Musical Play: "Character Matters"

Will Humpty Dumpty take responsibility for his fall? Can Baby Bear forgive Goldilocks -- and will Goldilocks apologize, or just take the porridge and run?

Key Concepts

• The Golden Rule (treat others as you want them to treat you; put yourself in another's shoes)
  
• Have the courage to do what you think is right
  
• Difference and tolerance: don't judge a book by its cover
  
• Patience
  
• Regret and forgiveness
  
• Responsibility
  
• Role models
  
• Kindness and caring
  
• Listening
  
• Honesty
  
• Dealing with anger and bullies
  
• Thinking ahead

Filled with humor and fantastic songs, Character Matters is a non-threatening and wildly fun way to spark classroom discussion about character issues and conflicts (when, for example, should you be honest and when should you avoid hurting someone's feelings?). And, like all of our plays, this show can be used to improve reading, vocabulary, reading comprehension, performance and music skills, class camaraderie and teamwork, and numerous social skills (read about it!) -- all while enabling students to be part of a truly fun and creative experience they will never forget!

Publication Information

Author: Ron Fink (Composer) and John Heath (Book and Lyrics)
ISBN: 978-1-886588-32-5
© 2005 Bad Wolf Press, LLC

Song Samples

Full Song List

1. "Character Matters"
2. "The Golden Rule"
3. "You've Gotta Forgive Her"
4. "Not Bricks"
5. "Count to Ten"
6. "It Wasn't Me"
7. "Be Honest"
8. "Difference"
9. "Show Some Kindness"
10. "Character Matters" (reprise)

Casting

Flexible casting from 11-40 students.
Use as many Princesses, Mice, Friends, etc. as desired;
one student can easily play several roles. Note that all roles
can be played by either boys or girls.

CHARACTERS:

Rapunzel
Prince
Witch
Little Red Riding Hood
Wolf
Princesses
Papa Bear, Momma Bear, Baby Bear
Goldilocks
3 Little Pigs
Cinderella
Cinderella's mice
Humpty Dumpty
Dumpty's Friend
Magic Mirrors
Jack
Giant 

and a CHORUS composed of all students who are not playing roles on stage at the time.

Script

This is the first one-third of the script:

(Entire CLASS faces the audience and sings:)

HALF CLASS:
We've got a show
A story that features
Fairy tale folk
And fairy tale creatures.

OTHER HALF of CLASS:
Trying to live
And deal with each other
Like you and me
They soon will discover

ENTIRE CLASS:
Character matters
You must care how you act
Character matters
As a matter of fact
Character matters
'Cause you are what you choose
Character matters
It's one thing you can't lose.

HALF CLASS:
Jack stole the goose

OTHER HALF:
I think he needs mentoring

HALF CLASS:
Goldilocks, no!

OTHER HALF:
She's breaking and entering

HALF CLASS:
Poor Little Red

OTHER HALF:
We're gonna need tissues

HALF CLASS:
Wolf's gonna lie

OTHER HALF:
He clearly has issues.

ENTIRE CLASS:
Character matters
You must care how you act
Character matters
As a matter of fact
Character matters
Cause you are what you choose
Character matters
It's one thing you can't lose.

(STUDENTS sit in a large semi-circle around stage, facing the audience.
RAPUNZEL, PRINCE, and WITCH walk to the front and address the audience.)

RAPUNZEL: Hello. I'm Rapunzel. From the fairy tale.

PRINCE: And I'm a handsome prince.

WITCH: And I'm a formerly evil witch. We're here today to moderate the monthly meeting of the Fairy Tale Advice Council.

PRINCE: Each month the council gathers to give advice to fairy tale characters.

RAPUNZEL: That's right. Everyone finds themselves wondering how to act or what to do in certain situations.

WITCH: Even those of us in folk stories.

PRINCE: Take me, for example. Why am I always the "handsome" prince? Why can't I be the "witty" prince? Or the "talented" prince? Or the "artist formerly known as prince" prince? It's frustrating.

