family plays - dramatic publishing company...14 aubrey the snowflake production notes properties...

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Family Plays

Aubrey the

SnowflAke

Book by

Marina Stockdale

Music and lyrics by

Martha Griffith

MuSicAl

© Family Plays

311 Washington St., Woodstock, IL 60098-3308Phone: (800) 448-7469 / (815) 338-7170

Fax: (800) 334-5302 / (815) 338-8981

www.FamilyPlays.com

ISBN-10 0-88680-287-3 ISBN-13 978-0-88680-287-5

Aubrey the Snowflake

Aubrey the SnowflAkeThe success of Marina Stockdale’s William’s Window, an introduction to Shakespeare’s plays for young children, prompted her to write this modern, make-believe tale. With lively, contemporary-sounding music and lyrics by Martha T. Griffith, Aubrey the Snowflake will delight children of all ages.

“It provides an avenue for creative expression and role-playing with a potential for fun ... Music is lively and simple for children to learn.” (Brigham Young University’s Children’s Book and Play Review)

Musical. Book by Marina Stockdale. Music and lyrics by Martha Griffith. Cast: flexible. There are roles for a cast of five to more than 100 to be portrayed by either men or women performers of any age. Aubrey is a snowflake in a hurry—in such a hurry, in fact, that she floats to the ground before winter has really set in. And you know what happens to snowflakes when it gets warm. With the help of some friends, like the ice cream Buddy Bars, and in spite of some grumpy unfriends, like a cold, cold heart, Aubrey lives happily ever after all winter long as a dancing, glittering snowflake. Aubrey the Snowflake is designed to be extremely flexible in its staging and presentation. The piece can be presented by young children for their peers, or by adults for child audiences. The play’s premier performances were done by elementary schoolchildren for their peers. Costumes and set may be elaborate or simple. Five delightful songs for children’s voices, aged kindergarten and up. An entire class may be on stage. Approximate running time: 30 minutes. Music score available. Demo/accompaniment CD available. Code: AJ2.

© Family Plays

AUBREY THE

By

MARINA CALL STOCKDALE

Lyrics and Music by

MARTHA T. GRIFFITH

A 'Stage Magic' Play

I. E. CLARK PUBLICATIONS

www.ieclark.com

Family Plays311 Washington St., Woodstock, IL 60098

© Family Plays

*** NOTICE ***The amateur and stock acting rights to this work are controlled exclusively by FAMILY PLAYS without whose permission in writing no performance of it may be given. Royalty must be paid every time a play is performed whether or not it is presented for profit and whether or not admission is charged. A play is performed any time it is acted before an audience. Current royalty rates, applications and re-strictions may be found at our website www.FamilyPlays.com, or we may be con-tacted by mail at: FAMILY PLAYS, 311 Washington St., Woodstock, IL 60098.

COPYRIGHT LAW GIVES THE AUTHOR OR THE AUTHOR’S AGENT THE EXCLUSIVE RIGHT TO MAKE COPIES. This law provides authors with a fair return for their creative efforts. Authors earn their living from the royalties they receive from book sales and from the performance of their work. Conscientious observance of copyright law is not only ethical, it encourages authors to continue their creative work. This work is fully protected by copyright. No alterations, de-letions or substitutions may be made in the work without the prior written consent of the publisher. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, videotape, film, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permis-sion in writing from the publisher. It may not be performed either by professionals or amateurs without payment of royalty. All rights, including, but not limited to, the professional, motion picture, radio, television, videotape, foreign language, tabloid, recitation, lecturing, publication and reading, are reserved.

© 1987 by MARINA STOCKDALE and MARTHA T. GRIFFITH

Printed in the United States of AmericaAll Rights Reserved

(AUBREY THE SNOWFLAKE)

ISBN: 978-0-88680-287-5

For performance of any songs, music and recordings mentioned in this play which are in copyright, the permission of the copyright owners must be obtained or other songs and recordings in the public domain substituted.

