The Great Gilly Hopkins
by David L. Paterson, Katherine Paterson, Steve Liebman
Full Length Musical, Dramatic Comedy / 1m, 4f, 1boy(s), 2girl(s)
"A rare piece of children's theatre that doesn't wear a sugar coat [...] Rewards in abundance await audiences [of this] excellent, bittersweet play." - The New York Times
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Cast Size
1m, 4f, 1boy(s), 2girl(s)Duration
75 MinutesSubgenre
Adaptations (Literature), Theatre for Young AudiencesAccolades
From Broadway, From Off-BroadwayTarget Audience
- Appropriate for all audiences
Additional Info
Reviews
REVIEWS
"A rare piece of children's theatre that doesn't wear a sugar coat [...] Rewards in abundance await audiences [of this] excellent, bittersweet play." - The New York Times
"Irresistible [...] Go - take your parents." - New York Post
Videos
-
The Great Gilly Hopkins film trailer
Considerations
Performing Groups
- Jr High/Primary
- High School/Secondary
- College Theatre / Student
- Community Theatre
- Professional Theatre
- Reader's Theatre
- Large Stage
- Youth/Camp Programs
Cautions
- No Special Cautions
License details
- Licensing fees and rental materials quoted upon application.
Production
Details
- Time Period: Present Day
- Duration: 75 Minutes
- Setting:
Washington DC
- Additional Features: No intermission
- Features / Contains: Contemporary Costumes / Street Clothes
Music
- Musical Style: Classic Broadway
- Vocal Demands: Moderate
- Orchestra Size: Piano Only
Song Samples
Casting
1m, 4f, 1boy(s), 2girl(s)GILLY HOPKINS - an eleven-year-old terror going on thirty
MISS ELLIS - Gilly's social worker (role may also be cast as a male)
MAIME TROTTER - Gilly's new foster mother; very overweight
WILLIAM ERNEST - Trotter's foster son; shy and withdrawn
MR. RANDOLPH - Trotter's neighbor; an elderly blind black man
MISS HARRIS - Gilly's new teacher; an attractive young black woman
AGNES STOKES - Gilly's loud-mouthed classmate
NONNIE - Gilly's grandmother
COURTNEY - Gilly's mother
Cast Attributes
- Role(s) for Black Actor(s)
- Ensemble cast
- Expandable casting
- Features Children
- Flexible casting
- Multicultural casting
- Roles for Children
- Room for Extras
- Strong Role for Leading Woman (Star Vehicle)
- Parts for Senior Actors
Casting Notes
Parts for up to two men, five women, and three children; plus extras
Resources
Rehearsal Resources
Music Material Rental Packages
Full Package
9 Piano/Vocal Scores
Scripts
More
Authors
David L. Paterson
An Award-winning playwright and screenwriter, David has penned over two-dozen plays, 15 of which are published through Samuel French, Inc. His works have been performed on Broadway, Off Broadway and throughout the world. He is the only playwright ever to have three plays premiere on the New York City stage in one mont ...
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Katherine Paterson
Katherine Paterson is the author of more than 30 books including16 novels for children and young people. She has twice won the Newbery Medal, for Bridge to Terabithia in 1978 and Jacob Have I Loved in 1981. The Master Puppeteer won the National Book Award in 1977 and The ...
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Steve Liebman
The Great Gilly Hopkins premiered at Stage One in Louisville, KY in October 1996 under the direction of J. Daniel Herring
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