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If you’ve ever grown weary of the responsibilities of adult life, you will be able to relate to the story of Peter Pan and his friends, the Lost Boys.

The musical adaptation of this play was made possible by J. M. Barrie’s 1904 play of the same name and Barrie’s novelization of it, Peter and Wendy. The story chronicles the adventures of the Darling children of London, England – Wendy, Michael and John – as well as the mischievous and mysterious boy, Peter Pan, who lives in a magical land called Neverland. When their paths cross, they travel to faraway places, learn the joys of childhood, the evils of pirates like Captain Hook and the yearning to never grow up.

The Story Behind Peter Pan

The story of Peter Pan is a classic tale of the innocence of youth and the desire to never grow up or take on the responsibilities of adulthood. The story explores the world of fairies, pirates, and orphans while giving the audience robust main characters to fall in love with as they navigate childhood into young adulthood.

Peter Pan is a magical young boy who lives a carefree life but without a mother to care for him. He lives in a special place called Neverland with other orphaned children called the Lost Boys. While he may avoid the responsibilities of the real world and enjoy the wonder of childhood, he is also void of a family to love him.

When he meets the Darling children in their nursery room one evening, he plans to take them to Neverland where Wendy can be their surrogate mother and care for him and all the Lost Boys. The Darlings initially enjoy their time with Peter and the Lost Boys flying and playing on the island and in the underground hideout, ventually, they find that the scary pirates and Captain Hook may be too much for them to take. After all, Captain Hook is out for revenge as Peter is the one responsible for cutting off his hand and feeding it to an alligator who follows the Captain around.

In the end, the Darlings and the Lost Boys decide to return to London where the Darling parents adopt all the children and enjoy talking about their adventures. Meanwhile, Peter decides to remain in Neverland and refuses to ever grow old.

Scenes & Backdrops for Peter Pan

The story of Peter Pan begins in London in the Darling family home where the children play and sleep. Peter begins his relationship with the Darlings by showing them how he flies and introducing Tinker Bell to the children.

This Nursery Backdrop #0243 depicts a child or infant’s bedroom with toys on the floor, a chandelier, an open window, and an ornate ceiling. It is the perfect backdrop for the Darling children’s bedroom right down to the windows in which Peter Pan first appears.

The London rooftops are a main focus as the Darling children take their first flight with Peter Pan and travel from London to Neverland. This backdrop, European Rooftop Backdrop #2516 shows a London rooftop with Victorian chimneys, St Paul’s Cathedral and a purple sky.

This Neverland Backdrop #2590 shows the island of Neverland with Captain Hook’s ship, waterfalls, mountains and a blue sky. This backdrop would be suitable for the time that the Darlings visit with Peter Pan and the Lost Boys.

The scenes with Captain Hook, the alligator with the ticking clock and the pirate ship would do well with this Pirate Ship Deck Backdrop # 2583. It depicts an old wooden ship deck with canvas sails, cannons, ropes and pulleys, and Captain’s quarters showing pink and purple sky, sunset and ocean.

To view all 27 Peter Pan backdrops please visit our site and get started setting the stage for your performance.

The Wizard of Oz is an iconic musical conceived and written by Lyman Frank Baum in 1900. For over a hundred years, this classic and modern fairy tale has taken theaters by storm as a beloved choice for professionals and amateur theater groups across the nation.

With songs such as “Follow The Yellow Brick Road,” “Ding Dong The Witch is Dead” and “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” it is no wonder that the Wizard of Oz is a timeless classic. Our more than 40 backdrops can help your organization create the mood and setting for your production.

The Chronicle of Dorothy’s Trip To The Wizard

The Wizard of Oz follows the story of Dorothy, a young Kansas girl who lives with her Aunt Em and Uncle Henry. Unfortunately, Dorothy and her loyal dog, Toto, get swept up in a tornado and find themselves transported to a strange land called Oz.