© Family Plays

AUBREY THE SNOWFLAKE

Cast

(5 perfonners, male or female, may play all the roles)

Aubrey, a happy, eager snowflake

His friends (4 to 30 or more Speakers)

Leaf, the last one on a Maple tree

Buddy Bars (2 or more)

Man, a real meanie

Heart, a cold, cold one

Th e first perfonnances of Aubrey the Snowfolke were done simultaneously un Friday, February 13, 1987, with ch ildren from the third grades at tl•e lierkt:l�y Preparatory School in Tampa, Florida, and the first through the third grade• at the Lawrence Country Day School in Hewlett, New York, participating.

IMPORTANT BILLING AND CREDIT REQUIREMENTSAll producers of the play must give credit to the author(s) of the play in all pro-grams distributed in connection with performances of the play and in all instances in which the title of the play appears for purposes of advertising, publicizing or otherwise exploiting the play and/or a production. The name of the author(s) must also appear on a separate line, on which no other name appears, immediately following the title, and must appear in size of type not less than fifty percent the size of the title type. Biographical information on the author(s), if included in the playbook, may be used in all programs. In all programs this notice must appear:

“Produced by special arrangement with Family Plays of Woodstock, Illinois”

© Family Plays

ABOUT THE PLAY

Aubrey the Snowflake is designed to be extremely flexible in its staging and presentation. There are roles for a cast of five to more than 100. All of the roles can be portrayed by either male or female performers of any age, kindergarten to adult. The piece can be presented by young children for their peers, or by adults for child audiences. Costumes and set may be as elaborate or as simple as the designer wishes.

The play's premiere performances were done by elementary school children for their peers, therefore the stage directions in the script and in the Production Notes are directed toward young actors.

The success of Marina Stockdale's William's Window, an introduction to Shakespeare's plays for young children, prompted her to write this modern make-believe tale. With lively, contemporary-sounding music and lyrics by Martha T. Griffith, Aubrey the Snowflake will delight children of all ages.

© Family Plays

14 AUBREY THE SNOWFLAKE

PRODUCTION NOTES

Properties

Wands with colorful autumn leaves or streamers (optional)

Sound Effects

1) Ice-cream truck bell 21 Thump-thump, thump-thump 3) Thump-thump, thump-thump, whoosh. thump-thump

Costumes

In the original production the performers wore sweatsuits. Aubrey's was white, the Leaf's was yellow. The Heart (red or black) had a "crack" down the middle. The Buddy Bars wore beanies full of large, hand-fashioned peanuts.

The Set

The initial performance utilized a simple backdrop with three-dimensional snowflakes. The stage was bare.

For the opening of the show the performers were placed as follows:

0 @ 0 @ ®

0 @ 0 0

0 Aubrey

0 Speaker 4

0 Speaker 3

0 Speaker 2

0 Speaker 1

@@8 @@@ (Sitting) (Sitting)

Speakers 18, 19, 25, 28, and any additional

are in the back of the auditorium at opening

DR staors DL stairs

© Family Plays

AUBREY THE SNOWFLAKE 15

Choreography & Mime

The songs in this play are just right for fun-filled choreography and mime by the cast_ Some of the movement used in the original production is given here:

"WINTER"

AUBREY. [Skip in and sing] Winter! I can 't wait for winter [shake head]. I wonder where I 'II be this year [hands out]. In a snowman's ear [left hand to ear], Or nose [left hand to nose].

[Speaking] Maybe toes. [Left hand to toes. Sing]

Winter! [Right hand out] I'm ready for the winter [hop, hands on hips]. I'll sit like icing on a cake. Frosting on a lake [glide out both hands] That froze [hands up].

CAST. [Singing} Winter! [AUBREY puts hands behind back] Tell me what could be better.

