Pieces of Eight (1985 musical) facts for kids

Pieces of Eight is a musical that tells a story through songs and acting. It was created by Michael Stewart and Mark Bramble, who wrote the story (called the "book"). The words for the songs were written by Susan Birkenhead, and the music was composed by Jule Styne. This musical is based on a very famous adventure book from 1883 called Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson.

What is Pieces of Eight?

This musical brings the exciting world of Treasure Island to the stage. It combines thrilling adventures with catchy songs. The title, "Pieces of Eight," refers to old Spanish coins, often linked to pirates and buried treasure.

The Story and Characters

The main characters in Pieces of Eight are a young boy named Jim Hawkins and a clever pirate named Long John Silver. Jim finds a secret treasure map, which leads him on a big adventure. Long John Silver is a complex character who acts like a mentor or father figure to Jim. However, he is also a pirate who leads a mutiny (a rebellion) against his ship's captain. Their journey is full of danger and discovery as they search for the hidden treasure.

Where Did It Start?

The very first time Pieces of Eight was performed was on November 27, 1985. It opened at the Citadel Theatre in Edmonton, a city in Canada. Joe Layton was in charge of directing the show and creating all the dance moves. The cast included talented actors like George Hearn, who played Long John Silver. Other main actors were Jonathan Ross, Graeme Campbell, George Lee Andrews, Robert Fitch, and Brian McKay.

Its Journey Ends

Even though Pieces of Eight had a world premiere, it did not continue to be performed in other theaters. According to a theater expert named Ken Mandelbaum, the musical never went beyond its first production in Edmonton. This means it was only shown there and did not move to bigger stages like Broadway.