The Adventures of Pecos Bill

by Gay H. Hammond

(5-7 M; 3-7W, doubling possible)

Everything is bigger in Texas . . . including the stories. Pecos Bill, raised by coyotes and revered by cowpokes and critters alike, never met a challenge he couldn't conquer. Wander under the wide desert sky in this rootin'-tootin' tall tale of a bigger-than-life American hero as he gallops across the Wild West taming tornadoes, wild cats, villains and even the heart of a woman as free as a tumbleweed and as tough as the rattlesnake Bill uses for a lasso!

• 50 minutes

• Contains special effects

• Better with live guitar music

• Unit set

• Suitable for all ages with target audience K-5th grade

African Tails

by Gay H. Hammond

(Flexible casting; 16-20 people, mostly non-gender-specific. Doubling possible)

A comic and exciting anthology of African Folk Tales about animals, using ritual movement and traditional dance. Interspersed with poetry and dance are three pour-quoi stories:

- Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People’s Ears

- How Iguana Got His Revenge

- Why Hippo Lives in the River

• 50 minutes

• Contains poetry, drumming,

• Requires research into African cultures and dance

• Possible puppetry

• Unit set

• Suitable for all ages with target audience Pre K - 4th grade

Alice in Wonderland

by Gay H. Hammond,

from the book by Lewis Carroll

(Flexible casting: 8-16 people, depending upon doubling, minimum of 8, with at least 2 female, and 2 male)

*Touring script for 5 actors also available.

A free-wheeling, highly imaginative and fast-paced adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s classic tale of dreaming and identity, in our most widely-produced title. Dialogue faithful to Lewis Carroll.

• 50 minutes

• Some special effects

• Unit set

• Suitable for all ages with target audience 2nd -5th grade

The Briar Patch

by Gay H. Hammond

from Joel Chandler Harris

(6M, 4W, 4Ch optional, doubling possible)

Abolitionist and journalist Joel Chandler Harris wished to preserve the dialect and stories of the African slaves who raised him, which led to The Uncle Remus Tales. This deeply Southern play follows a couple of the adventures of the wily Brer Fox and the famous trickster Brer Rabbit. Filled with physical humor and honeyed dialects, these animal tales are universal in their themes of brains-over-brawn and the value of real friendship. (Includes The Briar Patch, The Honey Trap, and Brer Rabbit & the Gator)

• 45 minutes

• Contains dialects, puppetry, animal characters

• Unit set

• Suitable for all ages with target audience Pre K - 4th grade

Dragon Flights

by Gay H. Hammond

(Flexible Casting of 5, but must include at least 1M, 1W)

When the world was young, and dragons were real . . . Dragon Flights is a play by and about dragons, containing three stories:

- The Paper Bag Princess

- Ming Fei & the Dragon

- The Family Dragon

Surrounded by poetry and movement! Funny, mysterious, adventurous but ultimately loving, these dragons will capture your audience – but in a good, non-burning-up way!

• 45 minutes

• Unit set

• Suitable for all ages

• Some puppetry suggested

Earth, Sea & Sky

by Gay H. Hammond

(2M, 2F, 1M/F)

A funny and magical anthology of mythical origins of our world, told through movement, poetry and interaction with the audience. Includes:

- Why Sun & Moon Live in the Sky

- Old Turtle

• 45 minutes

• Flexible setting suitable for touring

• Contains animal and elemental characters, chant

• Suitable for all ages with target audience Pre K-5th grade

Electra

by Hugo Von Hofmannsthal

Adapted for one act by Gay H. Hammond

(2M, 3W)

All the passion and lyric language of this Greek Tragedy adapted for a small cast and suitable for touring. Doomed daughter Electra is obsessed with avenging her father Agamenmon’s murder and lost in a spiral of hope, despair and longing for the family she cannot have.

• 50 minutes

• Flexible setting suitable for touring

• Elevated language, elevated movement, Greek Choral work

• Mature themes

• Suitable for advanced 7th Grade and up.

The Emperor’s New Clothes

by Gay H. Hammond

from Charles Perrault

(4M, 5W, 2-4 Ch)

A whimsical, hilarious spin on Hans Christian Anderson’s story, set in a farcical 18th Century court and filled not only with memorable characters, but all the fun, furbelows and fashion of this comical tale about the pitfalls of vanity. The Emperor must have new clothes; despite all that his devoted – and exhausted - court can do to convince him of his stylish superiority, he goes to greater and greater lengths to look elegant, original and above all, impressive. When two very clever though unscrupulous tailors, Stitch and Tuck, get involved, the Emperor discovers that the best fashion to show is a little good sense. Note: the Emperor appears at the end in frivolous underwear, rather than nude.

