Norah’s Ark

NORAH’S ARK

AN ENVIRONMENTAL MUSICAL FOR CHILDREN

Book 

by 

Donald J. Leonard, Jr.

Music & Lyrics 

by 

David Reiser

Cover Art 

By

Brian Muecke

Norah’s Ark

 Copyright 2004  © 2004

by  Donald J. Leonard, Jr, and David Reiser

All Rights Reserved

CAUTION: Professionals and amateurs are hereby warned that NORAH’S ARK  is subject to a royalty.  It is fully protected under the copyright laws of the United States of America, the British Commonwealth, including Canada, and all other countries of the Copyright Union.  All rights, including professional, amateur, motion picture, recitation, lecturing, public reading, radio broadcasting, television, and the rights of translation into foreign language are strictly reserved. 

The amateur live stage performance rights to NORAH’S ARK are controlled exclusively by Drama Source and royalty arrangements and licenses must be secured well in advance of presentation.  PLEASE NOTE that amateur royalty fees are set upon application in accordance with your producing circumstances.  When applying for a royalty quotation and license please give us the number of performances intended and dates of production.  Royalties are payable one week before the opening performance of the play to Drama Source Co., 1588 E. 361 N., St. Anthony, Idaho 83445, unless other arrangements are made. 

Royalty of the required amount must be paid whether the play is presented for charity or gain, and whether or not admission is charged.  For all other rights than those stipulated above, apply to Drama Source Company, 1588 E. 361 N. St. Anthony, Idaho 83445.

Copying from this book in whole or in part is strictly forbidden by law, and the right of performance is not transferable.

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CAST OF CHARACTERS

NORAH HUTCHINSON, An optimistic young 10 year-old girl

MRS. HUTCHINSON, Norah’s Mother

MR. HUTCHINSON, Norah’s Father

VICKY UPDRAFT, A perky Television Weather Girl

HUGH TOPSTORY, A bland Television Newscaster

TELEVISION/RADIO ANNOUNCER

OZONE-THE-CLOWN, An obnoxious children’s show host

HEATHER MOONCRATER, Norah’s Friend

SHARON TRUSTWORTHY, Norah’s Friend

JASON LAMB, Norah’s Friend

HAROLD TOUGHKNUCKLE, Neighborhood bully

MARGARET PEST, Neighborhood bully

PROFESSOR MOONCRATER, Heather’s scientist father

GLADYS, Female Lab Assistant

A.J. GRUNT, A greedy land developer

MISS PRIM, A.J.’s conservative secretary

ELVIRA CONQUEST/ “NORA NEWSWORTHY,” 

                                                         An infamous Animal Poacher 

                                                         who assumes the identity of a

                                                         phony news reporter

ANIMALS OF ALL SHAPES AND KINDS

VARIOUS REPORTERS AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NEWS MEDIA

TWO CONSTRUCTION WORKERS

THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

THE PARENTS, FRIENDS, AND RELATIVES OF NORAH’S FRIENDS

PROLOGUE – THE HUTCHINSON FAMILY’S BREAKFAST TABLE

(It is fifty years into the future. We are in the space-age home of the Hutchinson family, and it is an early Saturday morning in May. There is a clear tabletop monitor (Center Stage)  at which MR. HUTCHINSON hovers over reading the morning headlines on the InterplanetaryNet, the headline of which reads, ASTRONOMERS DISCOVER NEW PLANET IN OUR SOLAR SYSTEM in neon letters. The kitchen table is actually a large flatscreen television with built-in computer monitor which is mounted parallel to the floor. It is embedded into a glass tabletop with cup holders so that the screens are in the center of the table.  MRS. HUTCHINSON is busy preparing the morning breakfast (Up Right) at the kitchen counter console command center. A weary NORAH enters in her sleepwear carrying a small stuffed animal. She crosses to the hover chair next to her father.  (Stage Right) there is a large television monitor so the audience can see exactly what MR. HUTCHISON sees.)

MRS. HUTCHINSON.  Anything interesting in today’s headlines, dear?

