The Road To Good Health

THE ROAD TO GOOD HEALTH

A Nutritional Awareness Musical for Children

Book by Donald J. Leonard, Jr.

Music and Lyrics by David Reiser

Inspired by The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum

The Road To Good Health

 Copyright 2009  © 2009

by  Donald J. Leonard, Jr, and David Reiser

All Rights Reserved

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CAST OF CHARACTERS

DORSEY KALE -  a young girl 

TITO - her small dog

UNCLE HARRY - her legal guardian

AUNTIE ERMA - his wife

MS. CRABGRASS -  her teacher

GLYNDA GOODMEAL - the good health fairy

THE MUNCHYKINS - talking fruits and vegetables

FRUITY & VEGGIE: THE PRODUCE PALS - two elf-like beings

MYRNA MALNUTRITION - a witch who pushes unhealthy food

GRAINY THE CEREAL GUY - a man made of grain products

MR. HARDSHELL THE PROTEIN-ENRICHED PEANUT - a nutty guy

EMILY THE DAIRY COW - a milk producing dairy representative

JUNK-FOOD TREES - Myrna's evil guardians

CHIP & NICK: THE CAVITY CRITTERS - Myrna's loyal disciples

PROFESSOR MARVELOUS THE NUTRITIONAL WIZARD - a wise adviser

The following roles may be played by the same performers:

1. UNCLE HARRY / WIZARD

2. FRUITY / NICK

3. VEGGIE / CHIP

4. MUNCHYKINS / TREES

MUSICAL NUMBERS

I’ll Study……………………………….......................………Dorsey

I’m Fruity/I’m Veggie…………...........………………Fruity/Veggie

Junk-Food……......……...............……………...Myrna Malnutrition

Follow the Road to Good Health ....................................................... Glynda/Fruity/Veggie/Munchykins

I’m Grainy The Cereal Guy………………...Grainy the Cereal Guy

My Name’s Hardshell…………Hardshell the Protein Peanut/Grainy

Call Me Emily..……………Emily the Dairy Cow/Grainy/Hardshell

What an Unexpected Pleasure…...…..…………Myrna Malnutrition

Good Nutrition.................…………………………………Ensemble





The Road To Good Health

SCENE ONE – THE FARMHOUSE OF UNCLE HARRY & AUNTIE ERMA.

(As LIGHTS come up onstage, UNCLE HARRY and AUNTIE ERMA with worried faces are taking a look at DORSEY’S latest health test in the presence of her teacher, MS. CRABGRASS.)

MS. CRABGRASS (SHARPLY). Mr. Kale, now you understand why I wanted to see you and your wife right away.

UNCLE HARRY. (Scratching his head) I just can’t understand it. It’s not like Dorsey to flunk any test at school.

AUNTIE ERMA. (To UNCLE HARRY) Perhaps we should have helped her study at home.

(DORSEY runs in with her dog TITO. She carries an armload of books.)

DORSEY. Auntie Erma, Uncle Harry! What’s wrong? (seeing MS. CRABGRASS) Oh, hello Ms. Crabgrass! What brings you here today?

MS. CRABGRASS. I came here to show your Aunt and Uncle the health test you failed to pass last week, young lady. What do you have to say for yourself?

DORSEY.  Well, I…

UNCLE HARRY. Yes.

AUNTIE ERMA. Speak up child!

DORSEY. Well, I guess I didn’t study very hard!

MS. CRABGRASS. I’ll say! You’ve never done so poorly on a test!

UNCLE HARRY. Could Dorsey take another test? Perhaps she could stay after school one day.

MS. CRABGRASS. (TO UNCLE HARRY & AUNTIE ERMA) Well you had better make sure that she studies harder this time!

DORSEY. Oh, I will! I promise!

