Super Happy Awesome News! Production Kit
$195
A Musical With Flexible Performance Options!
Two siblings launch rival good news networks and find themselves competing for the title of happiest news show. Soon, their correspondents are in a whirlwind of ecstatic musical reporting – from joyful weather forecasts, to cheerful cooking segments and blissful political updates! But, when vulnerability starts peeking through the euphoric facade, they’re left wondering: is there room for raw honesty on a super happy broadcast?
This new musical incorporates real stories from kids age 7-14, offering a positive outlet for them to express their emotions. It was originally designed to be rehearsed and performed remotely, however it has now become a popular option to feature many different actors in a traditional performance onstage.
LENGTH: 30-35 Minutes
AGE: 7-14
CAST SIZE: 20+
THEMES: Empathy, Expression
Listen to the full show!
The All-Inclusive Production Kit
Every Beat by Beat musical comes with a digital Production Kit that provides everything you need to produce the show at one simple, affordable price.
Actor Book
Text script with scene-by-scene breakdown.
Virtual Production Guide
Guide on how to put the production together.
Vocal Lead Sheets
Vocal sheet music with chord symbols.
Vocal Tracks
High-quality MP3 vocal recordings that let your actors enjoy learning, practicing and perfecting the show's songs with professional New York City performers as their guides.
Accompaniment Tracks
High-quality MP3 instrumental recordings that actors can perform along with during the show. Professionally arranged to sound just like a Broadway orchestra. Includes sound effects and scene change music.
Logo Pack
Attract audiences and sponsors with eye-catching logos on posters, programs, t-shirts and advertising. No restrictions on use.
Copy License
Permission to duplicate/print-on-demand as many copies of the above materials as needed for your entire cast and crew throughout the duration of the show.
Video Recording License
Legally record and share your production online, through DVD sales, or streaming, worry-free.
The resources above are conveniently provided through an online dashboard that you can access throughout your production.
Note from Writers
Note from Writers
Super Happy Awesome News is written to be rehearsed remotely, performed virtually, and shared with audiences online. The storyline is linear, made up of monologues and songs intended to be performed as solos. When these scenes are video recorded and played in sequence, it presents a complete musical theater experience available to any audience with an internet connection.
Actors can easily practice their parts, video conference with or record/send to the director their rehearsal, and receive real time or remote acting adjustments and direction. This clear format facilitates distance learning for drama students and directors.
This show was created during the COVID-19 pandemic. Super Happy Awesome News was made specifically for all the young performers and communities affected by this unprecedented circumstance.
We wrote this show to offer kids a space to process and express their emotions. We hope it will help the young performers in your lives feel heard and understood.
We hope you enjoy this unique musical and can’t wait to see all the beautiful ways you bring it to life!
Casting
Casting
[NOTE: All roles are gender-neutral. Pronouns can be changed to reflect the actor playing the part.]
JOEY
WEATHER REPORTER
ANIMAL REPORTER
SPORTSCASTER
PARKER
EKEA REPRESENTATIVE 1
SPICY WATER SALESPERSON
POLITICS REPORTER 1
POLITICS REPORTER 2
CHEF 1
CHEF 2
COMMUNITY REPORTER
BLAIR
DYLAN
TANNER
LASHAWN
EKEA REPRESENTATIVE 2
DESI
SAGE
JAYLEN
Synopsis
Synopsis
JOEY welcomes viewers to the Super Happy Awesome News broadcast – Joey’s new show that only features extremely happy news! (“Super Happy Awesome News”)
The WEATHER REPORTER reports on the super happy awesome weather – sure there may be rain, wind, and even an impending heat wave, but it’s all good news if you spin it properly. (“Super Awesome Weather”)
An ANIMAL REPORTER broadcasts from a safari, showcasing a dangerously awesome wild animal!
A SPORTSCASTER reports from a sports arena. The biggest game of the year was cancelled… which is great news! After all, when nobody plays, everybody wins! (“Good Game”)
PARKER, Joey’s little sibling, breaks onto the broadcast to say hi!
JOEY takes over the broadcast, reprimanding Parker for interrupting and banning Parker from the show. We go to commercial.
A public service announcement showcases REPRESENTATIVE 1 from EKEA (the Every Kid Everywhere Association) who urges parents to leave their kids alone and give them whatever they ask for, including tons of screen time. (“Leave Them Alone”)
In the next commercial, a SALESPERSON introduces viewers to a new product that will make their water more exciting: Spicy Water!
PARKER takes over the feed and introduces Super Happier Awesomer News! – Parker’s new show that promises to be even happier than Joey’s. (“Super Happier Awesomer News”)
JOEY assures viewers that Super Happy Awesome news is still the best news program and promises to out-happy Parker’s broadcast.
