POPULAR YOUTH PLAYS
Below is a smattering of my best-selling plays. What? You haven't done any of them? There's no time like the present. They have been honored with productions all over the globe. (I wish to be as well-travelled as they are.) All requests for perusal copies and rights for these plays must go through the appropriate publisher. Just click on the publisher and you will be taken to the publication page for more information. Thanks to Stage Partners, Eldridge Plays and Musicals, Playscripts, YouthPLAYS, Heuer Publications, and Brooklyn Publishers for early faith in these plays!
Published by Your Stage Partners
Antigone in Munich
BEST-SELLER, MOST PRODUCED
HISTORICAL DRAMA
CAST: 11-40 (Main roles 6 female, 5 males)
RUNNING TIME: 85-95 minutes*
*A one-act version is also available at publisher's website
SYNOPSIS: "What do you do when the laws of God contradict the laws of man?" For Sophie Scholl, coming-of-age in Nazi Germany, the answer was to join the White Rose Society, which secretly encouraged passive resistance against the totalitarian government. Sophie grows from bystander to witness to activist surrounded by a swirling, theatrical chorus in this powerful retelling, which draws inspiration from the Greek tragedy Antigone.
Antigone in Munich
BEST-SELLER, MOST PRODUCED
HISTORICAL DRAMA
CAST: 11-40 (Main roles 6 female, 5 males)
RUNNING TIME: 85-95 minutes*
*A one-act version is also available at publisher's website
SYNOPSIS: "What do you do when the laws of God contradict the laws of man?" For Sophie Scholl, coming-of-age in Nazi Germany, the answer was to join the White Rose Society, which secretly encouraged passive resistance against the totalitarian government. Sophie grows from bystander to witness to activist surrounded by a swirling, theatrical chorus in this powerful retelling, which draws inspiration from the Greek tragedy Antigone.
Published by Your Stage Partners
Soundscapes
BEST-SELLER, MOST PRODUCED
DRAMA
CAST: 10-30+ (Minimum: 5 female, 3 male, 2 any gender plus 4-9 Color Chorus and 5-12 for classmates - any gender)
RUNNING TIME: 70-80 minutes*
*A one-act is also available at publisher's website
Iris has synesthesia. She has no idea. At first, she simply thinks that everyone sees colors and shapes from music and sounds, but by the time she is a teenager, it's clear that others do not understand. Struggling to downplay the way she experiences the world, and worrying what it might mean to be different, the young artist is at war with herself - until she meets a new friend - and he sees the colors too. An ensemble "color chorus" brings Iris' experience of discovering her neurodivergence to life in this triumphant, visually stunning, coming-of-age story.
Soundscapes
BEST-SELLER, MOST PRODUCED
DRAMA
CAST: 10-30+ (Minimum: 5 female, 3 male, 2 any gender plus 4-9 Color Chorus and 5-12 for classmates - any gender)
RUNNING TIME: 70-80 minutes*
*A one-act is also available at publisher's website
Iris has synesthesia. She has no idea. At first, she simply thinks that everyone sees colors and shapes from music and sounds, but by the time she is a teenager, it's clear that others do not understand. Struggling to downplay the way she experiences the world, and worrying what it might mean to be different, the young artist is at war with herself - until she meets a new friend - and he sees the colors too. An ensemble "color chorus" brings Iris' experience of discovering her neurodivergence to life in this triumphant, visually stunning, coming-of-age story.
Published by Your Stage Partners
My Brother's Gift
BEST-SELLER, MOST PRODUCED
HISTORICAL DRAMA
CAST: 12 (6 female, 4 male, 2 any gender; extras possible)
RUNNING TIME: 75-90 minutes* and now forced to live
*A one-act version is also available at publisher's website
SYNOPSIS: Based on the remarkable true story of Heinz Geirginger - neighbor and friend of Anne Frank - we follow the story of a young artist and loving brother living in unconscionable circumstances. A trained musician at only 15 and now forced to live in hiding and silence, Heinz turns to painting and poetry to express his everyday terror but hope of the future. Through Heinz's inspired paintings, nostalgic love of live, and his sister Eva's remembrances, we are shown the power of art to offer hope and healing.
My Brother's Gift
BEST-SELLER, MOST PRODUCED
HISTORICAL DRAMA
CAST: 12 (6 female, 4 male, 2 any gender; extras possible)
RUNNING TIME: 75-90 minutes* and now forced to live
*A one-act version is also available at publisher's website
SYNOPSIS: Based on the remarkable true story of Heinz Geirginger - neighbor and friend of Anne Frank - we follow the story of a young artist and loving brother living in unconscionable circumstances. A trained musician at only 15 and now forced to live in hiding and silence, Heinz turns to painting and poetry to express his everyday terror but hope of the future. Through Heinz's inspired paintings, nostalgic love of live, and his sister Eva's remembrances, we are shown the power of art to offer hope and healing.
