"Owen & Mzee" - Musical Theatre
Vital Theatre Company, Inc.

Casting “Owen & Mzee,” a musical theatre production about the inspiring true story of two great friends, a baby hippo named Owen and a 130-year-old giant tortoise named Mzee.When Owen is stranded after a tsunami strikes his home in Africa, villagers in Kenya work tirelessly to rescue him and place him at an animal conservation park. Then, to everyone’s amazement, the orphaned hippo and elderly tortoise adopt each other. Now they are inseparable, swimming, eating, and playing together. Adorable photo’s emailed from friend to friend have quickly made them worldwide celebrities. Here is a joyous reminder that in times of trouble, friendship is stronger than the differences that too often separate us.This is a contemporary ensemble musical which is set in Kenya, East Africa. We are seeking a company that looks like modern day Kenya yet expresses the diversity of the African diaspora.The music is contemporary musical theatre inspired by East African choral music.Performers must act, sing, and move well and basic puppetry skills are a huge plus but not required.