PINNOCCHIO, Comedia dell'arte Musical
Book & Lyrics Elaine Beardsley, Music by Gary Boukis

The little wooden doll comes to life in Commedia dell’arte style as Pinocchio learns the lessons every schoolboy should: Learn to love; School is fun; Strangers (and puppet-eating whales) can be dangerous! 45 minutes. Grades K-4 Commissioned by Children's Theater Association.

C H I L D R E N'S P L A Y S

MAKING MARYLAND, Musical
Book and Lyrics by Elaine Beardsley, Music by Gary Boukis, Erin Bradley

A play within-a-play entwining the unique Eastern Shore waterman culture with the quest for freedom in Maryland personified by the Calverts, Francis Scott Key, and others. Includes a participatory railroad race with Tom Thumb, an escape through Harriet Tubman’s Underground Railroad, and more. Teachers love the history and children love the story, music, and active participation. Grades 3-6. 50 mins

POCKETFUL OF RHYMES (a./k/a GOOD FOR THE GOOSE) , Rhythmic/Percussion Participatory Song & Dance Book & Lyrics Elaine Beardsley, Music by Walther Jones

Musical-percussion-rhythmic storytelling at it’s most creative. Did you ever wonder what would happen if a lost urban waterfowl wandered into your junkyard? Join us in this uniquely participatory story event as our junkyard-deejay goose encourages creative invention in a jump-to-your-feet-and-sing kind of way. PreK-3rd Grade, 45 minutes. Comissioned by Pumpkin Theatre of Maryland.

DICK WHITTINGTON AND HIS CAT, Comic Operetta
Lyrics by Elaine Beardsley, music by Gary Boukis

Twenty minute comic operetta for kids through adult. Enjoy four part-harmony as poor orphan Dick makes his
mistakes in life and love. Had a hilarious run at the Maryland Renassaince Festival.

SACAGAWEA, Journey to the Home of the Sun
Book & Lyrics by Elaine Beardsley, Music by Gary Boukis

A darkly lit tipi, the sound of Native drumbeats-- slowly dancers and sound arise, joined by audience members
who have been prepared beforehand. As they begin the Sundance the dancers shake and rattle in an expression of
the traditional dance. But Sacagawea can not join in, because she is female.

Join this young Native-American woman as she becomes translator for the Lewis and Clark Expedition and embarks
on her extraordinary journey to the home of the sun. Sacagawea travels 5000 miles with her baby on her back, her
personal triumph all the more poignant contrasted with the fate of her tribe.

After Making Maryland's fifth year with Children's Theater Association, Elaine Beardsley became the top-grossing playwright in their 20 year+ history