A one-act play with music for students in Grades 3 (Native American Studies) or 4 (California history), as well as for community opera companies. Children sing and dance the choruses, and play recorder and percussion instruments. The plot is based upon the California Coast Miwok Indians' creation myth. Coyote the Trickster reveals how he created the first people. The mysterious Bear in turn tells his view of the universe, how the planet was formed from a Western viewpoint. The play thus integrates comparative literature and science. The book and libretto are by Corinne Swall,the music by Monroe Kanouse.

• Production: Cast list, Instruments, Costumes, Props
• Sample script page, Coyote with music.
• Sample script page, Bear dialogue.
  Las Posadas

  Las Posadas was a celebration in California and in Mexico beginnning eight days before Christmas that recreatesd the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem. There are countless variations of this procession, remnants of which remain practiced in some communities today. The MLMT production is based upon archival research and materials collected by Corinne Swall, with musical arrangements and instrumentation by Monroe Kanouse. "Las Posadas" recreates the spirit and warmth of early Spanish and Mexican California when, as latest historical research proves, there was much inter-cultural contact. Thus the lyrics include songs both in the original Spanish and in English. "Las Posadas" is very flexible, and can be offered in small spaces to the largest auditoriums. For more information:

  • Production Requirements (cast, musicians, minimal staging needs
  • Spanish Language Poster sample
  • Reviews
    
    
    Cooyote and the Human People: An Opera for Youth

    This is a musical show based upon Coast Miwok and Pomo stories. About 45 minutes long, it adapts well to an assembly program or an early school night show. Production values can be as simple or complex as desired, and the show can work in a single classroom or on a stage. Piano accompanies the small cast of adults or older students.
    

    CD: Songs of the Gold Rush and Early Spanish California

    This collection includes 32 songs divided by the themes of parlour ballads, melodeon songs, and Spanish California songs from the early to mid-19th century. These were collected by Ms. Swall while teaching at the University of California-Berkeley, and used during MLMT's days as a traveling troupe. Monroe Kanouse, who arranged materials for the shows, accompanies and sings tenor on some numbers. CD contents and performers.

    Voices of Calafia

    In this musical theatre work by Kanouse and Swall, a shard of porcelain from the San Augustin, washed ashore and fashioned by the Miwok into an amulet, is passed from one culture to another as each seeks dominion over this golden land. A cast of five with acoustical piano, synthesizer, and pre-recorded tape perform before continuous projections that provide the stage settings and add their commentary to the drama. "Calafia is a handsome, well-thought out, highly appealing creation... Although portions are neo-romantic and neo-classic, and it is always melodic, it belongs to the minimalist genre. Fans of Philip Glass and John Adams will find much to like." --Robert Masullo, Sacramento Bee.