Learning through imagination-

Bringing live theater to you.

   Phone: 410 719-8603    Email: info@nmtheater.org

HOME

Tall Tales of the Wild West

The Adventures of the Opera Explorers

Leading Ladies: The Women of Maryland

The Old Man and the Bay

The 3 Little Pigs

Amahl and the Night Visitors

Minwa: Japanese Folktales

Told with zest and enthusiasm by Julie Kurzava, these favorite folk tales from Japan are loved by children in Japan and throughout the world. Tied together by two lovable characters (grandma and grandpa), they emphasize the rewards to kindness and compassion. Lots of participation, Japanese words, movement and song. Children love the puppets and the fun, and adults love the message.

In The Grateful Statues (Kasa Jizo), a poor couple share their simple possessions with supposedly unfeeling statues on a cold New Year's Eve, who reward them magical rice, so they never have to worry about hunger again.

In The Tongue-Cut Sparrow (Shitakiri Suzume), an old man saves an injured bird and ends up with a friend for life. Unfortunately, his wife is jealous and is cruel, hurting the bird. Again, the old man tries to help the bird and he's rewarded for his compassion. His wife, on the other hand, remains cruel and selfish until the birds teach her a lesson.

The last story is the most famous folktale in Japan, the story of Momotaro, the Peach Boy. As the miracle child of a elderly couple (he springs as an infant from a giant peach!), he becomes the bravest, strongest boy in Japan. Because of the guidance of his parents, he decides to right a terrible wrong: to go to Ogre Island and combat the monsters who have been hurting so many people. Momotaro makes friends along the way to help him (a dog, a monkey and a pheasant), and through their bravery and skill, the four friends are victorious! Plus, at the end, everyone agrees that Momotaro's parents deserve all of the Ogres' treasures, because they raised such a wonderful boy!

Home