Water Puppets A Vietnamese Musical

Main Characters

Thach 60s male, Minhs father and leader of the renowned village puppet troupe.
A widower who lost his wife to cancer when his children were still very
young, Thach has had a hard life sustaining his passion for the water puppet
theatre while working to make enough money to sustain his family.
Minh 20s male, Thachs eldest son and Lans elder brother. boyish good looks,
Minh is known to be a filial son and a good brother even if he appears to
have little ambition or drive unlike his best friend Phuc.
Lan Early 20s female, Minhs sister. Studious and even slightly nerdy, Lan
Is good with computers and enjoys surfing the internet. She is insecure
about her appearance, and thus never expressed his feelings to PHUC who
she has had a crush on since young.
Phuc 20s male, most promising of Thachs disciples and the nephew of village
head Dung. Despite his tanned complexion, an athletic physique and roguish
good looks, Phucs passion is for the water puppet theatre and wants to be
the leader of a famous water puppet troupe, a dream that he works
tirelessly to achieve.
Mai Anh Early 20s female, Lans best friend from school. Pretty and a talented singer,
Mai Anh is fiercely independent and is never afraid to speak her mind.
Mdm Hoang 50s female, Mai Anhs mother & CEO of Hoang Long Corporation which is
company owned by her husband who is still its chairman. However, he cares
little for the business, choosing to live the the good life, leaving much of the
family decisions and business enterprise to his wife.
Dung 50s male, village head & Phucs father. Dungs eldest son is studying in
Australia, and eldest daughter married a Singaporean and moved there.
Phuc is his newphew. Dung wants to retire and migrate with his wife to join
his oldest son to Australia to enjoy he rest of his life.

Places & Locations

Tuong Lai A fictional Vietnamese village 15km southwest of Ho Chi Minh City located
next to a river delta with a population of approximately 1,000 primarily
engaged in rice farming and subsistence fishing, veg and arnimal farming.
The village temple stands underneath an ancient tree is where the water
puppetry performances are held.

ACT 1, SCENE 1
Tet (New Year)

Uncle Teu:
Chc Mng Nm Mi,
filled with love and joy
Vn s nh

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For you and for me

So? Uncle Tu says. Rush in. Have you a choice?

[Chc Mng Nm Mi performed by Villagers, puppeteers & Uncle Teu]

The people of Tuong Lai village gathered around the temple theatre built under the large tree at the
centre of the village to watch the traditional water puppet theatre performance in celebration of
Tet. With less hospitable weather, working in the rice fields has become tougher than ever and the
harvests are becoming worse by the day. They pray that the Gods would would bless them with an
especially bountiful harvest this year!

[Sung dialogue as part of song]

THACH, his son MINH and his best disciple PHUC are getting ready for the show along with the rest
of the puppeteers. The show begins with the traditional introductory speech of Uncle Teu whose
good humour cheers up the villagers. The camaraderie and bond within the troupe is strong. There
is a friendly rivalry between MINH and PHUC, but they work well as a team as they skillfully
manipuate the puppets.

[Firecrackers, Flag Raising & Fanfare + The Duck Catchers]

When curtain falls, the appreciative audience shower the performers with enthusiastic applause.
DUNG, the village head comes on stage to thank and congratulate the puppeteers. He also has a
special announcement: HOANG LONG CORPORATION has been given the approval by the
government to purchase land in the village to develop into a modern luxury residential and shopping
district. He asks the villagers to consider this carefully, stating that he was confident that the price
they are going to offer will be a generous one and more than enough for them to start a new life in
the city.

[Chc Mng Nm Mi reprise performed by Villagers and Dung]

The villagers receive this news with mixed feelings, debating amongst themselves before rushing
home to discuss it with their loved ones.

[dialogue]
Before DUNG leaves, THACH catches up with him and asks what is to become of the temple. He is
told that the temple will probably be demolished. THACH is shocked and asks what is to become of
the puppet theatre. DUNG consoles him and tells him that the puppet theatre has brought much joy
to the village but the world moves forward and life has to go on.

