*     Fee scale published in May 2008; subject to change
**  Additional mileage charge - $0.85/mile (subject to change)
      Overnight accommodations and meals are required for all performers when applicable.

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A 45-minute stage performance suitable for school assemblies, outdoor festivals and conferences Can be followed by a puppet demonstration and question and answer session The study guide focuses curriculum activities that support NYS Language Arts Learning Standards.

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  Theme:
*  A fantasy story that explores friendship, hurt feelings, bullying and conflict resolution
*  An original play NOT based on the novel with the same title by Richard Courmier

  Brief Synopsis:
    In a small village live Sprong and Springer, two best friends who fish and play music in parades together. Sprong cares lovingly for a friendly Sunflower. Dwible, a fairy-tale dwarf, tells the audience about a day a very long time ago, when as a young dwarf he was trying to conjure up a magic pot of gold. Instead of gold, he is only able to fill his pot with gold wrapped chocolate coins. Distracted by the music of the Blue Moon, Dwible wanders off leaving his magic pot. The troubles begin the next morning when Sprong is taking care of his Sunflower. He and his friend Springer see Dwible's magical pot of gold and an argument ensues. Sprong eventually dives into the pot of chocolate, and neither Springer nor Dwible are able to coax him out of the pot, so they both leave. Thinking himself alone, Sprong comes out of the pot of chocolate, but Springer has been watching him. He grabs the pot and runs off. A war of words begins. As it escalates, the friends both grow noticeably bigger, objects are destroyed and Sprong's beloved Sunflower is trampled.
    Upset by the loss of his flower Sprong asks Dwible to make him even bigger. As Sprong's angers grows he begins to take it out on others and loses his capacity to reason. His friends are afraid and call him a bully. Springer and Dwible discuss how Sprong's anger has grown to the point where he is pushing people around. Wishing to help him, they debate the cause of his anger. Each assumes he is the cause. At one point, they almost fight over the issue themselves. Then Dwible and Springer notice that in the midst of the mess, seeds have fallen from the flower. They exit, deciding at least to clean it up. Feeling the weight of his anger, a dishearten Sprong enters. In his antics, he knocks over what is left of his Sunflower. When Springer returns he is angry, but Springer tells him he is sorry and that he is trying to water the seeds. Sprong decides to help and they begin to resolve their differences.

  Objectives of the performance:
* Engage children in a story about a fantasy land with characters they can relate to
* Present a scenario where friends come into conflict
* Illustrate, through visual puppetry how anger and hurt can cause loss of control
* Explore various problem solving techniques
* Pose elements of conflict resolution that can lead to discussion

  Curriculum Correlations:
THE ARTS
* Knowing and using materials and resources in a performance
* Responding critically and connecting the arts to other aspects of human endeavor and thought
ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
* Listening for critical analysis of experiences, ideas, information and issues
* Listening for effective social communication to enrich understanding of other people and their views

  Performance Requirements:

Click to inquire about booking this show ~ or ~ print the Form

  Study Tools:
See Study Guide for activities and references.