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Reactions to "Too Many Sisters"

1/20/2019

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The Christmas gift-giving season has come and gone, but the reactions to my storybook "Too Many Sisters" keep coming in.  The photo above is of a good friend of ours and some of her grandchildren.  These kids come to visit often on the weekends.  The children insist that Grandma read this storybook at least once during every visit.  The Grandpa told me that even though they know how the story ends, the girls listen with rapt attention and still root for the boy in the story that he will finally get a little brother.  The looks on the girl's faces in the photo tell all. My friend said that the children especially like the idea that this was a true story about a real family that Grandma really knows.  How fun is that?

Another friend took her copy of the book over to her son's house and read it to her grandchildren.  The 12 year-old boy (who only happened to be sitting in the room while Grandma read the story to his little twin sisters) started laughing and laughing and finally came over to look at the pictures.  Afterwards he told his Grandma "This is my life!"  Needless to say, they all loved it.

So how did it go over with my own family and the boy whose story it is? First off, they love the idea that these family stories are being captured in a fun and entertaining way for future generations to share. Everybody really loved hearing this story read out loud and were delighted that it was in rhyme.  They thought it was very entertaining.  We read it together on Christmas Eve and laughed and laughed. They told me that this was my best art work yet.  And Michael whole-heartily approved.

My two youngest children, however, told me that it was time for me to write a story that included them.  So, they have been giving me ideas for my next storybook.  They even gave me the title "The Wonderful, Marvelous Magic Bunk Bed."  However, when they told me some of their memories from sharing a bunkbed as kids, I was horrified!  Some of their memories would NOT be suitable for a children's bedtime 
story!  Maybe a Grimm's Fairytale, but not a gentle sweet bedtime story.  However, it is a great title for a story.  I may have to use a lot of artistic license for this next one.
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More Than One Female Lead

1/17/2019

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Children's Theater has one troublesome  and peculiar stigma --- it usually appeals to more young girls than boys.  It is such a shame because the greater majority of stories have male leads. That means that the more important characters that move the stories along are written for boys!  

So what does the director do with the 14 little girls (ages 7-11) and the 3 little boys (under age 9)?

Another problem in Children's Theater is that it is best to avoid doing a play that has an obvious Love Story or situations that even hint of romance.

​Finding stories that suit a large contingent of girls, a few boys and have no love story is quite a challenge!  And finding a show that has significant roles for girls is harder yet!  Unfortunately, the girls end up being a corps de ballet who dance and sing and act as a unit or have to individually (and awkwardly) fill male roles.

Fortunately, as a composer/director, I have been able to find some great stories to turn into Musicals that fit those particular parameters.  They have important lead roles for girls and have no love stories!  One particular favorite is the Aesop fable about the Country Mouse and the City Mouse.  This was written for two equally strong female Leads, and there are strong secondary supporting roles for girls, too.  (Also some great parts for boys!)

Many Children's Theater groups attract some boys and they are usually quite talented.  There are just usually fewer of them.  So, I have particularly written shows for ages 5-8 or 9-14 (and some for 5-14) that feature strong female leads along with the regular male leads.

Enjoy this song from "The Country Mouse and the City Mouse" where the Country Mouse dreams of visiting the big city and her Country Siblings and Cousins try to dissuade her.

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The Tale of the Musicians of Bremen

1/8/2019

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​As we go through life, we get comfortable in our ways.  We amass our stuff and figure out the things we really like -- and those we really don't.  Time marches on, and new people come along and bring their own ideas.  You may or may not like those new ways of doing things. The old people and old ways are rendered obsolete.  "The Tale of the Musicians of Bremen" is a fairytale about getting old and facing the specters of CHANGE and DEATH.

This is one of the Grimm's German fairytales.  If you dwell on its message for very long, you see how very dark and depressing it is.  The old man and his wife are getting old and have to give up their home to go move in with their son's family. They can no longer care for themselves or their farm or their animals.  Talk about CHANGE.  The old man and woman are giving up on life and are just waiting to die. At least they have their son's family to go live with.

