Disney's Moana JR.
How far will you go in this new Broadway Junior musical based on the hit Disney film?
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Show Essentials
12
Roles
+ Ensemble
G
Rated
1
Act

Full Synopsis

The Chief Ancestors of Motunui and the Ancestor Ensemble recount the tale of how, over a thousand years ago, Maui, a shapeshifter and demigod, stole the heart of the goddess Te Fiti, the mother island ("In the Beginning..."). While trying to escape with the Heart, Maui was attacked by Te Kā, a demon of earth and fire. In their struggle, the Heart was lost to the sea. Fearing Te Kā's violent wrath, the Villagers of Motunui stopped voyaging, a defeated Maui disappeared, and the Ocean guarded the Heart of Te Fiti.

In the present, the Ocean entrusts the Heart to Moana on the island of Motunui ("Tulou Tagaloa"). Despite Moana's strong connection to the Ocean, her parents, Chief Tui and Sina, view it as dangerous and prevent her from venturing out beyond the reef. They advise Moana to embrace her future role as the chief of the village, and the other Villagers join in to encourage Moana to find happiness on the island ("Where You Are - Parts 1 and 2").

When the Villagers lament their blackened crops and the shortage of fish, Moana suggests fishing beyond the reef, but her father forbids it. Moana contemplates breaking the rules and voyaging out to sea ("How Far I'll Go"). Her friends, Pua and Hei Hei, try to stop her, but she remains steadfast. Together, the three push out to sea, but a large wave quickly capsizes their canoe.

Gramma Tala sees this failed expedition and decides to reveal the truth of their ancestors' voyaging past to Moana ("We Know the Way"). Soon, Gramma Tala grows weak, and in her last moments, urges Moana to draw courage from her inner voice, revealing that it is her destiny to return the Heart of Te Fiti ("Where You Are - Reprise"). After Gramma Tala's passing, an emboldened Moana resolves to fulfill her destiny and save Motunui ("How Far I'll Go - Reprise").

Moana lands on an island and meets the arrogant, yet charming, Maui ("You're Welcome"). She convinces him to help her restore the Heart of Te Fiti. However, Maui insists that they first find his magical fishhook, which allows him to shapeshift. To do this, they journey into Lalotai, the Realm of Monsters ("Warrior Face - Parts 1-3"). Here, they find Tamatoa, the giant, egotistical crab who collects valuable objects - including Maui's hook.

In Tamatoa's lair, Moana acts as a distraction while Maui finds his hook ("Shiny - Parts 1 and 2"). Maui tries to shapeshift and save them both from Tamatoa's clutches, but he fails to harness the hook's powers. To escape, Moana cleverly tricks Tamatoa into pursuing a piece of glowing algae that resembles the Heart of Te Fiti ("Shiny - Playoff").

Distraught over his failure to shapeshift, Maui loses confidence, but the ever-resilient Moana refuses to give up ("Warrior Face - Reprise / Logo Te Pate"). A revitalized Maui then agrees to teach Moana the ancient skills of wayfinding to help them in their mission.

As Moana and Maui finally approach Te Kā, they are met by treacherous seas. When Moana refuses to back down, a powerful wave cracks Maui's hook. Wanting to avoid permanent damage to the hook, Maui leaves Moana to finish the quest alone. Gramma Tala appears and reminds Moana of who she is and where she comes from ("Song of the Ancestors").

With her confidence restored, Moana finally faces Te Kā. Maui returns to help, but Te Kā destroys his hook. Listening to her inner voice, Moana suddenly has a realization about Te Kā and lets the monster approach. Face to face with
Te Kā, Moana places the Heart into Te Kā's chest ("Know Who You Are"). Te Kā transforms into the goddess Te Fiti and restores Maui's hook ("Te Fiti Restored" / "Tulou Tagaloa - Reprise").

Moana returns home to a revived Motunui. Once more, the Villagers of Motunui assume their identity as voyagers, now with Moana as their master wayfinder ("We Know the Way - Finale").

