Milo, a ten-year-old boy, is uninterested in everything around him ("Another Boring Afternoon"). He is unaware of the presence of Demons – The Terrible Trivium, The Demon of Insincerity and The Senses Taker ("Gotcha"). Milo is pulled from his boredom when his dresser magically transforms into The Tollbooth ("The Birth of the Booth"). After following a series of commands, Milo receives a map and ends up in a car on his way to The Castle in the Air ("A Ride Beyond Expectations").
Milo meets the Whether Man, who welcomes him to the Land of Expectations ("The Whether Man") and then accidently ends up in The Doldrums ("The Lethargarian Shuffle"). Tock the Watchdog, storms in and helps Milo leave the Doldrums. Together, they head off for Dictionopolis ("The Drive to Dictionopolis").
On their way, Tock describes the quarrel between the brothers, Azaz and the Mathemagician ("Tock's Narrative"), that led to the creation of Dictionopolis and Digitopolis. Tock explains how their sisters, the Princess of Sweet Rhyme and The Princess of Pure Reason, tried to settle the dispute but were banished instead, leaving the kingdom in disarray. As the story ends, the pair arrives in Dictionopolis ("Dictionopolis Fanfare") on market day ("At the Market"). Milo and Tock are taken to see King Azaz ("Vendors' Exit / Entrance of King Azaz").
Milo is confused by what he has encountered thus far in the kingdom and he suggests to Azaz that the Princesses be rescued from The Castle in the Air. Azaz explains the perils of this quest, but Milo decides that he is brave enough to try ("Do I Dare?"). Azaz bestows a dictionary upon Milo to help him on his journey, and Milo heads off for Digitopolis with Tock to get the blessing of the Mathemagician for this rescue mission ("Milo's Traveling Music").
After the road disappears, Milo and Tock are greeted by a Miner who offers to lead them to Digitopolis. At the numbers mine ("Music of the Mine"), the Miners explain the importance of numbers ("Hail, Digitopolis"), and we meet the Mathemagician ("The Mathemagician's Entrance"). The Mathemagician offers his guests lunch ("Subtraction Stew"). Milo convinces the Mathemagician to give his blessing to rescue the Princesses. The Mathemagician bestows a "magic staff" (a #2 pencil) upon Milo and warns him of the Demons lurking in the Mountains of Ignorance. Milo and Tock depart ("From Farewell Digitopolis Through Mountains of Ignorance").
The Demons are waiting for Milo ("Gotcha – Reprise"), and each Demon attempts to sidetrack the duo with worthless tasks and bad advice. Using some quick thinking and the magical items, Milo is able to defeat the Demons ("The Climb to the Castle in the Air").
Upon reaching The Castle in the Air, Milo and Tock are greeted by Rhyme and Reason. Milo is filled with self-doubt as he realizes that he has no idea how to get everyone back down from the castle. The Princesses encourage him ("Milo"). As Milo regains his new-found confidence, the Demons begin chopping down the stairway to the castle. Once again Milo has an idea – Time Flies! They all cling to Tock's tail, and he flies them to safety.
Once on the ground, the group is attacked by Demons, but the Mathemagician and King Azaz arrive with their armies, sending the Demons running in fear ("The Return of Rhyme and Reason"). The Mathemagician declares that Rhyme and Reason shall "reign once more in the Land of Wisdom," and Azaz recognizes Milo and Tock as "heroes of the realm." After a brief celebration, it is time for Milo to leave ("The Drive Back Home").
Back in his bedroom, Milo sees that The Tollbooth is no longer there. He finds a letter, which the Voice of The Tollbooth as Milo reads aloud ("Finale"). The Tollbooth has moved on to other children who need it. With his renewed curiosity, Milo is ready to dive into life without the aid of a mystical Tollbooth, and it now "looks like a fine, fantastic afternoon!"
Milo
Milo is a boy who is completely understimulated by everything around him. Cast an extremely likeable actor who has a solid voice and acting chops. This actor should be able to remain focused over a long period of time as the character almost never leaves the stage.
Gender: male
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: A3
Demons
Demons are dark and scary entities that persuade Milo into not doing anything. They are sinister and love to be in control. They should all be good physical actors with strong acting skills and terrifying, evil laughs!
Gender: any
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: B3
The Tollbooth
The Tollbooth is the perfect role for an excellent singer who has solid musical skills. The role can be performed equally successfully by a male or female performer. Select a performer who has a powerful and confident voice. The role is usually performed offstage and unseen by the audience, but it does have two large feature moments in the show. This is a great place to feature a student who is studying opera.
