Musical set in OperaToon a bucolic harmonious town where music brings people together. Cast: 1.Bel Canto - A tech savvy, Social Network Entrepreneur, erudite, over the top personality, Big Red Bird who Tweets the latest news and gossip. 2.Giacomo - The Songwriter and Composer who the other pups rely on his expert opinion. Giacomo is direct and honest. 3. Mimi - a compassionate, caring female pup who helps and nurtures and “takes care” of the gang. 4. M.B. Fly - The Diva! M.B. or Madama Butterfly is an ball of energy and attitude and wants to be a Pop Star on American Dog. 5. DaVinci - (little Leo) a shy brooding, emotional painter, inventor and loves Lisa who he moans about constantly. ( Lisa- DaVinci’s love interest) 6. Norma - Reporter from the OperaToon Times who has empathy and great insight. 7. Marcello - charming and talented pup who loves country music and wants to perform at the Grand Ole Opry; calls himself an Italian Cowboy 8. Tamino - a way cool handsome pup who loves Rock Music! Tamino wants to keep his Rock Band a secret for fear no one will like his music or him. 9. The Mayor- a grand, expressive, caring man who is supportive of the towns revitalization through the puppies new found fame. Chorus ( all the rest of the Puppies of Puccini’s Dog Pound)
Act One Intro Music
Scene 1
Exterior: Daytime, Town of Operatoon Bel Canto (Bel Canto perching on stage from various vantage points relating to audience) reads from his book as if to himself... “Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to theimagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything.” Plato Bel Canto Buon Giorno! Buon Giorno! Buon Giorno!!!!!! I am Bel Canto Tweeting “Live” from OperaToon!!! Ahhhhhhhh OperaToon.....(opening his arms) Do you know where OperaToon is????? It is as far as your mind can wander and as vivid as you can imagine! In OperToon we live in melody and harmony. We meet each other in our music, like lyric to song. Presto, Adagio, Allegro..... They all get along. We once had a thriving Opera House, but our town fell on hard times. Now it is only a shadow of its former self not having a show for years. But in OperaToon, Music brings us together in good times and in bad. We have BIG HOPES! We have BIG DREAMS! You can hear them like songs in the wind. “ OperaToon Theme” Song ( Bel Canto and group/chorus)
Bel CantoSo come ALL! You’re Invited! You’re Invited! YOU ARE ALL INVITED to OperaToon! And when you use your imagination and believe.... Wa-La! You are HERE! “You’re Invited” Song ( group/Female lead)
Scene 2
Interior: Puccini’s Dog Pound in the town of Operatoon Morning Dogs stretch languidly, slowly, doing typical dog scratching Bel Canto- (from new perch) Now let me show you around and introduce you to some of my very special friends.Tweet! Tweet! Hashtag at The Puppies of Puccini Dog Pound over by Harmony Hill District. Here live some of the world’s most adorable pups! They are all homeless. They await the day a family can rescue them. We call them The Puppies of Puccini because they sing Opera to hopefully escape their ultimate fate. Their heartbreaking cries echo into the night. Their lament crescendos as hope takes flight. “Hard Pound Life” Song ( all pups/chorus) 2 versions plus chant) Giacomo- (screaming) DA VINCI! DA VINCI! Leonardo DA VINCI!!!!!!!! DaVinciOh Sole Mia! what??????
