The Emperor’s
New Clothes is a great complement to your curriculum
resources in elementary school language arts. 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: 978-1-886588-01-1
© 1995 Bad Wolf Press, LLC
Song Samples
Full Song List
1. "We've Got a Story So Exciting"
2. "He Loves Clothes"
3. "People With Class"
4. "A Barrel of Diamonds"
5. "We’re Assistants to the Crooks"
6. "Don’t You Love My Fresh Donuts?"
7. "Would You Like Some New Tables?"
8. "Do You Like My New Furnace"
9. "Everybody Hit the Street"
10. "People With Class"
11. "I’ve Gotta Do It"
12. "Oh Isn’t He Splendid!"
13. "We’ve Got a Story So Exciting"
Casting
Flexible casting from 11-40 students.
Use as many Palace Workers, Bakers, etc. as desired.
One student can easily play several roles if needed. Note that all roles
can be played by either boys or girls; see our comments on page 31
of the Teacher's Guide.
Script
This is the first one-third of the script:
CHARACTERS:
Advisors to the Emperor
The Emperor
Crooks
Palace Workers
Assistants to the Crooks
Baker
Carpenter
Furnace Repairman
Organizers of the Harvest Festival
Child
Parent
A chorus of many children is required, individual members of which will
also take turns as narrators.
Song 1 -
Listen now!
ENTIRE CAST:
We've got a story so exciting
A tale that everybody knows
We've got a story so revealing
About an emperor with no clothes.
We've got a story so exciting (CLAPS)
A tale that will not let you doze
We've got a story that'll grab you (CLAPS)
About an emperor with no clothes.
Our emperor is wise
Our emperor is fair
Whenever there is a problem
Our emperor is there.
We've got a story so exciting
[Three or four members of
the chorus echo immediately:]
(We've got a story so exciting)
A tale that we're quite glad we chose
We've got a story so revealing
(We've got a story so revealing)
About an emperor with no clothes.
Our emperor is kind
And generous as well
And whenever we may need him
Our emperor can tell.
We've got a story so exciting
(We've got a story so exciting)
A tale that everybody knows
We've got a story so revealing
(We've got a story so revealing)
About an emperor with no clothes
About an emperor with no clothes.
NARRATOR (The narrators' lines are always spoken):
This is a happy kingdom. As in every kingdom, there are many good
people, and a few rotten ones. Fortunately, the emperor is one of the
good
people. Here are is advisors, who are going to tell us about the emperor's
most amazing hobby:
Song 2
ADVISORS:
When he's emperored all day
And emperored all night
When he's tired and crabby
And not feeling right.
He heads for his closet
And oh what a sight!
There is his one greatest favorite delight!
He loves clothes, brand new clothes
Socks never worn put him under a spell
And shirts with that wonderful new-smelling smell.
He loves clothes, brand new clothes
Pants with a crease make him feel like a king
Which he is-aren't clothes the most marvelous thing!
Our kingdom is happy
We all wear a smile
Our farms are so fruitful
For mile after mile.
The harvest looks splendid
We'll all make a pile
So it's only fitting
That our ruler has style, has style, has style.
He loves clothes, brand new clothes
Belts and suspenders and polka-dot ties
With boots for his feet and cool shades for his eyes.
He loves clothes, brand new clothes
Pants with a crease make him feel like a king
Which he is-aren't clothes the most marvelous thing!
(CROOKS enter)
NARRATOR: Here are two of the rotten people in the kingdom.
They're pretending to be
famous fashion designers, but they're really crooks. They don't know
how to sew at all! They're trying to fool the emperor.
CROOK: Your highness, aren't you ready for a real cool outfit?
Something you could wear to the Harvest Parade and everyone
would look?
EMPEROR: Oh, I don't know.
CROOK: Snap to it, Highness-this is your chance! We're not talking
about normal, boring clothes. We've got something special in mind for
you!
EMPEROR (smiles): Hmmnn!
Song 3 -
Listen now!
CROOKS:
Imagine a fabric as subtle as glass
Such luster, such sheen
It can only be seen, be seen
Be seen by people with class.
EMPEROR (spoken): Interesting!
CROOKS:
We'll make you some clothes now
That none can surpass
With sparkle so keen
They can only be seen, be seen
Be seen by people with class.
EMPEROR: I really shouldn't.
CROOKS:
You've got a sense of style unequalled.
EMPEROR: I do, don't I?
CROOKS:
Such taste, as everybody knows.
EMPEROR: Well, yes, it's true.
