The mobile version of The Adventures of Zak is 45 minutes long, and is performed by two adult actors and three child actors. Based directly upon the more elaborately produced "big" show (see below), this version has nine songs and has been written with a narration with all the spoken dialogue written in rhyme.
The set includes five modular boxes painted to represent a stone bridge, a wooden bench and stumps, and eight background panels depicting a dusk sky with early evening stars. The production tours with it's own sounds system, complete with body mics, speakers, monitors and sound board. The set up time is 60 to 90 minutes, and the production has no theatrical lighting requirements, so it can be stages in small theatres, hospital lobbies, gymnasiums or outdoor theatre spaces. If the performance space has some basic lighting already in place, additional time is needed to work out simple lighting cues.
In many venues, the cast, director and writers have participated in a question and answer period with the audience after the presentation.
Since December 2003, this production has appeared in many locations, such as The 2004 White House Easter Egg Roll, the 2005 Tribeca Film Family Festival, the Hole in the Wall Gang Summer Camp, Blythedale Children's Hospital, some Children's Aid Society schools in NYC, Maria Fareri Children's Hospital at Westchester Medical Center, Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital at New York-Presbyterian, Drexel University for the Ronald McDonald 2005 Summer Camp Reunion and the Trenton (NJ) Boys and Girls Club.
"The staff and nurses found [ZAK] perfect for our children because the message of 'not giving up' is universal and so needed."
Lena Cavanna, Blythedale Hospital Community Relations Director
The original version of The Adventures of Zak is a fully produced, 70-minute family musical written by the Magical Music for Life Foundation. The story focuses on Zak, an energetic alien from a distant comet who is on a special mission to get three children on earth to believe in themselves.
The Adventures of Zak features a cast of four professional adult actors and three child actors delivering songs with wholesome, positive messages that are relevant for children and adults of all socio-economic levels. The thirteen songs are designed for children to draw strength from when faced with life's daily struggles and frustrations, and to reassure young audiences that they are neither alone nor without hope as they make their way in an increasingly frenetic world.
While conjuring giggles and tears alike, the heartfelt production inspires children to communicate with parents and teachers and discuss important issues touched upon in the production. The show is most appropriate for children ages 4 to 11.
The production was written and produced to be used not only as an educational theatrical experience, but potentially as a benefit for other pediatric charities to be incorporated with major fund raising/public awareness campaigns. The Adventures of Zak also includes a guest chorus of children from the benefiting charity or local schools who join the professional actors singing the show's finale. The foundation's Artistic Director rehearses the children in advance of the performance, and stages them into the final song at the theatre prior to the show.
A fully equipped theatre venue is necessary to accommodate the technical requirements of this production. The lighting plot includes two computerized lighting elements that the Technical Director usually rents and brings into the facility as he oversees the load in and focus of the lighting instruments. A cyclorama is needed as well.
The extensive orchestration is recorded and requires a CD playback system. The foundation owns the body mics required for the show that are usually used with an in-house speaker system, though not always. The set includes a bridge, two trees, two stumps, a bench and a fog machine and needs either a main curtain or mid-stage traveler.
Since March 2000, this production has been in numerous theatres, including Copley Theatre (Boston), Westport (CT) Country Playhouse, Main Stage Theatre (Jackson, WY), Victoria Theatre, NJPAC (Newark, NJ), George Washington Masonic National Memorial Theatre (Alexandria, VA), Tribeca Performing Arts Center and the Lovinger Theatre (NYC) and the Palace Theatre in Stamford, CT, to name only a few.
"I was extremely impressed with the production, both as an educator and as a parent. Thank you for creating this meaningful and entertaining experience for children."
Liz Blasko, Principal of West Elementary School, New Canaan, CT