ONLINE PROGRAM THE PAPER BAG PRINCESS A MUSICAL
music, book & lyrics by JOE SLABE
based on the book by ROBERT MUNSCH
original show concept by TARA BLUE
originally illustrated by MICHAEL MARTCHENKO
published by ANNICK PRESS
directed by VALERIE ANN PEARSON
Produced by special arrangement with Annick Press LTD and Joe Slabe. All authorized performances of materials are supplied by Annick Press LTD, 15 Patricia Avenue, Willowdale, Ontario M2M 1H9 and Joe Slabe, Calgary AB
The videotaping or making of electronic or other audio and/or visual recordings of this production or distributing recordings on any medium, including the Internet, is strictly prohibited, a violation of the author’s rights, and actionable under copyright law.
presented in partnership with OCL Studios.
SHOW SUMMARY
As you may well know, Elizabeth and Ronald were the perfect couple. Elizabeth, a beautiful Princess and Ronald, a handsome Prince. End of story. Well that is until the Dragon soars in to heat things up. The Dragon wreaks havoc on their kingdom, leaving Elizabeth a smouldering mess, and Prince-less, as the Dragon took Ronald as a snack for later. Some might crumble and accept defeat, but not Elizabeth. She dusts off her charbroiled tiara and heads off on an epic journey to defeat the Dragon, and rescue her beloved Ronald. With help from friends along the way, clever wit, and a dose of quick thinking, this brave heroine saves the day, and Ronald. Although, with his attitude, she might just end up leaving him in the dungeon where he belongs!
Back by popular demand, based on "One of the Best Children's Books Ever Written" (New York Times), by Robert Munsch, StoryBook Theatre is thrilled to be able introduce this adventure to whole new audience! First published in 1980, written by famed Canadian author Robert Munsch, it is still one of the most popular children’s stories with over four million copies printed. At a time when gender stigma and stereotypes have become the forefront of conversations around the world, we are so excited to bring this story to life again. A young princess who utilizes resilience, resourcefulness, independence and compassion, this classic tale has become more than just a fun bedtime story. It is a poignant reminder of the ideals we want reflected in our society and championed by everyone!
RATING: G | 3+
Read more about show ratings and recommendations >
FROM THE DIRECTOR VALERIE ANN PEARSON
The Paper Bag Princess is a beloved children’s book and Joe Slabe has captured it beautifully in his script and score. The clever lyrics and memorable melodies bring this story to life in a magical way.
This production marks the third time I have directed this story, and many of the team have been with me for each iteration. The set design by Lorie Masur has captured the effects of the illustrations in the book, and Darcy Howe has matched those effects in her costume designs. Lauren Thompson has reimagined her great choreography. We have an all-new cast.
The biggest difference this time around was the film aspect. J.P. Thibodeau was the film director, and we worked in concert to create the final product. I staged the show for a live performance, and JP took that production and found a way to film it on its best angles. A new experience for many of us, but one that had some wonderful rewards.
Also, I believe this story of feminine heroism is very timely, as it addresses the power of women in the song lyrics and actions of the lead characters. I hope it plays on several levels and will appeal to children while entertaining their parents simultaneously. Enjoy!
FROM THE PLAYWRIGHT AND MUSICAL DIRECTOR JOE SLABE
When Tara Blue commissioned me to write an adaptation of The Paper Bag Princess, the primary challenge was, how do you turn a book that can be read in about five minutes into a one-act musical? I knew I had to remain faithful to the story and, in fact, most of the song titles are taken directly from phrases in the book.
I also knew I wanted to retain Robert Munsch’s timeless message and somewhat subversive sense of humour. So, the solution was to bring Elizabeth’s ladies in waiting along for the adventure and have them overcome their own fears and prejudices so they could work with her to defeat the dragon. Oh, and since Prince Ronald appears in only the first and last scenes of the book, I had a lot of fun imagining what he got up to while he was being held captive in the dragon’s lair.
Thanks to JP and StoryBook for programming this show a third time! It’s been great to reunite with this talented team of performers, designers, and crew and, I hope The Paper Bag Princess inspires you to face your dragons, too!
SONG LIST
Perfect Day – Princess Elizabeth, Prince Ronald, Ladies In Waiting
The Paper Bag Princess – Princess Elizabeth, Ladies In Waiting
Follow the Bones – Princess Elizabeth, Ladies In Waiting
Face Your Dragons – Princess Elizabeth, Ladies In Waiting
You’re Just Lucky I’m Full – Prince Ronald, Dragon
Come Back Tomorrow – Princess Elizabeth, Dragon, Ladies In Waiting
Rescue Me – Prince Ronald
Drag Racing Dragon – Princess Elizabeth, Dragon, Ladies In Waiting
Hey, Dragon! – Princess Elizabeth, Dragon, Ladies In Waiting
Hey, Ronald! – Princess Elizabeth, Ladies In Waiting
The Paper Bag Princess (Reprise) – Princess Elizabeth, Prince Ronald, Dragon, Ladies In Waiting
Production Inclusion Statistics
47.8% FEMALE/NON-BINARY
REPRESENTATION
43.5% MARGINALIZED REPRESENTATION
30.4% BIPOC
REPRESENTATION
30.4% LGBTQIA2S+
REPRESENTATION
66.7% ON STAGE
41.2% OFFSTAGE
66.7% ON STAGE
35.3% OFFSTAGE
50% ON STAGE
23.5% OFFSTAGE
16.7% ON STAGE
35.3% OFFSTAGE
Production Inclusion Statistics
47.8% FEMALE/NON-BINARY
REPRESENTATION
43.5% MARGINALIZED REPRESENTATION
30.4% BIPOC
REPRESENTATION
30.4% LGBTQIA2S+
REPRESENTATION
66.7% ON STAGE
41.2% OFFSTAGE
66.7% ON STAGE
35.3% OFFSTAGE
50% ON STAGE
23.5% OFFSTAGE
16.7% ON STAGE
35.3% OFFSTAGE
See our FULL SEASON of Statistics and our Community Commitment here.
