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Students bring a legend to life
  
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Glendale Adventist Academy pupils are putting on a stage production of Chinese legend ‘Mulan.’
By Angela Hokanson
The legend of the Chinese folk heroine Mulan is hundreds of years old. But the students at Glendale Adventist Academy have found ideals that are relevant to the modern world in the ancient story.
The school’s drama department is putting on a play this week called “Disney’s Mulan Jr.” — a stage adaptation of the Disney movie “Mulan” — as its spring musical.
The show, which was especially designed for students in middle and high school, follows a similar plot line to the Disney movie, but incorporates some new songs and fresh dialogue.
The theatrical adaptation is about a teenage girl in China who decides to disguise herself as a man and fight against the invading army of the Huns, rather than let her weak father fight for their family.
Her real identity is discovered, but she also hatches a clever plan that saves the day, proving her worth.
Mulan, who is willing to sacrifice convention and be herself, is a good role model for contemporary girls, said 18-year-old Kaitlyn Fajilan, who plays the show’s title character.
“She challenges the status quo,” Fajilan said.
The play is about fighting against one’s supposed destiny and the notion that fate is pre-ordained, she said.
“She’s challenging stereotypes,” she said.
Mulan is initially regarded as the black sheep of the family because she is a tomboy and doesn’t act like a traditional Chinese girl, said Czarina Francisco, 17, who plays Mulan’s mother in the production.
“It’s basically about coming into your own,” Czarina said.
The core messages of Mulan’s story — to follow one’s dreams, to stand up for what one believes in — are strong, positive ones for children and families, said Matthew Payne, the Glendale Adventist Academy teacher who is directing the show.
The performance is part of a drama class for high school students at Glendale Adventist Academy, which is a kindergarten-through-12th-grade Christian preparatory school, but the show also includes students from the school’s elementary school and junior high school.
At 5, Jasmine Cho is the youngest performer, with a role as “Crikee,” a lucky cricket given to Mulan.
“It’s a neat way to bring the whole school together,” Payne said.
The show also presents an opportunity for individuals who enjoyed “Mulan” the movie to see it again, in a different way.
“This is just a version of ‘Mulan’ live on stage,” Payne said.
The version the school is staging uses prerecorded orchestra music compiled by New York-based dramatic licensing agency Music Theatre International.
The school’s drama department is putting on a play this week called “Disney’s Mulan Jr.” — a stage adaptation of the Disney movie “Mulan” — as its spring musical.
The show, which was especially designed for students in middle and high school, follows a similar plot line to the Disney movie, but incorporates some new songs and fresh dialogue.
The theatrical adaptation is about a teenage girl in China who decides to disguise herself as a man and fight against the invading army of the Huns, rather than let her weak father fight for their family.
Her real identity is discovered, but she also hatches a clever plan that saves the day, proving her worth.
Mulan, who is willing to sacrifice convention and be herself, is a good role model for contemporary girls, said 18-year-old Kaitlyn Fajilan, who plays the show’s title character.
“She challenges the status quo,” Fajilan said.
The play is about fighting against one’s supposed destiny and the notion that fate is pre-ordained, she said.
“She’s challenging stereotypes,” she said.
Mulan is initially regarded as the black sheep of the family because she is a tomboy and doesn’t act like a traditional Chinese girl, said Czarina Francisco, 17, who plays Mulan’s mother in the production.
“It’s basically about coming into your own,” Czarina said.
The core messages of Mulan’s story — to follow one’s dreams, to stand up for what one believes in — are strong, positive ones for children and families, said Matthew Payne, the Glendale Adventist Academy teacher who is directing the show.
The performance is part of a drama class for high school students at Glendale Adventist Academy, which is a kindergarten-through-12th-grade Christian preparatory school, but the show also includes students from the school’s elementary school and junior high school.
At 5, Jasmine Cho is the youngest performer, with a role as “Crikee,” a lucky cricket given to Mulan.
“It’s a neat way to bring the whole school together,” Payne said.
The show also presents an opportunity for individuals who enjoyed “Mulan” the movie to see it again, in a different way.
“This is just a version of ‘Mulan’ live on stage,” Payne said.
The version the school is staging uses prerecorded orchestra music compiled by New York-based dramatic licensing agency Music Theatre International.
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