Creative Team

Director — Josie Helming
Music Director — Tracy Womack
Choreography — Liz George
Set Design — Lynette Scoles
Light Design — Annmarie Duggan
Costume Design — Steven Simon

From the book by Marlo Thomas and Friends
Adapted and written for the stage by Douglas Love and Regina Safran
Study Guide written by Gary Cadwallader with Nancy Govoni

About the authors

There are many authors of Free to Be You and Me. Actress Marlo Thomas asked several of her friends to help collaborate on the poems, songs, and stories that are included in the book, which was first published in 1974. Here is a brief biography of Marlo Thomas followed by the names of the friends she chose to help her with the book.

Marlo Thomas is best known to television audiences as the star of the popular 1960's TV show, "That Girl" (1966-1971). Marlo Thomas has also starred in movies such as, "Billie"(1965) with Patty Duke and Jim Backus, "Breaking Up is Hard To Do" (1979) with Robert Conrad and Billy Crystal, and "The Real Blonde"(1998) with Matthew Modine and Daryl Hannah. Marlo Thomas is the daughter of comedian Danny Thomas and is married to former talk show host Phil Donahue.

These other writers helped Marlo Thomas write Free to Be You and Me. Visit the library or go on-line to find out more about their lives and accomplishments. Carl Reiner - Shel Silverstein - Mary Rodgers - Sheldon Harnick - Judy Blume.

What's in the play?

The musical FREE TO BE YOU AND ME is based on the classic best-selling children's book by the same title. It was first printed in 1974, and a record and television show soon followed.

The play is a collection of scenes and songs that remind us how fun it is to be a kid. A group of boys and girls discover who they are, learn how to express their feelings, and learn to respect each other's individuality. It also reminds us that boys and girls have limitless possibilities and can be anything they choose.

These are the scenes and musical numbers in FREE TO BE YOU AND ME:

"Boy Meets Girl," where two babies figure out if they are boy or girl,
"Let's Hear it For The Babies," where we learn exactly what a baby is,
"When We Grow Up," where we learn that boys and girls can be anything,
"William's Doll," where we discover that boys, too, want to be smart, comforting Dads,
"My Dog is a Plumber," where we learn not to judge someone for what they can't do,
"Parents Are People," where we understand that Moms and Dad were kids too,
"The Pain and the Great One," where we look at brothers and sisters,
"Glad To Have A Friend Like You," where we realize the importance of friends,
"It's All Right To Cry," where we find out that crying is o.k., and
"Free To Be You And Me," where we learn to love ourselves for who we are.

"Boy Meets Girl" — There are very few words in this scene and yet it is very funny. What makes it so funny?

What are the wonderful and difficult things about being a girl? What about the wonderful and difficult things about being a boy? Are some of them the same?

Find some poems about being a girl or a boy and share them with the class or with friends!

Find some of your own baby pictures. Share them with the class or with your friends. Without using the clothes as clues can you really tell the boys from the girls?

Draw a picture showing the two babies in this scene talking to each other.

"Let's Hear It for Babies" — What is a baby?

Babies grow inside their mothers' bodies for about 9 months. The unborn babies don't breathe air. They are connected to their mothers by umbilical cords. They get food and oxygen through this cord. When a baby is born their lungs fill up for the first time.

After a baby is born, did you know . . . A baby's eyes don't make tears until the baby is between 3 and 6 months old? A baby's legs are curled up tight because they just spent 9 months curled up inside mother's body? A baby spends more time asleep than you spend awake? To sleep the same number of hours, you would have to go to bed right after dinner and stay in bed until it was almost time for lunch. Newborn babies can see black and white clearly, but they can't see colors will until they are about 4 months old? By the time babies are 9 months old, their eyesight is fully developed. Most babies wet their diapers 20 or 30 times a day? Having a wet or dirty diaper can be uncomfortable. It can irritate a baby's skin. Once babies learn to sit, it isn't long before they are standing? Once they are standing, it isn't long before their balance improves and they are walking. This happens when they are about 1 year old. ("Baby Science" by Ann Douglas)

What are some the great things about having a baby? What are some of the difficult things?

Which is more important in shaping a baby's personality, what they are born with or what happens to them as they grow up?

Research what it costs to raise a baby: food, diapers, clothes, etc. Make a chart of your findings.

Interview a parent to discover what else, besides money, is needed to raise children.

