A Christmas Carol
By Charles Dickens, Music and Lyrics by Jule Styne and Bob Merrill
Perhaps the best loved holiday story of all time, our adaptation of Dickens' classic is particularly suited to children, and features a magnificent score by Jule Styne, the composer of Broadway's immortal Peter Pan, Gypsy and Funny Girl. All the joy, sentiment and meaning are here, without being too scary for young audiences. Family Ties, Language, Literary Classic, Music, Reading (K - 5) Duration: 1 hour.

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (K – 5)
Based on the classic story by Washington Irving
Book, Music, and Lyrics by Paul Deiss
No autumn is complete without the fun of telling favorite stories and Washington Irving’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow has been at the top of the list of great stories for almost 200 hundred years! Thrill and perhaps chill your audience (although it’s not too scary for little ones) with Theatre IV’s masterful musical retelling of this lively legend. Duration: 1 hour.

“I Have a Dream”—The Life and Times of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (Gr 3 – Adult)
by Bruce Craig Miller
This compelling dramatization of the life and times of one of the most influential and charismatic leaders of the “American Century” and the Civil Rights movement will inspire your students as they experience this great leader’s struggle and his dream of lifting “our nation from the quicksand of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Duration: 1 hour.

'Twas the Night Before Christmas
Book, Music and Lyrics by Bruce Craig Miller
Inspired by the timeless poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas" and by the real life of its author, Clement Moore, this hilarious musical introduces Santa in a particularly beneficent light. This classic from Theatre IV has been charming audiences nationwide for many years. Family Ties, Folk Tales, Language, Literary Classic, Music, Reading (K - 5) Duration: 1 hour.

Harriett Tubman and the Underground Railroad
Book and Lyrics by Douglas Jones; Music by Ron Barnett
Co-produced by the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia
This stirring drama with music is a classic tribute to the great American who freed herself and hundreds of her people from the bonds of slavery. Her courage helped to change the world. Share her adventurous life with your students in this accurate and deeply moving musical history lesson. Family Ties, History, Language, Biography, Multi-Cultural, Music, Self Esteem, Women's Studies (3 - 12) Duration: 1 hour.

Huck and Tom and the Mighty Mississippi (Gr. 2 - 8)
Book by Peter Howard,
Music and Lyrics by Ron Barnett
The greatest young adventurers in American literature spring to life in this foot-stompin’ musical based on the novels of Mark Twain. Join Huckleberry, Tom, Jim, Becky Thatcher, Aunt Polly and all the residents and rapscallions of Hannibal, MO as they explore the majestic river that defines their lives, tests their souls, and carries their spirit into the heart of America. Duration: 1 hour.

The True Story of Pocahontas (K – 5)
by Peter Howard
Co-produced by the Virginia Historical Society
Every school-age child knows the name Pocahontas and yet her true story is shrouded in myth. Our musical play emphasizes historical facts as we discover the real Pocahontas as she grows from a young, playful girl helping the Jamestown colonists survive to the young woman who carries her message of peace, harmony, and mutual co-operation across the Atlantic to the court of the mighty King of England. Duration: 1 hour.

Santa’s Enchanted Workshop
Book, music and lyrics by Richard Giersch; Additional lyrics by Bruce Craig Miller
Stanley and his baby sister, SuSu, don’t know whether or not to believe in Santa Claus, so they set out for the North Pole. Trapped in a blizzard, they wind up in a dilapidated gas station run by a mysterious old man named Nick. Could this be Santa’s Enchanted Workshop? Imagination is the key in this joyous holiday musical, which features a singing robot, a dancing rag doll and one of the silliest villains you’ll ever see! Family Ties, Character Development Language. Duration: 1 hour.

The Frog Prince (K – 5)
Book and Lyrics by Douglas Jones,
Music by Ron Barnett
When a spoiled princess drops her golden ball into a well, a noble frog retrieves it in exchange for her promise of friendship. The princess breaks her promise, and must face the music in this colorful, funny, faithful adaptation of the classic folk story first recorded by the Brothers Grimm. Our beautiful production of The Frog Prince showcases an amphibian ensemble created by internationally acclaimed puppet master Terry Snyder. Duration: 1 hour.

Performances at the Empire Theatre in Richmond, Va.:

Stuart Little
Music by Ronna Frank, Lyrics by Joseph Robinette and Ronna Frank
From the loving heart of E. B. White, author of Charlotte’s Web, comes this merry musical about a noble mouse who jumps headlong into adventures big enough to match any imagination. By turns funny, tender and exciting, Stuart Little mixes gorgeous child-size puppets with live actors to work theatrical magic. Ages 4 and up.

A Christmas Story
By Philip Grecian; Based on the classic motion picture written by Jean Sheppard, Leigh Brown and Bob Clark
A first-ever Richmond stage production of an endearing holiday film favorite! This classic tale is true to the original film which for many years has amused and warmed so many hearts. Set in the 1940s, it is the story of a middle-class Indiana family at Christmas time. Young Ralphie is on a quest for the Holy Grail of Christmas presents: "a genuine Red Ryder 220-Shot Carbine Action Air Rifle." You’ll recognize all the beloved scenes such as Ralphie in atrocious pink bunny pajamas and a classmate’s tongue frozen to the school flag pole. A Christmas Story is the comic relief you’ll need during a hectic holiday season! Ages 4 and up. Duration: aproximately 2 hours.

Rumpelstiltskin’s Daughter
Based on the illustrated book by Diane Stanley; Music & Lyrics by Tim Battle; Book & Lyrics by Robert Neal Marshall; Additional Music and Arrangements by Jason Brown
Who would have guessed that Rumpelstiltskin would marry the miller’s daughter? Or, that they would have a daughter who could spin magic of her own? With courage, wit, and some ingenious tricks, Rumpelstiltskin's Daughter changes a greedy king and saves an entire kingdom. Duration: aproximately 2 hours.

Peter Pan
By James M. Barrie; Music by Mark Charlap and Jule Styne; Lyrics by Carolyn Leigh, Betty Comden, and Adolph Green
Theatre IV’s award winning musical Peter Pan returns to the Empire Theatre! Peter and his charming compatriots, Tinker Bell and the Darling children, fly off to NeverLand – where lost boys don’t have to grow up, mermaids, pirates, Indians and crocodiles are always just around the bend, and it’s winter, spring, summer and fall all at the same time. Let your spirit take flight with this captivating classic that has thrilled audiences for generations. Duration: aproximately 2 hours.

 

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Because titles, dates, and times are subject to
change, please contact Theatre IV for
Up-To-The-Minute information.