POLITICS REPORTER 1, from Super Happy Awesome News, shares a happy update from the senate – they all made friendship bracelets!
POLITICS REPORTER 2, from Super Happier Awesomer News, reports on the escalating friendship bracelet situation and joins in as politicians sing about being BFFs. (“You’re My BFF”)
CHEF 1, a sophisticated chef from Super Happy Awesome News, teaches viewers how to craft the perfect gourmet meal – a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. (“It’s An Art”)
CHEF 2, from Super Happier Awesomer News, teaches viewers how to make an even awesomer sandwich with lots of toppings – the PBJGBCSWC!
A pompous COMMUNITY REPORTER from Super Happy Awesome News interviews community members, inviting them to share happy stories. First, BLAIR shares a funny story about her parents dancing to Beyoncé then she passes the microphone to her neighbor, Dylan. DYLAN shares a joyful story about going on long walks with his dad and then throws the microphone to his sister, Tanner. TANNER gets very excited about being on tv! Then, she passes the microphone back to the reporter, who confidently wraps up the segment. (“It Was Good”)
PARKER doesn’t have a spare reporter, so PARKER goes out into the community to interview people directly. PARKER asks LASHAWN how she’s feeling. LASHAWN opens up and shares her honest feelings: She’s overwhelmed by the upsetting stuff she’s seen on the news. (“Honestly, Part 1”)
JOEY interrupts the feed and yells at Parker for including an unhappy story in the broadcast. We go to commercial.
In another public service announcement, EKEA REPRESENTATIVE 2 reports some surprising new findings. Rumor has it, tons of screen time may not be the best thing for your child. Who knew?
Remorseful, JOEY returns to the feed, asking Parker for forgiveness and playing some surprising viewer submissions. In the first submission, DESI thanks the broadcast for airing more vulnerable content and opens up about feeling lonely and excluded. Then SAGE talks about the passing of his grandfather and JAYLEN expresses gratitude for the broadcast, which has emboldened her to be more vulnerable. Finally, JOEY shares a submission, apologizing to Parker and sharing the real reason for starting this show: cheering up their stressed-out parents. (“Honestly”)
PARKER calls JOEY and encourages JOEY to keep opening up. Then the two of them come up with an idea! (“It Was Good, Part 4”)
In this final public service announcement, EKEA REPRESENTATIVE 2 exuberantly hugs a tree and encourages viewers to do the same!
PARKER launches the new Super Honest Awesome News broadcast – where all feelings are welcome! – and introduces submissions from viewers. The FULL CAST is invited to shed their roles and share how they’re feeling. Then everyone closes out the broadcast, singing the new Super Honest Awesome News theme song!
FAQ
FAQ
May I buy this show with a Purchase Order or Check?
Yes, we accept POs from U.S. organizations only. To purchase the show with a Purchase Order simply fill out this form and will send you an invoice via email with further instructions.
What is the size of the cast?
The show is written for 20 actors.
What if I have fewer than 20 students?
You can easily double cast scenes if you have fewer students (assign more than 1 scene per actor).
What if I have more than 20 students?
You can easily do multiple virtual productions, as long as you are doing them within your single organization.
What age is this geared toward?
This was written for performers age 7-14.
Could my high school/college students do this?
Of course! If they don’t mind being a little silly and portraying slightly younger characters.
How long is the production?
It should be about 30-40 minutes when all the videos are combined.
How do the students film their part?
The students can use a webcam if they have a laptop, or any smartphone video camera.
How do I put the videos together?
The most popular way to do this is in a simple movie editing software program like iMovie. You can simply line all the clips up, and export as a full movie. In regards to editing, you can go as elaborate or as simple as desired. If you search for “Super Happy Awesome News” on YouTube, you can get a sense of the different ways groups of have this type of musical together.
An even simpler way is to do it through YouTube playlists. You won’t have as much control over the final product, but it requires very little editing. The students can upload their videos as “unlisted” to YouTube, making sure they check the box “not targeted toward children”. Then they can all send you their YouTube links. You can then create an unlisted YouTube playlist putting all their videos in order, and share that link to the playlist (your “virtual production”) with anyone you’d like.
Do I have permission to upload the final performance publicly?
Yes, as long as you don’t monetize the video with commercial ads and provide proper credit in the description (see below).
May I charge students to participate in this production?
Yes.
May I put a donation link next to the performance to raise money for my program?
Yes, you may turn this into a fundraiser for your program by adding a donation link. However you may not run ads (monetize on YouTube).
May I sell tickets to streams of this production?
Yes. Ticketed streaming is defined as selling tickets to allow access to a live or pre-recorded video of the musical. Unlike other publishers, we do not require you to use a specific streaming service or ticking platform – you can use any provider that best serves your purpose!
