Cheaper by the Dozen

I was involved in this play when I was in high school and knew it was a crowd pleaser. This year was a year for new talent and I wanted to initiate them with a fun, creative show which wasn't challenging technically.

Amy Henley, Mendota High School, Mendota, Ill.

Being allowed the privilege to direct Cheaper by the Dozen has been one of my most rewarding theatrical experiences. Blending the experience and age levels of the actors and actresses into an ensemble performance has truly been exciting to witness. Actresses and actors of all ages working together and learning from each other is such an important aspect of a successful experience of quality theatre.

Lori David, Director, Grey Lite Theatre

Wonderful family-oriented play with humor as well as good life lessons. The story can take the audience from laughter to tears. Easy set and fun old-fashioned costumes.

Andrea Brown, Hardin County Home Educators, New Providence, Iowa

This was a crowd pleaser! A joy for audiences of all ages. The sound effects CD was definitely helpful.

Amber Pauls, Clinton Christian School, Goshen, Ind.

We absolutely loved Cheaper By the Dozen! The cast had a lot of fun performing, and the play was well received. We had to add an extra performance and still had to turn people away the final night! We loved the witty dialogue.

Abby Weaver, Life Youth Group, Quarryville, Pa.

Cheaper By the Dozen is a production that can be enjoyed by any age. It is filled with lots of fun and energy. A true story played out on stage, it leaves you with a great message about family and values. A perfect show for teens in high school. A perfect example of a family that teaches values and manners of a time gone by.

Robinne Booth, Merit Academy, Springville, Utah

What a wonderful play!! Every time we have performed this show, it is a blast! The audience loves the characters and the wonderful story! And so do my actors!

Charla Little, Red Oak High School, Red Oak, Texas

This has been the most profitable and well received show of our first season. The children are loving being in this production, and the adults are raving about it.

Robert Plowman, LaGrange Repertory Theatre, Westmont, Ill.

Very popular with our audiencesÑbiggest crowds we've had in years.

Jacklyn Keagy, Dover Area High School, Dover, Pa.

Wonderful community show. Great audience reactions. It's funny, serious and touching. I love the convenience of a single set. We were able to use some grade-school students in younger roles.

Linda Piccolo, Jefferson High School, Boulder, Mont.

Our junior high students presented this play and had so much fun doing it. Nearly every student had a "juicy" part that enabled them to ham it up for the audience.

Judy Kegler, Immaculate Conception School, East Aurora, N.Y.

A wonderful story of family, growing up, equipping our children to carry on without us and the reality that time is short. We loved the characters in this play more and moreÑeach time an actor brought a new layer to their character he became more that character. The script allowed for the depth development of the characters.

Paula Strebig, Center Stage Productions, Bellefontaine, Ohio

This is an enjoyable script. I found it the perfect vehicle for our dinner theater production. I have a lot of girls so it fit our group well. It is a great combination of comedy and pathos.

Liz Hedges, Panola College, Carthage, Texas

We did this play seven years ago and still love it! It's a real audience pleaser and a great adaptation of the book. Love having a single set.

Ana Clark, Quo Vadis Players, Garland, TX

Cheaper By the Dozen was such a joy to perform. I always have to do large-cast plays because of all my kids that want to be in the play. They love the characters and the great fun of this play.

Charla Little, Red Oak High School, Red Oak, Texas

Cheaper By the Dozen is a lively, funny and tender play that is perfect for a high school drama class.

Diane Williams, Grand Canyon United School District, Grand Canyon, Ariz.

Cheaper By the Dozen is a classic comedy that teaches the importance of hard work and an empathetic heart. The characters and their struggles and triumphs are realistic and nostalgic.

Lauren Tobiason, Stahl Junior High School, Puyallup, Wash.

Cheaper By the Dozen was a charming, hilarious comedy with some poignant moments we could all relate to, even in this modern age. It was well received by audience and cast alike, and is our favorite production to date. Everyone loved the period costumes and sayings of the day.

Jane Savage, Santa Rosa Christian School, Santa Rosa, Calif.

Cheaper By the Dozen was a perfect example of a timeless classic brought to life. It was perfectly suited to a multiage cast who were obviously enjoying each character and line.

Bruce Proctor, MacArthur Avenue Players, Latta, SC

A warm hearted comedy about life in a large family with an autocratic father. It has all the elements you want -- the warm and the fuzzies. It also has a lot of great positive energy.

Sue Michaelis, Roving Players, Kingston, WA

Cheaper By the Dozen was a great show, lots of fun to produce. It is the perfect mix of simple sets, funny lines and yet deep meaning.

Joyanne Krause, Trinity International University, Deerfield, IL

This is an easy show to cast and block. The stage directions are marvelous and the sound effects tape was especially helpful.

Allison Lair, New London Community School, New London, IA

Cheaper By the Dozen is definitely one of the most exciting and delightful plays I've ever directed. It was well received by the cast and audience. I'm looking forward to someday directing its sequel, Belles on Their Toes.

Kim Dreschler, H.O.M.E. School, Lake Balboa, CA

Everyone associated with our production loved working on this play. The show offers just the right blend of comedy and melancholy. The whole cast and crew began to feel and behave like one big extension of the Gilbreth family.

Alan J. Davino, Catskill Theatre Works, Inc., Delhi, NY

What a wonderful play! It's so nice to find a play with several characters and they all have fun moments on stage. I always have to do large cast plays and all my kids want to be in the play. This play fits the bill.

Charla Little, Red Oak High School, Red Oak, TX