ROOTABAGA COUNTRY
A children's opera in one act
Music and Libretto by Rachel J. Peters
Gimme The Ax and his two children (Please Gimme and Ax Me No Questions) have grown tired of their lives, and the children wish to know more about their mother (Alelia) who died when they were young. Gimme The Ax suggests they sell all their possessions and purchase tickets on the Zigzag Railroad to Alelia’s favorite place, Rootabaga Country. With tickets in hand, the family boards the Zigzag Railroad into the sky.
After traveling through the lands of balloons and circus clowns, they reach Rootabaga and head to the post office for a map. There they meet the Potato Face Blind Man who explains there are no maps and no postmen. Rootabagans receive someone else’s mail and deliver it, so everyone meets someone new each day.
Their first letter is addressed to Jason Squiff, and the family finds him trying to wash green sludge from his hair. The letter requests he remove a clog from Blixie Bimber’s cistern. To his surprise the clog is The Kernel who proclaims, since Jason has a letter Q in his name, Jason’s clothes should be covered in popcorn. Though he tries to change, Jason finds it impossible to rid himself of popcorn. The Kernel assures him that the new look is better than his old clothing. Jason realizes he feels distinguished in his new attire, all due to the letter Q in his name. Gimme The Ax shares with his children that he recalls Alelia’s humongous feet that, like the letter Q in Jason’s name, were something she never asked for but came in handy when least expected.
Their next delivery is from Mrs. Axenbax to Bevo Hike requesting a meeting about his son Snippo’s behavior at school. Bevo finds Snippo has gotten himself into additional trouble; his thumb is stuck in his nose. Bevo seeks the help of the mayor, weatherman, and doctor without success. Finally, the traffic cop, with the help of a monkey and a ladder, frees Snippo’s thumb.
Gimme the Ax is reminded how Alelia would help all of them whenever they were in a sticky situation, just like the people of the town came together to help Snippo.
The final delivery is for Henry Hagglyhoagly, a poor minstrel in love with Susan Slackentwist. When Henry finds his fingers are too cold to play the guitar, his two mittens, Please Gimme and Ask Me No Questions assist him in serenading Susan who falls instantly in love.
The children sadly wish their mother could be with them sharing all of these experiences and happiness, but their father reminds them she will always be part of their memories.
The Potato Faced Blind Man tells them they have no more letters to deliver, so family debates where to go next. They realize they have already found a new home in Rootabaga Country. They may not be a family of four perfect people, but a family can be made up of any combination. They happily accept that anyone rooting for each other, and sticking it out until the storm clouds part, is a family, and they decide to stay with their newfound friends in Rootabaga Country.
