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Cast
List, CD Soundtrack Cues, Songs, Free Script Sample
"I love that all the kids can be involved, and the audience as
well. Thank you for such an entertaining, creative Christmas
play at such an affordable price!"
Maura
Ridder, Castle Rock Players, Castle Rock, CO
"In 'Twas the Night before Christmas' the audience joins in to
help conquer the Abominable Snowman, play reindeer games, dance,
sing, giggle and yell to help Izzy and Rosie save Christmas!"
Lancaster
Opera House, Buffalo, NY
Twas the Night Before Christmas is Recommended for Grades 1 and Up!
"Twas the Night before Christmas is a delightful musical
designed to give young performers an opportunity to learn the art of
theater while gaining poise, confidence, friendships, a sense of
teamwork and practical experience."
Little Starz
Productions O'Fallon, MO
"A
cast of fourth and fifth graders performed the play for the student
body, parents and community. 'I
like doing plays. I like acting, and I got to act silly,' said fourth-grader
Matthew Johnson."
Pine
Forest Elementary School of the Arts, Jax Air News, Jacksonville, FL
Teachers, this
Christmas Musical Play is
written just for you and your students. The famous poem is
integrated throughout the action, and every
child participates during rehearsal and performance!
"Under the direction of Peggy Zorn, the cast and production
staff put the musical together in only six weeks, meeting once a week
for two hours. With 11 musical numbers and multiple set, lighting and
costume changes, it was a celebration that delighted all ages."
Victor
Post, Victor NY
The story includes elves, reindeer and toys, and you’ll hear
familiar Christmas tunes with unfamiliar lyrics. It’s great
holiday entertainment.
“It’s
very funny,” Jane Miller, Director said. “People will have
a good time.”
DJournal, Tupelo,
MS, Pied Piper Playhouse
Familiar Songs & Music: Easy
songs set to familiar Christmas carol tunes. CD has background
music to sing-a-long as well as background sound effects for a
professional touch!
"Twas the Night Before Christmas is a fun-filled romp through a hear-warming
tale of family love and playful friendship!"
The
Pahrump Arts Council (PAC), Pahrump, NV
ArtReach's School Play, Twas
the night Before Christmas is written in simple terms with lots of
practical suggestions! No professional experience is required!
"Twas the Night Before Christimas was certainly the biggest cast
I have had and it was a great success!"
Karen
Dixon, Hunua Elementary School, Papakura NZ
Funny witty lyrics are set to easy, familiar Christmas Carol tunes,
taking the emphasis off memorizing unknown songs and putting it on
imagination and creative performance.
Open Staging! A stage is not necessary to produce Twas the
night Before Christmas! Use your cafeteria or gym!
The script provides lots of directing tips for new directors!
It also gives you casting adjustments, easy costume ideas and tips to
avoid building elaborate scenery!
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'Twas the Night Before Christmas
Christmas
Musical Play for Kids to Perform |
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Cast
List
CD
Soundtrack Cues
Songs
Script
Sample
'TWAS
THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
CAST LIST
Running Time: About 45 minutes
Flexible Cast of 30-45 Young Performers
(51 total roles listed below,
easy doubling, most male/female.)
MOORE FAMILY
CLARA (f, 11 lines)
WILLY (m, 11 lines)
BO (m, 9 lines)
MOTHER (f, 21 lines)
CLEMENT (PAPA) (m, 24 lines)
CHORUS
JINGLE (m/f, 6 lines)
HOLLY (m/f, 5 lines)
JOLLY (m/f, 6 lines)
JOY (m/f, 5 lines)
IZZY the
Mouse (m/f, 65 lines total, SONG)
IZZY #1 (m/f, 21 lines, SONG)
IZZY #2 (m/f, 25 lines)
IZZY #3 (m/f, 19 lines)
COP (m/f, 3 lines)
LOUIE (m/f, 16 lines)
TRAIN
ENGINEER (m/f, 15 lines)
CHUGGA (m/f, 8 lines)
LUGGA (m/f, 8 lines)
WOO-HOO (m/f, 8 lines)
ELVES (SONG)
KNUCKLES (m/f, 7 lines)
TINSEL (m/f, 8 lines)
MISTLETOE (m/f, 8 lines)
YULE (m/f, 8 lines)
PEPPERMINT (m/f, 8 lines)
MEE-TOO: (m/f, 3 lines)
ROSIE the
Christmas Reindeer (m/f, 42 lines total, SONG)
ROSIE #1 (m/f, 16 lines, SONG)
ROSIE #2 (m/f 11 lines)
ROSIE #3 (m/f 15 lines)
SANTA'S REINDEER
DASHER (m/f 12 lines)
DANCER (m/f 12 lines)
PRANCER (m/f, 11 lines)
VIXEN (m/f, 9 lines)
(Optional: COMET, CUPID, DONNER, BLITZEN)
SANTA: (m, 25 lines)
MRS. CLAUS (f, 3 lines)
ABOMINABLE SNOWMAN (m/f, 15
lines, SONG)
BROKEN TOYS
CHATTY Cathy (f, 3 lines)
TOY SOLDIER (m, 2 lines)
PLAY-DOH (m/f, 1 line, song)
POEM PERFORMERS
SNUG (m/f, 1 line)
FLASH (m/f, 1 line)
LIVELY (m/f, 1 line)
QUICK (m/f, 1 line)
TWINKLING (m/f, 1 line)
MERRY (m/f, 1 line)
CHERRY (m/f, 1 line)
WINKER (m/f, 1 line)
NOD (m/f, 1 line)
THISTLE (m/f, 1 line)
Easy to Adapt for Your School or Theatre!
