This show has
been performed successfully
by all kinds of students--big kids, little kids, gifted, English language learners--in all elementary grades.
Students can
compare different versions of this classic tale. What are the similarities
and differences in
plot? Character? Theme? Was Jack foolish to sell the cow for three
supposedly "magic"
beans? Would you? Student interest and participation surge when your
kids actually get
to play the characters and sing their thoughts.
Jack and the Beanstalk 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: 978-1-886588-00-4
© 1995 Bad Wolf Press, LLC
Song Samples
Full Song List
1. "This Is the Story"
2. "A Little More Common Sense"
3. "Three Magic Beans"
4. "I’m Gonna Climb that Beanstalk"
5. "He’s Got One Eye" / "I'm a Servant"
6. "Fee, Fi, Fo, Fum"
7. "Cook’s Song"
8. "I Lay Golden Eggs"
9. "I’m Gonna Go Back Home" / "Fee, Fi, Fo, Fum" / "Help Me Mother"
10. "This Was the Story"
Casting
Flexible casting from 8-40 students.
Use as many Farmers, Shepherds, etc. as desired.
Students can also play more than one role.
Script
This is the first one-third of the script:
CHARACTERS:
Jack's Mother
Farmers
Jack
Shepherds
Servant
Giant
Cook
Goose
A Chorus of many children is required, individual members of which will
also
take turns as narrators.
Song 1
ENTIRE CAST (sings): :
This is the story of a boy named Jack
It also has a giant and a goose.
This is the story of a boy named Jack
Who puts a beanstalk to extraordinary use.
Now Jack and his Mom are so poor
That Jack must go out to explore.
He will climb a beanstalk way up high
He will find his fortune in the sky.
This is the story of a boy named Jack
It also has a beanstalk and a goose.
This is the story of a boy named Jack
Who finds out there's a giant on the loose.
A giant with little appeal
Who thinks Jack would make a good meal.
He says Fee and Fi and Fo and Fum,
The giant thinks a juicy meal has come.
This is the story of a boy named Jack
It also has a giant and a goose.
This is the story of a boy named Jack
Who puts a beanstalk
Who puts a beanstalk
Who puts a beanstalk to extraordinary use.
Song 2
MOTHER (sings):
My son Jack is a dreamer
He dreams of adventurous stuff,
He dreams of pirates
He dreams of dragons
As if life weren't tough enough.
My son Jack is a dreamer
But please do not take offense,
But if I could change him
Just slightly change him
I'd give him some common sense
Just a little more common sense.
My Jack's been known to do some silly things
He traded our chickens for a pair of wings
A pair of wings with which he said he'd fly,
He jumped from the barn---
And he broke his arm.
My son Jack is a dreamer
But please do not take offense,
But if I could change him
Just slightly change him
I'd give him some common sense
Just a little more common sense
Just a little more common sense
Just a little more common sense.
NARRATOR (spoken): Times are very difficult for Jack and his mother.
They are
down to their last bit of food. So Jack's mother tells him to take their
old cow---the
only thing they have of value---and sell it so they can buy food. As
Jack walks down
the road, leading his cow, he meets some farmers.
Song 3 -
Listen now!
FARMERS:
We are old farmers
We plant and we plow,
Just some old farmers
Who need a new cow.
We don't have money
But don't go away
Sell us your heifer
And here's what we'll pay:
Three magic beans
How your Mom will prize them
Three magic beans
Plant and fertilize them,
Three magic beans
We're not sure what they do
But give us your cow
And we'll give them to you.
JACK (spoken): My mother says I have to get lots of money for our cow.
Boy,
those beans are pretty.
FARMERS:
We are old farmers
We know what you need
You need excitement
To do a great deed.
You need adventure
A chance to explore
This is exactly
What these beans are for.
FARMERS AND CHORUS:
Three magic beans
How your Mom will prize them
Three magic beans
Plant and fertilize them,
Three magic beans
We're not sure what they do
But give us your cow
And we'll give them to you.
NARRATOR (spoken): Jack buys the beans and he happily brings them back
to his mother.
MOTHER (sings):
Three stupid beans
What good will they do us?
Three stupid beans
What have you done to us?
Three lousy beans
They'll never even sprout
Three lousy beans I can only throw out!
(Jack's MOTHER throws the beans out the window.)
NARRATOR (spoken): Jack's mother throws the beans out the window, and
she
and Jack go to bed hungry.
(The CHORUS stands and links arms to form a horizontal beanstalk.)
NARRATOR (spoken): Early the next morning Jack wakes up to an amazing
sight---
a giant beanstalk in his backyard.
JACK (spoken): Wow.
(JACK moves to the base of the beanstalk)
Song 4 -
Listen now!
Look at it. It's beautiful!
So fresh, so green
The greenest green I've ever seen
With dew-drops so clear they disappear.
I'm gonna climb that beanstalk way up high
I'm gonna find my fortune in the sky.
I'm gonna climb that beanstalk way up high
I'm gonna find my fortune in the sky.
Look at it. It's wonderful!
So wide, so tall
The tallest tall I think of all
From bottom to top, it doesn't stop.
I'm gonna climb that beanstalk way up high
I'm gonna find my fortune in the sky.
I'm gonna climb that beanstalk way up high
I'm gonna find my fortune in the sky.
(JACK "climbs" the beanstalk, going from child to child in
the chain.)
CHORUS: (chants)
And he climbs, and he climbs, and he climbs, and he climbs, and he climbs,
and he...
