Illustrated Storybooks
EXCUSE ME, MR. BUTTERFLY
An illustrated storybook
by Douglas Thompson
​
A dazzling butterfly.
A humble mouse.
A deadly flower.
Excuse Me, Mr. Butterfly is a tender, illustrated fable about arrogance, empathy, and unexpected wisdom. When a proud butterfly ignores the warnings of a ragged field mouse and drinks from a flower with a deadly secret, tragedy unfolds—but so does understanding. As the butterfly falls, the mouse reveals a past filled with sacrifice, sorrow, and a quiet mission. Through richly poetic narration and evocative imagery, this tale reminds readers not to judge by appearances and not to dismiss the quiet voices of those who’ve suffered and endured. It’s a timeless parable of love, humility, and hope.
Excuse Me, Mr. Butterfly is a hauntingly beautiful illustrated story about the dangers of pride, the power of compassion, and the wisdom hidden in overlooked places. Perfect for readers of all ages, this poetic tale will stay with you long after the final page.
​​​​​​​
The manuscript with concept art for Excuse Me, Mr. Butterfly is currently available for publication.
THE LITTLE SPIRIT
An illustrated storybook
by Douglas Thompson
​​
The Little Spirit is a tender, poetic tale about life before life—in a luminous meadow among the stars, spirits play, waiting to be called to Earth. Among them is one little spirit who has waited longer than most, growing ever more curious, impatient, and unsure. One fateful day, the little spirit decides to take matters into their own translucent little hands, beginning a journey, and a lesson, they will never forget. Wisdom, purpose and love; they blossom in waiting.
Inspired by the loss of a child and written for families touched by miscarriage, The Little Spirit offers a message of remembrance to readers of all ages: some love is forever, as are the unseen bonds that connect us - before birth and beyond.
​​
The manuscript with concept art for The Little Spirit is currently available for publication.
KID PIGEON
An illustrated storybook
by Douglas Thompson
Kid Pigeon is a hilarious, heartfelt, action-packed illustrated chapter book that soars through the skies of New York City. It begins in 1931, when pigeons—once a closer human ally—are turned into the creatures we know and loathe, betrayed by a beacon atop the brand new Empire State Building. Nearly a century later, a scrappy, talkative baby pigeon hatches in a junkyard, unable to fly or see very well, but determined to uncover his true identity. With the help of Moncler, a junkyard rat who hates getting dirty, and living legend Michele DuMont, an aging cockroach cabaret entertainer, Kid Pigeon embarks on a quest to defeat the power-mad Dawg Family and restore peace between species.
Packed with cinematic adventures, laugh-out-loud moments, and surprising warmth, Kid Pigeon is a young reader’s tale about friendship, courage, and finding your voice—even when the city’s against you.
​​​
The manuscript with concept art for Kid Pigeon is currently available for publication.
GOODBYE CLOSET
An illustrated storybook
by Douglas Thompson
Goodbye hiding. Hello pride.
Goodbye Closet is a tender, illustrated book for gay youth that gently guides readers through the emotional journey of coming out—and coming into oneself. Told as a poetic farewell letter from a young gay protagonist to the things he once used to hide—oversized shirts, secret diaries, faraway heroes—each page begins with a heartfelt “Goodbye,” honoring what once protected him while embracing who he is becoming. Through soft, lyrical language and luminous, emotionally rich artwork, the book moves from shadowy, muted beginnings to vivid, joy-filled pages, culminating in the final goodbye: “Goodbye closet.”
With a hopeful and empowering tone, Goodbye Closet gives LGBTQ+ youth, ages 10–16, the space to reflect, dream, and feel seen. It also invites adult allies to witness and affirm the journey. A celebration of self-acceptance, this is a powerful companion for anyone learning to say goodbye to hiding—and hello to pride.
​​
Screenplays
QUEERSVILLE
A screenplay
by Douglas Thompson
Welcome to Queersville—where identity sings and every note counts. From the high school choir to the corner diner, this radiant coming-of-age tale has a Technicolor heart and real-world stakes. Queer joy, family bonds, and a touch of rock 'n' roll magic. One town, all kinds of love.
Set in the town of Eden Valley, Queersville blends 1950s pop nostalgia with unflinching diversity. At the center is Max Reed, a sharp-witted 13-year-old boy with a love for Audrey Hepburn and a habit of testing boundaries—social, emotional, and gendered. As Max navigates bullying, sibling tensions, and the confusing terrain of self-expression, his queer, multi-generational family stands as both sanctuary and sounding board. The town buzzes with music, teen heartthrobs, and meaningful firsts—from crushes to concerts to crisis. When a violent incident shakes the community, Max is forced to reconcile his courage with the risks of authenticity.
Warm, witty, and bursting with Cinemascope charm, Queersville reclaims small-town Americana on a high note, and with open arms.
