The show starts in a modern-day middle school, where young Gwen is inspired by the King Arthur legend and wants to learn more. As she researches the different stories and shares with her friends, she slowly draws their interest to the Arthurian world, too. When she and her classmates read different books, the stage transforms into the world of King Arthur, and the legend of King Arthur is told in flashbacks. Soon, Gwen and her fellow students begin to see parallels between the Arthurian legend and their own lives. Could the return of the age of Camelot be close at hand?

We asked so much from our talented group of young students! Emily and I feel this show is our most ambitious work yet. We started work on this in early December, and we decided to up the ante; we wrote a more complex score and employed more staging effects than usual. And by unfortunate coincidence, this happened to be the snowiest winter in years! So many days of school were canceled for inclement weather, meaning lost rehearsals. Students made up the time by rehearsing on weekends and during lunch and recess. Given all of these hindrances, it’s a minor miracle the kids pulled off such great performances, with rich, thoughtful characterizations.

Here are a dozen pictures from the production; click the image to enlarge.

The teacher drones “On and On and On.”

Gwen researches King Arthur as the scene transforms to medieval mimes

The villagers in medieval times

Merlin and the Lady of the Lake convince Lady Igraine she must give up the baby Arthur

Merlin watches the young Arthur retrieve the sword Excalibur

Lady Igraine, Lady of the Lake, and Merlin crown the new king

Gwen reads with Bernard, while the classmates look on

King Arthur explains “The Code of Chivalry” to his knights

“Have a Little Faith”–Marvin gets his magic back

Old and new worlds join; is Bernard the new king?

Bows

Swordplay posing between Arthur and Bernard, after the show

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