CAST: Flexible cast of 20 (4M, 8F, plus 8 roles that can be any), optional extras
SET: Interior school set
TIME: About 90 minutes
Script:
$9.00 each Director’s book: $27.50 each
ROYALTY:
$70 First Performance
$70 Each Additional Performance
SET: Interior school set
TIME: About 90 minutes
Script:
$9.00 each Director’s book: $27.50 each
ROYALTY:
$70 First Performance
$70 Each Additional Performance
If somebody kidnapped your least favorite teacher, would you want her back? In an award-winning comedic tale loosely based on O. Henry’s classic story, Casey and Tim nab their demanding English teacher to avoid having to take a test, but they find that no one wants her back!
It’s bad enough that she corrects the grammar in their ransom note and makes them rewrite it, but when the captive teacher assigns them a research paper on famous kidnappings in history, the young kidnappers find themselves doing more school work than ever! Meanwhile, nobody takes the new principal (a former student of Miss Dower’s) seriously, a high-strung ex-Marine corporate exec turned housewife runs a PTA bake sale fundraiser with military precision, a Star Trek-obsessed custodian works frantically to keep the crumbling building ship-shape, and the football mascot believes himself a real Viking warrior with his sassy cousin from Brooklyn as his Valkyrie-in-training.
Great characters and sharp humor make this loose adaptation of O. Henry’s classic Ransom of Red Chief a delightful choice for any audience.
Winner of the Shubert Fendrich Memorial Playwriting Contest
It’s bad enough that she corrects the grammar in their ransom note and makes them rewrite it, but when the captive teacher assigns them a research paper on famous kidnappings in history, the young kidnappers find themselves doing more school work than ever! Meanwhile, nobody takes the new principal (a former student of Miss Dower’s) seriously, a high-strung ex-Marine corporate exec turned housewife runs a PTA bake sale fundraiser with military precision, a Star Trek-obsessed custodian works frantically to keep the crumbling building ship-shape, and the football mascot believes himself a real Viking warrior with his sassy cousin from Brooklyn as his Valkyrie-in-training.
Great characters and sharp humor make this loose adaptation of O. Henry’s classic Ransom of Red Chief a delightful choice for any audience.
Winner of the Shubert Fendrich Memorial Playwriting Contest
Additional products available:
Director’s book: $27.50 each
Director’s book: $27.50 each
The Ransom of Miss Elverna Dower
Production Photos
Video Clips
FIRST DISTRICT ELEMENTARY SCH
MEADVILLE, PA
MEADVILLE, PA
GARRICK DOUGLAS
JACKSON, TN
JACKSON, TN
MARANATHA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
WINDSOR, ON CANADA
WINDSOR, ON CANADA
N L DILLARD MIDDLE SCHOOL
YANCEYVILLE, NC
YANCEYVILLE, NC
JOHNSON MIDDLE SCHOOL
WALPOLE, MA
WALPOLE, MA
WESTHAMPTON BEACH UFSD
WESTHAMPTON BEACH, NY
WESTHAMPTON BEACH, NY
BLACK FOREST ACADEMY
BADEN-WURTTEMBURG GERMANY
BADEN-WURTTEMBURG GERMANY
MT ORAB MIDDLE SCHOOL
MOUNT ORAB, OH
MOUNT ORAB, OH
ANN SIVERTS
BETHEL PARK, PA
BETHEL PARK, PA
JACKSON MIDDLE SCHOOL
PORTLAND, OR
PORTLAND, OR
KAMIAH HIGH SCHOOL
KAMIAH, ID
KAMIAH, ID
WASHINGTON HIGH SCHOOL
SOUTH BEND, IN
SOUTH BEND, IN
FAIRGROUNDS MIDDLE SCHOOL
NASHUA, NH
NASHUA, NH
WEST CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL
ROCKY MOUNTAIN HOUSE, AB CANADA
ROCKY MOUNTAIN HOUSE, AB CANADA
SOUTHERN MD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
WHITE PLAINS, MD
WHITE PLAINS, MD
KIM DIGNIN
TINLEY PARK, IL
TINLEY PARK, IL
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Hear what directors and critics are saying:
Cool Characters for Kids
The characters in this book were created to showcase the talent and personality of the actors performing them. The monologues are one minute and under-perfect for a child’s memorization capabilities.