  
Young Cast,
Flagship Theatre, Dothan, AL
The
School Play Package gives you the rights to add characters, lines,
songs! You also have the rights to make a Video/DVD of your
special performance!
'TWAS
THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
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!
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Kathryn Schultz Miller
is one the most prolific and most produced playwrights for
children. Her script, A THOUSAND CRANES, won the National
Endowment for the Arts Playwright Award (and countless others) at a
time when plays for children were not considered serious works. Now,
many of her published scripts are considered classics for young
audiences. When teachers voiced their need for great plays that
kids can perform Ms. Miller responded with ArtReach’s School
Plays: “I never dreamed I’d write for anyone other
than professionals. But writing for child performers has been
the most profound and rewarding experience of my life”. |
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'TWAS
THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
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 'Twas
the Night Before Christmas.
I hope you and your young friends have as much fun performing this
play as I did writing it.
- KSM
'TWAS
THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
CD
SOUNDTRACK CUES
Piano accompaniment to Christmas songs,
sound effects, background music.
The CD Soundtrack contains
special sound effects and background music (public domain traditional
Christmas songs) that may be used to greatly enhance the performance.
It also contains simple music to accompany the performers and
audience as they sing the Christmas 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. MAGICAL SOUND
(0:18) [sample]
2. DECK
THE HALLS (1:52) [sample]
3. SAD VIOLIN (1:01)
4. SAD VIOLIN, IZZY'S
LAMENT (2:05) [sample]
5. TRAIN SOUNDS (0:46)
6. TRAIN, EXCITING
MUSIC (0:44) [sample]
7. SANTA'S
BAG-A-ROO (1:27) [sample]
8. OH
LITTLE REINDEER THAT I AM (1:13) [sample]
9. TRAIN SOUNDS (0:46)
10. LOUSY
CHRISTMAS (0:56) [sample]
11. TRANSITION, WINDY,
SNOWY (0:53)
12. JUST
A BLOB (0:59) [sample]
13. WHIRLING, EXCITING
MUSIC (0:23)
14. NOISY, CRAZY
CHASE (1:41) [sample]
15. CHRISTMAS MORNING
(0:53)
16. POEM BACKGROUND
MUSIC (5:02)
"A Visit from Saint Nicholas"
17. POIGNANT, GENTLE
MUSIC (1:00)
18. CURTAIN CALL (DECK
THE HALLS) (2:49) [sample]
19. TRAIN EXIT (END
SHOW) (0:36)
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 )
Internet
Music Resources: Karaoke
CDs & Sheet
Music
    
Click to
search Internet for karaoke cds or sheet music
'TWAS
THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
EASY SONGS
USING FAMILIAR CHRISTMAS TUNES
DECK THE HALLS
(Performers and audience)
IZZY'S LAMENT
(IZZY)
To the tune of "Hark the Herald Angles Sing".
SANTA'S BAG-A-ROO
(ELVES)
To the tune of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen".
OH,
LITTLE REINDEER THAT I AM
(ROSIE)
To the tune of "O, Little Town".
LOUSY CHRISTMAS
(ABOMINABLE SNOWMAN)
To the tune of "We Wish You a Merry Christmas".
JUST A BLOB
(PLAY-DOH)
To the tune of "O, Christmas Tree".