RAPUNZEL: I'm sorry you feel that way. But you really are quite handsome.

PRINCE: Yes, that's true.

WITCH: And now it's time for the meeting of the council. But first...donuts! (SHE waits, but nothing happens. SHE tries again.)
Donuts! DONUTS!

RAPUNZEL (pause): Um, I don't think there are any donuts.

WITCH: What? I'm sure somebody was supposed to bring them.
Maybe they're not here yet. Well, who's first on the list?

PRINCE (reading from clipboard): First up today is Little Red Riding Hood.

(LITTLE RED, her FRIENDS, and the WOLF come to the
front of the stage.)

WITCH: So, Little Red, what seems to be the problem?

LITTLE RED: My friends and I caught Mr. Wolf trying to eat my grandmother.

PRINCE (to WOLF): Is that true?

WOLF: I can't help it. It's my job.

FRIEND #1: How could you do that?

WOLF: I was thinking I would start with her toes.

FRIEND #2: That's not what we mean. You know it's wrong to eat people.

LITTLE RED: Especially beloved grandmothers.

WOLF: Eating people is wrong? Why?

FRIEND #1: Haven't you ever heard of the Golden Rule?

WOLF: Is that like the infield fly rule?

LITTLE RED and FRIENDS: No!

LITTLE RED and FRIENDS:

Stop stop stop Mr. Wolfie
Think before you act
Stop stop stop Mr. Wolfie
Don't make grandma your snack.

Think think think Mr. Wolfie
Walk in grandma's shoes
How how how would you like it
If grandma swallowed YOU?

LITTLE RED, FRIENDS, and CHORUS:
The Golden Rule
The Golden Rule
Oh it's a very useful tool
To figure out what you're to do
The Golden Rule
The Golden Rule
At work and play at home and school
Treat others like you want them to treat you.

LITTLE RED and FRIENDS:
Woh woh woh Mr. Wolfie
Don't it get your goat?
When when when people see you
As just a nice fur coat?

Think think think Mr. Wolfie
Walk in grandma's shoes
How how how would you like it
If grandma swallowed YOU?

LITTLE RED, FRIENDS, and CHORUS:
The Golden Rule
The Golden Rule
Oh it's a very useful tool
To figure out what you're to do
The Golden Rule
The Golden Rule
At work and play at home and school
Treat others like you want them to treat you.

(THEY exit. RAPUNZEL, PRINCE, and WITCH come forward.)

RAPUNZEL: So, Prince. Who's next on the list?

(A PRINCESS jumps up with two other PRINCESSES, raising hand, shouts:)

PRINCESS #1: Oooh, ooh! Take us, take us!

WITCH: And who are you?

PRINCESS #2: We're princesses!

PRINCE (looking at his clipboard): Hmmn. Nope, I'm sorry. It's not your turn.

PRINCESS #3: Pleeeeeeeeeease!

RAPUNZEL: Sorry, my dear. Be patient. Everybody will get a chance.

PRINCESSES: But we're PRINCESSES!

(THEY sit down)

PRINCE: Next up are Papa Bear, Momma Bear, Baby Bear, and Goldilocks.

(THEY come up to the front of the stage)

WITCH: So how are things in the woods?

BABY BEAR: Terrible. We caught HER (points to Goldilocks)
eating my food and squishing my chair and sleeping in my bed.

MOMMA BEAR: She was so cute all tucked up in the covers.

BABY BEAR: She was drooling on my pillow!

GOLDILOCKS: I'm really sorry. I was lost. It was cold.
And everything of yours was JUST RIGHT.

PAPA BEAR: We've been telling Baby Bear that he needs to learn forgiveness.

PAPA and MOMMA BEARS:
You've gotta forgive her
You can't bear a grudge

BABY BEAR:
She at all my porridge
She at all my fudge!

PAPA and MOMMA BEARS:
You've gotta forgive her
And move on ahead

BABY BEAR:
I'd rather stay angry
And eat her instead.

