Susanna Pitzer

Plays

I've written over 15 plays that have been performed in grade schools, junior highs, colleges, and by the Seem To Be Players, a professional children's theatre company.

Below is a list of the plays that are available for purchase and performance:

Clucky, the Brave Little Hen

Clucky, a factory chicken, dreams of living free-range. She braves an escape from factory life to embark on an adventure to follow her dream.

While running across the countryside, she meets a nature-challenged young girl, a farming grandmother, and the free-range rooster of her dreams, all the while narrowly escaping the chicken factory workers who want her back.

"Clucky, the Brave Little Hen," is a high energy romp into the subjects of sustainable farming, the cycle of life, composting, farm animals, growing vegetables, and figuring out where we, humans, fit into the overall picture.

Commissioned by Visible Theatre in NYC. "Clucky" enjoyed a great run at the Stone Barns in Tarrytown, NY.

Cast of 6

Length: 45 minutes

First performance: September 2008

Above actors: Angela DeMatteo, William Green, Gregg Mozgala, Michael Quattrone, Krista Smith, and David Wagner

Grimm Sisters

You know the witches from all the major Grimm's Fairy tales, but did you know they were related?

Rapunzel, Snow White, and Sleeping Beauty may have had hard lives, but what do you think the 'step' mothers of these three teenagers went through?

Great for teenage performers!

Junior High and High School.

LARGE CAST: Includes trees, animals,

vegetables, and many fairy tale characters.

Parts can be doubled up, or if you have

many actors -- everyone can have a part.

Setting: Homes of the Grimm Sisters,

Rapunzel, Snow White, and Sleeping Beauty

Length: 1 hour

First Performance: 1996

Revised script - 2008

Photographs from the South Junior High Production, November 2008, directed by Trish Neuteboom.

Comments on "Grimm Sisters" taken from The Lawrence Journal World

November 8, 2008

To the editor:

On Wednesday evening, I attended the dress rehearsal for Southwest Junior High School’s production of the “The Grimm Sisters,” written by Susanna Pitzer. I came home inspired to write and encourage every mother to attend with their daughter.

The play offers a fresh look at the fairy tales “Hansel and Gretel,” “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” “Sleeping Beauty” and “Rapunzel,” with a glimpse into the motivation behind the witches’ wicked deeds. Woven into the scenes is a message about being yourself, trusting each other and seeking forgiveness. The resolution of each of the dilemmas offers a more realistic “happily ever after” than the original tales.

The production presents a large, energetic cast, colorful costumes, full stage and up-and-coming talent. It is directed by a beloved Averill (Trish Neuteboom), and her accomplished assistant, Ericka Waller. The show’s last performance will be at 7 p.m. today with tickets on sale for $3. It is general admission, so come early and get a good seat!

I will have the pleasure of taking my own daughter to the production, knowing it will be an entertaining and influential hour and a half.

Norine Spears,

Lawrence

Originally published at: http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2008/nov/08/fresh_look/

The Adventures of Ballerina Bunny

This Ballerina Super Hero battles the likes of Dr. Rat Finka in the style of the greatest super heroes of our time...Underdog and Superwoman. This comic hero spoof comes complete with commercials!

Fun show for actors and audiences of all ages.

Cast of 8

Settings: Television studio, Dr. Rat Finka's Hideout, Home of Helen, the Housewife,

and Stage of the City Ballet

Length: 30 minutes

First Performance: 1995

Can You Hear the Talking Dog?

Sammie isn't happy when her family moves and she has to go to a new school. Instead of making friends, she decides to only talk to her dog, Prince. He also talks to her.

Cast of 6. All can be played by children or adults, acting as children.

Setting: Playground

Length: 45 minutes

First Performance: 1997

Cinderella

You know the story, but did you realize Cinderella really had a fairy dogmother? One that knew her mother and grandmother? And that the Prince also had a wise dog keeping him on the right path?

This humorous play touches the heart!

Cast of 7

Setting: Cinderella's Kitchen, Outside Cinderella's House, and the Prince's Castle

Length: 45 minutes

First Performance: 1997

A Fairy's Tale

A teenage girl finds herself and her strength as she helps a hermit, and the fairy who is in love with him, to overcome the obstacles that stand in the way of their union.

Cast of 8

Setting: Family Kitchen and Forest

Length: 45min - 1 hour

First Performance: 1994

Monsters in the Closet

In order to go back to their home planet, monsters, Larissa and Samantha, must help a little girl overcome a fear of 'monsters in the closet.' This isn't an easy feat for two monsters who are desperately afraid of children.

Fun show for Halloween!

Cast of 5

Setting: Girl's bedroom and Monster Office

Length: 45 minutes

First Performance: 1983

"I'm the pink monster. Jennifer Glenn is the blue one,

and the creator of these great costumes."

Traveling Through Dreams

Seriously Fun Abstract Theatre!

This play takes us through the dreams of our young hero, Noah, and his trials and tribulations with parents, girls, authority figures, and just about everything else a young teen, or an adult for that matter, deals with...trying to strike out in independence, letting go of the past, trying to be brave enough to go after what you really want in life.

The play includes songs, Shakespeare, dancing, drama, and fun.

Large Cast: great for junior high and high school actors...up to 55 of them!

Setting: A Dream

Length: 45 minutes

First Performance: 1995 (newly revised script: 2008)

The Tale of Jemima Puddleduck

Adapted from Beatrix Potter's story.

Jemima Puddleduck is a duck who wants to hatch her own eggs. To do this, she must hide out in the woods, which puts her at risk of being eaten by the sly fox.

A sweet play -- fun and endearing!

Cast of 5

Length: 20 minutes

First Performance: 1997

Great show to do in combination with Ric Averill's adaptation of "Peter Rabbit."

Mystery at Ghastly Hall!

Zinnia Ghastly grew up in the theatre, Ghastly Hall to be exact. She is the last in a long line of thespians.

Now in her 70's, Zinnia thinks it's time to sell Ghastly Hall. She's sad to leave her theatre home, but what else can she do? People have stopped coming to the theatre. It's hard for her to take care of it by herself. But there's a problem with selling it...it seems like Ghastly Hall is haunted.

With the help of her lifelong friend and tap dancing partner, Millicent Margoyle...Zinnia works to solve the mystery at Ghastly Hall.

A wonderful Halloween show!

This production is complete with mystery, intrigue, comedy, songs, dancing, and more....witches, monsters, ghosts, and ghouls!

Cast: 8

Setting: A theatre

Running Time: 1 hour

First Performance: coming soon

For more great plays and playwrights, visit: http://usaplays4kids.drury.edu

A fresh look