If tickets are being sold to an online video or stream, you may only sell them within a one-month window from when the tickets are first available. After that, the video can live online, but tickets may not continue to be sold without a separate and valid license from Beat by Beat Press.
Under no circumstances may you monetize the videos with commercial ads.
Do I need to obtain video and photo releases from my performers before I upload my video?
If you plan to make the video public, then yes. We highly recommend that you do.
What do I need to include in the credits or video description when I upload my organization’s production of the show?
Please copy and paste this into the credits/description:
SUPER HAPPY AWESOME NEWS! A Virtual Musical
Book by Jessica Penzias Music & Lyrics by Denver Casado
SUPER HAPPY AWESOME NEWS! is presented through special arrangement with Beat by Beat Press (www.bbbpress.com).
When I upload it to YouTube can I monetize it with online ads?
No. It’s very important to make sure to disable any monetization and ad features when you upload your production anywhere online. Just so you know, ALL Beat by Beat shows both stage and online, do not allow commercial profit from broadcasting our copyrighted material without full permission and compensation.
I am a teacher at a school and doing “Super Happy Awesome News!” with my one class. Can my students this year perform it and my students next year perform it too?
Yes. You have permission to produce the show multiple times within the one role you lead within the same program, same organization and same location.
Since I purchased the show, can I pass it along to my other drama teacher friends so they can perform it with their own group? Or can my students share the script and music with other friends so they can upload their own performance?
No, this would violate the terms and conditions of the agreement. All materials must stay within the students of your organization. You may not post any of the production materials on any public sites.
I run the arts curriculum for my district and would like to purchase this for all of our schools to use. My I purchase one license and use for all my schools?
Unfortunately no, each license is valid for a single organization at a single location. An organization is defined as a single location school or studio with less than 200 students. However we do offer a “site license” which would allow you to use the show more broadly. Please email us at hello@bbbpress.com to inquire about the site license.
Videos
Videos
Victoria Player’s Children’s Theatre
Libby Artsies, Inc. –
We are absolutely LOVING Super Happy Awesome News – parents and kids are overjoyed with the material, and it’s coming together nicely. It has been very refreshing to be able to talk so openly about quarantine with the kids… it feels like there is no longer an “elephant in the room”. Not that we deliberately tried to avoid it or anything, but it doesn’t come up naturally much when you’re busy in rehearsals and this show lends itself to the conversations. Seriously, hats off to you. The music is so catchy and well done, and sits really nicely in the kids ranges. As a parent to a little one myself, moments of the “Honestly” lyrics get me everytime, and those roles were highly requested by both our youngest and teen students, so it obviously speaks to them as well.
Jackie K. Education Coordinator, Nashville Children’s Theatre –
Thank you so much for making this summer so special for our youth. At Nashville Children’s Theatre, our 8-12 year olds did “The Show Must Go Online” and “Super Happy Awesome News.” Both shows were HUGE hits and the kids had a blast! I can’t thank you and the BBB team enough. We are huge fans!
Shelley M. Arts Abound Inc. –
I wanted to start by saying a big THANK YOU for all the amazing resources you have made available to drama teachers during these difficult times. We have done “The Show Must Go Online”, used your Teaching Theatre Online Curriculum, and are currently producing “Super Happy Awesome News!” These resources have made a huge difference in us being able to connect with our students online and continue to create with them while it is not safe for us to perform and rehearse in person.
Edgar A. Columbia County Youth Theatre Inc. –
The two shows we did (Super Happy and The Show Must Go Online) were perfect for online production. The music was good and the shows were well suited to the medium. I also want to thank you for making your material so available. Everyone is taking a hit and we are no exception. Luckily we were poised to produce a successful virtual summer program.
Jenn K. Kettleworks Performing Arts –
We held auditions yesterday and the kids had so much fun with the music! Thank you for putting together such a spunky, warm, and accessible show!
Sue S. Charlotte County Children’s Theatre –
Since the first time I directed “The Grunch” for Charlotte Players, many years ago I thought that whoever wrote it had a true heart for the special population of kids who call theatre their “life”. The more you write the more I know how special you are and what you mean to kids all over the world because you just “get them”. I read the whole script and I am so pleased to bring yet another group of kids into the fold of your fan club.
Parker H. –
This is incredible! Obviously, I am hoping we can resume in person programming for the fall, but in the event we can’t, I think I have found our fall musical! Keep up the good work, you and your team are appreciated.
Robin H. – Clovis Unified School District (Clovis, CA) –
“Super Happy Awesome News” is seriously so super AWESOME! Thanks for writing this show! I’m going to use it for my school’s musical this Fall. I’m so excited. Bravo to you and your team…the kids are going to LOVE it….all the real emotions are so important for them. Well done/hats off!!!