GOLDILOCKS:
Ly, ly, ly, ly, ly, ly
I'm so sorry
Ly, ly, ly, ly
I made a mistake
Ly, ly, ly, ly, ly
Can you forgive me?
Please give me a break.

PAPA and MOMMA BEAR:
You gotta forgive her
Forget about lunch

BABY BEAR:
But look in the parlor
My CHAIR is all crunched!

PAPA and MOMMA BEAR:
You gotta forgive her
And stop seeing red

BABY BEAR:
I'd rather stay angry
And sit on her head.

GOLDILOCKS:
Ly, ly, ly, ly, ly, ly
I'm so sorry
Ly, ly, ly, ly
I made a mistake
Ly, ly, ly, ly, ly
Can you forgive me?
Please give me a break.

GOLDILOCKS and CHORUS
Ly, ly, ly, ly, ly, ly
I'm so sorry
Ly, ly, ly, ly
I made a mistake
Ly, ly, ly, ly, ly
Can you forgive me?
Please give me a break.

BABY BEAR:
I gotta forgive her
She's filled with regret
I know she is sorry
Forgive and forget

ALL THREE BEARS and CHORUS:
We learned a good lesson
Forgivingness rocks
We gotta forgive her
And change all the locks
We gotta forgive her
Forgive Goldilocks.

GOLDILOCKS: (BEARS sing background "oooh")
Ly, ly, ly, ly, ly, ly
I'm so sorry
Ly, ly, ly, ly
I made a mistake
Ly, ly, ly, ly, ly
Can you forgive me?
Please give me a break.

GOLDILOCKS, BEARS, CHORUS:
Ly, ly, ly, ly, ly, ly
I'm so sorry
Ly, ly, ly, ly
I made a mistake
Ly, ly, ly, ly, ly
Can you forgive me?
Please give me a break.

(THEY exit. RAPUNZEL, PRINCE, and WITCH come forward.)

PRINCE (reading off clipboard): Okay. Three Little Pigs, you're up.

(THEY come forward, along with the WOLF---the same wolf as in Little Red)

PIG #1 (to PIG #3): I'm telling you, you're taking this house-building thing way too seriously.

PIG #2 (to PIG #3): Yeah. Mellow out, man.

PIG #3: Am I the only responsible pig around here?
Look at this wolf. (points to Wolf) Don't you think he wants to eat us?
Don't you think we need a nice, strong house made out of bricks to keep him out?

WITCH: Excuse me. Sorry to interrupt. (to Wolf)
But aren't you the same wolf who was trying to eat Little Red's grandmother?

WOLF: Well...yes. What's your point?

RAPUNZEL: Her point is that we thought you had learned a lesson about this sort
of thing, about the Golden Rule.

WOLF: Oh I did. Really. I'm just filling in for the Wolf in this story...he's got a cough
and isn't able to huff and puff today.

PRINCE: You're a sub?

WOLF: Sure. You know, helping out a friend in need. I thought you'd be proud.

PIG #3: Does that mean you're not going to try to eat us?

WOLF: Oh, no. I'm still going to give it my best. Try hard. Persevere.
I'm kind of a role model, don't you think?

PIG #3 (to other Pigs): See?

PIGS #1 and #2: Relax!

PIG #1:
Not bricks
Not bricks
They're way too heavy, dude
Use straw
Use straw
We'll finish fast then grab some food.
We'll grab some food.

PIG #2:
Not bricks
Not bricks
That's too much work you fool
Use sticks
Use sticks
We'll finish fast then hit the pool.
We'll hit the pool.

PIG #3:
Oh, I've got to do what I think's right
Straw and sticks are just too light
Only bricks are strong enough
To withstand Wolfie's huff and puff
So call me names but I won't bite
I've got to do
Got to do what I think's right.

WOLF:
Not bricks
Not bricks
They're way too strong and tough
Not bricks
Not bricks
I guess I'll leave now in a huff.
Leave in a huff.