​​​​​​
THE COLOR OF FEAR
A screenplay
by Douglas Thompson
Queersville 2: The Color of Fear is a bold, allegorical feature film blending 1950s nostalgia with searing modern resonance. With themes of shame, redemption, and the power of visibility, it’s a haunting, heartfelt call to resist simplicity and see in full color.
In a vibrant 1950s town, color isn't just something you see—it's identity, emotion, and truth. When a homophobic slur drains a boy of color, a terrifying shift begins: bigotry spreads like a virus, turning townspeople black and white. Young Max, joyfully queer and full of hope, becomes a symbol in a town unraveling under fear’s grip. As the mysterious Monochromatic Man fans the flames of conformity, neighbor turns on neighbor—queer on queer, family on family. The town spirals toward violence, culminating at a drive-in where love and hate collide in cinematic catharsis. But memory and media fight back. The town must confront who they were—and who they still could be.
Come for the spectacle. Stay for the haunting conclusion to Queersville.
​​​​​​​
Stage Musicals
Book & Lyrics
by Douglas Thompson
From the novel
by Florence Engel Randall
​
Summer. 1926. A rural town copes in the aftermath of a devastating pandemic. Mrs. Aylwood, newly widowed, quarantines her daughter, Karen, in over-protected isolation; but when an unknown entity enters their home by the woods, their lives take another dark turn.
Summer. 1976. Jan suffers from guilt over the loss of her father. Now, her mother has moved them into a creepy house by a dark woods, where an unknown entity compels her to solve the twisted puzzle of Karen Aylwood’s disappearance.
Adapted from the novel by Florence Engel Randall, Watcher in the Woods: A New Musical intertwines familial love, loss and reconnection with gothic supernatural mystery.
​​
​​​​
Watcher in the Woods is available for workshop and continuing development.
CORDY!
A New Musical
Music by Richard Sherman
Lyrics by Robert Sherman
Book & Additional Lyrics
by Douglas Thompson
Adapted from the Screenplay
Walt Disney's The Happiest Millionaire
By A.J. Carothers
The Happiest Millionaire
(Stage-Play)
By Kyle Crichton
Suggested by the Book
My Philadelphia Father
By Cordelia Drexel Biddle
& Kyle Crichton
​​
Cordy! is a vibrant and heartfelt new stage musical adapted from Walt Disney’s The Happiest Millionaire, featuring the beloved music and lyrics of Richard and Robert Sherman and a freshly adapted book by Douglas Thompson.
Set in 1917 Philadelphia, the story centers on Cordelia “Cordy” Drexel Biddle—the strong-willed daughter of an eccentric millionaire who raises his children with alligators and boxing gloves. As Cordy struggles to find her independence, and her place between brawn and beauty, romance sweeps her from the comforts of Rittenhouse Square to the glittering world of New York City, and her own coming-of-age.
With spirited choreography, laugh-out-loud comedy, and timeless songs like “Fortuosity,” “Valentine Candy” and “I’ll Always Be Irish,” Cordy! is a bold, big-hearted musical about forging self-identity, embracing change, and learning that true strength comes not just from the fists—but from the heart. A joyous celebration for audiences of all ages.
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
​Cordy! is ready for developmental workshop or production.
Art Concept by Douglas Thompson
Adapted by Doug Thompson
with Alex Beck
From the screenplay by A J Carothers
Music by Richard Sherman
Lyrics by Robert Sherman
Based on the play by Kyle Crichton &
the book My Philadelphia Father by
Cordelia Drexel Biddle & Kyle Crichton
​​
This musical concert adaptation of The Happiest Millionaire brings Disney’s delightfully eccentric 1967 film to vivid life on stage, featuring the original music and lyrics by Richard and Robert Sherman and a fresh theatrical treatment by Douglas Thompson. Set in early 20th-century Philadelphia, the story follows the lovable, larger-than-life Anthony J. Drexel Biddle—a boxing-obsessed, alligator-owning patriot—and his spirited daughter Cordelia as she prepares to leave the nest. With heart, humor, and a score brimming with Sherman Brothers charm—including favorites like “Fortuosity,” “Detroit,” and “I’ll Always Be Irish”—this concert version skillfully combined narrative scenes with powerful vocals and elegant orchestrations.
A celebration of family, individuality, and the spirited tension between old values and modern dreams, The Happiest Millionaire concert event succeeded in a rich, nostalgic evening of song and story, raising $10,000 for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Written & Performed
by Douglas Thompson
​
Featuring the Music of
David Bowie
The Who
The Rolling Stones
Elton John
Ray Davies
The Kinks
Neil Young
Percy Faith
Stephen Trask
Dougie Who is the culmination of my personal journey from wayward couch potato to marathon runner/writer/producer & one-man-show performer.
Featuring the music of David Bowie, including his covers of other musicians, and the concept of live time travel ... and to prevent a paradox from destroying the universe ... my present self has to convince my past self to achieve new goals; namely, creating and performing a show, while training for and running a half and full marathon.
​
My past self was not happy about it.
​​​​
Dougie Who was performed at The Robert Moss theater in New York City in September 2014.