Michael Friedman and Melanie Marnich's musical The Brand New Kid, adapted from the acclaimed book by Katie Couric, uses song and rhyme to address the all too common problem that school children everywhere can relate to, teasing.

On the first day of school Lazlo S. Gasky finds himself in a world that's completely foreign to him, literally. Lazlo moved to the U.S. from his native Hungry and soon realizes that his accent, crazy hair and European mannerisms make him an easy target for ridicule at the hands of his classmates. Fellow classmate Ellie McSnelly can relate to Lazlo, due to the unfortunate and somewhat humorous variations made of her last name by the same kids who are now targeting Lazlo. Instead of joining in the "fun" and taking the heat off her, Ellie decides to try to learn more about Lazlo and soon realizes that friendship has the power to cross any cultural divide.