ACT 1, SCENE 2
Dreams

[Dreams]
Besides being in the same water puppet theatre troupe under THACH, MINH and PHUC have been
good friends since childhood despite having very different personalities and aspirations. Neither
were high achievers in school. PHUC is more passionate in water puppets than MINH. His dream is to
lead a famous water puppet theatre troupe and popularize this artform in Vietnam and the world.
They arrive in school in time to see MAI ANH and LAN performing as lead singers with a band for the
whole school during assembly. After the very impressive performance, LAN introduces MAI ANH to
her brother and PHUC who she secretly has a crush on. MINH is obviously smitten by MAI ANHs
beauty too. MAI ANH shares her dream to become a famous pop star. LAN is smart, and an internet

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whiz who enjoys learning new things from websites and social media blogs. She claims to only want
to be a school teacher but her brother thinks its only because she often doesnt think shes pretty
enough. They quiz MINH over what he wants with his life, but he cannot give them an answer. The
four become inseprable.
[dialogue]
They learn that MAI ANH has always lived in the city and never been to the countryside, so they
invite her to visit their village.

ACT 1, SCENE 3
Puppets Life

[dialogue + In it for me (reprise in DUNG style)]

DUNG receives a phone call from the CEO of HOANG LONG CORP who offers him a hefty cash
incentive if he could convince most of the villagers to sell their land to the development project
before the end of the year.

[Friends]
THACH is cleaning and repairing his precious water puppets by himself. These precious puppets are a
familiy heirlooms and he keeps them in a large ornate wooden chest. Traditionally, they are passed
down to the successor of the water puppet theatre troupe. He is distraught by the news that the
temple theatre might be torn down which would leave his troupe without a home. He is worried
that given that and his deteriorating health, he will not have enough time to teach all he knows to
MINH who he hopes will succeed him. Returning from school, MINH dutifully offers to help his
father. THACH reminds MINH to put in more effort in his learning as he will one day so that he take
over the family business. To deal with the pain of losing his wife. THACH had dedicated himself to
the art and craft of traditional water puppet theatre. He started MINH on puppetry by the time he
was 8 years old, when his friends spent their time having fun. Fortunately, PHUC joined the troupe a
year later and became his best friend. THACH is unaware that MINH secretly resents water puppets.
MINH wished that he could choose what to do his life and not have such deciisons made for him.
Sometimes, he compares himself to a water puppet.

[Practicality (abridged)]
MAI ANH tried to sneak into her home quietly but her mother MDM HOANG had been waiting for
her. She immediately notices the make-up on MAI ANHs face and deduces that she had been
performing on stage again. She reprimands her daugheter for her impractical dream to succeed in
such a frivolous profession. MDM HOANG tells her that someday she will realize that the most
important thing for a girl is to find and marry a good husband. She then excitedly tells MAI ANH
about the eldest son of the wealthy NGUYEN family. MAI ANH angrily asks why should could not
emulate MDM HOANG who was an independent modern woman. MDM HOANG explains that this
life was certainly not of her choosing, and she had to sacrifice her own happiness to provide for the
family, and all she has wroked for is to ensure that MAI ANH would have a more fortunate life than
her. MAI ANH is exasperated.

ACT 1, SCENE 4
Different Fortunes

[A Simple Life]

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One weekend, MAI ANH arrives at the village in a luxury car which attracts the envy of the villagers.
She is greeted by her friends who show he aroundr the village. MINH and LAN invite her to their
home where they meet THACH, and the other puppeteers from the troupe for dinner. Over dinner,
she is told about the old temple theatres impending fate and impresses everyone with the
suggestion that they write a petition to the government stating that the temple should be protected
as a historic site. LAN chimes in to tell everyone that she has read about these on the internet and
can research how one should be written!

[Friends (reprise)]
After dinner, MINH & MAI ANH find themselves with some alone time. MINH presents her with a
special gift an Uncle Teu water puppet he had made for her, modelled after the one they used in
their show but with more stylish modern dress. MAI ANH looks at the puppet and admits ashamedly
that she has never seen an actual water puppet show before. THACH overhears this and is both
shocked and amused.

[Chc Mng Nm Mi (abridged reprise) + Dance of the Fairies]

He orders PHUC and MINH to set up a simple show for MAI ANHs entertainment. MAI ANH enjoys
the performance.

[A Simple Life (reprise-variation)]

Then she begins to make some criticisms about the performance she had just seen, explaining that
such content or presentational style are no longer fashoinable for the young. THACH is certainly not
amused by the young ladys comments, thinking that she is being disrespectful and showing her
ignorance of Vietnamese tradition and art. MINH comes to MAI ANHs defence, agreeing that
traditions needed to change with the time too. LAN interecedes to prevent the argument from
becoming more ugly. MAI ANH takes this as her cue to leave and MINH offers to escort her out.
Before she leaves, MAI ANH promises MINH that she would help MINH think of new ideas to
modernize water puppets.