MR. HUTCHINSON.  Not really.  Except that a new planet has been discovered by an astronomer from the Institute of Higher Technology.  The planet has been named, “Argon.”

MRS. HUTCHINSON.  That’s nice dear.  (Cheerfully)  Good Morning, Norah.

NORAH.  (Rubbing her eyes, sleepily)  Good morning, Mother.  Good morning, Father.

MR. HUTCHINSON.  Good morning, Norah.  (Back to the paper)  Apparently, this new planet has been in our solar system in the same orbit as Earth’s all along.  Nobody knew it was there because it was hidden behind the sun.

MRS. HUTCHINSON.  (Ignoring him) That’s nice dear.  Norah, would you like an orb of juice?

NORAH.  Yes, please.  What has been hiding behind the sun, Father?

MR. HUTCHINSON.  The recently discovered planet called, “Argon.”  They say that it is similar to Earth except that it is completely uninhabited and contains green vegetation, clean water and unpolluted air.

MRS. HUTCHINSON.  Oooh, how exotic.

NORAH.  Doesn’t our planet have those things, too?

MR. HUTCHINSON.  (Laughing)  Not anymore, I’m afraid.

MRS. HUTCHINSON.  Dear, would you turn on the news?  I want to see today’s weather forecast.

(MR. HUTCHINSON speaks into the voice activation box on the table console as the  LIGHTS DIM onstage and the images change on the large television monitor above the stage. We now see VICKY UPDRAFT, The Television Weather Girl, a perky young blonde with a cheerful disposition. She stands before a green screen and now a holographic projection of a weather map depicting most of the world appears on her dress. MR. HUTCHINSON and NORAH watch the table monitor intently.)

VICKY.  (Sweetly)  The global warming trend for this month continues to show a 0.1 degree centigrade increase.  This continues to affect smog concentration for the Midwest Region.  And the air quality index reading for ozone today is 196.  All persons with heart or respiratory ailments, such as asthma and hay fever, are advised to stay indoors.  Finally, the clouds moving towards our location today have increased acid content and the forecast for heavy showers will mean bad news for all crops and vegetation.  Finally, sun radiation will be intense in the late afternoon as the ozone layer over our western sky is very thin.  That’s the forecast for today; and remember if you will be out in the city today, please wear your oxygen mask.  Now, back to the news portal!

(During the above monologue, MRS. HUTCHINSON has served breakfast, and has joined her family at the kitchen table.  They continue eating during the following, while staring intently at the table monitor. The images on the big screen has now changed  and we see a transparent cylinder podium airbrushed with metallic paint across the middle that reads – ACTION NEWS.  Behind the podium materializes the image of a newscaster with rubber hair. We see 

HUGH TOPSTORY, the television newscaster, a pompous fellow with a serious face.)

HUGH.  Thank you, Vicky.  Yes my friends, it seems that it has finally come to pass.  Environmental conditions have continued to worsen throughout our entire planet.  Something must be done to ensure the safety of the inhabitants of our world.  The hole in the ozone layer has tripled in size since its first discovery.  Wetland areas have been paved over to make way for shopping malls, and the world’s tropical rain forests have been cut or destroyed in the name of progress.  Many animals have lost their homes in forests due to destruction of trees and others have died due to severe industrial pollution.  Streets, rivers, and deserts are cluttered with waste, and the air is polluted with smog and acid rain. Many birds have migrated away from the cities where the air pollution is heavily concentrated. The situation looks dismal, especially for all animals that reside outdoors and have no means of protection from the environment. And, that is all the news for today.  I’m Hugh Topstory, have a pleasant day.

(SPOTLIGHT fades (Stage Right) and stage lights are brought back to full as 

MR. HUTCHINSON turns off the voice activated monitor!)

MR. HUTCHINSON.  Well, that wasn’t very hopeful, was it?

NORAH.  Daddy, what’s going to happen to all the animals?

MR. HUTCHINSON.  (At a loss of words)  Well . . . . I don’t know, sweetheart.  I suppose many of them will die if conditions don’t improve.