PIGS and CHORUS:
Oh, I've got to do what I think's right
Straw and sticks are just too light
Only bricks are strong enough
To withstand Wolfie's huff and puff
So call me names but I won't bite
I've got to do
Got to do what I think's right.

(This concludes the first one-third of the script.)

Overall Customer Rating:

Customer Reviews: 18

Write a review!

Read all reviews

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Sue V.

Review Date: 6/3/2022

Rating:

Pros:

Cons:

They Loved It

Character Matters was so appropriate for my first graders! We waited until the end of the year so most of the students could read and they loved it. Every time we mention a fairy tale from the musical, they all start singing. It gave us a good platform to discuss traits of character that apply to our own lives. I have used Bad Wolf Press with upper elementary students and I knew I would find what I needed for first graders.

---

Rosie DLG - 1st Grade Teacher

Laredo, Texas 78045

Review Date: 4/25/2020

Rating:

Pros:

• Easy to teach

Cons:

• Distance Learning

Character Matters

I have been using Character Matters for the last 12 years. My students and parents love it. I have a collection of costumes and props. Parents look forward to our first grade muscial every year.

---

Patricia Monk

Review Date: 9/4/2019

Rating:

Pros:

Cons:

FABULOUS

It's FABULOUS! We are taking it slowly, learning one song every week. We are following your suggestions to not let the kids know which parts they've been assigned to yet. We are practicing each scene together and everybody practices every part. I've bought costumes and decided which props and costumes the children will create. Everyone is involved, everyone has a part, and it's fabulous!

---

Deanna Rainey Poe

Northport, AL

Review Date: 6/4/2019

Rating:

Pros:

• music
• character education
• plenty of roles

Cons:

Character Matters play

I bought this play for my 4th grade class. At first, I was nervous that they would think it was for younger aged kids. However, they loved it! They identified with the situations in the play and we were able to have open dialogue about what it means to be a good person, be honest, etc. They enjoyed singing the songs and practicing. It was a really nice way to purposefully fill time following our state test. My administration loved that I was incorporating music, reading, acting, and character all in one!

---

Stacy Carignan

Review Date: 5/2/2019

Rating:

Pros:

Cons:

Character Matters

Great script, great songs! The play was easy to adapt to a larger class and we were able to combine two 4th grade classes to perform, it was a fantastic show!

---

LTD4Kids

Glenwood, IA

Review Date: 11/26/2018

Rating:

Pros:

Cons:

Character Matters 1 & 2 were fun for all!

The children enjoyed Alice's Adventures with Idioms so much we decided to give Character Matters and Character Matters 2 a go. We presented both shows on the same night with an intermission in between. This gave us a chance to give each of the children more to do. We were worried at first about them learning 20 songs instead of 10, but they had no problem at all. The children loved the songs and they are so easy to learn. The show and the songs are clever and the children also learned a lot about character and how to act in different situations. The audience loved it too. They were so impressed they gave the children a standing ovation. This is the second time we have used Bad Wolf Press plays and we loved them. The children have a lot of fun putting them on and they are very entertaining for the audience as well. Highly recommended.

 

---

subtiger

China

Review Date: 10/9/2018

Rating:

Pros:

Cons:

A wonderful time this summer

This is our first time to use a play that is from a professional organization like Bad Wolf Press, we used to write plays by ourselves, but there's a big problem, finding good music and songs for kids, we've been struggling with this for a while. occasionally, a Canadian friend recommended Big bad wolf to us, so we could have a such wonderful time this summer, all the kids were happy and even months later, many of them still sing the songs form this play. Thanks a lot!

 

---

Connie Holman

Primary Years Academy, Stockton, CA

Review Date: 5/15/2018

Rating:

Pros:

• Engaging and about important virtues!

Cons:

• some of the music is corny

Character Matters

My school really enjoyed the play Character Matters. The script was engaging and easy to memorize for my 2-5 graders. The music was interesting and easy to remember. A couple of songs need a little updating, but it was overall a fantastic play. I can't tell you how many parents and teachers told me that I did such a great job and the kids should take it on the road! I feel a lot more confident on putting on another play next year! Character Matters II here we come! Thank you for providing us with such a great musical. It was an amazing success!

