A note from PigPen: Cast the story however you like - with as many or as few performers as you have available. The original production was built around six of PigPen’s founding ensemble members and the roles were distributed as follows:
Actor 1 - Female/Male MOUNTAIN: A rather verbose, talking mountain, who narrates the tale. Kind, and full of folksy charm.
Actor 2 - Male CARPENTER: A father who can build nearly anything with his hands if he sets his mind to it. Thoughtful and determined.
Actor 3 - Female/Male YOUNG ABIGAIL: The carpenter’s daughter. She can’t speak with her voice. Playful and incredibly intelligent.
SECOND SCOUNDREL: Part of the gang.
EMMIT JONES: A giant of a man who lives in the wilderness. Boyish and gregarious and always willing to help those in need.
Actor 4 - Female/Male FIRST MESSENGER: Eager and bad at holding his tongue.
THIRD SCOUNDREL: Also, just part of the gang.
JEFFREY: Calvin’s friend and hunting partner. Possibly even less intelligent than Calvin.
COWBOY: The mayor of a “town” and the end of a river. Full of energy and finds creative ways to deal with his loneliness.
ABIGAIL: A fully grown version of Young Abigail. Highly Educated and extremely kind, and a good mother to her own daughter.
Actor 5 - Female/Male SECOND MESSENGER: Strict and with a flare for the dramatic. Frustrated with their partner.
GOOSE: A talking goose who spends his days flying and contemplating the world. Affable and easy going.
Actor 6 - Female/Male FIRST SCOUNDREL: Hangs out with their pals at the edge of town, warning travelers.
COYOTE: A talking Coyote that knows how to shoot a gun. Extremely menacing but lazy.
CALVIN: A hunter. Pious and rather stupid. CROWS - Female/Male Some birds.