Some
of the fairy tales we tell our children are as violent as any video
game. The original legend of The Pied Piper had a very "Grimm" ending.
In this version, the adorably comedic mice simply float away on the
river. Furthermore, the children of the town along with the piper
himself are lured back to Hamelin in the same way they were lured away-
by the power of music. The story opens as the townspeople sing about
their wonderful "Hamelin Town", but they are soon bemoaning the huge
number of mice. The mayor offers a generous reward for mouse removal,
but his deception is revealed in "If I were Mayor of London". The
mayor’s daughter is in love with the piper and together they sing of
how they will marry "By and By". Meanwhile, the mice are having a great
time in Hamelin- "Bein a Mouse is a Kick!". The piper’s Muse helps him
find a way to win the reward. All he has to do is "Listen for the
Song". After the piper has rid the town of mice ("We’re Free!") and
discovered the reward is a hoax, the Muse sends him a song that lures
the children into the mountains, except for Sophia, the crippled girl
who can’t keep up. "Sophia’s Song" describes the beautiful place the
piper’s song would lead them to. The townspeople are able by the power
of their "Children’s Song" to pull the children home again. And in a
surprise ending, the piper gets his prize anyway and also marries the
mayor’s daughter. There is one simple set and a variable cast size.
This musical is appropriate for young audiences, but will appeal to all
ages. While carrying the same messages about honesty and greed as the
original legend, this Pied Piper has a satisfying and a happier
ending.
