The Principal and the Pea

A Hilarious School Musical Inspired by The Princess and the Pea

By Mark Burrows

What happens when the principal retires, the teachers can't agree on a replacement, and the students decide to take matters into their own hands? A whole lot of musical mischief!

Everything is running like clockwork at this elementary school. The teachers are wonderful, the students are happy, and the beloved principal keeps everything organized and under control. But when the principal announces her retirement, the school is suddenly thrown into chaos!

Without someone in charge, the students start getting a little out of hand (cue a wild and hilarious cafeteria food fight!), and the overwhelmed teachers realize they need to find a new principal—FAST!

There's just one problem. The teachers can't decide who to hire, and nobody seems interested in asking the students what they think.

That's when the kids come up with a brilliant plan inspired by the classic fairy tale The Princess and the Pea. Instead of hiding a pea beneath a stack of mattresses, they'll hide one in a bowl of soup! Each principal candidate must take a taste, and the students are convinced that the perfect principal will be the one who shares their absolute disgust for those little green vegetables.

Will their unusual test help them find the perfect leader? And what happens when their carefully chosen principal reveals a surprising opinion about another dreaded vegetable?

The Principal and the Pea is a clever, laugh-out-loud musical filled with catchy songs, playful rhyming dialogue, and plenty of opportunities for young performers to shine. With its familiar school setting, silly humor, and creative twist on a beloved fairy tale, this show is sure to entertain students, teachers, and families alike.

A Perfect Choice for Elementary School Performances!

One of the best things about The Principal and the Pea is how easy it is to produce! The entire musical takes place in a school cafeteria, so there's no need for elaborate scenery, expensive costumes, or complicated set changes.

Most performers can wear their everyday school clothes, while a handful of students (or even actual teachers and administrators!) portray the adults. The speaking parts are written in rhyming verse, making them fun to perform and easier to memorize.

With 23 numbered speaking parts that can be divided or combined, a flexible student chorus, and opportunities for featured character roles, directors can adapt the show to fit their group.

And the show's big food fight? Don't worry—there's no actual food flying through the air! A creative, comic-book-style staging technique makes this scene one of the funniest moments in the show without creating a mess.

Seven Fun Musical Numbers

1. Our School – Celebrate a wonderful school where everything runs like clockwork.

2. Principals (They Grow Up So Fast) – A humorous and heartfelt farewell to the retiring principal.

3. Food Fight – Things get hilariously out of control in the cafeteria!

4. They Never Ask the Kids – The students wonder why grown-ups never ask for their opinions.

5. Peas – A musical declaration of just how much the students dislike those little green vegetables.

6. Try It! – Three unsuspecting principal candidates face the students' unusual taste test.

7. Peas (Reprise) – A funny finale with one last vegetable surprise!

Why Directors and Music Teachers Will Love This Show

Simple staging. Flexible casting. Big laughs!

The Principal and the Pea makes school musical productions approachable without sacrificing entertainment. The cafeteria setting, minimal props, everyday costumes, and adaptable dialogue make it a practical choice for elementary music programs and school performances.

The show also gives students opportunities to develop singing, acting, memorization, comic timing, and ensemble performance skills. Teachers can even join the fun by appearing as the principal or one of the job applicants!

Behind all the laughter is a relatable message about listening to students, respecting their opinions, and recognizing that the best leaders understand the people they serve.

A little fairy-tale magic, a lot of schoolhouse silliness, and one very important pea—The Principal and the Pea is a musical treat that proves kids sometimes know best!