Upon crash landing her home on top of a witch, Dorothy meets the Witch of the North who thanks her for killing her sister, the Witch of the East. She also meets the inhabitants of Oz called Munchkins who advise her to follow the yellow brick road to the Wizard who may be able to get her back to Kansas.

As she begins her trip to see the Wizard, she encounters three characters who join her on the journey – a cowardly Lion, a Scarecrow who longs for brains, and a Tinman who yearns for a heart. The group sets off to see the Wizard as they navigate their own challenges along the route.

Upon finding the Emerald City, where the Wizard resides, they realize that even without his help, they are able to use their own strengths to help each other. This strength of friendship and kindness is a common theme as the new-found friends fight off Flying Monkeys and other trials along the way.

Set the Stage For The Wizard of Oz

The Wizard of Oz has a certain whimsical flair and the backdrops should portray that as well. Here are a few of our favorites from the cornfields of Kansas to the castle in the Emerald City.

This Farm Landscape Backdrop #2379 shows a rolling hill farm with corn fields, a fence and blue skies. This backdrop would be perfect for the opening act of the musical as Dorothy, unable to seek shelter in the storm cellar, gets swept up into the tornado that brings her to Oz.

This Wizard of Oz Backdrop #3098 is an ideal depiction of the story of the Wizard of Oz including Dorothy, Toto and friends. The yellow brick road is clearly seen and the road to the Emerald City is visible in the background.

Once the friends arrive at the Emerald City, this Emerald City Backdrop #2507 shows the land of Oz with the yellow brick road winding through poppy fields up to the Emerald City!

To view all 40 of the amazing backdrops we offer for the Wizard of Oz, please visit our website and start planning your performance today.

Nothing brings us back to the angst and struggles of our childhood quite like Charlie Brown and the entire Peanuts bunch. Based on the Charles M. Schulz comic strip Peanuts, You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown follows the story of the Peanuts gang as they explore life’s big questions.

Charlie Brown is joined by his neighborhood friends; Lucy, who is hopelessly in love with piano prodigy Schroeder; Linus, the blanket-toting best friend; Sally, the perfectionist; Peppermint Patty, the sporty outgoing friend; and Snoopy, the beagle with the rich imagination. As the friends play baseball, football, do homework, and swoon over their crushes, they discuss serious topics such as popularity, loneliness, character, and what real happiness truly is.

You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown is a 1967 musical comedy with music and lyrics by Clark Gesner. Over the course of its run, it was nominated for several Drama Desk Awards and Tony Awards. Kristin Chenoweth won Best Featured Actress in a Musical in 1999 and Roger Bart also won in that same year for Best Featured Actor in a Musical.

Backdrops For You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown

Given that the musical takes place in Charlie Brown’s neighborhood, including the baseball field, park, his home and school, there are several backdrops that would help set the stage for this beloved musical.

Garden Backdrop

For many of the outdoor scenes, while the Peanuts gang plays and chats, the Garden Backdrop #1902 would make for an excellent setting. This backdrop includes a garden with hedges and flowers as well as a rod iron fence and gateway.

Sunrays & Outdoors

While the Peanuts gang may take on heavy topics such as the meaning of happiness and what life should be all about, they are always friendly and heartwarmingly honest about their childhood thoughts. This Sunray Backdrop # 2302 with brilliant blue skies and puffy white clouds fits the bill for this crew.

Woodsy Option

As Charlie Brown and his gang play, do homework and hang out, they often find themselves in the woods of their neighborhood. This Stylized Woods Backdrop # 0584 depicts a tree-filled woodsy area with an open field for playing.

A Sunset Sky Option

By the conclusion of the musical, Charlie Brown celebrates the joy of friendships, this Sunset Sky Backdrop# 2491 would be an excellent choice.

Visit Backdrops by Charles Stewart to view the entire catalog of options for You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown performances and check out our rental options.

