The Emperor's New Threads

The Emperor's New Threads A Fashion Statement book by Frances Limoncelli, music and lyrics by George Howe

(0)
Productions (22)
Musical for young audiences
|
60 - 70 minutes
2 W, 2 M,  (4-40 actors possible: 2-20 W, 2-20 M)
Set: Flexible.

A crazy quilt of mixed-up psychedelic fashion trends is the setting for this tongue-in-cheek retelling of the Hans Christian Andersen fairytale, set to a fun and sprightly score. The country is ruled by a foppish fashionista of an Emperor who has bankrupted the treasury with his clothing expenditures. Frustrated by the Emperor's “fool for fashion” mentality, eleven-year-old Kid's romantic dreams of being a hero make her determined to change everyone's materialistic views. She travels to the palace to reveal the superficiality of the emperor, only to end up revealing much more of him than she predicted.

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Pricing Information

Libretto $13.99
Cast Script/Vocal Book $24.99

For additional production package information, please see the Overview below. For production package pricing and performance fees, please begin an order.


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Play Details

A crazy quilt of mixed-up psychedelic fashion trends is the setting for this tongue-in-cheek retelling of the Hans Christian Andersen fairytale, set to a fun and sprightly score. The country is ruled by a foppish fashionista of an Emperor who has bankrupted the treasury with his clothing expenditures. Frustrated by the Emperor's “fool for fashion” mentality, eleven-year-old Kid's romantic dreams of being a hero make her determined to change everyone's materialistic views. She travels to the palace to reveal the superficiality of the emperor, only to end up revealing much more of him than she predicted.

  • Musical for young audiences
  • |
  • 60 - 70 minutes
  • 2 W, 2 M,  (4-40 actors possible: 2-20 W, 2-20 M)
  • Set: Flexible.
  • Standard Edition ISBN: 978-1-62384-662-6

Package Details

Production Packages Include

  • 5 librettos (the book and lyrics)
  • 5 Cast Script/Vocal Book
  • 1 Director's Script
  • 1 Stage Manager's Script

Pricing and other details are provided during the order process. Higher quantities of some items may be purchased.

Published Reviews

"Kids will dig [this] groovy update of the Andersen tale."

Chicago Tribune

"...a light, bright, sparkling treat for kids."

Sara Burrows, Lerner Newspaper

"So fashion forward."

Kim Wilson, Chicago Reader

"...lively and colorful enough to keep children amused and hip enough to keep mom and dad entertained."

Dan Zeff, Copley News Service

Production History

APR 30, 2025 - JUN 06, 2025
Town of Parker dba Parker Arts
Parker, CO United States
 Town of Parker dba Parker Arts Parker, CO United States
NOV 19, 2021 - NOV 21, 2021
Manjimup Repertory Club Inc
Manjimup, Western Australia Australia
 Manjimup Repertory Club Inc Manjimup, Western Australia Australia
OCT 07, 2020 - OCT 09, 2020
Christian Fellowship Theater
Marietta, GA United States
 Christian Fellowship Theater Marietta, GA United States
MAY 23, 2020 - MAY 24, 2020
Children's Community Charter School
Paradise, CA United States
 Children's Community Charter School Paradise, CA United States
OCT 09, 2019 - OCT 09, 2019
The Theatre Company At Falmouth High School
Falmouth, ME United States
 The Theatre Company At Falmouth High School Falmouth, ME United States
MAR 21, 2019 - MAR 22, 2019
Northeast Academy
Mystic, CT United States
 Northeast Academy Mystic, CT United States
FEB 05, 2019 - FEB 15, 2019
Casa Manana Theatre For Youth
Fort Worth, TX United States
 Casa Manana Theatre For Youth Fort Worth, TX United States
MAY 10, 2018 - MAY 10, 2018
Mattoon Middle School
Mattoon, IL United States
 Mattoon Middle School Mattoon, IL United States
MAY 09, 2018 - MAY 09, 2018
Mattoon Middle School
Mattoon, IL United States
 Mattoon Middle School Mattoon, IL United States
MAR 26, 2018 - MAR 29, 2018
Sunset Ridge Elementary School
Glendale, AZ United States
 Sunset Ridge Elementary School Glendale, AZ United States
MAR 16, 2018 - MAR 18, 2018
St. Paul's Episcopal School
New Orleans, LA United States
 St. Paul's Episcopal School New Orleans, LA United States
MAY 02, 2017 - JUN 04, 2017
Magik Theatre
San Antonio, TX United States
 Magik Theatre San Antonio, TX United States
MAY 12, 2016 - MAY 12, 2016
York Jr. High Theatre
Spring, 42 United States
 York Jr. High Theatre Spring, 42 United States
JUL 02, 2014 - JUL 02, 2014
York Jr. High Theatre
Spring, TX United States
 York Jr. High Theatre Spring, TX United States
JAN 23, 2014 - JAN 25, 2014
Perry High School
Rosenberg, TX United States
 Perry High School Rosenberg, TX United States
MAR 23, 2013 - APR 28, 2013
Lifeline Theatre
Chicago, IL United States
 Lifeline Theatre Chicago, IL United States
MAY 14, 2012 - MAY 14, 2012
Laurel Middle School
Laurel, MS United States
 Laurel Middle School Laurel, MS United States
DEC 23, 2011 - DEC 23, 2011
Glebe Montessori School
Ottawa, ON Canada
 Glebe Montessori School Ottawa, ON Canada
JAN 15, 2010 - JAN 16, 2010
Aberdeen Middle School
Aberdeen, ID United States
 Aberdeen Middle School Aberdeen, ID United States
JAN 01, 2008 - DEC 31, 2008
Cleveland Playhouse
Cleveland, OH United States
 Cleveland Playhouse Cleveland, OH United States
JAN 01, 2006 - DEC 31, 2006
Baker Demonstration School
Wilmette, IL United States
 Baker Demonstration School Wilmette, IL United States
JAN 01, 2001 - DEC 31, 2001
Lifeline Theatre
Chicago, IL United States
 Lifeline Theatre Chicago, IL United States
APR 30, 2025 - JUN 06, 2025
Town of Parker dba Parker Arts
Parker, CO United States
 Town of Parker dba Parker Arts Parker, CO United States
FEB 05, 2019 - FEB 15, 2019
Casa Manana Theatre For Youth
Fort Worth, TX United States
 Casa Manana Theatre For Youth Fort Worth, TX United States
MAY 02, 2017 - JUN 04, 2017
Magik Theatre
San Antonio, TX United States
 Magik Theatre San Antonio, TX United States
MAR 23, 2013 - APR 28, 2013
Lifeline Theatre
Chicago, IL United States
 Lifeline Theatre Chicago, IL United States
JAN 01, 2001 - DEC 31, 2001
Lifeline Theatre
Chicago, IL United States
 Lifeline Theatre Chicago, IL United States

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