---

Jjmv

California

Review Date: 3/5/2018

Rating:

Pros:

Cons:

Audio files as needed

I bought the audio files as my children are in this play. I wish they were iTunes or other media format as they are harder to organize on the cell phone for rehearsals with my kids but they do the job.

 

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Lincoln K-8

Review Date: 1/10/2018

Rating:

Pros:

Cons:

Character Matters and Bullies Anonymous

All the 4th graders performed in either play. Parents, staff, and students loved the messages given in both plays.

---

Additional Comments and Reviews:

"This is a great play because the content of it is so important in our everyday classroom experiences. I received many accolades from parents and administration---which, of course, was wonderful for my teacher ego. However, as many times as people told me what a great teacher I was for putting on this amazing musical (my fourth one in a year!), I told them that you guys are the genius behind all of this. I feel guilty getting all the praise, when you make it so easy for me and my kids to shine. The biggest compliment that I have gotten from parents regarding your plays, is the equal distribution of parts -- everyone is a STAR -- no one ever outshines another!!!!

"My favorite part is the adult humor that is integrated into your scripts. Got big laughs when the prince said, "Why do I have to be the 'handsome prince', why can't I be known as the 'artist formerly known as prince'- prince?" Naturally, the kids had no idea about the significance of the line. This being my 4th play, my colleagues are getting very intrigued and wonder how I do it. I've told them how user friendly your plays are. Good news...I've had several teachers who are willing to come over to the dark side with me:) I've given out your catalogue and I think they're just about ready to give it a go!"

---Meredith Fisher, 2nd grade, Evergreen Comm. Charter School, Ashbrook, NC

"Just had to tell you what a smash hit Character Matters was. I have never had this many compliments on a performance (20 years). You guys are great."

--- Marcia Bridges, Music Teacher, Odyssey Elementary, Everett, WA

"What a great show! What a super way to end the year! My class and I had such fun putting it together. I was amazed at how quickly the children learned the songs! The variety of music styles didn't go unnoticed by them and I enjoyed watching their movements as they heard the music for the first time. I couldn't have been more proud of them then I was today. (I wish I had discovered you sooner.)"

---Carla Zimmerman, Teacher (2nd grade), Fermanagh Elementary, Miffletown, PA

"I thought this play was well worth the money. I was able to use the lessons from the play during the day to get my students to use their character."

---Bridgette Rezba, Teacher (1st grade), Virden Elementary, Virden, IL

"Character Matters was very well received by the entire school. My students received loads of praise, fan mail and compliments! Woo-hoo!"

---Nance Contreras, Teacher (5th grade), Lincrest School, Yuba City, CA

"This year's first graders seemed to have a lot of trouble with moral issues. When I came across Character Matters I knew it was just the perfect show for us. The kids loved it and learned a lot. The parents were wowed. I had at least 20 parents, grandparents, and friends come up to me after the show and say how amazed they were that six and seven year olds could do a show of this quality."

---Linda LaPlante, Teacher (1st grade), Glenmoor Elementary, Fremont, CA

"An excellent show and wonderful way to have students teach students. Our 5th and 6th grade Safety Patrol performed for the entire school, had a great time working on the performance and had the students spellbound."

---Dona Cogan, Teacher (5th/6th grade) Ocean Gate Elementary, Ocean Gate, NJ

"I had an autistic student who wanted to play the prince (one of the main roles) in Character Matters. He was very shy and I wasn't sure how it would go, but he really really wanted that part so I let him. He was outstanding! I can't even put to words how amazing your play is for my class as a whole! They just seem to come together, support each other, and shine in their own ways."

---Toni LaMasa, Teacher (2nd grade), Calahan Elementary, Northridge, CA

"Loved it---so did the kids. Huge hit at assembly. An easy way to teach. Kids hummed the melodies at recess, in line, etc for weeks."