Mary Poppins has been a popular movie and musical since it found its way into Americans’ hearts and onto screens in the 1960s. Today, the life lessons of Mary Poppins still reverberate in our world today.

At Backdrops by Charles Stewart, we offer more than 33 backdrops perfect for your performance of Mary Poppins. Let’s take a closer look at some of our favorites and the lessons Mary Poppins can teach all of us.

Mary Poppins Background

Set in London during the Edwardian Age, a cheery and kind Miss Mary Poppins becomes a nanny to an upper-crust English family with two young and mischievous children, Jane and Michael Banks.

Prior to her joining the Banks family, a series of nannies had resigned in the face of the boisterousness of the children. While the Banks family is fairly traditional, they seem to be missing the component of fun and togetherness. Mary Poppins brings them all a little fun, and some life lessons to follow, and her unique ways of managing the children quickly become a pleasant surprise to both the children and the parents.

With serious parents, including a father who is a financial banker, Jane and Michael are accustomed to being second fiddle in the home when work and family business takes priority. Upon the arrival of Mary Poppins and her good friend Bert, the children set off on regular outings that become a series of fantastical adventures meant to teach them what really matters in the world.

Some of the lessons Mary Poppins teaches her charges include the idea of lightening up and having a little fun, and that life is too short to be too serious. She also explains more important life lessons in songs such as “A Spoonful of Sugar,” where she teaches them that when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade and that laughter can be the best medicine for anything.

Through the children’s adventures with their nanny, the home becomes happier and lighter. Even the preoccupied and serious parents begin to see what’s important in life – Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!

Our Favorite Mary Poppins Backdrops

The Banks Home

The iconic scene in Mary Poppins where she teaches the children the importance of cleaning up after themselves and being tidy would be well suited in this Drawing Room Backdrop #1842 which depicts a Victorian interior with a sitting room decorated with blue draperies and a large wood archway. This shows the opulence of the upper-class family and the era in London, England.

The Gardens

This Garden Backdrop #N0117 shows a Victorian garden with trees, hedges, urns, and flowers done in pastel tones. This backdrop is excellent for the magical horse race, the street drawings coming to life, or any of the outdoor adventures Mary Poppins takes the children on.

The Rooftops

This European Rooftop Backdrop #2516 shows a typical London rooftop. It highlights Victorian chimneys, St Paul’s Cathedral and a magical purple sky. Imagine the scene with Bert singing “Chim Chim Cheree” as he works as a chimney sweep!

Looking to peruse all the Mary Poppins backdrops? Visit our show suggestion page and get started – you’ll be singing along soon enough…“in the most delightful way.”

Les Miserables is undoubtedly one of the most popular musicals on the planet. The production can claim over 120 million spectators in 52 countries and accolades such as nominations for twelve Tony Awards and winning eight, including Best Musical and Best Original Score. Les Miz, as it is affectionately called, is known worldwide for its music, score, and engaging storyline.

The Story Behind Les Miz

Les Miserables was composed in 1980 by the French composer Claude-Michel Schönberg with a libretto by Alain Boublil, and lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer. Sung through, it is one of the most well-known and performed musicals worldwide.

Les Miz chronicles the life of Jean Valjean, prisoner number 24601, who is doing hard labor on a chain gang in a French prison for stealing a loaf of bread for his sister’s starving child. Set against the backdrop of 19th-century France and the French Revolution, the audience follows the hard life of Valjean.

Even after his release from prison 19 years later, Valjean is branded a prisoner and can not find work. A local Bishop takes him in and feeds him only to find Valjean has disappeared and precious silver missing. The Bishop lies to Javert, a police inspector who pursues Valjean for most of the musical, and tells the police he gave Valjean the silver.

