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Elephant & Piggie's "We Are in a Play!"
In this vaudevillian romp, Elephant and Piggie sing and dance their way through plenty of pachydermal peril and swiney suspense.
5
Roles
G
Rated
1
Act
Full Synopsis

A blank white stage, maybe it has vaudevillian elements on it. Gerald, a lumbering, somewhat formally attired elephant interrupts the stillness of the moment. He walks across stage, looking for Piggie, but cannot find her. As he exits, Piggie, an ebullient pig in a pink dress, enters, searching for Gerald. They each search for the other frantically (despite being in plain sight of one another) for several more moments. Suddenly, their eyes meet, and they are overjoyed! They are best friends and know that, whatever they do together today, they will have fun ("Lucky to See You"). Gerald does worry briefly that something may happen to ruin their friendship, but Piggie assures him that that won't happen.

Piggie announces that she is excited because she has no idea what is going to happen today; she implores Gerald to think of the possibilities – anything could happen! They decide that they could skip, they could play ping pong or they could wear silly hats. It occurs to Piggie and Gerald that they can actually skip, play ping pong and wear silly hats all at the same time – so they use their imaginations to do that.

Dog arrives with an envelope for Piggie. The Squirelles have invited Piggie to a party, and she can bring a friend, so she invites Gerald. However, Piggie finds herself in a predicament – she's never been to a party. Fortunately, parties are Gerald's job; he knows parties. First, he speculates that it may be a fancy party and he dresses in an elegant outfit, including top hat, bow tie and cane. As Piggie attempts to follow suit, Gerald quickly changes his mind. When Piggie reappears in her fancy attire, Gerald has already dashed off to get his swimsuit and inner tube, because it may be a pool party. Piggie hurries to keep up, rushing to get her scuba goggles and snorkel, only to find that Gerald has returned with a mask, as well. What if it's a fancy, costume, pool party? Exasperated, Piggie grabs a cowboy hat and is ready to go.

The Squirrelles arrive in their fancy, pool, costume outfits and Piggie confirms that Gerald was right – he does know parties. Piggie, Gerald and the Squirelles get the party started; however, a problem arises – everyone begins to dance, and Gerald is not a dancer. With Pigggy and the Squirelles' encouragement, Gerald finds his dance moves ("Swimmy! Fancy!").

After declaring this the best party to which she's ever been, Piggie wants to show Gerald how much she appreciates his help with getting ready. She pulls out her trumpet and makes a horrible noise. Gerald and the Squirrelles do not know what to say. Piggie gives one more blast as the Squirrelles slowly back away, and Gerald is left, having to tell her what he thinks of her playing. He explains that, while her trumpet is loud and shiny, and she holds it very well, she did not play music. Piggie responds that actually she wasn't trying to play music, she was trying to say thank you... in elephant. Gerald understands and helps her with her accent. Overwhelmed with affection for each other, they get into a "Best-Off" to determine which one thinks the other is best.

Piggie tells Gerald that he has to go, and she can't believe it. He passionately begs her to stay ("Don't Go"). Only after his reverie does she reveal that what she meant was that she has to go potty. When she leaves, Penguin arrives and gives Gerald ice cream. Gerald then has another crisis. He loves ice cream and wants to eat it immediately, but he also knows that Piggie loves ice cream, and the right thing to do is to wait for her and share it. The Squirelles arrive, and Gerald tells them proudly that he plans to share with Piggie and be the Ice Cream Hero, a decision that they support ("Ice Cream Hero"). Gerald gets so caught up in his plan to be the Ice Cream Hero that he doesn't realize that his ice cream has melted. Just as he is mourning his loss, Piggie arrives with her own ice cream... which she shares with Gerald.

After they finish their ice cream, Piggie excitedly shows Gerald her new toy. Gerald wants to see it but, before he can, Piggie explains why it is so important to her. Although she doesn't know what it does, she knows that she loves it ("Ode to Toy"). Gerald supposes that it is a throwing toy, and, when she gives it to him, he throws it high into the air. Suddenly, Gerald, Piggie and the Squirelles realize that the toy is coming down at a very fast speed. As the toy hits the ground, it breaks in two. Piggie is heartbroken and furious at Gerald for breaking her toy. She lays into him while Gerald apologizes, devastated at hurting his friend ("Toy Breaker").