(JACK faces the audience and sings)
(This concludes the first one-third of the script.)
Additional Comments and Reviews:
"There
are many versions of Jack and the Beanstalk but this
one is the very best. We are having a BALL covering common core standards with this play.
Teaching kids to understand story structure, cause and effect, character motivations, inferences, etc. is so important at this level.
What better way than to dive into all of that than through a musical? What kind of a boy is Jack? The kids had a half-hour discussion on that
in a Socratic circle! And why does the cook rush in with food? The kids actually had to figure out it was to distract the giant from eating Jack.
"I now have a company called Same Day Different Choices and I'm a children's book
author. My series is all about using thoughts, words and actions to
create happiness in life. Jack and the Beanstalk is one of the best
stories out there to teach choice-making strategies. Questions such as, "What
kind of a boy is Jack?" start excellent discussions. Once I asked
what Jack could have done to remedy his life situation other than steal. One
student said that he could have started an adventure tour company up the beanstalk
and paid the giant for the use of his property!
---Kendra Delano, Teacher (2nd grade)/Author, Crystal Lake Elementary, Lake Mary, FL
"Theater is non-existent in our school. Through this play, my first graders learned to retain information, work collaboratively,
follow directions, use expression and perform in front of others. Jack and the Beanstalk influenced active engagement and produced
imaginative hands-on activities in a positive manner. Every type of personality shined in this play. The shyest of my students stood up and sang
solos. Disruptive students learned about patience and self control. Students who struggled academically learned songs and dances and shined
in front of peers, friends and families. One of my quietest girls did the solo of the mother - and blew her own parents away!"
---Laura Fleming, Teacher (1st grade), Fircrest Elementary, WA
"Wow! My class just performed Jack and the Beanstalk last night
for an audience of the school body and many parents. I have never had
a class do such an astounding performance. This was an experience these
third graders will never forget. When were were done, the 5th grade teacher
came up to me and asked, 'How did you get them to learn their parts so
well?' Well, it was the music, of course, and having it on the CD worked
wonders."
---Ruth Brockman, Teacher (3rd grade) North Freedom Elementary, North Freedom,
WI
"The CD with both words and music was invaluable. The children
picked up the
singer's pauses with ease. Every child had an important part. Stage directions
for
scenery was great. It turned out very well. The audience gave them a
standing
ovation. All the parents were very pleased. My principal said it was
the best show
ever given at our school."
---Gayle Jackson, Teacher, (1st grade), La Porte Elementary, La Porte,
TX
"I think that the music is sensational. I began playing the CD
during art time and the
students loved it! Pretty soon, I heard them singing the songs at recess,
lunch, and
even during math. (That I had to curb!) We read Jack and the Beanstalk
as core
literature, so it was great to compare and contrast it with the play.
I find that
performing plays greatly increases self-esteem and instills a sense of
responsibility.
They allow full-class participation and have brought my class closer
together!"
---Judy Tubachnick, Teacher, (2nd grade) Pomelo Elementary, Los Angeles,
CA
"I love the inspirational lyrics...I love that the play integrates
so well into a literature
based, whole language classroom. Most importantly, I love how performing
the play
makes my students feel about themselves: FANTASTIC!"
---Chris Elliott, Teacher (1st grade), La Mariposa School, Camarillo,
CA
"It is so easy to do! My students love the catchy tunes from the first time they hear them. Every student is assigned a role. The more
outgoing ones can have solos and the shy ones can sing in a group or be the storyteller. I love this play!"
---Christine Muneno, Teacher (1st grade), Gulf Avenue School, Wilmington,
CA
"The music and lyrics were easy to sing because the lyrics told
the story as well as
rhyming. My kindergartners did a beautiful job of learning."
---Marlene Smith, Teacher (kindergarten), Jefferson Kindergarten Center,
St. Joseph, MI
"The music is well-liked by children and there are lessons in the
play that children
can learn from. I didn't know it could be so easy to put on a show!"
---Irene Estrella, Teacher (2nd-4th grades), Rosewood Park Elementary,
Montebello, CAS
"Very easy to do as a first play."
---Betsey Wilson, Teacher (Kindergarten), Edgeworth Elementary, Sewickley,
PA
"My first graders performed to a standing room only crowd. We had
parents,
relatives, neighbors, friends, and friends of the parents, relatives,
neighbors
and friends! The audience was so appreciative with their clapping and
whistling,
the children flourished on stage. I'm not sure the children had envisioned
how
excited the audience would get, and the more excited the audience, the
better
the children performed!"
---Cathy Olmstead, Teacher (1st grade), Ludington Area Catholic School,
Ludington, MI
"I first used this play with my first graders about eight
years ago. The
best story that came from that show was Christopher's. His family
was extremely dysfunctional and he was the rebel child. I took
a chance and gave him the role of the giant. He wore a big green
clown wig and he was just fantastic -- the star of the production. The
other children completely accepted him after that."
---Kendra Delano, Teacher (2nd grade)/Author, Crystal Lake Elementary, Lake Mary, FL
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
extraordinary
fortune
appeal
offense
common sense
plow
heifer
fertilize
deed
sprout
horizontal
dew-drop
shepherd
grind
soufflé
glaze
waddle
unique
grateful
Q:
Do you have any restrictions regarding the public videotaping of our live production? Thanks
December 30, 2018 8:55 AM
A:
Hello! Yes, it is permissible to videotape performances of our shows.
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?
- You will need to have Adobe Reader (free) or another software application that can open PDF files.
- 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.
- 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.