GiacomoSTOP DRAWING LISA!!! Come listen to the new songs I wrote for us. DaVinciWhat good is music? I’m doomed! My love is gone! I am a puppy without a PAW t NER!!! GiacomoOh for crying out loud, DaVinci...Get yourself together!!! Lisa got rescued. You did the right thing for her. Bene!!! True love means letting go sometimes. I’m sure she is happy. She has a home and a family who loves her. DaVinciWe are family too, but I had to pretend ( loud crying, weeping) Oh Mamma Mia what I had to pretend................ GiacomoSTOP Pazza! Stop MOANING over LISA. or we name her Mona Lisa! Da Vinci – I think it has a ring to it. GiacomoLeonardo DaVinci of Puccini’s you were born to discover, to paint, to invent! You are smart and creative. Don’t let your emotions get in the way. You have a great future ahead of you. I can just see it....... “Go Leo Go” Song ( Giacomo, DaVinci, group back ups and chorus)
Enter Mimi: cleaning up, placing food bowls, laying blankets down. MimiHey guys, what’s going on?? GiacomoSie Bella Mi Amore! MimiUgh!!!! What’s up with Da Vinci? Is he ok? Giacomomenza! menza! He will get over it. Don’t worry, Bellisimo . Mimi- (ignoring Giacomo’s sweet talk) rushes over to hug and comfort Da Vinci as he is ranting, raving and weeping.....There, There, now. You did a wonderful thing! A selfless act of love. I am sure Lisa knows you truly love her and your memories will live on. She is probably thinking of you right now. DaVinciHow do you know these things, Mimi? MimiI AM A GIRL!! GIRLS KNOW!!! TRUST ME!!!!! DavinciI just will never forget her face. She turned back and looked at me and gave me that SMILE. Oh that SMILE. It haunts me! “Any Other Smile” Song ( Would you leave loving me) ( Da Vinci / Lisa from her home) split screen/stage
Scene 3
Interior: Puppy Pound junk yard/ playground Later that Same Day Bel Canto ( perched on a garbage can) Tweet! Tweet! Tweet!....Tamino has a Band! Tamino has a Rock Band!!!! TaminoSHHHHHHHHHH! No one knows, yet! Bel CantoMe gossip???? My beak is sealed! TaminoSeriously, man...keep it to yourself...this aint no Rock Town. Bel CantoWho cares? Let’s ROCK OUT!!!! TaminoHa! Ha! My biggest fantasy “Rock Dog” Song/ Tamino group chorus MarcelloRock On, Tamino! After your Rock Opera, I will follow with my Grande Ole Opry M.B. FlyAn Italian Cowboy???? Mamma Mia!
MarcelloOh Madama Butterfly we are the best kind! You heard of spaghetti westerns?!!!! Nashville Here I come!!!!!!! Opry Cowboy Song ( Marcello) group clapping etc. GroupYo! Fly Girl!!!! Wow we love your outfit!!!! M.B. Fly Hey fans!!! M. B. Hey G did you finish my pop song?? Giacomoyes, and I’m lovin it! I hope you like it. You have to feel it. M.B. FlyG, I feel you, I’m livin it and lovin it!!! Ha! Ha! Ha!! American Dog Show I’m Ruff n READY, Paw par azzi !!!! ( paparazzi) Whoo Hoo!!! “Live Laugh Love” ( M.B. Fly) cast dancing
Scene 4
Interior: Puppies of Puccini Meeting Room/ Meeting led by Giacomo that evening Bel CantoTweeting live from a BIG meeting at The Puppies of Puccini Dog Pound todiscuss PAW ticulars on their plans to escape their fate. GiacomoPronto! Stop yapping at once! Everyone will be heard. We have to focus and find opportunity because it is not finding us! (Mimi and M.B. Fly pop up and sing and dance and strut while belting out The OperaTuney Song to a standing ovation and whistles) GiacomoOkay...Okay I love the energy; let’s use it to write our business plan... M.B. What’s a business plan?? MarcelloOur goals, our projections....how we get from here to there. GiacomoOur Mission!!! Let us express our mission! “Puppies of Puccini” ( We’re the Pups in the neighborhood)
Bel Canto- (chatting to himself) perch above the action I love my new iPhone...oooooh this looks good!!!! Puppies are off to sleep....murmuring soft sweet good nights to each other Night G Night T Night M & M Night M. B. Night Night ....sleep tight DaVincilook at the beautiful stars....let’s all pick one and wish with all our hearts “Bella Stellina” (Group) sung like a hopeful prayer Bel Canto perched (in the Pound Main Office on the computer) HELLO YOUTUBE!!!!!!!!!!!
Intermission
Act Two Scene 1
Interior: Dog pound the next morning NormaHellooooo.......Yoo Hoo!!!! to a group of half awake pups Pup Group- (noise and confusion in the background) Hi....and you are..... Norma: oh I’m so sorry, I’m Norma a reporter from the OperaToon Times NewsPaper......here to get lots of photos and do your front page story for the Times. Mimiare we dreaming??? Da VinciWhat on earth? M. B. – Look at the line...ALL the way around the block...WOW!!! NormaThat’s what happens when you are the most talked about video on Youtube! You guys are awesome! Fantastic! okay, now pose for your pics 1-2-3 Hold it!