Gender: any
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: B3
Narrators
Narrators are non-singing parts that require focus and good public speaking skills. They are a great way to feature ensemble members! These boys and girls are neighborhood kids that want to play with Milo. They are all non-singing roles.
Gender: any
Whether Man
Whether Man is an eccentric individual not to be confused with a "weather man"! This is a great part for an actor with good physical comedy chops.
Gender: male
Vocal range top: C5
Vocal range bottom: B3
Lethargarians
Lethargarians are slow motion, unmotivated, incredibly lackadaisical beings. That said, make sure you use ensemble members with lots of energy or risk your audience falling asleep with them!
Gender: any
Tock
Tock is an extremely energetic, lovable dog with an alarm clock in his or her belly. Cast a very physical actor comfortable crawling and sliding across the floor on his or her knees. The actor should also have a solid voice and a strong ability to focus onstage.
Gender: any
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: Bb3
Azaz
Azaz is the king of words! While he deeply misses the Princesses, he doesn't want to work with his brother, the Mathemagician, to save them. Cast an actor with a classic "king" presence and strong acting chops.
Gender: male
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: D4
Mathemagician
Mathemagician is the king of numbers. Much like Azaz, he secretly misses the Princesses but refuses to save them with his brother. This is a great part for an energetic actor with a good sense of rhythm and comedic timing.
Gender: male
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: Bb3
Rhyme
Rhyme and Reason are the Princesses banished to the Castle in the Air. They are great classic ingenue roles and require actresses with strong voices.
Gender: female
Vocal range top: Db5
Vocal range bottom: Bb3
Reason
Rhyme and Reason are the Princesses banished to the Castle in the Air. They are great classic ingenue roles and require actresses with strong voices.
Gender: female
Adjective Sellers
The Vendors are marketplace sellers of all types of words in Dictionopolis. These are great roles to feature your ensemble members with solo singing, and they require excellent character work. These are non-speaking roles.
Gender: any
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: D4
Adverb Sellers
The Vendors are marketplace sellers of all types of words in Dictionopolis. These are great roles to feature your ensemble members with solo singing, and they require excellent character work. These are non-speaking roles.
Gender: any
Vocal range top: C5
Vocal range bottom: C4
Noun Sellers
The Vendors are marketplace sellers of all types of words in Dictionopolis. These are great roles to feature your ensemble members with solo singing, and they require excellent character work. These are non-speaking roles.
Gender: any
Vocal range top: C#5
Vocal range bottom: A3
Pronoun Sellers
The Vendors are marketplace sellers of all types of words in Dictionopolis. These are great roles to feature your ensemble members with solo singing, and they require excellent character work. These are non-speaking roles.
Gender: any
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: A3
Verb Sellers
The Vendors are marketplace sellers of all types of words in Dictionopolis. These are great roles to feature your ensemble members with solo singing, and they require excellent character work. These are non-speaking roles.
Gender: any
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: Ab3
Royal Subjects
The Guard, Page, Advisors and Lackeys are all subjects of the royal kingdom of Dictionopolis, led by King Azaz. These roles are a great opportunity to feature your ensemble members who have strong physical comedy skills. They are all non-singing roles.
Gender: any
Miners
Miners are the subjects of Digitopolis. These are great physical comedy roles! Cast ensemble members who aren't afraid to be ridiculously silly onstage.
Gender: any
Vocal range top: A4
Vocal range bottom: G3
- Word Play
- Imagination
- Grammar and Spelling
- Geometry
- Units of Measurement
- Sibling Relationships
- Tolerance
Billing
Requirements
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Book by
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Music by
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Lyrics by
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NORTON JUSTER & SHELDON HARNICK
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ARNOLD BLACK
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SHELDON HARNICK
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Video Warning
The videotaping or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibitedIncluded Materials
| Resource | Quantity |
|---|---|
| ACTOR'S BOOK | 30 |
| AUDIO PERUSAL DIGITAL | 1 |
| DIRECTOR'S GUIDE | 1 |
| DOWNLOADABLE RESOURCES AND MEDIA | 1 |
| FAMILY MATTERS | 30 |
| GUIDE VOCAL AND PERF TRACKS DIGITAL | 1 |
| GUIDE VOCAL AND PERF TRACKS DIGITAL | 1 |
| PIANO VOCAL SCORE | 1 |