Book, Music and Lyrics
by Kevin Muir
Musical Arrangements and Orchestrations by David Hastings
What it’s about
Alice unexpectedly journeys to Mathland and encounters many colorful and numerically-confused characters. Is ‘ice cream’ ever a correct answer to a math problem? What is the moral opposite of three? Will the Prince of Square’s silly rule keep Alice in Mathland forever?
Join Alice as she confronts these and other conundrums in Alice in Mathland.
The low-down
- Twenty-eight minutes.
- Four performers play eighteen characters.
- Six snappy, toe-tapping tunes.
- Best for kindergarten through second grade.
What the audience says…
“My daughter and I thoroughly enjoyed Alice in Mathland. It was funny and when it ended, we wanted more! The actors were amazing. We had a discussion about each one and realize that they played their parts to perfection. Oh, I must not forget the songs–they were thumping terrific. Would I see it again? Absolutely!”
~ Julie Daniels, fifth grade teacher.
“JET musicals are a wonderful balance of funny theater and relatable learning subjects for kids as well as adults. Never a bad production!”
~ Jenny Jecmen, Portland
“I like when the Prince fell down!”
~ A first grader
“I like when they said, ice cream.”
~ A kindergartner
“Alice in Mathland was a fun and unique show! The actors were very professional and a joy to watch. Both kids and adults loved the story and enjoyed the clever songs, especially the rap!”
~ Jackie Welch, Youth Services Librarian, North Plains Public Library
For you teachers out there
Alice in Mathland touches on math topics like even and odd, adding within five, counting order and quantity conservation, the commutative property, the notion of numbers having specific values, money and denominations, and the properties of squares and circles.
Contact Jester Educational Theater today to bring this high-energy, academic musical to your school!
Book, Music and Lyrics
by Kevin Muir
Musical Arrangements and Orchestrations by David Hastings
Teachers–go here for more info about the show: Teacher site here.
What it’s about
Uncle Sam hosts a musical revue outlining major events in our nation’s Colonial Period. We check in with Native Americans, Christopher Columbus the misguided navigator, Jamestown & Plymouth, the Salem Witch Trials, the Boston Tea Party, and the early battles of the Revolutionary War. History springs to life in song, dance, and comedy—complements the fifth grade curriculum and an engaging introduction for the younger grades.
The low-down
- One hour
- Six performers, three musicians
- Six snappy, toe-tapping tunes
- Best for grades three through five
What the audience says
“I loved The Revolutionary Revue! As a teacher I found it really engaging and exciting and a fun way to connect students to U.S. History, and great for younger kids as well. Of particular interest to me was the Salem Witch Trials. It never occurred to me as an adult that younger kids might assume that it happened in our own Salem [in Oregon]. I love the way that JET brought this [history show] about in a fun, engaging, kid-friendly and thought-provoking way.”
~ Joanne Barta, Teacher and PBIS Coach, Portland Public Schools
“I liked the Salem Witch Trials. I learned about it before, and it really did happen like it was in the show—”
~ A fifth grader
“I liked the “History in a Heartbeat” when they do the entire show super fast. That was funny.”
~ A fifth grader
“What we liked about The Revolutionary Revue is that it had to do with our Thanksgiving time with the Native Americans the Colonists, so it had history we could understand. And the sense of humor is so hilarious. Adults get it; kids get it–there’s something for everyone!”
~ Eileen Jackson, 4th grade teacher, Portland
For you teachers out there
The Revolutionary Revue corresponds to the Historical Knowledge section of the fifth grade Common Core standards in social studies. This show supports classroom instruction and is a springboard for further discussion.
And here is a peek at The Revolutionary Revue:
Book, Music and Lyrics by Kevin Muir
Musical Arrangements and Orchestrations by David Hastings
Teachers–go here for more info about the show: teacher site here.
What it’s about:
The Pumphrey Family convenes every year for a reunion campout in which they hold their self-styled “Pumphriad Games.” The theme of the Games this time around is Oregon. This show follows a group of young cousins–the Multnomah Team–as they compete for glory and bragging rights as the family’s Top Oregon Experts. Questions abound: will the boys take even one shower during the campout? Is Bigfoot actually in camp? Whose name is tattooed on Ophelia’s ankle? Come find out the answers to these and other important questions at The Pumphrey Family Reunion.
The low-down
- One hour
- Seven performers, three musicians
- Seven songs
- Best for grades three through five
What the audience says
“I learned that only boys (men) could vote.”
–A fourth grader
“I learned that Oregon (became) a part of the USA on Valentine’s Day.”
–A fourth grader
“I learned that people can change laws.” (Referring to Oregon’s initiative and referendum system.)
–A third grader
For you teachers out there
This show corresponds to the fourth grade social studies Common Core Standards: Historical Knowledge, Geography, Civics and Government, and Economics. Covered: Native American legends, a variety of historical figures in a broad sweep of Oregon’s history, geography/cities, Oregon’s Initiative and Referendum (The Oregon System), and a special focus on the struggles and challenges faced by African Americans, Native Americans, Chinese- and Japanese-Americans.
Contact Jester Educational Theater today to bring this high-energy, academic musical to your school!
And here is a peek at The Pumphrey Family Reunion. Shown: (most of ) the finale “We Love Oregon.” James John School, 2018. (video coming soon!)
Kevin Muir, M.S.
Director, Jester Educational Theater
Tel: 503-880-3357
Jester Educational Theater is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.