Premiering on Stage:
May 30-June 15, 2014
Spotlight Youth Theatre
Glendale, Arizona
Album Now Available:
nimbitmusic.com/theflyingtrunk
Book & Lyrics
Bobby Sample
Music
Josh Hontz
Bobby Sample
Connor Sample
Katie Sample
Based on the Story by
Hans Christian Andersen
What's the story about?
About the show's creators
Join us on Facebook
info@flyingtrunk.net
September 29, 2013
Time to start a FAQ thread to cover some questions I've heard more than once:
Q. What's The Flying Trunk about?
A. We've got a summary of our story linked to this page. Here's another one we printed in the CD lyrics booklet: The Maestro tells the tale of the prodigal Hatch Shonin, who inherits a magical flying trunk that always seems to know where its owner wants to go. It takes Hatch to a faroff country, where he joins a performing troupe and meets the love of his life, Princess Meliha. Mel's power mad aunt, Lady Hadia, and threats of revolution rise in their path. In the tradition of the Hans Christian Andersen version (as well as Arabian Nights), the tale unfolds in layers of stories told within stories, mixing fairy tales between East and West.
Q. Does it follow the Hans Christian Andersen story?
A. Yes, but with plenty of changes and fleshing out. As with "The Little Mermaid" and other such tales, adaptation is a good idea -- a durable fairy tale should flex for new ideas. You can find the HCA version online easily enough. We add a wraparound story in which a theater troupe tells the tale. We give the characters names, personalities, and family histories, and place the hero's origin in the American Old West. The hero travels to a tiny mythical country, instead of Turkey specifically. He wins over the royal family with a Western parody of Arabian Nights, in place of the story-within-a-story that comprises a large part of the HCA original. He also encounters more dangers and personal challenges along the way.
Q. Are the singers on the CD going to be in the musical at Spotlight?
A. No, none of the same singers will be in the debut production. The show will be auditioned in spring! We are very grateful for the talented performers (all of them in college) who joined us for this project, as they help lead the way for the actors who will work for eight or more weeks to perfect their own creations of these characters.
Q. Has the album got all of the show's music?
A. The album includes all of the complete musical numbers in the show, aside from a few instrumentals and brief pieces that aren't attached to the major songs. So there is more music in the show, but no distinct songs from the show are missing from this album.
Q. Where can I get the physical CD instead of the online version?
A. Our official "release" is online for the moment: on Nimbit, on our Facebook store, and in a few days, on iTunes. We also have CDs complete with a booklet of song lyrics, to be sold at Spotlight Youth Theatre with funds benefiting SYT. This depends on when the concession counter is open for a show, such as the opening of "All Shook Up" October 25.
Bobby