FROM THE AUTHOR ROBERT MUNSCH
The Paper Bag Princess was first told at the Bay Area Childcare Center in Coos Bay, Oregon, where I had a job in 1973 and 1974. I had been telling lots and lots of dragon stories. They were all fairly regular dragon stories where the prince saves the princess from the dragon.
One day my wife, who also worked at the daycare centre, came to me and said, “How come you always have the prince save the princess? Why can’t the princess save the prince?”
I thought about that and changed around the ending of one of my dragon stories. That made the adults a lot happier, and the kids did not mind. The original ending had Princess Elizabeth punching Ronald in the nose. When Michael Martchenko drew a picture of that, it looked a bit too violent, so we changed it around and had Princess Elizabeth call Ronald a bum. Later, when Scholastic International wanted to do a book club edition for England, Australia and New Zealand, they said, “We can’t use bum. People in England don’t call each other bums. They just don’t do it. Princess Elizabeth should call Ronald a toad.”
We said that was okay, but besides doing it in England, Australia and New Zealand, they also did it in Canada. So Canada has some Paper Bag Princesses where Elizabeth calls Ronald a bum and somewhere Elizabeth calls Ronald a toad.
For Canada, I like bum much better. People don’t call each other toads in Canada. I never have. Have you ever called somebody a toad? People just don’t do it.
When the Paper Bag Princess was published, it sold 3,000 the first year. I thought that was great, but since then, it has sold almost 3,000,000.
Elizabeth became the name for the Princess at the Family Studies Preschool at the University of Guelph, in Ontario, Canada. Elizabeth had lots of older brothers, and when she came to the preschool the first time, she dropped her coat on the floor and waited for me to hang it up. I thought, ‘Wow! This kid thinks she is a princess.’ When the story got published, I decided that she should be the kid in it. Elizabeth still lives in Guelph (2002), and now she has a son of her own.
STAGE & FILM TEAM CREDITS
STORYBOOK THEATRE
Artistic Producer| JP THIBODEAU
Office Administrator | EVA STIEBER
THEATRICAL TEAM
Stage Director | VALERIE ANN PEARSON
Musical Director | JOE SLABE
Choreographer | LAUREN THOMPSON
Stage Manager | JOY HODGSON
Assistant Stage Manager | MICHAEL LUONG
Set Design | LORIE MASUR
Set Assistant & Properties | JJ PENARANDA
Costume Designer | DARCIE HOWE
Costume Design Assistant | JESSICA RONEY
Costume Building | CATHERINE HANDFORD
Hair & Wig Designer | CAT BENTLEY
Master Carpenter | RICH DAVIS
Dragon Construction | CODY ANDREASON
Musical Track Compilation | HUGO McLAUGHLIN
Graphic Design & Marketing | JENNIFER MERIO
Public Relations | ALDONA BARUTOWICZ
FILM TEAM
Film Direction | JP THIBODEAU
Director of Photography | KRIS MISH
1st Assistant Director | JOY HODGSON
Wardrobe Head | DARCIE HOWE
Wardrobe Assistant | JESSICA RONEY
Lighting Programmer | SKYLAR DESJARDINS
Script Supervisor | JOY HODGSON
Location Sound | BRENDA SEVILLA
Production Assistant | MICHAEL LUONG
Production Assistant | LLOYD CADAY
Production Assistant | ROBERT HERTZ
Production & Camera Assistant | CARTER DALE
Soundtrack Recording | OCL STUDIOS
Music Editor & Supervisor | JOSH GWILLIAM
Video Editor | JP THIBODEAU
Assistant Editor | GRAHAM KINGSLEY
Assistant Editor | KRIS MISH
Executive Producer | STORYBOOK THEATRE
StoryBook would like to share our complete appreciation to OCL Studios, for donating their studio time for the cast recording sessions. Thanks to their generosity, support, and hard work, our cast was able to capture their beautiful voices, and safely record the magic that is the music of Annie. Check out OCL Studio's inspiring space >
PARTNER SHOWCASE THANK YOU OCL STUDIOS
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THANK YOU TO...
THANK YOU TO...
Rob Fischer,
Cabinets by Design
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Hannigan's Paint
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And a very special thank you to our parent volunteers...
Christina Wilson
Laura Bicknell
Heather Racz
Cass Warren
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Sharon Nolasco
