The Rematch of the Tortoise and the Hare
(As witnessed by the Ugly Duckling and others)

by William Stevens

Family musical for 5 actors and chamber music septet. 25 minutes. $ 6.50

Here it is--the answer for all of you who've seen Peter and the Wolf a dozen times and wonder what else is in the serious music repertory for young audiences. The Rematch of the Tortoise and the Hare combines the talents of five singing performers with a chamber music septet (two violins, viola, cello, flute, clarinet and percussion) to bring musical and dramatic enchantment to the children that flock with their families to weekend cultural events.

The story, a sort of Tortoise and the Hare: Part II, has vaguely familiar outlines but a host of fresh new details. (The flute doubles for a blow gun, for example; the Rabbit has a boom-box that plays Wagner, and borrows a violin case from one of the musicians while he's on the run. It's fast, it's funny, it's dramatic--and the music is terrific.