POP’s Superflute is a zany retelling of Mozart’s The Magic Flute in which all the characters are represented by video game characters. The concept, by Josh Shaw and E. Scott Levin, was originally presented at the 2018 Southern Illinois Music Festival. And, in March of 2019, POP presented the same piece to a sold-out North Hollywood audience.

 

In our story, Prince Tamino Linkman finds himself in an unknown kingdom, where he encounters many threats foreign to his own land. He is just about to be killed by a vicious hammer-throwing turtle when the Three Ladies arrive to rescue him. Tamino awakes after having been passed out from fear and is greeted by a coin-collecting plumber, Papageno. The two become acquainted. When Papageno takes credit for killing the monster, however, the Three Ladies reappear to punish Papageno for lying. Before they leave, they give Tamino a picture of the Queen of the Night's daughter, Princess Pamina. They explain that Pamina has been captured by the evil Sarastro Kong. Just then, the Queen of the Night herself appears and tells Tamino that he must rescue Pamina if he wishes to marry her. To help them on their quests, the Three Ladies give Tamino a magic flute (ocarina) and Papageno a superstar for protection. Before the Ladies leave, they say that three Toads will help guide their journey. The two men split up to search for Pamina.

 

Meanwhile, in Sarastro Kong’s temple, Princess Pamina is being held captive and antagonized by Sarastro Kong’s henchman, Monostatos. Papageno stumbles into the scene and is horrified by the sight of Monostatos. Nevertheless, Papageno scares him away. He informs Pamina that he has been sent by her mother, the Queen, to rescue her. Together they share a moment of reflection about how nice it would be to have a partner in life.

 

The Three Toads then appear and guide Tamino into entering Sarastro Kong’s castle by using his magic ocarina. In the meantime, Pamina and Papageno are still trying to escape, but are thwarted by Monostatos and his minions. Thankfully, Papageno’s superstar delays their demise long enough for Sarastro Kong to enter. When he learns of Monostatos’ evil, he punishes him. Sarastro Kong forgives Pamina for trying to escape, but says that he still cannot allow her to return to her mother. Tamino arrives and is united with Pamina. The happiness is short-lived, however, as Sarastro Kong announces that Tamino and Papageno must face the Castle Trials to prove that the prince is worthy of Pamina’s love. He confiscates the ocarina and superstar and tasks the men with a vow of silence.

 

Act Two begins with a solemn banana ceremony as Sarastro Kong further explains the quest to Tamino and Papageno. When the two begin their adventure, they encounter guides, who tell the men that great things await them if they pass the castle trials and uphold their vow.

 

Then, out of nowhere, the Three Ladies appear and try to distract the two men from their mission. However, they “mostly'' stay strong in their resolve.

 

In another room, Monostatos is still harassing Pamina until her mother, The Queen of the Night, appears and runs him off. The Queen gives Pamina a dagger and tells her she must kill Sarastro Kong or she will be disowned. Sarastro Kong arrives and explains to the princess that he is in fact her father.

 

Elsewhere in the castle, Tamino and Papageno try to stay silent. The Three Toads enter to boost morale and return the ocarina and flute. They remind them that their vow of silence is still in effect. Pamina enters and tries to speak to Tamino, but he is bound by his vow of silence and doesn’t answer her. She laments, and afterwards, Sarastro Kong enters and instructs them to give their final farewells. He informs them there is but one trial left to overcome, and he sends Tamino away. Papageno sings of how he longs for his princess, too.

 

Pamina is just about to take her own life when The Toads arrive and convince her that she still has love to live for. In the meantime, Tamino arrives at the final trials. The two lovers unite to complete the Castle Trials of fire and water.

 

Meanwhile, Papageno is also contemplating suicide since he has no wife and nothing else to live for. Just in the nick of time, the Toads prevent another suicide by reminding Papageno to use his superstar. When he does, Papagena (Princess Peach) arrives and the two lovers sing about their future together.

 

Before the story ends, the Queen of the Night, accompanied by her Three Ladies, and conspiring with Monostatos, arrive with the intention of murdering Papageno, Tamino, and Sarastro Kong. However, good triumphs and the Queen of the Night is defeated. Tamino and Pamina are united, Papagena and Papageno dance hand in hand, and all ends happily.