• 50 minutes

• Requires fantastical period costumes

• Unit set

• Suitable for all ages with, target audience K - 5th grade

The Frog Prince

by Gay H. Hammond

(6W, 5M)

In a fiery land where magical spells, Fairy Godmothers and spare princesses abound, a frog meets a royal scientist – that is, an unassuming prince meets a scientific princess. Through the trials of dueling suitors, spells gone awry and broken promises, these two learn that while magic can bring you together, only true loyalty can bring you love. Filled with Latin flair, flamenco, and hilarious characters, this new spin on a classic fairy tale will have you looking for your own lily pad.

• 50 minutes

• Contains some special effects, Spanish phrases and archetypes, dancing (flamenco)

• Some comical fight choreography, bull-whip and quick-changes.

• Unit set

• Suitable for all ages with target audience 4th - 6th grade

Heading West: Voices of the American Frontier

by Gay H. Hammond

(4W, 1M)

This play is based upon the letters, journals and oral histories of the diverse and courageous men and women who braved the perils of the unknown, faced physical hardships, loneliness and loss to pursue their dreams and the wondrous promises awaiting them in the American West of the 19th century.

• 60 minutes

• Mature themes, death and childbirth referenced

• Flexible staging and suitable for touring

• Target audience 7th grade and older

The Jungle Book

by Gay H. Hammond

Based on the stories by Rudyard Kipling.

(flexible casting, w/doubling; 5-8 M, 1-6 W: gender is flexible for most roles)

Join Mowgli on his adventure of learning and courage with funny, faithful friends Baloo the bear and Bagheera the panther as they face Shere Khan the vengeful tiger.

• 50 minutes

• Some puppetry and fight choreography (unarmed) required

• Unit set

• Suitable for all ages with target audience 2nd - 6th grade

Medea

by Gay H. Hammond

(3 M, 2 W; Chorus may be enlarged, if desired)

A tribal retelling of the classic character study of a woman driven to extremes by lust, love and betrayal. Written in blank verse, this new script seeks to humanize the tragic love story while emphasizing the value of the gift of life.

• 50 minutes

• Mature themes

• Flexible staging suitable for touring

• Target audience advanced 7th grade classes and older

Mermaid Song

by Gay H. Hammond

(5M, 8W, 3M/W; doubling possible, as well as cast expansion)

Adapted from The Little Mermaid, by Hans Christian Anderson

Above the waves, a magic waits

And fills your head with something new . . .

How different is “too” different? What powers of the heart can overcome those differences? In this classic fairy tale of love, sacrifice and discovery, a princess from beneath the waves risks everything in a strange new world of hope and adventure. While mermaids do have funny friends and delicious villains, The Little Mermaid was never really about singing crustaceans but about teaching us the power and beauty of a selfless heart.

• 50 minutes

• Contains puppetry, special effects, stage combat, creative costuming, music

• Contains romance, some bullying

• Flexible staging

• Suitable for all ages with target audience 2nd - 6th grade

Monsters Under the Bed

(3w, 3m)

Be brave; be surprising; be happy. This is the advice illustrated in a wild, funny and endearing anthology of stories by and about monsters -- including the classic “Trolls and the Kittycat” -- all of which empower children to conquer their fears, make friends in unexpected places, and realize that the mind and imagination can save you every time. Who can be your hero? You can.

Award-winning, crowd-pleasing.

• 45 minutes

• Contains poetry, lots of movement

• Area staging

• Suitable for all ages

Oedipus Rex

by Gay H. Hammond

from Sophocles & Ellen McLaughlin

(flexible casting: 2-4 M, 1-3 W; Chorus may be enlarged, if desired)

The story of a man facing the consequences of not only his own actions, but the actions of those who came before him. This classic retelling of one of our oldest stories explores pride, ambition and ultimately, sacrifice.

Award-winning

• 50 minutes

• Contains symbolic violence and elevated language (blank verse)

• Flexible staging suitable for touring

• Target audience 7th grade and older

The Pirate Queen

by Gay H. Hammond

(4M, 3F, 3M/F)

An origin story, this adventurous fable of swash-buckling Gráinne Ní Miháille, whom the English called Grace O’Malley, explores a quest for identity outside a traditional mold. Grainne was a wild, fierce, and gifted Irish girl who grew up to claim by right of conquest her family’s seafaring birthright, leading pirate-sailors, battling enemies and negotiating with the greatest Queen of England. But this play is about how she started, with courage, vision … and magic.