"When We Grow Up" — There was a time when men had men's jobs and women didn't have jobs at all. Then men had men's jobs and women had women's jobs. Now, men and women can be just about anything they dream of, and here are a few examples of cool jobs for both men and women. What sounds most exciting to you? Space Shuttle Pilot/Astronaut ... Governor, Senator, or Mayor ... Chef ... TV talk show host ... Professional basketball player ... Inventor ... Marine Biologist ... Lawyer or judge ... Doctor or Nurse ... Company Executive or the CEO (Chief Executive Officer) ... Professional golfer ... Movie director or producer ... Real Estate Agent ... Book author or magazine editor ... University Professor or schoolteacher ... Engineer ... Singer/Songwriter ... Zoologist ... Opera Singer ... Military General ... Artist ... Computer programmer ... Firefighter/Police Officer ... Race Car Driver ... Architect ... Photographer ... Farmer ... Stockbroker ...

In the song, "When We Grow Up," one of the girls says, "You can't judge a book by its cover." What does that mean?

Talk about all the things you want to be when you grow up. How have your ideas for yourself changed over the years? Ask your parents or other adults what they wanted to be when they were growing up. Did their dreams come true? Why or why not?

Get together with a partner and, taking turns being the adult, give your partner advice about growing up in the world today. What would you tell them to do or not to do.

Find and read some books in your school library about girls and boys remaining friends through their school years.

"William's Doll" — Tell about a time when, like William, you or someone you know were scolded or teased for doing something that was not acceptable for a boy/girl.

Ask your parents or guardians how they learned to be parents and from whom.

If you had to start a school for parents, what subjects would you teach? Who would you hire to do the teaching? When and where would you have classes take place?

Conduct a survey from people of all different ages: friends, classmates, teachers, parents, older family and friends, and ask the questions: A. Is it good or bad for little boys to play with dolls? Why? Why not? B. Is it good or bad for little girls to play baseball? Why? Why not?

Take a trip through a toy department or toy store. Notice how toy companies design their packaging to appeal to girls, to boys, or to both. Are there specific dolls for boys or sports equipment just for girls?

In this scene of the musical, one boy taunts William with the rhythmic chant, "A doll, a doll, William wants a doll!" Chants are a part of childhood cultures around the world. Think about some of the Mother Goose rhymes or jump-rope chants you know. Do any of them seem serious or are they just silly? Do some research in your library to figure out the real messages behind the words.

This poem ends with the line, "Maybe the problem is trying to tell just what someone is by what they do well." Share your ideas and feelings about that statement with friends and family. Give some examples from your own life or the real world.

Why is this poem called, "My Dog Is a Plumber?"

Make a list of: 1.The things you do well now. 2.The things you want to do better. 3.The things your favorite adult does well. 4.Ways to learn the things you want to learn.

"Parents Are People" — What occupations have hats associated with them? Why?

Look in the dictionary for the meaning of the word stereotype. Why does the song, "Parents Are People," encourage boys and girls not to be bound by stereotypes.

Play a game with everyone acting out different occupations. Think about what actions were the best clues.

Find out more about the history and importance of hats in America. Try to find out about the role of raccoon hats in the development of the western United States or the role of feathered hats on species of birds.

Study hats and headgear from other cultures and ancient civilizations. Compare by size shape, and material used. What was their significance ?(Think crowns, war helmets, jester hats, etc.)

Find examples in the newspaper of hats in the news. (For example, helmet laws, or gang dress codes.)

"The Pain and the Great One" — This scene is about brothers and sisters and how they think of themselves and each other. Tell about a time when you had a disagreement with a brother or sister.

At the end of the scene, one character says he is an only child. What are the good things and what are the bad things about not having a brother or sister? What are the good things and what are the bad things about having a brother or sister?

Go to the library and find and read some books by Judy Blume. How do some of the brother and sister characters get along?

Select several TV programs that have brothers and sisters as main characters. Write a short statement or draw a picture about how you think they feel about each other. Do they mostly get along? Don't get along? A little of both?

"Glad to Have a Friend Like You" — One character in this song likes to tell jokes. What are some of your favorite jokes?

This song ends with a great chase. Tell about some great chases that you remember from books, movies, and TV. What makes a really good chase scene?

In this scene, friends: a. Make a chocolate cake; b. Go fishing; c. Create a secret language and send secret messages; d. Eat snow together; e. Play make-believe and fly a rocket to the moon

Try something similar with some of your friends and write a song, story, or poem, or draw a picture about your adventure.

