Created by Pauline Frechette and Cynthia Rosen
Synopsis
The Adventures of Denton the Dragon is a sort of Wizard of Oz tale and adventure. Four unlikely friends travel through time and space in a magic air balloon which the young, golden dragon, Denton, borrowed from the King in the Land of Children’s Dreams. It is her passion to visit the “Real World”.
Denton is like an overly enthusiastic and loving puppy who is constantly getting into trouble. She is from the Land of Children’s Dreams and has always wanted to be real.
A little too excited to fly the magic balloon, Denton loses control and crashes into the herb garden of a gnome, Leon, who is infuriated that this dragon has interrupted his work in his library. Denton is so excited about everything. He keeps burning things with his fiery breath and knocking things over with his tail. Leon guides him to his library to get him out of his precious garden. Leon collects knowledge in huge books he calls “gnome tomes.” He is a “know it all” and tells Denton he he doesn’t need friends, his books are his friend.
Denton is so happy to have a new friend who is so smart he convinces Leon to go with him on adventures so that Leon can record all the knowledge he finds and teach him. Leon then shows Denton his invention, the “Time Tracker,” which he claims will allow them to travel to inner and outer space in no time at all! Together they christen the air balloon “The Friendship.”
They head off to Central Park in NYC. There they find a little boy named Mark who is being bullied by some kids. When the other kids see the balloon and dragon they are scared and run away, but Mark is curious and wants to go with Leon and the Dragon on adventures.
They fire up the balloon with Denton’s breath and head to outer space where they meet a little metal creature, who is sitting on an asteroid.
The little metal guy has gadgets and a tool belt, but he only ‘speaks” in squeaks. Leon says he can translate any language, so he translates what the creature is saying and they find out his name is “Compass” but that he has no direction in life. They invite Compass to come and help guide their magic balloon.
The four new friends, Denton, Mark, Leon and Compass continue on with various adventures: going to the desert, to the bottom of the ocean, to deep space, and to a forest. They meet fun creatures, get in and out of trouble and learn how important it is to have true friends.
The main thrust of this show is “Friendship”. It teaches children of all ages the importance of friendship between people and how everything in the universe is a friend.
“To have a friend, you must first be a friend.” is the overall message.
Ojai Art Center 85th Anniversary Benefit Presents
Me and My Friends: a Musical Adventure*
A Staged Reading featuring Ventura County Performers
Music, lyrics and story by Pauline Frechette** & Cynthia Rosen
Sunday, September 8th, 2024 at 2:00 PM
Ojai Art Center | 113 S. Montgomery St. Ojai, CA 93023 | 805-646-0117
Tickets at ojaiact.org
$25.00
general admission
$20.00
Ojai Art Center members
$10.00
youth 12 and under
Tickets will be available one month before event.
Meet and Greet the Playwright following the performance!
*Original 1991 Title: The Adventures of Denton the Dragon
**Pauline Frechette (aka Raven Kane)
History of Me and My Friends
I composed the song “Me and My Friends” back in the 70’s while riding a bus in New York City. It was Quarter Finalist in the World Popular Music Festival. It was then licensed to PBS tv as their theme and again licensed as the theme for the touring show of Bugs Bunny.
In the early 90’s I wrote a children’s musical with my friend, Cynthia Rosen. (At the time I was singing a lot of rock vocals and was calling myself “Raven Kane.” I have since reclaimed my real name, Pauline Frechette.)
We initially called our musical “Me and My Friends” since it was about four unlikely friends - a golden sparkly dragon, a gnome, a little boy, and a robot who spoke in squeeks. But then we retitled the show “The Adventures of Denton the Dragon” because we thought that title might be more catchy. We recorded the score with my husband, David Campbell, arranging and producing it. Elliott Gould was the narrator and folk/pop singer, Melanie, sang the role of Denton the dragon. Cynthia was diagnosed with Stage 4 Cancer in 1996, so I decided we should produce it as a staged musical before she passed so she could see our characters come to life. The show played in L.A. at a small theatre in Hollywood over a two year period where it got rave reviews and was always sold out. Then it was produced at the La Mirada Performing Arts Center. Cynthia passed shortly after that and I put the show into the “trunk.”
Upon moving to Ojai, CA, a friend of mine called and said he had presented it to the director of the Ojai Playhouse and she wanted to do a staged reading of the show in Sept. ’24 as part of Theatre’s 85th Anniversary. I agreed to help them do that and decided to reinstate the original title, “Me and My Friends, a Musical Adventure.”
Reviews
"The Adventures of Denton the Dragon' ... There are adventures with amazing creatures from other lands, via a magical balloon ... the performers warble songs that teach as well as entertain, and [its] a story sure to charm both kids and parents."
~ Rick Pimental-Habib L.A. Parent Magazine
"A dragon travels through the 'Land of Children's Dream' to visit reality in 'The Adventures of Denton the Dragon' .. The musical offers gentle, positive messages of friendship and self-discovery."
~ Lynne Hefley - Los Angeles Times (read the full article)
Cast of 1997
Music Previews
A taste of the full Me and My Friends narrated musical album.