Allow us to introduce to you our newest 5-9, values-based musical, You Are Special, based on the bestselling book by Max Lucado. Now, make no mistake, this musical is packed with quirky characters, witty jokes and catchy songs, but also has a vital message at its heart – that no matter what you might think, or what other people may say, you are special. This is a story of community and belonging, as well as self-worth and the importance of friendship. So, dive into the world of the Wemmicks and join Punchinello as he meets new people and goes on a bit of an adventure of discovery!
Did you know? We’ve pulled out all the stops and for the first time ever we’ve recorded the whole thing as an audio narration track for you to listen along to and share with your class for at-home listening or some quiet time in the classroom!
An Annual Performance Licence is required to perform this title. For more information, please click here.
WHY YOU’LL LOVE IT
It’s heartfelt and it’s wholesome, but it's got a good dose of ‘silly’ to send you home smiling!
About You Are Special
This much-loved, modern-day parable has been brought to life by the bestselling writing team of Mark, Helen and Naomi Johnson & Sue Langwade – word on the street is that it’s one of their favourite projects to date! Here’s why:
THE SONGS
This new musical has huge potential to help unpack the key values of acceptance and self-worth, and what better way to make these values ‘stick’ than to sing about them? But don’t you worry, you'll still be smiling with our quirky, catchy and anthemic songs to keep your audiences entertained! Whether you’re looking for an opportunity for a heartfelt solo, or a big hustle-and-bustle community opener, this musical has got you covered!
THE STORY
All day every day the Wemmicks give each other stickers – stars for the gifted and beautiful, and dots to mark every kind of flaw and imperfection. This way of life is not one that favours Punchinello – a goodhearted, but imperfect Wemmick, who finds himself covered in plenty of dots, but not one star. Join him and the community on an adventure of discovery, as he makes his way up to the top of the hill on the outskirts of town and begins to understand that regardless of the opinions of others, You Are Special!
THE CHARACTERS
The Wemmicks are a vibrant, quirky and diverse lot, with all sorts of different characteristics and traits! Some of them are sporty, some of them are super smart, others are yet to find their gifts and talents. From the ‘All Stars’ – the popular star-covered group – to the strong-willed and cheerleading Lucia, this cast has a wealth of personalities, all with an important role to play!
THE EXTRAS
Along with the main musical, we have included a shorter narrated script ideal for smaller-scale performances; an audio track (great for story time in the classroom); plus lots of creative cross-curricular ideas and craft videos to help explore and unpack the themes and values in the beautiful story. The book also comes with plenty of staging, choreography, costume and prop suggestions too!
THE VERDICT
‘The most amazing success.’
‘The songs were stunning, catchy and accessible, with a perfect balance of solo and group singing.’
‘This is definitely my favourite 5-9 age musical so far. It really is 'special'.’
An editable script is available for this product when you purchase a Premium package that includes an eSongbook.
View cast list
View staging suggestions
There are speaking parts for 30 plus some essential non-speaking roles. To increase the cast size, you can have any number of All Stars or additional Dot, Star or Mixed-Sticker Wemmicks such as Market Traders. To decrease the cast size to 23, the Snooty, Sniggering and Gossipy Wemmicks could be played by the same three children (reallocating their lines accordingly) and just have one Model Wemmick and one Circus Wemmick (with some modification of their lines). The Poet and Photographer roles could also be combined. The All Stars can be played by any of the Star Wemmicks. Alternatively, for a simpler, cantata-like performance involving less staging/movement and only six characters, you might prefer to use the Shorter Narrated Version.
(Total length of music: 18 minutes approx)
Licence Information
Annual Performance Licence Information - What You Need To Know
- A current Annual Performance Licence is required to perform a musical or nativity to an audience (other than to pupils & staff), including an online audience, and irrespective of whether admission charges are made.
- It is more cost effective to purchase an Annual Performance Licence as part of a complete product pack.
- An Annual Performance Licence covers any number of performances of a particular musical or nativity within 12 months of the date of ordering. A separate Annual Performance Licence is required for each product title.
- To renew your Annual Peformance Licence, log into your account if you have one and go to your My Licences section.
Find out more about what your Annual Performance Licence will legally cover you to do.
All of our eSongbooks come with a Single User Licence
- This means you can install our Words on Screen™ software onto ONE computer only, or it can be streamed by a single user.
- If you would like to install this software onto your network server and/or two or more computers, or allow multiple users to stream Words on Screen™ songs, this will be covered by your Annual Performance Licence which includes extended digital rights. For more information, click here.
The following items are available for this product:
Teacher's Book
- Character list
- Characters by scene
- Costume ideas
- Props
- Staging Suggestions
- Extra-Curricular Ideas
- Full Script
- Song lyrics and music score for 7 songs (Piano music score, melody and chords)
- Shorter Narrated Version
- Licence and copyright details
Audio CD
- Vocal tracks sung by children
- Professional backing tracks
- Shorter Narrated Version
- Sound Effects: Creaking door
Words on Screen™ eSongbook
- An online Words on Screen™ product to stream or download
- Extractable MP3s, printable lyrics, scores, scripts (including editable script*) & additional resources
- Words on Screen™ versions of songs so that you can display song lyrics on any whiteboard, computer screen, television or interactive touchscreen. The lyrics synchronize with the music as it plays making them easy to teach and easy to learn
- Flexibility to create an expandable library of Words on Screen™ song collections, nativities and musicals in your Out of the Ark online account
- Enhanced operation features including ‘double-click’ to hear and teach a single line
- Words on Screen™ user guide
- Single-User licence (Please note a Performance Licence is still required to perform this musical)
- Licence & copyright details
Annual Performance Licence
An Annual Performance Licence covers any number of performances of a particular musical or nativity within 12 months of the date of ordering. A separate Annual Performance Licence is required for each product title.
Find out more about what your Annual Performance Licence will legally cover you to do.
Rehearsal CDs
- Vocal tracks sung by children
- Professional backing tracks
- Shorter Narrated Version
- Sound Effects: Creaking door
- Available in packs of 5, 10 or 20
Outstanding
This turned out to be the most amazing success. Everyone loved it. The story left not a dry eye in the house... in a good way. The songs were stunning, catchy and accessible, with a perfect balance of solo and group singing. With such beautiful content, staging can be kept simple. This is definitely my favourite 5-9 age musical so far. It really is 'special'.
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