Synopsis

Kai wakes up with an idea. It’s unexpected and maybe even a little startling. Where did the idea come from and what does it need?

This musical adaptation of the New York Times bestseller WHAT DO YOU DO WITH AN IDEA? by Kobi Yamada opens in the World of Ideas, where works of art, stories, inventions, journeys, cures, and other ideas first appear. Each one is sent to someone who will help them grow and hopefully share them with the world.

When Kai meets friends at the park, the idea follows. Kai attempts to give it away, but that’s not so easy. Kai worries what other kids will think if they really get to know the idea. There’s something magical about it, and Kai feels better and happier when it’s around.

Much like a puppy, the idea wants food. It wants to play. And it wants a lot of attention. Kai feeds it sandwiches, and it grows!  Kai builds a house for the now much bigger idea. It has an open roof where they can look up at the stars and dream big. The idea changes again and sprouts wings. When it takes flight and bursts in the sky like fireworks, Kai realizes that it went from being here to being everywhere and a part of everything.

All the ideas and the kids who grow them sing in celebration of art and invention, design and stories—of all the many ways our ideas nurture us and change our world for the better.

Production Info

“WHAT DO YOU DO WITH AN IDEA?” can be performed by adult or youth actors (or a mix of both).

Cast size can range from 8 actors to as large as necessary. All roles can be played by any gender.

The run time is approximately 60 minutes.