MRS. HUTCHINSON.  (Changing the subject)  Well, did everyone have enough to eat?

MR. HUTCHINSON.  Yes, dear.  That was wonderful, thank you.

NORAH.  Daddy, I want to help save the animals.  I want to make sure that when I grow up, there are still animals left for my children.

(MR. & MRS. HUTCHINSON stare at NORAH in amazement.)

MRS. HUTCHINSON.  That’s nice dear.

MR. HUTCHINSON.  I’m sure you can do anything you set your mind to, sweetheart.

MRS. HUTCHINSON.  (TO MR. HUTCHINSON)  I’m going to the Food Emporium today, dear, do you need anything?

MR. HUTCHINSON.  Just a cartridge of shaving spray and a cylinder of hair cream.

MRS. HUTCHINSON.  Would you like to go to the store with me, Norah?

NORAH.  No, thank you.

MRS. HUTCHINSON.  Alright.  I will only be gone for a few hours.  If you go to the neighborhood association’s indoor playground, please stay in our assigned sector, or tell your father where you’re going. (TO MR. HUTCHINSON)  Put the breakfast dishes in the automated dishwashing console and I  will  check them after lunch.  Have a good morning, Norah.

MR. HUTCHINSON.  I’ll walk you out to the hovercraft port.  I need to take the dog out for a walk, anyway.  I’ll be right back, Norah.

NORAH.  (Sadly)  Okay, Daddy.  Goodbye, Mother.

MRS. HUTCHINSON.  Goodbye, Norah.

(MR. AND MRS. HUTCHINSON EXIT)

NORAH.  (TO TEDDY BEAR)  Oh, Teddy, we’ve got to help those poor animals.  We can’t just let them die.  It would be so sad not to have any animals left in the world.  What would we do without animals?

SONG:  ‘WHAT WOULD WE DO WITHOUT ANIMALS?”

NORAH (Singing to teddy bear)

WHAT AN AWFUL THING

IN THE EARLY SPRING

IF THERE WERE NO BIRDS TO SING

THEIR SONG!

HOW CAN WE STAND BY

WATCHING ANIMALS DIE

AWAY?

I SAY

THAT’S WRONG!

HOW CAN WE LET THIS HAPPEN TO

SUCH LOVEABLE CREATURES LIKE YOU (She hugs her teddy bear)

WHAT WOULD WE DO WITHOUT ANIMALS,

NO MONKEYS OR CHIMPANZEES?

WHO’D HANG FROM A RAIL 

BY THE CURL OF ITS TAIL

OR SWING FROM THE TOP OF THE TREES?

WHAT WOULD WE DO WITHOUT ANIMALS, 

NO RABBITS OR KANGAROOS?

WHO ELSE COULD BE FOUND

TO BE HOPPING AROUND

WITHOUT FANCY ATHLETIC SHOES?

A REAL BEAR IS SCARY, I KNOW,

AND A BEE ONCE STUNG ME ON MY WRIST.

THEY ALL HAVE THEIR FAULTS—EVEN SO,

DON’T THEY STILL HAVE THE RIGHT TO EXIST?

WHAT WOULD WE DO WITHOUT ANIMALS?

GIRAFFES WITH LONG NECKS AND LEGS?

IF THERE WERE NO CHICKENS

MY MOM WOULD BE FIXIN’

OUR BREAKFAST WITHOUT ANY EGGS!

WE MUST SAVE EACH MOUSE, RAT AND SNAKE, (She makes a face)

THOUGH THE REASON’S NOT CLEAR TO ME NOW.

AND YOU CAN’T HAVE ICE CREAM AND CAKE

WITHOUT MILK THAT YOU GET FROM A COW.

EARTH WITHOUT ALL OF ITS ANIMALS

WOULD BE SUCH A LONELY PLACE.

BUT THEN, DO YOU KNOW,

WHAT WOULD BE NEXT TO GO,

WHAT WOULD VANISH WITHOUT ANY TRACE?  (She puts teddy bear’s mouth to her ear as if it’s whispering to her)

THAT’S RIGHT, MY FRIEND,

IT WOULD MEAN THE END

OF THE WHOLE HUMAN RACE!

