The Giant Hoax
Genre: Musical Comedy
Keywords: historical comedy, physical comedy/slapstick, American history, con artist story, satire/farce, mistaken identity, ensemble cast, underdog story, heartfelt ending
Cast Size: 11 actors (4F / 4M / 3 Any, doubling) → up to 15+ (4F / 4M / 7 Any) plus optional ensemble
Duration: Approximately 90 minutes
Time Period: 1869, Upstate New York
Cautions: None
Listen to Sample Tracks
Excerpts provided for perusal purposes only.
It's 1869, and smooth-talking showman "Stub" Newell has just dug up the find of the century: a ten-foot petrified prehistoric giant, unearthed on a small farm in Cardiff, New York. Scientists argue, preachers rejoice, and the public can't get enough — at fifty cents a peek.
Enter Emily, a scrappy, imaginative girl who has walked all the way from Schenectady just to see the Giant for herself. When Stub takes her on as an apprentice barker, she throws herself into the job with total conviction — because unlike everyone else debating the Giant's authenticity, Emily knows in her heart he's real. In fact, in her imagination, he's her best friend.
But when the legendary P.T. Barnum swoops in with a giant of his own and threatens to steal the whole show, Emily finds herself caught between loyalty, truth, and the magic of believing in wonderful things.
The Giant Hoax is a warm, funny, and surprisingly moving musical about the fine line between storytelling and deception — and what we lose, and gain, when we finally tell the truth.
How We Price
Our pricing is simple and transparent. Each play includes two parts: a one-time script fee of $250, which grants you immediate access to the play and permission to copy and share it within your program; and a performance license of $150 per performance, which covers your live productions for the selected license duration.
How You License
At checkout, select your license duration (for example, the current or next school year) and the number of performances you plan to give. Each license covers live, in-person performances.
What You Get
You’ll receive an instant download of the following:
- the book (script)
- piano and vocal sheets
- rehearsal tracks
- performance tracks
- cast and doubling guide
- Author Insights article
- free classroom lesson plans
During your license period, you’re free to copy, print, and share the script within your school or theatre program for rehearsal and performance use—no per-script fees or copy limits.
Licensing Restriction
This play is licensed exclusively for amateur (non-AEA) productions. Professional productions governed by Actors’ Equity Association (AEA) agreements are expressly prohibited under this license.
Contact us at info@gitelmangoodpublishers.com for all inquiries regarding AEA productions; we will direct you to the author.
Praise for This Musical
"Charmingly whimsical and deeply moving … Outstanding storytelling … Quality family entertainment [that] will empower current and future generations ... The lesson here is that creative gifts can and will always change the world for the better." - Theatre Review NYC
"A clever, humorous, and delightful stage production with joy heightened through the music… Storytelling at its best… Heralds honesty and truth’s triumph. … This show is destined for Broadway... It’s great family entertainment connecting a familiar yet imaginative story with all. Children and adults alike smiled, laughed and empathized with the characters throughout the musical. Most were humming the tunes on the way out of the theater. … The moral of the story is to tell the truth. Truth is, every family should see this performance." - Front Row Center
"Step right up to a world of childlike wonder in Kit Goldstein Grant’s musical masterpiece." - Theatre Pizzazz
"The storytelling is creative and clear. The songs are pleasantly simple and tuneful. I dare you to see this show and not exit the theater singing… This musical does not pander to its target young people audience. Themes about blind faith, greed and trustworthiness are placed front and center. There are many elements to enjoy… The story is an incredible combination of American chutzpah and American gullibility. … Thoughtful and imaginative." - Broadway World
"A charming morality tale about telling the truth and growing up. … A touching story with affable songs and clever lyrics … inventive and humorous… This show will never get any bigger than it is, but it’s big enough to fill the hearts of its audience to bursting." - Theater Scene
"Wonderfully entertaining … A tight musical about wonder, imagination, and the loss of innocence that inevitably occurs when childhood first comes into contact with the adult world. … A charming, well-composed romp into magic and a little girl’s mind… It’s wonderful fun, and a joy to watch; a sweet story that takes us for a moment out of the stressful world in which we’re living. No complaints, no politics. Just a well-constructed narrative, some stunning music, and fine performances by a large, talented cast, with a happy ending to boot. What can be better than that? … Everyone in the cast had his or her moment… Beautifully orchestrated
and realized, the music is first rate, the lyrics extraordinarily clever." - Hi! Drama
"Captures the time period and brings about a delightful musical that doesn’t talk down." - Times Square Chronicles