Barron and Lyla: A Children's Play in Two Acts

Set on a farm, this play can engage as few 10 actors with doubling, or an entire class can be involved. Barron, an intelligent, good-looking sheep dog, is lazy and not interested in herding sheep all day. His father lost his life defending sheep; and his mother, Crystal, took over the job of lead dog.

Barron is interested in the welfare of PocoPoco, a newborn lamb, but otherwise he does not like the work of a sheep dog. He watches the cats enjoying happy and carefree lives on the rocks, and he dreams of joining them. One day he decides to do just that. Lyla, the leader of the cats, meets him and makes him feel comfortable.

The cats hunt by night and relax on the rocks by day. They share their catnip with Barron, and little by little, he loses his self-control.

Found sick and dehydrated at the pond by the Shepherd, Barron is taken to the veterinarian's office. During the night, Barron has three dreams. The first is a nightmare: He returns to the rocks, but Lyla demands a test of his loyalty. He must separate PocoPoco from the flock so that the cats can attack the baby lamb. He refuses and the cats attack him.

In the second dream, Barron returns to the farm only to be tied up as a watch dog. Although Crystal and the other animals are happy to see him return, Barron is humiliated.

In the third dream, Barron hears the voice of his father, who encourages him to be himself and have the courage to follow a new path if that is what he wants.

The Narrator ends the play by instructing the audience to decide which dream they think will come true. Classroom teachers and counsellors are encouraged to use the play as a vehicle for discussing drug choices and the concept of self-respect.

Playing time is 45-60 minutes, depending upon the amount of singing and dancing and the length of blackouts between scenes (the publisher recommends a maximum of five seconds for blackouts).