"Martina y Perez: A Bilingual Tale" Musical Play
New!
    • 30-minute musical play for grades 2-6
    • Includes the script, teacher's guide (English only), and audio recording (which contains a vocal and instrumental version of each song)
    • Simple to do - no music or drama experience needed!

    Known by several names, Martina y Pérez is a traditional Latin American and Spanish tale about a beautiful little cockroach who is courted by a Cat, Dog, Rooster, and Mouse -- and later cooks a very dangerous pot of onion soup! Our bilingual version features all the familiar characters (including Ratón Pérez, the "Tooth Fairy" of Latin America) singing catchy songs full of Spanish and English vocabulary.

    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.
    MART-PL-DIG
    Downloadable Version of Play
    - You will receive a PDF and MP3 files
    Download 1
    2+
    $45.00
    $35.00
    MART-PL-PRI
    Printed Version of Play
    - You will receive a Spiral-Bound Book and Audio CD
    In Stock 1
    2+
    $45.00
    $35.00
    MART-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.
    MART-SL-DIG
    Downloadable Version of Site License
    - You will receive a PDF and MP3 files
    Download 1 $90.00
    MART-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
    MART-AU-DIG
    Downloadable Audio Files
    - You will receive a ZIP file containing individual MP3s
    Download 1 $12.00
    MART-AU-PRI
    Audio CD
    In Stock 1 - 9
    10+
    $12.00
    $6.00
    MART-AU-DUO
    Downloadable Audio Files (MP3) + Audio CD
    In Stock 1 $20.00
    Sheet Music
    MART-MU-DIG
    Downloadable Sheet Music (PDF)
    Download 1 $12.00
    MART-MU-PRI
    Printed Sheet Music
    In Stock 1 $8.00
    MART-MU-DUO
    Downloadable Sheet Music (PDF) + Printed Sheet Music
    In Stock 1 $16.00

    $0.00



    Martina y Pérez is a great complement to your curriculum resources in language arts and multicultural studies. 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 that they are learning about in the play itself (read about it!) -- all while enabling students to be part of a truly fun and creative experience they will never forget!


    Publication Information

    Author: Lisa Adams and John Heath (Book and Lyrics) and Mike Fishell (Composer)
    ISBN: 978-1-886588-65-3
    © 2016 Bad Wolf Press, LLC

    Song Samples


    Casting

    Flexible casting from 11-40 students.
    Use as many Neighbors, Friends, Wedding Planners, etc. as desired.
    One student can easily play several roles if needed, and individual roles can be doubled up. Note that all roles can be played by either boys or girls; feel free to change names and pronouns (but you probably want to seek consultation on Spanish changes if you're not fluent).

    Script

    CHARACTERS:

    CUATRO NARRADORES (in two groups)
    MARTINA
    CANDY
    HAT
    RING
    RANDOM ADMIRER
    EL PERRO
    EL GATO
    EL GALLO
    EL RATÓN PÉREZ and FRIENDS
    WEDDING PLANNERS (3)
    NEIGHBORS (3)
    EL GRANJERO
    LA ABOGADA
    EL MAESTRO
    LA BOMBERA

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

    This is the first one-third of the script:

      Song 1 - Listen to a clip now!

    CLASS (sings):
    Bienvenidos todos
    Welcome to you all
    Vamos a divertirnos
    We're gonna have a ball.

    Bienvenidos todos
    Welcome to our show
    Entonces empecemos
    Now we're all set to go.

    Había una vez
    A cockroach with such grace
    Una cucarachita bonita
    There also was a mouse
    Un ratón is in the house
    Esta es su historia—
    We're sure that it won't bore-i-ya.

    Bienvenidos todos
    Welcome to you all
    Vamos a divertirnos
    We're gonna have a ball.

    Bienvenidos todos
    Welcome to our show
    Entonces empecemos
    Now we're all set to go.

    (CLASS sits. NARRADORES UNO and DOS stand.)

    NARRADOR UNO: Bienvenido a nuestra obra de teatro, Martina y Pérez.

    NARRADOR DOS: Yes, welcome to our play. The story of Martina the little cockroach—

    NARRADOR UNO: ¡La cucarachita!

    NARRADOR DOS: —and Pérez the mouse—

    NARRADOR UNO: El ratón!

    NARRADOR DOS: —is told in many different forms all throughout the Spanish-speaking world.

    NARRADOR UNO: ¡El mundo de español!

    NARRADOR DOS (stares at Narrador Uno): Are you going to keep doing that?

    NARRADOR UNO: ¿Haciendo qué?

    NARRADOR DOS: That. Repeating everything I say.

    NARRADOR UNO: No. But I think you should speak some Spanish. Ésta es una obra bilingüe.

    NARRADOR DOS: ¡Oh, claro! (turns back to audience) Sólo tenemos treinta minutos. (SHE holds up three fingers on one hand and makes a zero with the other.) So let's get started.

    NARRADORES (in unison): ¡Sigamos con el espectáculo...on with the show!

    (THEY sit. MARTINA enters.)

    MARTINA (addresses audience and waves): ¡Hola!