Tamino- (peering at computer) We went VIRAL!!!! one million followers!!!! Look.... GiacomoGang settle down, Look Norma, if you do a story on us, please tell our whole journey....What do you see? Look at these faces.... What do you see in our eyes????? “Love’s Eclipse” Song (Norma) GiacomoNorma, we are honored to be interviewed by you .....But how...???? BEL CANTO
Scene 2
Interior: Later that same day in the Dog Pound Screams and Chanting heard from outside.... PUPPIES of PUCCINI!!!! WE LOVE YOU!!!!!! Mayor of OperaToon rushes in Hi Puppies.... Norma (taking pic of Mayor and Puppies) (Smile Hold it)... Mayorput that as my next election photo Mayor- (addressing the Puppies)
Puppies of Puccini well well done, my friends! You have not only saved our Opera House, you have saved all of OperaToon. All the while you were seeking rescue, it is you that rescued us. We tribute you and we thank you! In fact, I would like to present the Outstanding Citizens Achievement Award to all of you. You all have homes now, so you can finally say goodbye to the Pound and make your mark on the world. You can use your fame for positive change!!! “CHANGE THE WORLD” SONG ( full cast) M. B. fly...(plaintively) well here we go, I guess...... Tamino- (plaintively) yea, off to our big dreams MimiI am going to miss you all so much ( they all hold hands) Da VinciMayor, we draw strength from each other, why must we be apart? Lisa-( runs in) That’s my man! DaVinci- (embracing Lisa) Oh Glory of God!! LISA!!!!!!!!!! MayorApart? are you kidding me?
You are booked in the Opera House for the next 5 years starring in your own show: The Puppies of Puccini! You are going to be together night and day, writing rehearsing. We have to pay all those bills for our brand new Opera House!!! Tickets are selling online now. (mayor goes off to speak to reporters) Giacomowhat a difference a day makes! Right Bel Canto??? Bel CantoWell my educated opinion is you have only just begun.
Scene 3
Interior: Dog Pound (full of friends and visitors) PUPPY TARANTELLA SONG ( FINALE)
The End iRead2Know Musical Story Puppies of Puccini
OperaToon Theme Song Music/Lyrics by Nancy Hahn
Hear the wind As she sings her song Dancing all around In The OperaToon All who care… Music fills the air Sun solos bright In the OperaToon Prsto, allegro, adagio, classical concerto, crescendo Maestro’s Moon Shines on harmony hill On Magic Flute nights In our OperaToon
Aria Street is the place to go After Mozart Mall Here in OperaToon Happy voices singing Every day… Making friends A chorus Joy to play Ah AHHHHHH OperaToon Ah Ah AH Ah AH ah AHHHHHHH OperaToon
You’re Invited Music/Lyrics by Nancy Hahn
It doesn’t matter what And everything will change you’re wearing now Everything will change Or the color of your hair It doesn’t matter if you’re rich or poor There’s sure to be some sunshine after No one really cares the rain You can be short or tall To chase the clouds away You can be large or small A rainbow will come as your new You can be anything friend Everything And bring a happy day Cuz you’re beautiful When caring is in your heart You’re invited There’s always a brand new start You’re invited You’re invited Love can change anything You’re beautiful Everything You’re beautiful I you open up the door to love You’re invited Everything is possible You’re invited Come on, open up your heart to love You’re invited Then come on in, let the party start You’re beautiful Let the love flow through your heart
Hard Pound Life Music/Lyrics by Nancy Hahn
We live in pounds of misery Our fame will escape our fate One ounce of hope will set us free And open up this gate Chorus: We live a Hard Pound Life My Friends! We live a Hard Pound Life! We keep our hopes up to the end... We bear with our daily strife We keep our hopes up till the end We live a Hard Pound Life! In OperaToon A land so fine Meets Operatune-ity We’ll take our bows And win the prize And seal our destiny Chorus
The weight of our predicament Can drive us all to drink ( dogs drinking water sound effect attached) Success is on the brink Chorus/variation We live a Hard Pound Life, My Friend Our measurement of grace We hold our heads up high with pride In everything we face! Freedom prevailing in lands afar As critics rave acclaim The ton of stars we wish upon Will light up with our names Chorus / flourish
Go Little Leo Music/Lyrics by Nancy Hahn
