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Children's
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|
ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION
Cast
List
The
Best Play for You
A
Note from the Playwright
CD
Soundtrack Cues
Dialogue
Sample
THE
LITTLE MERMAID
CAST
LIST
Running
Time: About 45 minutes
Flexible
Cast of About 24-39
(39
roles listed below - 10 Female, 7 Male, 23 F/M
*NEPTUNE
(King of Mermen) (M, 39 lines)
NEPTUNE
#1 (M, 18 lines)
NEPTUNE
#2 (M, 21 lines)
*MARLIN
(Marquis) (M/F, 41 lines)
MARLIN
#1 (M/F, 29 lines)
MARLIN
#2 (M/F, 12 lines)
NEPTUNE'S
COURT:
GILL
(M/F, 20 lines)
OCTO
(M/F, 20 lines)
MACK
(M/F, 20 lines)
FLOW
(M/F, 20 lines)
PEARL
(M/F, 20 lines)
SEAL
(M/F, 20 lines)
*ODESSA
(Queen of Humans) (F, 42 lines)
ODESSA
#1 (F, 23 lines)
ODESSA
#2 (F, 19 lines)
SLITHERY
SIRS:
CECIL
(M/F, 11 lines)
SNICKER
(M/F, 10 lines)
SNEAK
(M/F, 10 lines)
*ARUBA
(Flamingo) (M/F, total 67 lines)
ARUBA
#1 (M/F, 27 lines)
ARUBA
#2 (M/F, 25 lines)
ARUBA
#3 (M/F, 15 lines)
*FINNY
(Fish) (M/F, total 65 lines)
FINNY
#1 (M/F, 21 lines)
FINNY
#2 (M/F, 27 lines)
FINNY
#3 (M/F, 14 lines)
*ANNABELLE
(Mermaid Princess) (F, total: 47 lines + song)
ANNABELLE
#1 (F, 10 lines)
ANNABELLE
#2 (F, 6 lines)
ANNABELLE
#3 (F, 14 lines + song)
ANNABELLE
#4 (F, 14 lines)
ANNABELLE
#5 (F, No lines, very significant movement.)
ANNABELLE
#6 (F, 3 significant lines, movement)
SAILORS:
CALICO
JACK (M/F, 19 lines, sings)
CAPTAIN
SLAPPY (M/F, 19 lines, sings)
BILLY
BONES (M/F, 18 lines, sings)
SCURVY
DOG (M/F, 17 lines, sings)
*PRINCE
EDWARD (M, 35 lines)
PRINCE
#1 (M, 20 lines)
PRINCE
#2 (M, 15 lines)
DUKE
of CHARLESTON (M, 23 lines)
ISLAND
CASTLE SERVANTS:
PHILIPPE
(Chef) (M/F, 13 lines + song)
MISS
CALLALOO (F, 14 lines)
GINGER
(F, 13 lines)
NUTMEG
(F, 12 lines)
REV
GUMBO (Preacher) (M/F, 8 lines)
*PERFORMERS
(M/F, 21 lines)
*ANNABELLE
is broken into 6 parts because you will probably have lots of girls
who'd like to be the Little Mermaid. These parts may be
combined for a smaller cast.
*NEPTUNE,
MARLIN, ODESSA & PRINCE are fairly large roles that can be
divided into two parts, as suggested, if necessary. However, if
you want to retain larger roles for particularly advanced players you
may choose to have these played by just one actor.
*PERFORMERS
are young people seated in the front row that surrounds the playing
area. They are always involved and often sing, speak together
and play percussion instruments as part of the production, as
indicated in the script. They may also be assigned to play the
above characters in addition to their participation as PERFORMERS.
*ARUBA
and FINNY may be represented by puppets: ARUBA, the flamingo, may
have a hat like headpiece with a super long pink neck that snakes
above his head with a stick attached at the throat/neck. The
performer uses the stick to turn the bird's head when he speaks. The
performer uses a kazoo and toots on it whenever ARUBA is excited or
needs to show emphasis. FINNY, the fish, may be represented by
a windsock on a pole. The performer hovers the windsock
overhead during conversation and sails and swoops through the air, as
if swimming, when excited.
