The story of the Ark from the animals' point of view. According to Leon the Lion, it was the animals that received word from above about the impending flood. God intended, Leon said, to rid the earth of all humans. But the animals needed someone to build and navigate an ark. They chose Noah and his family.

The Los Angeles Times reported: "A thoroughly remarkable children's musical called 'Captain Noah'...was one of the best, wittiest, most tuneful, most meaningful shows for kids within this viewer's memory...Almost every tune is a delight...To any other theaters out there, this is a show worth picking up." (Times review of Theatre Now's production at the Century City Playhouse in Los Angeles.)

Commissioned and first produced by the Jewish Centers Association at the Westside Jewish Center in Los Angeles, Captain Noah has also been produced at California State University at Fullerton, La Mama (of Los Angeles), and three other Los Angeles playhouses plus theatres throughout the nation.

There is nothing offensive to religious groups in the play, nor is it a violation of any of America's freedom-of-religion laws or "church vs. state" policies. It is, as the Times reviewer pointed out, "a thoroughly remarkable children's musical" suitable for professional children's theatres and for amateur and educational theatres to perform for children of any age.

It has been produced with adult casts and with children playing all roles. Opportunities are provided in the script for participation by children from the audience, if the producer so desires; they can help build the ark, and they can perform as some of the animals. A fun show for all groups. Simple set; the curtain may open on a bare stage with a backdrop representing a sky. The wheat field can be ground rows or profile pieces against the sky drop. The ark can be effectively built on stage to the delight of the audience. Part of the fun of producing a play like Captain Noah is deciding on the approach to costumes and props. Authentic Biblical apparel, modern clothing, and cartoon-like symbolic costumes are some of the possibilities.

"Appropriate for religious as well as secular groups...an effective play for occasions like Earth Day."—Plays for Children and Young Adults. "A truly delightful play, very well received in Houlton."—Ann Barnes, Artistic Director, Houlton, Maine.

Other plays by Brooks: Computer Pals, An Evening with Eve (Exeunt O'Brien and Krasnov), Making It, A Minor Incident

See also: Plays with Animal Characters, Audience-Participation Plays, Religious Plays