OperAdventure Stories & Excerpts
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All OperAdventures are intended for audiences from pre-school through upper elementary grades (except The Snow Child, and The Scarlet Letter, see descriptions) All OperAdventures are 35-40 mins in length. Written for Four singers (soprano, mezzo, tenor, & baritone, with piano accompaniment). The quartet format is flexible. Some performing groups have used more than 4 singers as most shows require some singers to sing more than one role. Some organizations have adapted the shows to be performed by all female singers, or three females and one male. |
There are currently 17 different OperAdventures to choose from.
Please view excerpts below to choose the OperAdventure that most suits your fancy. Soon, all the operas will have the 'cleaner' music score... (like Carmenella, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Rumplestiltskin) And VERY soon we will have ALL excerpts completed here for perusal purposes! |
If you'd like to know more about a particular OperAdventure, please CONTACT us.
NEW NEW NEW
***The New Normal***
(A Short Opera for an Abnormal Time)
Welcome to Normal, USA. It’s not normal, anymore. The Thing has changed everything. Wearing masks and constant handwashing are driving kids crazy. When Eloise and Elmer spy on the teachers, they are surprised to find that the teachers…what??...don’t really like to nag. The teachers miss hugs and high fives as much as the kids do. With charming characters like Pandy the Panda and Dr. Grouchy and the delightful music of Gilbert and Sullivan, the journey to finding happiness through helping others is both touching and humorous. This production is your answer to the needs and problems of performance in our times.
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1. Carmenella
Of course, the music is Bizet. The stepsisters are gangmembers, the ball is a bullfight, the Prince is a toreador and Fairy Godmother is the Hairy Godmother. The stepsisters finally figure out that violence is a no-win proposition and everyone realizes that being yourself and trying to make a positive difference for others makes for a happy ending. The show includes rock and roll parodies-the Hairy Godmother sings “Why Be That Way?” (Queen’s hit, “YMCA”) and the bull sings George Thoroughgood’s “Bad to the Bone.”
Of course, the music is Bizet. The stepsisters are gangmembers, the ball is a bullfight, the Prince is a toreador and Fairy Godmother is the Hairy Godmother. The stepsisters finally figure out that violence is a no-win proposition and everyone realizes that being yourself and trying to make a positive difference for others makes for a happy ending. The show includes rock and roll parodies-the Hairy Godmother sings “Why Be That Way?” (Queen’s hit, “YMCA”) and the bull sings George Thoroughgood’s “Bad to the Bone.”
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2. Jack and the Beanstalk
Set to music from Gounod's FAUST, this fast-paced story has lots of laughs as Jack encounters the rapping old lady who buys his cow, an enchanted fairy princess, the giant's lonely wife, and the unforgettable selfish giant. After an exciting chase, Jack and his new friends parachute to safety, followed by the giant who finally comes to his senses, when he hits his head and wakes up as a kindhearted country western singer. Jack and the giant learn that love is more important than fame or gold and that friends and family (and cows) are the real treasures of life.
Set to music from Gounod's FAUST, this fast-paced story has lots of laughs as Jack encounters the rapping old lady who buys his cow, an enchanted fairy princess, the giant's lonely wife, and the unforgettable selfish giant. After an exciting chase, Jack and his new friends parachute to safety, followed by the giant who finally comes to his senses, when he hits his head and wakes up as a kindhearted country western singer. Jack and the giant learn that love is more important than fame or gold and that friends and family (and cows) are the real treasures of life.
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3. Rumplestiltskin: Ultimate Bully
Bullies come in all shapes and sizes, and they always come with a bad attitude. Adele and the Prince, along with their mammalian friend, Batzilla, have their hands full with the bully that pushes them around. They don’t even know his name, but he always gets his way! Unfortunately, because of their greed and lack of honesty, they end up needing his help. What will he want in return? The good guys go the The Bully Book and discover ways to deal with a bully. They even learn why bullies bully. Set to the delightful and memorable music from Strauss’ Fledermaus, there are plenty of laughs as the audience watches the suspense unfold to its bye-bye-bully conclusion, with plenty of great tips for students along the way.
Bullies come in all shapes and sizes, and they always come with a bad attitude. Adele and the Prince, along with their mammalian friend, Batzilla, have their hands full with the bully that pushes them around. They don’t even know his name, but he always gets his way! Unfortunately, because of their greed and lack of honesty, they end up needing his help. What will he want in return? The good guys go the The Bully Book and discover ways to deal with a bully. They even learn why bullies bully. Set to the delightful and memorable music from Strauss’ Fledermaus, there are plenty of laughs as the audience watches the suspense unfold to its bye-bye-bully conclusion, with plenty of great tips for students along the way.
