Plays for Young Audiences
Larry Bates as Stinky, Tracey A. Leigh as the Little Old Lady and Brad Culver as the Little Old Man in South Coast Repertory's 2014 production of The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales (director Jessica Kubzansky)
A 55-65 minute stage adaptation (with songs) of the best-selling picture book. Though the characters may be familiar, each of your favorite storybook fables is uproariously derailed in this adaptation of Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith's quintessential children's book of fractured fairy tales. Everything from "Chicken Little" to "The Gingerbread Man" gets a complete makeover. Wacky music and witty narration accompany the likes of ineloquent giants, sassy barnyard animals, colossal cow pies, and enough stinky cheese to go around. Cast-size 6. Numerous productions worldwide.
Published and licensed by Playscripts: to read the full script and get information about licensing click on the link.
More Stinky photos can be viewed in Production Photos.
Matt McGrath as Jack the Narrator and Nicholas Mangiardo-Cooper as Giant in the 2014 SCR production of The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales
James Michael Lambert, Tessa Auberjonois, William Francis McGuire, Stewart Calhoun and Rebecca Mozo in A Wrinkle in Time (director Shelley Butler) at South Coast Repertory. Photo: Henry DiRocco/South Coast Repertory
A 75-minute stage adaptation of Madeleine L'Engle's classic science fiction novel for children and YA readers. One of literature's most enduring young heroines, Meg Murry, is back—braces, stubbornness and all. Once again, she's joining forces with Mrs. Who, Mrs. Whatsit and Mrs. Which, Charles Wallace, Calvin O'Keefe to battle the forces of evil so she can rescue her father, save humanity and find herself. In the end, we know two things for sure: 1. Love can overcome evil and 2. There is such a thing as a tesseract. Cast-size is flexible (minimum 6 actors). Numerous productions worldwide.
To read the Washington Post review of the Round House production, click here.
Published and licensed by Stage Partners: to read the full script and get information about licensing click on the link.
A 75-minute stage adaptation of the book by Kate DiCamillo. Can a little squirrel change the human heart? After getting sucked up by a vacuum cleaner, a (now hairless) squirrel is rescued by Flora Belle Buckman, a 10-year-old self-proclaimed cynic. She names him Ulysses and discovers he has been reborn a superhero. Indeed, this once average squirrel can suddenly understand Flora, fly, and even write poetry. Together they embark on an adventure full of quirky characters and bursting with heart. Cast-size 7-12.
Published and licensed by Plays for New Audiences: to read an excerpt and get script and licensing information click on the link.
"The best play I've seen all year!" -- Read the stageandcinema.com review here.
A 70-minute stage adaptation of the book by Laura Amy Schlitz. What would happen to a fairy if she lost her wings and could no longer fly? Flory, a young night fairy no taller than an acorn and still becoming accustomed to her wings — wings as beautiful as those of a Luna moth — is about to find out. What she discovers is that the world is very big and very dangerous. But Flory is fierce and willing to do whatever it takes to survive. If that means telling others what to do — like Skuggle, a squirrel ruled by his stomach — so be it. Not every creature, however, is as willing to bend to Flory’s demands. Cast-size 7.
Published and licensed by Plays for New Audiences: to read an excerpt, watch a video sample and get script and full information click on the link.
Dory Fantasmagory
A 60-minute stage adaptation of the book by Abby Hanlon. Dory is a six-year-old dynamo with a knack for mischief and an out-sized imagination. What she wants more than anything is to be a playmate to her older brother and sister, but they don't want anything to do with her. So instead she conjures up a whole cast of imaginary friends and enemies, including her best pal Mary, her arch-enemy, Mrs. Gobble Gracker and a fairy godmother named Mr. Nuggy. Cast-size 5-7.
To inquire about script and licensing, send an email to johnglorewrites@gmail.com.
For more about Abby Hanlon's Dory Fantasmagory book series, see the Penguin/Random House listing.
A 60-minute play incorporating three classic folk tales from around the world. Kimberly-Kay has no time for make-believe—she's a no-nonsense kid, too grown up to listen to fairy tales. But then the Wind of a Thousand Tales (played by an ensemble of 8 to 34 or more actors) decides it's time to blow in and take charge. Breezes take her to Mexico for a tale about Carlos and Corazòn, a mismatched pair who were made for each other. The Breezes also show Kimbrtly-Kay, a happy/sad Japanese folktale and a funny story that takes place in Middle Europe. By the time she has heard the three tales, Kimberly-Kay understands a deeper sense of truth than she had found in a world without make-believe. Cast-size flexible; 9 - 1000s (ideal for school groups). With optional songs by Diane King Vann. Numerous productions across the U.S.
Published and licensed by Dramatic Publishing, Inc. To read an excerpt and get script and licensing information click on the link.
A 60-minute sequel to Wind of a Thousand Tales, this time incorporating six American folktales. Kimberly Kay is back. She's hiding in the attic after having ruined one of her father's favorite possessions. This time she's the story-teller, as she staves off boredom by using items in the attic to help her bring to life six folktales from different parts of America (some of which will be familiar as re-imaginings of classic tales from the Old Country). Cast-size flexible (ideal for school groups).
Published and licensed by Dramatic Publishing, Inc. Script and full information available at the link.
Rhubarb Jam
An original 50-minute musical with book by John Glore and songs by Michael Silversher. Although it deals with a serious subject -- non-violent conflict resolution -- it's more Marx-Brothers-meets-Muppet-Show than after-school special, especially when you throw in Silversher's, bouncy, tuneful songs and the spectacle of four actors playing more than a dozen characters, including Toby, Absoulte Bigwig of the nation of Imbroglio and General Guastafesta, High Mucky-Muck of Skirmish.
Cast-size flexible: originally written to be performed by four actors playing 15 characters. Productions at South Coast Rep, Berkeley Rep and other theatres.
To inquire about script and licensing, send an email to johnglorewrites@gmail.com.