[Dreams (reprise-variation)]
THACH tells LAN and PHUC about how disappointed he is that MINH agreed with MAI ANH. Had he
learnt nothing about traditional water puppet theatre all this year? He laments the fact that PHUC
was not only the more passionate one, he was also far more knowledgeable and skillful than MINH.
PHUC is overjoyed at the praise.

[Good enough]
After THACH leaves, LAN teases him about hearing only what he liked never being open to critism.
PHUC sheepishly admits that he has always been inimidated by LAN as he was not as smart
compared to her. The odd couple share a moment of intimacy.

ACT 1, SCENE 5
Winds of Change (July)

[Gods have mercy (musical interlude)]

In July, it is the monsoon season and this years weather appear more menacing with the threat of
thunderstorms.

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[You & Me]
In the temple, MINH & MAI ANH have started brainstorming for ideas to create a more exciting
modern water puppet theatre. They toss around some absurd and wild ideas. They enjoyed each
others company and soon they start to fall in love.

[Pratical Reality] (muiscal interlude)]

Returning home more cheerful than she has ever seen, MDM HOANGs maternal curiosity is piqued.
Searching her room, MDM HOANG finds the water puppet given to him by MINH.

[dialogue]
THACH has come to see DUNG with a petition that LAN had helped to write and compile signatures
on to appeal against the temple theatre being demolished as it was a historical site. He has come to
request DUNG submit this to the government for approval. Seeing how well the letter was written
and knowing that such a petition could become an obstacle to the landsale, DUNG is reluctant to
comply but pretends to be enthusiastic about their appeal and agreeing to submit it on their behalf.
He casually puts it away into a file.

[Gods have mercy (musical interlude) + spoken/sung dialogue]

After THACH leaves, a weather forecast report is delivered which suggests that based on regional
patters, there is a greater likelihood of heavy rainfall during the monsoon season which could result
in the flooding of the Mekong River Delta, resulting in the destruction of rice cops or even
endangering human lives. DUNG ponders the report for a short while, then slips it into the same file
as the petition and place it under a pile of books on his desk.

ACT 1, SCENE 5
Stormclouds

[Practical Reality + Good enough (variation reprise)]

MDM HOANG had personally come to the village to ask for an update about the land sale. MDM
HOANG is unhappy about how slow things are progressing. She had heard a rumour that that some
villagers had written a petition to preserve a historical site. To assure her that the petition willl never
reach the government, DUNG presents her with the file containing the villagers petition. MDM
HOANG glances over it and appears satisfied. Then, she removes the water puppet she had taken
from MAI ANHs room from her bag, asking if DUNG recognizes it. DUNG confirms that it resembles
the Uncle Teu puppet used by the village water puppet troupe.

[Chc Mng Nm Mi (variation reprise) + You & Me + EDM Dance of the Immortals]
Taking advantage of what appears to be a respite from foul weather, MINH and MAI ANH gather a
small audience around the tricked up temple theatre to see a more modern water puppet
theatre performance that MINH and MAI ANH have conceived. Despite the fancy lights, special
effects and saucy stories, the performance does not go down well, with most of the audience
laughing and ridiculing MINHs efforts. THACH is appalled at the thought hat his son has turned
against everything he believes. PHUC is also offended by what he see and tells them that they are
showing no respect for the traditonal arts.

[Gods have mercy (reprise] + You & me ]

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The weather begins to turn for the worse and some villagers think this is due to the direspect that
MAI ANH and MINH are showing to the gods. They sarcastically tell MAI ANH that the village is no
place for rich young ladies. Soon the rain is so heavy that the gathered crowd is forced to disperse.
MINH and MAI ANH are forced to stop their performance. MAI ANH leaves as her car arrives for her,
she makes MINH promise not to give up.

[What I dream to be + Practical Reality (reprise) + God have rmercy]

Getting into the car, MAI ANH is surprised to find MDM HOANG waiting for her. MDM HOANG is
furious that MAI ANH had come to visit a rural village without her permission. She would not have
known if she had not noticed the water puppet and asked the driver where MAI ANH had been to.
She instructs her to join her to have dinner with the Nguyen family that evening and forbade her to
ever return, and adding carelessly that there soon will not be much to return to soon. MAI ANH
realizes that it was her mothers that was attempting to buy over the villlage land. Outraged by
MDM HOANGs, MAI ANH opens the car door an dashes out into the rain back in the village,
despiting MDM HOANGs anxious pleas for her to come back. A flash of lighting and thunder is
heard.