​The animals are not so lucky.  They are old, too.  The donkey is too old to do any labor.  The dog just wants a cozy place to curl up by the fire.  The cat doesn't feel like hunting mice anymore. And the rooster is no "spring chicken" himself.  The old man tries to sell them, but no one will take them.  He has seriously consider putting them down (killing them).  Wow.  Not a pleasant bedtime story for the children!

So, how could this story become a funny, upbeat children's musical?  Well, the donkey takes things into her own hands (hooves).  She gets an idea.  She has always wanted to be a singer but has been told that she has an obnoxious voice.  But when she hears about the very Musical Town of Bremen she gets hopeful that they will appreciate her unique vocal talents.  She invites the Dog and the Cat to come, too.  They also feel that their musical abilities have been under appreciated.  And even the Rooster, who has been told that his voice is the worst of all, is enticed by the idea of becoming a Musician of Bremen.

They set out towards Bremen when they come to a house that owners have vacated --- due to the animals very dreadful serenading. They find a feast spread out on the table and decide to stay for awhile.  Then some robbers come to the house with nefarious deeds on their minds.  The animals climb on top of each others' backs shrouded in a white tablecloth.  As they "sing," the robbers are frightened away.  The animals are never bothered again and continue singing to their hearts' content.

The animals never actually arrive at the town of Bremen --- which is fortunate for those lucky citizens!  The animals stay at their new abode on the road to Bremen where they make their own unique brand of music and live happily ever after.

Enjoy this unique musical offering from The Musicians of Bremen.

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Looking Ahead in 2019 to "A Successor to the Throne"

1/3/2019

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So glad to close the book on 2018.  It has been such a hard year of watching my husband's health decline as he has been fighting pancreatic cancer.  However, the first few days of 2019 have been markedly better for him -- less pain and able to eat better.  I am very hopeful that his health might improve!
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In the meantime, I can look forward to seeing "A Successor to the Throne" produced at a Charter School in the area.  I have made my costumes and props available to them, as well.  However, that means I must dig them out of my very packed storage shed.  But it can be done -- after the snow melts away!

"A Successor to the Throne" has been such a favorite show.  It is based on an ancient folktale presented in darling paintings by Demi in his adorable children's picture book "The Empty Pot." While researching how to bring this little Chinese folktale to life, I was impressed by the colorful Chinese culture of music and dance.  Because this story revolves around the calendar year, seasonal dances became a must.  So, this show opens with a  Spring Festival "Spring Is Here" with dancers dressed in pink.  They dance with beautiful pink parasols as other actors dress the set with flowers. 

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​"Summer Comes"
is a work song for the men in straw hats who use hoes and rakes to till the earth. 
Summer is ushered in with dancers using red fans  showing the hot and sunny weather.  


​Autumn dancers in orange kimonos dance with ribbon wands and scarves.  The mothers sing a melancholy song about how the earth gets cold and dreary as "Autumn Lingers on the Breeze."  The set is redecorated with orange, yellow and red fall leaves. 
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Winter comes in to the song "Wintertime" with dancers dressed in ice blue kimonos carrying ice wands and long white scarves representing blankets of snow.  Children run under the scarves and blow snow crystals toward the audience..

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Another dance is the "Imperial Garden Dance" where the dancers wave colorful Chinese dance fans in fluid formations.  Most of the older girls in the cast join in this dance. These Chinese dance fans are simply beautiful as they float and wave high and low in flourishes.

The boys as the Red and Black Guards get to do a martial arts sequence, too.
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And of course, no royal entourage is complete without an Imperial Processional with lanterns, flower wands and of course a puppet dragon.                 THIS SHOW REALLY HAS SPECTACLE!
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    Author

    My name is Betsy Bailey.  I have sung, written and taught music all of my life.  I enjoy writing and directing Children's Theater shows.  This blog will be directed to topics on creating the magic of Children's Theater.  I would love to hear your comments!

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