Opera Bell Band shows are often themed and theatrical, and hosted by our bandleader, Butternut. Productions are scripted and rehearsed, and feature an array of homemade props, costumes, hats, and refreshments. Songs are thoughtfully written and chosen to fit within the narrative of the set.
Butternut Gets a phone call
Butternut Takes a vacation
Butternut In love
Butternut The Artist
the plot: Butternut the Pilot has just returned home from the World Bog Snorkeling Championships, at which he faced a humiliating disqualification. In efforts to raise his spirits and make a few bucks on the side (since he spent a great deal of money on an anti-bends bog snorkel), Butternut tries his hand at painting. The Opera Bell Band provides a sonic landscape in hopes to inspire the creation of Butternut's finest masterpiece.
the set: easel, paper, markers, change, beer bread, roses, yoyo
the costumes: Opera Bell yellowwear
Camp Opera Bell
The plot: It is the last day of summer camp at Camp Opera Bell. Camp Counselor Butternut reminisces about the joys of summer and the many achievement badges won by the different cabins….except for Cabin 15. The campers of Cabin 15 have yet to receive a single badge, but Butternut remains hopeful and encouraging of their success by trying to teach the campers of Cabin 15 last minute skills in knot tying, archery, storytelling, and more.
The set: toy birds, binoculars, rope, flashlights, compass, toy bow and arrow w/ target, sticks, bubblegum, mailbox
The costumes: khaki shorts, white shirts, red ascots, tall socks
butternut the brakeman
The plot: Butternut the Brakeman hopefully sits his post at the Toulouse Goose Station, eager to one day pull the brakeswitch. While Butternut surmises the dismal fate of the trains, he notices the Opera Bell Bums slumming around the station. Butternut first attempts to shoe away the group of bindlestiffs, but he is inevitably won over by their songs and camaraderie.
The set: brakeswitch, train station sign, train arrivals sign
The costumes: bindles, fishing poles, oversized clothing
Butternut The cowpuncher
The plot: Butternut and the Opera Bell Band are in the midst of narrowly cheating death by outrunning the murderous gang of “them boys,” who have been tailing the Band ever since they touched down from their latest attempt to play for migrating geese. The Band, escaping from a gun battle with all sustaining serious gunshot wounds (save their noble leader Butternut), play with the solemn dignity—as would any musician in the possibility of facing potentially final moments. The near-fatal wounds have rendered the Band, however, in a steadily decreasing states of awareness, passing out from blood loss while not playing, but still just aware enough to play music.
The set: mailbox, pile of mail, chair, beef jerky, lemonade, playing cards, broom The costumes: cowboy hats, fake blood, bullet holes, button up shirts, white face paint, red paint on noses, dark makeup around the eyes, cap guns
Bedtime For Butternut
the plot: Butternut the Pilot is comfortably asleep after having attended the Annual Pilot's Gala. Amidst his slumber, he awakes suddenly from a terrible dream. Butternut makes several attempts to get back to sleep, but his pesky roommates, The Opera Bell Ghosts, interrupt his tried and true efforts.
the set: rocking chair, phone, takeout boxes, mini fridge, phone book
the costumes: ghosts
THe living room
The plot: The Opera Bell Band returns to their home after a long day at the office. They enter the stage, set down their briefcases and remove their ties. The audience gets an intimate and laid back performance from the band, although stress levels may rise as Old Dill struggles to open a jar of pickles.
The set: fake fireplace, fake tv, coffee table, side table, book about airplanes, lamps, candles, jar of pickles, rug The costumes: white face paint, noses are painted red. Costumes may vary, but bloodied rodeo clothes are encouraged.
The opera bell bistro
The plot: The Opera Bell Band is working as the back of house staff of a French fusion restaurant in Medicine Hat, Canada. Butternut the Pilot is the distressed but ever-welcoming head waiter of the Opera Bell Bistro. Throughout the show, it becomes more apparent that the Band is not doing their job, becoming distracted as they tell stories & play songs rather than cook and help with the dishes. Butternut, meanwhile, tries to hold the operation together.
The set: mailbox, vegetables, pots, pans, dishes, fake sink, silverware, fake knives The costumes: aprons, chef's hats, mustaches, black clothing covered in flour