The Emperor's New Clothes: Choral Student Pack (5 Singer's Editions)

The Perrys have taken a beloved fairy tale and created something that actually makes middle schoolers laugh and want to sing. The unison and 2-part writing keeps it manageable for mixed-ability choirs while the witty dialog and clever songs give every student a reason to care about the story they're telling.

Witty and playful, with the energy of a well-timed joke rather than slapstick. The songs are clever without being precious, and the story has enough heart underneath the humor to keep audiences invested in the vain emperor and his comeuppance.

Middle school and upper elementary choirs looking for a full-length musical with accessible vocal writing and strong comedic appeal. This works well for programs that need something Grade 3 singers can handle without sacrificing theatrical quality or humor.

• Give singers time to land the comedic timing in the dialog sections; the humor lands better when lines breathe naturally rather than racing through them.
• Use the recorded accompaniment to establish energy and style early in rehearsal; it gives singers an immediate sense of the intended character and tempo.
• Encourage singers to commit fully to character choices, especially when playing townspeople or the two scheming weavers. The musical thrives on theatrical commitment at this level.

Program this as your spring or early fall musical when you want something that lands with both student performers and family audiences. The approximately 40-minute runtime makes it ideal for a standalone concert or as the anchor piece in a variety show.

• Singing in unison and 2-part harmony with clear text projection
• Balancing spoken dialog with sung passages
• Character work and theatrical presence on stage
• Following musical cues from a full orchestral accompaniment
• Working collaboratively to tell a coherent story