    Audience (one can hope): ¡Hola!

    MARTINA: Me llamo Martina, y soy una cucaracha. I just found this (SHE picks up gold coin from the ground). What luck!

    (CANDY, RING, and HAT enter.)

    CANDY: ¡Qué suerte! What will you buy with it?

    RING: Sí, ¿qué vas a comprar?

    MARTINA: No sé. I'm not sure.

    HAT (sidling up to her): You'd look great in a beautiful...yellow...hat.

    CANDY: No no, ¡cómprame! Who can resist candy?

    RING (to others): No se molesten Martina. Besides, she wants a purple ring... (turns back to MARTINA) ...don't you?

    MARTINA (looking fretful): Es difícil elegir. There are so many lovely, colorful things to choose from.

      Song 2 - Listen to a clip now!

    CANDY, HAT AND RING:
    So many colors
    Red, green, and blue
    Rojo y verde, azul
    Tantos colores
    What will she choose?
    Candy, a hat, or a jewel?

    CANDY:
    Soy un caramelo
    A sweet little fellow
    Buy me now buy me today!
    Delicioso
    That is what I know so
    Cómprame, cómprame, hey!

    ALL THREE:
    So many colors
    Red, green, and blue
    Rojo y verde, azul
    Tantos colores
    What will she choose?
    Candy, a hat, or a jewel?

    RING:
    Anillo morado
    And here is my motto:
    Buy me now buy me today!
    Soy precioso
    That is what I know so
    Cómprame, cómprame, hey!

    ALL THREE:
    So many colors
    Red, green, and blue
    Rojo y verde, azul
    Tantos colores
    What will she choose?
    Candy, a hat, or a jewel?

    HAT:
    Sombrero amarillo
    The best of the trio
    Buy me now buy me today!
    Soy grandioso
    That is what I know so
    Cómprame, cómprame, hey!

    ALL THREE and CHORUS:
    So many colors
    Red, green, and blue
    Rojo y verde, azul
    Tantos colores
    What will she choose?
    Candy, a hat, or a jewel?
    Candy, a hat, or a jewel?

    MARTINA: Yo quiero...el sombrero amarillo.

    HAT: Woo-hoo!

    RING: ¡Ay de mí!

    CANDY (clutching chest): ¡Mi corazón roto!

    (THEY exit. NARRADORES TRES and CUATRO stand.)

    NARRADOR TRES: So those other narrators weren't joking.

    NARRADOR CUATRO: ¿Bromeando sobre qué?

    NARRADOR TRES: You're telling me this story is actually about a COCKROACH?

    NARRADOR CUATRO: Oh, sí. Una cucaracha muy bonita.

    NARRADOR TRES (still skeptical): A very pretty cockroach?

    NARRADOR CUATRO: Sí, claro. Es un cuento popular, a folktale. ¿Cuál es el problema?

    NARRADOR TRES: Oh, nada...

    (THEY sit. MARTINA enters. The actor playing HAT can be with her, or she can be wearing an actual hat.)

    MARTINA (waves): ¡Hola!

    Audience: ¡Hola!

    MARTINA: Todo el mundo le gusta mi sombrero. I've gotten so many compliments already!

    RANDOM ADMIRER: Hey, nice hat!

    MARTINA: See? (SHE smiles up at the sky.) Hace sol. Me voy a sentar en mi patio.

    (SHE sits down. PERRO, GATO, and GALLO enter.)

    PERRO: ¡Hola, Martina!

    MARTINA: ¡Hola!

    GATO: We all want to marry you.

    MARTINA (shocked): ¿Qué?

    GALLO: He said, "Nos queremos casar contigo."

    MARTINA (still shocked): What?

    PERRO (to GATO and GALLO): ¡Caballeros, vamos a cantar!

    MARTINA (looks alarmed): Sing? ¿Por qué?

    GATO: To show our love, of course!

    GALLO: Sí, para mostrar nuestro amor.

    MARTINA (covering ears, putting finger over lips): En voz baja, por favor.

    PERRO: You heard the lady! Loud as you can!

    GATO: Sí, con voces muy fuertes.

      Song 3 - Listen to a clip now!

    (PERRO steps forward and THEY sing:)

    PERRO:
    Me llamo Perro; I've got love to spare-o
    Me gusta cantar para ti, ti, ti.
    I will sing loudly
    Con orgullo. So proudly!
    Si oyes mi voz, you'll pick me, me, me.

    (sings in an overly loud, silly voice)
    One two three
    Four five six
    Seven eight nine ten!

    (MARTINA covers ears and cringes. PERRO steps back, disappointed, and GATO steps forward.)

    GATO:
    Me llamo Gato and you've won the lotto!
    Me gusta cantar para ti, ti, ti.
    I will sing loudly
    Con orgullo. So proudly!
    Si oyes mi voz, you'll pick me, me, me.

    (loud and silly)
    Uno dos tres
    Cuatro cinco seis
    Siete ocho nueve diez!

    (MARTINA looks even more disturbed by the loud noise. GATO steps back, disappointed, and GALLO steps forward.)