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4. Fumbelina
Poor clumsy Fumbelina. She doesn’t do well in sports, in cooking class, in school, in anything, so it seems. Set to the frolicking music of Gilbert and Sullivan, Fumbelina’s adventures abound with mishaps and lots of memorable characters such as the charming rodent, Mr. Mole. When she finally performs an unselfish act of kindness, Fumbelina realizes that doing something for others is more satisfying than doing something for yourself. In the act of truly helping someone else, she no longer worries about what people think of her. We all have that something special inside of us and when we discover and use it for others, we soar!
Poor clumsy Fumbelina. She doesn’t do well in sports, in cooking class, in school, in anything, so it seems. Set to the frolicking music of Gilbert and Sullivan, Fumbelina’s adventures abound with mishaps and lots of memorable characters such as the charming rodent, Mr. Mole. When she finally performs an unselfish act of kindness, Fumbelina realizes that doing something for others is more satisfying than doing something for yourself. In the act of truly helping someone else, she no longer worries about what people think of her. We all have that something special inside of us and when we discover and use it for others, we soar!
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5. Inn of the Seven Dwarves
Some things never change. Snow White’s great great granddaughter has to hide from another jealous Mean Queen. She ends up at the former residence of the Seven Dwarves, now a bed and breakfast run by a cranky innkeeper. There, Snow meets the chef, the landscaper and the maid, who have all immigrated to America from different foreign countries. They share with her their difficulties in dealing with a new language and a new culture. The poisoned apple is expected, but it is a Converse sneaker that steals the spotlight helping everyone open their ears and hearts to new people and new ideas.
Some things never change. Snow White’s great great granddaughter has to hide from another jealous Mean Queen. She ends up at the former residence of the Seven Dwarves, now a bed and breakfast run by a cranky innkeeper. There, Snow meets the chef, the landscaper and the maid, who have all immigrated to America from different foreign countries. They share with her their difficulties in dealing with a new language and a new culture. The poisoned apple is expected, but it is a Converse sneaker that steals the spotlight helping everyone open their ears and hearts to new people and new ideas.
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6. Figatroll and the Three Billy Goats Gruff
There is sibling quibbling in the Gruff household and a misunderstood troll under the bridge. Set to the delightful music of Rossini, the tale involves the efforts of Silly, Willy and Milly to get to opera auditions on the other side of the bridge. Subterfuge as advised by the consultant, karate and other not-so-witty plans all overlook the obvious-that the lonely troll might not really be mean at all if anyone bothered to get to know him. Learning the pitfalls of uninformed opinions and prejudgment, the characters finally learn they can get along and depend on each other, resulting in harmonious consequences for the Gruffs and their new friend.
There is sibling quibbling in the Gruff household and a misunderstood troll under the bridge. Set to the delightful music of Rossini, the tale involves the efforts of Silly, Willy and Milly to get to opera auditions on the other side of the bridge. Subterfuge as advised by the consultant, karate and other not-so-witty plans all overlook the obvious-that the lonely troll might not really be mean at all if anyone bothered to get to know him. Learning the pitfalls of uninformed opinions and prejudgment, the characters finally learn they can get along and depend on each other, resulting in harmonious consequences for the Gruffs and their new friend.
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7. Pinocchio
The nose knows in this story! So does the loyal and loving Don Gepetto, the cold Blue Fairy and Conscience Cricket. If only they can get Pinocchio to figure it out before it’s too late...before he ends up as a mindless zombie on Video Island. The importance of education, being honest and making the right choices add up to a positive sum total, but Pinocchio’s math is as shaky as his judgment. This is a truly awesome adventure set to the magical music of Mozart. And yes, the whale sings, “Don Gepetto, you are my dinner!” ala Don Giovanni.
The nose knows in this story! So does the loyal and loving Don Gepetto, the cold Blue Fairy and Conscience Cricket. If only they can get Pinocchio to figure it out before it’s too late...before he ends up as a mindless zombie on Video Island. The importance of education, being honest and making the right choices add up to a positive sum total, but Pinocchio’s math is as shaky as his judgment. This is a truly awesome adventure set to the magical music of Mozart. And yes, the whale sings, “Don Gepetto, you are my dinner!” ala Don Giovanni.
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8. The Ugly Duckling
Life isn’t easy when you’re different. Hugo, the one they call the ugly duckling, discovers this unfortunate truth in this heartwarming tale. Although Hugo thinks he wants to be like everyone else, an encounter with the evil Dr. Ego makes him wisely reconsider. The pecking order and politics of the animal kingdom are playfully set to the music of Offenbach as Hugo finds that each one of us has a special individual light. When that light shines, surprising things can happen!
