"Character Matters II" Musical Play by Bad Wolf Press
Bestseller!
    • 30-minute musical play for grades 1-5
    • Includes the script, teacher's guide, and audio recording (which contains a vocal and instrumental version of each song)
    • NO familiarity with Character Matters I is required
    • Simple to do - no music or drama experience needed!

    The Fairy Tale Advice Council is back...with more character education for the stars and villains of folk tales! Can Hansel and Gretel teach the witch to be a good neighbor (as opposed to, uh, eating them)? Why didn't Snow White ever thank the Seven Dwarves? This show has all the answers, as students learn through traditional tales and silly jokes.

    Please scroll down to read the script, listen to the songs, read reviews, and get all the details about the play (plot, curriculum/content, educational standards, and vocabulary).

    Item # Description Availability Qty Break Price Quantity
    PLAY - For individual teachers or directors
    Order 1 copy of play for each teacher/director who will be using it. Includes permission to print/photocopy for all participating actors. Mix and match 2 or more plays to get them for $35 each.
    CHA2-PL-DIG
    Downloadable Version of Play
    - You will receive a PDF and MP3 files
    Download 1
    2+
    $45.00
    $35.00
    CHA2-PL-PRI
    Printed Version of Play
    - You will receive a Spiral-Bound Book and Audio CD
    In Stock 1
    2+
    $45.00
    $35.00
    CHA2-PL-DUO
    Duo Version - Download AND Printed Book
    - You will receive 1) a PDF and MP3 files, and 2) a Spiral-Bound Book and Audio CD
    In Stock 1
    2+
    $55.00
    $45.00
    SITE LICENSE VERSION OF PLAY - For whole schools or grade levels
    Order 1 site license per school/site. Includes permission to print/photocopy for all participating students AND teachers. Why a site license? Because it's cheaper than ordering 3+ individual copies of the play.
    CHA2-SL-DIG
    Downloadable Version of Site License
    - You will receive a PDF and MP3 files
    Download 1 $90.00
    CHA2-SL-PRI
    Printed Version of Site License
    - You will receive 3 copies of the Spiral-Bound Book and Audio CD
    In Stock 1 $90.00
    Extra/Replacement Audio Recordings
    CHA2-AU-DIG
    Downloadable Audio Files
    - You will receive a ZIP file containing individual MP3s
    Download 1 $12.00
    CHA2-AU-PRI
    Audio CD
    In Stock 1 - 9
    10+
    $12.00
    $6.00
    CHA2-AU-DUO
    Downloadable Audio Files (MP3) + Audio CD
    In Stock 1 $20.00
    Sheet Music
    CHA2-MU-DIG
    Downloadable Sheet Music (PDF)
    Download 1 $12.00
    CHA2-MU-PRI
    Printed Sheet Music
    In Stock 1 $12.00
    CHA2-MU-DUO
    Downloadable Sheet Music (PDF) + Printed Sheet Music
    In Stock 1 $20.00

    $0.00



    Key Terms and Concepts

    • The Golden Rule (treat others as you want them to treat you; put yourself in another's shoes)
    • Trying hard and not giving up
    • Difference and tolerance: don't judge a book by its cover
    • Being a good neighbor
    • Showing gratitude and forgiveness
    • Being polite
    • Dealing with bullying
    • Taking care of the environment

    Character Matters II is a great, non-threatening way to get students thinking and talking about character issues. 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: 978-1-886588-43-1
    © 2008 Bad Wolf Press, LLC

    Song Samples

    Full Song List

    1. Character Matters Too
    2. Gratitude
    3. I Don't Wanna Be a Bully
    4. It Pays to be Polite
    5. Never Give Up
    6. Take Good Care
    7. Helpful Neighbor
    8. The Golden Rule
    9. Stop! Don't Do It!
    10. Character Matters Too (reprise)


    Casting

    Flexible casting from 11-40 students.
    Use as many Rangers, Ducklings, Rates, etc. as desired;
    one student can easily play several roles. Note that all roles
    can be played by either boys or girls; see our comments on
    page 37 of the Teacher's Guide.

    Script

    This is the first one-third of the script:

    CHARACTERS:

    Rapunzel
    Cinderella
    Humpty Dumpty
    Snow White
    Dwarves (2)
    Billy Goats Gruff
    Troll
    Little Red Riding Hood
    Princess (and the pea)
    King
    Queen
    Miller's Daughter
    Rumpelstiltskin
    Messenger
    Prince
    Rangers
    Witch
    Hansel and Gretel
    The Boy Who Cried "Duck!"
    Ducklings
    The Golden Rule Singers
    Pied Piper
    Rats
    and a CHORUS comprised of all students who are not playing roles on stage at the time.

    (Entire CLASS faces the audience and sings:)

      Song 1 - Listen now!

