DRAMA JR. LOOKING TO PUBLISH ORIGINAL PLAYS
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Most of Shorewood Drama Jr.'s productions, especially those mounted during the school year, are original works. At the moment those plays are not available to be performed by groups other than Drama Jr.
UNTIL NOW!
While the musical revues, sketch shows, and jukebox musicals are not eligible for publication due to copyright issues of the music used in them, many of the plays, those that are original works and some that have been adapted or inspired by existing novels, plays, short stories or films, are able to be published. They soon may be available to purchase and perform.
Ms. Sara B. Van Loon, the artistic director and founder of Drama Jr. is the author of these original plays. She is currently working on a number of them and will soon be submitting them to a well-known publisher of children's plays.
Below are the titles that are being readied for submission. Some may be ones you saw Drama Jr. perform. Some may be ones you've heard people talk about. Some may even be ones you worked on or starred in. Enjoy these synopsises.
Book ‘Em is a courtroom drama about the Bookshelf Nine: Count Dracula, Frankenstein’s Monster, the Queen of Hearts, Snow White’s Evil Queen, Professor Moriarty, Captain Hook, Mr. Hyde, the Big Bad Wolf, and the Wicked Witch of the West; all misunderstood literary characters who are on trial for conspiracy to corrupt the minds of young readers. The reporters on Legal TV’s most popular show, “Book ‘Em” analyze the trial with help from two other literary characters who were mistakenly imprisoned, Edmond Dantès from The Count of Monte Cristo and Jean Valjean from Les Misérables. The Defense and the Prosecution each have witnesses from other literary works like Elizabeth Bennett of Pride & Prejudice, Fagin of Oliver Twist, and Little Eva of Uncle Tom’s Cabin and even the comic book superhero Superman. The prosecution, led by Portia from The Merchant of Venice, argues that some books should be banned from children’s reading lists as they are inappropriate. The defense, headed by Perry Mason, argues that reading and talking about books and their characters can help a child learn empathy. A jury of their peers, good and bad characters from literature, deliberate on whether the Bookshelf Nine should be found guilty or not guilty, but they are deadlocked and turn to the audience for help. The audience determines the guilt or innocence of the Bookshelf Nine. There are even two different endings to the story depending on the outcome of the verdict.
Paper Wings & Giant Strings & Other Jolly Stuff is the origin story of imaginary friends. Inspired by “Puff the Magic Dragon,” Jolly Stuff is narrated by Jacqueline Paper, who as a child was told all the stories of Pyft and other imaginary friends who live in Giltheath. Her mother and father use these stories to distract her and their neighbors as they huddled together during the Blitz. Beginning with the story of Jack Paper, a young boy whose father leaves to fight in the Crusades, tales of different creatures and how they befriend children from throughout history are told: the sickly boy of the Renaissance Era whisked to the magical waters of Giltheath Sea by his Winged Lion; the spoiled girl from the Georgian Era learning a lesson on sharing from a well-dressed, yet crafty Rabbit; the Water Horse who helps the ship-loving Edwardian boy overcome his fear of water after news of the Titanic. Although she loves these stories, Jacqueline doesn’t believe imaginary friends are real. That is until she is sent to her aunt and uncle’s farm and meets her cousin and another girl who tell of their own imaginary friends; an angel who helps when you’re afraid of the dark and a disheveled troll who cures homesickness. When Jacqueline happens upon Giltheath in the same manner as her namesake from nearly 500 years ago, she meets her own imaginary friend, Pyft. Suddenly she realizes the world of imaginary friends is not only real, but necessary.
The New York Yankees in King Arthur’s Court, inspired by Mark Twain’s novel A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court, begins with the team bus, containing the starting line-up for the 1913 New York Yankees and their manager Frank “The Boss” Chase, cascading over a cliff enroute to an away game. The bus travels through a wormhole and the team drops in on Arthurian Britain, circa 528 A.D. They befriend a lowly serf named Clarence, who saves them from Merlin and the Knights of the Round Table who believe them to be an invading army. The team wins the King’s favor after the pitcher displays his wicked curveball. Queen Guinevere throws a fête in the team’s honor, but during the festivities the Yankee’s star shortstop and first baseman fall in love with the King’s nieces, who just so happen to be engaged to Sir Lancelot and Sir Galahad. The knights challenge the infielders to a jousting tournament for the honor of the princesses. Frank, realizing his players would never survive such a duel, suggests the contest be a baseball game between the Knights and the Yankees. Amidst the celebrations, Merlin skulks off and extorts the Lady of the Lake to help him usurp King Arthur. He then arrives at the ballfield, transformed into a fire-breathing dragon. As the Yankees and the Knights band together to defend the kingdom from Merlin, Clarence steps in and charges the dragon. How does it end? Stay tuned sports fans.
