March, 1944

Near the town of Dieulefit, in Southern France

There are 21 schoolchildren in residence at Beauvallon, a large country house that has been converted into a school for the duration of the war.  The 21 become 31 when their teacher, Sister Gabriel, agrees to help hide ten Jewish children among her charges.  One day, when Sister Gabriel has gone into town, the children see two Nazi soldiers approaching the school.  The Jewish children quickly hide in a cave and the others vow to not say a word.  But what will happen when the Nazis tempt the children with candy and oranges, and the littlest boy, Louis, decides to start talking?

Piano, 4 violins, 2 violas, cello, bass, flute, clarinet, bass clarinet/clarinet doubler, and percussion. (It may also be performed with just piano, or piano and percussion.)

This work was premiered by a cast of 55 third, fourth and fifth graders.  It can also be performed with adults in the adult roles, or with older teens in those roles.

The 21 Children of Beauvallon (age range 5-14)

 The 10 Jewish Refugee Children

 Sister Gabriel……………………………………………..the teacher at Beauvallon

Herr Schmidt……………………………………………..an underground resistance fighter

Madame Duteil…………………………………………..the Dieulefit postmistress

Pere Thomas……………………………………………..a priest in Dieulefit

Madame Perdue…………………………………………a woman in need of ID papers

Monsieur Louradour…………………………………..a man in need of ID papers

Hauptmann……………………………………………….a Gestapo Agent

Assistent…………………………………………………..Hauptmann’s Assistant

Leutnant…………………………………………………..a Nazi Lieutenant

Gefreiter…………………………………………………..a Nazi corporal

Townspeople of Dieulefit……………………………mostly mothers, children and older people