ACT 1, SCENE 6
Natures wrath (Mid September)

[God have Mercy performed by villagers, THACH MINH & LAN]

As the downpour continues, the river is on the verge of flooding over. The villagers, including THACH
MINH & LAN, are drenched in the downpour in an urgent attempt to build a temporary dam to
protect the rich fields. THACH sends LAN back to the temple to fetch some tools. She leaves to do so
but not long after,

(sung dialogue Friends + You & Me]

In the meantime, MAI ANH had found her way back to the temple but found it deserted. She takes
shelter inside from the storm, and tries to save the water puppets that she and MINH have worked
so hard on. LAN enters and is surprised to find MAI ANH there. MAI ANH explains and LAN offers to
bring her home. Suddenly, a bolt of lightning strikes the tree under which the temple is built.
Flaming branches land on the wooden temple and soon the place is on fire. The girls are trapped.
Villagers see the flames and smoke, and raise the fire alarm.

[God have Mercy performed by Villagers, THACH MINH & LAN]

Unable to proceed without the right tools. The makeshift wall collapses and the villagers are
devastated as much of their rice crops are destroyed by the flood waters. The fire alarm reaches
THACH, MINH and PHUC who then rush back to try to save the temple theatre, and their equipment.
THACH sends MINH to help the villagers put out the fire while he and PHUC rushes into the temple
to save the water puppets. In the temple, they hear the screams of MAI ANH & LAN in the room next
to where the puppet chests are stored. THACH rushes to their aid and orders PHUC to save the
chest. THACH manages to get them to safety. While trying to retrieve the Uncle Teu water puppet
that was on the chair, a falling beam crushes his leg and prevents him from moving. PHUC had
managed to remove large chest from the room. While making his way to the exit, he hears THACHs
call for help. Dropping the chest, he goes to THACHs rescue but a heavy beam had crushed his leg.
PHUC is reluctant to leave his master despite THACHs repeated demands as the flames start to
surround them.

[God have Mercy + A Simple Life performed by MINH, DUNG & Villagers]

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Outside, DUNG has asked the villagers to do a headcount to make sure that there isnt anyone in the
temple. If everyone was safe, he told them that they need not risk their lives for the old temple.
MINH begs them to do what they can to save it. At this time, MAI ANH & LAN stagger towards them
coughing . MINH is surprised to see MAI ANH still at the village and rushes to their aid. LAN tells
MINH that PHUC and THACH are still trying to rescue the water puppets. Anxious for their safety
MINH rushes back to the temple where he runs into PHUC struggling to leave the temple. Choking
from the smoke, MINH asks PHUC if he has seen THACH. PHUC does not reply. Straining his eyes to
look past the smoke, MINH thought he saw the form of his father lying on the ground motionless
and wants to run in to save him. However, PHUC forcibly pulls MINH out of the temple with him to
safety. Outside they stand helplessly as they witness the temple collapse from the fire.

-----

ACT 2, SCENE 1
Mid-Autumn (Late September)

[Autumn Comes + A Simple Life performed by MINH, LAN, MAI ANH & Villagers]
The village is gathered to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival and the rice harvest but the mood is
clearly not as festive as it should be. The disaster has destroyed much of the harvest leaving many
famliies worried about their future. Most have agreed to the Hoang Long Corporations terms and
sold their land. With the temple theater in ruins, there would be no water puppet show. MINH and
LAN are wearing a white band around his arm, symbolizing a death in the family. Together with MAI
ANH, they are going around appealing to the villagers to support the petition and donate to rebuilt
the temple but many are reluctant to donate since they were leaving the village.

[dialogue]
DUNG arrives and assembles the villagers. He announces that almost everyone in the village had
agreed to the Hoang Long Corporations terms, and the land sale agreement will be successfully
passed. Within a few months contracts will be signed and plans to move ahead with construction of
the new town will commence. MINH & LAN are devastated by the news. As the villagers disperse,

[Practical Reality (sung dialogue - reprise)]

DUNG and PHUC approaches them offering his condolences for THACHs death. He advised them to
move on with their lives and live good lives, as that would be what their father wanted.

[Live with it performed by MINH and PHUC]

PHUC has the chest with him and wants to return it to MINH. At the sight of it, MINH loses his
temper and rushes forward as if to attack PHUC. He accuses PHUC of being spiteful knowing he
would not become successor to the troupe, and that he was heartless for savingthe water puppets
but abandoning his father to die in the fire. PHUC attempts to clarify but MINH was too upset to
listen, telling PHUC that he could keep the water puppets if they were so important to him but he
better not let MINH see him again. With that, MINH storms off as MAI ANH gives chase to make sure
he is all right.

