Vacation on Mars: The Solar System for Young Explorers is
a great complement
to your curriculum resources in elementary school science. 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: 978-1-886588-24-0
© 2002 Bad Wolf Press, LLC
Song Samples
Full Song List
1. Mars, Mars
2. New Moon
3. I Am Just an Ordinary Star
4. Mercury and Venus
5. I'm Hot
6. That's Earth
7. Sixteen Moons
8. Rings of Saturn
9. Neptune, Neptune
10. Mars, Mars (reprise)
Casting
Flexible casting from 11-40 students.
Use as many Guides, Mechanics, Venettes, etc. as desired. One student
can also play more than one role. Note that roles are not gender-specific;
see our comments on page 34 of the Teacher's Guide.
Script
This is the first one-third of the script:
CHARACTERS:
Dad
Mom
Ariel
Josh
Guides
Moons (different phases)
Sun
Mechanics
Mercury
Venus
Venettes
Pluto
Earth
Jupiter
Moons of Jupiter
Rings of Saturn
Neptune Dad
Neptune Mom
Neptune Kid
and a CHORUS made up of all students who are not playing roles at the
time.
(Two kids are packing up suitcases without enthusiasm. There is a big
dog sitting on
top of one of the suitcases.)
ARIEL: I am NOT looking forward to our vacation this year.
JOSH (petting GUS, the dog): Me neither. Gus always gets car sick.
ARIEL: Something always goes wrong.
JOSH: Remember last year? We got lost in the Everglades.
ARIEL: How could I forget? I didn’t know alligators could move
so fast.
JOSH (holding up GUS): Yeah. But I think Gus looks good without a tail,
don’t you?
(from off-stage)
DAD: Are you kids ready to go?
JOSH (to ARIEL): Where are we going this year?
ARIEL: Mom said Dad was on the Internet all night looking for something
special.
Can you say "disaster"?
(MOM and DAD enter. music begins.)
MOM (excited): Hi kids! Your dad’s outdone himself this year. You
won’t believe it.
ARIEL: We’re gonna get really really lost, aren’t we?
DAD: Not this time. Come on! We’re going to Mars!
ARIEL and JOSH: What?
Song 1 -
Listen now!
MOM and DAD :
Mars Mars
We’re going to Mars
Grab Gus
And pack up the car.
Come on
We’re gonna see stars
Mars Mars.
MOM, DAD, and CHORUS:
Mars Mars
We’re going to Mars
Grab Gus
And pack up the car.
Come on
We’re gonna see stars
Mars Mars.
DAD:
There’s riverbeds where we can hike
Volcanoes for your mountain bike.
MOM:
The rusty soil makes things bright red
There’s polar ice-caps—grab your sled.
MOM and DAD and CHORUS:
Mars Mars
We’re going to Mars
Grab Gus
And pack up the car.
Come on
We’re gonna see stars
Mars Mars.
ARIEL:
Well I was hoping "Disneyworld"
To give Tomorrowland a whirl.
JOSH:
But on the bright side now I see
I bet there’s no humidity!
MOM, DAD, KIDS and CHORUS:
Mars Mars
We’re going to Mars
Grab Gus
And pack up the car.
Come on
We’re gonna see stars
Mars Mars.
Come on
We’re gonna see stars
Mars Mars.
(3 TOUR GUIDES enter. TWO of them carry 7 portable teleports that look
a lot like
doormats. THEY spread them out on the stage. The third GUIDE carries
a little
remote control box with a large spinning dial.)
DAD: Here are the tour guides now.
GUIDE #1: Okeedokee. Here we are. We’re your guides from Betty’s
Bargain
Basement Tours. Who’s travelling to Mars today?
MOM: We all are.
JOSH: And Gus.
MOM (to GUIDES, as she pulls food out of a large bag she carries with
her at all
times): Would you like a cookie?
(THEY shake their heads)
GUIDE #2: No thank you. The crumbs might mess up the teleports. Everybody
step
on up.
(DAD AND MOM DO; KIDS hesitate)
Come on now.
ARIEL: Are you serious?
GUIDE #3: Go on. These teleports are guaranteed. They’re the newest
model: E52s!
DAD: Come on, kids. This is gonna be fun! What could go wrong?
(THEY all take places, including GUIDES.)
GUIDE #1: Okeedokee. Let me just set the dial here to "Mars" and
we’ll be on our way.
(HE sets the dial on the control box, and there is a loud, ugly or funny
NOISE.)
GUIDE #2: Ooh. That didn’t sound good.
GUIDE #3: Is it supposed to do that?
