Sometimes I am surprised by the talent that comes out for one of my shows. When I direct, I often don't really know the students or their abilities until we are well into the rehearsal phase of the show. There have been occasions when I felt that I had to add a new song or new character to an already written script. And that has always been due to the amazing talents that appear.
The first version of "The Tale of the City Mouse and the Country Mouse" came about because of a Drama Club class I was teaching. These kids needed a short show that they could learn in just a few sessions. I quickly wrote a script and two songs for them in this 10-minute mini-musical. That was all we could manage at the time.
The second version of this story was a more expanded show aimed to be part of a Summer Camp. The younger kids did "The Ants and the Grasshopper" and the older kids did "The Country Mouse and the City Mouse." Because some very talented actors and singers signed up, I felt free to write more songs, add more characters, and even include more comedic situations.
In this version, the Country Mouse and her siblings get a new song. In Musical Theater, the first introduction to the main female character includes her ARIA. That song clues the audience into her longings and deepest desires. "What Is It Like" fulfills that requirement.
One of the most enjoyable songs from the expanded version is "As the French Say" which was written for the City Mouse and a new character, her French Maid. I know a French lady who helped me use the French sayings properly. We got to learn what "la joire de vivre" and "bien manger" mean. So fun!
It was even fulfilling to be able to add incidentals and travel music for transitions. It became such a delightful show!
For that Summer Camp, I also wrote an Opener/Bows number that could be the umbrella to tie the two mini-shows together. "You Can Learn a Lot" was fun to bring the two casts together singing and dancing their hearts out.
Here is a video created from bits and pieces of phone clips from audience members of our Cousins Camp done during COVID in 2020. We as a family decided to go ahead with our Family Reunion regardless of restrictions. Most of my grandchildren at the time were between the ages of 4-12. They humored Grandma by doing this show together.
The first version of "The Tale of the City Mouse and the Country Mouse" came about because of a Drama Club class I was teaching. These kids needed a short show that they could learn in just a few sessions. I quickly wrote a script and two songs for them in this 10-minute mini-musical. That was all we could manage at the time.
The second version of this story was a more expanded show aimed to be part of a Summer Camp. The younger kids did "The Ants and the Grasshopper" and the older kids did "The Country Mouse and the City Mouse." Because some very talented actors and singers signed up, I felt free to write more songs, add more characters, and even include more comedic situations.
In this version, the Country Mouse and her siblings get a new song. In Musical Theater, the first introduction to the main female character includes her ARIA. That song clues the audience into her longings and deepest desires. "What Is It Like" fulfills that requirement.
One of the most enjoyable songs from the expanded version is "As the French Say" which was written for the City Mouse and a new character, her French Maid. I know a French lady who helped me use the French sayings properly. We got to learn what "la joire de vivre" and "bien manger" mean. So fun!
It was even fulfilling to be able to add incidentals and travel music for transitions. It became such a delightful show!
For that Summer Camp, I also wrote an Opener/Bows number that could be the umbrella to tie the two mini-shows together. "You Can Learn a Lot" was fun to bring the two casts together singing and dancing their hearts out.
Here is a video created from bits and pieces of phone clips from audience members of our Cousins Camp done during COVID in 2020. We as a family decided to go ahead with our Family Reunion regardless of restrictions. Most of my grandchildren at the time were between the ages of 4-12. They humored Grandma by doing this show together.
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