About This Musical
Number of Speaking Roles: 22 | Runtime: 40 minutes | Original NZ Made Songs: 4
This musical tale shows that a day at the beach isn’t all what it’s croaked up to be. We follow the enduring struggles of beach critters and fishermen through intertwining stories.
Frankie the frog is dumped at the beach after his owner grew bored of him after he completed his transformation from tadpole. He meets 2 local crabs – Nips and Crusty along with some fanatical beach crickets who have to get him to fresh water – and fast. Ready to eat them are starving seagulls that have been struggling to find fresh seafood and would stop at nothing to snap up anything that scuttles past. Meanwhile, Ralph finds himself in a spot of bother when he’s caught by three fishermen. They themselves also find that life on the sea has its ups and downs.
Will Frankie make it to fresh water before he shrivels up?
Will the Seagull Army just have to settle for eating sand and poo?
Will Ralph be smoked or fried?
All will be revealed in Stay Out of Trouble, Frankie
Scenes & Songs & Script
Scene 1
We meet 3 fishermen who are out to sea and having bad luck, with not only catching no fish, but with crippling sea sickness. We also get to meet 3 fishy friends who come to grips with one of their friends taking the bait and getting hooked.
Scene 2
Our squadron of seagulls are patrolling the beach looking for food. Led by Commander Megagull, who runs a tight ship - wants them to find healthy seafood, and not be swayed into begging for and taking hot chips from those unhealthy humans.
Scene 3
Our 2 crabby characters scuttle on stage to help a frog called Frankie who has found himself at the beach, even though he lives in fresh water. They are on a mission to get Frankie to non-salty water and not dry out on the hot sand.
Scene 4
We reconnect with our fishermen who are still struggling to keep their lunch down and catch fish. Meanwhile, the fish under the sea are wondering where their friend actually went, and try to get him back.
Scene 1
On their quest to get Frankie to fresh water, our crabs are weary of the circling seagulls ahead, and have beach crickets to deal with, who are in the middle of an important game.
Scene 2
Frankie is on his last legs and about to perish from lack of fresh water. The seagulls have spotted everyone on the beach and get ready to attack. Unfortunately for Commander Megagull, the arrival of humans with fish and chips twarts their attack. The beach crickets help our crabs get Frankie to fresh water and our frog survives!
Scene 3
Our final scene and we’re back on the boat. The sea sickness is getting worse and a storm is rolling in. Thinking about how much grief they would get only bringing one small fish back in, they throw their only catch back into the sea - to the delight of our fishy friends down below.
Here's a sample of the script for your reading pleasure. If you need to see more get in touch.
Gallery of Characters
Note: While character images and song videos were created using generative AI tools to help bring these stories to life, all scripts, lyrics, and music are completely original. Every show, song, and resource has been written and created by New Zealand teacher and author Dan Minchin, who holds full copyright.
Order This Musical Now & Get...
The Script
A complete, stage-ready copy where you can print off as many as you like at no extra cost.
On request, this script can be editable so you can adapt it to your kura (free of charge)
The Music
Full lyrics for song booklets
Music with guitar chords
Behind the Scenes
Access to all of the songs with vocals as well as the instrumental backing tracks.
Ready-to-go programme and ticket templates, plus all the letters you can edit and send home to parents.
The Game Plan: A full organisational guide that will save time. Templates for auditions, costume and prop suggestions, rehearsal schedule templates, and proven ideas to ensure your show is a hit.
Cost for Purchasing this Musical
$250.00 NZD