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Jack and the Beanstalk
Large Cast School Musical Play for Kids to Perform

Sound Cues

Script Sample

JACK AND THE BEANSTALK
CAST LIST
Running Time: About 40-45 minutes
Flexible Cast of 25
Note: ALL characters may be played by males or females.

Easily adapted for larger or smaller cast.
Large Cast Musical for Kids Lucy the Goose and Boo Boo Cow Old Dan Tucker
Jack (or "Jackie") - Jack and Lil' Jill and the Beanstalk - Cast Options

TALE TELLERS (29 lines together, including songs)
ANNIE (M/F, 12 lines)
DIXIE (M/F, 14 lines)
FLOSSIE (M/F, 15 lines)
HARLEY (M/F, 13 lines)
LESTER (M/F, 17 lines)
ZEKE (M/F, 13 lines)

MUSIC MAKERS (12 lines together, including songs)
SOGGY BOTTOM BESS (M/F, 3 lines, songs)
RABBIT RIDGE ROY (M/F, 3 lines, songs)
CUMBERLAND CATHY (M/F, 3 lines, songs)
WILDER WOODY (M/F, 3 lines, songs)

SWEETWATER JACK (M/F, 113 lines total)*
JACK #1 (M/F, 20 lines) 
JACK #2 (M/F, 14 lines, enter page 13) 
JACK #3 (M/F, 20 lines, enter page 17) 
JACK #4 (M/F, 16 lines, enter page 20) 
JACK #5 (M/F, 19 lines, enter page 25) 
JACK #6 (M/F, 24 lines, enter page 30)

MAMA (M/F, 42 lines total)
MAMA #1 (M/F, 22 lines)
MAMA #2 (M/F, 20 lines, enter page 22)

MISS BOOBOO HEAD, a cow in front (M/F, 6 "moo" lines)
MISS BOOBOO TAIL, a cow in back (M/F, 7 "moo" lines)
POLLY, a magic lady (M/F, 24 lines)
OLD DAN TUCKER, a giant (M/F, 25 lines)
OLD LADY TUCKER, giant's wife (M/F, 24 lines)
LUCY, a goose that lays golden eggs (M/F, 20 lines)
STRUM ALONG CASSIDY, a magic banjo (M/F, 8 lines plus song)

*JILL AND THE BEANSTALK? Jack may be played by as many as 6 kids, making sure that no one child is the "star".  Why should boys have all the fun?  There's no reason why Jack must be a boy.  Also, you may consider casting Mama as Papa. 


All Your Kids Have A Fun Role to Play!
Jack and the Beanstalk Musical for Kids Jack and the Beanstalk for Summer Youth Theatre Musical Play Jack and Beanstalk
Campanile Summer Youth Theatre, Minocqua WI

The School Play Package gives you the rights to adapt the script - add as many lines, characters, scenes and songs as you like.  You also have the right to make a Video/DVD of your special performance!

"It was so easy to work with the script and adapt it to my students needs."
Sherri Alejandro, Carden El Encanto School, Santa Cruz CA


JACK AND THE BEANSTALK
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 Alice or Cinderella) 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!


JACK AND THE BEANSTALK
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 Jack and the Beanstalk.  I hope you and your young friends have as much fun performing this play as I did writing it.

- KSM

Give them wings - and their self-expression will soar!Large Cast of Jack and the Beanstalk Musical Play
Campanile Summer Youth Theatre, Minocqua WI



JACK AND THE BEANSTALK
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 the songs in the play (song cues shown below in red). Cues have 10 seconds of silence at the end - times shown below include silence.
[ Click on [sample] to hear a short sample of the indicated cues. ]

 1. INTRO MUSIC ("POLLY WOLLY DOODLE")  (1:09) [sample]

 2. EERIE SCARY DREAMY SOUNDS  (0:44)

 3. BANJO, "FROGGY" SONG  (1:14) [sample]

 4. "POLLY WOLLY DOODLE" SONG  (0:52) [sample]

 5. "POLLY WOLLY DOODLE" SONG 2   (0:38)