Piggie and Gerald see no way to repair the rift between them. The Squirelles, however, notice something about the toy – it is a snap-and-break toy; they easily put it back together. Now, Piggie is embarrassed, and Gerald is hurt. While Gerald decides whether he wants to play with Piggie or whether he wants her to leave, she convinces him that he is more important to her than any toy ("Elephant in the Room"). Gerald accepts her apology.

Suddenly, Piggie and Gerald realize that they are being watched. In fact, they see an entire audience. The Squirelles enter as Gerald explains the situation. They realize that they are in a play. The cool thing about being in a play is that they can make the audience do things. They make the audience clap, repeat words and dance. Piggie, Gerald and the Squirelles encourage grownups and kids alike to groove with them ("We're in a Play").

Piggie asks Gerald what else he wants to do before the play ends. Gerald's mind is blown by the idea that the play is ending. They ask the stage manager how many pages they have left; there are only four. Gerald starts to panic – what will they do when the play ends? Piggie calms him down. No matter what happens, they'll still have each other ("We'll Be Friends").

They reach "the end," and nothing changes; the lights come back on, and Piggie and Gerald are still onstage. The Squirrelles applaud their performances heartily. Piggie and Gerald are overjoyed to still be there but they have no idea what to say since there is no more script. Piggie suggests that they just make it up – they can do anything. Gerald suggests that they skip and play ping-pong while wearing silly hats. Piggie, Gerald and The Squirrelles agree that they've all had a fantastic time ("We've Been Lucky").

Gerald

A lumbering, somewhat formally attired elephant; prone to melancholy. Best friends with Piggie.

Gender: male

Vocal range top: F4

Vocal range bottom: Ab2

Piggie

An ebullient, inquisitive pink pig. Best friends with Gerald.

Gender: female

Vocal range top: E5

Vocal range bottom: Ab3

The Squirrelles

A trio of back-up singing squirrels; friends with Gerald and Piggie.

Gender: female

Vocal range top: Ab5

Vocal range bottom: E3

Dog

A dutiful delivery dog.

Penguin

A sarcastic ice cream seller.

Show History



Inspiration


Elephant & Piggie's We Are in a Play! is based on six of the books in the popular, Geisel Award-winning Elephant & Piggie children's book series by Mo Willems, who also wrote the script and lyrics for the musical.
The Elephant & Piggie book series debuted in 2007. The books are written in comic book-style, with conversations appearing in letter bubbles above the characters' heads. The books often address issues of friendship.


Productions


Elephant & Piggie's We Are in a Play! was commissioned in 2012 by the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., and had a workshop at the theatre prior to the full production.

The original production was directed by Jerry Whiddon, featured music direction by George Fulginiti-Shakar and was choreographed by Jessica Hartmann. The original cast featured Evan Casey as Gerald and Lauren Williams as Piggie, with Brittany Baratz, Ashleigh King and Deborah Lubega as The Squirrelles.

Cultural Influence

  • Two Elephant & Piggie books, There Is a Bird on Your Head and Are You Ready to Play Outside?, won the Geisel Medal in 2008 and 2009.
  • Two books in the series have been listed on TIME Magazine's Top 10 Children's Books of the Year: Today I Will Fly in 2007 (ranked #2) and Elephants Cannot Dance! in 2009 (ranked #5).
  • Mo Willems is a number-one New York Times bestselling author and illustrator, and has been awarded a Caldecott Honor on three occasions. His debut, Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!, was inducted into the Indies Choice Picture Book Hall of Fame in 2009. Other favorites include the Knuffle Bunny books; Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed and City Dog, Country Frog, illustrated by Jon J Muth.

Trivia

  • Books are added to the Elephant & Piggie series on a roughly quarterly schedule, with two books occasionally released on the same day.
  • Pigeon, another series and character by Mo Willems, is hidden on the inside back cover of each Elephant & Piggie book.
  • Much of the same creative team from the Kennedy Center's hit 2010 production of Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical, also based on books by Willems, returned to work on Elephant & Piggie's We Are in a Play!
  • The original production of Elephant & Piggie's We Are in a Play! was backed by a live band, also in character as Dr. Cat and the Bear-a-Tones.
Critical Reaction

"Elephant & Piggie's We Are in a Play! was a fun experience, and a great way to introduce your child to theater."
– Broadwayworld

"Even if you have no idea who Gerald and Piggie are, you will still adore this show."
– MD Theatre Guide

Show History



Inspiration


Elephant & Piggie's We Are in a Play! is based on six of the books in the popular, Geisel Award-winning Elephant & Piggie children's book series by Mo Willems, who also wrote the script and lyrics for the musical.
The Elephant & Piggie book series debuted in 2007. The books are written in comic book-style, with conversations appearing in letter bubbles above the characters' heads. The books often address issues of friendship.