    GALLO:
    Me llamo Gallo and I've got real sty-o! (style)
    Me gusta cantar para ti, ti, ti.
    I will sing loudly
    Con orgullo. So proudly!
    Si oyes mi voz, you'll pick me, me, me.

    (loud and silly)
    Eleven twelve thirteen
    Fourteen fifteen!
    (even louder)
    Once doce trece
    Catorce quince!

    (MARTINA has curled into a ball, holding her ears.)

    ALL THREE and CHORUS:
    Clever muchacha, you sweet cucaracha
    Me gusta cantar para ti, ti, ti.
    I will sing loudly
    Con orgullo. So proudly!
    Si oyes mi voz, you'll pick me, me, me.

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

    Overall Customer Rating:
    review-star review-star review-star review-star review-star
    Customer Reviews: 6


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

    Pros:
    Cons:
    LOVED it with my 4th graders

    This play was so great. The characters were funny and the songs were some of the best we've bought from this website. We added a few things throughout the play tomake it a little longer, but the parents thought it was hilarious and our Spanish teacher had a great time working with us on it.

    Humboldt County

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

    Pros:
    Cons:
    Bilingual Skit

    I was very excited to finally see that one of your plays had some Spanish. I have been teaching in the an Immersion School the last couple of years and have been dying to use some of your plays as I have used them in the past and love the musical plays. The audience members have always loved them. The last couple of years I'm in a bilingual Spanish immersion school so I need to have some Spanish in our performances. I was so excited when I saw you finally had one that just came out with some Spanish. In fact it allowed me to not only do that skit but the other one called matter as I felt I had incorporated some Spanish. We had an hour performance and all three grades 15 classes of 3rd-5th graders.....students and teachers loved it including parents. I really hope that you will hire on a translator to transform and make available the other skits that you have with some Spanish. Having both in Spanish and English were a great balance! Thanks again for incorporating educational musicals that are quite entertaining!


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

    Pros:
    Cons:
    My Spanish speakers were so excited!

    The kids were delighted to see the Spanish. One particularly tough kid got all into it and took on a narrator role. Very nice moment!


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

    Pros:
    • Bilingual!
    • Funny!
    • Interesting characters!
    Cons:
    Loved Martina y Perez!

    I was so excited to purchase and produce this play with my third grade class until I presented it to the students. I didn't expect to receive flack from my native English speaking students! I thought, for sure, they would embrace the challenge... Well, I made a deal with them to give it two weeks. They were to listen to the songs and read the script, and then, if they still wanted to do another play, I would change it. We were barely two days in when everything turned around! They became so excited I couldn't contain them. In the end, it became a vehicle for my native English speakers to develop empathy for how difficult it can be for someone to learn a new language. All of my students worked together to help each other make it a great performance. I applaud you Bad Wolf Press for taking on a bilingual play!

    review image  

    Poway, CA

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

    Pros:
    • Great for 2nd/3rd grade
    Cons:
    Martina y Pérez

    We performed Martina y Pérez over the summer with kids ranging in age from 5 to 11. While it played to more of the younger crowd, all of the kids had fun with it. As always, the music was catchy and fun. They loved the animal characters and when Pérez fell into a large cardboard box (our pot of soup). Most of the kids performing attend a dual language (Spanish/English) school, so this play was perfect. Even for the few who don't speak Spanish, it was easy to swap the narrator roles to make it English-only. One of our performances was at a retirement home and it was very well received.
    UPDATE: This was my second time doing this play, and I loved it even more than the first time! From the silliness of the characters to the catchy songs, the group of third graders performing enjoyed everything about this play. We have a unique school in that a dual language program is offered, but we also have English-only students. We gave the non-Spanish speakers the option to translate their parts to English and were pleasantly surprised when some of them decided to keep the lines in Spanish. It was an easy switch for those who opted to go that route. We're always looking for ways to incorporate traditions from different Latin American countries into school programs; this play was perfect for that. The bilingual chorus in "Right, Derecha, Left, Izquierda" was a cast favorite!

    Tierra Vista Elementary

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

    Pros:
    • songs
    • easy%20to%20follow%20
    • fun
    Cons:
    Awesome!

    My class and I enjoyed the play. It was easy to do, I really liked the idea that it was bilingual. it would be great to have one totally in Spanish. It was the first time many of my parents to see a musical play, they really liked it!



    Common Core and Other National Standards

    Language Arts

    History/Social Studies

    National Core Arts Standards


    Vocabulary

    Martina y Pérez can be used as a supplement and springboard for many lessons on Spanish and English vocabulary and usage. The vocabulary in the play focuses on:

    • Greetings
    • Valedictions
    • Directions
    • Colors
    • Months
    • Days of the week
    • Seasons
    • Exclamations
    • Food
    • Animals
    • Numbers
    • Professions
    • Common verbs
    • Common adjectives
    • Common nouns

    Of course, there are many ways to say the same thing in both languages, and usage and vocabulary can change with the country or location. Feel free to explore synonyms and alternate phrasing as needed!





    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.