MS. CRABGRASS. Very well then. Tomorrow morning before school begins, I will give you a new test, more difficult than the first one! And you had better pass it young lady or you will be in plenty of trouble! Good day to you! (She exits)

AUNTIE ERMA. Well, you heard what your teacher said, Dorsey. You had better study for that health test tomorrow!

DORSEY. Yes, Auntie Erma.

UNCLE HARRY. We will help you dear, once we’ve finished with the chores outside, okay?

DORSEY. Yes, Uncle Harry.

AUNTIE ERMA. Alright then, you begin reading your textbook and your Uncle and I will join you in a little while. (They exit)

(DORSEY crosses to a chair or bench and sits next to TITO. She begins reading her textbook entitled “BETTER HEALTH AND GOOD NUTRITION.”)

SONG #1 – “I’LL STUDY” (SUNG BY DORSEY)

DORSEY.

I’LL STUDY REAL HARD TO PASS THE TEST,

I’LL DO THE BEST I CAN.

BUT AFTER I READ THIS BOOK I WONDER

IF I’LL UNDERSTAND.

THERE SEEMS TO BE SUCH A LOT TO KNOW,

SO MUCH TO MEMORIZE.

I SUDDENLY FEEL REAL SLEEPY (SHE YAWNS) SO

I THINK I’LL CLOSE MY EYES…

DORSEY. (Spoken) But just for a little while…

(She falls asleep)

BLACKOUT – END OF SCENE 

SCENE TWO – THE EDGE OF FRUIT FOREST AND VEGETABLE VALLEY IN THE LAND OF GOOD HEALTH 

(DORSEY is now surrounded by giant smiling fruits and vegetables. A beautiful woman appears standing over DORSEY. She is GLYNDA GOODMEAL, THE GOOD HEALTH FAIRY. DORSEY is awakened by the sound of giggling onstage.)

DORSEY. Where am I? Who are you? And why are you all laughing at me?

GLYNDA. I’m Glynda Goodmeal, the good health fairy. And you are in the home of the Munchykins in the land of Good Health. The Munchykins are laughing because they have never seen a real live person before.

DORSEY. Oh?

GLYNDA. You see the Munchykins are part of the five food groups. Perhaps you’ve heard of them?

DORSEY. Well yes I have.

GLYNDA. And that’s why you’re here dear, isn’t it? To learn about how your body needs energy by eating foods from the five food groups. (As an aside to the others) This is the one I was telling you about. The one who didn’t pass her health test.

(The MUNCHYKINS giggle)

DORSEY. What is energy?

GLYNDA. Energy is one of the body’s most basic needs. Energy is used for breathing, for pumping blood, and for moving. The more vigorous the exercise is, the more energy is required. As we go through life, our needs for energy change.

DORSEY. I don’t understand.

GLYNDA. Your body is like a car. A car can’t run without fuel, and neither can you. The body uses energy to move. The body needs energy every day and food supplies energy.

DORSEY. Is that why we must eat three meals every day?

GLYNDA. Yes.

DORSEY. Would I stop moving if I missed one meal?

GLYNDA. No. But if you didn’t eat for a day or a couple of days, you probably would be tired and wouldn’t want to move very much.

DORSEY. Does it matter what I eat?

GLYNDA. (Nodding “yes”) It takes five kinds of food to give your body energy and keep you healthy. These are foods from the Grains Group; Vegetable Group; Fruit Group; Dairy Group; and Protein Foods Group. Foods categorized as fats, oils, and sweets should be eaten in small amounts.

DORSEY. I had better get going now. I have a test to study for at home…

GLYNDA. What’s the rush? That’s what we’re here for.

DORSEY. You’re going to help me pass my test?

GLYNDA. Yes, dear. With the help of some friends. (Calling offstage) You can come out now…

(Two elf-like creatures appear from off-stage in similar dress. One is FRUITY, who represents the fruit group. The other is VEGGIE, who represents the vegetable group. They are THE PRODUCE PALS.)

