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
Read more +The Great Gilly Hopkins
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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
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WILLIAM ERNEST - Trotter's foster son; shy and withdrawn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
The Great Gilly Hopkins premiered at Stage One in Louisville, KY in October 1996 under the direction of J. Daniel Herring
Community Experiences