Fairy Tale Script Index

Gerould Creative has available:

Plays for Adult Actors to Perform for Children

Cinderella

by Rosemarie Gerould

This is the traditional story of Cinderella, her stepmother and two ugly stepsisters. Almost. In our version, her fairy godmother is a trainee named Tootie who is a bit of a klutz. In the ball scene all the actors, including the prince, dance with children from the audience. All of the minor characters in the play (the footman, the messenger from the palace, the stableman and the councillor to the prince) are played by the same actor, who is listed in the credits as "Everybody Else".

7 characters, 5f, 2m

The Ugly Duckling

by Rosemarie and Robert C. Gerould

In this version of this traditional story, the ugly duckling, Ralph, has a mother, two siblings who pick on him, and a mean cat, named Muffy, who drives him into the forest. While wandering in the forest he is befriended by an old cat, Eartha, a hen, Henrietta, and a wise old frog named Phenius who tries to teach Ralph how to catch flies with chopsticks. Following the traditional story (somewhat) Ralph returns home in triumph having landed a role in a ballet by Tchaikovsky.

9 characters (6 with doubling) 5f, 4m

Sleeping Beauty

by Rosemarie Gerould

In this prequel to "Cinderella", we meet Tootie, a Fairy, First Class, who is somewhat dense and klutzy. After a wicked witch puts Beauty to sleep for a hundred years, Tootie works to prevent her from harming Beauty, all the while looking for a prince to wake Beauty up. In a classic battle to the end, the prince and the witch fight by trading insults such as, "Your mother wears combat boots" and "You dye your hair".

5 characters, 3f, 2m

The Little Mermaid

by Rosemarie Gerould

Take one Prince longing for the sea, his sister the Princess and her dog named Prince, one Little Mermaid longing for the young boy she rescued as a child, and one Queen (or King) just wanting someone to run the kingdom and you have a great version of the this classic fairy tale. Add the Little Mermaid's two sisters and their confusion in all things "land" and who their little sister really loves (the dog?), the Little Mermaid's pet fish and the comedy continues. When on land, the Little Mermaid cannot speak and the audience helps the story along by telling the Prince her story. Unlike the original fairy tale, this one has a happy ending. By not naming the Little Mermaid, the children can name her as they please. Don't let the Disney version dissuade you producing this delightful, adult and children pleasing successful show.

8 characters, 4–5f, 3–4m

Red Riding Hood

by Robert C. Gerould

In our version of this classic, Red is a typical teenage girl (modeled after the pop star of the moment), who is taking a pizza to Grandma by way of the swamp. Grandma has jogged to Red's house only to discover that Red has gone to her house, so she decides to take the short cut through the swamp too. In the swamp there are two hungry wolves and a woodsman looking for his true love. The Narrator (a beauty queen wannabe), is horror-struck to learn that the swamp is being used by a frog for a movie! Ultimately, she uses children from the audience to create the swamp. Eventually the whole cast, including the stage manager, end up in Grandma's house in one of the wildest chase scenes ever.

7 characters, 4–5f, 2–3m

The Emperor's New Clothes

by Rosemarie Gerould

How can a clever court jester save an entire kingdom? Easy, just take two con artists, talk them into becoming the King's tailors, keep the King's councilor confused and you have a great show of fun pantomime, clever twists and the ultimate laugh at a king who would drive his kingdom into the ground for his vanity. The con artists learn the lesson of honesty and the King learns the reality of taking his responsibilities seriously. Fun for adults and children with wonderful audience interaction.

5 characters, 3–4f, 2–3m

The Princess and the Pirate

by Robert C. Gerould

In this original story, an inept pirate and a princess who is being forced into marriage against her will join forces to solve their respective problems. A domineering Queen, her bumbling Captain of the Guard, the prince who is only interested in baseball and the pirate's first mate named Smee, hinders them in their quest. Throw in two ladies in waiting, who have been waiting a long time and you have a fun filled, action packed adventure.

8 characters, 5f, 3m

Alice in Wonderland

adapted by Rosemarie Gerould

Confused? Of course you are. It's Alice in Wonderland with the White Rabbit, chases through the audience, tea parties and of course, the Queen of Hearts. Multiple roles for a small cast keeps the show moving. Produced with adults and children in mind, this play keeps everything humming along and clever dialogue keeps the adults interested. This show can be produced with minimal sets. What a delightful way to introduce children to this classic tale.

6–13 characters, 3–7f, 3–7m

The Reluctant Princess

by Rosemarie Gerould

What if you had been trained for a job all your life and then decided that you weren't really good at it? This is the dilemma our Princess has. The King and Queen can't understand why their daughter is no longer attending citizen meetings and helping with the running of the kingdom. Meanwhile, the Princess tries her hand at mountain climbing, bull fighting, pole vaulting, and dress making (among other professions). Her confidante is the new stable boy (who feels a little lost himself). Add one handmaiden to the mix and you have a great show about self esteem and self worth, all without the audience realizing it. The twist ending will have everyone smiling. Once you read this newly penned fairy tale, you won't be able to resist it.

7 characters, 3–4f, 3–4m

Hansel and Gretel

by Robert C. Gerould

Hansel and Gretel come from a poor family. So poor that their mother makes dinner out of the furniture. The two siblings venture into the forest in search of food and having no breadcrumbs to drop, they leave road signs, held by children in the audience. In the forest they encounter a bumbling witch (all her spells turn into after shave) and an evil witch who is intent on cooking Hansel.

6 characters, 4f, 2m

The Enchanted King

by Rosemarie Gerould

In this original story, two elves have been assigned to guard a fountain of youth, but are frightened away by the sound of someone approaching. Those approaching are a deposed king and his sister who are fleeing from an evil prince who usurped the king's throne. Both end up drinking from the enchanted well, with the king drinking way too much. This show gives an opportunity for young people to perform as the elves and the younger king.

8 characters, 3–5f, 3–5m

Snow White

by Rosemarie Gerould

Our story of Snow White begins when the title character returns to the castle from boarding school. With her return, the Queen is no longer the fairest in the land, according to the mirror. With the aid of her cat, the Queen leaves Snow White in the woods where she is discovered and cared for by a dwarf. There is only one dwarf because the others are on an unauthorized vacation. To keep people from discovering that the others are gone, the one dwarf attempts to portray all of the others. Ultimately, with the help of a handsome prince, the Queen is defeated, the prince and Snow White are united and the dwarf's secret is protected.

5 characters, 3f, 2m

Plays for Children to Perform

It was a Dark and Stormy...

by Rosemarie Gerould

This murder mystery play is sort of Agatha Christie meets Clue. The wealthy owner of a large old house is found lying on the floor and is thought to be dead. The police are called, suspects, and there are many, are interviewed and many theories are debated. After much suspense, the plot is resolved and there is no murder at all. This is a perfect murder mystery for kids, with no violence. There are, however, many quirky characters to play including, the "dead" man's relatives, his lawyer, his banker, the servants, a group of caterers, some spies, the rich next-door-neighbors, a stupid police officer and a police inspector who faints at the mere mention of blood.

The cast is easily adjusted to accommodate most group or class sizes.

This play has roles for 25–30 children, middle school level