GLYNDA. Meet Fruity and Veggie: the Produce Pals. Fruity lives in the Fruit Forest with all the apple trees, orange trees, and peach trees. Veggie lives in Vegetable Valley with all the tomatoes, carrots, and potatoes.

DORSEY. (TO GLYNDA) Which is which?

SONG #2 – “FRUITY & VEGGIE” (SUNG BY FRUITY & VEGGIE)

FRUITY.

I’M FRUITY—

VEGGIE.

I’M VEGGIE—

BOTH.

AND WE’RE HERE TO SAY

YOU’VE GOT TO HAVE A LOT OF US EACH DAY.

FRUITY.

YOU DO NEED THREE PORTIONS OF ME—

VEGGIE.

AND WHAT’S MORE,

OF ME YOU’RE NEEDING TO BE EATING FOUR.

FRUITY.

REMEMBER WHEN YOU CUT YOURSELF WHILE RUNNING THROUGH THE PARK?

WHO HELPED TO HEAL YOU UP? IT WAS ME!

VEGGIE.

AND EATING ME CAN HELP YOU SEE MUCH BETTER IN THE DARK.

BOTH.

TOGETHER WE CAN GIVE YOU ENERGY.

IF YOU WANT TO GROW UP TO BE STRONG AND TALL,

IF YOU WANT TO ALWAYS FEEL GREAT,

MAKE CERTAIN THAT WE’LL

BE AT EV’RY MEAL,

AND DON’T FORGET TO CLEAN UP YOUR PLATE!

(spoken) DON'T HESITATE!

YOU MUST BE SURE TO CLEAN UP YOUR PLATE!

(FRUITY takes out three oranges and begins to juggle them.)

FRUITY. Do you know where orange juice comes from?

(DORSEY shakes her head, “no”)

FRUITY. Oranges grow on trees. Farmers and their helpers pick oranges from the trees. Trucks take the oranges to a factory where the juice is squeezed out of the orange.

(Suddenly we hear an amplified evil laugh. Everyone scatters except for DORSEY and GLYNDA. MYRNA MALNUTRITION enters. She is an evil-looking witch who represents foods not from the five basic food groups.)

DORSEY. Who is that?

GLYNDA. Myrna Malnutrition, she’s the most wicked witch in this land!

(MYRNA is seen lurking after the MUNCHYKINS, trying to entice them with unhealthy snack foods that are piled high on a rolling cart she pushes that is clearly labeled, “JUNK-FOOD.”)

MYRNA. Who would like a deep-fried cheese puff or a chocolate-covered cupcake? (No response) What about a cream-filled sponge cake? Chocolate-flavored sandwich cookies?

(THE MUNCHYKINS all shout “No”)

MYRNA. I’ve got ranch-flavored corn chips and jellybeans. How about licorice whips and marshmallows?

DORSEY. Leave them alone! They don’t want your junk-food. It might rot their teeth or ruin their appetites!

MYRNA. (Turning her attention to DORSEY) Well, well, well! Who might you be?

DORSEY. I’m Dorsey Kale from Kansas.

SONG #3 – “JUNK-FOOD” (SUNG BY MYRNA MALNUTRITION)

MYRNA. (Spoken) What a pretty girl. But you look so…(in disgust)…healthy. I can change that. (She sings:)

JUNK-FOOD—EAT MY JUNK-FOOD!

STUFF YOURSELF BEFORE YOU EAT YOUR MEALS.

IT’S BETTER EATING SWEETS—

WHO LIKES CARROTS, PEAS OR BEETS?

FIND OUT HOW NICE A FLABBY STOMACH FEELS.

JUNK-FOOD—EAT MY JUNK-FOOD!

HAVE SOME CAKE AND CANDY, THEY’RE MORE FUN.

THEN TRY SOME GREASY CHIPS

DUNKED IN ALL THESE GOOEY DIPS;

REMEMBER, YOU CAN NEVER EAT JUST ONE!

