Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!
The Musical!
PIGEON-SLIDE

Script and Lyrics by Mo Willems and Mr. Warburton
Music by Deborah Wicks La Puma
Megan Alrutz, Dramaturg
Based on the books by Mo Willems
Published by Music Theatre International.

Upcoming Productions

Don’t Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus
The Coterie Theatre, Grand Boulevard, Kansas City, MO
Don’t Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus
Children's Theatre of Charlotte, East 7th Street, Charlotte, NC
Don’t Let The Pigeon Drive the Bus
John Waldron Arts Center, South Walnut Street, Bloomington, IN

Synopsis

It’s not easy being The Pigeon– you never get to do ANYTHING! But when the Bus Driver has a crisis that threatens to make her passengers (gasp!) late, maybe that wily bird CAN do something. Using an innovative mix of actors, puppets, songs, and feathers, Don’t Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus! The Musical! is sure to get everyone’s wings flapping.

History

Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical!  was commissioned and premiered by the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on November 23rd, 2019 under the direction of Jerry Whiddon, with music direction by William Yanesh, and began touring the country in 2020.  The premiere won the 2020 Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Production – Theatre for Young Audiences.

“The giggles and guffaws zoom along at top speed, even as the bus breaks down in this genuinely riotous adaptation … a tasty hour-long concoction of silliness.” – Jane Horowitz, Broadway World

Felicia Curry and Christopher Michael Richardson, Kennedy Center premiere. Photo Credit: Jeremy Daniel

Musical Numbers

I NEVER GET TO DO ANYTHING - Pigeon

BUS DRIVER - Bus Driver and Pigeon

WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN - Pigeon

CAN I DRIVE THE BUS? - Pigeon, Bus Driver, and Passengers

PANIC AT THE BUS STOP - Bus Driver and Passengers

I'M BROKEN - Pigeon and Bus Driver

KEEP FLAPPIN' - All

DO MY THING - Pigeon

CAN I FLY THE PLANE? - All

 

Listen to the original cast album on  Apple Music or Spotify.

“’Delightfully, rip-roaringly, giggle-inducingly kid-friendly.” – Leslie Weisman, DC Metro Theatre Arts

Tracy Lynn Olivera, Evan Casey, and Erika Rose, Kennedy Center premiere. Photo Credit: Jeremy Daniel

Production Elements

Christopher Michael Richardson and Evan Casey, Kennedy Center premiere. Photo Credit: Jeremy Daniel

Cast of 6

Actor 1: THE PIGEON – A snappy, sassy, and demanding bird who never gets what he wants, but that doesn’t mean he’ll ever stop trying. (Tenor)

Actor 2: THE BUS DRIVER – A professional who loves her work and, eventually, The Pigeon.  Prides herself on ALWAYS being on time. (Alto/Mezzo belt)

Actor 3: HOT DOG VENDOR/PASSENGER:BUSINESS MAN/AIRPLANE ENGINE (Baritone)

Actor 4: DUCKLING/BUS ENGINE/BUS PUPPET/BUS DRIVER’S MOM/PUPPY/ (Alto)

Actor 5: CITY WORKER/PASSENGER: TEENAGER (Tenor)

Actor 6: PASSENGER: LITTLE OLD LADY (Mezzo Soprano)

Music: Rhythm and Blues, Funk, Disco, Swing, and Jazz score for Piano, Electric Guitar, Trumpet, Saxophone, Trombone, Electric Bass, and Drums.  Accompaniment tracks available.
Musical Difficulty: Intermediate
Technical Requirements: Minimal
Suggested Audience: Young Audiences/Families

Authors

DEBORAH WICKS LA PUMA (music) – see her bio page

Purchase

Listen to the original cast album on Apple Music or Spotify.

Request perusal materials from Music Theatre International.

Evan Casey, Tracy Lynn Olivera, Felicia Curry and Hasani Allen, Kennedy Center premiere. Photo Credit: Jeremy Daniel

Vocal Work Out! CD

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