I was born to discover in Florence Italy Go Little Leo Go Flew my kite with wonder now look at me Go Little Leo Go I love to draw all day and dream the night away Thinking on how things were is how I run away Go Little Leo Go Go Little Leo Go I was born to discover as a little tyke Go Little Leo Go I wanted to move faster so I made a bike Go Little Leo Go I run around all day daVinci is my name Discover my destiny, learning more every day Go Little Leo Go Go Little Leo Go I met a cool girl named lisa and she smiled at me Go Little Leo Go We hung out at Medici’s where the cake was free Go Little Leo Go Michaelangelo painted the ceiling as Lisa watched she shouted out please paint me Go Little Leo Go Go Little Leo Go Go Little Leo Go
Any Other Smile Music/Lyrics by Nancy Hahn
If there were any other stars in the sky Any other words I could find If there were any other smile on your face Would you leave loving me.... If there were any other wings we could fly Any other way I could try Somewhere else in time we could be Would you leave loving me..... Bridge: We can travel on our journey.... and love’s what will remember; our one moment is eternal and will last forever..... if you knew all the tears that i cry...and the love that i have to deny... a heart i just could not decieve... could you leave..loving me?
Rock Dog
Music/Lyrics by Nancy Hahn
I’m a Rock Dog Gonna rock this song tonight I’m a Rock Dog Here in the spotlight Rockin’ and rollin’ That’s how it’s gonna be I’m a Rock Dog and the howlers It’s time to look at me Cuz I’m a Rock Dog Gonna rock this song tonight I’m a Rock Dog I’m just rollin’ with my band I’m a Rock Dog I know you understand They tell me I got talent So I had to let it show Merry Jane... love you Taught me everything I know I’m a rock dog Gonna rock this song tonight Rock dog I’m a Rock Dog Down through history
I’m a Rock Dog Music comes from ME! Rhythm Blues and Country Folk, Pop and all that Jazz Psychedelic, Glam Heavy Metal, Grunge and Rap I’m a Rock Dog Gonna Rock This Song Tonight I’m a Rock Dog Gonna Rock This Song Tonight Rock it Rock it tonight I’m a Rock Dog Rock’N Roll Hall of Fame I’m a Rock Dog Chuck Berry knows MY name! Reeling and a Rocking For a century Rock Dog and the Howlers Legendary! I’m a Rock Dog Going to Rock this song tonight
Opry Cowboy Music/Lyrics by Nancy Hahn
I’m an Opry Cowboy In a Nashville Band I’ll sing a grand ole opry The way they understand I have a lotta country In my Opera heart If I knew ole Willie He’d give me my big start My banjo is all packed With my cowboy hat Country! Give me the big stage I’ll be the big rage Country! I’ll keep our name alive Together we will thrive You will always be the best part of me Puccini Country! Yee Haw!
Live, laugh, Love Music/Lyrics by Nancy Hahn
Welcome to my world It’s spinning before me The stars in my eyes Once told our story The show is starting now You’re standing before me They say I’m a fly girl But they don’t know me My Love, My hope, My Dream, Can’t cope They say it’s It all worth fighting for But I’m losing all myself just for a chance to be next to you So I cry a little harder Laugh a little louder Dance a little longer OF LOVE, OF DREAMS, OF WHAT WE COULD BE Live, Love, Live, Laugh, Love Live, Love Live, Laugh, Love
So Now that I’ve Got you here It’s time for us to shine I won’t wait around Cuz babe we’re running outta time The Show is starting now You’re standing before me They say I’m a fly girl But they don’t know me MY LOVE, MY HOPE, MY DREAM.... CAN’T COPE They say its It all worth fighting for But im losing all myself just for a chance to be next to you SO I CRY A LITTLE HARDER LAUGH A LITTLE LOUDER DANCE A LITTLE LONGER OF LOVE, OF DREAMS, OF WHAT WE COULD BE Live, Love, Live, Laugh, Love Live, Love Live, Laugh, Love
Opera Tuney Music/Lyrics by Nancy Hahn
Here we go now.... We’re the OperaTuneys Livin’ the dream in OperaToons! Here we go now We’re the OperaTuneys Given’ you the “AttaWith the Tude”!! We never met a note That we didn’t wanna a sing Opera, Pop, Hip-Hops’ Our thing, we rock All day in the neighborhood Makin music Oh so good!!! Repeat
Pups in the Neighborhood (Rap) Music/Lyrics by Nancy Hahn
We’re the pups In the neighborhood We’re quite a sight to see In the dog pound we must be good So one day We’ll be free Who’ll compose our Music Score? Not Verde or Bellini We will sing forever more We’re the Puppies of Puccini Give us Madame Butterfly, Tosca, La Boheme We will sing with puppy pride… And master all of them! And as we bow for our encore.