DORSEY. (SINGING:)

IF I EAT THESE SWEETS MY TEETH WILL START TO ROT

AND I’LL BEGIN TO PUT ON LOTS OF WEIGHT.

MYRNA. (SINGING:)

NOBODY CARES IF YOU’VE GOT A LITTLE POT; (She pats DORSEY’S tummy)

AND WHO NEEDS TEETH TO BE A COUCH POTATO?

JUNK-FOOD—EAT MY JUNK-FOOD!

WHEN YOU’RE FINISHED I WILL GET YOU MORE.

I’VE GOT A BIG SUPPLY,

AND YOU KNOW THE REASON WHY?

MY UNCLE OWNS A CHAIN OF CANDY STORES! (Laughing)

SO DON’T BE BASHFUL—IT’S ALL RIGHT—

SWALLOW EV’RYTHING IN SIGHT! (She holds up a snack item)

TAKE A GREAT BIG BITE—IT’S YOURS!

DORSEY. No, thank you. I don’t want any of your junk-food!

MYRNA. (With venom) OH, SO YOU WANT TO BE HEALTHY DO YOU?

GLYNDA. (To Myrna) Your presence is not welcome here. Why don't you make like an apple tree and “leaf” us alone?”

MYRNA. As you wish...(TO DORSEY) But you haven't seen the last of me yet!

 (She laughs a hideous laugh and exits)

GLYNDA. She won't give up that easily I’m afraid. The sooner you see the Nutritional Wizard the better off you’ll be, my dear.

DORSEY. Nutritional Wizard????

GLYNDA. Oh yes. He lives in the Palace of Good Nutrition. 

DORSEY. How do I get there?

GLYNDA. You must follow the road to good health!

DORSEY. The road to good health?

GLYNDA. (Pointing out towards the audience) See that road that leads beyond Grain Gulch, past Dairy Desert and on the other side of Protein Peak?

DORSEY. Yes.

GLYNDA. Well, you need to follow that road until you come to the Palace of Good Nutrition. There you will meet the Nutritional Wizard, Professor Marvelous.

DORSEY. But why?

SONG #4 – “THE ROAD TO GOOD HEALTH” (SUNG BY GLYNDA, FRUITY, VEGGIE, & MUNCHYKINS)

GLYNDA, FRUITY, VEGGIE, & MUNCHYKINS

FOLLOW THE ROAD TO GOOD HEALTH;

IT’S THE ONLY WAY FOR YOU TO STAY WELL.

YOU WILL GROW UP BIG AND STRONG

IF YOU ALWAYS WALK ALONG

THE ROAD TO GOOD NUTRITION EV'RY DAY

FOLLOW THE ROAD TO GOOD HEALTH

BUT YOU’LL HAVE TO FACE SOME DANGER, I FORETELL.

MYRNA IS A WITCH WHO’LL DO

ANYTHING TO GET YOU TO

EAT UNHEALTHY FOOD ALONG THE WAY.

THOUGH I DON’T WANT TO SCARE YOU,

YOU OUGHT TO BE PREPARED TO

MEET THE WITCH BEFORE YOUR JOURNEY ENDS.

SHE COULD SHOW UP ANYWHERE, SO

STAY ON THE STRAIGHT AND NARROW—

BEWARE OF MYRNA AND HER EVIL FRIENDS!

FOLLOW THE ROAD TO GOOD HEALTH.

THE TIME HAS COME FOR US TO SAY FAREWELL.

AND AS YOU TRAVEL ON TODAY,

REMEMBER WHAT WE HAVE TO SAY;

IT IS THE WAY TO BREAK THE WITCH’S SPELL.

ONLY EAT WHAT’S GOOD FOR YOU, MY FRIEND,

AND THAT WILL GET YOU TO THE END

OF THE ROAD TO GOOD HEALTH!

GLYNDA. Do not stray from the path! And beware of Myrna Malnutrition and her Cavity Critters! Stay out of her Junk-Food jungle and you should be alright.

