the option of producers who value the masterpiece of Mark Twain.

AESOP'S FALABLES (Musical)

Books $7.00
Printed Music Score (piano/vocal) $40.00
Royalty $40.00
35 pages text
C Y T

By Ed Graczyk. Music Score by Shirley Hansen. A rock musical, addressed to the now generation, in the beat of our times. One set. Fanciful costumes. 11 women, 6 men (though cast can be reduced by doubling).

Loosely based on a collection of well-known fables, this is a "Laugh-In" - type revue. Taking its more-or-less plot from Sir Wilfred Wolf, who claims he has been wrongfully typed by Aesop as the bad guy, the play undertakes to overturn other fables, drawing new morals from them, somewhat different from the old familiar ones. Lots of crazy fun, as everybody does the "Rock, rock, with old Aesop."

Books $7.00
Royalty $40.00
37 pages text
Y T

Dramatized by Madge Miller. Suspenseful version of Lewis Carroll's story, with a plot. Bare stage, with set pieces that slide on and off. Fantastic costumes. 4 women, 2 men, 7 fantastic animals. (Suitable for all-girl cast.)

Alice is cautioned by the Rabbit to take good care of the Queen's tarts, which are to be served shortly at the Croquet Match. While Alice's back is turned, the tarts are stolen; and Alice, realizing that the Rabbit will lose his head if the tarts are not discovered in time, goes in search of the thief. Her quest leads her through a maze of incredible adventures, endeared to everybody by Lewis Carroll's memorable story, climaxed by a trial scene,where the thief is discovered. (See also: THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS AND WHAT ALICE FOUND THERE by Rosemary Nursey-Bray)

Books $7.00
Royalty $50.00/$40.00
77 pages text
C Y T

By Maureen A. O'Toole. Set in 17th Century Japan, this easy-to-tour Kabuki-style adventure celebrates strong family values and the development of relationships. With highly acclaimed productions by Honolulu Theatre for Youth, Fulton Opera House, and Barter Theatre, the play has proven appeal for a wide audience. A brilliant range of highly playable characters, and detailed suggestions for easy construction of costumes and special effects,ensure successful production. Open theatre space, 3F, 2M (may also be performed by all male or all-female casts; Demon character may be expanded to accommodate 4 players).

In an imaginative and expert blend of mime, movement, music and comedy, the adventures of Ama and her hand-puppet companion, White Crane, unfold as they journey to the Legendary Center of the Universe. A pair of bombastic but good-hearted samurai befriend Ama as she seeks to save her village from a powerful Demon, whose disguises create suspense and humor. The Demon is inevitably overcome by the ingenuity of young Ama. In a highly stylized, visually stunning moment, White Crane's "wings" appear (two huge white paper fans, carried onstage by prop persons in black) and the trip is "flown" to the top of the mountain, safe from danger, closer to enlightenment.

Books $7.00
Printed Music Score (piano/vocal) $40.00
Listen to AUDIO excerpts
Royalty $50.00
57 pages text
Y T

Book, Music and Lyrics by Frumi Cohen. An inspiring musical of triumph and choices written especially for teen actors ages 11-17. Real life relationships and fantasy computer characters give this modern Faustean tale a contemporary twist. 3 F, 5 M and 6 either for a minimum cast of 9 with doubling. Additional cast (of crowd, doctors, teammates, etc.) may be added to 30+.

A young teen-aged girl athelete is indefinitely confined to a wheelchair. Depressed, she isolates herself in her room with her computer, which takes on human forms. A colorful action figure, ICON, appears. Soon, however, a more sinister character, GAME, emerges and draws Amy further into a digital fantasy world of games and glory. GAME promises her an easier life in Computerland where "you don't have to feel anything real." As Amy retreats from her friends and family, she learns that true friends are not just there---when the crowd is cheering.

Books $7.00
Royalty $50.00/$40.00
56 pages text
C Y T

By Raymond King Shurtz. With lots of physicality including mime, clowning and simple acrobatics, this play offers good comedic roles for all the characters.  Excellent for elementary and middle schools, theatre camps and community theatres.  Simple set.  Circus costumes, or contemporary. Cast: 24 with doubling, or up to 40. Many gender-free roles.