Move over Cherubini… We will sing forever more We’re the Puppies of Puccini!!! At the Met we’ll sign PAW-tographs With Domingo’s un-used pen The Three Tenors were very good But we truly out did them O mio babbino caro from Gianni Schicchi Nessun Dorma from Turandot Sing the Puppies of Puccini!!! Verismo Puccini Bravo! Barko! Bravo! Barko Giacomo Puccini!!!
Puppies of Puccini (Opera) Music/Lyrics by Nancy Hahn
We’re the pups In the neighborhood We’re quite a sight to see In the dog pound we must be good So one day We’ll be free Who’ll compose our Music Score? Not Verde or Bellini We will sing forever more We’re the Puppies of Puccini Give us Madame Butterfly, Tosca, La Boheme We will sing with puppy pride… And master all of them! And as we bow for our encore.
Move over Cherubini… We will sing forever more We’re the Puppies of Puccini!!! At the Met we’ll sign PAW-tographs With Domingo’s un-used pen The Three Tenors were very good But we truly out did them O mio babbino caro from Gianni Schicchi Nessun Dorma from Turandot Sing the Puppies of Puccini!!! Verismo Puccini Bravo! Barko! Bravo! Barko Giacomo Puccini!!!
Bella Stellina Music/Lyrics by Nancy Hahn
Bella Bella Bella Stellina Shines so bright Bella Bella Bella Stellina Magic Flute Night Look at the sky Wondrous! Glorious! You are the star I wish upon....
Love’s Eclipse Music/Lyrics by Nancy Hahn
In your eyes I see hope of all I can be In your eyes I see dreams and what they can mean
In your eyes I see pools of melancholy A window in time An eternity...
Like stars that pass before us Like shadows in the night We hold our secrets close to us Forever...wrong or right
In all of heaven’s wonder And all the deeds of men I look at you and ponder A mystery without end In your eyes In your eyes In your eyes
In your eyes I see faith And what it can bring Reflections of love Eclipse memories Bridge: When Sun, Earth, and Moon collide Our souls become entwined The stars are now aligned....
I see love!!!!
Change The World Music/Lyrics by Nancy Hahn
If I could change the world By doing one kind thing I’d do it every day To see the smiles that it would bring If I could help someone Through a lost and lonely time Helping someone’s heart Would be really helping mine Change the world You can do it I can do it We can do it One smile one love We’ll try just gettin’ through it We can change the world If you could change the world By doing one small thing Like one candle giving light One person can make your heart sing One word can end a fight One look can make it right One hand can give you hope Each and every night Change the world You can do it
I can do it We can do it One smile one love We’ll try just gettin’ through it We can change the world Show someone you care By just being there After all we do and say We can change the world Show someone you care By just being there After all we do and say We can change the world Change the world We can do it part by part Change the world Feeling it in every heart After all we do and say We can change the world Change the world We can do it part by part Change the world Feeling it in every heart After all we do and say We can change the world
Puppies of Puccini Tarantella Music/Lyrics by Nancy Hahn
We’re the Puppies of Puccini And our show for you is done Give us Verdi Or Bellini We’ve only just begun And we want you to know Since you came to our show That Opera will live on! No matter what you will do You will take it with you The Opera is in YOU!!