FRUITY. And remember to eat plenty of fruits!

VEGGIE. And vegetables!

GLYNDA & MUNCHYKINS. Goodbye! (DORSEY waves and exits)

BLACKOUT – END OF SCENE

SCENE THREE – GRAIN GULCH

(We now see a strange-looking man standing in a wheat field. He is GRAINY THE CEREAL GUY who represents the Grain Group. DORSEY enters and walks past GRAINY.)

GRAINY. Foods from the Grain Group come from plants.

DORSEY. Who said that?

GRAINY. I did!

DORSEY. (Surprised) You can talk?

GRAINY. (Nodding “yes”) Foods from the Grain Group provide energy.

DORSEY. Who are you?

SONG #5 – “I’M GRAINY THE CEREAL GUY” (SUNG BY GRAINY)

GRAINY.

I’M GRAINY THE CEREAL GUY.

I’M HEALTHY, DO YOU KNOW WHY?

DORSEY. (Spoken) No.

GRAINY. (Singing)

‘CAUSE I’M COVERED WITH STUFF THAT’S GOOD FOR YOU;

CORN FLAKES AND BREAD, TO NAME A FEW,

CRACKERS AND TACO AND MACARONI, TOO.

DORSEY. (Spoken) What are they made of?

GRAINY. (Singing)

THESE PRODUCTS ARE MADE OUT OF GRAIN,

MOSTLY GROWN ON THE MIDWESTERN PLAIN,

LIKE WHEAT AND OATS AND BARLEY AND RYE.

YOU NEED CEREALS IN YOUR DIET—

DORSEY. (Spoken) Says who?

GRAINY. 

(Spoken)--Says I!

(Singing)

AND I WOULDN’T LIE

‘CAUSE I’M GRAINY THE CEREAL GUY!

DORSEY. (Curtsying) Pleased to meet you. I’m Dorsey Kale from Kansas. (Pointing to TITO) And this is Tito.

GRAINY. Hello, Dorsey. Hello, Tito. Where are you off to?

DORSEY. Well I’m going to visit the Nutritional Wizard and I was told by Glynda Goodmeal to follow the road to Good Health. She said I should never stray from the path because it might be dangerous!

GRAINY. Can I go with you?

DORSEY. Oh, yes! It would be fun to have some company.

GRAINY. (Offering his arm to DORSEY) Alright then. We’re off! (They exit humming “THE ROAD TO GOOD HEALTH”)

BLACKOUT – END OF SCENE

SCENE FOUR – PROTEIN PEAK

(As lights come up onstage we see MR. HARDSHELL: THE PROTEIN ENRICHED PEANUT, down at the foot of Protein Peak, a mountainous rock covered with products from the Protein Group. Along the edge of the rock there is a large sign that states “YOU HAVE NOW REACHED PROTEIN PEAK.” DORSEY and GRAINY enter  and stop near a ledge carved into the mountain.)

DORSEY. I’m getting tired.

GRAINY. Me too!

DORSEY. Let’s sit down. I need to rest.

HARDSHELL. Protein. I…need…protein…

DORSEY. (To GRAINY.) Did you say something?

GRAINY. (Shaking his head “no”) It wasn’t me, (pointing to HARDSHELL) It was him.

DORSEY. You can speak?

HARDSHELL. Protein. I need protein.

DORSEY. What’s he saying?

GRAINY. I think he wants protein.

DORSEY. What’s that?

GRAINY. I don’t know.

DORSEY. Try anything.

(DORSEY and GRAINY begin picking up various objects to feed to MR. HARDSHELL, like flowers, grass, rocks, etc., but he won’t eat any of them so they begin to pull objects off the mountain to feed to him: MEAT (beef, pork, seafood, poultry, etc.); and,  NUTS, EGGS, & BEANS.)

MR. HARDSHELL. I can move again! Thank goodness you came along when you did. You saved my life!

