July 22 - 25 at 5:30 pm

South Side School  • 190 East Liberty Street • Reno, Nevada

Brundibár is a beautiful children's story extolling the virtues of courage, perseverance and collective action against tyranny.  Even the animal world rises up in outrage and rebellion against injustice, poverty and the suffering.  It is a tale of the power of music to make miracles happen.  It's the story of good defeating evil.  But its beauty is haunted for Brundibár comes from one of the darkest points in human history, when evil, at least for a time, was triumphant over good and millions died.

The Story

Aninka and Pepicek's mother is sick, so they go to the town square to buy her some milk.  Their father is dead and they have no money, but they notice that when the organ-grinder Brundibar plays his music, passers-by give him money. Aninka and Pepicek sing but nobody listens.  They try dancing to Brundibar's music, but the organ-grinder chases them away, loudly declaring his dislike for children and his pride in being a bully.

Night comes.  The children are frightened and stumped.  How can they overcome Brundibar and ear the money to buy milk?  A sparrow, and cat and a dog help work out a plan with Aninka and Pepicek.  The next morning, they enlist all of the village children in forming a large choir.  While the children sing, the animals attack Brundibar and together they drown out the organ-grinders music.  A crowd gathers and before long Pepicek's milk pail is full of coins.  Brundibar demands a cut of the children's income, but they chase him away.  Aninka and Pepicek buy their milk, and everyone celebrates the power of friends working together to overthrow tyrants.