Synopsis: A musical version of the classic tale about a boy who must travel to the fair to sell his beloved cow. After a run-in with some buyers who think his cow is too scrawny, Jack meets an Old Woman who buys the cow for three beans. The beans, she promises, will allow him to ascend to the sky, where he'll find a giant's castle full of riches stolen from his late father.

When Jack angrily throws the beans aside, they grow into a giant beanstalk, which he climbs. At the top, he meets the Giant's Sister, who hides him just in time: The Giant comes home and demands that his treasure -- a goose, a purse filled with gold, and a singing Harp -- be brought to him. Listening to the Harp, he falls asleep, and Jack and the Giant's Sister escape down the beanstalk.

Home again, Jack is overjoyed to discover that his cow has been returned to him and, even better, they all learn a wonderful secret about the Giant's Sister!

About the Playwright: Composer and lyricist Marcy Telles has created scores for the musicals The Toymaker and the Elves (Das Puppenspeil, 1974) and The Three Golden Hairs (Morning Glory Theater, 1981). She has provided lyrics and librettos for two children's operas Jack and the Beanstalk and Brementown Musicians (Cinnabar Theater, 1990 and 1997), and several children's musicals: The Snow Queen, It's a Wonderful Life (Cinnabar Theater, 1992 and 2001), Remote Control, Plants, and Princess Goodenough (1998, 2001, and 2002, various). In addition to her theatrical work, Marcy has provided compositions and lyrics for the Occidental Community Choir, Viva! Musica (a Japanese musical circus), and recording artists and groups such as A Few Good Friends, Biaja, Blake Derby, Michael Smolens, Randal Collen, and others. Marcy makes her home in Northern California and is always interested in new projects.

Jack and the Beanstalk was first produced by the Cinnabar Opera Theatre, Petaluma, California.