More Background on the Story
What could be better than a story with a prince and princess in love, gold-spangled costumes, smoke-breathing dragon, and a heroic rescue? Now in its 37th year, Mount Madonna School’s dazzling show is the longest running western production of this timeless Indian epic, and an event for the whole family!
Enduring 2600 years as one of the world’s most widely-read classics, Ramayana [pronounced ra-MY-a-na] tells the story of Prince Ram, who, banished from his kingdom, leaves with his true love Sita and brother Lakshman to find a new home. The trio makes its way deep into the forest, encountering an array of magical characters, including: tribal folk and gentle forest animals, giants and wizards, heroic monkeys and bears, an enchanted golden deer and a wild, smoke-breathing dragon!
Mount Madonna School’s production, a local tradition since 1978, features a cast of nearly 200 student performers, from preschool through high school, accompanied by a choir and adult musicians. It is a story of love, adventure, separation and an eventual joyous reunion, in an ancient allegory of the battle of good and evil. The show is filled with exciting action, spectacular costuming, family humor and original, live music.
As the story unfolds, relevant, profound and subtle themes emerge—not only the power of goodness and the determination of love, but also the need for compassion to all beings.
A rich performing arts tradition and integrated arts curriculum make MMS performances outstanding. Put aside any stereotypes of what “school play” might bring to mind—think professional quality, phenomenal, authentic costumes, staging, musical talents and dramatic accomplishment. These kids work hard—and it shows!
Bringing Ramayana to life each year is a labor of love for the crew as well, with hundreds of faculty, staff, parents and volunteers contributing in myriad ways. This is testament to the strong volunteer spirit and community-building efforts espoused by Mount Madonna School.
- Read more: Silicon India magazine’s preview of the production.