    CLASS:
    Math and science are important
    Reading is good for you
    But when it comes to good decisions
    Character matters too.

    Even folks who live in folktales
    Struggle to think things through
    Yes even in enchanted kingdoms
    Character matters too.

    Oh
    Pied Piper
    Don't get mad like that
    Oh
    Pied Piper
    I think I smell a rat!

    Rumpelstiltskin's not behaving
    What can an ogre do?
    And even for poor Sleeping Beauty
    Character matters too.

    Snow White's been dissing the Seven Dwarves
    Things are not as rosy as they seem
    Life has been tough for Three Billy Goats Gruff
    The Ugly Duckling needs some self-esteem.

    Math and science are important
    Reading is good for you
    But when it comes to good decisions
    Character
    Character
    Character matters too.
    (STUDENTS sit in a large semi-circle around stage, facing
    the audience. RAPUNZEL, CINDERELLA, and HUMPTY
    DUMPTY walk to front of stage and address the audience.)

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

    CINDERELLA: And I'm Cinderella.

    HUMPTY DUMPTY: And I'm Humpty Dumpty. We're delighted
    you're here for our meeting of the Fairy Tale Advice Council.

    RAPUNZEL: Today's meeting is special because this is the
    very first time Cinderella and Humpty have been on the Council.

    HUMPTY: It's so exciting. We get to give advice to fairy
    tale characters who find themselves in a bind.

    RAPUNZEL: Even us fairy tale folk don't always know
    what's best to say or do in tough situations.

    CINDERELLA: Like when it was
    midnight at the ball and my
    carriage turned back into a yam.

    HUMPTY: A yam? I thought it was a pumpkin.

    CINDERELLA: No, it was a yam. I should know, I was sitting
    on it. It took those mice FOREVER to drag me home.

    RAPUNZEL: But it all had a happy ending, which is what we
    like to see. Humpty, what's our first case today?

    HUMPTY (looking at a list): Ooh, looks like trouble
    between old friends. It's Snow White and the Seven Dwarves.

    (SNOW WHITE and TWO DWARVES appear)

    RAPUNZEL: Welcome.

    CINDERELLA: Hey, I only see two dwarves. Aren't you short
    a few dwarves?

    DWARF #1: Is that some sort of comment?

    CINDERELLA: Oh no, I'm sorry. I just thought there were
    seven of you.

    DWARF #2: It's the recession---we've been downsized.

    (CINDERELLA starts to say something, but RAPUNZEL
    cuts her off)

    RAPUNZEL (to CINDERELLA): Don't even go there.
    (TO the newcomers)
    Now, what seems to be the problem?

    SNOW WHITE: My friends are very upset with me, and it's
    so, well, upsetting.

    DWARF #1: Of course we're upset! After all we did for you.

    DWARF #2 (to Council): And she never even stopped to thank
    us. Just rode off into the sunset with her prince without a word of
    gratitude.

      Song 2 - Listen now!

    DWARVES:
    We never faltered
    We never shirked
    We even whistled
    While we worked.

    But did she thank us
    As she now claims?
    She never never ever really knew our names.

    SNOW WHITE:
    That's not true
    One was Lumpy
    Maybe not
    Was it Stumpy?
    Was it Bob or Billy...oh poor me!

    DWARVES:
    See?!

    CHORUS:
    Gratitude
    Gratitude
    It's the proper attitude
    Take time and don't be rude
    It's the proper attitude
    Be thankful, show some gratitude.

    DWARF #1(spoken): And what about when she ate the poisoned
    apple!

    DWARVES:
    We did the Heimlich
    And CPR
    And when she woke up
    SHE's the star!

    She got Prince Charming
    She got the fame
    She never never ever really knew our names.

    SNOW WHITE:
    That's not true
    One was Lumpy
    Maybe not
    Was it Stumpy?
    Was it Bob or Billy...oh poor me!

    DWARVES:
    See?!

    DWARVES and CHORUS:
    Gratitude
    Gratitude
    It's the proper attitude
    Take time and don't be rude
    Its the proper attitude
    Be thankful, show some gratitude.
    Be thankful, show some gratitude.

    RAPUNZEL: Snow White...do you have something you'd like
    to say to your friends?

    SNOW WHITE (to DWARVES): I'm terribly sorry. You were so
    kind and helpful. I just got caught up in that fairy-tale ending and forgot.
    Thank you. Thank all of you very much.

    DWARF #1: Oh, that's okay.

    DWARF #2: And our names ARE kind of hard to remember.

    (THEY hug)

    HUMPTY: That's so nice to see. It's always good to be
    thankful. You know, I can never remember the names of all
    seven dwarves myself. What are they?

    DWARF #1: Sorry, we can't say them aloud.

