The Red Sneaks
by Elizabeth Swados

Name: The Red Sneaks
Brand: Elizabeth Swados
SKU: 9780573692758
Rating: 5 (1 reviews)

The Red Sneaks Book Cover — The Red Sneaks Cover

Highlights

Medium Cast

Female

Male

Present DayRole(s) for Teen(s)Contemporary Costumes/Street ClothesAmerican

Why we like it

"'The Red Sneaks' captivates with its unique blend of music and storytelling, exploring the dreams and struggles of youth."

From: Pop/Rock Musicals for Teens

Synopsis

This free wheeling contemporary musical for teens is a loose adaptation of the The Red Shoes, transposed to today's urban jungle.

The allegorical montage of songs, scenes and monologues centers around a welfare hotel resident who is persuaded by a mysterious young drifter to accept a pair of glittery red sneakers.

Whoever is wearing them may wish for anything-- and every wish comes true, but the easy way out turns out to be a fast trip to an early death."The most refreshing thing about The Red Sneaks ... is the chance to hear youths rather than adults talk about the nightmarish pressures of urban life."

- The New York Times"Remarkably clear, unsentimental and disturbing.... A gritty little musical that combines pop and rock with more traditional musical comedy."

- Associated Press"A most effective contemporary morality play....

The music has real gusto."

- New York Post

Press Reviews

"The most refreshing thing about The Red Sneaks ... is the chance to hear youths rather than adults talk about the nightmarish pressures of urban life."
— The New York Times

"Remarkably clear, unsentimental and disturbing... A gritty little musical that combines pop and rock with more traditional musical comedy."
— Associated Press

"A most effective contemporary morality play.... The music has real gusto."
— New York Post

Characters

Character	Gender	Age	Description
Dedre innocent, lonely, wanting love and excitement, basically a helpless soul. Good dancer.	—	—	innocent, lonely, wanting love and excitement, basically a helpless soul. Good dancer.
Shun the boyfriend, handsome, very hip, good dancer and singer	—	—	the boyfriend, handsome, very hip, good dancer and singer
Kenny cute commercial type, precocious, small and blond.	—	—	cute commercial type, precocious, small and blond.
Raquel strong, sarcastic, and wise.	—	—	strong, sarcastic, and wise.
Valerie young, good dancer.	—	—	young, good dancer.
James smart, bitter, aloof, a streak of meannes	—	—	smart, bitter, aloof, a streak of meannes
Teresina tough, spohisticated, wirey	—	—	tough, spohisticated, wirey
Shawn the devil, slick, sly, humorous, but capable of danger. Good dancer.	—	—	the devil, slick, sly, humorous, but capable of danger. Good dancer.