Casting
← Back to Disney's Moana JR.
Cast Size: Large (21 or more performers)
Cast Type: Children
Dance Requirements: Standard

Character Breakdown

Moana

The vibrant, tenacious, and optimistic daughter of Motunui’s chief. She struggles to reconcile her father’s plans for her to take over as the village chief with her own desires to voyage beyond the reef. Ultimately, Moana proves a compassionate and capable leader. Cast an actor who can portray great maturity, possesses incredible energy, a fun sense of humor, and can confidently deliver songs like “How Far I’ll Go.”

Gender: female
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: G3
Maui

A demigod and master wayfinder with charisma to spare and a reputation of being a trickster. Despite his hard exterior, Maui becomes a wonderful friend and mentor to Moana throughout their journey. Cast an actor with great comic timing who can portray this shapeshifter’s larger-than-life personality through big gestures and high energy, making moments like “You’re Welcome” true showstoppers. Note: The character Maui is based on the fabled Pacific Island demigod, so proceed with respect and caution in costuming and portrayal.

Gender: male
Vocal range top: B3
Vocal range bottom: G2
Chief Ancestors (1-3)

Chief Ancestors (1-3) are the three ancient leaders of Motunui. They guide Moana on her quest and narrate her story through speaking and singing solos. These ancestors should be animated storytellers who have excellent diction.

Vocal range top: A4
Vocal range bottom: G3
Gramma Tala

Moana’s wise grandmother and the mother of Chief Tui. She is the village storyteller known for being eccentric and dancing to the beat of her own drum. Look for a playful actor and singer who can balance comic timing in “Where You Are (Part 2)” with heartfelt sincerity in “Song of the Ancestors.”

Gender: female
Vocal range top: B4
Vocal range bottom: G3
Chief Tui

The proud leader of Motunui and Moana’s father. He prioritizes the safety of his people and his family. For this beloved and respected ruler, cast a mature and poised actor who can sing very well. After Chief Tui’s scenes at the top of the show, the actor can join the Maui, Monster, and/or Shiny ensembles before returning to this primary role at the show’s end.

Gender: male
Vocal range top: A#2
Vocal range bottom: E2
Sina

Moana’s supportive mother. She is compassionate, perceptive, and strong-willed, and trusts her daughter to make the right decisions. With both speaking and singing solos, look for a confident singer and actor who can embody a mature and respected leader. After Sina’s scenes at the top of the show, the actor can join the Maui, Monster, and/or Shiny ensembles before returning to this primary role at the show’s end.

Gender: female
Vocal range top: C#5
Vocal range bottom: C#4
Pua

Moana’s fiercely loyal friend. Pua always supports Moana – even if it means facing her own fears. An actor who is also a confident singer can make Pua’s moments in “Where You Are (Part 2),”“How Far I’ll Go,” and “We Know the Way (Finale)” stand out.

Vocal range top: C#5
Vocal range bottom: B3
Hei Hei

Moana’s not-so-bright friend. Hei Hei is well- meaning, but naive. Cast an actor who can portray Hei Hei’s innocence and own both speaking and singing solos in “Where You Are (Part 2),”“How Far I’ll Go,” and “We Know the Way (Finale).”

Vocal range top: C#5
Vocal range bottom: B3
Tamatoa

The vicious and egotistical giant crab who lives in Lalotai, the Realm of Monsters. Tamatoa enjoys gathering shiny baubles to add to an ever-growing collection. For this self-centered crab with a keen sense of showmanship, cast an actor who isn’t afraid to own the stage and really shine.

