Disney's Mulan
Music and Lyrics by
Matthew Wilder and David Zippel, Stephen Schwartz, Jeanine Tesori and Alexa Junge
Music adapted and arranged and additional music and lyrics by Bryan Louiselle
Book adapted and additional lyrics by Patricia Cotter
Based on the 1998 Disney film 'Mulan' and the story 'Fa Mulan' by Robert D. San Souci
Mulan
This is an action-packed stage adaptation of Disney's hit animated musical. Travel back to the ancient days of China, and see the story of Mulan, the girl who, with her misfit friends, saves the Emperor from the Huns! Familiar songs from the movie include 'Reflection', 'I'll Make a Man Out of You', and 'Honor to Us All'.
Origins of Mulan
The story of Mulan has existed for over a thousand years in Chinese folklore. A ballad was written cherishing Hua Mulan as a young woman joing the all-male Chinese army. Whether the story is based on historical fact is difficult for scholars to ascertain now. The origins have long been lost to the mists of time, and in fact the original poem no longer exists, but the story of a woman challenging the traditions of the Chinese army has resonated through the centuries. Hua Mulan has carried the torch for women's equality though some pretty dark times. At once forward thinking and repressive, the battle for the equality of women in China continues today, and soldiers like Mulan continue to lead the battle.
Theatrical Adaptation
Using the same style of performance as Chinese opera and many other traditional forms of Chinese theatre, costumes and props took precedence over sets. Ribbons of cloth become a peaceful mountain pass and then were transformed into a deadly avalanche. Ritual martial arts moves were used to highlight the training regimen of the misfit army as they were molded into a fighting force. The young people were spectacularly costumed in ritual Chinese costumes. The ancestral dragon; Mushu, whose job was to look after Mulan wore an extravagant dragon wig that stretched out into a tail. As much as possible, Chinese ritual and pageantry was used in this stage adptation. A visual feast for the eyes.
In this theatrical adaptation of the Disney movie by the same name, sixteen year old Mulan is being prepared by the local match maker for marriage. But our young heroine possesses none of the womanly traits demanded of woman at the time. Where demureness is demanded she is brash. Where grace is required our girl is clumsy. Her father despairs of getting her married off.
When war with the huns threatens China's existence, Mulan's father offers his services as a soldier. While he is not fit for duty, his daughter steals away in the night, with his armour and disguises herself as a boy in order to help serve China in the war.
Mulan joins the army and they are led by Captain Shang. Shang's unenviable task is to turn his band of misfit villagers into fighting men and Mulan learns well.
Mulan helps the Chinese overcome the huns by using her brains to create an avalanche to bury the Hun army. After saving China, Mulan and Captain Shang end up falling in love.
With a strong script, passion and pageantry, and some great songs this production certainly reflects Disney values about being an enjoyable experience for the whole family.
Disney's Mulan Junior is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.
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Phone: 212-541-4684 Fax: 212-397-4684 www.MTIShows.com
