Thumbelina is a tiny maiden who bloomed from a flower. She is no bigger than a thumb which is where she gets her name. One night, Thumbelina is taken from her home by two greedy toads. On her adventure trying to return home she encounters many different situations. She meets vaudeville dancing frogs, a snail longing for the sea, a kind spider, and a dramatic Shakespearian worm. Thumbelina experiences a tea party with some judgy insects and watches a magic show performed by a mole. She tries many things to get back home. Just when Thumbelina has lost all hope of ever getting home, she encounters magical fairies who come to her rescue. Their kindness helps her to get back home. The overarching theme being that one thing that this world needs is more kindness.
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Most Actors will play two to three roles. All roles are flexible with regards to gender and age.
Toad One and Two - The toads are the villains of the show. They are not the smartest characters and very greedy. They are motivated by making money.
Insects / Ladybug, Centipede and Cricket - The insects are judgy and stylish. They have tea parties but dont invite other bugs and insects. They are mean to everyone they dont like but by the end of the musical have learnt how much kindness is needed in this world.
Frogs One, Two and Three - The three frogs are vaudeville dancers looking to star on Broadway. They get along together most of the time, however they are highly competitive, and this can cause friction between them.
Butterfly - Butterfly is friends with Ladybug, Centipede and Cricket until she meets Thumbelina where she finds out what a real friend looks like. Throughout the musical Butterfly learns the importance of friendship, and to thank Thumbelina for her kindness she introduces her to the fairies.
Spider - Spider is a friendly vegetarian with 153 kids. Spider helps Thumbelina try to get home until the rain comes and scares her away.
Mole - The magnificent, terrific, Wondrous Magical Mole is a wannabe magician who is passionate, however not so skilled, in magic. He lives with Mouse underground.
Mouse - Mouse is sweet and allows Thumbelina to stay in her place underground when it is raining. She lives with Mole and is his Magic Act assistant.
Worm - Worm is dramatic and cries about everything. He quotes Shakespeare and is sad about how the world sees worms.
Snail - Snail longs for the sea. Even though he has never been to the seaside or knows how to swim he knows that is where he belongs. Snail tries to convince Thumbelina to go to the sea with him but with no luck.
The Fairies - The fairies enter at the end of the play. They help Thumbelina to get home by giving her wings. There are four fairies all based on flowers or mushrooms.