---Shirley Deedon, Teacher (6th grade), Valley Presbyterian School, North Hills, CA

"It was a wonderful success! I had 75 actors and a lot of help. It was the first show for the drama club and we were able to include everyone! The parents and faculty couldn't believe how enjoyable and 'professional' the show was. The positive response was overwhelming."

---Beth Dennett, Teacher (1st-5th), Lake Avenue School, Saratoga Springs, NY

"It was a school favorite! We put on three different shows and all were packed! The script is lively and funny -- they especially love the wolf. This was my third year doing this one and kids from lower grades can't wiat to be in my class so they can participate. Good work guys!"

---Kerrie Wisneski, Teacher (4th/5th grade), Cottonwood Creek Elementary, Visalia, CA

"It was a hit and we had a blast. Character Traits is part of our second grade curriculum and the children learned more through this play than through any other technique we've used."

---Carole Gallo and Brenda McWilliams, Teachers (2nd grade -- regular and special education), Heath Brook Elementary, Tewksbury, MA

"I loved the show! The actors loved the lines and had a ton of fun coming up with little actions and dances. They especially liked to tango during the chorus of 'The Golden Rule'! After the show the students often were heard quoting lines to each other."

---Brenda Danielson, Teacher (3rd and 4th grades), Ladysmith Elementary, Ladysmith, WI

"The songs and dialogue were hilarious. Every student gets to be highlight in a song. It is amazing that there are almost no minor roles. It was very equitable. All students feel special and get a chance to shine."

---Lynne Le Forge, Teacher (1st, 2nd and 3rd grades), Sycamore Elementary, Claremont, CA

"The music was awesome and the students were able to easily learn the lyrics, and truly enjoyed singing the songs. We have been studying the character traits schoolwide all year long. The lessons were taught in a fun way that was easy to understand. Since most kids know the fairly tales, it is easy to make the connections.

"The play really motivated our students to do the reading. It also gave them a chance to speak and learn about public speaking. We had students who wouldn't miss a day because they didn't want to miss play practice (we actually had to send two kids home sick!)."

---Cindy Olafson, Teacher (2nd grade), Bilbray Elementary School, NV

"I used this with a mixed-age group class with children aged from 5-13. The very youngest children were our adorable princes and princesses. It worked wonderfully well for us! We tweaked the play quite a bit to work with our larger cast of mixed ages and to relate a little better to our kiwi children, but the play was written in such a way it was easy to adapt. I loved how each there were no real 'main' parts and that all the children had a chance to be a meaningful character and contribute. The parents and school really loved how this play worked in with our school core values."

---Elizabeth Eason (aka The JellyBean Queen!), JellyBeans (For Little Singers and Young Vocalists), Christchurch, New Zealand

"We liked it very much. The humor throughout the play and the directions were terrific! Parents are asking me to do one next year too. It has been a great experience for everyone!"

---Sean Albro, Teacher (5th grade) Bert Karrer Elementary, Marion, TX

"Kids loved it---as well as parents. Never imagined we would do a musical! Fabulous response. Liked the way we could view 'chunks' of plays on your website."

---Jan Grine, Teacher (4th/5th), Glendale Elementary, Baltimore, MD

Common Core and Other National Standards

Character Education

• California Education Code Section 233.5(a)

Language Arts

• Common Core Reading Standards for Literature: K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th
• Common Core Reading Standards: Foundational Skills:
  • K and 1st: Phonological Awareness, Phonics and Word Recognition
  • 2nd: Phonics and Word Recognition
  • 3rd, 4th, 5th
• Common Core Speaking and Listening Standards: Comprehension and Collaboration - 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th
• Common Core Language Standards: Vocabulary Acquisition and Use - 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th
• Common Core Standard 10: Range, Quality & Complexity: Range of Text Types for K-5th

Social Studies

• National Social Studies Standard 4

National Core Arts Standards

• Music - Anchor Standards 4-6
• Theater - Anchor Standards 3-6
• Dance - Anchor Standards 1-6

Vocabulary

mentoring
moderate (verb)
beloved
grudge
parlor
perseverance
Gucci
Dior
genes
poise
fowl
royal
breaking and entering
infield fly rule
"get your goat"
"see red"
vernal equinox
a "good egg"

Frequently Asked Questions About Bad Wolf Products and Licensing

How does your pricing and licensing work?

