Show Descriptions

Annie
Book by Thomas Meehan; Lyrics by Martin Charnin; Music by Charles Strouse
At Theatre IV's Empire Theatre in Richmond, VA
The popular comic strip heroine takes center stage in one of the world's best loved Broadway musicals. Annie's a spunky orphan determined to find the parents who left her on the doorstep of a New York City Orphanage. In the course of her adventures she foils mean Miss Hannigan, befriends President Franklin D. Roosevelt and finds a new family in billionaire Oliver Warbucks, his personal secretary Grace Farrell and a lovable mutt named Sandy. Featuring "Hard Knock Life," "Little Girls," and the crowd pleasing anthem, "Tomorrow," Annie is, "big, warm-hearted, funny and overflowing!" - New York Post. Suggested for ages 4 and up.

 

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
by Barbara Robinson
At Theatre IV's Empire Theatre in Richmond, VA
The annual Christmas pageant is the same year after year, until the year the Herdmans show up. The six Herdman children are probably the most inventively awful kids in history and only showed up at church that Sunday because they'd heard the minister gave out free desserts. Suddenly, they want to be involved, and the six hoodlums insist on being cast in the major rolls of the play. The whole town is horrified! What ensues are laughter, tears, a small fire, and The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Suggested for ages 4 and up.

 

A Christmas Carol
Adapted by Nancy Cates, Music by Jule Styne, Lyrics by Bob Merrill, Based on the Christmas Classic by Charles Dickens
Miserly Ebenezer Scrooge is whisked through time and space to come face-to-face with the Spirits of Christmas and his own mistakes. Featuring a Broadway score by Jule Styne (Gypsy and Funny Girl), this joyful production is fun for the whole family. From the frolicking Fezziwig dance to the redemptive fate of Tiny Tim, you’ll want to relive every moment of Charles Dickens’ time honored tale of Christmas cheer. (Grades K-8) Family Ties, Language, Literary Classic, Music, Reading

 

Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad
Book and Lyrics by Douglas Jones  Music by Ron Barnett
This stirring drama with music is a classic tribute to the great American who freed herself and hundreds of her people from the bonds of slavery.   Her courage helped to change the world.  Share her adventurous life with your students in this accurate and deeply moving musical history lesson. (Grades 3 - 8) History, Language Arts, Biography, Multi-Cultural, Music, Family Ties, Self-Esteem, Women’s Studies

 

I Have a Dream - The Life and Times of Dr. Martin Luther King
by Bruce Craig Miller
The phenomenal impact of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is chronicled in this compelling dramatization of the life and times of one of the most influential and charismatic leaders of the “American Century.” Inspired by the arrest of Rosa Parks, Dr. King becomes the prime mover behind the Montgomery, Alabama bus boycott, putting his philosophy of non-violent protest to work. He gains national recognition and becomes the dominant force in the Civil Rights Movement during its decade of greatest achievement. Your students will be inspired by the story of this great leader’s struggle and his dream of lifting “our nation from the quicksand of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood.” (Grade 3 – Adult) Biography, Language Arts, History, Multi-Cultural, Public Speaking, Reading, Self-Esteem, Character Development

 

The Jungle Book
Book and lyrics by Scott Wichmann, Music by Julie Fulcher, Adapted from the Book by Rudyard Kipling
Join young Mowgli as he learns the ‘Laws’ of the jungle in this time-honored adventure. With the help of friends like the black panther, Bagheera, and Baloo the lovable bear, Mowgli learns about friendship and survival.  Cheer as Mowgli faces his fear and foils his nemesis the tiger Shere Khan. This musical version of Rudyard Kipling’s classic will delight both the young and the young at heart. (Grades K – 5) Art, Language Arts, Literary Classic, Reading, Science, History, Music, Character Development

 

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
By Washington Irving
Join Ichabod Crane, Brom Bones, the lovely Katrina Van Tassel, the residents of Tarry Town and oh yes, the Headless Horseman, as they live the story made famous by the legend. This autumnal classic is faithful to the original story written by Washington Irving in 1819 and will thrill and perhaps chill (but not too scary) your audiences. No fall is complete without the telling of stories and our retelling of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow is one story you won’t want to miss.(Grades K - 5) Folk Tales, Language, Literary Classic, Reading, History

 

Pocahontas - see The True Story of Pocahontas below

 