The musical jumps ten years into the future, where we find Valjean has become the Mayor of Montreuil-sur-Mer and a factory owner. We meet one of his workers, Fantine, who dies, but not before Valjean promises to take care of her daughter, Cosette. As the French Revolution rages around them, we meet young revolutionaries trying to overthrow the government and learn about the love that grows between a student revolutionary (Marius) and Cosette. Valjean manages to save an injured Marius so that he and Cosette may be wed and Valjean can complete his promise to Fantine.

Backdrops for Les Miz

Backdrops By Charles Stewart has a showcase of backdrops available for your theater group who plan on an epic Les Miz performance. Choose from 14 backdrops that range from European streets and villages to set the stage for France in the late 1700s or impoverished homes from this same era. Here are a few of our favorite backdrops.

This French Street Backdrop #1283 depicts an old, European-style street showing buildings including a church and cobblestone street. It is the perfect backdrop for all outdoor scenes.

For indoor scenes that show the downtrodden state of the citizens of France during this time period, this Rustic House Interior Backdrop #1297 shows a rustic interior with wood beam ceilings and a large kitchen fireplace.

To show the juxtaposition of classes in France at this time, this Palace Interior Backdrop #1987 shows a deep blue interior with matching drapes, wood paneling, and large windows. The upper-class scenes show just how desperate the working class is in comparison to their upper-class contemporaries.

For a comprehensive list and description of all our backdrops suitable for Les Miserables, visit our show suggestions page.

Based on the famous 1831 novel by Victor Hugo, the Hunchback of Notre Dame originally premiered as a musical in Berlin, Germany in 1999.

According to our records, the English-language musical The Hunchback of Notre Dame had its debut at La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego, California on October 28, 2014 and ran until December 7, 2014. Subsequently, the show went on to open on March 4, 2015, at the Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, New Jersey. The show closed on April 5, 2015, after it was announced that it would not move to Broadway. Despite this, the musical is still beloved for its message of how we should all treat each other with kindness and respect.

The Story of the Hunchback

The story of the Hunchback of Notre Dame follows the life of Quasimodo, a disfigured bell ringer of the famed cathedral in Paris, France. Held captive by the cathedral’s caretaker and archdeacon who is also his uncle – Dom Claude Frollo, Quasimodo longs to be down where the people are.

Quasimodo eventually escapes the confines of the spires of the cathedral and joins the crowds in the streets only to be treated cruelly by all but a Romanian Gypsy woman, Esmeralda. A warrior, Captain Phoebus, fresh from the battlefront, is also taken by Esmerald’s beauty and vies for her attention.

As the story plays out, Esmeralda, Quasimodo and the Captain find that they are all outcasts in their own way and must shatter the confines society has trapped them in to save each other. Frollo is set on a mission to destroy the Gypsies and it is up to Quasimodo to save them and himself.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame contains important messages on how we should treat one another as human beings, especially in this day and age.

Backdrops to Set the Stage for Hunchback of Notre Dame

Since the story takes place mostly in Paris, France, in the famed cathedral, and along the cobblestoned streets of the city, there are several options to choose from to make your performance feel like it is in a traditional European city.

For scenes depicting the streets of France, this European Village Backdrop #2553 shows Tudor-style buildings in the center of a European town and distant mountains. The classic look and feel of a European city can be gleaned from this backdrop.

The scenes of the darkened night sky with a full moon would be well served with this Moonlight Serenade Backdrop #2338 with its night sky with stars, moon, and slight cloud cover. It sets a mood that will help portray the mood of the lyrics and actors on stage.

Of course, the famous cathedral of Notre Dame must be a part of your performance, so this Church Interior Backdrop #2218 with its stone cathedral interior showing the altar, vaulted arches and beautiful stained glass windows are perfect for any showing of the Hunchback of Notre Dame.

Explore all 20 of our backdrops designed with this performance in mind. Check out all of our backdrops online and reserve yours today.