Productions


Elephant & Piggie's We Are in a Play! was commissioned in 2012 by the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., and had a workshop at the theatre prior to the full production.

The original production was directed by Jerry Whiddon, featured music direction by George Fulginiti-Shakar and was choreographed by Jessica Hartmann. The original cast featured Evan Casey as Gerald and Lauren Williams as Piggie, with Brittany Baratz, Ashleigh King and Deborah Lubega as The Squirrelles.

Cultural Influence

  • Two Elephant & Piggie books, There Is a Bird on Your Head and Are You Ready to Play Outside?, won the Geisel Medal in 2008 and 2009.
  • Two books in the series have been listed on TIME Magazine's Top 10 Children's Books of the Year: Today I Will Fly in 2007 (ranked #2) and Elephants Cannot Dance! in 2009 (ranked #5).
  • Mo Willems is a number-one New York Times bestselling author and illustrator, and has been awarded a Caldecott Honor on three occasions. His debut, Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!, was inducted into the Indies Choice Picture Book Hall of Fame in 2009. Other favorites include the Knuffle Bunny books; Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed and City Dog, Country Frog, illustrated by Jon J Muth.

Trivia

  • Books are added to the Elephant & Piggie series on a roughly quarterly schedule, with two books occasionally released on the same day.
  • Pigeon, another series and character by Mo Willems, is hidden on the inside back cover of each Elephant & Piggie book.
  • Much of the same creative team from the Kennedy Center's hit 2010 production of Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical, also based on books by Willems, returned to work on Elephant & Piggie's We Are in a Play!
  • The original production of Elephant & Piggie's We Are in a Play! was backed by a live band, also in character as Dr. Cat and the Bear-a-Tones.
Critical Reaction

"Elephant & Piggie's We Are in a Play! was a fun experience, and a great way to introduce your child to theater."
– Broadwayworld

"Even if you have no idea who Gerald and Piggie are, you will still adore this show."
– MD Theatre Guide

Billing

Book and Lyrics by
Music by

Video Warning

If you purchase a separate license to allow non-commercial video recording of this production, you must print the following in your program. ANY VIDEO RECORDING MADE OF THIS PERFORMANCE IS AUTHORIZED FOR PERSONAL, AT-HOME, NON-COMMERCIAL USE ONLY. THE SALE OR DISTRIBUTION OF SUCH RECORDING IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED UNDER FEDERAL COPYRIGHT LAW. If you do not purchase the separate license for video recording, you must print the following in your program. The videotaping or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited

Included Materials

Resource Quantity
LIBRETTO/VOCAL BOOK 10
PIANO VOCAL SCORE 2
TYA PERFORMANCE TRACKS 1

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Title Address Organization Website Date Venue
Elephant And Piggie's We Are In A Play

241 Vernon St.
Roseville, CA 95678
United States

Roseville Theatre Arts Academy http://www.rosevill… to Roseville Theatre Arts Academy
Elephant And Piggie's We Are In A Play

153 Augusta Street
Greenville, SC 29601
United States

South Carolina Childrens Theatre http://www.scchildr… to Bell Mainstage
Elephant And Piggie's We Are In A Play

7701 W Paradise Ln
Peoria, AZ 85382-4959
United States

Arizona Broadway Theatre Academy http://www.azbroadw… to Arizona Broadway Theatre
Elephant And Piggie's We Are In A Play

2257 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL 60614
United States

Young Peoples Theatre Of Chicago http://yptchi.org to Young Peoples Theatre Of Chicago
Elephant And Piggie's We Are In A Play

118 College Drive
#5052
Hattiesburg, MS 39406
United States

Univ Of Southern Mississippi-theatre And Dance http://www.usm.edu to Hartwig Theatre
Elephant And Piggie's We Are In A Play

Madison Youth Arts Center
1055 East Mifflin Street
Madison, WI 53703
United States

Childrens Theater Of Madison http://www.madisony… to Starlight Theater
Elephant And Piggie's We Are In A Play

