Billy Colman, a young boy growing up in the Ozark Mountains during the Depression, is infected with the wonderful disease of puppy love at age 10.  His family can’t afford hunting dogs, so he saves dimes and pennies for 2 years to buy his dogs.  Billy teaches Ol’ Dan and Lil’ Ann everything they need to know about raccoon hunting.  These beloved hunting hounds end up teaching Billy about friendship, faith, and life itself.

Awards Winner of the 2002  American Alliance for Theater & Education Unpublished Play Reading Project

Selected Production History: mainstage production Omaha Theater Company in January 2000 as a mainstage production, national tour Omaha Theater Company 2001-2002, Lexington Children’s Theater 2004, Apple Tree Theater in Chicago 2006, A.D. Players in Houston 2007, Town Hall Theater in Dayton 2008, Barter Theater (regional tour) Virginia 2008

Cast Size a minimum of 2f/4m with several puppets, can be easily expanded to a cast of 10

Where the Red Fern Grows script sample

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