Based on the comic strip Little Orphan Annie, the Broadway musical Annie is a fan favorite for the message that life can be difficult, but to hold on to hope. Our backdrops here at Backdrops By Charles H. Stewart can help transform your stage into the Warbucks Mansion, the streets of NYC or the run-down orphanage that Annie called home.

Let’s take a closer look at the plot and setting of Annie the Musical and see how our backdrops can help your production come to life.

The Story of Annie

The story of Annie chronicles the “hard knock life” of an eleven-year-old orphan girl living in a dilapidated and cruelly managed orphanage in New York City. Despite the mean antics of the home’s alcoholic operator, Miss Hannigan, Annie stays positive, upbeat, and feisty in her belief that someday she will be reunited with her parents.

One day, Annie decides to escape and search for her parents, whom she has never met but dreams about constantly. During her time on the outside, she befriends a dog she names Sandy and is eventually apprehended by the police, who subsequently return her to the municipal orphanage.

At the same time, Oliver Warbucks, a local millionaire, is looking for a young boy to bring to his mansion for the Christmas holiday as a treat, even if just for a short while. Warbucks’ secretary does not find a young boy to “rescue” for the holidays but instead finds Annie at the orphanage and chooses her for the visit.

Although the cold-hearted Warbucks is slow to warm to Annie, he eventually finds her positive spirit catchy and endearing. While he is mulling over the idea of adopting Annie, Miss Hannigan hatches a plot to take her back to the orphanage with the help of her brother, Rooster. Annie recognizes Rooster from her time at home and realizes it is a plot to take her away from Warbucks.

In the end, it is discovered that Annie’s real parents died years earlier and Miss Hannigan’s plot is uncovered. Warbucks adopts Annie and takes home all of her friends from the orphanage.

Setting The Stage For Annie

Annie the Musical takes place in several locations throughout New York City. The locations include the Warbucks Mansion, Miss Hannigan’s orphanage, the streets of NYC, and eventually the White House, in Washington D.C., where Annie meets the President.

For scenes on the street of NYC, try this Times Square Backdrop # 1503 which depicts a vintage Times Square at street level using neutral tones showing the skyline, buildings, subway stops, lamp posts, and a marquis.

Or, if you are looking for a different view of the streets of NYC, this New York Street Backdrop #2512 shows the Washington Heights neighborhood featuring an elevated train, the George Washington Bridge and the skyline of New York in the background.

For scenes within the Warbucks’ Mansion, this Panel Interior Backdrop #2540 shows a luxurious wood panel living room with a fireplace, two windows, and a mantle clock.

The orphanage run by Miss Hannigan is worlds away from the mansion of Warbucks and should show the “other” side of NYC. This NYC Tenements Backdrop #2366 depicts the city during the daytime with tenements in the background.

Explore all 73 Annie’s backdrops for rent in our comprehensive inventory designed with your performance of Annie in mind. See which ones work best for your group and get started making your production come to life.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is based on the “coat of many colors” story of Joseph from the Hebrew Bible’s Book of Genesis. It was written by the dynamic duo of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice.

While set in early Biblical times in the Middle East, Egypt and desert towns, the story of Joseph’s tumultuous and ever-changing life is still relevant today with its themes of growing up, dealing with jealousy and envy as well as the power of forgiveness.

Backdrops By Charles H. Stewart offers more than 18 unique and fitting backdrops for this production that you are sure to love. Let’s explore the storyline and take a closer look at some of the options for your next production.

The Story of Joseph

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat tells the tale of Joseph, the favorite son of Jacob as told in the Old Testament’s Book of Genesis. Joseph’s twelve brothers are envious and angered by his favored status by their father. So much so that they devise a plot to sell him into slavery and convince the father that his special son has died. Their proof of his death is a tattered and bloodstained multicolored coat that Joseph was known to wear.

Instead of facing death, Joseph was taken to Egypt where he was sold into slavery and ended up working in the home of a powerful businessman named Potiphar, who would later have Joseph jailed due to his wife’s affection for him.

