Theatrical licensor Music Theatre International has made a Theatre for Young Audiences edition of The Big One-Oh! available for licensing after acquiring it in 2019.

Based on the children's novel of the same name by stage and screen songwriter Dean Pitchford (Footloose, Carrie the Musical), the work centers on Charley Maplewood, his group of imaginary monster friends, and a 10th birthday party that goes awry. MTI released a Broadway JR. version of the musical, designed expressly for young performers, last year; and an online version that can be performed over video conferencing platforms during the pandemic.

The work features lyrics by Pitchford, music by Tony-winning orchestrator Doug Besterman, and a book by Timothy Allen McDonald (James and the Giant Peach, Between the Lines). The piece's TYA version, intended to be performed by adults for young audiences, had its world premiere at Off-Broadway's Atlantic Theater Company in 2019.

"Over the past two years, we have greatly enjoyed seeing productions of The Big One-Oh! come to life online and through Broadway Junior performances," says MTI President and CEO Drew Cohen. "The TYA version of the show that played so successfully at The Atlantic is now ready to delight audiences of families across the country. We can’t wait to see how theatres bring their creativity and new ideas to this monster of a musical."

"Not only is The Big One-Oh! joyous, inventive, and uplifting, but—because of the contributions of my amazing collaborators, Tim McDonald and Doug Besterman—is it also the funniest project I’ve ever worked on! (And audiences all over the world seem to share my opinion!)," adds Pitchford." 

For more information, visit MTIShows.com.