ISBN #1-60513-085-0
JAC #2010-0026

Synopses

Charlie and Jay are your typical house pets. Or are they? Jay has been the queen of the house for years. Charlie is a newly-acquired puppy. They can and do get into the same adventures as the children in their audiences. Charlie, short for Prince Charlemagne de Coquille, is a French Briard puppy. The Briard, sometimes called the Chein Berger de Brie, is an Ancient French herding dog. Jay is short for Jaida de les Etoiles (Pronounced: Aye-twa-lay) - French for Jaida of the Stars. She is a Persian Red Point cat. Together, the have the run of their Master and Mistress’ house and the all-important backyard (and beyond). All of the four plays herein cater to a child’s endless imagination by engaging them in the plot, and by getting them interactively involved to help our dynamic duo through their (mis) adventures! Included are:

You’re in Trouble Now, Charlie!
Master and Mistress are at work. Charlie and Jay begin their day in the backyard. Jay deliberately leaves the backyard to sun bathe, while Charlie is left to the confines of the backyard. Charlie, showing his breed, spirit and initiative, decides to follow Jay by digging a hole under the fence. He reappears with a pie in his mouth. Two raccoons, watching from the neighbor’s yard, try to deceive Charlie into surrendering his newly found prize, by posing as “backyard police,” but with the help of Jay, the two teach those raccoons a well-deserved lesson. ~50 minutes running time, depending upon the activities of the actors, and the response from the audience. Also in this production: RANDI and BANDY: Mischievous and deceptive raccoon brothers.

This is Not our Backyard, Charlie!
Master and Mistress take a trip to the forest with Charlie and Jay. Upon arrival, Charlie jumps out of the car with Jay close behind. They are lost in the forest and eventually become very hungry and tired. In the afternoon, they meet new animals and plants, the occupants of the forest backyard. Their new-found friends try to find them food and shelter, and voice their concerns for their “backyard,” of which they are quite protective. ~60 minutes running time, we learn the dangers as well as the pleasures of the forest backyard from the antics and interaction of the characters. Also in this production: LEWGAR: The Cougar; SNAVELY: A hand-puppet that looks like a tree-climbing snake; WHO: A hand-puppet that looks like a wise old owl; TREE: A huge, stationary Redwood approximately three feet in diameter, with access through the back. Tree’s branches/limbs are fitted so that the actor inside is capable of manipulating the hand-puppets within; STUNK: The Skunk; could be played by an adult or child in black sweat suit with white stripe and tail; SCHQUIRE: The Squirrel; could be played by an adult or child in gray sweat suit; BRANDY: The Big Brown Bear; could be in brown sweat suit with wadding; BUSH: Voiceover. Manzanita is stationary. His branches shake when he speaks either an off-stage voice or a recording with speaker; MANDY: Brandy’s bear cub; could be in a brown sweat suit; FIELD MOUSE: A mouse that darts on and off stage; PRISCILLA: Voiceover. The mother Eagle way up in Tree; and MASTER & MISTRESS: Voiceovers.

Wake Up, Jay! It’s Christmas!
Charlie and Jay wake on the eve of Christmas. They become deeply embroiled in their breeding credentials as Jay teaches Charlie the art of singing Christmas carols. They continue singing, which disturbs and wakens the Master and Mistress. Unknown to them, Mistress is pregnant with their first child, and it is due momentarily. ~ fifty minutes running time. Also in this production: SANTA CLAUS: A man who needs no introduction; MASTER & MISTRESS: Voice overs.

Stop Snoring, Jay! I’m Dreaming of Christmas!
A 45-minute one-act children’s Christmas play with Christmas songs for the entire family with child actors.  Also in this production: FRANCOIS MARCHAND: the French Briard Puppy; a snooty stuffed toy; MARY CHRISMOUSE: the Christmas Mouse; a meek and shy stuffed toy; LA BELLA DONNA: the Diva Ballerina; an Italian toy who dances and speaks when spoken to; ROBIE THE ROBOT: a toy who speaks in monotone; JUNO THE CLOWN: a toy who speaks when spoken to; SWEET: a stuffed Gingerbread cookie; YULE (Voice Over): a Christmas Tree; bright and cheery personality; SANTA CLAUS: A man who needs no introduction.