Published by Eldridge Plays and Musicals
Pride and Prejudice
BEST-SELLER, MOST PRODUCED
CLASSIC, COMEDY
CAST: 26 (16 female, 10 male, many extras)
RUNNING TIME: 90-110 minutes
SYNOPSIS: Jane Austen's timeless tale of romantic love touched by pride and prejudice is brought to the stage in this faithful adaptation conceived for schools and small theatres. All the components of the novel remain: love, romance, rivalry, friendship and the many foibles and delights of family. While the clash between the lively Elizabeth and the arrogant Darcy remains at the heart of the play, love in all its many facets dominate all of the characters lives. The play remains faithful to the marital rites and manners of Regency England as courtships are explored, broken, reunited and ignited. The plays many locales are done with minimal effort by dividing your playing space into three areas with the characters moving quickly and easily through the different locations.
Pride and Prejudice
BEST-SELLER, MOST PRODUCED
CLASSIC, COMEDY
CAST: 26 (16 female, 10 male, many extras)
RUNNING TIME: 90-110 minutes
SYNOPSIS: Jane Austen's timeless tale of romantic love touched by pride and prejudice is brought to the stage in this faithful adaptation conceived for schools and small theatres. All the components of the novel remain: love, romance, rivalry, friendship and the many foibles and delights of family. While the clash between the lively Elizabeth and the arrogant Darcy remains at the heart of the play, love in all its many facets dominate all of the characters lives. The play remains faithful to the marital rites and manners of Regency England as courtships are explored, broken, reunited and ignited. The plays many locales are done with minimal effort by dividing your playing space into three areas with the characters moving quickly and easily through the different locations.
PUBLISHED BY ELDRIDGE PLAYS AND MUSICALS
The Haunting of Will Shakespeare
BEST-SELLER, MOST PRODUCED
COMEDY
CAST: 20 (14 female, 5 male, 1 any gender)
RUNNING TIME: 80-90 minutes
SYNOPSIS: Enroute to London, young Will Shakespeare has a fanciful encounter in the woods outside of Stratford. In the space of one night, he finds himself chased by a young maiden, haunted by witches, bedazzled by spirits and enchanted by a group of rag-tag actors. Yearning to be an actor in London, he is stopped by all in his path. It seems that his "characters-to-be" insist that he be a writer. Encounter Hamlet, Juliet, Ophelia, Bottom, Kate and Petruchio in a new light and celebrate the Bard's vast body of work that inspires us today.
The Haunting of Will Shakespeare
BEST-SELLER, MOST PRODUCED
COMEDY
CAST: 20 (14 female, 5 male, 1 any gender)
RUNNING TIME: 80-90 minutes
SYNOPSIS: Enroute to London, young Will Shakespeare has a fanciful encounter in the woods outside of Stratford. In the space of one night, he finds himself chased by a young maiden, haunted by witches, bedazzled by spirits and enchanted by a group of rag-tag actors. Yearning to be an actor in London, he is stopped by all in his path. It seems that his "characters-to-be" insist that he be a writer. Encounter Hamlet, Juliet, Ophelia, Bottom, Kate and Petruchio in a new light and celebrate the Bard's vast body of work that inspires us today.
PUBLISHED BY PLAYSCRIPTS
A Midsummer Night's Dream
BEST-SELLER, MOST PRODUCED
COMEDY
CAST: 22-42 actors possible (6 females, 5 males, 11 either, extras)
RUNNING TIME: 60-70 minutes
SYNOPSIS: A cleverly compressed version of Shakespeare's class comedy, this adaptation preserves the original poetry while simplifying the language and adding practical stage directions. The story is framed by the Dreamer, a modern student frustrated in her attempts to memorize (and make sense of) a Midsummer monologue. As she begins to nod off, the Dreamer is visited by Puck, an impish fairy who sweeps the sleeping girl into the play itself - a world of mischief, magic, and love.
A Midsummer Night's Dream
BEST-SELLER, MOST PRODUCED
COMEDY
CAST: 22-42 actors possible (6 females, 5 males, 11 either, extras)
RUNNING TIME: 60-70 minutes
SYNOPSIS: A cleverly compressed version of Shakespeare's class comedy, this adaptation preserves the original poetry while simplifying the language and adding practical stage directions. The story is framed by the Dreamer, a modern student frustrated in her attempts to memorize (and make sense of) a Midsummer monologue. As she begins to nod off, the Dreamer is visited by Puck, an impish fairy who sweeps the sleeping girl into the play itself - a world of mischief, magic, and love.