There's nothing like winter weather To make you feel alive. I 've always loved . _. [AUBREY puts right thumb to chest]

AUBREY. [Singing] Winter! What could I be this winter? [Hands out] An igloo for an eskimo {rest right finger on chin]. There's so much snow can do .

In winter! {Look at audience] I'm really into winter {right then left hand over chest]. I wish that it would come to stay [both hands point to floor]

So I could play.

Don't you! [Right hand points to audience] CAST. [Singing] Winter! {AUBREY puts hands behind back]

Tell me what could be better. There's nothing like winter weather To make you feel alive. I've always loved [AUBREY puts right hand on chest] Winter. {AUBREY puts hands out]

"LEAF'S SONG"

LEAF. [Singing] It's the leaving time of year {point out right thumb as if to hitchhike a ride].

All the other leaves have left me here [point to floor]. Just as lonely as can be [hands out]. And I thought I wanted comp any Till you splashed down on me! [Point to

It's the time for leaves to leap. [Tries to jump, but right foot won't move] Time to tumble down in one big heap [roll arms, ending with hands out]. And I'd like to tumble, too [hands on hips}, But I feel like I'm stuck on with glue [tries to pull right foot off ground} Now what am I to do? [Hands out]

© Family Plays


CAST. {Singing} 'Cause fall is the only time that leaves get to play {hands out}. We dress in different colors al most every single day {hands on hips or wave

wands]. And if the wind is feeling good, It takes us for a whirl- {slow circle with hands over head] Just as high as eagles fly {hands spread out over head}. It'll make your edges curl! {Roll fingers down in front of face]

LEAF. {Singing] It's the leaving time of year {right thumb in hitchhiking posi· tion}.

And I'm out here on a l imb, it's clear {hands out]. Still I'm glad that you're with me {hands on hips], 'Cause I reall y wanted company And I hope that you don't disappear {shake head], ·cause it's the leaving time of year! {Cross arms, then out]

"BUDDY BARS"

BUDDY BARS. {Singing} We're Buddy Bars {swaying to music], The absolute stars {free hands up] Of this show. "Nobuddy" else that we know {hands down] Is as good as we are {free hand point to self]We're Buddy Bars! {Hand out]

The finest ice cream. Mere popsicles dream {free hand to haad] About us. We know we're worth all the fuss {hand over heart] And we're really quite proud Of our own crowd I

CAST. {Singing] But the most important thing is that we're Buddies! {ALL sway, joining arms]

And we stick together just like friends shoul d do. And if you would like to come and be "somebuddy"Buddy! {Hands up then back] We would all be glad to stick to you! {Arms out]

"COLD HEART"

HEART. {Singing} I'm a cold heart {ALL except Aubrey snap fingers} ... A very cold heart-You can spell me C-0-L-D. I'm a cold heart, A very cold And no one up to me.

{Singing} And if you're happy as you please {shake hands by I'm gonna make you freeze {hug self], And if you're feeling real nice {nod}, 1"11 turn you into ice [alternate pointing to the floor with index fingers. At

same time, roll shoulders with the beat of the music], 'Cause I ' m a cold heart-Very C-0-L-D {snsp fingers].

HEART. {Singing] I'm a cold heart, • • •

© Family Plays


CAST. [Singif!g} And when you're all alone [hands out], I'll get as hard as stone [hands on hips], And pretty soon you'll be [face right] Just as nasty as me! [Right hand to audience] 'Cause I'm a cold heart [right thumb to chest]Very C-0-L-D [snap].

"AUBREY'S SONG"

AUBREY. {Singing] I miss the sun, I miss the moon, And I miss the other snowflakes. Here all alone {hands out] With no friends in sight, I won't be surprised if my heart breaks [right hand over heart].

I was going to dance with the wind {hands up over head], And shine in mid-air like a star [follow hands with body and stand]. I had dreams for this winter And now they all seem very far Away {spread arms]. I had dreams for this winter [sit], And now they're all so far away.

