Songs from Momotaro - A Tale of Bravery
Production Note:
This production's success was a complete surprise each time I have staged it because the story was unknown to the children. However, it has many elements that sparked the young children's imaginations. All I had to say was this was a Japanese Superhero show, and those 5-8 year old boys were all over it. They loved being able to do martial arts moves, create their fantasy character masks, and become Demons. The girls loved playing with their little baby dolls, doing beautiful dances, and using the Chinese ribbon wands. They especially loved the castle set with dragons painted on the doors and using a long piece of blue fabric to create a river.
New from the 2015 Production is the song "Hero." This song was created to showcase the vocal talents of the Spirits. This song tells of the making of a Hero.
This production's success was a complete surprise each time I have staged it because the story was unknown to the children. However, it has many elements that sparked the young children's imaginations. All I had to say was this was a Japanese Superhero show, and those 5-8 year old boys were all over it. They loved being able to do martial arts moves, create their fantasy character masks, and become Demons. The girls loved playing with their little baby dolls, doing beautiful dances, and using the Chinese ribbon wands. They especially loved the castle set with dragons painted on the doors and using a long piece of blue fabric to create a river.
New from the 2015 Production is the song "Hero." This song was created to showcase the vocal talents of the Spirits. This song tells of the making of a Hero.
"Prologue" is sung by the entire cast as they introduce the story of Momotaro.
"Raided! Pillaged!" is sung by the farmers and villagers who discover that their fields have been trodden, their stores of grain stolen, and all of their tools and weapons taken again by the evil Oni Monsters.
"Here By the River" is sung by a group of women who bring their babies and baskets of clothes to wash by the river.
"This Is Momotaro" is sung first by the Old Man and Woman, then joined by townsfolk.
"I Am Momotaro" is sung by the grown-up Momotaro who is presented as the brave Samurai Warrior and ready to go off on his quest to rid the village of the evil Oni Monsters.
"The Quest" is sung first by Momotaro and later joined by the Monkey, the Dog and the Pheasant.
"Hero" - Sung by the Kamikaze Wind Spirit, the River Spirit, and the other Spirits.
"Glorious! Victorious" is sung by the returning heroes and the townsfolk.
"Epilogue" is sung by the entire cast as the summation of the adventures of Momotaro and the animal heroes.
Full List of Songs
Overture, Prologue, Raided! Pillaged!, Here by the River, The River Spirit, This Is Momotaro, Time Spirits, I am Momotaro, The Quest, Fighting the Demons, Revealing the Treasure, Hero, Glorious! Victorious!, Epilogue, Bows, Exit Music, Play-Off