To
Be An Eagle! is an original musical written
specifically for a cast of elementary schoolers by Juilliard-trained composer
Lita Grier
of Chicago, lyricist Jim
Hughes of Albuquerque, and bookwriter
Terra Ziporyn of Severna Park, MD. The musical--easily adapted for a cast
of 2nd-8th graders between 12 and 60-plus in size--is based on a traditional African folk tale about a baby
eagle who, cut off from any knowledge of who he is, is raised as a chicken and
fails miserably in his efforts to peck and preen. This version of the tale
involves not one, but five, baby eagles, all different, but all equally confused
about who they really are.
To Be An Eagle! can be performed in an hour and includes 14 original songs and musical numbers, all written in a range for elementary school voices. Highlights include African drumming, a chicken fashion show, and a barnyard hoedown.
