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 copyright 2002 Michael Jacobsen and Danielle Sinclair |
The
Boy Who Cried Wolf Score: Vocal/Piano
Accompaniment, 133 pp.
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Roles: (B=boy, G=girl, E=either) Score also calls for a regular chorus of villagers and a small chorus of sheep. |
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Small
(few lines) |
Medium
(several solo lines and ensembles) |
Large
(solos and ensembles) |
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Synopsis of the Plot Scene One--Outside of the Local Shepherd's Guild Hall A local Shepherd's Guild in a small shepherding village has
just held its annual test for new shepherds. Two young shepherd hopefuls have
just completed the test, with one, Tomas, succeeding, and the other, his best
friend Hugo, unfortunately failing. As the curtain rises, we see a joyful scene
in which all of the local shepherds and townspeople celebrate Tomas' success and
proclaim him a member of the Guild. As the crowd leaves to enter the Guild Hall,
Scene Two--A Sheep Pasture
Scene Three--A Sheep Pasture (and field nearby)
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See YouTube Clips from Our Westminster Youth Opera Workshop Production Would you like to see a perusal score or performance of this
opera on video? Our Other Operas... |
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Tomas stays behind, delighted at the arrival of his close friend Mila, who also
happens to be Hugo's sister. Just then Hugo also arrives, accompanied by his dog
Lazlo. He is furious at his test failure which he blames on Tomas, who he claims
distracted him. A heated argument ensues as the two--now former--best friends
exchange insults. They are interrupted by Mila who passionately reminds them
that true friends would never hurt each other as they "seem intent to
do." (pictured left in our 2002 production) Hugo turns his back in a huff while Mila and Tomas enter the Guild
Hall to join the celebration. Just then the local animal control agents the,
"Wolf Patrol," arrive. They practice their wolf catching drill as Hugo
and Lazlo, watch. As the Wolf Patrol leaves, Hugo scoffs at their supposed
foolishness and Lazlo chides him for his attitude by reminding him that the Wolf
Patrol is brave and comes running "at the mere mention of a wolf."
This sparks Hugo's imagination and he begins to devise a plan to get even with
Tomas. Lazlo tries in vain to dissuade Hugo from his plan but Hugo has his heart
set on revenge. Hugo and Lazlo leave as they see first Tomas and Mila, and then
the rest of the shepherds and villagers returning. Tomas promises Mila he will
be careful in his new job and she promises to come visit him in the field. The
scene closes as the celebration ends and everyone wishes Tomas well as he
departs with the shepherds to take his new post.
As the curtain rises, a flock of sheep appears.
(pictured, left in our 2002 production) They
reflect on their contented lives and anxiously await the arrival of their new
shepherd. The Head Shepherd brings Tomas in to take his place with his new
flock. Tomas is overjoyed at the prospects of his new job, and reflects on just
how good things would be for him, if only his dear friend Mila were there, and
if he weren't fighting with Hugo. He wishes that some things were "just as
before." As Tomas sits daydreaming, Hugo sneaks in to enact his evil plan.
Seeing that Tomas is distracted, Hugo creeps to the edge of the pasture and
cries wolf attract the attention of the Wolf Patrol in the distance. As they
come running, Hugo vanishes, leaving Tomas alone in the pasture when the Wolf
Patrol arrives. Seeing no one else there, the Wolf Patrol accuses Tomas of
issuing the call. Confused, Tomas does not know how to answer and the Wolf
Patrol leaves, giving Tomas a stern warning not to give a false cry for help
again or face disbarment from the guild. Tomas, still confused, sits brooding as
Mila enters with a basket of cookies, Tomas' favorite treat. To cheer him up,
she suggests they play a game of hide and seek as they used to when they were
younger. Tomas is reluctant but eventually gives in to her charm and thanks her
for coming to cheer him up. Mila leaves and Hugo sneaks in again, to give Tomas
a double dose of revenge. At his second cry of wolf, the Wolf Patrol comes
running again, this time with everyone in town following. They accuse Tomas of
making the false call again, but just as he is about to receive his disbarment,
Mila interrupts, sobbing that it was her brother Hugo and not Tomas who was to
blame. The crowd responds in anger and, as the scene ends, they resolve to catch
Hugo and lock him up while Mila pleads for leniency and Tomas tries in vain to
comfort her.
Hugo, accompanied by a reluctant Lazlo, is fleeing the
scene of the crime as the curtain rises. Lazlo again rebukes Hugo for his
dastardly act which he believes will land them in prison. Hugo responds only
with laughter. Back in the pasture, the angry mob is setting off in search of
Hugo when they are confronted by Mila and Tomas, who do not want to see Hugo
punished so severely. After some quick thinking, Tomas suggests that the best
way to get even with a joker is to play a joke on him. With Mila joining in they
turn the crowds' anger into laughter and all agree to adopt Tomas' plan. The
crowd leaves, and we find Tomas' flock in a very nervous state about the
impending fate of their new shepherd. Just then Hugo and Lazlo sneak in again,
Hugo unable to resist seeing what has become of poor Tomas. As they sit spying,
a wolf appears behind them. Hugo cries wolf again but this time there is no
response from the Wolf Patrol. Hugo and Lazlo run for their lives as the wolf
chases them through the pasture and finally captures them. As Hugo and Lazlo
fear for their lives, the shepherds and townspeople emerge, laughing at poor
Hugo's predicament. Just then the wolf lifts its costume head to reveal a very
amused shepherd underneath. Safe from harm, Hugo finally realizes the error of
his ways and begs forgiveness for his cruelty. Accepting his apology, and with
friendship restored, Tomas offers Hugo the position of his assistant until he
can pass the shepherd's test and receive his own flock. Hugo accepts and
everyone celebrates this amusing and happy ending.