CD Soundtrack:
The CD contains simple piano music to accompany the singers for each
of the songs. If you wish to use a live band or piano to play
the songs, you can skip the CD song music (cues 2, 4, 7, 8, 10, 12,
also possibly 18). All of the songs use familiar Christmas
tunes, so sheet music or song books are readily available (some
music teachers can even play these songs by heart). You could
also use the easy piano sheet music printed in the Teachers Guide.
Elves, Santa and Reindeer!
  
"We have
just performed 'Twas the Night Before Christmas and everyone said it
was our best show yet! It was certainly the biggest cast I have
had and it was a great success!"
Karen Dixon, Hunua Elementary
School, Papakura NZ
'TWAS
THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
SCRIPT SAMPLE
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Izzy has
hitched a train ride to the North Pole. But trouble is brewing
in Santa's Workshop!
(Script
pages 17-19) |
TRAIN & IZZY:
Whoo-a-hoo! Whoo-a-hoo!
IZZY:
Look out Santa! Here I come!
TRAIN & IZZY:
Whoo-a-hoo! Whoo-a-hoo! (Repeat during exit.)
(TRAIN:
ENGINEER, CHUGGA, LUGGA, and WOO-HOO chug out of sight, exiting
behind audience. ELVES enter, set up shop and begin to work,
using hammers and other tools.
SOUND CUE
#7: "Santa's Bag-a-Roo" to the tune of "God Rest
Ye Merry Gentlemen", intro and song.)
ELVES: (Singing.)
Now here's a
doll and there's a train
And little
soldiers too
Paint them nice
and cute and bright
And stick 'em
all with glue
And turn the
knob and oil the hinge
Like Santa's
helpers do...
Oh, and put
them all in Santa's bag-a-roo
Batteries too!
Oh, and put
them all in Santa's bag-a-roo.
(ELVES work
feverishly as PERFORMERS sing.)
PERFORMERS:
(Singing.)
They've got a
plan, they've got a course
They've got a
job to do.
Fix 'em up and
make 'em work
And make 'em
shine like new
Create the toys
for everyone
For worthy kids
like you...
(SOUND CUE
BREAK: Has 2 seconds of silence for following line.)
MEE-TOO:
And me!
(SOUND CUE RESUMES.)
PERFORMERS:
(Singing.)
Oh, and put
them all in Santa's bag-a-roo
Hurry up too!
Oh, and put
them all in Santa's bag-a-roo.
(SOUND CUE ENDS.)
KNUCKLES:
Listen up, elves. Christmas is almost here and production is
down, way down. I got orders from the very top, the big guy himself.
ELVES:
(Breathless awe.) Santa!
KNUCKLES:
We need more, more, more! What will Billy Wilson say when his
toy train isn't under the tree?
(ELVES gasp!)
TINSEL:
And what about Gary's Gameboy?
MISTLETOE:
Nathan's Nintendo!
YULE:
Madison's Megazoids!
PEPPERMINT:
Or Shawanna's Barbie Fairytopia Mermaidia Elina Doll with removable
fairy wings and other accessories?
KNUCKLES:
Shawanna's what? (Slaps his forehead.) This job
gets harder every year. (To TINSEL.) What do
you call this?
TINSEL:
My Little Pony.
KNUCKLES: (To
MISTLETOE.) And this?
MISTLETOE:
My Little Potato Head.
(KNUCKLES
pulls the nose off Potato Head.)
KNUCKLES:
These toys are defective! They're scratch and dents.
YULE:
But sir, Mr. Knuckles, sir. We made them to your
specifications. I've got the blueprints right here!
KNUCKLES:
(Takes blueprints and wads them up.) You read them
wrong, then! These toys are simply no good! The only
thing we can do...
(KNUCKLES
holds toy as if to throw it. ELVES draw their breath and recoil
in horror!)
PEPPERMINT:
No!
TINSEL:
Not out the window!
MISTLETOE:
Not that! Anything but that!
YULE:
Please, Knuckles, I beg you!
(KNUCKLES
throws. PERFORMERS use slide or siren whistle to accompany the
toy's trip through the air. ROSIE suddenly appears and
catches them. She is outside the window and cannot be
seen by the ELVES. ELVES are devastated.)
PEPPERMINT:
(Throwing herself across the bench.) Oh, the humanity!
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 ($29.95)
4. Performance License ($60.00)
(License: Rights to copy script, Royalty
for one performance)
Get
Everything ($109.85
value) - Only $99.95
( SAVE
MORE $$$ WITH FULL DOWNLOAD
- NO SHIPPING COSTS! )
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