END OF PROLOGUE.  BLACKOUT. MAIN CURTAIN CLOSES.

SCENE ONE – ON THE SET OF “THE OZONE-THE CLOWN SHOW”

(This scene should be seen on the large television monitor. We see a backdrop of an Interplanetary circus set and hear “OZONE-THE-CLOWN’S ENTRANCE” music accompanied by a booming announcer’s voice.)

ANNOUNCER.  And, now kiddies, it’s time for everybody’s favorite environmental goofball, Ozone-the Clown!

(OZONE-THE-CLOWN enters from (Off Camera) wearing a bright red clown nose and wig, large ruffled collar, and bright yellow clown suit with red pompoms and big red shoes.  He wears a gas mask and carries with him an over-the-shoulder capsule filled with props. OZONE is a silly, obnoxious buffoon. His foil is an ugly mutant hand puppet who appears out of a ventilation duct.  )

OZONE.  (Taking off gas mask)  Well, hello there!  I’m Ozone-the-Clown, welcome to my show!  (To audience)  Boy, do we have some great holograms lined up for you today, (To puppet) don’t we Stinky?

STINKY.  (A low growl)  Yeah.

OZONE.  But first, we must answer a letter from our viewer mail capsule.  (Looking in capsule)  Now where did I put that silly email?

(OZONE takes out a variety of things that are definitely NOT what he’s looking for:  a rubber chicken, a yo-yo, etc., then finally pulls out a computer-printed email.)

OZONE.  Let’s see, no not that, that’s not it, not that either, oh, here it is!  (Finding email)  It says… (He turns the email right side up)  that’s better.  Dear Ozone, I like your show, especially those great Toxic Waste-Avenging Chipmunk holograms, but will you please tell me why your name is Ozone-the-Clown?

STINKY.  Good question.

OZONE.  Yes indeedy, a very good question.  Well, first I’m going to tell you what ozone is.

STINKY.  Please do.

OZONE.  Ozone is a colorless gas that is a form of oxygen.  Ozone is made up of three oxygen atoms joined together. Atoms are the smallest particles of which everything in the universe is made up of.  Far above the earth, ozone forms naturally as oxygen produced from living things moves through the earth’s atmosphere.  When very high energy radiation from the sun strikes oxygen in the earth’s atmosphere, some of it becomes ozone.

STINKY.  Huh?

(Ozone takes out an umbrella and opens it.  It’s full of holes.)

OZONE.  Alright, Stinky, I’ll make it REAL simple for you.  The Ozone Layer is a thick layer of gas miles above our heads that protects all living things on this planet from harmful radiation from the sun.  But, the ozone layer is in danger, children!

STINKY.  Say it isn’t so!

OZONE.  I’m afraid it is, Stinky.  (He pulls out an aerosol can from his capsule.)  Chemicals like those contained in this hair spray can destroy ozone and have caused a great big hole in the ozone layer!  And, unless we stop polluting our atmosphere with these harmful chemicals, more of the sun’s radiation might slip through which could cause all sorts of awful things. . .like skin cancer!

STINKY.  Oh, no!

OZONE.  And so, there really were two reasons why I decided upon the name of Ozone-the-Clown.  The first reason I chose the name was to inform children about ozone, and the second reason was….

STINKY.  Yes?

OZONE.  The name Bozo was already taken!

BLACKOUT

SCENE TWO – NORAH’S NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION’S INDOOR PLAYGROUND AND SURROUNDING AREAS

(At start of scene, we see NORAH and her friends, HEATHER, SHARON and JASON, in the HUTCHINSON’S assigned play sector of the neighborhood association’s indoor playground.  NORAH and HEATHER are sitting on springy swings, while JASON and SHARON sit on a spring-loaded tot launcher.  In the distance, we see projected images of picket fence pieces indicating the perimeters of the designated  “play sector”.)

NORAH.  Did anyone watch the Ozone-the-Clown Show this morning?

