Some Comments We've Heard

    "One of the real perks of my long association with Wichita Children's Theatre as their principle stage director, has been the fun and challenge of directing original material by a variety of playwrights writing for young people. Over the last twenty years of doing so, Kevin M Reese has emerged as the most important writer of this material. Because of his background as a trained and educated theatre performer, or perhaps more importantly, as a parent to a creative young family, Kevin knows what appeals to little people and understands how to teach them important lessons. All of Kevin's work is both entertaining AND instructive. There are moral lessons inherent to the material that children come away with, and infused with songs that stick in their minds and are repeated often at home.
    Many of these shows tour the mid-west region, and have entertained hundreds of thousands of young people. This is no exaggeration! His shows are consistently well received, and in fact, have been the backbone of the WCT touring company. Many community sponsors have asked us to return year after year, based on the strength of Kevin's writing. Perhaps this is because he does such a good job of entertaining the adults as well...it is they,  after all, who are paying for it!"
--  John (JB) Boldenow, Director, Wichita Children's Theatre (KS) and Artistic Director, Wichita Center for the Arts.

Thank you for sending me a copy of your script. BENEATH THE UPPER ROOM. I loved it! Your sense of humor really shines. I sat at my computer chuckling in different spots. I've never thought of the last supper in respect of the women's point of view and what it might have been like. Going to church at least two or three times a week since early childhood, I've heard the story many times and have seen pictures of what artists thought it might have looked like. Also, a local church puts on a play of a what they thought the last supper was like, again taking it from the Bibles point of view. I've read it over twice and tried to put myself in the kitchen, as a mouse in the corner, so to speak, and am amazed by the different feelings and thoughts that I now have concerning this story. Thank you for giving me that new perspective.

-- Doris Abbas, 4th Grade Teacher, Webster City, IA

I have been asking some of our regulars which play they enjoyed the most this year.  The overwhelming favorite was The Three Billy Goats Gruff!  They loved the way you handled the Troll". 
--  Stephanie Quinn, The Talent Factory, Duluth, GA

"The KMR package is so complete...well-constructed script (colorful characters, fast-moving plots, and clever dialogue), great music, a performance sound track, staging suggestions, and even a teacher's guide for our grade school audiences!  I can't imagine a playwright offering any more support to the producing group than that.  What a bargain!  Our audiences have loved the two KMR scripts we've produced, and so have our actors, designers, and technicians  I look forward to directing a third!"
-- Brian Hauck, Head of Theatre Department, Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College

"My Dad is silly!"
-- Arthur Reese (Kevin M Reese's 5 year old son)

"...we absolutely couldn't agree more about our collective mission of building future audiences for live theatre. Your letter assured me you have the best interests of children at heart."
--William P. Ward, Exec Artistic Dir, Flint Youth Theatre

"The show was such a huge hit that we need to add a couple more performances.  And - our Board of Directors has chosen Billy Goats to represent our theatre at the state theatre festival in July. This will be the first time we've taken a children's show to the festival. We have four dynamite kids (12 and 13 yrs old) in the roles and the Board feels they deserve a shot. Thanks!"
--Cynthia Kent, Managing Director, Lawton (OK) Community Theatre

"I'm writing here to thank you for another successful production of your work at Muhlenberg College!  "Little Red Hen" was an even bigger hit this year than "Three Billy Goats Gruff" was last year, and we were very happy with the results. Thanks for your efforts in providing quality musical theatre pieces for children.  We look forward to working with you again next year!"
-- Ken Butler, Company Manager, Muhlenberg Summer Music Theatre, Allentown, PA

"We have read quite a few scripts & were  happy to discover yours.  They are most refreshing.  I especially like your director's script & notes...very helpful.  Keep up the good work!  We hope to be doing more of your original works"
-- Kathy Moore, Director, Florence Little Theatre, Florence, SC

"I ordered 10 scripts from you a while back, and first of all, let me say that I love them. I am really excited about the customer service and quality scripts you provide. I think your company is exactly what I've been trying to find for my group. . . . .I sincerely appreciate the service you are providing to those of us who are involved in children's theatre."
-- Kristi Ford, Director, Actin' Up, Pascagoula, MS

"Hi . I have performed in 2 of your plays and both were so much fun.  First in December I played Chris Kookie in Buddy, the Magic Snowman.   Now I'm working on Hansel and Gretel. I'm the witch!  How do you think up all the ideas for the plays?  I like your plays because they always have some funny things in them or a funny character.  Thank you."
-- Lauren "Kookie" Koester (age 10), From The Talent Factory Theater, Duluth, GA

"The tour [Pinocchio] went great - kids loved it as well as the teachers.  I'll be looking through scripts of yours for next year's show.  Any suggestions?  The actors also wanted me to tell you they enjoyed playing the show, esp. the Blue Fairy (we always used her in androgynous roles before - she loved being a "girl" this year, and magic, too!)"
-- April Cochran, Director of Children's Theatre, Market House Theatre, Paducah, KY

"Please produce Kevin's plays-- he has a family to support." 
--  (Kevin's dad)  

 Just wanted to drop someone a line to say thank you, thank you, thank you for having a variety of scripts online for children.  My daughter wants to be in the talent show, we didn't know when it was and I was desperate.  I thank you for having something that I know she and a friend or two can do, they will work well together and it will be a good experience.  Thanks!
-- A Mom via email

Thanky, thanky!! My 11 & 9 years olds love to do plays with their friends, your website has provided a service we couldn't find anywhere else.   Thank so much for your talent! -- Julie, a Mom from Minnesota

So why Alice in Wonderland? And a better question? Why a musical? Truth be told, I never liked Carroll's story as a child. I didn't even like the Disney movie!  Luckily,  KMR Scripts' adaptation is FABULOUS! Finally, I fell in love with the story. Imagination, rules, logic- important life lessons all in one play! And the music is upbeat and fun! A perfect play for kids and parents alike!
-- Shannon McLoud, The Collaborative Theatre Ensemble, RI