200 Pennsylvania Avenue
P.o. Box 578
Mount Gretna, PA 17064
United States

Gretna Tya Theatre http://www.gretnath… Mt Gretna Playhouse
Elephant And Piggie's We Are In A Play

6121 W Park Blvd Ste B216
Plano, TX 75093-6227
United States

North Texas Performing Arts to Ntpa - Starcatchers
Elephant And Piggie's We Are In A Play

16 Maple St.
12304 Whispering Pines Lane
Frostburg, MD 21532
United States

Mountain City Center For The Arts to Mountain City Center For The Arts
Elephant And Piggie's We Are In A Play

Box 85
Lombard, IL 60148
United States

Alphabet Soup Productions Inc to Alphabet Soup Productions Inc
Elephant And Piggie's We Are In A Play

16 Maple St.
12304 Whispering Pines Lane
Frostburg, MD 21532
United States

Mountain City Center For The Arts to Mountain City Center For The Arts
Elephant And Piggie's We Are In A Play

Box 85
Lombard, IL 60148
United States

Alphabet Soup Productions Inc to Alphabet Soup Productions Inc
Elephant And Piggie's We Are In A Play

1517 Lake Air Drive
Waco, TX 76710 7860
United States

Waco Civic Theatre http://www.wacocivi… to Waco Civic Theatre
Elephant And Piggie's We Are In A Play

750 E Shaw Ln
East Lansing, MI 48824
United States

Michigan State University http://theatre.msu… to Pasant Theatre
Elephant And Piggie's We Are In A Play

1517 Lake Air Drive
Waco, TX 76710 7860
United States

Waco Civic Theatre http://www.wacocivi… to Waco Civic Theatre
Elephant And Piggie's We Are In A Play

750 E Shaw Ln
East Lansing, MI 48824
United States

Michigan State University http://theatre.msu… to Pasant Theatre
Elephant And Piggie's We Are In A Play

Madison Youth Arts Center
1055 East Mifflin Street
Madison, WI 53703
United States

Childrens Theater Of Madison http://www.madisony… to Starlight Theater
Elephant And Piggie's We Are In A Play

115 A Street
Framingham, MA 1701
United States

Framingham High School Framingham High School
Elephant And Piggie's We Are In A Play

Moorlyn Terrace And The Boardwalk
Ocean City, NJ 8226
United States

Ocean City Theatre Company http://www.ocnj.us/… Ocean City Music Pier
Elephant And Piggie's We Are In A Play

Madison Youth Arts Center
1055 East Mifflin Street
Madison, WI 53703
United States

Childrens Theater Of Madison http://www.madisony… to Starlight Theater
Elephant And Piggie's We Are In A Play

115 A Street
Framingham, MA 1701
United States

Framingham High School Framingham High School
Elephant And Piggie's We Are In A Play

Moorlyn Terrace And The Boardwalk
Ocean City, NJ 8226
United States

Ocean City Theatre Company http://www.ocnj.us/… Ocean City Music Pier
Elephant And Piggie's We Are In A Play

Madison Youth Arts Center
1055 East Mifflin Street
Madison, WI 53703
United States

Childrens Theater Of Madison http://www.madisony… to Starlight Theater
Elephant And Piggie's We Are In A Play

200 Pennsylvania Avenue
P.o. Box 578
Mount Gretna, PA 17064
United States

Gretna Tya Theatre http://www.gretnath… Mt Gretna Playhouse
Elephant And Piggie's We Are In A Play

6121 W Park Blvd Ste B216
Plano, TX 75093-6227
United States

North Texas Performing Arts to Ntpa - Starcatchers
Elephant And Piggie's We Are In A Play

4404 Falmouth Road Rte. 28
Cotuit, MA 02635-2042
United States

Cotuit Center For The Arts http://www.artsonth… to Cotuit Center For The Arts
Elephant And Piggie's We Are In A Play

132 Warren St
Lowell, MA 01852-2208
United States

Merrimack Rep Youth http://mrt.org to Merrimack Rep Youth
Elephant And Piggie's We Are In A Play

7116 6th Ave
Tacoma, WA 98406-1213
United States

Tacoma Musical Playhouse to Tacoma Musical Playhouse
Elephant And Piggie's We Are In A Play

47w326 Keslinger Rd.
Maple Park, Il
Maple Park, IL 60151
United States

Kaneland Arts Initiative http://www.artskai… to Kaneland Arts Initiative
Elephant and Piggie's We Are in a Play

