Tales from Hans Christian Andersen: Playscript Book

Play script by Mary Jane Evans and Deborah Anderson. Lyrics by Mary Jane Evans. Score by Ed Archer available from Anchorage Press Plays, www.applays.com. A brilliantly theatrical adaptation of four favorite Andersen tales turning them into song, dance, mime and transformations. Cast of 7 men, 5 women. Neutral stage.As a Storyteller sings of "Stories to Tell. Stories to Sell," he is joined by a chorus who spontaneously take up the action of a rhythmic rendition of "What the Old Man Does Is Always Right." Caught up in the fun, they then decide to enact "The Princess on the Pea." As this ends a skeptic sings of his doubts that it was a real story. To prove the power of imagination, the company transforms him into "The Ugly Duckling," becoming the other characters in that tale. "Numbskull Jack" fulfills the company's sung request to have a funny story follow the "happy-sad" Duckling adventure. A reprise of "Stories to Tell" reminds the audience that they've just begun to share the fun (and joy!) of Hans Christian Andersen.Read More