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Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus
Based on the award-winning children’s book, audiences can now hop on board for an unforgettable ride.
6
Roles
G
Rated
1
Act
Full Synopsis

The Pigeon is frustrated that he never gets to do anything he wants ("I Never Get To Do Anything (Part 1)"). He can't even get a hot dog from the Hot Dog Vendor! ("I Never Get To Do Anything (Part 2)") Duckling approaches Pigeon, telling him that he looks so sad. Pigeon begins explaining his woes when he notices that Duckling has a hot dog. She explains that she asked Hot Dog Vendor for it politely. Pigeon is even more angry ("I Never Get To Do Anything (Part 3)"). A City Worker tells Pigeon to move and puts down a bus stop sign where he was standing. This inconvenience further aggravates Pigeon.

Bus Driver joyfully steers the bus to the bus stop ("Bus Driver"). Pigeon is in awe of the bus and Bus Driver. The joy and awe fade away as Pigeon laments the bus leaving and not being able to drive it ("What Could Have Been").

To Pigeon's delight, he hears the Bus Engine! The Bus Driver has stopped again at the bus stop along her route. Pigeon is mustering up the courage to ask a big question when Business Man enters in a rush and gets on the bus. He cannot be late for his first day at a new job. Little Old Lady then gets on the bus, explaining that she needs to visit her new grandchild at the hospital before visiting hours end. Very impatient, Pigeon is about to ask his big question when he gets interrupted again, this time by a Teenager who wants to see the new movie Powerful Guy 12: the Almost Semi-Final Final Battle. Pigeon finally gets to ask - can he drive the bus? ("Let Me Drive The Bus!"). Horrified, Bus Driver and passengers say absolutely not. No matter how many arguments Pigeon gives, the answer is still no.

Pigeon suddenly decides to focus on something new - getting a puppy! He leaves, and the Bus Driver assures the passengers that they will not be late. But just when she starts to drive, the Bus Engine has problems, and the bus breaks down! "Panic At the Bus Stop" ensues. Bus Driver tells everyone to calm down and takes off her driver cap before looking at the engine. Pigeon enters in a panic - with a Puppy. Pigeon is terrified of the Puppy, but the passengers adore it.

While the passengers are distracted, Pigeon hugs the bus and sees the Bus Driver's cap. He puts it on and realizes this could be his moment to drive the bus. Just when he's about to start, the Bus Driver stops him. Pigeon realizes his feet can't reach the pedals and is devastated ("I'm Broken"). Bud Driver comforts Pigeon and tells him that she once wanted to fly like a bird, but when she realized she couldn't, she found something else that gives her joy - driving the bus! She tells Pigeon "there's more than one road."

Bus Driver finds bird feed has gotten into the engine and caused it to break down. She asks Pigeon to fly to all the bus stops down the route to tell passengers the bus is running late. Pigeon makes a huge confession: he never learned to fly. With no time to waste, Bus Driver begins to teach him by demonstrating ("Keep Flappin'"). The passengers join in encouraging Pigeon, and he begins to fly! Pigeon flies through the audience to warn them about the bus running late.

When Pigeon gets back to the bus stop, the bus is fixed! Bus Driver tells the delighted passengers that they will be on time. She promises Pigeon that she will buy him a hot dog and drives away. Pigeon is thrilled about his new "thing" ("Do My Thing"). City Worker shows up again to put up a sign for a new airport. Pigeon has a new question to ask - "Can I Fly The Plane?"

Actor 1

Plays the following characters:

The Pigeon (Puppeteer)

The snappy, sassy, and demanding bird who never gets what he wants, but that doesn’t mean he’ll ever stop trying.

 

Gender: male

Vocal range top: G4

Vocal range bottom: C3

Actor 2

Plays the following role:

The Bus Driver

The bus driving professional who loves her work and, eventually, The Pigeon. Prides herself on being driven and ALWAYS on time.

Gender: female

Vocal range top: D5

Vocal range bottom: F3

Actor 3

Plays the following roles:

Hot Dog Vendor

A guy that just loves sharing hot dogs. But not with Pigeons.

Passenger: Business Man

A no-nonsense man in a suit off to his new job. Hope he’s not late.com!

Backup Duckling 1 (Puppeteer)

Airplane Engine

Personification of the sound effect of an airplane.

Gender: male

Vocal range top: E4

Vocal range bottom: D3

Actor 4

Plays the following roles

2nd Pigeon (Puppeteer)

Twin to The Pigeon, it pokes it’s head out in the opening scene (operated Avenue Q style).