SONGS:
New
lyrics are set to these familiar tunes:
"Blow
the Man Down" (SAILORS) - Traditional sea shanty.
"Brahms
Lullaby" (ANNABELLE) - Classical composition.
"Alouette"
(PHILIPPE) - Traditional French folk song.
"Wedding
March" (GINGER, NUTMEG, PERFORMERS) - Traditional.
Take
a Bow Productions
- Chatham, Ontario
THE
LITTLE MERMAID
WHY
IS THIS PLAY BEST FOR YOUR SCHOOL?
Written
especially for young people to perform.
While
you may find large cast plays from other publishers, most of those
were originally written for adults or
professional actors to
perform. They often contain difficult dialogue, unfamiliar or
complex language, and speeches too long for young children to
memorize. They may even contain jokes, innuendos and subject matter
that may not be appropriate for children.
Easy
to understand and memorize.
Dialogue
is simple, fresh, quick and humorous, keeping the action flowing
without stops and starts between scenes. This keeps young people and
young audiences engaged throughout the performance - no awkward
pauses, no dead-time, no wiggles!
Everyone
participates!
All
children are involved throughout the performance. This builds
confidence, promotes team spirit and eliminates rehearsal rowdiness.
The audience is often asked to join in the fun, and action often
spills into the aisles! All of our SCHOOL PLAYS give suggestions on
how to divide up large parts (such as Dorothy in Wizard of Oz) among
several performers so that no one child is the "star".
Familiar
stories with upbeat endings.
The
story line stays as close as possible to the familiar story the kids
already know. While some authors feel the need to
"improve" the story, our SCHOOL PLAYS stay as close to the
familiar narrative as possible, making it easier for children - and
your audience - to understand.
Feel
free to edit! Go ahead and tape it!
Most
publishers insist that no changes may be made to their scripts.
We know that your
goal is to engage every child in the most meaningful way and that
your needs are unique. Cut, eliminate, re-assign lines, or add
as much as you like! Also, there are no restrictions on video
tapes. Parents want a tape or DVD to remember their child's big
moment. Go ahead and tape away!
  
King
Neptune, Take a Bow Productions
THE
LITTLE MERMAID
A
NOTE FROM THE PLAYWRIGHT
In
the past few years we've seen a
tremendous increase of confidence in the teachers we hear from.
Most are finding it easier to let the process flow and worry less
about the final product. I firmly believe that the experience
will be best for all when you keep a few things in mind:
Free
yourself from worry about
whether or not it's "good". No one is paying big
ticket prices; no one expects a Broadway success. The key to
making this project meaningful is to put the emphasis on process;
realize that rehearsal and practice are as much a part of the
experience as the actual performance. Encourage fun and you
will free the children from embarrassment and stress. If the
kids can't learn the lines let them carry a script or use their own
words to convey the character's message. If they seem to wander
the stage, let them explore where they want to go - they might
surprise you with a wonderful idea. In every aspect of the
process give them the wings to create and think. Give them a
comfortable, supportive place to go and their confidence and
self-expression will soar!
Above
all else, make sure you are
having fun. If you've never directed a play before, don't
worry. It's all just pretend -- you can't do it wrong!
The quality of your experience is every bit as important as that of
the children. You need the joy of self-expression too, that
doesn't go away when we grow up. So give yourself a break.
And when all else fails, laugh!
Thank
you so much for choosing The
Little Mermaid.
I hope you and your young friends have as much fun performing this
play as I did writing it.
-
KSM
"I
just wanted to thank you for
providing outstanding adaptations, scripts, staging notes, background
music and study guides.
Our school had 24
cast members and additional 20 kids
involved in crew. It is such a great way to engage
so many children together."
