Here is an excellent dramatization of the beloved fairy tale, Puss in Boots, with a great deal of audience participation written into the play.

An old shoemaker dies and leaves his estate to his three sons. One inherits the old man's house, the second gets the shoe shop, and the third—Marcus—receives the family cat and a pair of boots. Everyone knew that Marcus was his father's favorite; why is his inheritance so small? Marcus's disappointment is even greater when he discovers that he can't even get the small boots on his feet. He is about to throw them away when Puss, the cat, indicates that he wants them. Puss steps into the boots—and—what a treasure this "puss in boots" turns out to be. Unbelievable things begin to happen. The cat can talk! The other brothers decide they want Puss, and it's a merry chase, with audience participation as Puss helps Marcus outwit his greedy older brothers.

The story of "Puss in Boots" first appeared in 1697 in Contes de ma Mere l'Oye (Tales of My Mother Goose) by Charles Perrault, the French poet and storyteller. Most of the fairy tales had been handed down by word of mouth for hundreds of years. Perrault was the first to put them in print. Because the story was first introduced to the reading world in the seventeenth century, Puss is usually pictured in a costume somewhat like those of the Three Musketeers or Cyrano de Bergerac—especially a large hat featuring a tall plume, and soft boots with turned-down tops. However, this play may be set in any period, and the production may be elaborate or simple.

Two acts. Set should be planned for easy and quick movement; three interiors; three forest scenes; all scenery is envisioned as "painted" rather than realistic. Costumes may be as elaborate or as simple as time and budget allow; from medieval to modern, or a fairyland fantasy. For ages 6 and up.

Sally Netzel was a playwright-in-residence at the Dallas Theatre Center, where 18 of her works (including Puss in Boots) were produced. She is a winner of the John Gassner Award for Playwriting.

"Due to the tremendous response to our upcoming production of Puss in Boots, we will be presenting five additional shows."—Tennessee Valley Art Center, Tuscumbia, Ala.

Other Netzel plays: Alice in Wonderland, Cinderella, Dark Castle

See also: Audience-Participation Plays, Elementary/Jr. High, Animal Characters and Fairytales, Folktales, and Fables