Lyle the Crocodile

by Kevin Kling
Based on the book by Bernard Waber
with Music composed by Richard Gray

Lyle is the story of a friendly crocodile who turns up in a bathtub in an apartment in New York City’s Upper East Side. Lyle becomes good friends with the folks in the building, except for Mr. Grumps, who hates Lyle, parades, people, and pretty much everything. However, when Lyle rescues Mr. Grumps and his cat Loretta from a fire, Mr. Grumps has to apologize for the way he’s treated Lyle. In the end, Lyle helps those around him learn that they should not judge other by how different they appear to be, but to love people (and crocodiles) for what they are.

$12.00

Quick Details

  • Type: Musical
  • Length: 75 minutes | 60 minute version available upon request
  • Availability: Available for productions worldwide
  • Cast Size: 5 male, 2 female +ensemble
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Full Details

Roles:

  • Lyle
  • Mr. Grumps
  • Hector P. Valenti
  • Mr. Primm
  • Joshua
  • Mrs. Nitpicker
  • Loretta the Cat

Ensemble includes moving men, firemen, guards, crocodiles, 88th street kids, 88th street neighbors

The following resources are included in each performance license:
  • Permission to photocopy the PDF script/score for your production so there is no additional cost for these assets.

Please note: This title requires additional permission from underlying rights holders. Please allow additional time for performance license applications.

Kevin Kling

Playwright, actor, author, storyteller and cultural advocate, Kevin Kling is hailed as a Minnesota state treasure. 

His work is infused with an innate sense of humor and reflects the life challenges he has surmounted, including a congenital birth disorder and partial paralysis from a near-fatal motorcycle accident.  

He has performed his stories and plays in libraries, school gymnasiums, The Kennedy Center, Off-Broadway, regional theaters, and storytelling festivals around the US. His international tours have included Australia, Europe, and Thailand.

He has been awarded fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts, The McKnight Foundation, The Minnesota State Arts Board, The Bush Foundation, and The Jerome Foundation. He is a McDowell Fellow and has received the Whiting Award, the A.P. Anderson Award, the VSA Jeahny, and the Eric Peterson Award.  Kevin was named the Minneapolis Story Laureate in 2014. 

Originally produced by Children's Theatre Company in 1991

Preview the show

Lyle the Crocodile at Arvada Center

Reviews

“

Kevin Kling's light and airy adaptation creates a wistful nostalgia for a mid-20th century New York City we all wish were as postcard perfect as presented here, and Gray's songs are vintage, classic musical comedy stylings.

- Talkin' Broadway
“

King’s adaptation creates a theatrical version that is true to the spirit of the books, yet adds an extra dimension of camp and humor that gives the production a distinctive stylistic signature.

- Pioneer Press

Featured Productions

Winter 2011 | Directed by Linda Hartzell

Winter 2013 | Directed by Kathryn Chase Bryer

Summer 2013 | Directed by Ron Megee & Missy Koonce