Hansel & Gretel

[Words & Music by Kevin M Reese]

History:
Originally produced by the Wichita Children's Theatre for the Summer Picnic Theatre Series. It opened June 9, 1996, and played fourteen performances. It was directed by John (JB) Boldenow, choreographed by Barb Schoenhofer, and costumed by Audra Wiese.

Production Length: 35 minutes. Recommended for Audiences Age 2 and up.
Characters in Play:  4
Original Cast: 3; 1 Men, 2 Women (Mom and Witch were played by same actress)

Characters: 
Hansel - Typical happy-go-lucky kid.
Gretel - Typical happy-go-lucky kid.  Thinks she overhears her Mom trying to sell her and Hansel.
Mom - Everyday Mom.  Kids misinterpret a phone conversation she has.
Witch - Grumpy and nearsighted (she picked up her eyeglasses at a garage sale!).  She caught Hansel & Gretel eating her house so she locked them in a cage until the police can come.  She pretends to try to eat them just to teach them a lesson.

After playing in their yard, The kids overhear their step-mother talking on the phone. Their father has been laid off and food is getting scarce and they hear her plotting to sell them so they decide to run away. They go through the forest and come across a gingerbread house. They're hungry and nobody seems to be at home, so they start eating the house. The witch arrives (she doesn't see very well since she got her "new" glasses at a garage sale and it makes her very grumpy) and sees the mess. She puts the kids in a cage and pretends she's going to eat them to teach them a lesson. Gretel tricks the Witch into getting into the oven and slams the door. The heat from the fire melts the Witch's glasses just enough that now she can see. She convinces them she is not going to hurt them and they become friends. They tell her about their step-mother and the witch persuades them to go home. They get home and their step-mother catches them. She was worried. Turns out, she wasn't talking about them when they overheard her earlier. Everything is fine. Their father was called back to work and they live happily ever after.

Setting:
Hansel & Gretel's house exterior
Witch's Gingerbread House Exterior
Forest Exterior

MUSIC:  

#1 Hansel & Gretel - Hansel & Gretel
#2 Deedle-Dum, Diddle-Dee - Hansel & Gretel
#3 Nibble, Nibble, Little Mouse - Witch
#4 Week-Long Song - Hansel & Gretel & Witch
#5 Deedle-Dum, Diddle-Dee (Reprise) - Hansel & Gretel
#6 Don't Jump - All

Educational Study Guide Available