Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus
Based on the award-winning children’s book, audiences can now hop on board for an unforgettable ride.
Restrictions may apply.
Show Essentials
6
Roles
G
Rated
1
Act

Full Synopsis

The Pigeon is frustrated that he never gets to do anything he wants ("I Never Get To Do Anything (Part 1)"). He can't even get a hot dog from the Hot Dog Vendor! ("I Never Get To Do Anything (Part 2)") Duckling approaches Pigeon, telling him that he looks so sad. Pigeon begins explaining his woes when he notices that Duckling has a hot dog. She explains that she asked Hot Dog Vendor for it politely. Pigeon is even more angry ("I Never Get To Do Anything (Part 3)"). A City Worker tells Pigeon to move and puts down a bus stop sign where he was standing. This inconvenience further aggravates Pigeon.

Bus Driver joyfully steers the bus to the bus stop ("Bus Driver"). Pigeon is in awe of the bus and Bus Driver. The joy and awe fade away as Pigeon laments the bus leaving and not being able to drive it ("What Could Have Been").

To Pigeon's delight, he hears the Bus Engine! The Bus Driver has stopped again at the bus stop along her route. Pigeon is mustering up the courage to ask a big question when Business Man enters in a rush and gets on the bus. He cannot be late for his first day at a new job. Little Old Lady then gets on the bus, explaining that she needs to visit her new grandchild at the hospital before visiting hours end. Very impatient, Pigeon is about to ask his big question when he gets interrupted again, this time by a Teenager who wants to see the new movie Powerful Guy 12: the Almost Semi-Final Final Battle. Pigeon finally gets to ask - can he drive the bus? ("Let Me Drive The Bus!"). Horrified, Bus Driver and passengers say absolutely not. No matter how many arguments Pigeon gives, the answer is still no.

Pigeon suddenly decides to focus on something new - getting a puppy! He leaves, and the Bus Driver assures the passengers that they will not be late. But just when she starts to drive, the Bus Engine has problems, and the bus breaks down! "Panic At the Bus Stop" ensues. Bus Driver tells everyone to calm down and takes off her driver cap before looking at the engine. Pigeon enters in a panic - with a Puppy. Pigeon is terrified of the Puppy, but the passengers adore it.

While the passengers are distracted, Pigeon hugs the bus and sees the Bus Driver's cap. He puts it on and realizes this could be his moment to drive the bus. Just when he's about to start, the Bus Driver stops him. Pigeon realizes his feet can't reach the pedals and is devastated ("I'm Broken"). Bud Driver comforts Pigeon and tells him that she once wanted to fly like a bird, but when she realized she couldn't, she found something else that gives her joy - driving the bus! She tells Pigeon "there's more than one road."

Bus Driver finds bird feed has gotten into the engine and caused it to break down. She asks Pigeon to fly to all the bus stops down the route to tell passengers the bus is running late. Pigeon makes a huge confession: he never learned to fly. With no time to waste, Bus Driver begins to teach him by demonstrating ("Keep Flappin'"). The passengers join in encouraging Pigeon, and he begins to fly! Pigeon flies through the audience to warn them about the bus running late.

When Pigeon gets back to the bus stop, the bus is fixed! Bus Driver tells the delighted passengers that they will be on time. She promises Pigeon that she will buy him a hot dog and drives away. Pigeon is thrilled about his new "thing" ("Do My Thing"). City Worker shows up again to put up a sign for a new airport. Pigeon has a new question to ask - "Can I Fly The Plane?"

Casting
← Back to Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus
Cast Size: Small (Up to 10 performers)
Cast Type: Ensemble Cast

Character Breakdown

Actor 1

Plays the following characters:

The Pigeon (Puppeteer)

The snappy, sassy, and demanding bird who never gets what he wants, but that doesn’t mean he’ll ever stop trying.