Sarah
Lambrecht, Lincoln Elem, Wauwatosa WI
THE
LITTLE MERMAID
CD
SOUNDTRACK CUES
Cues,
sound effects, background music (traditional-classical)
The
CD Soundtrack contains special sound effects and background music
(public domain traditional-classical) that may be used to greatly
enhance the performance. It also contains simple music to accompany
the performers as they sing to three familiar melodies - "Blow
the Man Down", "Brahms Lullaby" and
"Alouette" (song cues shown below in blue). It does not
contain music and songs from the popular animated film or Broadway
musical. Cues have 10 seconds of silence at the end - times shown
below include silence.
1. OCEAN, UNDERWATER, THUNDER (1:10)
2. SINGING, BABY CRY, SINGING (0:51)
3. ODESSA'S MANIACAL LAUGH (0:22)
4. BABY CRY, WHOOSHING WATER (0:35)
5. OCEAN, SAILORS, BLOW THE MAN DOWN (2:08)
6. THUNDER, STORMY SEA (1:40)
7. FANFARE, UNDERWATER (1:24)
8. THUNDER, STORM, UNDERWATER (2:21)
9. WAVES, BRAHMS LULLABY (1:07)
10.
ODESSA'S LAUGH (0:21)
11.
ODESSA'S LAUGH (0:21)
12.
CRASH, LAUGH, CHAOS, ETC. (1:05)
13.
ALOUETTE (2:14)
14.
NEPTUNE'S STORMY ENTRANCE (1:00)
15.
SINGING, BRAHMS LULLABY (1:02)
16.
WEDDING WARM-UP MUSIC (0:41)
17.
WEDDING MARCH (1:34)
18.
MAGICAL, BRAHMS LULLABY (0:42)
19.
BLOW THE MAN DOWN (4:25)
20.
ALOUETTE (Curtain Call Finale) (1:59)
21-32.
PRE/POST-SHOW MUSIC (30-35 MINS)
Note:
Some teachers choose familiar songs, obtain sheet music and insert
these songs into the play. We recognize that each school has a
wide variety of educational needs to fulfill and we invite you to be
creative in your use of our scripts; including changes or additions
that are appropriate for your students. As author/publisher of our
own creative works, we do ask that you obtain proper copyright
permission for any additions you might make - that responsibility is
up to you.
Some
resources available on the Internet:
KidSongs:
CDs, DVDs, Sheet Music, Karaoke
Songs
for Teaching: Educational Music, CDs, Downloads
MusicNotes:
Sheet Music, Song Books for Children
Free
Sheet Music Directory: Childrens Music
  
ARUBA
the Flamingo, The Little Mermaid, FINNY the Fish
Take
a Bow Productions
- Chatham, Ontario
THE
LITTLE MERMAID
DIALOGUE
SAMPLE
|
The
Little Mermaid, Annabelle, wants to become human to marry the
Prince. Odessa, the evil Queen of Humans, tricks Annabelle and steals
the Little Mermaid's voice.
(Script
pages 25-28) |
ODESSA:
Human? HUMAN????? Ha-ha! Did I hear someone say
they want to be a... human????
ARUBA & FINNY:
(Terrified, pushing ANNABELLE forward.) She did.
ANNABELLE:
Yes, I said it. And I'm not ashamed of it. I do want to
be human.
ODESSA:
Of course you do. Ah-ha! Of course you do!
And that's why I'm here, dear child.
ANNABELLE:
But what can you do?
SLITHERY SIRS:
SSSSSSsssilencessssss!
CECIL:
You Sssspeak when Sssssspoken to!
ODESSA:
That's all right, Cecil. I can see this is a very good little
mermaid. Brave and lovesick... Just like her father.
ANNABELLE:
Do you know my father?
ODESSA:
But of course. We're old friends, my dear. I met him
when you were very young.
ANNABELLE:
But I've never seen you before.
ODESSA:
I've been keeping just out of sight. Watching, waiting.
And I have lots of patience.
SLITHERY SIRS: ("Patience.")
Passsshhencesss.
ODESSA:
Now come to me child. Tell Odessa what's wrong.
