THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOTHES
This musical satire, with political jabs at the "Pillars of Power", is set in a mythical European kingdom, Burgania, ruled by a giddy Emperor whose evil Prime Minister has convinced him that the most important thing in the world is looking stylish in "New Clothes".  This of course means higher taxes, half of which go into the Prime Minister's pocket.  A ne'er-do-well peddler, Stephano, who is a bit of a "con-man", comes to town and sees a way to "make mischief".  Aided by his young friend, Niccolo, he tells the Emperor that he can make magnifient clothes that are invisable to the "un-worthy and dishonest".  The Emperor's feisty daughter, Princess Esmeralda, immediately sees through the scheme, but decides to use the deception to expose the evil Prime Minister.  Will the foolish Emperor parade through the town in his underwear?  Will Stephano give up the money he's been paid to make "no clothes at all"?  Will the crafty Prime Minister say he sees the clothes, only to "flip-flop" when he learns there are no clothes there?  Will Esmeralda persuade Stephano to give-up his trouble-making ways and settle down?  Sprightly songs and comic situations will tell the tale.  In a cast of five (four male, one female) and two locations, the historical period of the sets and costumes are at the discretion of the producer and/or designer.  The songs include "I'm Stephano", "Magic Clothes",  "Checkers", "I do!  I Do!", "Un-Suitable" and "Hail To The Emperor" (which Stephano teaches to the audience to drown out the Prime Minister).