[Good Enough (reprise) performed by LAN & PHUC]

LAN is in tears and she asks PHUC to leave so as not to cause more distress. PHUC apologizes to LAN
for treating her badly before, and told her he knew he was wrong now, and begs her to hear him
out.

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ACT 2, SCENE 2
Revelations (October)

[In it for me performed by DUNG]

DUNG had been MDM HOANGs house to discuss the final details of the land sale. Over a bottle of
fine champagne and a fine meal, MDM HOANG congratulates DUNG on fulfilling his part of the
bargain, and rewards him with a briefcase full of cash. MINH and MAI ANH arrive, surprised to see
DUNG leaving with his reward as they arrived.

[Youre Guilty + You & Me performed by MINH]

MINH discovers DUNGs motivation in wanting the land sale to succeed, and also discovers that
MDM HOANG is the CEO of HOANG LONG CORP, and also MAI ANHs mother. MINH is devastated
and in a fragile emotional state, he jumps to the conclusion that MAI ANH had been deceitful to him
and tells her so in hurtful words to MAI ANH before storming off. MAI ANH is devastated and
retreats to her room in tears.

[Regrets (Tell Him) performed by MINH]

MINH has come to his parents graves. He kneels before the gravestones in tears and begs them to
forgive him for having been an unfilial son. He apologizes to THACH for not treasuring what he had
tried to teach him. Now it was too late, and it was going to be MINHs fault that his legacy would be
lost for good.

[Sung dialogue]
LAN arrives with PHUC. She convinces MINH to listen to PHUC just this once

[Tell him performed by Phuc & THACH]

PHUC tells MINH what had really occurred when he returned to save his father. THACH told PHUC
that he was a sick old man with not much time left on this earth. He thanked PHUC for being such a
good and filial disciple, and told him how often he wish he had the good fortune to call him his son.
He told PHUC he already knew all he needed to be the master of his own successful water puppet
troupe. He didnt need the troupe, nor the puppets to do so. On his final breath, he begged PHUC to
save the chest which contained all that he had saved for his children. Though they were worth very
little, and outdated for their time, they represented memories and a lifetime of blood, sweat and
tears. He was proud of them as they were his tools to bring joy to people, and hoped that his
children would likewise remember him fondly and be proud of him.

[Friends performed by MINH, PHUC and LAN]

Touched, MINH apologizes to PHUC for falsely accusing him and thanked him for staying by his
fathers side at the end. PHUC gives the chest back to MINH who opens it, slowly removing the
puppets to admire one at at time. PHUC tells MINH that after everything that has happened, he
seems to have gained a better understanding of the puppets. MINH nods empathically. LAN suggests
that perhaps they should put on just one more show for the villagers before the village is no more.
MINH jokingly asks PHUC if they should do a traditional show or a modern show? The trio laugh
heartily.

ACT 2, SCENE 3
Then & Now (October)

[Once performed by MDM HOANG & MAI ANH]

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MAI ANH is alone in her room. It has been some time since she heard from MINH. MDM HOANG
enters and tries to talk to her, encouraging her to give the NGUYEN familys eldest son a chance. MAI
ANH accuses MDM HOANG for being selfish and unscrupulous putting financial gain above even her
daughters feelings. Hurt by MAI ANHs accusations, she reveals to MAI ANH that she was once a
dance hostess performing at a famous night club. That was where she had met MAI ANHs father, a
handsome playboy from a rich family who fell for her beauty and her charms. He wooed her
relentless and eventually she fell in love with him. After they got married, her father inherited the
family wealth but soon went back to his prodigal ways staying out late to gamble, drink and flirt
with other women as he had always done. Despite having little education, she diligently learnt all
she could about the business before her husband wasted away his inheritance. After years of hard
work and her knack for business, she became respected in the industry despite being a woman. She
made the business even more profitable than it was before, and they had more money than they
could spend. All she wanted for MAI ANH was for her to marry an honest young man who would
care and provide for MAI ANH for the rest of her life. Learning about her mothers past helped MAI
ANH understand MDM HOANG better, and they embrace.