GUIDE #1 (shrugging shoulders): I’ve never seen an E52.
(3 MOONS enter, each representing a different phase of Earth’s
moon: Full, New,
and Quarter)
GUIDE #2: Yikes! This doesn’t look like Mars.
MOON #1: Of course I don’t. I’m the moon.
MOON #2: I reflect the light from the sun back to you on earth.
MOON #3: Just look at my different phases.
MOM: You are all very lovely—just like a banana cream pie.
(points to FULL MOON)
Fresh baked…
(points to QUARTER MOON)
…after Dad has had dessert…
(points to NEW MOON)
…and after Gus gets finished licking the plate.
MOON #1: It all depends on how much of my reflection you can see.
Song 2 -
Listen now!
MOONS :
New moon
There’s not much to see
Real soon
There’s a slice of me
Full moon
Shine bright and round
Real soon real soon
I will shrink back down.
Real soon real soon
I will shrink back down.
New moon
There’s nothing to see
Real soon
There’s a sliver of me
Full moon
I just might burst
Real soon real soon
I’ll go in reverse.
Real soon real soon
I’ll go in reverse.
These are the simple lunar facts
I wax and wane and wane and wax
It takes me almost thirty days
I guess I’m in a lunar phase.
MOONS and CHORUS:
New moon
There’s not much to see
Real soon
There’s a slice of me
Full moon
Shine bright and round
Real soon real soon
I will shrink back down.
Real soon real soon
I will shrink back down.
(MOONS exit)
GUIDE #1: Okeedokee. Wasn’t that fun?
ARIEL: We are supposed to be on Mars.
GUIDE #2: Don’t worry. There’s only a slight extra charge
for seeing the moon.
GUIDE #3 (fiddling with control box): Let me just set this thing for
Mars. Everybody
on your ports.
(THEY stand on them as before. Same horrible NOISE.)
DAD: What now?
JOSH: Dad, I think we’re on the sun!
GUIDE #1: Wow. I didn’t even know this thing went to the sun.
(SUN enters with very loud hiccups. JOSH sneaks around sun and jumps
out at
it trying to scare it.)
JOSH: BOO!
SUN (jumping in fright): Aaach. Don’t do that.
JOSH: Sorry. I was just trying scare the hiccups out of you.
Song 3 -
Listen now!
SUN: Oh those? Don’t worry.
Pardon me
It will pass
You see I’m filled with gas.
If I burp
Watch your hair
Here comes a solar flare.
I am just an ordinary star
Ninety million miles from where you are
But I’m hot
To the core
I’ve got helium galore
I am just an ordinary star.
All my gas
Makes me bright
I give you heat and light.
Watch out folks
As I spin
I shoot out solar wind.
SUN and CHORUS:
I am just an ordinary star
Ninety million miles from where you are
But I’m hot
To the core
I’ve got helium galore
I am just an ordinary star.
(SUN exits)
GUIDE #1: Okeedokee. Don’t worry, folks. I’ve called in
some teleport mechanics.
They’ll have this thing fixed in a jiffy.
GUIDE #2: Here they come now!
(MECHANICS enter. THEY carry various tools.)
MECHANIC #1: So, the ol’ teleport is having problems, huh?
MECHANIC #2: Here, let’s have a look.
MOM (approaching THEM): Would you like a lemon square?
MECHANIC #1: No thanks, ma’am. Might get crumbs in the control
box. (grumbles
as THEY look at control box)
Uh huh. Uh huh.
MECHANIC #2: Yep yep yep.
MECHANIC #1: Uh huh.
MECHANIC #2: Yep yep. Yep.
GUIDE #3: What is it?
MECHANIC #1: Happens all the time. This baby is an E52.
MECHANIC #2: Yep yep yep.
GUIDE #1: An E52?
MECHANIC #1: Sure. The E52 can only go through the solar system in the
right order.
You gotta start from the sun.
MECHANIC #2: Yep yep.
ARIEL: You mean we have to go through the whole solar system to get
to Mars?
MECHANIC #1: Oh it’s not far at all. You’re already on the
sun, see? The center of the solar system.
MECHANIC #2: So now just start with Mercury and head on out!
Song 4 -
Listen now!
MECHANICS :
Mercury and Venus
Earth and Mars
Flying in their orbit
’Round a star.
Jupiter and Saturn
What a view!
Uranus and Neptune
Pluto too.
Mercury and Venus
Earth and Mars
Flying in their orbit
’Round a star.
Jupiter and Saturn
What a view!
Uranus and Neptune
Pluto too.
