12/04/2019

Since 2009, The Emperor's New Clothes The Musical, has been performed countless times by elementary to high school kids across the country. The music was composed and lyrics written by Bill Francoeur. Emperor Plumptoe, two weavers, the empress, a jester, and a throng of townsfolk sing and dance their way through this engaging musical featuring seven original songs. When the emperor is tricked into parading before his loyal subject's in his invisible suit, they break into the climactic song, “The Man in the Underpants.” By all accounts, the kids love performing this new take on the time honored fairy tale.

Many plays are based on the story, translated into 100 plus languages, by Hans Christian Anderson of Denmark. Nearly everyone knows the timeless story of the vain emperor who is clothing obsessed to the detriment of his kingdom. Two imposters convince the ruler that they have made him a beautiful suit of clothes like nothing he has ever owned. The magical cloth is invisible to the ignorant. Those who are not fit to serve can't see a thing. Well, you know the story.


After the emperor is paraded before his subjects in his fine new suit of clothes, he is ceremoniously placed upon a royal pedestal to be admired. In reality, he is wearing only his union suit. Soon, a kid spills the beans by pointing out that their unadorned leader “has no clothes.” He's standing there in his underwear! 

















Embarrassed to be exposed, wearing nothing but a bright red union suit, the emperor covers his face and turns away while enduring the song, “The Man in the Underpants.”





















Having quite enough of the laughter and ridicule, the chagrined emperor jumps down off his pedestal and attempts to run away. 




But he is quickly turned back and forced up on his perch as his subject's resume their “praise.” 



Noah, a 9th grader from Chandler, Arizona, does a great job in his role as the emperor.

Following is the video from their presentation...



In this second video, another boy plays Emperor Plumptoe in boxer shorts rather than the typical red union suit...


and in this last video, the little kids take their turn as an elementary student gives another performance as the Emperor...






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