PUBLISHED BY BROOKLYN PUBLISHERS
The Canterville Ghost (adapted form the story by Oscar Wilde)
BEST-SELLER, MOST PRODUCED
COMEDY
CAST: 21 (9 females, 5 males, 7 either)
RUNNING TIME: 70 minutes
SYNOPSIS: A rambunctious American family buys a haunted manor in England. But they don't mind ... they don't believe in ghosts. As the ghost tries to scare the Americans out of his home, he finds the tabes are turned - he is being terrorized by the children in the family! A spooky comedy with some zany scenes. Oscar Wilde's story is also a sweet tale of the power of love.
The Canterville Ghost (adapted form the story by Oscar Wilde)
BEST-SELLER, MOST PRODUCED
COMEDY
CAST: 21 (9 females, 5 males, 7 either)
RUNNING TIME: 70 minutes
SYNOPSIS: A rambunctious American family buys a haunted manor in England. But they don't mind ... they don't believe in ghosts. As the ghost tries to scare the Americans out of his home, he finds the tabes are turned - he is being terrorized by the children in the family! A spooky comedy with some zany scenes. Oscar Wilde's story is also a sweet tale of the power of love.
PUBLISHED BY HEUER PUBLISHING
The Twelve Dancing Princesses
BEST-SELLER, MOST PRODUCED
COMIC ADAPTATION OF THE GRIMM"S FOLKTALE
CAST: 20-26 (13-19 female, 7 male)
RUNNING TIME: 55-65 minutes
SYNOPSIS: King Oakley returns from a summit meeting to find that conditions in his castle have grown lax. With the assistance of his new, diabolical servant, Fiorello, King Oakley devises a strict regimen for his daughters and no longer lets them leave the castle grounds. In an effort to break from these harsh rules, the princesses fall prey to the desires of the King's "faithful servant" - Fiorello - who means to claim the castle as his own. Thrown in the mix is a gentle gardener and a magical nanny, Fern. Castle-on-Whisperwood-Lake is turned into a place of longing and wishes for the princesses as they journey to the Land of the Muses where they hope to have their dreams come true.
The Twelve Dancing Princesses
BEST-SELLER, MOST PRODUCED
COMIC ADAPTATION OF THE GRIMM"S FOLKTALE
CAST: 20-26 (13-19 female, 7 male)
RUNNING TIME: 55-65 minutes
SYNOPSIS: King Oakley returns from a summit meeting to find that conditions in his castle have grown lax. With the assistance of his new, diabolical servant, Fiorello, King Oakley devises a strict regimen for his daughters and no longer lets them leave the castle grounds. In an effort to break from these harsh rules, the princesses fall prey to the desires of the King's "faithful servant" - Fiorello - who means to claim the castle as his own. Thrown in the mix is a gentle gardener and a magical nanny, Fern. Castle-on-Whisperwood-Lake is turned into a place of longing and wishes for the princesses as they journey to the Land of the Muses where they hope to have their dreams come true.
PUBLISHED BY YouthPLAYS
In the Village of the Brothers Grimm
Dramedy (mostly comedy)
CAST: 7-43 (4-35 females, 3-29 males)
RUNNING TIME: 50-60 minutes
SYNOPSIS: A gangster-fairy, an unlikely hero, a rhyming witch and a crying princess are some of the characters unleashed in this fast-paced play. Comedy, heroics, witches, magic, goodness, love, loss and healing are explored using eight stories of the Brothers Grimm. Meet with villagers wise and silly ("The Golden Goose"), industrious ("Clever Alice"), lazy ("The Shreds") and in love ("Joringel and Jorinda"), and discover the richness of those who reside in the village of the Brothers Grimm.
In the Village of the Brothers Grimm
Dramedy (mostly comedy)
CAST: 7-43 (4-35 females, 3-29 males)
RUNNING TIME: 50-60 minutes
SYNOPSIS: A gangster-fairy, an unlikely hero, a rhyming witch and a crying princess are some of the characters unleashed in this fast-paced play. Comedy, heroics, witches, magic, goodness, love, loss and healing are explored using eight stories of the Brothers Grimm. Meet with villagers wise and silly ("The Golden Goose"), industrious ("Clever Alice"), lazy ("The Shreds") and in love ("Joringel and Jorinda"), and discover the richness of those who reside in the village of the Brothers Grimm.