Big Nate
by Jason Loewith, Lincoln Peirce, Christopher Youstra

Name: Big Nate
Brand: Jason Loewith
SKU: 9780573703218

Highlights

Female

Male

75 mins Present Day Ensemble Cast Unit Set/Multiple Settings Contemporary Costumes/Street Clothes

Synopsis

Nate Wright, a detention-riddled sixth grader (and drummer for the greatest garage band in the history of the galaxy, Enslave the Mollusk!

) hopes to capture beautiful Jenny’s heart by winning “The Nickelodeon,” the first prize in his school’s Battle of the Bands.

But when Artur and Jenny team up with Nate’s arch-rival Gina to form the sap-pop band Rainbows and Ponies , he’s gotta take his game to an all-star level.

Using his superior cartoon skills, Nate concocts a super-charged, spectacular dedication to Jenny during his song’s climax, which will blow Rainbows and Ponies away and make Jenny realize her mistake.

But since it’s Nate Wright, the plan backfires, and Enslave the Mollusk gets disqualified.

Nate manages to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat with a little honest help from Artur.

Nate and his band win The Nickelodeon, but Jenny rewards Artur for his honesty by agreeing to “have steadiness” with him.

Press Reviews

"Sparkling… Big Nate is a delight for all ages. With a great book and score… this is a musical that I can highly recommend for you and your children to enjoy together."
— MD Theatre Guide

"The musical pays loving homage to the Peirce canon. For the many fans of that canon, the homage will strike just the right rock-star-worthy note."
— Washington Post

"Captures the essence of middle school with contemporary comedy [and] catchy musical numbers… The 90-minute, one-intermission afternoon passes quickly while enjoying the melodies of the musical score… Each lyric and song by Chris Youstra and Jason Loewith glorifies the traumas of middle-school life with enchanting humor."
— Broadway World

"Bursting with energy and fun music, great lyrics and true to life comic strip characters, Big Nate, based on the familiar comic strip, is a rocking fresh bundle of raucous fun."
— DC Theatre Scene

"Immense fun… Big Nate extolls the virtues of best friends…[with] an exceptional message that instills in every young performer – or those sitting in the audience – the inspiration to overcome life’s setbacks with confidence, knowing that tomorrow, circumstances will bring success."
— Broadway World

Characters

Character	Gender	Age	Description
NATE WRIGHT You can call him “Big Nate.” The king of detention and mischief, but it’s never his fault. A brilliant cartoonist who is “destined for greatness.” Optimistic about the future but just trying to survive sixth grade.	male	11-12	You can call him “Big Nate.” The king of detention and mischief, but it’s never his fault. A brilliant cartoonist who is “destined for greatness.” Optimistic about the future but just trying to survive sixth grade.
FRANCIS BUTTHURST POPE Nate’s best friend since kindergarten. Intriguingly smart, or kind of nerdy, he is excited about the little facts of life. Can double as Mrs. Hickson, Mrs. Shipulski (Voiceover).	male	11-12	Nate’s best friend since kindergarten. Intriguingly smart, or kind of nerdy, he is excited about the little facts of life. Can double as Mrs. Hickson, Mrs. Shipulski (Voiceover).
TEDDY “√” ORTIZ Nate’s other best friend. He has a distinctive laugh (which Nate refers to as a “constipated llama”).	male	11-12	Nate’s other best friend. He has a distinctive laugh (which Nate refers to as a “constipated llama”).
ARTUR PASHKOV The Byelorussian Butthead. Exchange student with a heavy accent who hasn’t quite grasped the English language. Incredibly smart, extremely courteous, and a top rated chess champion. Thinks Nate is a great guy. Can double as Marty Wright, Mr. Staples, Spitsy, Calvin.	male	11-12	The Byelorussian Butthead. Exchange student with a heavy accent who hasn’t quite grasped the English language. Incredibly smart, extremely courteous, and a top rated chess champion. Thinks Nate is a great guy. Can double as Marty Wright, Mr. Staples, Spitsy, Calvin.
GINA HEMPHILL-TOMS Nate’s arch-nemesis. A teacher’s pet who lives to get Nate in trouble. A true brainiac and studies during recess. Can double as Mrs. Czerwicki, Galvinator #1	female	11-12	Nate’s arch-nemesis. A teacher’s pet who lives to get Nate in trouble. A true brainiac and studies during recess. Can double as Mrs. Czerwicki, Galvinator #1
JENNY Nate’s soul mate (at least he thinks so), but she’s more interested in Artur. Can double as Coach John, Pickles, Galvinator #2, Principal Nichols (Voiceover).	male	11-12	Nate’s soul mate (at least he thinks so), but she’s more interested in Artur. Can double as Coach John, Pickles, Galvinator #2, Principal Nichols (Voiceover).
ELLEN WRIGHT Can double as Mrs. Godfrey, Galvinator.	female	—	Can double as Mrs. Godfrey, Galvinator.