Professionally premiered and later reprised by the prestigious Casa Mañana Playhouse of Fort Worth, Texas. The Brothers Grimm told the story of the "Twelve Dancing Princesses" in three pages. I. E. Clark has dramatized it in two acts, giving each of the 12 princesses a distinctive personality of her own and creating the most delightful Fairy Godmother in all of Fairyland.

The plot revolves around the twelve beautiful but highly independent daughters of the king. They mysteriously wear out their shoes every night. Where do they go? What do they do? How do they get out of the castle? Nobody knows—and the king is willing to pay dearly to find out. In fact, the man who discovers the secret will receive not only a kingdom to rule, but his choice of the princesses in marriage. Many adventurers have tried to win the reward, only to end up on the Horrible Headsman's chopping block. Then along comes Brand, a young soldier who is supremely confident of his ability to solve any problem—but even he discovers that he urgently needs help. And it comes from the most delightful Fairy Godmother ever to cross a stage, an absent-minded Fairy Godmother in tennis shoes.

This play is designed so that dancing and singing may be included as an integral part of the plot: or it may be staged as a straight play without music. Each character has an important role so that this play is a dream-come-true for those with many actresses but few actors. Not just a children's play, Twelve Dancing Princesses will delight any audience. Successfully produced by numerous community, university, and high school theatres throughout North America. The Director's Script is based on a professional performance at the Casa Mañana Playhouse. It gives sketches for costumes and detailed stage directions chosen by LeeAnne Cogdill as she directed the show for the famed Fort Worth theatre. The Director's Script also includes a discussion of characterization, suggestions for setting, a list of props, suggestions for background music, and melody and guitar accompaniment for the songs included in the script.

Two acts; The two sets may be very simple (virtually a bare stage) or as elaborate as your designer can make them; Playing time, 60-90 minutes, depending on the amount of music and dancing; Fairyland costumes.

"Perfect play for a small theatre. Your wide range of Children's Plays has made it possible to have a full season of plays at Los Angeles Southwest College."—Al Cowart, Los Angeles. "This show makes middle school girls feel beautiful, and the middle school boys daring."—Nancy Prince, Rusk Middle School, Nacogdoches, Texas. "We have bought two—and Princesses makes three—sets of drama books from you folks and have enjoyed the play thoroughly as well as your prompt delivery."—Hartsville, South Carolina. "Twelve Dancing Princesses was an absolute delight. The young members of the audience delighted to the story and especially the action in the audience—and the older members of the audience enjoyed the subtle humor."—Minnesota.

See also: Fairytales, Folktales, and Fables