When a book is published, it goes out into the world and then an author waits to see how it is received and what kind of life it will have. Not Your Typical Dragon has had a pretty good life since is was first published in 2013. Sometimes I just watch it from afar, like a parent getting a letter from their child that gives a report of their latest accomplishments.
Just these past few months, Not Your Typical Dragon was adapted into a musical that was performed last week at the Erie Playhouse in Erie, Pennsylvania. There were eight performances in front of an audience of over 3,000 children. The tickets had been made free, so that children of all economic backgrounds would have the opportunity to experience a live performance. The production was put together under the talented and creative guidance of the coordinator, Trish Yates.
All that was required of me was to give my blessing and to record a short video greeting that they showed at the start of each play. Living on the other side of the continent in Vancouver, in Canada, I unfortunately couldn’t attend, but how I wish I could, judging by the photos and the recordings of the musical numbers that Trish sent me over the weeks! As you can see, it was quite the production, and made interactive with the audience as well, using a giant Crispin head that children could go inside to project all the silly things that Crispin breathes out instead of fire.
At the end of the show, children received buttons and copies of the book that were made available by Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, who had already included my picture book into its collection for several years in the past.
Dan Bar-el 