The Duckling (Puppeteer)

An adorable Duckling who gets a hot dog by just asking politely (operated Avenue Q style).

The Bus Engine

Personification of the sound effects of an engine working. Also can do an engine not working!

The Bus (Puppeteer)

A small, puppet vision of the bus that dances in a fantasy sequence.

Bus Driver's Mom

Bus Driver ’s have moms too, you know.

Puppy (Puppeteer)

An adorable, woofy puppy-teer.

 

Gender: female

Vocal range top: C5

Vocal range bottom: D4

Actor 5

Plays the following roles:

City Worker

Grunty guy just doing his job putting up signs around town.

Passenger Teenager

A kid who can’t wait to go see the latest superhero movie that’s opening RIGHT NOW!

Backup Duckling 2 (Puppeteer)

Gender: male

Vocal range top: C5

Vocal range bottom: D3

Actor 6

Plays the following roles:

Passenger Little Old Lady

Very excited to go see her newborn grandchild at the hospital.

Backup Duckling 3 (Puppeteer)

Gender: female

Vocal range top: D5

Vocal range bottom: C4

Billing

Requirements

You must give the authors/creators billing credits, as specified in the Production Contract, in a conspicuous manner on the first page of credits in all programs and on houseboards, displays and in all other advertising announcements of any kind.
Percentages listed indicate required type size in relation to title size.
DON’T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE BUS!
THE MUSICAL!
100%
 
Based on the book Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!
by Mo Willems
50%
Published by Hyperion Books for Children
25%
 
Script by Mo Willems and Mr. Warburton
50%
Lyrics by Mo Willems
50%
Music by Deborah Wicks La Puma
50%
Dramaturgy by Megan Alrutz
50%
 
You must also provide the following credit on the title page for all programs and marketing materials:
“This play was commissioned by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and was first produced at the Kennedy Center during the 2019-2020 season.”
 
SHORTENED BILLING: In advertisements of 1/4 page size or less, or where only the title of the play, performance dates and venue are provided, the following "shortened billing" is permissible:
DON’T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE BUS! THE MUSICAL!

Video Warning

The videotaping or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited

Included Materials

Resource Quantity
LIBRETTO/VOCAL BOOK 10
PIANO VOCAL SCORE 2
TYA PERFORMANCE TRACKS 1

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30.2639851, -97.7588496

28.5732247, -81.3668375

40.7385999, -73.1196785

42.2868698, -87.9432837

40.9456222, -73.0868565

42.7871967, -86.1011083

40.2469126, -76.4715365

40.2469126, -76.4715365

42.7871967, -86.1011083

43.2937, -72.7893462

41.7574033, -72.7257294

49.8892455, -119.4937816

30.5265339, -87.90329

45.484275, -122.8038208

42.4744892, -71.4751809

30.2639851, -97.7588496

33.4506324, -112.0706158

39.8911854, -75.3519214

30.8449234, -83.2850499

48.2478723, -101.2979381

41.9232947, -87.6453556

39.4144811, -77.4118655

42.035615, -87.9123552

44.9246805, -93.4147785

38.6972302, -93.2684191

40.7385999, -73.1196785

42.8997107, -78.8776735

40.7803056, -111.8960223

39.2798001, -74.5673819

39.0557503, -95.7147049

37.2717909, -79.9390471

42.0523025, -89.9384995

37.581925, -77.4982006

44.0576396, -121.3618949

Title Address Organization Website Date Venue
Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus

North Highway 281
Aberdeen, SD 57401
United States

Storybook Land Theatre to Storybook Land Theatre
Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus

1510 Toomey Rd
Austin, TX 78704-1078
United States

Zach Theatre http://www.zachthea… to Kleberg Stage
Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus

812 East Rollins Street
Orlando, FL 32803
United States

Orlando Shakespeare Theater,inc http://www.orlandos… to Margeson
Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus

931 Montauk Highway
Oakdale, NY 11769
United States

Creative Ministries Inc (cm) http://www.cmpac.com to Cm Perf. Arts Center
Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus

Po Box 6343
Libertyville, IL 60048
United States

Greatworks Theatre http://www.greatwor… to Greatworks Theatre
Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus

412 Main Street
Po Box 512
Port Jefferson, NY 11777
United States

Theatre Three http://www.theatreo… to Theatre Three
Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus

141 E. 12th Street
Holland, MI 49423
United States

Hope Repertory Theatre https://hope.edu/of… to Bultmann Amphitheatre
Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus

