Michael, Valerie, &
Benjie with some of the Animal Folktales gang!
Animalitos (the little animals)-(ENLARGEMENT OF THUMBNAIL, ABOVE) -A collection of Aesop's fables woven together in a magical puppet dance. A rabbit starts a race with a tortoise, but seeing that he has plenty of time, he wanders off, and gets involved with a fox who is trying to court a crane with a romanti c dinner for two. With some clever tricks they manage to get some food to serve but things go awry when the fox talks the rabbit into being the waiter for the meal. Meanwhile the tortoise is getting closer and closer to the finish line.....
The Armadillo's Rancho- (PHOTO)- This story from Argentina tells of a wealthy Fox who tries to take advantage of a poor Armadillo, making her work his garden for him. He thinks he is getting the best part of the deal, but the Armadillo is smarter than he is at every turn and in the end succeeds in setting things right once and for all.
The Fox and Elk Make a Trade- (PHOTO) -In this story a fox and elk decide that they are not happy with the way they are made, so they decide to switch arms and legs with each other. The fox, now with very long arms and legs, finds that she can no longer hunt, and is in danger of s tarving. The elk with the short fox arms and legs can not reach the leaves on the trees that he is used to eating. Both finally realize that they were much better off the way they were originally and in the end exchange arms and legs again, happy to h ave their old limbs back. The story is humorously set to popular U.S. music of the 50s.
The Fox and the Condor- (PHOTO) -In this mythological story from South America, there is little food on the earth while in the clouds the birds have much food. The Condor, the king of the birds takes pity on a hungry fox and carries him up to the clouds to eat, but the gree dy fox does not stop eating until he falls from the cloud and his belly bursts open, spreading seeds all over the earth. It is these seeds from which the plants on earth have descended (so the tale tells us.)
Coyote and Grizzly Bear- (PHOTO)- Native Americans of the Western part of this continent tell many stories about the trickster, Coyote. In this story from the plains states, Coyote plays a trick on the ungrateful Grizzly Bear, thus saving the life of Mountain Ram. Although p resented as a Native American folktale here, the theme of this story is universal, and appears in tales from many cultures around the world. This folktale is told with masks and Native American drum.
Coyote Sings- (PHOTO)- In the Native American story, Coyote Sings, the crazy buffoon, Coyote tries desperately to learn a song. This combined with his bungling attempts to hunt for food and impress all his neighbors with his personal skills make for hilarious slaps tick. Southwest motifs and designs and Mexican folk tunes make this bilingual show a very poplar addition.
Coyote Runs- Another Native American folktale, Coyote Runs, Coyote finds his efforts to fool his neighbors backfire as he is outwitted by a lizard, a badger, a rabbit and a rattlesnake. But as always, Coyote prevails, himself outwitting death to the joy o f his loving wife.
Br'er Rabbit and the Number Nine Shoes- (PHOTO)- In this African American trickster tale, the clever Br'er Rabbit plays a trick on Br'er Bear, and steals his fish from him. Br'er Fox watches the whole trick, but when he tries it himself his efforts end in disaster. Once again Br'er Rabbit survives by relying on his wits. The story is told with large, direct-manipulation puppets, live banjo music and singing.
Brer Rabbit and the Goober Patch-Another trickster, Brer Rabbit comes to us from Africa, but has settled right in to American Folklore. In this puppet tale, Brer (short for Brother) Fox decides to plant a garden, and Br'er Rabbit decides to help himself. The fox decides to set a trap for the rabbit but Brer Rabbit is one rabbit who can take care of himself, and Br'er Fox does not end up with the prey that he bargained for.
Brer Rabbit and the Lucky Rabbit's Foot- (PHOTO) -Once again Brer Rabbit finds himself in a precarious position when he thinks his luck has run out and he seeks advice from Mammy Bammy Big Money. Her magic shows him his luck is in his wits and not in his lucky rabbit's foot.
The Jaguar's Fountain- (PHOTO)- In the rain forests of South America all living things sing in harmony with each other. But then the chords of disharmony sound as drought descends upon the land. The greedy Jaguar proceeds to force the smaller and weaker animals to dig a we ll. Soon there is water again in the rain forest and it is controlled by the Jaguar. But there is one animal in the forest who will stand up to the Jaguar. He is the Rabbit. Armed only with his humor and wits, he alone dares to challenge the Jaguar and his henchmen until justice prevails and the balance of nature is restored. In The Jaguar's Fountain the puppets and scenery have their own musical sounds created by a variety of hand crafted non-traditional as well as traditional instruments.
Does That Scare You?- (PHOTO)- a Southeast Asian Folktale from the Hmong people. -Long ago a wise, old man lived with a Bear, a Tiger and a Dragon. One day the animals all set out to try to scare one another by seeing who could make the greatest commotion. When the man finally took his turn, he used his brains to teach th e others a lesson. He scared the animals so badly that bears, tigers and dragons will no longer live with people. The story is presented with shadow puppets, masks, and live music played on a variety of SE Asian musical instruments.
The Lion in the Well- This Afro-American Br'er Rabbit story tells about how one day a lion moved into the forest and started eating all of the other animals. Br'er Rabbit sets out to get rid of the lion with his usual trickery, and succeeds in getting rid of the l ion and becoming the hero despite the lack of help from Br'er Fox and the other animals. This story is told as a story within a story; a roving puppet troubadour is telling the tale when the "real" Br'er Rabbit stumbles upon the play and begins to take over. Complications ensue when the real lion shows up instead of the puppet lion. Told with live folk music and singing.
Coyote Brings Fire to the People- (PHOTO)- It is told that long ago when the earth was new, the people of California were cold because they did not have fire. They went to Coyote for help and he organized Bear, Mountain Lion, Rabbit, Squirrel, and Frog to help steal fire for the peopl e. Magical MoonshineTheatre presents this native Californian folktale with shadow puppets and music.