    DWARF #2: They're copyrighted. Every time we call each
    other we owe Disney 10 bucks.

    (DWARFS and SNOW WHITE EXIT)

    RAPUNZEL: Well, that worked out nicely. Humpty, who's next?

    HUMPTY (looking at list): Our next appointment is with...

    (HUMPTY is interrupted by the loud entrance of THREE
    BILLY GOATS GRUFF and TROLL)

    BILLY GOAT GRUFF #1: This has GOT to stop. I can't take
    it anymore.

    TROLL: But I've changed my ways.

    BILLY GOAT GRUFF #2: Oh sure. The last time you told me
    that you tried to EAT me.

    TROLL: It was just a nibble.

    BILLY GOAT GRUFF #3: All that was sticking out of your
    mouth was a foot.

    TROLL: Okay, it was a BIG nibble. But I don't DO that
    kind of thing anymore.

    HUMPTY: Wait a minute, wait a minute. Who ARE you?

    BILLY GOATS GRUFF: We're the Billy Goats Gruff.

    BILLY GOAT GRUFF #1: And this is a Troll.

    HUMPTY: I'm sorry, but you're not on the list. You'll
    have to wait.

    BILLY GOAT GRUFF #2: But we CAN'T wait! He's gonna
    EAT us!

    CINDERELLA: Is that true?

    TROLL: NO! I want to be their friend.

    BILLY GOAT GRUFF #3: Every time we get to his bridge, he
    tries to swallow us.

    TROLL: That was before! I USED to be a big bully. I
    thought it was cool eating people on the bridge. But it WASN¹T
    cool. I know that now. Being a bully is never cool.

      Song 3 - Listen now!

    TROLL:
    Yeah I'm a troll it's true
    I guard a bridge or two
    I eat folks like you if you attempt to pass

    I'm tired of this work
    'Cause all I do is lurk
    When tales need a jerk that's how I am cast.

    TROLL and CHORUS:
    But I don't want to be a bully anymore
    I don't wanna be the villain I have been before
    I will be an ogre folks adore
    I don't want to be a bully anymore.

    TROLL:
    Yeah when it's said and done
    We bullies have no fun
    Always on the run, nobody cares for me

    I wanna walk the street
    With friends that I don't eat
    Billy goats I meet I'll invite to tea.

    TROLL, GOATS, and CHORUS (TROLL
    and GOATS put arms around each other):

    But I don't want to be a bully anymore
    I don't wanna be the villain I have been before
    I will be an ogre folks adore
    I don't want to be a bully anymore.
    I don't want to be a bully anymore.

    (ALL exit. LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD enters holding an
    envelope.)

    LITTLE RED:

    Hi there. I'm Little Red Riding Hood, and this is the part
    of the meeting where I introduce this month's winner of the
    Good Manners award. You may remember what a polite child I
    am. When I saw the wolf in my grandmother's bed, I said things
    like "Grandmother, what big eyes you have." And, "Grandmother,
    what big teeth you have." But I was just being polite. What I
    was thinking was, "Grandmother, what happened to you? Were
    you in some horrible accident?" My politeness paid off, though,
    giving the Hunter time to save all of us. And now, this month's
    Good Manners award goes to...
    (SHE opens envelope)
    The Princess from The Princess and the Pea.

    (CHORUS applauds. PRINCESS, KING, and QUEEN enter.
    LITTLE RED exits.)

    PRINCESS: Thank you, thank you. I'm so honored. I'd like
    to thank my agent for getting me the gig, and especially the King and Queen
    here for deciding to test me.

    KING: It was our pleasure.
    (to audience)
    We had to make sure she was a very polite princess if she
    was to marry our son.

    QUEEN: So we came up with a whole slew of tests to see how
    she would respond. The pea under the mattress was just one small part
    of the evening's examination.

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

    Overall Customer Rating:
    review-star review-star review-star review-star review-star
    Customer Reviews: 4

    Glenwood, IA

    Rating:
    review-star review-star review-star review-star review-star

    Pros:
    Cons:
    Character Matters 1 & 2 were fun for all!

    We love Bad Wolf Press plays. This year we presented two shows on the same night, Character Matters 1 & 2. The children, grades 3 - 5, had a lot of fun working on the musicals. The music is fun. The songs and script are easy to learn. The children also learned a lot to in the process about how to act in different situations. The audience loved the presentation of both plays and gave the children a standing ovation. It was a wonderful evening for all.
    review image  

    Scotts Ridge Elementary

    Rating:
    review-star review-star review-star review-star review-star

    Pros:
    • great for 4th grade
    • life lessons
    • flexible
    Cons:
    Wonderful Musical

    Character Matters II is a wonderful musical with fun-loving humor and life-long lessons throughout the drama. The show is extremely adaptable and flexible to fit your needs. We had 51 speaking/singing solo/duet parts, 2 choirs singing the chorus, and a stage crew - making our cast 127 strong. It was an amazing experience for all of our 4th grade students.