Flip Your Wig, a loosely based spoof of the Marx Brothers’ movie Animal Crackers, replaces Groucho and company with the Lenin Sisters: Zelda, Melva, Helga, Griselda, and Cyd. Mayhem and zaniness ensue at the English country estate of Lord I.C. Drinkwater as his sister, Duchess Curry Lamb hosts a dinner party for the mysterious Dame Honey Popover, who telegraphed she is bringing a renowned painting for Duchess Lamb. In celebration, Italian opera sensation Rosemary Ravioli is to perform as well as Hollywood movie starlet, Megs Benedict. As the servants, led by Chives the butler and Mrs. Sherry the housekeeper put the final touches on the dining room; the guests arrive. Included in this night of art and music are famed and flirty British author Rhubarb Kippers, returning from India with his young ward, Saffron who makes an instant, and rather obsessive connection with Miss Benedict. Saul T. Drinkwater, Lord Drinkwater’s son returns from Oxford with his sweetheart Clementine Melon, but unbeknownst to Saul, his Auntie Curry has invited his childhood sweetheart, Ginger Profiterole, who is still under the assumption that the engagement they announced at age six is still binding. Fold in eccentric art historian Taffy Marmalade from Cambridge and Senorita Ravioli’s starving artist fiancé, Gazpacho Broccoli. Blend in a few neighborhood aristocracy and mix well with some zany servants and a couple of surprise guests. Then when the valuable painting goes missing, we have a recipe for a hilarious whodunit.
Along the Seine sits Hôtel dé Coupage, owned by Madam Donatella Triumph, Paris’ revered philanthropist. International movie stars, celebrated novelists, sports heroes, aristocracy, tycoons, and other wealthy tourists flock to the hotel’s famed Casino Fatale. Run by American expatriate Bogart Hughes, headliner Mercedes Cruz, the exotic Brazilian singer and bandleader Glenda Goodman perform nightly. One autumn evening, the lives of these people and others will forever change as they gather for a charity auction. As they bid on “Kit Kat” Katzenjammer’s autographed baseball, dance lessons from Silver Screen couple Fred Debonair and Nutmeg Rogers, a lunch with author S. Fritz Fitzsimmons or the pièce de résistance: a gorgeous diamond necklace by jewelry designer von Cartier-Winston, one of the casino’s croupiers is murdered. Furthermore, 150,000 francs have disappeared from Casino Fatale’s safe and Paris’ esteemed Inspector Clutzeau and her number one detective, Sergeant Ace, haven’t a clue. To make matters worse, jewel thief, the “Lilac Leopard,” is on the prowl, absconding with a diamond ring from a movie set. Could the necklace be next? Anything can happen when you add in the Italian mob, a host of spies from British Secret Service to the KGB, and the shadowy underworld figure Monsieur X. Then just when you thought it couldn’t get worse, plans for a nuclear weapon have disappeared ... and its inventor murdered. Nevertheless, glamour and excitement await you at Casino Fatale. Enjoy the music, play some roulette, but don’t be surprised if you lose a little money...or your life!
It is a hot and humid day in New Orleans, but the staff at radio station KSDJ is abuzz as they are premiering their first radio drama, “Murder at Marlborough Castle.” The station manager, Mr. Alabaster is hoping the drama will help boost the station’s popularity and their advertising revenue. The station’s production manager, Orchid Welles, who fancies himself a bit of a thespian is directing and everyone from the announcers and disc jockeys to the station’s janitor will be playing the characters in the show, written by KSDJ’s confident and sassy program director, Paige Maroon. The radio play is set during a fancy engagement party at an English manor, where a weekend of hunting, dining, and dancing turns into the murder mystery of Lord Marlborough, who has been harboring a nefarious secret from his time as private secretary to the Viceroy of India. Opening night has arrived and this is make-or-break time for all at KSDJ. But there’s an unwanted guest, Delilah, a small tropical storm that formed near Cuba that has gained strength and become a full-blown hurricane. KSDJ is straight in her path. But the show must go on – until the station is struck by lightning and the two worlds are turned upside-down. Will KSDJ’s “Murder at Marlborough Castle” stay afloat? Or will Hurricane Delilah steal their thunder? Will their production weather the storm...literally? Or will their little radio station be gone with the wind? Will the entire show be filled with bad weather puns? Stay tuned.
This version of the classic Margery Williams’ children storybook, The Velveteen Rabbit, has been adapted into a mini one-act play and headlines a collection of short children’s picture books tailored for the stage and beginning actors called The Library Comes Alive that is in the works. This abridged version tells of the small stuffed toy rabbit and her dream of becoming so loved by her little girl she becomes real. Maintains many of the beloved characters: the little girls’ noisy toys, the over-bearing Nana, the Fairy who grants the Velveteen Rabbit’s wish and her faithful friend, the Skin Horse.
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In the future, if any of these plays get published, a link will be provided to the site at which these plays can be purchased for your organization, classroom, or acting troupe to read, perform, and enjoy!
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