This three-act version of Hansel and Gretel was commissioned and premiered by the famed Casa Mañana Playhouse, Fort Worth, Texas. It may be presented with or without music; a one-act version was added later by popular demand. It is an audience-participation play in which every child is invited to help Hansel and Gretel as they wander through the aisles trying to save themselves.

This dramatization captures not only the fright, the fun, and the fantasy of the fairy tale written in Germany very early in the 1800's by the Brothers Grimm; it also retains the German flavor of the tale. European folk dances and folk songs may be used. Or the dances and songs may be minimized—or eliminated entirely, leaving a straight fairy tale play. The Director's Script (prompt book) provides detailed information about costumes, songs, dances, and pronunciation of the German words in the text. It also contains the vocal score for the new songs specially written for the play. German folk tunes (two with new lyrics) and two original tunes, are included in the piano/vocal score with music for German folk dances ("Herr Schmidt," "Put Your Little Foot," "The Garden Waltz").

Suggestions for Staging: In keeping with the tradtional German love of food, it is suggested that Hansel, Papa, and Stiefmutter be rather plump— especially Papa, who might even be roly-poly. Whether played by children or adults, Hansel and Gretel should be portrayed as children of six to ten years of age. The German dialect used by Hansel and Papa should not be so authentic that the audience can't understand what they are saying. In fact, all dialect may be omitted; the sentence structure and speech rhythm used in this script give sufficent hint of the German language. All German words may easily be omitted, too, simply by translating them into English (the translation is given in the Director's Script). However, if the actors can pronounce them properly the German words add to the fun of performing—and watching—the play.

Hansel and Gretel is a play that everybody can have fun with. And your audiences will love their opportunity to participate.Adults or children can play the title roles, making the play ideal for community, university, high school, or elementary theatre. "It was great! The children loved it."—Mary Carter, Shelby County Community Theatre, Shelbyville, Ind. "I was very impressed by the warmth and depth the script brought to that classic story."—Rosemary Poole-Carter, Houston.

See also: Audience-Participation Plays; Fairytales, Folktales, and Fables