 

Gender: male
Vocal range top: G4
Vocal range bottom: C3
Actor 2

Plays the following role:

The Bus Driver

The bus driving professional who loves her work and, eventually, The Pigeon. Prides herself on being driven and ALWAYS on time.

Gender: female
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: F3
Actor 3

Plays the following roles:

Hot Dog Vendor

A guy that just loves sharing hot dogs. But not with Pigeons.

Passenger: Business Man

A no-nonsense man in a suit off to his new job. Hope he’s not late.com!

Backup Duckling 1 (Puppeteer)

Airplane Engine

Personification of the sound effect of an airplane.

Gender: male
Vocal range top: E4
Vocal range bottom: D3
Actor 4

Plays the following roles

2nd Pigeon (Puppeteer)

Twin to The Pigeon, it pokes it’s head out in the opening scene (operated Avenue Q style).

The Duckling (Puppeteer)

An adorable Duckling who gets a hot dog by just asking politely (operated Avenue Q style).

The Bus Engine

Personification of the sound effects of an engine working. Also can do an engine not working!

The Bus (Puppeteer)

A small, puppet vision of the bus that dances in a fantasy sequence.

Bus Driver's Mom

Bus Driver ’s have moms too, you know.

Puppy (Puppeteer)

An adorable, woofy puppy-teer.

 

Gender: female
Vocal range top: C5
Vocal range bottom: D4
Actor 5

Plays the following roles:

City Worker

Grunty guy just doing his job putting up signs around town.

Passenger Teenager

A kid who can’t wait to go see the latest superhero movie that’s opening RIGHT NOW!

Backup Duckling 2 (Puppeteer)

Gender: male
Vocal range top: C5
Vocal range bottom: D3
Actor 6

Plays the following roles:

Passenger Little Old Lady

Very excited to go see her newborn grandchild at the hospital.

Backup Duckling 3 (Puppeteer)

Gender: female
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: C4
Full Song List
Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus: I Never Get to Do Anything (Part 1)
Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus: I Don't Get To Do Anything (Part 2)
Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus: I Don't Get to Do Anything (Part 3)
Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus: Bus Driver
Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus: What Could Have Been
Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus: Let Me Drive The Bus!
Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus: The Takeaway
Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus: The Bus Breaks Down
Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus: Panic At the Bus Stop!
Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus: I'm Broken
Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus: Keep Flappin
Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus: The Bus Is Fixed!
Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus: Do My Thing
Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus: Can I Fly The Plane?
Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus: Bows and Adulations

Billing

Based on the book Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems

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.
DON’T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE BUS!
THE MUSICAL!
100%
 
Based on the book Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!
by Mo Willems
50%
Published by Hyperion Books for Children
25%
 
Script by Mo Willems and Mr. Warburton
50%
Lyrics by Mo Willems
50%
Music by Deborah Wicks La Puma
50%
Dramaturgy by Megan Alrutz
50%
 
You must also provide the following credit on the title page for all programs and marketing materials:
“This play was commissioned by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and was first produced at the Kennedy Center during the 2019-2020 season.”
 
SHORTENED BILLING: In advertisements of 1/4 page size or less, or where only the title of the play, performance dates and venue are provided, the following "shortened billing" is permissible:
DON’T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE BUS! THE MUSICAL!

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.

Included Materials

ItemQuantity Included
LIBRETTO/VOCAL BOOK10
PIANO VOCAL SCORE2
TYA PERFORMANCE TRACKS1

Production Resources

Resource
FULL SCORE
HOW DOES THE SHOW GO ON?
LOGO PACK DIGITAL
PRODUCTIONPRO-DIGITAL SCRIPT/SCORE
STAGE MANAGER SCRIPT
STAGE WRITE APPLICATION
STREAMING LICENSE
VIRTUAL STAGE MANAGER

STANDARD ORCHESTRATION

InstrumentationDoubling
BASS
DRUMS
GUITAR
REED 1ALTO SAXOPHONE , BARITONE SAXOPHONE
TROMBONE
TRUMPET