Knightly Dreams

Music By Ann Kapp Andersen; Book and lyrics by Tamara Hann

Copyright 2007: All rights reserved (updated Oct 17, 2007)

History: What is now the children’s musical "Knightly Dreams" made its debut in 1991, performed under the name "The Daze and Knights of King Arthur". The show was originally written for the Fairbanks (AK) Children’s Choir and was conducted by Dr. Suzanne Summerville of the University of Alaska Fairbanks music department faculty. A few years later, and with a name change to more clearly reflect the plot of the show, the title was changed to "Knightly Dreams" and was performed by the Fairbanks Drama Association and Children’s Theatre. In the spring of 2002 it was performed at SHAPE Belgium, the NATO military post at Mons, Belgium, where the cast members were from many nations.

Plot:  The plot of "Knightly Dreams" revolves around three young boys whose dream is to become Knights of King Arthur’s Round Table. The action traces their journey as they follow the real knights to Camelot, encountering along the way some witches anxious to turn them into frogs, a bark-but-no-bite dragon, and other bloodthirsty (?) denizens of the Forest of Fearsome Frenzy. Along their way, they offer assistance to a wounded man and in thanks are given "magic" gifts. The finale of the show takes place at Camelot, where the boys actually meet King Arthur and join with the crowds in merriment "To Honor the King".

Cast Requirements:  One of the beauties of this fun show is that the cast size is quite flexible, depending on individual producers’ available forces. As mentioned above, the first performance (as "Days and Knights...") was done using all children and performing for an audience of adults and children. The second show in Fairbanks (by FDA) was performed by a cast of adults and children. And the show at SHAPE Belgium was also performed by a mixed cast; this even involved a little "gender bending", as we used women for some of the knights and a girl for one of the three "boys"! In every instance, the show has been a terrific audience pleaser; proving that the ages of the cast members don’t really matter much as long as the show is very performable and the cast performs professionally and cohesively. Our cast sizes, in the performances mentioned above, have been (in order) 60 children only; about 25 adults and 8 children; and the biggest, a mixed cast of 80. All of these have worked well, which has made the show doable whether you have 20 or 80 cast members. The music is mostly written in unison, although there are a few places where a second part is used, such as in the opening/closing number, "It’s a Beautiful Day".

More:  Other than the three lead characters ("boys"), the cast also includes women and girls as witches and "witchlets" (apprentice witches), a fierce (but actually) wimpy dragon, several (supposedly maneating) forest creatures, townspeople, Knights of the Round Table, and King Arthur. The script is witty and very fun, using lots of puns, groaners and other wordplays; and the music, which is upbeat and not difficult to learn, utilizes such rhythms as soft-shoe, oompah waltz, march, and jazz. The show is accompanied by piano, string bass, and trapset.

Music from the play (In order of performance; Voices represented by piano)

Click on music link to play MP3 music file.

It's A Beautiful Day/Sunshine and Flowers

This two-part piece opens the show and is sung by the townspeople of ____________shire, the first group singing "It's a Beautiful Day", then the other group singing "Sunshine and Flowers"; after which the two songs are sung together.  The dialogue just before the two songs combine introduces us to the mayor and "townies" as well as Clarence, Timothy and Kendall, three orphan boys with aspirations to become Knights of the Round Table in King Arthur's court at Camelot.

After the townies drive the boys out of the village because they are poor and ragged, the boys commiserate and pantomime swordfighting with each other, as they sing this song about how they could do the same courageous deeds as the real Knights of the Round Table if they were only given a chance.

This is a FUN number which takes place when the Knights pass through the village on their way to Camelot.  The Knights each introduce themselves via a rap, after which the villagers invite them to stay overnight for dinner and lodging.  The "Knights' Rap" is performed to a heavy rock beat on the trapset, and it usually steals the show.

The boys want advice from the Knights about how the Knights became Knights of the Round Table. Sir Cumstance counsels the boys, joined after each verse by the other Knights and villagers.

The boys, who decide to follow the Knights to Camelot, encounter a man who has been wounded and thrown off his horse. Using their Boy Scout training, they quickly go to work in reviving the man; and when he hears they are on their way to Camelot to become knights (and that they were the only ones who stopped to help him), the man presents them with some special gifts of gratitude. As the man sings this song, Kendall receives a magic "cloak of kindness", Timothy a magic "thinking cap" and Clarence a magic sash to give him courage.

The boys then enter the Forest of Fearsome Frenzy, where they encounter several "ferocious wild beasts". Or.....maybe NOT such "ferocious wild beasts". The beasts enter singing about their fear of the Dragon, and they begin dancing a hoedown when who should show up, but....the Dragon himself!

Since he has to impress everyone with his fierceness, the Dragon sashays around the stage roaring his loudest and singing about various animals and "gnarly young boys" he would like to have for dinner tonight.

Again using their Boy Scout training, the boys manage to capture the Dragon, after which the Dragon demonstrates through this song what a WHIMP he really is __ that what he really hungers for is faithful friends, which he needs as much as anyone else does.

Next, the boys venture into the Witches' Woebegone Woods and come upon a coven of witches who are teaching their apprentices how to cast spells. Seeing the three boys, the witches are determined to turn them into frogs; but with a little quick thinking and some reverse psychology, the boys are able to escape the clutches of the witches and continue on their way to Camelot. In addition to a "ballet", the witches and "witchlets" perform their dialogue in rhythm.

In the meantime, the Knights have arrived at Camelot, and as they sing the praises of their good King Arthur, Sir Culation teaches the Knights a lesson in manners.

Everyone at the court in Camelot eagerly awaits a visit from their good King Arthur. The Knights sing a song of celebration, joined by the villagers.

The lively tunes that began the show also end it. Do Kendall, Timothy and Kendall manage to accomplish their lofty goal of becoming real Knights of the Round Table? Do their "magic" cloak, cap and sash really work magic to help them in their struggle? You'll have to see the show to find out!

Performance:  

Contact Information:

Ann Kapp Andersen

8987 Bob Smith Road

Lava Hot Springs, Idaho  83246

email:  akatunesmith@yahoo.com

Home phone: (208) 286-4804

Cell phone (208) 317-9434

copyright 2007