This interview got me thinking back to how I came to write the little musical based on the Aesop fable "The Boy Who Cried Wolf" also based on an ancient Greek story with ancient Greek characters and setting. In those days, I was frustrated trying to find a suitable vehicle for our youngest actors. We wanted a play with music that told a good story with meaningful parts for all of our little actors. Because we had very young actors, mostly ages 5-7, we needed very simple lines and short catchy songs and movement that made sense to little people. We wanted them to each feel that they could contribute to telling the story through their lines and their singing and their dancing. We did not want a play that relied on explaining things to the audience through a narrator, choral readers, or adult "helpers." And we especially did not want an over-produced accompaniment track that over-powered the little voices.

Simple lines. Catchy songs. Good message. These are all very important ingredients to a young Children's Theater success. And, you should never underestimate the power of the "cute" factor.