Performers, Puppets, Play!
Written for children from Pre-K to 3rd Grade. In this updated version of the old storybook favorite, Jack is an aspiring puppeteer, who is trying to save his family from losing everything. Lo and behold, the magic of his creative vision comes alive and his bleak situation sends him into a castle in the clouds and beyond. Jack runs the neighborhood puppet theatre. He believes in the magic of theatre with his whole heart . . . If only he could make enough money to help out his family, his dad just lost his job and they are on the verge of having to move to Uncle Zeke’s farm, which would only mean one thing worse . . .Jack would be forced to give up his theatre! Since Jack believes in it, the magic happens, and his puppet creation Benny Zee Beanstalk suddenly comes to life! And voila! Benny Zee, now the French director, helps Jack to grow creatively and find his awaiting dream fulfilling all his needs, only after he learns a very big lesson about magic in theatre and in life.
PLAY DETAILS:
- 3m 3f (+ small ensemble if desired)
- JACK — A very creative young boy who happens to be the director, performer and sole proprietor of Master Jack’s Bread and Puppet Theatre
- MOTHER — Jack’s Mother, a caring and kind lady, who is preoccupied with feeding her family
- BENNY ZEE — The talking beanstalk, a lively, flamboyant Frenchman with a distinguished passion for the theatre, and a unique way of understanding human nature
- GIANT — A rather large yet harmless and very lonely giant who lives in a castle in an imaginary kingdom high above the clouds
- HARPY — A magical, music maker and Giant’s only friend, a tender and kind little character who knows nothing but harmony, and can not play when she is not happy
- GOLDIE GOOSE — The infamous goose who lays the golden eggs, she’s been around a while and has the wisdom of a wise old sage , a resonator of the voice of truth
- About 35-45 minutes.
- Fantasy props, puppets and costumes
- Order #3387
PERUSAL MATERIALS:
REHEARSAL-PRODUCTION MATERIALS:
- Production Script PDF Rental — ORDER #3387a : $20.00 (a PDF copy, licensed for your use, will be sent upon receipt of payment. This document may be duplicated for cast and crew only.)
- 1st Performance Amateur/Educational Royalty (or Only Performance Royalty) — ORDER #3387d : $40.00
- 2nd Performance Amateur/EducationalRoyalty — ORDER #3387e : $35.00
- Professional Royalties quoted on APPLICATION
NOTE: There is a small piece of music used in the play. It can be played live with a Harp or Digital Piano, (music is in the script) or you can request a DIGITAL AUDIO version at no extra charge by sending us an email.
BILLING CREDITS:
Jack and the Talkback Beanstalk
by Coni Koepfinger
NOTE: The names of the Playwright(s), Composer, Lyricist, and Bookwriter shall be equal in size, type, coloring, boldness, and prominence. No billing shall appear in type larger or more prominent than the billing to the Authors except for the title of the play. (In a press release all type, will of course, be the same size.)
ALSO:
THIS NOTICE MUST APPEAR IN ALL PROGRAMS, ON ALL POSTERS AND PUBLICITY MATERIALS AND INTERNET ADVERTISING/WEBPAGES FOR THE PLAY:
“Jack and the Talkback Beanstalk is presented through special arrangement with the Premiére Theatrical Licensing on behalf of Leicester Bay Theatricals. All authorized materials are also supplied by the authors.”
PRODUCTIONS:
- John Sobel, White Plains New York — 2003
- Flowers in the Attic Theatre — Pittsburgh, PA — 1997
- Shadyside Arts Festival — Pittsburgh, PA — 1996
- Monroeville Arts Council — Monroeville, PA — 1995
- Pittsburgh Children’s Museum — Pittsburgh, PA — 1995
- St. Maurice Elementary School — Pittsburgh, PA — 1994
- PREMIERE: Apollo Community Theatre — Apollo, PA — 1994