 6. BEANSTALK GROWING SOUNDS  (0:55) [sample]

 7. "BUCKEYE JIM SONG  (2:24) [sample]

 8. BANJO, "OLD DAN TUCKER" SONG  (1:53) [sample]

 9. APPLAUSE, BANJO, "SPAGHETTI" SONG  (1:51) [sample]

 10. WIND, BANJO, CLOUDS  (0:52) [sample]

 11. "OLD DAN TUCKER" SONG 2  (1:18)

 12. TWEETING BIRDS  (0:23) [sample]

 13. BANJO, "SPAGHETTI" INTRO ONLY  (0:31)

 14. "POLLY WOLLY DOODLE" SONG 3  (0:38)

 15. END MUSIC ("POLLY WOLLY DOODLE")  (0:22) [sample]

 16. CURTAIN CALL MUSIC  (3:14) [sample]

 ( 17. OPTIONAL PRE-SHOW SONGFEST MUSIC )


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.

Music & Sound Resources Available on the Internet
( Sheet Music, Song Books, CDs, DVDs, Sing-along, Karaoke, Sound Effects )



JACK AND THE BEANSTALK
SCRIPT SAMPLE

Opening of the play. Mama puts Jack to bed and he dreams about a terrible GIANT!
(Script pages 9-13)

(SOUND CUE #1:  “Polly Wolly Doodle”, one verse intro then softer.            TALE TELLERS enter and speak to audience after intro.)

ANNIE:  Now here’s a tale straight out of the mountains!

DIXIE: One that will get your ears a’flappin’ and your toes a’tappin’!

FLOSSIE:  The way the old timers tell it...

HARLEY: There once was a no count boy by the name of Sweetwater Jack...

            (JACK enters scratching his belly and looking “no count”.)

LESTER: And he was full of vinegar and sassafras!

ZEKE:  Now little old Jack liked to sleep.

ANNIE:  He’d sleep all morning and all afternoon if his Mama would let him.

DIXIE:  And she wouldn’t.

FLOSSIE:  But at night he wouldn’t go to bed no how, no way...

            (FLOSSIE gets cloth from clothesline.)

HARLEY: Better get in bed, Jack...

JACK:  Aw, shucks.

            (JACK lays down and FLOSSIE covers him up.)

LESTER:  ‘Cause here comes Mama!

(SOUND CUE ENDS.  MAMA enters.  TALE TELLERS hide up at clothesline covering their heads with clothes hanging there.  They peek out from behind the cloths and watch.)

MAMA:  Boy, I thought I told you to close your eyes and go to sleep!

JACK:  Mama, will you check under the bed for purple-eyed monsters?

            (MAMA busies herself tucking in JACK and straightening the room.)

MAMA:  Boy, there ain’t no purple-eyed monsters in Sweetwater Holler.

JACK:  Mama, will you check in the drawer for horny-toed dragons?

MAMA:  Boy, there ain’t no horny-toed dragons in Sweetwater Holler.

JACK:  Mama, will you check on the roof for warty-faced giants?

MAMA:  Land a’ Goshen, Jack!  You’re scared of things that nobody ever dreamed up in all their live-long days!

JACK:  Oh, but they’re real Mama, I’ve seen ‘em all.  Big as life!

MAMA:  Time to get all that wriggle-roo out of your head and go to sleep. Goodnight, Jack!  (MAMA exits.)

(JACK pulls covers up over his head and lies still.  
SOUND CUE #2:  Eerie scary dreamy sounds.
TALE TELLERS enter from behind the clothesline, each bringing a cloth and making “ooh-eee” scary dreamy sounds that start quietly and build as they “float” around JACK, fluttering their cloths.)

TALE TELLERS:  Fee Fie Foe Fum!  I smell the blood of an Englishman!

(JACK tosses and turns in a fitful sleep.  MUSIC MAKERS use drum, chimes and other instruments to make dreamy sounds.)

JACK:  (Eyes closed, sleeping.)  No!  No!

TALE TELLERS:  Fee Fie Foe Foy!  I sniff the toes of a little boy!

JACK:  Not my toes!  Not my toes!

TALE TELLERS:  Fee Fie Foe Fooey!   Little boys taste like chop suey!

