Five Plays from the Children's Theatre Company of Minneapolis was first published in 1975. Minnesota Archive Editions uses digital technology to make long-unavailable books once again accessible, and are published unaltered from the original University of Minnesota Press editions. Among the notable productions of the Children's Theatre Company of the Minneapolis Society of Fine Arts, a leading exponent of children's theater in this country, have been plays that are adaptations of classics in children's literature. This volume makes available the scripts of five of these adaptations, along with illuminating information about the productions and the company itself. The plays include two adaptations by Frederick Gaines, two by Timothy Mason, and one by Richard Shaw. Mr. Gaines's plays are based on Washington Irving's The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol.One of Mr. Mason's plays, Kidnapped in London, is an adaptation of part of Master Skylark by John Bennett, and the other, Robin Hood: A Story of the Forest, is based on part of the Robin Hood legend. Mr. Shaw's play is an adaptation in Kabuki form of the Grimms' fairy tale Sleeping Beauty. Linda Walsh Jenkins writes a general introduction and commentary. Background information about each play includes excerpts from discussions among directors, composers, designers, and playwrights about the plays themselves and about various phases of the development of the productions. Highlights of the history of the Children's Theatre Company and of the aims and accomplishments of its director, John Clark Donahue, are given, and these will be of particular interest to anyone in the children's theater field. The photographic illustrations, which include a number in color, show various aspects of Children's Theatre Company productions. There are also musical examples from the original scores for the plays.

This third edition of Index to Children's Plays in Collections updates and expands upon the two previous editions with a wide diversity of dramatic literature for children published between 1975 and 1984.

As topical today as when it was first published in 1938, this book tells of Bartholomew Cubbins (from Caldecott Honor winner Bartholomew and the Oobleck) and his unjust treatment at the hands of King Derwin. Each time Bartholomew attempts to obey the king’s order to take off his hat, he finds there is another hat on his head. Soon it is Bartholomew’s head that is in danger . . . of being chopped off! While The 500 Hats is one of Dr. Seuss’s earliest works, it is nevertheless totally Seussian, addressing subjects that we know the good doctor was passionate about: abuse of power (as in Yertle the Turtle), rivalry (as in The Sneetches), and of course, zany good humor!

Key Change: New Musicals for Young Audiences presents four groundbreaking musicals developed by Children’s Theatre Company, widely regarded as the leading theatre of its kind in North America. These works embody singular styles and sounds, yet all represent the robust spirit of unique people finding their way in the world. They are all sure to entertain, including the Broadway hit A Year with Frog and Toad. The quirky Tale of a West Texas Marsupial Girl, by Lisa D’Amour, with music by Sxip Shirey, is set in a town unprepared to accept a girl born with a pouch. But eventually, with the help of her friend Sue, everyone comes to understand just how wonderful Marsupial Girl is. Madeline and the Gypsies—adapted by Barry Kornhauser from the popular book by Ludwig Bemelmans, with music by Michael Koerner—gives little Madeline and her friend Pepito a taste of circus life after they get lost at a carnival and Gypsies carry them away. In Buccaneers! (written by Liz Duffy Adams, with music by Ellen Maddow) a girl leads the young pirates who capture her toward a better life through her wits and tenacity. A Year with Frog and Toad chronicles the unlikely friendship of silly Toad and responsible Frog that endures all seasons. Based on the classic books by Arnold Lobel, adapted by Willie Reale, with music by Robert Reale, it made its mark on Broadway and was nominated for three Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Each of these musicals guarantees a distinctive, delightful theatrical experience. Now teachers and children far and wide can read them in one volume and produce them in their own schools, theatres, and communities.