A CONCORD THEATRICALS TITLE

The Nightmare Story

Full-Length Musical, Drama  /  5 any gender (adult) plus ensemble

A Folktale with Music
Book, Music and Lyrics by PigPen Theatre Co.

The tale of a boy who ventures into the unknown to find a cure for his mother’s rare disease… before it’s too late.

  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    5 any gender (adult) plus ensemble
  • Duration
    Duration
    60 minutes (1 hour)
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Appropriate for All Audiences
Accolades
Accolades
  • Winner! 2010 FringeNYC Overall Excellence Award

The Nightmare Story

Details

Summary

The Nightmare Story is the tale of a boy who ventures into the unknown to find a cure for his mother’s rare disease… before it’s too late.

Professional Artwork Available for Your Production of The Nightmare Story
Concord Theatricals has collaborated with Subplot Studio to create high-quality artwork that complies with your license. Promoting your show has never been easier! Learn more at Subplot Studio.

History

The Nightmare Story premiered in 2010.

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 five of PigPen’s founding ensemble members and the roles were distributed as follows:

Actor 1 – Male. Plays VALENTINE, the eldest of the brothers Strashilki and the main narrator of the tale. Puckish and charming with a hint of romance.

Actor 2 – Any gender. Plays VANYA, another brother. Silly and smiley; LITTLE GIRLS FATHER, the father of Mama. Deeply disturbed by his daughter’s imagination; TRAVELERS
DOCTOR, a doctor from the nearest town. Professional with no bedside manner; and DEVOTCHKA, Malchik’s sister. Also hiding from the wolf.

Actor 3 – Any gender. Plays VOVA, another brother. Irritable and strict; TALL MAN, a tall man with bright teeth; LITTLE GIRLS MOTHER, the mother of Mama. Scared of her own child; and HUNTER, deeply suspicious. Loves his brother.

Actor 4 – Male. Plays BOY, a young boy in love with hearing his mother’s stories. He is naive and excitable and willing to do anything to save her.

Actor 5 – Any gender. Plays VASYA, another brother. Smart and musical; LITTLE GIRL, the boy’s mama when she is younger. Obsessed with macabre tales that she tells with excitement and sincerity; MAMA, the Boy’s mother who has a rare nightmare disease. She is kind and gentle despite being plagued with horror filled dreams; BOBBY, the hunter’s brother. Trusting and full of song; and MUSICIAN, enigmatic, wistful and slightly off kilter.

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 five of PigPen’s founding ensemble members but can be expanded to as many actors as you desire.

  • Setting

    A village next to a mountain. Any time.

  • Features Contemporary Costumes/Street Clothes
  • Additional Features Puppetry
  • Duration 60 minutes (1 hour)

Media

“Appealing songs!” – Time Out New York

“The signature style that has made the troupe a darling of the Fringe: a neomythic mixture of campfire-ready narration, youthful directness, appealing songs and eclectic puppetry.” – Time Out New York

“With inspiration in Eastern European Folklore and old world cautionary fables, The Nightmare Story sweeps audiences along for the journey of an incredible tale, guided by a bizarre group of storytellers under lamplight. This musical unfolds as sequence of dangerous encounters, high impulses, and amazingly wide reaching heights.” – Pipe Dreams Studio Theatre

Videos

  • The Nightmare Story – Trailer youtube thumbnail

    The Nightmare Story – Trailer

Music

1. “Long Time Ago” – Instrumental
1a. “Nightmare Story Theme” – Instrumental
1b. “The Little Girl Theme” – Instrumental
1c. “Nox Equa Morbus” – Instrumental
2. How Long To Say Goodbye – Hunter and Bobby
2a. “The Chase” – Instrumental
3. “The Wolf” – Instrumental
4. “Lullaby” – Boy
4a. “My Only Son” – Instrumental
5. “Graveyard Song” – Musician and Ensemble
6. “My Only Son” – Ensemble
6a. “The Climb” – Instrumental
7. “We Stand Alone” – Valentine and Ensemble
7a. “Lullaby” – Instrumental
7b. “My Only Son” – Instrumental
8. “Lullaby (Reprise)” – Boy
8a. “My Only Son Upbeat” – Instrumental

Licensing & Materials

  • Licensing fees and rental materials quoted upon application.

Authors

PigPen Theatre Co.

PigPen Theatre Co. began creating their unique brand of theatre, music, and film as freshmen at the Carnegie Mellon School of Drama in 2007. They have since produced their original plays in New York City and toured the country – earning them critic’s picks from The New York T ...
View full profile

Now Playing

Related