I miss the sun, I miss the moon, And I miss the other snowflakes ...

"WINTER: Reprise"

(Same movements as before)

The Music

17

A piano/vocal score and an audio cassette tape with the complete show-words and music-on Side A and piano accompaniment only on Side Bare available from the publisher. Consequently the accompaniment may be live piano music, or the taped accompaniment.

Order the score and/or tape from:

I. E. CLARK PUBLICATIONS

311 Washington St., Woodstock, IL 60098-3308Phone: (800) 448-7469 / (815) 338-7170

Fax: (800) 334-5302 / (815) 338-8981

www.FamilyPlays.com

Available From

© Family Plays


[Bare stage. AT RISE: SPEAKERS 1, 2, 3, and 4 are lined up at

Center, perpendicular to the curtain line, shielding AUBREY, who is behind them. Other actors, if used, are a"anged picturesquely around the stage (see Production Notes, p. 14)]

SPEAKER 1. There was once a very happy- {Step Right] SPEAKER 2. -very eager- [Step Left} SPEAKER 3. -very excited snowflake- [Step Right} SPEAKER 4. -named Aubrey. [Step Left, revealing Aubrey. (NOTE:

The entire play may be performed by these 5 actors. Distribute the following lines as needed to fit your cast.)}

SPEAKER 5. He was a beautiful snowflake with snow crystals that shinunered like diamonds. [AUBREY moves Down Center, bows and kneels]

SPEAKER 6. Aubrey was also a great friend. SPEAKER 7. When a bit more snow was needed for a snowball, the

other snowflakes could count on Aubrey. SPEAKER 8. He was always ready for flurries and fun, especially

this time of year. SPEAKER 9. The air was beginning to blow cool with a brisk nip. SPEAKER 10. This made Aubrey more eager-

SPEAKER 11. -more excited-SPEAKER 12. -and happier than usual. SPEAKER 13. He knew that the cold chill meant he would soon be

floating out of a winter sky to the ground below. SPEAKER 14. One day, as Aubrey drifted through the icy air on a

puffy cloud, a snowdevil whirled before him. SPEAKER 15. He sprang to attention as that snowdevil spun wisps

of fine powder on his cloud. SPEAKER 16. [Skeptically] Why was he so excited? A snowdevil is

just a windy twirl of tinySPEAKER 17. -tiny-SPEAKER 2. -tiny- [Move Down Left to Speaker 20] SPEAKER 4. -snowflakes. [Move Down Left to Speaker 2] SPEAKER 20. I know that. But Aubrey so eager that the simple

snowdevil grew in his eyes to a

© Family Plays


SPEAKER 21. [In a superior tone} You should never make a blizzard out of a snowdevil.

SPEAKER 22. Well, Aubrey did! SPEAKER 23. His eyes were shining brightly as the wisps of fine

powder spun on his cloud. AUBREY. [Jumping up} This is it! It's finally freezing cold, and that

means it's time for the first snowfall. Yippee!! [He spins off Down Left}

SPEAKER 24. And he leaped from the cloud and started his long trek to the ground.

SPEAKER 10. Aubrey was absolutely thrilled. SPEAKER 26. He tried to decide what he'd do first. SPEAKER 27. Would he be part of a snowman? . . . SPEAKER 3 . . . . or an igloo? . . . SPEAKER 29. . . . or perhaps he would merely rest on the branch

of a large evergreen and listen to the steady sweep of an icy winter wind.

Music No. 1: "WINTER"

[AUBREY skips on from Up Center to Down Center during song's

introduction. (NOTE: See Production Notes for suggestions for

movement during the songs.)}

AUBREY. [Singing} Winter! I can't wait for winter. I wonder where I'll be this year. In a snowman's ear, Or nose.

SPEAKER 16. [Speaking} In his nose? AUBREY. [Speaking} Maybe toes. [AUBREY s ings:}

Winter! I'm ready for the winter. I'll sit like icing on a cake. Frosting on a lake That froze.