Solar solar solar system
9 great planets
I can’t resist ’em.
There are meteors
CHORUS (echoes): Meteors
Comets and asteroids as well…
But I love those planets most—
Can’t you tell? Can’t you tell?
MECHANICS and CHORUS:
Mercury and Venus
Earth and Mars
Flying in their orbit
’Round a star.
Jupiter and Saturn
What a view!
Uranus and Neptune
Pluto too.
Solar solar solar system
9 great planets
I can’t resist ’em.
There are meteors
CHORUS (echoes): Meteors
Comets and asteroids as well…
But I love those planets most—
Can’t you tell? Can’t you tell?
(THEY do Mechanic Dance)
Uranus and Neptune
Pluto too.
Uranus and Neptune
Pluto too.
Uranus and Neptune
Pluto too.
(MECHANICS exit)
(This concludes the first one-third of the script.)
Additional Comments and Reviews:
"The play was a highlight of our year. The children learned and
will remember so much about space. The songs made the facts stick. The
parents got to see their child shine. It's easy for teachers, even those
who are inexperienced in putting on a musical."
---Helen Brekke, Teacher (K-3rd), St. Andrew Lutheran School, Denver, CO
"I loved the music---there were so many different styles. I was
amazed at the facts
that were taught with this play. I had many parents say they were impressed
with the
knowledge base the play covered. You do an amazing job!"
---Ann Burk, Teacher (1st grade), Montana City School, Montana City,
MT
"The comedy was tops with us! As a music teacher, I use a lot of humor in my teaching style. The 'funny factor' is a very strong motivator for my students, and it also helps them remember the facts that are tucked into the dialogue. I've had several students tell me later that they've found answers to tests (both classroom and state standardized) in the songs they'd learned for the musicals."
---Lisa Feazell, Music Teacher (5th grade), Deer Creek Elementary, Cedar Park, TX
"The kids play the CD every morning when they arrive in the classroom.
I thought
they might lose interest after their performances but they can't get
enough. We had
so much and learned science concepts included in our curriculum. Friends
and
relatives highly praised the performance."
---Sheryl Farnum, Teacher (4th grade), Cascade Brook School, Farmington,
ME
"I loved it, the parents loved it, my principal loved it, and the
children learned so much
from it! They learned both about the solar system and about preparing
for and
performing a play."
---Jean Gentry, Teacher (2nd grade), Westergard School, Reno, NV
"There was nothing to not like about it! The music was entertaining
while being
educational and the underlying humor throughout the play was great. We
got rave
reviews and the compliments were non-stop. Thank you for making my job
of
putting on a play so easy!"
---Kerry Santantonio, Teacher (3rd grade), John Lewis Childs School, Floral
Park, NY
"Parents couldn't believe their children would get up, sing, memorize
and act. The
students enjoyed every aspect of the play, and it sparked further interest
and
knowledge of the solar system. It was a great student lesson in cooperation
and
creativity."
---Lynn Page, Teacher (3rd grade), Christ Prince of Peace School, St Louis,
MO
"It was fantastic! This was the fourth Bad Wolf Press musical we
have performed in
four years. All were good but this one was the best. (Every year someone
asks me,
'Where did you get that great musical?')"
---Brandi Couse, Music Teacher, Westside Elementary, Clewiston, FL
"Very upbeat and fun for the kids! They enjoyed the songs and the
silly humor. The
students learned so many facts about the solar system and had a great
time
performing it!"
---Sherry Mancino, Teacher (3rd grade), Ocean Palms Elementary, Ponte Vedra
Beach, FL
"Vacation on Mars is my all-time favorite---so far!"
---Georgia Rhodes, Teacher (2nd/3rd grade), Sedgwick School, Blue Hill, ME
Common Core and Other National Standards
Science
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
National Core Arts Standards
Vocabulary
humidity
galore
bulging
starling
debris
Astronomical Terms
polar ice-caps
Lunar phases:
full
new
quarter
wax
wane
solar flare
helium
solar wind
meteor
comet
asteroid
planet
Fahrenheit
tides
Great Red Spot
space dust
methane
black hole
supernova
Milky Way
meteor shower
asteroid belt
Vocabulary From Stage Directions
enthusiasm
cringe
dejected
moping
Q:
How long does it take to prepare to preform this play?
A:
Most teachers usually take about a month to prepare for a performance. We include a sample schedule in the Teacher's Guide. However, that totally depends on how much time you want to spend each week! We have heard of people doing a play in just three days; others use a play as a culminating project and work on it little by little all school year. At any rate, the play is very flexible and can be tailored to your schedule.
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.