JACK:  (Eyes closed, slapping at the air.)  Get away!  Get away!

TALE TELLERS:  Fee Fie Foe Feet!  Jack is the boy I’m going to eat!        

JACK:  Leave me alone now, git!

            (SOUND CUE ENDS.  MAMA calls from off stage, before she enters.)

MAMA:  Jack!  Jack!

TALE TELLERS:  Fee Fie Foe Fay!  Jack oughtta jump up and run away!

         (MAMA enters, madder than heck, hand on hips, she barks...)

MAMA:  Jack!

(MUSIC MAKERS hit cymbal!  TALE TELLERS flip their cloths up and flap them, turning into “birds”.  They squawk like crows.  JACK jumps up.)

TALE TELLERS:  Squawk!  Squawk!  Squawk!

(TALE TELLERS fly away, twirling upstage.  They hook their cloths on the line and stand behind them.  Gradually as the scene progresses they will poke their heads out and watch.  MUSIC MAKERS make sound of rooster.)

MUSIC MAKERS:  Er-er-er-errrrrrr!

(MAMA enters.)

MAMA:  Don’t you hear the rooster, Jack?  Get your sleepy head out of bed!

JACK:  Mama, I saw the giant!

MAMA:  Not again.

JACK:  Mama, he’s got boots bigger than my whole self and a big old nose with a wart growing on it!   He said Fee Fie Foe...

MAMA:  Don’t you hear me when I tell you?  Ain’t no giants in Sweetwater Holler.

JACK:  But he doesn’t live in the Holler he lives in a big old castle way up in the sky!

MAMA:  Well, Miss Booboo lives in a big old shed down the way.  And she needs milkin’.  Now.

            (MAMA hands JACK a bucket.)

JACK:  But what about breakfast?  

MAMA:  Jack, it’s time you learned the truth.  We don’t have a thing to eat.

JACK:  No flapjacks and molasses?

MAMA:  No.

JACK:  No fried eggs with sunny side ups?

MAMA:  Uh-uh.

JACK:  No buttered biscuits and peachy jam?

MAMA:  We don’t even have a crust of day old bread. 

JACK:  Aw, shucks.

MAMA:  While you got your head in the clouds, we’ve gone broke!  Now you go milk that cow, cause that’s all we got left.  And you get that giant outta your fool head.  He’s nothing but a dream. 

            (MAMA exits.)

JACK:  (Looking up at the sky.) Hear that you big old ugly warty-faced giant? You’re nothing but a dream!

            (TALE TELLERS lift their cloths and peer out at JACK.)

TALE TELLERS:  Fee Fie Foe Fum...

(JACK is frozen in fear, his back to the TALE TELLERS as they use their arms, reaching toward him.)

JACK:  Huh?

TALE TELLERS:  I SMELL THE BLOOD OF AN ENGLISHMAN!

JACK:  Yikes! 

(MUSIC MAKERS hit Cymbal!  JACK takes off running into audience.  TALE TELLERS move forward in playing area.
SOUND CUE #3:  Banjo playing fast and twangy as JACK is running fast.)

DIXIE:  And off he goes!

FLOSSIE:  The boy with his head in the clouds!

HARLEY:  Run, Jack, run!

(SOUND:  “Froggy Went A-courtin”, short intro before song.  MUSIC MAKERS sing as JACK runs out into audience, exits behind audience.). 

SOGGY BOTTOM BESS:  (To audience.)  Everybody!

MUSIC MAKERS, TALE TELLERS & AUDIENCE: 

Froggy went a-courtin' and he did ride, uh-huh
Froggy went a-courtin' and he did ride, uh-huh
Froggy went a-courtin' and he did ride
With a sword and a banjo by his side, uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh.

TALE TELLERS:

Oh, Jack he went a runnin’ and he did run, uh-huh
Oh, Jack he went a runnin’ and he did run, uh-huh
Oh, Jack he went a runnin’ and he did run
With nothing on his mind but fun, uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh.

(SOUND CUE ENDS.)


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!

Jack and the Beanstalk Musical
Jackie hides in tater bin as Strum Along sings.

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