Vocal range top: B4
Vocal range bottom: B3
Ensemble

Ensemble roles include Ancestor Ensemble, Ocean Ensemble, Villagers (Dancers, Weavers, Fishers 1 & 2), Maui Ensemble, Monsters, Gate Monster, Left Claw, Right Claw, Shiny Ensemble, Te Fiti, Te Kā

Full Song List
Disney's Moana JR.: In the Beginning...
Disney's Moana JR.: Tulou Tagaloa
Disney's Moana JR.: Where You Are (Part 1)
Disney's Moana JR.: Where You Are (Part 2)
Disney's Moana JR.: How Far I'll Go
Disney's Moana JR.: We Know the Way
Disney's Moana JR.: Where You Are (Reprise)
Disney's Moana JR.: How Far I'll Go (Reprise)
Disney's Moana JR.: You're Welcome
Disney's Moana JR.: Warrior Face (Part 1)
Disney's Moana JR.: Warrior Face (Part 2)
Disney's Moana JR.: Warrior Face (Part 3)
Disney's Moana JR.: Shiny (Part 1)
Disney's Moana JR.: Shiny (Part 2)
Disney's Moana JR.: Song of the Ancestors
Disney's Moana JR.: Warrior Face (Reprise) / Logo Te Pate
Disney's Moana JR.: Know Who You Are
Disney's Moana JR.: Te Fiti Restored
Disney's Moana JR.: Tulou Tagaloa (Reprise)
Disney's Moana JR.: We Know the Way (Reprise)

Curriculum Connection

  • Visual Arts
  • Music
  • Dance
  • Language Arts
  • Geography
  • Social Studies
  • Sustainability and the Arts

Billing

JR. Script Adaptation by Susan Soon He Stanton

JR. Score Adaptation and Arrangements & Orchestrations by Ian Weinberger

Requirements

You must give the authors/creators billing credits, as specified in the Production Contract, in a conspicuous manner on the first page of credits in all programs and on houseboards, displays and in all other advertising announcements of any kind.
Percentages listed indicate required type size in relation to title size.
[Name of Licensee]'s
Production of 
Music and Lyrics by
Lin-Manuel Miranda, Opetaia Foa'i & Mark Mancina
 
Book Adapted by
Susan Soon He Stanton
 
Music and Orchestrations Adapted and Arranged by
Ian Weinberger
 
Based on the 2016 Disney film Moana
 
- The billing to the Licensee must be in the form specified above, including the worlds “Production of” below Licensee’s billing, which shall be visually contiguous with the title, so that the audience is informed that the Licensee is the producer of the production. The size of the credit to the Licensee shall be no less than 50% of the size of the logo or artwork title, as measured by the proportion of the font point size to the height of the largest letter in the logo.
- The size of the credit to the authors (Music, Lyrics, and Book) shall be no less than 30% of the size of the logo or artwork title, as measured by the proportion of the font point size to the height of the largest letter in the logo.
- The size of the credit to the Disney film shall be no less than 20% of the size of the logo or artwork title, as measured by the proportion of the font point size to the height of the largest letter in the logo.
Further examples of proper billing can be found in the Sample Poster and Program found in Section G of the Director’s Guide.

Video Warning

In accordance with the Performance License, you MUST include the following warning in all programs and in a pre-show announcement:
ANY VIDEO AND/OR AUDIO RECORDING OF THIS PRODUCTION IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.

If you purchase a video license to allow non-commercial video recording of this production, then you MUST include the following warning in all programs and in a pre-show announcement:
ANY VIDEO RECORDING MADE OF THIS PERFORMANCE IS AUTHORIZED FOR PERSONAL, AT-HOME, NON-COMMERCIAL USE ONLY. THE SALE OR DISTRIBUTION OF SUCH RECORDING IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED UNDER FEDERAL COPYRIGHT LAW.

Included Materials

ItemQuantity Included
ACTOR'S BOOK30
CHOREOGRAPHY VIDEOS DIGITAL1
DIGITAL SHOWKIT1
DIRECTOR'S GUIDE1
DOWNLOADABLE RESOURCES AND MEDIA1
GUIDE VOCAL AND PERF TRACKS DIGITAL1
PIANO VOCAL SCORE1

Production Resources

Resource
ACTOR'S BOOK TENPACK
HOW DOES THE SHOW GO ON-10/CS
HOW DOES THE SHOW GO ON?
LOGO PACK DIGITAL