• 45 minutes

• Contains some special effects, dialects and period detail

• Contains sword fighting

• Flexible staging

• Suitable for all ages with target audience 2nd-6th grade

Robin Hood

by Gay H. Hammond

(6-12 M, 3 W)

The classic swashbuckling tale of Robin and his Merry Men as they woo the beautiful Maid Marian and outwit the Sheriff of Nottingham and evil Prince John. Arrows! Fights! Fun! And a thoroughly charming rogue of a hero.

• 55 minutes

• Contains some special effects and archery, stage combat

• Contains light romance

• Flexible staging

• Suitable for all ages with target audience 2nd - 6th grade

Shiver Me Timbers

by Gay H. Hammond

(3M/2F)

A delightful romp through the world of pirates, treasure, mermaids and the call of the sea! Funny, lyrical and just ridiculous by turn, this anthology includes the stories of Treasure Beach, The Pirate & the Mermaid, and Perfect Pet for a Pirate, woven into a magical chantey of adventure.

• 45 minutes

• Area staging suitable for touring

• Contains Pirate language

• Suitable for all ages with target audience 2nd- 6th grade

Sleeping Beauty

by Gay H. Hammond

(4-6 M, 7 W)

A new interpretation of this magical tale of beauty, honor and courage, set under a cherry tree in a garden in Ancient Asia. A familiar tale in an unfamiliar land, peopled with funny, scary, surprising characters and filled with dance, martial arts, magic and mystery.

• 55 minutes

• Contains puppetry, fight choreography, special effects

• Requires research into Asian cultures

• Unit set

• Suitable for all ages with target audience 2nd - 6th grade

Sophie and the Pirates

by Gay H. Hammond

(5M, 4W, optional children)

Sophie is a young girl who longs for adventure on the High Seas, but she gets more than she bargained for when she is scooped up by a gang of wacky pirates. She learns how to be a sailor, how to chase (and fight) a wicked pirate lady, and how to be a good captain . . . most of all, she learns that the biggest adventure is finding yourself.

• 50 minutes

• Requires fight choreography (unarmed, saber and/or dagger)

• Contains Pirate language

• Unit set

• Suitable for all ages with target audience 2nd -6th grade

Snow Dragon

by Gay H. Hammond

(4-7 M, 4-7 W)

On a mountain so high the ice never melts, a mysterious Snow Dragon lives. Sleet falls when he flies, and his breath is a dagger of ice. But to one girl, found in the snow as a baby and forever different from those around her, Snow Dragon calls with the voice of a friend. When the Fire Dragon erupts from the belly of the earth, can Snow Dragon save his human friend . . .or must she save him? Lyrical and mysterious, this play reminds us to be true to our inner voices.

• 50 minutes

• Contains some puppetry, special effects, fight choreography (unarmed) and light work with aerial silks

• Flexible staging

• Suitable for all ages with target audience 1st - 6th grade

Stone Soup

by Gay H. Hammond

Music by Dale Grogan

(4M, 5W, 2-4 Ch, with optional townspeople)

A wacky musical set in an outrageously French medieval village, this story is faithful to the original tale’s message of the importance of sharing.

• 45 minutes

• Unit set

• Dialects

• Suitable for all ages with target audience Pre K - 4th grade

The Swiss Family Robinson

by Gay H. Hammond

(3-6M, 3-5W, 1ch)

Adapted from the classic book by Johann David Wyss

Join the adventure with this 18th Century tale about a shipwrecked family who must learn to adapt to their surroundings creatively, relying on both the wild Nature around them, and the tempestuous natures within their family. Life is hard on a deserted island -- and then, there are the pirates!

• 50 minutes

• Contains sword-fighting, theatrical effects

• Multiple settings (can be suggested creatively)

• Suitable for all ages

The Twilight Wood

by Lainey Kennedy

(4-7 W, 3-7M: some gender flexibility)

Violet is a good and sensible girl, who does not believe in the fairy stories her mother tells her and her little brother.  However, Victor is so passionate about believing in the fairy world that he leaves home after a fight with his sister, and goes in search of fairies.  What he finds is the Raven Queen herself and her ridiculous minions.  To save her brother, Violet must travel through the Twilight Wood and — with the help of some fairy friends —defeats the Garglemosh and the Raven Queen, learning that there is such a thing as magic in the world.

• 50 minutes

• Contains magic, music, dancing, some humorous stage combat

• Flexible settings (can be imaginatively suggested)

• Suitable for all ages

The Ugly Duckling

by Gay H. Hammond

(4M, 6F, 6M/F)

This hilarious take on the classic story by Hans Christian Anderson is here realized as a lovely tale of growing up, a journey filled with discovery, acceptance and hope. What can you do when you’re different, if all you’ve ever wanted was to fit in? Well, it takes all kinds to fill a pond – the average, the odd and the exemplary! Which are you?

