The Nightingale
Receiving gifts everyday of the year sounds like a dream come true. But for the mighty Emperor, who can have anything he wants at the snap of his fingers, the dream turns into a nightmare. Bored with the constant barrage of “fru frus,” “doo daas,” and “gobbledy gook,” the Emperor seeks something else… the beautiful song of a simple gray bird, the nightingale. The bird’s song enchants everyone in the palace, until the arrival of a curious box with a picture of the nightingale inside.
The box sings as beautifully as the real nightingale and whenever the Emperor desires. Mesmerized, the Emperor and his faithful court jester watch the box all the time. One day the singing box fails to work. Devastated, the Emperor grows ill and can only be rescued from death by the song of the real nightingale.
Adapted from the Hans Christian Andersen story, The Nightingale is presented in a unique style. The puppeteer as storyteller, takes on the guise of several characters as well as bringing to life the large rod and shadow puppets. With original music and a Dr. Seuss inspired design, The Nightingale is truly enchanting.