HEATHER.  (Nodding) I did.

JASON.  That show is stupid!

SHARON.  My parents only let me watch educational TV.

NORAH.  Well, this morning Ozone explained about the sun’s radiation, and my father said if conditions don’t improve soon, many of the planet’s animals will die!

JASON.  Who cares?

NORAH.  Well, I do!  I think we should figure out a way to save the animals.

HEATHER.  Me, too!

SHARON.  My father said that if the scientists don’t do something soon, we might all have to look for some other place to live!

JASON.  (Sarcastically)  I hope they send you to another planet!

NORAH.  That’s it!  That’s how we can help save the animals!  We can build a rocket ship to take all of the dying, homeless animals to that new planet that was just discovered.

SHARON.  What planet is that?

NORAH.  I think it’s called Argon.  My father told me about it this morning at breakfast.  We should send the animals there to live.

HEATHER.  Can we do that?

NORAH.  Oh, sure we can!

JASON.  (In disbelief)  You’ve got to be kidding!

SHARON.  But, Norah, we’re just kids.  We don’t know how to build a rocket ship!

NORAH.  Oh, it can’t be THAT difficult.  I bet if we worked together we could build a real nice rocket!

HEATHER.  (Excitedly)  You think so?

NORAH.  We could at least give it a try!

JASON.  She’s looney!

SHARON.  Aw, knock it off Jason, it’ll be fun!

SONG:  WE’RE GONNA BUILD A ROCKET SHIP!

NORAH (singing)

WE’RE GONNA BUILD A ROCKET SHIP

AND FLY UP TO THE SKY!

JASON (singing)

WE’RE ONLY CHILDREN..

COULD WE BUILD ONE?

NORAH (singing)

WE AT LEAST COULD TRY!

SHARON (singing)

WE’RE GONNA BUILD A ROCKET SHIP,

A PRETTY BLUE AND PINK ONE!

WE’LL FILL IT FULL

OF ANIMALS (pronounced “animuls”)

AND SAVE THEM FROM EXTINCTION!

JASON (singing)

WHERE ARE WE GONNA DO IT?

NORAH (singing)

RIGHT HERE IN MY BACK YARD.

THERE’S REALLY NOTHING TO IT—

JASON (singing)

–IT’S GONNA BE TOO HARD!

HEATHER (singing)

C’MON, LET’S BUILD A ROCKET SHIP—

MY DAD WILL SHOW US HOW,

BECAUSE HE IS

A SCIENTIST

AND NOT TOO BUSY NOW.

NORAH (singing)

LET’S GO AND FIND A BUNCH OF SHEETS

OF USED ALUMINUM.

(Now that the is work involved, the others start to lose interest)

SHARON (singing)

I MUST GO HOME FOR LUNCH—

HEATHER (singing)

I’M BEAT!

JASON (singing)

AND, I STILL THINK IT’S DUMB!

NORAH (singing)

WE’VE GOT TO BUILD A ROCKET SHIP;

IS THAT TOO MUCH TO ASK?

UNLESS YOU THREE

SUCCESSFULLY

HELP ME COMPLETE MY TASK,

THE ANIMALS ARE GONNA DIE!

SHARON, HEATHER and JASON (singing)

OKAY, LET’S SAY WE GIVE A TRY 

AND SEE IF WE CAN TAKE THEM ON A TRIP

ALL (singing)

IN OUR ONE-AND-ONLY HOMEMADE ROCKET SHIP!

(At the end of the song, the children break out in playful laughter as the neighborhood bullies, HAROLD and MARGARET enter.)

HAROLD.  What are you laughing about?

MARGARET.  Yeah. What’s so funny?

HEATHER.  We’re building a rocket ship to save the animals on this planet!

HAROLD.  What?  (TO MARGARET)  Didja hear that, Margaret?  These children think they can build a rocket ship?

MARGARET.  That’s rich!  Next they’re gonna be looking for buried treasure in their own play sectors!

HAROLD.  Or, swim to the bottom of the ocean!