• 45 minutes

• Contains animal characters with period costuming

• Flexible setting

• Suitable for all ages with target audience Pre K - 5th grade

Barbary Allen

An Appalachian Tragedy

by Gay H. Hammond

(7W, 5M, optional Ch)

Inspired by the traditional ballad of "hard-hearted Barbary Allen", this lyrical tale is filled with the music, the poetry and the strength of Appalachia, as it follows a young girl caught at the very threshold between who she has been and who she wants to be. At its very center is a community's intimate story of love and loss, and the painful flame of our heart's desire.

Award-winning.

• 95 minutes

• Contains music/folk songs where live musicians a plus but not required

• Requires Appalachian dialects

• Stage combat, gunfire

• Fluid staging

• PG Audiences

The Bra & Panty Club

by Gay H. Hammond

(3M, 6W, 1 Ch. Doubling)

Contemporary Comedy

Set in the lingerie department of a respectable department store in the second-best mall in town, this play follows what turns out to be an extraordinary day in the normal life of Addy, a young woman on the threshold of adventure, but caught in a rut. Will she break free from what’s expected? Swirled up in the lightness of quirky people and romance, the story explores two ideas: what it feels like to be caught between “drifting” through life and finding your path, and what it really means to be “feminine”.

• 95 minutes

• Some elements of magical realism

• Unit set

• PG audiences

Dracula

by Gay H. Hammond

from the novel by Bram Stoker

(5-8 W, 5-7 M)

Gothic Thriller

A thrilling new script of this influential Gothic tale, emphasizing the traps and powers of the mind and set in a surreal dreamscape. Lush visual and aural imagery and strong female characters enhance this unique work based on the novel by Bram Stoker.

• 100 minutes

• Requires special effects, fight choreography (unarmed, stakes), British dialects

• Flexible staging

• PG audiences

H.M.S. Tempest

by Stephanie F. Garrett

(5W, 7M)

A reimagining of Shakespeare's The Tempest with a distinctively Steampunk flavor. The mad inventor, Prospero, uses parts from his crashed steamship, the H.M.S. Tempest, to create automatons Caliban and Ariel as servants for his two daughters and their shipwrecked companion, Madame Juno. In the course of the play, another shipwreck brings the young Spanish prince, Ferdinand, and his cutthroat entourage, including Prospero's brother Antonio, to the island where they encounter romance, swordplay, and a brave new world.

• 120 minutes

• Stage Combat

• Suitable for all audiences, especially high schools

• Unit set.

Pieces of Ivory

A Jane Austen Play

by Stephanie F.. Garrett

from the life and works of Jane Austen

(3M, 4W with doubling)

A whimsical yet sincere look at Jane Austen's life through the lens of her novels, this play allows Jane to tell her own story while interlacing scenes from her greatest works with actual dialogue and details taken from the historical Austen. The main focus is on Jane's bittersweet romances and her struggle to discover and maintain her identity and freedom as an innovative and progressive woman. This very Austenesque work may be produced with a minimal cast and setting while enjoying the breadth and romance of the period.

• 90 minutes

• Some English Country Dancing, British dialects

• Unit set

The Raven & the Nightingale

by Gay H. Hammond

(5M, 5W)

Greek Tragedy

This play in verse is about the doomed prophetess of Troy, Cassandra, whose gift from Apollo was the ability to see the future and whose punishment from him was the curse that no one would believe her. Assailed by the destructive power of her visions while trying to navigate their meaning in order to save her family and her home, Cassandra is haunted and guided by the ghost of her twin brother as she faces not only her terrible fears and possible madness but her last enemy, Helen of Sparta.

• 100 minutes

• Contains iambic verse, Greek Choral work, movement, stage combat (knife, sword/shield, unarmed)

• Flexible Staging

• PG audiences

Sense & Sensibility

by Gay H. Hammond

from the novel by Jane Austen

(9+M, 9+W, doubling welcome)

Regency Comedy

This adaptation of the Jane Austin novel follows the romantic adventures of the Dashwood sisters, who must overcome poverty and conventional society to find their true loves. Filled with all the absurdity and gentle satire of Austen while utilizing a creative, free-wheeling style in its staging, this new version of a classic story will delight all audiences.

• 120 minutes

• Unit set with fluid setting

• G Audiences

A Servant of Two Masters

by Jim and Gay Hammond, based on the classic by Carlo Goldoni

(5W, 7M)

Commedia

A zany, highly-physical and irreverent show in the sometimes bawdy, always hilarious style of the commedia dell’arte. An excellent showcase and training ground for students of physical comedy.

• 120 minutes

• Flexible staging

• PG13 Audiences