Life isn’t easy when you’re different. Hugo, the one they call the ugly duckling, discovers this unfortunate truth in this heartwarming tale. Although Hugo thinks he wants to be like everyone else, an encounter with the evil Dr. Ego makes him wisely reconsider. The pecking order and politics of the animal kingdom are playfully set to the music of Offenbach as Hugo finds that each one of us has a special individual light. When that light shines, surprising things can happen!
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9. The Emperor’s New Clothes
It is easy for the swindlers, Calvin and Klein, to trick the vain emperor. He cares nothing for others and only worries about appearances, especially his own. With music by Donizetti, this tale of human folly reveals all...of our selfish human weaknesses...in a way that allows us to laugh at ourselves and remember that we need to think of others rather than ourselves.
It is easy for the swindlers, Calvin and Klein, to trick the vain emperor. He cares nothing for others and only worries about appearances, especially his own. With music by Donizetti, this tale of human folly reveals all...of our selfish human weaknesses...in a way that allows us to laugh at ourselves and remember that we need to think of others rather than ourselves.
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10. Little Red Walking Hood
Little Red walks, then runs, right into trouble on her trip through the woods. The wicked Wolf turns on the charm and tries to waltz her away from her common sense, but Little Red discovers that the stories and advice from older people can be very worthwhile. The show is set to music from The Merry Widow by Franz Lehar, so Granny and her old friend, Vilia, the fairy wood sprite, get in some high kicks and good licks. As the females unite to subdue the furry felon, Girl Power rules!
Little Red walks, then runs, right into trouble on her trip through the woods. The wicked Wolf turns on the charm and tries to waltz her away from her common sense, but Little Red discovers that the stories and advice from older people can be very worthwhile. The show is set to music from The Merry Widow by Franz Lehar, so Granny and her old friend, Vilia, the fairy wood sprite, get in some high kicks and good licks. As the females unite to subdue the furry felon, Girl Power rules!
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11. The Three Not So Little Pigs
The Big Bad Wolf definitely likes his bacon, but when a letter from his doctor warns him about his cholesterol, the Wolf vows to change his diet after one last porky feast. Anxious to be out on their own, two of the Three Not so Little Pigs disregard their mother’s advice and come close to being barbecued. The pigs learn that a little common sense and cooperation go a long way. Of course, the wolf has to learn to like vegetables! The music is from Donizetti’s, The Elixir of Love.
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12. Johnny Appleseed vs. Paul Bunyan: Battle for the Future
Mother Earth is worried. She depends on people to take care of her. Johnny Appleseed gets it right, but his dreams of a green earth are threatened to be cut down by the axe wielding, forest chopping, Paul Bunyan. Bunyan, the original macho man, takes and takes some more, without a thought for the consequences of his actions. Fast forwarding to the future, the great-great-great grandsons of these American legends are still battling as Big Business Bunyan continues his family’s tradition of waste and greed. Even Snow White and Rip Van Winkle get in the action as they awaken from their years of slumber to a world of shopping malls and Starbucks. Set to music from Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Mikado, the show is fun, but the message is serious. It’s not just about recycling anymore!
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13. The Snow Child (FOR ALL AGES- A HOLIDAY SHOW)
This adaptation of a Russian folk tale has a happy Hollywood ending worthy of Pinocchio. The old peasant couple have longed for many years to be blessed with a child. When they build a child of snow, their world is magically turned upside-down. Love is, indeed, a blessing, and the love grows. Have their dreams come true? Well, love and dreams can be fragile, especially in the cold of winter. A secular show perfect for the holiday season, this moving story uses the music of Rimsky-Korsakov from THE SNOW MAIDEN as well as other Russian classics.
This adaptation of a Russian folk tale has a happy Hollywood ending worthy of Pinocchio. The old peasant couple have longed for many years to be blessed with a child. When they build a child of snow, their world is magically turned upside-down. Love is, indeed, a blessing, and the love grows. Have their dreams come true? Well, love and dreams can be fragile, especially in the cold of winter. A secular show perfect for the holiday season, this moving story uses the music of Rimsky-Korsakov from THE SNOW MAIDEN as well as other Russian classics.
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14. Operamania: The Light in the Lobby
(original story)
“Let someone else do it.” “I’m too busy.” “I don’t feel like it.” “I don’t care.” Apathy loves to hear those words. It’s part of his plan to rid the world of feelings. Music will be the first to go. Who will stand up to Apathy and his sidekicks, Igno and Ramus? Meet Operamon, the super superhero of Operamania, the tiny land of song hidden deep within the light in the lobby. It’s the home of the Operamaniacs, those sheroes and heroes of Opera. Carmon and Cio Cio San are the sheroes in this story, but they need Everymon and people like you to get the job done. Some of opera’s hit tunes make up the score of this show.
