About this work:
THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY
ONE ACT OPERA IN 10 SCENES
Libretto by Kathy Minicozzi
Based on the story “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” by James Thurber
Walter Mitty is a meek, mild-mannered man who is married to a domineering, insensitive woman.
He deals with his real-life predicaments by escaping into a world of daydreams. In his fantasies,
he becomes a heroic naval commander, a famous surgeon, a daring defendant in a murder trial,
and a World War I flying ace. Unfortunately for Walter Mitty, his overbearing wife interferes with his dreams and brings him crashing back into reality.
CHARACTERS
Real People:
Walter Mitty, a quiet, mild-mannered, awkward man, except in his daydreams, where he becomes suave and heroic.
MRS. MITTY, a domineering, insensitive, bossy woman
A PARKING ATTENDANT
Figments of Walter Mitty’s Imagination:
A Navy Hydroplane
Lieutenant Berg
A Crewman
A Hospital Operating Area
A Pretty Nurse
Dr. Pritchard-Mitford from London
A Courtroom
A District Attorney
A Defense Attorney
A Pretty Woman
A World War I RAF Barrack
A Royal Air Force Sergeant
Somewhere in World War I France
A Firing Squad
WALTER MITTY is played by one man and MRS. MITTY by one woman. The other characters are covered by three players: two men and one woman, each of whom plays multiple roles.
VOICES:
WALTER MITTY - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Bariton
MRS. MITTY - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Mezzo-Soprano
PRETTY NURSE, VOICE #1 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Soprano
LIUTENANT BERG, DR. PRITCHARD-MIDFORD,
DISTRICT ATTORNEY, VOICE #2 - - - - - - - - - - - Tenor
PARKING ATTENDANT, DEFENCE ATTORNEY,
SERGEANT, VOICE #3 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Tenor
Voices #1, 2 and 3 are sung off stage as a choir. Except in scene 10 all voices are a part of a firing squad; they are sung on stage.
STAGE PROPS:
CAR HORN.
JUDGE’S GRAVEL.
SOUNDS OF WWI CANNONS.
NOTE: Walter Mitty’s “asides” are understood to be inaudible to everyone else onstage, including Mrs. Mitty.
INSTRUMENTS:
1 CLARINET in Bb (IN THE SCORE, THE PART OF THE CLARINET IS WRITTEN IN C)
1 VIOLIN
1 VIOLA
1 CELLO
PIANO