Book and Lyrics by Michelle Elliott
Music and Lyrics by Danny Larsen
Directed and Choreographed by Stanley W. Mathis
Based on the book by Isabella Hatkoff, Craig Hatkoff
and Dr. Paula Kahumbu
With Photography by Peter Greste

A charming one-hour children’s show, Owen and Mzee The Musical teaches children that creatures can get along despite their differences. Based upon a true story, the musical by Michelle Elliott (book and lyrics) and Danny Larsen (music and lyrics) tells the story of Owen (Eric J Willingham), a baby hippo separated from his parents after a tsunami. When the frightened youngster is captured and brought to an animal sanctuary, he is placed in an enclosure with Mzee (TJ Bolden), a 130-year-old surly, solitary tortoise. Mzee is gruff and makes it clear to the hippo that he’s an interloper.  However, the tortoise softens quickly when Owen helps him to repair his shell and later when Owen sings a whimsical song about how the tortoise actually resembles his mother from the back. Eventually Owen realizes that he can’t escape over, under or through the wall to find his parents.  So he becomes reconciled to the idea that he will start a new life for himself. What’s really charming are little touches that adults will appreciate. When the two creatures sleep, Mzee in a chair and Owen on the ground, the young hippo keeps crawling over until he’s practically touching the tortoise. As the other ani …Read more