Amy Anderson discovers her Grandfather's magic trunk in the attic. When she falls asleep her dreams take her on an unforgettable adventure with Coco, a mute clown, into the circus world. She finds and rescues an array of circus performers suspended in time. They were banished by the curse of Ivan the Madman, evil nemesis of her Grandfather. Amy takes the performers back into the safe haven of her attic so they may again perform the 'Greatest Show on Earth'.

Books $7.00
Royalty $40.00
33 pages text
Y T

By Moses Goldberg. A science-mystery drama of self-awareness, written especially for adolescence. Modern dress. One set: a high school chemistry lab. 3 men, 3 women.

This play, written for the middle and high school audience, deals with the scientific progess in a high school chemistry lab -- and the almost science-fiction-like discoveries that 16-year-old Aline makes about herself. Her quarrels with the popular Mickey; her funny and touching relationships with her sympathetic teacher and her clumsy lab partner; her struggles to comprehend her uniqueness as a person make this play excitingly relevant to the everyday life of school. The casting—five young people and one teacher—makes this play particularly suitable for performance by high schools, or by adults for middle and high school audiences. A sensational success when premiered at Stage One in Louisville, and at the Kennedy Center's national Imagination Celebration Festival in Washington, D.C.

Books $7.00
Printed Music Score (piano/vocal) $40.00
Printed Instrumental Scores:
$30.00 per set. B-flat, Trumpet,
Flute, Cello, Bassoon
Royalty $50.00
42 pages text
C Y T

Books $7.00
Royalty $50.00/$40.00
59 pages text
Y T YA

By Norma Cole. An unforgettably warm and true story of a remarkable Grandmother and her grand daughter, confronted by inexorable nature and change. A smash hit from its launching at the 1993 Children's Theatre Symposium in Indianapolis, to New York City's THEATRE OF THE OPEN-EYE, to Nashville's ACADEMY ThEATRE. Open stage, a small porched house, interior, all by suggestion, props, lights. Costumes of Appalachia, 1930's. 2 men, 1 boy, 3 girls, 2 women.

We are in the world of the lakes and dams of the Tennessee Valley Authority. The hydroelectric dam at Wolf Creek is finished and closed, and heavy rains lift the levels of the new lake. Soon water will cover the lands and farms long-since purchased, and people must move to new towns. Only Granny, determined to keep her promise to her man in the graveyard - - and her grand daughter, Geneva, just as certain they will leave - - are locked in a contest of "the stubborns'. Geneva gradually prevails. But Granny, in turn, brings forth her hidden treasures in blue jars, and both find a way to go forward with the changes of their lives. "A new American classic' observed the 1994 Southeastern Community Theatre Festival in awarding Norma Cole's play it's "Best Play Award".

ISBN 978-0-87602-412-6

Books $7.00
Music CD & Printed Song Sheets $30 (sold together)
Royalty $50.00
40 pages text
Approx. run time: 40-45 min
C Y

Script and Lyrics By David F. Eliet, Music by Nancy Rosenberg. Loosely based on an Indonesian folk tale. Wit and folk wisdom help students battle bullying and intimidation at school. Originally produced by the Cleveland Play House: Ohio University/CPH Lab Company; also Circle in the Square's Suitcase Theatre. Written to be done as simply as possible for quick transitions between locales, which include a playground, Sumatra, and the jungles of Borneo. The play is written to be performed with the music of Nancy Rosenberg but special permission may be requested for amateur productions, without music. Accompaniment CD and Song Sheets contain 4 songs. 6 (5 actors double) to 12. Gender of several characters may be adapted to needs

.A young girl, Anne, is being bullied by two older girls on a playground. When she threatens to get her older brother to beat them up, she is overheard by Isaac who calms the children down. He then cleverly makes a point about getting along and cooperating by involving the three girls an two of their friends in helping him tell a story. It is the story of the Tiger Raja of Sumatra and the Mouse Deer of Borneo, who thwarts the TIger Raja's evil plans and without resorting to violence.