Joseph’s luck begins to turn when word spreads beyond the jail cell of his special gift of being able to interpret dreams. Eventually, talk of his special talent reaches the Egyptian Pharaoh. He is taken to the leader and explains that his dreams foretell a future time of famine for Egypt and beyond. With this warning, the Egyptian leader is able to prepare for the devastating crop failures and save his people.

Back in Canaan, Joseph’s family is impacted by the famine as well with little food or work. The brothers travel to Egypt to find work and feed their family. They go to Joseph who recognizes them but they don’t recognize him. He tests them to see if they have changed and become humble or if they remain the cruel and jealous brothers he once knew.

Joseph sees that his brothers have changed, so, to everyone’s great joy, he reveals his true identity.

Backdrops for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Given that a majority of the performance takes place in the Middle East and more specifically, it makes sense that many of the backdrops we offer show the desert, Egyptian Sphinx, Pyramids, Middle Eastern towns as well as Arabian markets and landscape. Here are some of our favorites.

This Arabian Market Backdrop #2311 shows a Middle Eastern street with bazaar tents and architecture along with a backdrop of a sandy desert area.

For scenes depicting Biblical era Egypt, this Egyptian Landscape Backdrop #1970 shows the Pyramids and the Sphinx set against a light blue sky.

Or for a different view of the splendor of Egypt during this time, this Egyptian Palace Interior Backdrop #2482 creates a scene inside of an Egyptian pyramid or Pharaoh’s lair with Hieroglyphics, columns, and Anubis guard dogs.

For a complete viewing of all of our backdrops designed for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, please visit our show suggestion page.

High School Musical is unique in that it began as a 2006 American television film created by Peter Barsocchini and directed by Kenny Ortega before becoming a Broadway hit sensation.

It was so popular and beloved that Disney Channel produced a sequel the next year! In fact, yet another feature film High School Musical III was produced the following year to great acclaim. So, to say that the High School Musical franchise is a successful one would be a huge understatement.

The film was adapted to a stage musical starting in early 2006 with two versions: a 70-minute one-act play and a full-length two-act musical.

The Plot of High School Musical

High School Musical chronicles the story of two teens who run in completely different social circles; Troy Bolton, an athletically gifted basketball player, and Gabriella Montez, an academic scholar who is smart and a true science geek. These two characters compete for roles in the high school musical and eventually develop a friendship that challenges the social pecking order at East High School.

The story hits on many themes such as being true to yourself and who you are, having the courage to try new things, how to be a good friend, and the importance of standing up to peer pressure.

As the two main characters try out for the musical they draw the ire of drama queen Sharpay Evans and her brother Ryan. Their actions also cause questions and resentment among the basketball players who feel the musical is distracting their top player. The Decathlon Team also feels similarly about their teammate. Troy and Gabriella resist peer pressure and rivalry, inspiring others along the way not to “stick to the status quo.”

Backdrops For High School Musical

Most of the film and adapted Broadway musicals occur in settings typical to teenagers – a high school, the gym and outdoor areas. Here are a few of the many Charles Stewart backdrops that would work well for your production of High School Musical.

East High School Exterior

For scenes where the cast performs catchy songs, dances and engages in pithy dialog at the high school, this Building Exterior Backdrop #2224 displays a typical American high school with images of a brick building, columns and an entryway.

Gym & School Hallway Scenes

For many scenes when the main characters, Troy and Gabriella, interact with their peer groups in the gym and the school hallways the following options are also a good choice. Choose from Gym Backdrop #1457 which depicts a plain gymnasium interior with three large windows and bunting overhead or a School Corridor Backdrop #2351 which shows lockers, a checkerboard floor and classroom doors.

Outdoor Scenes

For scenes that take Troy, Gabriella, and the cast outdoors this Golf Course backdrop # 2341 shows a fairway looking over a putting green.

For more options please visit the High School Musical backdrops suggestion page online.

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