(HAROLD and MARGARET laugh hysterically)

NORAH.  But we ARE gonna build a rocket ship…to take the animals of earth to Argon, that new planet that was just discovered!

HEATHER.  We want to save the animals from (pronouncing it slowly) ex-tinc-shun.

HAROLD.  (To HEATHER)  Just because your father teaches science at the university doesn’t mean that you kids can build a rocket ship!  Where will you get the stuff to build it with?  You don’t have any money.  You’re nothing more than a bunch of little children who watch too many holograms!

MARGARET.  (Mockingly)  Yeah.  Go back to your video games!

HAROLD.  C’mon Margaret, let’s leave the little children alone.  We’ll go scare 

Mrs. Magillicuddy’s dog or find some other fun things to do.

MARGARET.  Hey, why don’t we go set off some firecrackers in the library sector?

HAROLD.  Nah!  We did that last week.  Let’s go!  (mockingly)  Goodbye, little children!

MARGARET.  (sarcastically to Norah)  Don’t hurt yourselves building your little rocket ship!

(HAROLD and MARGARET exit laughing)

JASON.  (Discouraged)  Well, I think I better go home.

SHARON.  Yeah, me too.

NORAH.  Wait, you can’t go yet!  What about building the rocket ship?

JASON.  Aw, Norah, Harold’s right.  We don’t know the first thing about building a rocket ship.  I’m going home to eat lunch, and after that I think I might play a game of ASTROID BLASTER on my video glove.  I’ll see you girls later.

(HE exits)

NORAH.  Jason, wait…

SHARON.  I better go, too.  Goodbye, Norah.  Heather, do you want to come over to my house later and play with my Super Galaxy Darby Doll collection?

HEATHER.  (She glances at NORAH, who’s looking pretty sad, now)  Maybe some other time.  I’m staying here with Norah.

SHARON.  Alright. Suit yourself. Goodbye.

HEATHER AND NORAH.  Goodbye, Sharon.

SHARON (Calling out to JASON).  Jason!  Wait for me!  You can walk me home!

(SHARON exits)

NORAH.  (Dejectedly)  Heather, you might as well go, too.  I’m afraid the others were right.  We don’t know how to build a rocket ship.

HEATHER.  But, maybe my father does!  After all, he is a scientist, sort of. I mean, the university pays him to work on science experiments and stuff.  I bet HE could tell us how to build a rocket ship!

NORAH.  (Regaining her lost self-confidence)   I’m CERTAIN he could help us build the rocket ship!  Why don’t we go inside for lunch, and afterwards, we’ll go see your father at the university.  Is he working there today?

HEATHER.  (Nodding yes)  My mom says that he practically lives there!

NORAH.  Good.  C’mon, let’s go inside.  We can call your father on the phone and ask him if we could come over after lunch.  I’ll ask my father to drive us.  Let’s go!

BLACKOUT

SCENE THREE – DR. MOONCRATER’S SCIENCE LAB AT THE INSTITUTE OF HIGHER TECHNOLOGY

(This scene can be played in front of the closed main curtain.  At the start of the scene, we see PROFESSOR MOONCRATER (Center Stage) standing behind a table cluttered with a variety of liquid-filled test tubes.  He is wearing a white lab coat and goggles, and is writing on a clipboard as the two girls enter.)

NORAH.  Hi, Professor Mooncrater.

HEATHER.  Hello, daddy.

PROFESSOR MOONCRATER.  (Removing goggles from head) Well, hello girls.  I was expecting you.  Let me just finish up here. I’ll be right with you.

FEMALE LAB ASSISTANT (Entering from (Off Stage) with a computer print-out) Here are those statistics you requested, professor.

PROFESSOR MOONCRATER.  Thanks.

FEMALE LAB ASSISTANT.  Will you be needing anything else?

PROFESSOR MOONCRATER.  No, that will be all for now, Gladys.  You can go to lunch.  I’ll meet you back herE at two.

(LAB ASSISTANT exits)

PROFESSOR MOONCRATER.  Now then, what’s this I hear about you two wanting to build a

Norah’s Ark

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