Lord of the Night frees four musicians - Red, Yellow, Blue, and Green - who are imprisoned by the Sun. He tasks Wind with rescuing them. Wind is armed by Lord of the Night and crosses the sea with the help of Turtle Woman, Fish Woman, and Alligator Woman. Wind battles the Sun and uses his weapons to create darkness, allowing him to free the musicians. He brings them to Earth where their music brings joy and ends the world's darkness under Lord of the Night's command.

1. Musicians of the Sun, by Gerald McDermott
Adapted for performance by David Domkoski
Draft of 01/03/09
Ten performers as follows:
Men: Actor 1, 6, 7, 8.
Women: Actor 2, 3, 4, 5. 9, 10
Note: The musicians: 7, 8, 9, 10 could be played by either sex
ACTOR 1
Out of the starry night he came,
ALL MEN
invisible,
ALL WOMEN
untouchable.
ACTOR 1
Lord of the Night.
King of the Gods.
Soul of the World.
Lord of the Night had a magic mirror.
It was his third eye.
In it he could see all earth.
“The world is gray and joyless,” he said.
“Children do not laugh.
Women do not dance.
Men do not sing.
The people spend their lives in darkness and silence.
I will change all this,” declared Lord of the Night.
Lord of the Night called Wind to his side.
“O Wind,” he said, “fly to the house of the Sun.
Free the four musicians held prisoner there.
Red, Yellow, Blue, and Green.
Bring them to Earth so the people may hear their music.”
ACTOR 2
“But Lord,” said Wind, “Sun is a mighty warrior who destroys his enemies with fire. I am nothing but air. How
will I overcome his power?”
ACTOR 1
“Do not be afraid,” said Lord of the Night.

2. “I will arm you.”
Lord of the Night gave Wind a turquoise shield, a blue thundercloud, and shining silver lightning.
ACTOR 2
Wind took the weapons and swept across the mountains, searching for the house of the Sun.
At last he reached the edge of the seas.
He met
ACTOR 2, 3, 4, 5
Turtle Woman, Fish Woman and Alligator Woman on the shore.
ACTOR 2
“Where is the house of the Sun?” asked Wind.
ACTOR 3
“On the other side of the sea,” answered Turtle Woman.
“Too far for Wind to blow.”
ACTOR 4
“It’s is a long journey over waves and through darkness,” said Fish Woman. “Your strength will fade.”
ACTOR 2
“But Lord of Night has sent me,” said Wind. “I must free the prisoners of the Sun.”
ACTOR 5
“We will help you,” said Alligator Woman.
ACTOR 3, 4, 5
Turtle Woman, Fish Woman and Alligator Woman carried Winter across the sea.
ACTOR 2, 3, 4, 5
The sky began to glow.
ACTOR 2
“Faster,” cried Wind. “Before Sun rises too high.”
ACTOR 3, 4, 5
The three women swam until the sea foamed white behind them.
ACTOR 6
Now Sun was shining above the horizon.
ACTOR 2
Wind took a great breath and leaped into the sky.
As he flew up toward the house of the Sun he heard the sweet music of flute, drum, shell, and rattle.

3. ACTOR 2
“Musicians of the Sun, called Wind, “I am coming to free you.”
ACTOR 7, 8, 9, 10
The musicians heard the voice of Wind.
They yearned to be free but Sun made them more fearful.
They continued to play.
ACTOR 6
“Go away,” said Sun to Wind.
“Or I will destroy you.”
ACTOR 2
Wind went closer still and called out again,
“Musicians of the Sun, come with me.”
ACTOR 6
“Ignore him,” said Sun. “Play on.”
Sun burned more fiercely,
ACTOR 7, 8, 9, 10
and the musicians played louder than before.
ACTOR 2
Wind came near.
“Musicians of the Sun, I am here to take you down to Earth.”
ACTOR 6
“Come no closer!” Sun shouted.
He hurled a rain of fire darts at Wind.
ACTOR 2
Wind raised the turquoise shield and was not harmed.
The Wind howled and unleashed his thunder.
ALL
Black clouds spilled forth. Darkness covered the face of Sun
ACTOR 6
and his light grew dim.
ACTOR 7, 8, 9, 10
The four musicians huddled together.
“We are frightened, O Wind,” they cried.

4. ACTOR 2
Then come with me to Earth,” said Wind.
“I promise you freedom.”
ACTOR 7, 8, 9, 10
The musicians grasped Wind’s cloak as he leaped away from the house of the Sun.
ACTOR 2
Wind threw his shining silver lightning to cut through the darkness below.
ACTOR 6
“Come back,” bellowed Sun. “I command you.”
But Sun was lost in the black clouds and he was powerless.
ACTOR 2
Wind carried the musicians through the sky, across the stars, and gently down to earth.
ACTOR 1
Lord of the Night welcomed them.
“Play your music.” he said. “Bring happiness to my people.”
ACTOR 7, 8, 9, 10
The musicians curled their toes in the cool earth and began to play.
ACTOR 7
Red faced east and played a song of joy on her drum.
ACTOR 8
Yellow faced west and played a lullaby on his flute.
ACTOR 9
Blue faced south and played a song of night on her shell.
ACTOR 10
Green faced north and played a song of dawn n his rattles.
ACTOR 2
Wind carried the beautiful sounds around earth.
ALL (DIVIDED SO IT MOVES AROUND THE STAGE)
The world filled with color.
Children laughed.
Women danced.
Men sang.

5. ACTOR 6
Even Sun was happy and poured out his light upon them.
ALL
All gave thanks to Lord of the Night.
ACTOR 1
King of the Gods.
Soul of the World.
BLACKOUT