CROOKS:
Soon all the people will be talking
EMPEROR: They really like my outfits.
CROOKS:
About the emperor with new clothes.
EMPEROR: Absolutely!
CROOKS:
Imagine a fabric as brilliant as brass
With sparkle so keen
It can only be seen, be seen
Be seen by people with class.
EMPEROR: Great stuff! Let's do it!
CROOKS, EMPEROR, AND CHORUS:
Imagine a fabric as brilliant as brass
With sparkle so keen
It can only be seen, be seen
Be seen by people with class
It can only be seen, be seen
Be seen by people with class
Be seen by people with class.
NARRATOR: The crooks announce that they require all the best
materials, all the most expensive supplies in the kingdom to make this
wonderful new set of clothes for the emperor. The palace workers can
barely carry in all the treasure.
(PALACE WORKERS carry materials and put them inside a room
where the CROOKS will work. The room is marked off by a door.)
Song 4 -
Listen now!
PALACE WORKERS :
A barrel of diamonds
A basket of gold
These tailors want all that our storerooms can hold.
A barrel of silver
A basket of silk
And thirty-three gallons of chocolate milk!
Man they've got a lot of jewels
Golden thread on golden spools
Wonder what the emperor must pay
Hey hey hey hey
Man they've got a lot of stuff
Nothing seems to be enough
Never knew how much rich stuff could weigh.
A barrel of rubies
A basket of lace
These tailors want genuine pearls by the case.
A trunk full of velvet
Gold buttons to sew
And thirty-three anchovy pizzas to go!
PALACE WORKERS AND CHORUS:
Man they've got a lot of jewels
Golden thread on golden spools
Wonder what the emperor must pay
Hey hey hey hey
Man they've got a lot of stuff
Nothing seems to be enough
Never knew how much rich stuff
could weigh.
Rich stuff could weigh.
(This concludes the first one-third of the script.)
"It was funny, had good songs, and a great ending! My kids have
gained a
lot of confidence in performance situation. I think many of them will have
a
lot less fear of public speaking, etc. We learned a lot of team skills
in working
together. We learned how to practice towards perfection."
---Steve Eberhard, Teacher, (4th-6th grade), Springdale Elementary, Sprindale,
UT
"I did The Emperor's New Clothes for the first time last year,
and we are doing it again in about two weeks. I love it. First of all,
it is funny---that makes me happy. Secondly, it is easy. Last year I
was a little stressed about everything coming out okay. This year---I'm
not worried a bit. It's fun, bonding, and a great opportunity for all
kids."
---Michele Demotte, Teacher (3rd grade bilingual), Mammoth Elementary,
Mammoth Lakes, CA
"It was short, fun, and had a easy story. The kids loved performing
it ---the 6th-8th graders approached it as if we were an adult group
performing for an audience of children. It brings kids together through
teamwork. Shy students get a chance to shine through fun and singing---a
legal way to 'act out.' "
---David Johnson, Teacher (6th-8th grade and kindergarten), Marshall
School, Duluth, MN
"Thank you so much for creating wonderful shows that work well
for teachers, kids and audiences alike. We just performed The Emperor's
New Clothes at my school in Germany. What started out as a quick filler
for testing week afternoons turned into a main stage production! We
were only planning on showing it to the parents, but the second grade
was studying fairy tales and the other third graders wanted to see their
friends and the whole school laughed at the clever dialogue and clapped
along to the songs."
---Judi Harvin, Teacher (3rd grade), Spangdahlem Elementary School,
Spangdahlem, Germany (US Military)
"Honestly, the show was wonderful. It had a good length, an
ease of production, fun songs and way of telling a story, and plenty
of roles for all. The musical was very fun and easy to produce. It was
certainly the highlight of our school year. It provided a fun and interactive
way to meet language arts curriculum goals, and the children gained confidence
in their presentation skills."
---Craig Gyergyo, Teacher (2nd grade), Mercer Area Elementary, Mercer,
PA
"I love the music and the humorous elements of the script. My students
grow in their level of responsibility and commitment to a task."
---Dawn Craven, Teacher (3rd grade), Railroad Canyon School, Lake Elsinore,
CA
Common Core and Other National Standards
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
advisor
crabby
crease
marvelous
fruitful
splendid
fashion designer
subtle
luster
sheen
surpass
keen
unequalled
require
tailor
spool
rubies
lace
bold
divine
peek
gape
bust
sprout
guava
dashing
smashing
behold
goose-bump
paper-mâché
delicately
visible
adjust
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