[dialogue]
MDM HOANG points to the water puppet that sat on the table, and asks MAI ANH if MINH had made
it for her, saying that it looked like his fat useless father. MAI ANH laughs and reaches out to pick it
up, noticing a file with papers in it underneath. MAI ANH opens the file, and sees the petition that
THACH had compiled and smiles happily, knowing that he had adopted her suggestion. MDM
HOANG laughes saying she should have known MAI ANH was the one who taught them to do this.
Turning the page, MAI ANH finds the weather report and advisory. She was shocked to notice it was
dated a few days before the flood, and realizes that DUNG had intentionally withheld the
information.

ACT 2, SCENE 4
A Story to Share (February)

[Chc Mng Nm Mi performed by Villagers, MDM HOANG]

It is Tet again in Tuong Lai village, and the villagers have gathered to watch a final water pupppet
performance going their separate ways. Bulldozers and other construction vehicles had already
arrived and signs have been put up to warn people to stay away from the soon-to-be construction
site. Nonetheless, many people have gathered around the old tree near the ruins of the temple.
MDM HOANG arrives in her car just in time for the show to start.

[Chc Mng Nm Mi performed by Uncle Teu]

The curtain rises over the make-shift water puppet theatre stage and the story begins much like
usual, except with Uncle Teus speech a little different than the usual

[What happened + Youre Guilty performd by MINH, MAI ANH, PHUC, LAN, Uncle Tue puppeteers]
As the story progresses, the villagers realize that it is a re-telling of what happened in the village over
the past year. They are surprised when the character of the villlage headman is found out to have
withheld vital knowledge of the possibility of impending inclement weather and potentatially
preventing or reducing the devastation caused. Unnerved by how his deeds are being exposed in the
story, DUNG begins to feel uncomfortable and decides to make a hasty exit. As he stands up to
leave, the Uncle Teu puppet calls out to him and demands to know where he is going? DUNG
responds that he is unwell, and needs to rest then simply protests at having to answer to a water
puppet.

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[Gods have Mercy + In it for me + Youre Guilty performed by PHUC, DUNG & Villagers]
At this time, he is stopped by PHUC. He recognizes the file in his sons hand as one similar to that
containing the petition and the weather advisory. DUNG falls to his knees and begs the crowd for
forgiveness. He confesses that he has been losing sleep over this and wished he had warned the
villagers, or prevented THACHs death.

[Dreams performed by MINH]

MINH, LAN and MAI ANH emerge from behind the make shift stage. MINH now understands his
fathers passion for stories and his desire to bring joy to his audience. There are really no secrets in
water puppet theatre. It is an art form that embodies Vietnamese ingenuity driven by the need to
tell stories making the best of their environment and available resources. In the end, it is the stories
that are important because they pass on the wisdom, values, the mistakes we made and lessons we
have learnt to future generations.

[Good enough (reprise) performed by PHUC & LAN]

PHUC tells LAN he feels responsible to make sure his uncle is taken care of and asks LAN to wait for
him.

[A Simple Life (variation) performed by Uncle Teu]

Uncle Teus puppet explains that karma literally means action and those actions motivated by selfish
desire, ill-will and ignorance will always lead to unhappy or bad consequences. To prevent this, we
must cultivate ourselves and constantly check that we feel happiness, compassion, love and joyous
effort in our thoughts and deeds. We are always tempted and manipulated by our desires like a
puppet, but as sentient beings we are always free to choose. Always make those choices that lead to
a future where there will be no suffering, only happiness.

Song List

Character Song Description

Thach Old Friends Traditions, History, Relationships
(Slow-Moderate)
Minh My Story Character, journey & discovery
(Moderate)
Mai Anh Free to shine Character, achievement & success
(Fast)
Phuc When will it be me Character, frustration & life is unfair
(Moderate)
Lan Good Enough Character song, Insecurity
Transforms into love ballad (Slow)
Dung In it for me Character song (Miderate-fast, comic),
being self-serving, survival of the
fittest
Mrs Hoang Once Character, loss of innocenceand
idealism , aging (Slow)

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 Minh + Mai Anh You & Me Ballad, finding the person meant for
(Romance) you (Slow)
Themes Song Description
Celebrations Chc Mng Nm Mi Production Number (Fast)
(Harvest, Renewal) (Happy New Year)
Fate / Disasters God have mercy Anthem (Slow Moderate)
Idealistic/Rural/Simple The Simple Life Production Number (Moderate)
Practical/Urban/Complex Practical Reality (Moderate, Comic)
Hope/Ambitios Dreams Aspirational (Moderate-Fast)
Regrets Tell Him / Regret Anthem
Change Autumn comes Poeme
Guilt Live with it (Moderate-Fast, Aggro)

1.

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