CAST. [Singing} Winter! Tell me what could be better. There's nothing like winter weather To make you feel alive. I've always loved . . .

[During this stanza any remaining CAST MEMBERS may enter from

the back of the auditorium and march to the stage, splitting in two,

© Family Plays

AUBREY THE SNOWFLAKE 3

with half going to the Down Right stairs and the other half to the Down Left stairs}

AUBREY. [Singing} Winter! What could I be this winter? An igloo for an eskimo. There's so much snow can do.

SPEAKER 18. [Speaking} You mean "snow much," don't you? AUBREY. [Speaking} Exactly! [Points to Speaker 18. Singing:]

In winter! I'm really into winter. I wish that it would come to stay So I could play. Don't you!

CAST. [Singing] Winter! Tell me what could be better. There's nothing like winter weather To make you feel alive. I've always loved Winter.

[During this chorus, the entire CAST moves on stage forming a semicircle around Aubrey. They remain in this formation for the duration of the play except when playing specific roles. AUBREY spins off Down

Left on applause] SPEAKER 13. Now Aubrey was so busy thinking about the winter

wonderland to which he was floating that he didn't notice the air around him warming up.

SPEAKER 2 1. I knew it! He jumped from his cloud too soon. I told him not to make a blizzard out of a snowdevil!

SPEAKER 19. Down Aubrey drifted to the warmer earth below. SPEAKER 7. He soon spied a lovely, tawny, orange-colored leaf. It

was the perfect spot to rest. SPEAKER 25. Down, down, down, then . . . [AUBREY spins to

Center from Down Left. The LEAF spins to Center from Down (LEAF may be part of the cast circle, or a new actor)]

CAST. PLOP! . . . [The CAST puts hands on knees. AUBREY and LEAF bump at Center]

SPEAKER 11. . . . went Aubrey on the colorful maple leaf. LEAF. OUCH! AUBREY. Oh! I'm terribly sorry. I had no idea that I was so heavy.

© Family Plays

4

LEAF. You're also awfully wet! AUBREY. Wet?


LEAF. Yes, wet. Now move along before that nasty drip, drip, drip of yours ruins my beautiful colors.

AUBREY. I don't understand. LEAF. What is there to understand? You're melting! Why on earth

are you here so early? {LEAF brushes himself] AUBREY. Early? SPEAKER 28. For the first time, Aubrey looked around. [AUBREY

slowly tums in a small circle during the next three speeches. He stares

intently at his su"oundings]

SPEAKER 8. The world he saw was not the winter wonderland he expected. Instead, Aubrey was face to face with the colors of late au

tumn. {The circle of ACTORS may wave wands with colorful autumn

leaves or streamers]

SPEAKER 1. The maple leaf was right. He was the only snowflake in sight, and from the look of the growing puddle beneath him, Aubrey was melting.

SPEAKER 21. {Haughtily] When you make a blizzard out of a snowdevil, you'll probably end up muddled in a puddle.

AUBREY. What am I going to do? LEAF. Please, please, I can't be bothered with that soggy sniveling.

I've problems of my own. Look down there on the ground. What do you see? {Points to floor]

AUBREY. [Looks down] Leaves!

LEAF. Look up here on this tree. What do you see? [Points to selfl

AUBREY. {Looks at Leaf] Leaf! LEAF. Exactly! I'm the last leaf on the tree. I shake, shiver, rattle,

and rustle, but I can't leave no matter how hard I try.

Music No. 2: "LEAF'S SONG"

LEAF. {Singing] It's the leaving time of year. All the other leaves have left me here. Just as lonely as can be. And I thought I wanted company Till you splashed down on me!

AUBREY. {Speaking] I SAID I was sorry! LEAF. {Speaking] Don't interrupt. {Singing:]

It's the time for leaves to leap.

© Family Plays

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