Look through Friday's Go-Do Section in the News-Journal and plan something fun to do with a friend.

"Ladies First" — One character goes through the cafeteria line asking for outrageously imaginary items such as ice cream pickle sticks. Brainstorm some creative but unlikely food items. The real challenge is to create things that are clever and funny, but not gross and repulsive!

Make a poster advertising the new food items you created in the discussion above.

The girl in this scene gets into trouble because she has been taught that ladies should always go first. Find out the origin of such customs and manners.

Make a list of all the rules for the cafeteria line at your school. Try to get your class to agree to abide by them.

"It's All Right to Cry" — In this song, the characters sing about the positive results of crying. What have you been told about crying? How do you feel about crying? What advice would you give to a friend who asked you if it was OK to cry?

Why do people cry?

In this song, the characters mention many different feelings and emotions. For one day keep a list of all the different feelings you experience. Compare your list with a friend's list.

Look through a newspaper or magazine for pictures of people showing many different emotions. Think of words to describe those feelings. Use a thesaurus to find some new words to use.

"Atalanta" — After you see the play, think about the characters in Atalanta: Atalanta, the King, and Young John. Which of the characters would you most like to be? Why?

Who has the better life, royalty or common people? Why?

Create at least two different endings for the story.

Write a story or draw a picture about a princess who has a mind of her own and who does things her own way.

"No One Else" — Should you make up your own mind about what to like and what not to like, or should you allow others to tell you what to like?

Think about some times when people told you how you ought to feel. Fore example: "You ought to be ashamed of yourself" or "Don't worry, be happy." Write a poem, paragraph or a song, or draw a picture about how you really felt and how you were told to feel.

Go to the library or record store and get the CD of Free to Be You and Me and learn the words to "No One Else." Create some additional lines and add original actions to go along with it. Once you have it "staged," teach it to some younger kids.

With some friends make a list of the things "someone can tell you…" that are in the song. (For example: planting a pumpkin seed or multiplying by three) Create a poster showing kids being taught those things.

"Free to Be…You and Me" — Why is it important for a play to be written to celebrate kids being themselves? Why do you think this musical was written?

What do you think the following words from the song really mean…

Write a poem, or song, or draw a picture about freedom.

Get together with two or three others and write a song, poem, or story about kids like you. It can be about anything!

Make a poster to advertise this play.

Really Cool Websites

Here are some really cool websites for you to do some research. Have fun!!

Infoseek.com - A website that has lots of cool information including a encyclopedia and dictionary.

Biography.com This website is the companion to the A&E television series. They have a biography for just about anyone you can think of!

Seasidemusictheater.org - This is SMT's very own website with study guides, show dates, and pictures of past productions.

Lcweb.loc.gov - This is the website for the Library of Congress. It has lots of cool exhibits and "Today in History" page.

Nfo.net - This website is a comprehensive music website that gives you information on just about every music style, including biographies of musical theater composers. Scroll down the right side and click on "Tunesmiths." Click on the letter of the composer's last name (such as "R" for Mary Rodgers), and up will pop a short bio of the composer or lyricist.

Theater.com - Everything you want to know about what's going on in the theater.

Playbill.com - Theater news, theater biographies, plus the online source for Drama Bookshop.

Word Find

These words have been used throughout this study guide. The words in parenthesis are not included:

Find these words: Atalanta, Cry, Free to Be, Friend, Father, Helming (Josie-the Director), Ladies First, Liz (George -the Choreographer), Marlo Thomas, Mother, Musical, Seaside, Theater, William's Doll, You and Me

Especially for Students...

In live theatre, unlike movies and television, the actors can hear (and often see) you as easily as you can hear and see them. If you comment out loud at a live show, or read or eat, you disturb not only other members of the audience but also the people on stage, thus diminishing the performance and, ultimately, your enjoyment of it.

This doesn't mean you have to remain silent. Actors want you to respond with laughter and applause; but such responses should always be genuine and appropriate to the moment. Such inconsiderate behavior as shouting, catcalling or sustained whispering, even during blackouts, can ruin the concentration of actors and audience members alike. And throwing paper or objects of any kind towards the stage is not only rude, it's also extremely dangerous to the performers.

In the event of any student misbehavior, the relevant school will be contacted and its principal informed.

We want you to enjoy your visit to Seaside Music Theater, and we rely on you to exercise your common sense and mature judgment. Thank you for being a valuable part of our audience this season.