American Girls Revue

The American Girls Revue was a stage musical that was shown at American Girl Stores and included the stories of Felicity Merriman, Josefina Montoya, Kirsten Larson, Addy Walker, Samantha Parkington (with Nellie O'Malley) and Molly McIntire. It opened on November 19, 1998  and closed September 1, 2008.

Plot
A new girl, Laura, is about to join the American Girls Club, headed by Hallie, Angela, Katie, Keisha, Natalie, Becky, and Becky’s little sister Michelle. They begin by letting her imagine what life was like for the American Girls in their time periods. (“Imagine”)

Hallie describes Felicity having trouble conforming to society’s expectations of young girls, and how she met the abused horse Penny and dreamed of riding her. However, Jiggy Nye refuses to let her near the horse. She overhears him say he’d give Penny away to “any fool who could ride [her]”, so Felicity sneaks out at night to befriend Penny and eventually ride her. When he sees this, Jiggy Nye threatens Felicity, saying that he’d kill Penny if she came near her again. Felicity knows that Penny’s in trouble, but can’t open the gate and release her without being hanged as a thief. She decides she has to set Penny free, and helps her jump over the fence, before letting her go. (“Fly Like the Wind”)

Angela begins to tell the story of Josefina, who wanted to be a Healer and began training under her godmother Tia Magdalena. Tia Magdalena shows her a priceless jar, the last of its kind, that she has with her. One day, while cleaning, Josefina accidentally breaks the jar. Horrified at what she’d done and terrified that Tia Magdalena will now refuse to continue her training, she runs to an apricot tree in her rancho and hides there. Tia Dolores finds her sobbing there, and encourages her to return to Magdalena and apologize, and comforts her that she will be able to start over if she asks for a second chance. Josefina does so, and Tia Magdalena allows her to continue her training. (“Hold On to Your Dreams”)

Katie then talks about Kirsten’s fear at moving to America from Sweden, and how disheartened she is at having to leave behind her Grandparents. Her Grandmother tells her that, whenever she misses them, to look at the sun, and remember that they are looking at the same sun. Kirsten is still worried that she won’t feel at home. Once she is in America, she goes down to the river to fetch water and sees a Native American girl on the other side. She begins to talk to her, and the two of them start communicating and teaching each other. However, one day Singing Bird comes to her and tells her that her tribe is leaving indefinitely to look for food, and they may never see each other again. Kirsten comforts her by telling her that they will always be looking at the same sun, and they will always be friends. (“It’s the Same Sun”)

Keisha tells about Addy, who had just lost her brother and Father, as they were sold to another Master. Addy’s Momma tells her that they’re going to run away, something that she and Poppa were planning to do before he was sold, but they can’t wait for him and Sam to return in case the man who bought them comes back for Addy. Momma gives Addy a disguise, and tells her that they’re going to follow the North Star, and find a safehouse that will take them to Philadelphia. Addy protests at the fact they will have to leave behind her baby sister Esther, but Momma informs her that she will cry and give them away, and when the war is over they will find their Family again. They escape and travel by night, finding a hidden cave to sleep in during the day. Momma tells Addy about her paternal great-grandmother, who was stolen from Africa when she was Addy’s age, and sold into slavery alone. However, while her Great-Grandmother’s journey ended in slavery, Addy’s will end in Freedom.

As the story ends, a Rebel Soldier comes by, and Addy and her Momma are forced to run. They reach a river, and Momma panics, as she can’t swim. Addy takes her hand and keeps her afloat, taking her across the water. Once across, they find the safehouse, and travel North. However, once they arrive in Philadelphia, Addy realizes that they are still not “free”, as they are subject to racism. Momma encourages Addy, reminding her that she has her freedom inside of her. (“Goin’ to Freedom”)

Natalie then narrates the story of Samantha in 1904, who was being raised by her Grandmother. She is torn between Grandmary’s old-fashioned ideals and her Aunt Cornelia’s feminist ideas. Samantha knows that the two often fight over what a woman should be, and isn’t sure what she wants to be. She goes for a ride with her Uncle Gard in his Automobile, and he tells her that the only way to truly know what to do is to follow her heart.

Samantha meets Nellie, a servant girl next door. She begins to teach Nellie, who hadn’t been to school. Her snooty friends and Grandmary tell her that she shouldn’t associate with someone of a lower class and should definitely not befriend her. Samantha decides to follow her heart, and stays friends with Nellie, who shows her the dangerous conditions children were forced to work with inside factories. When Samantha enters a speaking contest, she speaks about how they must change the Factory Conditions to save the children and in order to make progress. She wins the contest, earning her Grandmary’s approval for her friendship with Nellie. (“Follow Your Heart”)

Becky and Michelle (with Becky representing Molly) perform (“The Victory Sisters”), representing the Miss Victory dance, to celebrate the end of World War II.

The musical ends with Laura being accepted into the club, and all the girls singing (“The American Girls Anthem”).

Songs

 * 1) Imagine - All Girls
 * 2) Fly Like the Wind - Felicity Merriman
 * 3) Hold On to Your Dreams - Josefina Montoya
 * 4) It's the Same Sun - Kirsten Larson
 * 5) Goin' to Freedom - Addy Walker
 * 6) Follow Your Heart - Samantha Parkington and Nellie O'Malley
 * 7) The Victory Sisters - Molly McIntire and Michelle
 * 8) The American Girls Anthem - All Girls

Characters Included in Musical

 * The character of Hallie represents Felicity Merriman (and later Kit Kittredge )
 * Angela represents Josefina Montoya and Nellie O'Malley
 * Katie represents Kirsten Larson
 * Keisha represents Addy Walker
 * Natalie represents Samantha Parkington
 * Becky represents Molly McIntire
 * The characters of Michelle and Laura do not represent a specific American Girl Doll
 * Penny
 * Jiggy Nye
 * Tia Magdalena
 * Dolores Romero
 * Kirsten's Grandmother (Mormor)
 * Singing Bird
 * Ruth Walker
 * Mary Edwards
 * Cornelia Edwards
 * Gardner Edwards
 * Millie Morrison

Books Adapted into the Musical

 * "Imagine" includes elements from Felicity Saves the Day, Kirsten's Surprise, Josefina Saves the Day, Meet Addy and Changes for Molly
 * "Fly Like the Wind" summarizes the plot of Meet Felicity
 * "Hold On to Your Dreams" includes sections of Happy Birthday, Josefina! 
 * "It's the Same Sun" includes elements of both Meet Kirsten and Kirsten Learns a Lesson
 * "Goin' the Freedom" summarizes Meet Addy and includes elements of Addy Learns a Lesson 
 * "Follow Your Heart" includes elements of both Samantha Learns a Lesson and Changes for Samantha.
 * "The Victory Sisters" is based on part of Changes for Molly.

Trivia

 * After the release of Kit and Kaya, two songs were added: "We Will Find a Way" for Kaya, and "If Life Gives You a Lemon" for Kit.  However, neither of these songs have been recorded, nor have their lyrics been released.
 * The musical was performed at Overture Center's Playhouse Theater in 2017 (after it had already closed at Stores), with Saskia den Boon- a former Michelle- returning as Hallie/Felicity/Kit.