200 Pennsylvania Avenue
P.o. Box 578
Mount Gretna, PA 17064
United States

Gretna Tya Theatre http://www.gretnath… Mt Gretna Playhouse
Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus

200 Pennsylvania Avenue
P.o. Box 578
Mount Gretna, PA 17064
United States

Gretna Tya Theatre http://www.gretnath… Mt Gretna Playhouse
Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus

141 E. 12th Street
Holland, MI 49423
United States

Hope Repertory Theatre https://hope.edu/of… to Bultmann Amphitheatre
Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus

705 Main Street
Weston, VT 5161
United States

Weston Playhouse / Intern Company http://www.westonpl… to Weston Playhouse At Walker Farm
Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus

244 Park Road
West Hartford, CT 6119
United States

Playhouse Theatre Group Inc http://www.playhous… to Playhouse On Park
Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus

460 Doyle Ave
Kelowna BC V1Y 0C2
Canada

Pixie And Dot Productions to Pixie And Dot Productions
Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus

161 N. Section St
Fairhope, AL 36532
United States

Baldwin County Virtual School to Fairhope Civic Center
Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus

12375 Sw 5th Street
Beaverton, OR 97005
United States

Beaverton Civic Theatre http://www.beaverto… to Beaverton City Library Auditorium
Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus

250 Central St
Acton, MA 1720
United States

Acton Community Center, Inc, Dba Theatre Iii https://www.theatre… to Theatre Iii (tya)
Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus

1510 Toomey Rd
Austin, TX 78704-1078
United States

Zach Theatre http://www.zachthea… to Kleberg Stage
Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus

222 E Monroe St
Phoenix, AZ 85004-2335
United States

Childsplay, Inc to Stage West - Herberger Theater
Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus

614 Fairview Avenue
P.o. Box 236
Swarthmore, PA 19081
United States

Players Club Of Swarthmore http://www.pcstheat… to Players Club Of Swarthmore
Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus

Dept Of Communication Arts
Valdosta, GA 31698
United States

Valdosta State University http://www.valdosta… to Valdosta State University
Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus

316 11th Ave Nw
Minot, ND 58701
United States

Bishop Ryan High Sch to Bishop Ryan Catholic School
Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus

2257 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL 60614
United States

Young Peoples Theatre Of Chicago http://yptchi.org to Young Peoples Theatre Of Chicago
Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus

31 W. Patrick St.
Frederick, MD 21701
United States

Maryland Ensemble Theatre http://www.maryland… to Maryland Ensemble Theatre
Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus

515 E. Thacker
Des Plaines, IL 60016
United States

Big Noise Theatre http://www.bignoise… to Prairie Lakes Recreation Center
Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus

1111 Mainstreet
Hopkins, MN 55343
United States

Stages Theatre Company http://www.stagesth… to Hopkins Center For Arts Mainstage
Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus

3201 W 16th Street
Sedalia, MO 65301
United States

State Fair Community College http://www.sfccmo.e… to Stauffacher Center For The Arts
Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus

931 Montauk Highway
Oakdale, NY 11769
United States

Creative Ministries Inc (cm) http://www.cmpac.com to Cm Perf. Arts Center
Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus

203 Allen Street
Buffalo, NY 14201
United States

Theatre Of Youth (toy) http://www.theatreo… to Allendale Theatre
Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus

168 W 500 N
Salt Lake City, UT 84103-1762
United States

Salt Lake Acting Company http://www.saltlake… to Upstairs Theatre
Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus

501 Atlantic Ave
Ocean City, NJ 8226
United States

Ocean City Theatre Company http://oceancitythe… Hughes Performing Arts Center
Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus

3028 Southwest 8th Avenue
Topeka, KS 66606
United States

Topeka Civic Theatre http://www.topekaci… to Sheffel Theare
Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus

One Market Square Se
2nd Floor
Roanoke, VA 24011
United States

Mill Mountain Theatre Conservatory http://www.millmoun… to Trinkle Main Stage
Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus

8212 Black Oak Road
Mount Carroll, IL 61053
United States

Timber Lake Playhouse (amateur) http://www.timberla… to Timber Lake Playhouse
Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus

1601 Willow Lawn Dr Ste 301e
Richmond, VA 23230-3423
United States

Virginia Rep Children's Theatre (tya) to Virginia Rep Children's Theatre-tya
Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus

2855 Nw Clearwater Drive
Bend, OR 97703
United States

Summit High School to Black Box
(264955)
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