Chinese New Year, or the Lunar New Year, or the Festival of the New Moon, or, the Spring Festival, are all names for basically the same event each year.
In Chinese culture, Chinese New Year, and Lunar New Year have the same meaning, although the former is still the preferred term. That is because Chinese New Year goes beyond the commonly-known animal zodiac system and incorporates other cultural and religious elements from ancient Chinese culture. It is the most important Festival in Chinese culture.
When my youngest children were very young, we were given a book titled "The Empty Pot" by the artist Demi. One of our friends kept talking about how that book would make a good Children's Theater production. Finally, I decided that indeed that ancient Chinese folktale would make a good musical and I could make that happen.
In Chinese culture, Chinese New Year, and Lunar New Year have the same meaning, although the former is still the preferred term. That is because Chinese New Year goes beyond the commonly-known animal zodiac system and incorporates other cultural and religious elements from ancient Chinese culture. It is the most important Festival in Chinese culture.
When my youngest children were very young, we were given a book titled "The Empty Pot" by the artist Demi. One of our friends kept talking about how that book would make a good Children's Theater production. Finally, I decided that indeed that ancient Chinese folktale would make a good musical and I could make that happen.
The story is so beautiful because it tells of a young boy with a green-thumb that shows his integrity. The Old Emperor gives out seeds to all of the children and tells them that whoever grows the most magnificent flower from his seed will become Emperor. What he doesn't tell them is that the seeds are poisoned. None of them could actually grow.
In a year's time, at the Spring Festival, the children come before the Emperor with their flowers. Only one boy brings an empty pot to present to the Emperor. In exasperation, the old Emperor divulges how he doesn't know where the children got their flowering plants because all the seeds he gave out were poisoned. Only one boy had the integrity to bring his empty pot. That boy is declared the new Emperor.
In a year's time, at the Spring Festival, the children come before the Emperor with their flowers. Only one boy brings an empty pot to present to the Emperor. In exasperation, the old Emperor divulges how he doesn't know where the children got their flowering plants because all the seeds he gave out were poisoned. Only one boy had the integrity to bring his empty pot. That boy is declared the new Emperor.
The first version of "The Empty Pot" was 30 minutes in length. It works well for a younger cast. I have since written an expanded version of the show with featured older characters and special songs. "A Successor to the Throne" (60 minute show for ages 5-14) has become a favorite Children's Musical in part because it shows the seasons changing over the course of a year.
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