MTI musical · Full-length
The Christmas SkatesScript, Piano/Vocal Score & show details
- Full-length
- Small cast (up to 10)
- Roles: 2 women · 2 men · 1 any-gender
- PG
The printed Christmas Skates script comes with your MTI license. The digital version is a separate add-on for your whole cast and crew. See pricing
The Christmas Skates synopsis
Book by Sarah Brandt · Music and Lyrics by Nathanael McClure
In this musical adaptation of Mary Griggs Van Voorhis’s short story “The Boy with the Box,” The Christmas Skates reminds us that the holidays are about more than counting gifts. This new musical features a heartwarming score with an essential message of hope and compassion.
It’s almost Christmas, and that means only one thing for Tom: presents! When his parents give him a pair of skates as an early gift, he is certain that it will be the best Christmas ever. But his hopes are dashed when he sees someone with newer, better skates. Meanwhile, Harvey, another kid in Tom's town, is working to support his family and plans to give his sisters a small but meaningful gift. Harvey's generosity and gratitude make Tom realize that this is a season for giving. With his family, Tom undertakes a "Christmas Mission" to surprise Harvey.
The Christmas Skates is a charming one-act musical that will touch audiences of all ages. The show can be performed flexibily with a cast of 4 or 12, perfect for theatre companies of all sizes. Unwrap the holiday joy of The Christmas Skates on your stage!
Full synopsis
Tom and his sister Judy come home from school and are thrilled to start Christmas vacation! (“Prologue/Now is the Time”). Tom can’t wait for all his presents, but Mom, Dad, and Judy remind him this is also a time for giving to others. Still, Tom begs his parents to let him open one gift early. Although there are still several days until Christmas, Mom and Dad relent and let them open “just one.” To Tom’s delight, he gets a pair of Jolly Ramblers ice skates.
After almost forgetting to thank his parents, Tom heads out to practice with his new skates (“Brand Spankin’ New”). Tom’s friends, Annie and Rachel, invite him to come skate with them (“Extraordinary Day (Part 1)”). They run into Ralph, who has a the “hottest new model” of skates, Club House Skates. Tom’s pride is wounded. Ralph is about to join them in skating (“Extraordinary Day (Part 2)”) when Tom decides to go home. Tom throws his skates on the ground as his friend Harvey passes, admiring the new skates.
When he gets home, Tom asks Mom to open another gift because his skates weren’t impressive enough (“Unfair”). Mom refuses, leaving Tom to sulk.
On Christmas Eve, Tom is still moping around. To get him out of the house, Mom sends him on an errand to get butter. At the store, Harvey is working and helps Tom get what he needs. During Christmas vacation, he works part time for some extra money. Harvey excitedly shows Tom two dolls he found in the stock room. Although they’re broken, his sisters will love getting them for Christmas (“Lots of Care”). He asks Tom to hide them at his house so he can surprise his sisters.
Tom can’t shake off wanting the best skates. He decides if he can find enough paid work, he can save up money to buy the Club House Skates. Tom does various tasks for neighbors (“The Work Song”). As he’s working at the store where Harvey works, Mrs. Patton, the owner, tells Tom that Harvey’s mom is sick. He needs to work to support the family while she’s recovering. Humbled, Tom realizes he has been approaching Christmas the wrong way (“Now is the Time (Reprise 1)”). Tom asks Mrs. Patton to help him with shopping for some Christmas surprises.
At home, Tom gets Dad, Mom, and Judy to help repair the dolls for Harvey’s sisters (“A Christmas Mission”). Tom reveals that he bought the Club House Skates – for Harvey.
When Tom shows Harvey the dolls and skates, Harvey is so touched (“Now is the Time (Reprise 2)”). Tom returns home, ready to celebrate Christmas with his family (“Finale”).
Synopsis courtesy of Music Theatre International (MTI).
The Christmas Skates characters & vocal ranges
The Christmas Skates musical has 5 named roles, for a small cast (up to 10). Many roles can be cast across gender. ‘Written as’ reflects how MTI lists each role.
| Character | Written as | Vocal range | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Actor 1 | Male | G4–A2 | Plays the role of Tom |
| Actor 2 | Male | G4–C3 | Plays the following roles: Dad, Ralph, Harvey, Winter Critters (Hand Puppets) |
| Actor 3 | Female | G5–Bb3 | Plays the following roles: Judy, Annie, Mrs. Patton, Winter Critters (Hand Puppets) |
| Actor 4 | Female | E5–Bb3 | Plays the following roles: Mom, Rachel, Mrs. Miller |
| Atlernative: Large Cast Version | Not listed | Not listed | To expand the number of participants and performers, use this “Large Cast” breakdown. Use the optional keys for unchanged voices, as many Winter Critters as you’d like, as well as additional background Skaters for the skating scenes and layered voices. Actor 1: Tom (A2-G4) Actor 2: Dad (C3-E4) Actor 3: Judy (Bb3-D5) Actor 4: Mom (Bb3-E5) Actor 5: Annie (B3-E5) Actor 6: Rachel (B3-E5) Actor 7: Ralph (C#3-D4) Actor 8: Harvey (C3-F4) Actor 9: Mrs. Patton (E4-C#5) Actor 10: Mrs. Miller (C4-Bb4) Actor 11: Winter Critter (Upper) (Eb4-G5) Actor 12: Winter Critter (Lower) (Eb3-G4) |
The Christmas Skates song list
- Prologue / Now Is The Time
- Brand Spankin’ New
- Extraordinary Day (Part I)
- Extraordinary Day (Part II)
- Unfair
- Lots Of Care
- The Work Song
- Now Is The Time (Reprise 1)
- A Christmas Mission
- Finale
How to get the Christmas Skates script & Piano/Vocal Score
The printed materials come with your MTI license. The digital version is an add-on that gives your whole cast and crew immediate access. See what that looks like
Who licenses your show?
It’s me
Add Digital Scripts & Piano/Vocal Scores for your whole cast and crew.
See pricing & how to add itIt’s someone else
Send them this page so they can add it when they license The Christmas Skates.
Delivered through ProductionPro, MTI’s exclusive digital delivery partner. Looking for a free Christmas Skates script PDF? The script comes with your MTI license, so it isn’t available on its own.
What is a digital script?
Your Christmas Skates script and Piano/Vocal Score, digitally, alongside your printed copies
Immediate access for your whole cast and crew.
Works on any device. Easy for everyone.
Laptops, tablets and phones your cast and crew already have, and simple enough for every cast member to pick up.
“We check that box every time — the script’s there the moment we license.”
And when you’re ready, there’s more included
Give a note once. It’s on everyone’s script, right beside their own notes.
- Shared notesShare notes with the team. Keep private ones to yourself.
- Lines, assigned onceEvery actor finds their own lines and harmonies.
- Rehearse at homeAdd rehearsal tracks and choreography videos, linked to each scene.
Curious how it would work for your show? Hear from directors who’ve used it.