United States

Kumon Leysin Academy Of Switzerland to Klas Hall
Elephant And Piggie's We Are In A Play

6121 W. Park Blvd. B216
Plano, TX 75093
United States

North Texas Performing Arts to Ntpa - Starcatchers
Elephant And Piggie's We Are In A Play

125 College Dr
Casper, WY 82601
United States

Casper College http://caspercolleg… to Mcmurray Theatre/gertrude Krampert
Elephant And Piggie's We Are In A Play

2101 E Coliseum Blvd
Fort Wayne, IN 46805-1499
United States

Purdue Fort Wayne University to Williams Theatre
Elephant And Piggie's We Are In A Play

2101 E Coliseum Blvd
Fort Wayne, IN 46805-1499
United States

Purdue Fort Wayne University to Williams Theatre
Elephant And Piggie's We Are In A Play

3400 Main Street
Suite 283
Houston, TX 77002
United States

Main Street Theater (youth) http://www.mainstre… to Main Street Theater
Elephant And Piggie's We Are In A Play

201 Lulu
Wichita, KS 67211
United States

Wichita Childrens Theatre http://wctdc.org to Wichita Children's Theatre And Dance
Elephant And Piggie's We Are In A Play

1101 13th St
Denver, CO 80204-5319
United States

Denver Center For The Performing Arts to Randy Weeks Conservatory Theatre
Elephant And Piggie's We Are In A Play

1100 North Avenue
Grand Junction, CO 81501-3122
United States

Colorado Mesa University-theatre Dept. http://www.colorado… to Colorado Mesa University Theatre
Elephant And Piggie's We Are In A Play

336 West 20th Street
New York, NY 10011
United States

Atlantic Theater Company - Education Dept to Linda Gross Theater
Elephant And Piggie's We Are In A Play

420 S. Alamo
San Antonio, TX 78205
United States

Magik Childrens Theatre to Magik Performing Arts Center
Elephant And Piggie's We Are In A Play

2100 Wooton Pkwy
Rockville, MD 20850
United States

Thomas S Wootton High School to Thomas S Wooton High School
Elephant And Piggie's We Are In A Play

3400 Main St Ste 283
Houston, TX 77002-9516
United States

Main Street Theater (youth) to Various Schools
Elephant And Piggie's We Are In A Play

Box 85
Lombard, IL 60148
United States

Alphabet Soup Productions Inc to Alphabet Soup Productions Inc
Elephant And Piggie's We Are In A Play

110 W College St
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
United States

The Center For The Arts http://www.boroarts… to Center For The Arts
Elephant And Piggie's We Are In A Play

250 Thompson's Point Rd.
Portland, ME 4102
United States

Childrens Museum And Theatre Of Maine http://www.kitetail… to Childrens Museum And Theatre Of Maine
Elephant And Piggie's We Are In A Play

Po Box 5838
Dept Of Theatre And Dance
Winona, MN 55987 5838
United States

Winona State University to Fusillo Main Stage Theatre
Elephant And Piggie's We Are In A Play

7116 6th Ave
Tacoma, WA 98406-1213
United States

Tacoma Musical Playhouse to Tacoma Musical Playhouse
Elephant And Piggie's We Are In A Play

18 W Center Street
Logan, UT 84321
United States

Utah Festival Opera Company to Utah Theatre
Elephant And Piggie's We Are In A Play

1380 Colonial Blvd @ Royal Pal
Fort Myers, FL 33907
United States

Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre http://www.broadway… to Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre
Elephant And Piggie's We Are In A Play

433 Locust St
Lockport, NY 14094
United States

Kenan Center to Kenan Center Taylor Theatre
Elephant And Piggie's We Are In A Play

132 Warren St
Lowell, MA 01852-2208
United States

Merrimack Rep Youth http://mrt.org to Merrimack Rep Youth
Elephant And Piggie's We Are In A Play

11 Davis Avenue
Garden City, NY 11530
United States

Long Island Childrens Museum http://www.licm.org/ to Long Island Childrens Museum
Elephant And Piggie's We Are In A Play

201 Sw Fifth Ave
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312
United States

Broward Center For The Perf Arts http://www.browardc… to Amaturo Theater
Elephant And Piggie's We Are In A Play

931 Montauk Highway
Oakdale, NY 11769
United States

Creative Ministries Inc (cm) http://www.cmpac.com to Cm Perf. Arts Center
(264954)
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