The characters in this book were created to showcase the talent and personality of the actors performing them. The monologues are one minute and under-perfect for a child’s memorization capabilities.
Ten-Minute Plays for Middle School
These unique books contain much more than just a dozen age-appropriate plays — they are also a great source of supplemental material to facilitate any middle school group interested in scene work.
These unique books contain much more than just a dozen age-appropriate plays — they are also a great source of supplemental material to facilitate any middle school group interested in scene work.
This play is mayhem at its best; lots of action and laughs. We could have easily filled another night with patrons who came a second time! Polly Ehlers, Kiowa High School, Kiowa, CO
It was a play that we could adapt to our school.
Electronic Script Information
For preview: E-Views
E-Views deliver a non-printable, complete preview script to your Pioneer library for reading anytime. Click on ORDER THIS TITLE, then select ELECTRONIC PREVIEW SCRIPT. Learn more about creating an E-view library here.
For production: E-Scripts
E-Scripts allow organizations to receive an emailed, printable PDF of the script within one business day without needing to prepay for scripts or royalties. This option requires the purchase of a sufficient number of distribution rights for your entire cast.
To choose this option, place your PRODUCTION ORDER normally, including the total number of scripts you need for your production. As with all production orders, you must order a minimum of one script per cast member. Then, select “Emailed E-script” as your DELIVERY OPTION during checkout.
IMPORTANT:
NOTE: If you wish to receive a downloadable script immediately, take advantage of our Get It Now! option. Prepayment required.
E-Views deliver a non-printable, complete preview script to your Pioneer library for reading anytime. Click on ORDER THIS TITLE, then select ELECTRONIC PREVIEW SCRIPT. Learn more about creating an E-view library here.
For production: E-Scripts
E-Scripts allow organizations to receive an emailed, printable PDF of the script within one business day without needing to prepay for scripts or royalties. This option requires the purchase of a sufficient number of distribution rights for your entire cast.
To choose this option, place your PRODUCTION ORDER normally, including the total number of scripts you need for your production. As with all production orders, you must order a minimum of one script per cast member. Then, select “Emailed E-script” as your DELIVERY OPTION during checkout.
IMPORTANT:
- You will receive your emailed script within one business day.
- Only scripts can be emailed. Director’s books and music parts must be shipped at regular cost.
- A $6 e-delivery fee will be added to each order.
- All script prices are the same, whether paper, digital, or photocopied.
- There are no returns, exchanges, or refunds on e-scripts or distribution rights.
NOTE: If you wish to receive a downloadable script immediately, take advantage of our Get It Now! option. Prepayment required.
Get It Now! Immediate Downloads
Get It Now! allows you to immediately download PDFs of the script, director’s book, and music scores for our shows. Production/rehearsal CDs sets are also available for immediate download. You will not receive physical versions of anything you select for Get It Now! delivery. This option requires the purchase of a sufficient number of scripts (distribution rights) for your entire cast and pre-payment of your entire order, including royalties.
To choose this option, place your PRODUCTION ORDER normally, including the total number of scripts you need to make for your production. As with all production orders, you must order a minimum of one script per cast member. Then, select “Get It Now!” as your DELIVERY OPTION during checkout, indicate which materials you would like sent electronically, and enter your credit card information in the appropriate space. Make sure you’ve specified the exact number of performances and selected “Bill Now” for your royalties.
IMPORTANT:
NOTE: If you do not wish to prepay for your entire production, you can still take advantage of E-Scripts and receive your emailed PDF within one business day.
To choose this option, place your PRODUCTION ORDER normally, including the total number of scripts you need to make for your production. As with all production orders, you must order a minimum of one script per cast member. Then, select “Get It Now!” as your DELIVERY OPTION during checkout, indicate which materials you would like sent electronically, and enter your credit card information in the appropriate space. Make sure you’ve specified the exact number of performances and selected “Bill Now” for your royalties.
IMPORTANT:
- You will be able to download the available parts immediately after your credit card transaction is approved. A valid email address is required.
- Parts not available for download will be shipped at regular cost.
- A $6 e-delivery fee will be added to each order.
- All material prices are the same, whether paper, digital, or photocopied.
- There are NO RETURNS, EXCHANGES, OR REFUNDS on downloaded materials or distribution rights.
NOTE: If you do not wish to prepay for your entire production, you can still take advantage of E-Scripts and receive your emailed PDF within one business day.