Circus Mystique
A One-Act School Musical (ages 6 to 12)
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 "Circus Mystique" received its first performance in Dorfgastein, Austria
through the
Amerika-Insitut program there in August 2007. There were both
rehearsals and regular English course time in which the students (between the
ages of 5 and 12) worked on pronunciation and grammar. The performance was
on 18 August 2007. The kids and teachers had a great time in the project
and were very cooperative in making this work. Hermann Weissgärber,
Director of the Amerika-Institut, and his son, Vincent, together performed the
role of Vincenzo, the Human Decoder.
This picture was taken during a rehearsal in Dorfgastein. |
Synopsis
Prelude - Mystery Radio
Theater: Introducing “Circus Mystique” (Track 1)
Radio announcers Amanda and Horace introduce the
mystery radio presentation of “Circus Mystique”. The circus in now
in New York City and has already performed in London, Paris, Hong Kong
and Las Vegas. Strangely, whenever Circus Mystique is in town there is insider
trading information passed on for winnings at horse races, stock market and
lotteries. The police have been on this case and are just about to make an
arrest.
Scene 1 - The
Performers at Circus Mystique
Ringmaster Melissa de Rissa introduces the
performers of Circus Mystique (Tracks 2-8). She also announces the new trumpet player “Buzz
Lips” Wickerson. The circus players perform a series of acts for the audience.
The set is concluded with the appearance of Vincenzo, the Human Decoder who
solves a very difficult Sudoku puzzle. Buzz Lips announces the title of the
60-second piece, “Ghost Ride in the Night” (Track 9), which he composed for Vincenzo act.
Once Vincenzo solves the puzzle, the players sing the circus theme song “Circus
Mystique” (Track 10).
Scene 2 - Vincenzo’s Arrest
After the performance Police Inspector Jack
O’Neale and Officer Fisher enter and arrest Vincenzo for having passed on
insider information through the code he cracked during his act. Vincenzo seems
not to know what they are talking about but goes to police headquarters without
a struggle. The circus players are very saddened that their friend has been
arrested. Executive Producer Adam Atem announces that he has hired two
detectives- Rick and Rebecca - to get to the bottom of this crime. The
circus players are not impressed with the seemingly (and truly) incompetent
dectectives ("They haven't got a Clue", Track 11).
Scene 3 - Vincenzo is questioned at Police
Headquarters
Vincenzo is at police headquarters with Inspector
O’Neale and Officer Fisher. They are asking him questions about his involvement
in this “Ring around the Circus”. Vincenzo claims to have no idea about
“insider information” concerning the race in which the horse “High Flying
Dragon”, which never wins, won the race with very high odds being paid. O’Neale
and Fisher, however, don’t believe him. They are convinced that Vincenzo is
guilty as their song “We’ve been looking for this famous Crook” (Track 12) states.
Vincenzo does not budge about his claim to innocence. It then dawns on him that
he might know just how this information was passed on. After demonstrating that
he, indeed, can solve any puzzle which comes his way, O’Neale and Fisher decide
to give him one more chance to prove his innocence. Why is Vincenzo “doodling”
with his Circus Mystique badge which Adam Atem insists all circus players wear?
Officer takes it from him and adds it to the evidence ("You won't need this in
jail!").
Scene 4 - Suspects:
Mary-Lou, the ballerina, and the Two Bubbles the Quiet Clowns
Rebecca and Rick have some suspects: Mary-Lou and
the Two Bubbles the Quiet Clowns. The Two Bubbles nonchallantly drop a piece of
paper with a clue at the front part of the stage. Rick and Rebecca read it
("met A mad AP.E.", Track 13) and then disregard it as rubbish.
Scene 5 - The Bubble bursts
Melissa de Rissa welcomes back the audience to the
show. It is now time for Vincenzo’s final performance. Melissa asks Buzz Lips
about the 60-second piece the band will play while Vincenzo decodes the next
message. But while Buzz Lips announces the title, the circus players begin
coughing and it cannot be heard. A second time yields the same result. A
different title is held up for the audience to see: “met A mad AP.E.” Vincenzo
enters once again blindfolded. When the blindfold is taken off, the music
starts (Track 14). The sound of the piece is horrible. While it’s playing several circus
players holding the title of the piece come to the front of the stage. They put
the letters in reverse order which then reads “E.P. Adam Atem”. The music
stops. Adam Atem, who is looking very worried, comes onto the stage. Two
members of the audience – Riff and Raff – stand up and ask Adam Atem what is
going on. Buzz Lips asks why the music has been changed. Inspector O’Neale and
Officer Fisher enter and arrest Adam, Buzz Lips, Riff and Raff.
Postlude -
Horace and Amanda signing off the Mystery Theater Radio
Rick and Rebecca enter as the radio announcers
close the broadcast (Track 15). They are told that it was Adam Atem all
along. But why then would he hire Rick and Rebecca to investigate the case
if it were him all along? The cast gather together to sing "Circus
Mystique" (Track 16)
Characters in the Musical:
Horace Torance,
Amanda Panda: Radio Announcers of “Mystery Theater”
Adam Atem
(pronounced with long A), executive producer of Circus Mystique
Melissa de Rissa (or Melissa de Rissa):
Circus ringmaster
Two Bubbles The Quiet Clowns
Mary-Lou, “The little Ballerina”
Vincenzo, the
Human Decoder
Rick Ravenpick, Rebecca Beckenbach,
Detectives
Police Inspector (P.I.) O'Neale:
Police Inspector
Officer Fisher:
P.I. O’Neale’s assisting officer
"Buzz Lips" Wickerson (Steve),
the trumpeter in the band
Riff and Raff:
Ring members in audience
Circus Players
– extra acrobats, dancers, clowns, jugglers, horses, etc.
Duration: approx. 30 minutes
* for first time viewings of sheet music you will
automatically be prompted to upload the free
program SCORCH from
www.SibeliusMusic.com.
It's easy to use and flexible (i.e., you can transpose the
music, too).
Ordering "Circus Mystique"
See below to order the dual-formatted CD-ROM for "Circus
Mystique".
Dual-formatted
CD-Rom Teaching PackDual-formatted CD-ROM with printable
PDF file with scripts, song sheets, piano-vocal scores (with
guitar chords); audio tracks with all rehearsal / performance
and
vocal learning tracks
$42.50
(plus postage)
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