DORSEY. Why did you stop moving?

MR. HARDSHELL. I’m afraid that I had run out of energy. Thanks to you, I’m back to my old self again.

GRAINY. What exactly gave you energy to help you move again?

HARDSHELL. The foods you gave me from Protein Peak. They all contain a very important thing: protein. Thank you for your help. Please allow me to introduce myself. (He sings)

SONG #6 – “MY NAME’S HARDSHELL (SUNG BY HARDSHELL)

HARDSHELL (Singing)

MY NAME’S HARDSHELL,

I DON’T FEEL VERY WELL

UNLESS I GET MY PROTEIN,

THAT IS WHY BY NO MEANS

WILL I GO WITHOUT IT EV’RY DAY.

WE GET IT WHEN WE EAT 

POULTRY, FISH AND MEAT,

EGGS AND BEANS AND NUTS.

PROTEIN’S WHAT 

WE NEED TO WORK AND PLAY—

WE NEED IT EV’RY DAY!

(HARDSHELL repeats his song while GRAINY sings his in counterpoint.)

HARDSHELL. My full name is Horatio Hardshell, the Protein-enriched Peanut.

DORSEY. (Curtsying) How do you do? I’m Dorsey Kale from Kansas, this is Grainy the Cereal Guy, and my dog Tito.

HARDSHELL. Pleased to meet all of you.

DORSEY. We were on our way to the Nutritional Palace to see Professor Marvelous! Would you like to join us?

HARDSHELL. I’d be delighted!

GRAINY. Well come along!

(MYRNA MALNUTRITION appears from behind the mountain.)

MYRNA. Cupcakes! I brought cupcakes topped with gummy worms!!! Who wants one?

DORSEY. That doesn't sound very healthy.

MYRNA. (Trying to tempt her) You mean you don't want a bite of this delicious cupcake?  A moist and scrumptious devil's food cake covered in sweet and creamy German Chocolate icing filled with marshmallow cream and a big, chewy gummy worm on top? (DORSEY resists) Well then, I'll just have to find something you will never refuse! (She exits laughing)

HARDSHELL. (To DORSEY) Who was that?

DORSEY. She's a witch who wants me to eat her unhealthy snacks! I’ll understand if neither of you want to continue the journey with me to see the Wizard.

GRAINY. I’m not afraid of her! I’ll help you find the Wizard's Palace!

HARDSHELL. And I’ll see to it that you both reach the Wizard safely!

DORSEY. I'm so glad you're both coming with. Let's go!

(They link arms and skip off humming.)

BLACKOUT – END OF SCENE

To read more, please purchase the script.

The Road To Good Health

Author: David Reiser
DAVID REISER (composer/lyricist) has written 50 musicals, 30 of which have been published and are in continuous production throughout the U.S., Canada and -- occasionally -- abroad. Some of Mr. Reiser's more significant productions include MOLINEAUX, at Theatre Row Theatre in New York City; BALLET RUSSES at Rosemary Branch Theatre, London; BEN at the National Theatre (Helen Hayes stage) in Washington, DC.; and MRS. SCROOGE at the Athenaeum Theatre in Chicago. Author: Donald J. Leonard, Jr.
Donald is the author of many musicals and plays most of which are unpublished with the exception of THE FROG PRINCE with Pioneer Drama and of course MRS. SCROOGE. Donald received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Theater in June of 1989 from Columbia College in Chicago, IL. He then received his Master of Arts in Teaching in May of 1994 also from Columbia College. Currently he is employed as an Elementary Art Specialist in Las Vegas, NV. In his spare time, Donald works with the After School All Stars (formerly the Greater Las Vegas Inner City Games Organization) where he is employed as a Multi-Cultural Arts Director and has recently joined the staff of the Nevada Youth Alliance's production of TAPESTRY, a youth musical that will run for a year during the upcoming Las Vegas Centennial.

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