Books $7.00
Royalty $50.00/$40.00
78 pages text
50 pages text-shortened version also available
Y T

By R.N. Sandberg, adapted from L.M. Montgomery's novel. A faithful, unsentimental dramatization of the first part of the beloved classic. Commissioned and premiered by Seattle's Children's Theatre, this play has been produced throughout the country. Main setting is Green Gables with various locations around Avonlea to be suggested. Turn of the 20th century costumes. 3 men, 5 women, with doubling. (Shorter version by playwright also available.)

Marilla Cuthbert and her brother Matthew request an orphan boy to help work their farm, but are mistakenly sent the high-spirited red-headed Anne Shirley. Knowing they are ill equipped to raise a child, Marilla attempts to send Anne back to the orphanage. With Matthew lobbying to keep Anne, Marilla ultimately agrees to let her stay at Green Gables. The trials and tribulations Marilla fears come to pass as Anne insults Marilla's best friend, "looses" Marilla's most cherished brooch, smacks the school's prize pupil with a slate, and inadvertently gets her best friend Diana drunk on cherry cordial. She also turns out to be bright, charming, and resourceful, full of irresistible imagination. Marilla and Matthew admit she is the best thing that ever happened to them, and Anne comes to understand she is a loved, worthwhile person.

Books $7.00
Royalty $50.00/$40.00
37 pages text
T YA

By Brian Kral. A contemporary drama that deals realistically with a teenage girl's unexplained suicide. For teenage audiences, up. Flexible, fragmented settings. 2 men; 4 women (3 teenage).

A teenager named Jennifer leaves a letter for her mother, and then silently takes her own life. With the fact of her death, her family and friends are left not with the question "Will she kill herself?" but rather "Why did she kill herself?" -- and the audience travels back with them through the events leading up to her tragic decision, in an effort to answer this difficult question. The realistic and uncompromising depiction of teenagers and suicide have made this play extremely popular among young people, with many school and commnity productions since its 1985 printing in Dramatics Magazine.

Books $7.00
Royalty $40.00
45 pages text
T Y

By Ed Graczyk. A dramatic saga, covering the life and times of Johnny Appleseed. Stationary set, interspersed with slide projections. American pioneer costumes. 4 women, 7 men, who play all the characters in Johnny's life. 4 women, 7 men, who play all the characters in Johnny's life.

In the shade of an apple tree, Johnny Appleseed is discovered, age 75, listening to a distant drum. Several figures gather around him, inquire as to what the drumming means. As Johnny undertakes to explain, a projection comes up, taking him back to his boyhood, and the story unfolds, in the form of flashbacks, all through his long pilgrimage, making his lonely way through the Midwest, befriending the animals, coping with confidence men, protecting Indians and settlers alike, and always, always planting apple trees, with love in his heart and peace within himself.

Books $7.00
Royalty $50.00/$40.00
29 pages text
Approx. run time: 50 min
C Y T

By Aurand Harris. "A marvelous, daring play, full of charm and vitality, that makes a reassuring statement about death." (Critic's comment) One set. Modern and animal costumes. 6 actors: Little Girl, Dancing Bear, Mime, Star Bright, Ringmaster, Little Bear (Flexible men or women.

Saddened and bewildered at her grandfather's approaching death, Tish runs to her "special tree." There, in a world of fantasy, provided by her wishing on a Star, she meets the World's Greatest Dancing Bear. He is old, like her grandfather, and is running away -- from death. In trying to help him, she begins to understand the meaning of both life and death, which helps her to cope with her own sadness. The play blends realism and fantasy, pathos and humor. Delightfully theatrical, with music, magic and dance, enthusiastically applauded by children's audiences -- and family audiences. The Arkansaw Bear is an important work by America's foremost playwright for young audiences, sparkling with entertainment and, at the same time, dramatizing, with poignancy, a universal truth.