Rumplestiltskin
Book and Lyrics by Doug Jones, Music by Ron Barnett
Based on the Original Story by The Brothers Grimm
The most famous Miller in the Black Forest of Germany is so proud of his beautiful daughter that he can’t resist boasting about her. He even boasts to the King that his daughter can spin straw into gold. The King takes her to his castle and, lo and behold, the Miller’s daughter spins a pile of gold from straw. Or, does she? Find out what mischief is afoot when the Miller’s daughter gives away her most precious possessions to a strange creature named Rumplestiltskin.
(Grades K – 5) Folk Tales, Music, Literary Classic, Language Arts, Reading, History, Character Development 

 

Sideways Stories from Wayside School
by John Olive
At Theatre IV's Empire Theatre in Richmond, VA
It's the funniest class in the universe, where the oddest things can happen! Tornado drills are the norm (for good reason), rodents wear raincoats and students become apples in the school that was built on its side!  Based on the acclaimed series by Newbery Medal winning author Louis Sachar, Sideways Stories is a roller coaster ride of chills, spills and laughs aplenty. You'll be delirious with laughter – no matter what your age. Suggested for ages 4 and up.

 

Stone Soup   
Book, Music and Lyrics by Paul Deiss and Holly Timberline
When Peter, a hungry sailor, has no luck getting a free meal from the stingy citizens of our tiny village, he decides to turn the table.  He invites the villagers to enjoy his famous delicious Stone Soup whose recipe is known only to seafarers and legendary adventurers. He promises to provide the main ingredient if the villagers provide all the other ingredients. Join Peter and his trusty parrot, Admiral, as they teach the villagers a lesson in friendship and sharing in this heart warming musical retelling of the classic folktale. (Grades K – 5) Art, Folk Tales, Language Arts, Literary Classic, Music, Puppets, Reading, Character Development

 

The Tailor of Gloucester
Book, Music and Lyrics by Hannah Curtis, Based on the story by Beatrix Potter
What a treat it is to discover a holiday classic by Beatrix Potter.  When a poppycock mayor orders a cherry-colored coat for his Christmas wedding, the poor Tailor of Gloucester works his fingers to the bone.  All goes well until the tailor realizes he lacks the piece of twisted silk needed to sew on the final button.  He gives his last coin to Simpkin, his faithful pet cat, confident that he will set out into the snow to purchase the much-needed “twist.”  But it is Christmas Eve, that one blessed night when animals are granted the gift of speech.  And so, before story’s end, we hear not only from Simpkin, but also from all of the mice he has trapped beneath teacups for his holiday feast—well-dressed mice that have benefited for years from the tailor’s elegant scraps.  Natural enemies become steadfast friends, and all work together to complete a coat that leaves the bedazzled Mayor—and Simpkin and his mice—speechless for a miraculously happy ending on Christmas Day. (Grades K - 5) Art, Folk Tales, Mythology, Language Arts, Literary Classic, History, Music, Reading

 

Thumbelina
Book, Music and Lyrics by Bruce Craig Miller, based on the story by Hans Christian Andersen
This beloved fairytale of heroism comes happily to life in this charming, funny and joyous musical adaptation based on the story by Hans Christian Andersen.Join Thumbelina and her friends (the toad, fish, field mouse, mole and swallow) on a series of delightful adventures in nature’s tiny, enchanted world. (Grades K - 5)

 

The True Story of Pocahontas
Co-produced by the Virginia Historical Society
By Peter Howard, Music by Julie Fulcher
Pocahontas is a name known to every school-age child and yet her true story is shrouded in myth. With an emphasis on historical fact, Pocahontas is revealed as a playful, strong-minded young girl who changes her world before she will change her beliefs or herself. Following Pocahontas as she grows from a girl who helps the Jamestown colonists survive, to the young woman, wife, and mother who carries her message of peace and mutual cooperation across the Atlantic to the mighty King of England. Join Pocahontas on her amazing journey and see how courage and determination can change the world. (Grades K – 5) Language Arts, Multi-Cultural, History, Biography, Women’s Studies

 

‘Twas The Night Before Christmas
Book, Music and Lyrics by Bruce Craig Miller
At turns heart warming and hilarious, this charming Christmas musical is complete with a jolly Santa, reindeer on the roof, moonlight on the snow, Ma and Pa in their caps, and sugarplums dancing in the dreams of hopeful children. Our careworn poet, Clement Moore is struggling to write a Christmas poem. Clement, uninspired until his eyes and heart are opened by the loving, joyous images all about him in his own home and family, begins writing his immortal poem with these words, “’Twas the night before Christmas.” His poem is a delight to his family and to many generations of families who can’t imagine Christmas without “A Visit from St. Nicholas.” (Grades K - 5) Family Ties, Folk Tales, Language Arts, Literary Classic, Biography, Music, Reading, History, Character Development

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