A: In short: each teacher/director using the play should have a copy of it. That's it! Your purchase gives you the right to use the play with as many classes as you wish, to photocopy the script for your actors, and to put on as many performances as you wish. This one-time purchase gives you a lifetime license. See below for more information on site licenses (for 3+ teachers or whole schools).

Q: What comes in the package?

A: Every musical play comes with the script and a 12-page Teacher's Guide that provides lots of tips and advice for using the play from start to finish. It also includes the audio recording for the play, which has all the songs both WITH and WITHOUT vocals. Sheet music is NOT included with the basic package, but it is available for $12. Extra/replacement CDs are also available for $12.

Every non-musical play comes with the script and the 12-page Teacher's Guide.

Q: I'm just one teacher putting on a play. If I use the play with multiple classes, do I have to purchase multiple licenses?

A: No! Your purchase gives you a lifetime license to be used with as many actors and classes as you wish. If other teachers/directors wish to use the play as well, they will need to purchase their own licenses.

Q: Do I need to purchase scripts for students?

A: No! Your purchase includes permission to photocopy the script for your actors.

Q: What is a "site license"? How do I know if I need one?

A site license is the economical choice when a whole school or grade level wants to put on the same play. Instead of each teacher/director having to purchase a script, the school/site can purchase a site license. This comes with three copies of the play (or one digital download) and permission to make copies for any additional participating teachers, as well as all the actors. You do NOT need to purchase both a site license and individual copies of the play; just buy one or the other.

Q: I understand that I can get two or more scripts for $35 each. Do they have to be the same play?

Nope! The discount applies whether you are purchasing multiple copies of the same show or single copies of multiple shows.

Q: What is the difference between the printed and digital versions? Which one should I get?

There is no difference in terms of content. The printed version of a musical play comes with an audio CD in a plastic sleeve in the back of the book. The digital version comes with two downloadable files: the script (PDF format) and the songs (individual MP3 files compressed in ZIP format). The advantage of the digital version is that you will not pay shipping and you can start using it instantly. Please read the question following this one about the technical requirements for digital files.

Non-musical plays are available in the form of a printed book or a PDF file.

Q: What are the technical requirements for the digital version?

1. You will need to have Adobe Reader (free) or another software application that can open PDF files.
2. You will need to be able to open ZIP files. The vast majority of computers should be able to do this without difficulty. If you wish to download the music directly to your phone or tablet, you will need to download an app that will open ZIP files. Many free ones are available.
3. You will need to have some kind of audio player (such as iTunes or Windows Media Player) that will play MP3 files.

Advanced technical knowledge is not required; but please note that we do not have the ability to offer technical support for issues related to digital files. If you are unsure, it is probably best to stick with the printed version.

Q: What is your return/exchange policy?

A: Bad Wolf proudly offers a 100% guarantee. You can always exchange a product for another or get a full refund. No time limits, no questions.

Q: Is it OK if I edit the script?

A: Yes! Consider the play to be a jumping-off point. You are always welcome to change or omit anything that doesn't work for your class, administration, or parents. You are welcome to rewrite lyrics, lines, or jokes -- or add your own! (The kids love doing this, by the way.)

Q: How long does shipping take?

A: We say that you should allow for one week within the U.S., but most orders are shipped the same day and arrive 1-3 days later. International orders usually take around two weeks to arrive.

Q: Do I need to pay any performance royalties?

A: As long as your admission price is less than $5 per ticket, you never need to pay performance royalties with a Bad Wolf show. If you decide to charge more than $5 a ticket, or if you are using one of our plays for a PAID workshop, camp, assembly, etc., pay only a low 1-2% royalty on gross revenues. See our royalty page to view the rates and pay.