“Yo, Vikings”, A History
Adapted from Judith Byron Schachner’s acclaimed book of the same name, Yo, Vikings! is the mini-saga of 10-year-old Emma Katz, the fiercest Viking in Swarthmore, PA, and her quest for real adventure.
Written with lyricist Marcus Stevens (Winner of the 2003 Richard Rodgers Award for Red), Yo, Vikings! combines sweeping melodies, thrilling Viking chants and funky rock ‘n roll with a beautiful, heart-warming story to engage and excite every member of the family.
Yo, Vikings! was originally commissioned by the Upper Darby Summer Stage for their 2010 season. It was developed in the BMI Workshop, where the song “Emma the Red” (see the Media page) was featured in the Workshop’s 2010 Winter Smoker. Upper Darby Performing Arts Center presented the world premiere production in July, 2010. The show was a finalist for the prestigious 2011 Richard Rodgers Award, as well as the Yale Institute for Music Theatre and the National Alliance for Musical Theatre. In August 2011, Yo, Vikings! received a reading at the York Theatre with an all-star cast and creative team including Alyse Alan Louis, Sally Wilfert and Andrew Kober. The show will be produced by Children’s Musical Theatreworks in Fresno, CA in March of 2012, and the Pittsburgh Playhouse the following May.