(original story)
“Let someone else do it.” “I’m too busy.” “I don’t feel like it.” “I don’t care.” Apathy loves to hear those words. It’s part of his plan to rid the world of feelings. Music will be the first to go. Who will stand up to Apathy and his sidekicks, Igno and Ramus? Meet Operamon, the super superhero of Operamania, the tiny land of song hidden deep within the light in the lobby. It’s the home of the Operamaniacs, those sheroes and heroes of Opera. Carmon and Cio Cio San are the sheroes in this story, but they need Everymon and people like you to get the job done. Some of opera’s hit tunes make up the score of this show.
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15. Operamania II: The Word War (original story)
Since Apathy failed in his plot to destroy music, he has decided to go after words. Eliminate all the expressive words of beauty and kindness. There will be no words for singers to sing and no words to make people feel good. Apathy’s new buddy, Trash Talker, already knows how to fight dirty. Their target will be the Operamania LIFEBRARY-the place where words come to life in books and stories. Can Apathy make people believe it is a lie-brary? Can our heroes and sheroes, Operamon, Everymon, Cio Cio San and Carmon, save the day? Words have power---words can hurt or words can lift up. Can they defeat Apathy? The songs are the melodies from many operatic favorites.
Since Apathy failed in his plot to destroy music, he has decided to go after words. Eliminate all the expressive words of beauty and kindness. There will be no words for singers to sing and no words to make people feel good. Apathy’s new buddy, Trash Talker, already knows how to fight dirty. Their target will be the Operamania LIFEBRARY-the place where words come to life in books and stories. Can Apathy make people believe it is a lie-brary? Can our heroes and sheroes, Operamon, Everymon, Cio Cio San and Carmon, save the day? Words have power---words can hurt or words can lift up. Can they defeat Apathy? The songs are the melodies from many operatic favorites.
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16. Hansel and Gretel
Hansel is always saying, “Just one more...” and always putting off doing what he’s supposed to be doing. After he and Gretel meet the characters in the forest-the Do and Don’t Fairy who sings to them about good eating habits, Elvis the Grease King who tries to persuade them otherwise, and the infamous Witch-Hansel and his sister decide to take responsibility for their own actions. The lyrics are set to Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel.
Hansel is always saying, “Just one more...” and always putting off doing what he’s supposed to be doing. After he and Gretel meet the characters in the forest-the Do and Don’t Fairy who sings to them about good eating habits, Elvis the Grease King who tries to persuade them otherwise, and the infamous Witch-Hansel and his sister decide to take responsibility for their own actions. The lyrics are set to Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel.
17. The Scarlet Letter
(For Middle School or High School Audiences)
The powerful words of Nathaniel Hawthorne combine with the powerful music of Giuseppe Verdi to convey this story of hypocrisy, condemnation, isolation and courage. The show is written with optional chorus participation by students as townspeople.
(For Middle School or High School Audiences)
The powerful words of Nathaniel Hawthorne combine with the powerful music of Giuseppe Verdi to convey this story of hypocrisy, condemnation, isolation and courage. The show is written with optional chorus participation by students as townspeople.
18. Jackie and the Giant Bully.
Fast forward a couple of generations from Jack and the Beanstalk. What do you have? Jack’s granddaughter, Jackie, and the Giant’s grandson who is (no surprise) a giant BULLY. With no Wi-Fi reception in the clouds, Buford, the giant bully, is right here on earth where he can ridicule, intimidate, threaten and cyberbully. There is plenty of humor and even a little magic as Jackie and her beloved cow, along with the help of the bully’s siblings, find real solutions to this big problem. Bullying is no joke. Jackie and the Giant Bully includes audience participation and invites insightful class discussions after the show. Performers will enjoy the familiarity of singable tunes from Magic Flute, Carmen, Fledermaus, Faust and Hoffman.
Fast forward a couple of generations from Jack and the Beanstalk. What do you have? Jack’s granddaughter, Jackie, and the Giant’s grandson who is (no surprise) a giant BULLY. With no Wi-Fi reception in the clouds, Buford, the giant bully, is right here on earth where he can ridicule, intimidate, threaten and cyberbully. There is plenty of humor and even a little magic as Jackie and her beloved cow, along with the help of the bully’s siblings, find real solutions to this big problem. Bullying is no joke. Jackie and the Giant Bully includes audience participation and invites insightful class discussions after the show. Performers will enjoy the familiarity of singable tunes from Magic Flute, Carmen, Fledermaus, Faust and Hoffman.
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