ANNABELLE:
Well, there was this human in the water and he was drowning...
ODESSA:
Ah, a sad story.
ANNABELLE:
Yes, but I saved him you see and then well, I guess I fell in love...
ODESSA:
LOVE!!!! Ha-ha! Now where have I heard that word before?
(SLITHERY
SIRS snicker with her.)
So I suppose
you'd like me to make you human, hmm?
ANNABELLE:
You can do that?
ODESSA:
That is my specialty.
ARUBA:
No, Annabelle!
FINNY:
Come on, Annabelle. Let's go!
ODESSA:
(Angry.) Let the little mermaid speak! (Suddenly
kind.) Go on, my dear.
ANNABELLE:
Please make me human. I'll do anything you ask.
ODESSA:
Anything?
SLITHERY SIRS:
(Thrilled.) Anything?
ARUBA & FINNY:
(Horrified.) Anything?
ANNABELLE:
Anything!
ODESSA:
I thought so. Slithery Sirs, bring me the magic pot!
(SLITHERY
SIRS hiss and scramble and return with a flower pot.)
Now, my
dear. The only thing I need from you is a seed.
ANNABELLE:
A seed?
ODESSA:
In this case. Your voice.
ARUBA & FINNY:
(Gasp!) Her voice?
ODESSA:
It's a very small price don't you think? (Hums.) Just a
little tune. I'll plant it right in here.
ANNABELLE:
Well, I guess I could give you my voice.
ODESSA:
Come, come. Hand it over.
(ANNABELLE
sings softly, repeating lullaby she sang to the PRINCE.)
ANNABELLE: (Sings.)
Oh the sea's
dark and deep
But for now you
may sleep
You are safe
here in my arms
I will keep you
far from harm.
(ANNABELLE
takes it from her mouth like a seed.)
PERFORMERS:
No, Annabelle, no!
ANNABELLE:
(To PERFORMERS.) But if it will make me human&ldots;
ODESSA:
I'm waiting...
(ANNABELLE
hands it to ODESSA.)
Ah!
(ODESSA
plants it in pot.
SOUND CUE #12:
Sudden crashing music, ODESSA's laughter.
SLITHERY
SIRS dance, hissing with triumph!. SOUND CONTINUES.)
At last King
Neptune! If I cannot have your hand I will have your
daughter! And when I am done the Kingdom of the Sea will be
mine!!! MINE!
(ODESSA and
SIRS dance as ARUBA and FINNY slump in sorrow and defeat.)
But don't tell
your father what I've done&ldots;
(ANNABELLE
begins to speak but nothing comes out.)
Oh, that's
right! Ha-ha! You can't!
(SOUND CONTINUES:
Loud chaos, drums, laughter.
PERFORMERS
use percussions and cymbals. ODESSA and SLITHERY SIRS laugh and
hiss demonically as they twirl in victory! COURT enters with
silk flags that twirl all around playing area. During the chaos
they remove ANNABELLE's tail. ODESSA, SLITHERY SIRS and COURT exit.
SOUND CUE ENDS.
OPTIONAL TRANSITION:
ODESSA #1 exits, ODESSA #2 enters at next entrance and continues
through the end of the play.)
Note:
This is a sample from the actual script. To review the entire
play, order the PERUSAL SCRIPT (online instant download). Or
to save 20% on the full production kit and royalty for one
performance, order the SCHOOL PLAY PACKAGE (below) and start
rehearsals today!
SCHOOL PLAY PACKAGE (Everything)
One
payment for everything you need to perform the play at your school
or organization. No need to purchase multiple scripts, no royalty
quote, no separate royalty payment. Order the School Play Package and
you're done -- start rehearsals immediately!
The
SCHOOL PLAY PACKAGE Includes:
1.
Master Script ($9.95)
2.
Teachers Guide ($9.95)
3.
CD Soundtrack ($19.95)
4.
Performance License ($60.00)
(License:
Rights to copy script, Royalty
for one performance)
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Everything ($99.85
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