    Rating:
    review-star review-star review-star review-star review-star

    Pros:
    Cons:
    Great for camp

    The performance went very well! The program was for our summer Musical Theater Camp; 18 children participated, ages 7–13. Both the kids and the parents really enjoyed it. I know I thought it was great! The music and lines were very well written. Their performance took about 35 minutes from start to finish and then we had a Q & A with the audience. The kids made some very simple stage props and scenery and used simple costumes like hats and sashes. Thank you for offering such friendly scripts!



    Rating:
    review-star review-star review-star review-star review-star

    Pros:
    • Easy to add characters to the script
    Cons:
    Character Matters II

    This was the easiest and most fun play that we had ever done. Everybody absolutely loved it. It was humorous and very entertaining. The first grade students thoroughly enjoyed singing and performing for their parents and the school. Thank you for making it so manageable.



    Additional Comments and Reviews:

    "A smash hit -- over the top, fabulous! And, of course, so much fun. I LOVED this musical; the kids LOVED the musical. The gal who did Miller's Daughter literally begged me to do the part. She glowed as she sang. And the princess. A quiet girl I didn't know even had a voice just opened up one day and sang tunefully, beautiful. All of the characters were amazing. So thanks. You guys are the best. And I'm buying more musicals for next year."

    ---Betty Carlson, Teacher (5th grade), Westview Elementary, Champaign, IL


    "I have done many of your plays but I have to say this one is my favorite. The humor, music and script made it a show everyone enjoyed. Love it, love it, love it! It was great!"

    ---Melissa Deck, Teacher (2nd grade), St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School, Kenner, LA


    "We performed our play today and it was a big hit! The adults really enjoyed the humor and everyone just loved the characters and the music! Thanks for producing such a wonderful play!

    "I also wanted to let you know that one of the best things about the play was that we were able to have our special education students be a part of it. The parents really appreciated that."

    ---Seema Raufr, Teacher (3rd grade), Mill Creek Towne Elementary School, Gaithersburg, MD


    "This was very simple to direct and produce. My students performed it seven times in front of nearly a thousand people. We ALL thoroughly enjoyed it!"

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


    "We loved the songs, the funny lines in the script and the CD. "

    ---Elain Smith, Teacher (2nd grade) Darlington Lower School, Rome, GA


    "So easy to put on -- catchy tunes."

    ---Betty Dunn, Teacher (4th grade), Valley Elementary, Beaver Creek, OH


    "Great play -- great characters."

    ---Paige Sorbo, Teacher (3rd grade), Gateway School, Ridgecrest, CA


    "Packed with great lines from start to finish."

    ---Betty Carlson, Teacher (5th grade), Westview Elementary, Champaign, IL


    "The kids and parents enjoyed the performance. We definitely got rave reviews!"

    ---Jaime Ruhl, Teacher (4th and 5th grades), Buckner Elementary, Buckner, KS


    "This is a great play. It's straightforward and the kids loved both watching and participating in it."

    ---Susan Irving, Teacher (3rd-5th grades), Redlands First United Methodist Church, Redlands, CA


    "I LOVE the music!!"

    ---Rich Howell, Founder, EnRiching Education, Nevada City, CA

    Common Core and Other National Standards

    Character Education

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

    History/Social Studies

    National Core Arts Standards


    Vocabulary

    enchanted
    ogre
    carriage
    recession
    downsize
    falter
    shirk
    Heimlich
    CPR
    copyrighted
    nibble
    troll
    lurk
    (to be) cast
    adore
    first-born
    gig
    examination
    slew
    contract
    vegetation
    SUV
    ecologically sound
    Hummer
    mass transit
    oath
    resuscitation
    deforestation
    old growth
    environment
    endangered species
    lass
    greenhouse gasses
    sustainable harvesting
    biodiversity
    ecosystem
    biosphere
    snag
    intervention
    vacancy
    recognition
    typo
    plump
    finger food
    crude
    soy sauce
    marinade
    dill
    guilty conscience
    swan dive
    waddle
    scowl
    foul
    revenge
    mock
    rodent
    rhythm
    luring
    vermin
    yodel
    jigs
    waltzes
    polkas
    "smell a rat"
    "in a bind"
    "diss"
    "said and done"
    "ride off into the sunset"
    "get caught up in something"
    "on the run"
    "air tight"
    "second wind"
    "caught red-handed"
    "cramp my style"
    "go bad"
    "Thick and thin"
    "an offer she couldn't refuse"
    "make them pay"

    Number of questions: 0

    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.