: An Exposé on the Life and Times of Hot Dog Zilla

Erin Moll, Opera for All Teaching Artist

Disclaimer: I thought it would be fun to share a little bit of the story creations the OFA students came up with this year.  This particular gem “Hot Dog Zilla” is the creation of Ms. Rhodes Fourth Grade Blue Team at Disney II Magnet Elementary.  The students were very much inspired by the hot dog exhibit at the Chicago History Museum and decided to turn the hot dog into the antagonist for their class’s opera.  Here’s a little of what they came up with! 

Once upon a time in Chicago, there was a supervillain by the name of Al Capone.  You may have heard of him.  On one of Al’s many capers, we find him at the Willis Tower!  On this particular occasion, he has stolen a laser beam from famous architect, Daniel Burnham, and is using it to wreak havoc on the city of Chicago.  Using the laser beam, he zaps a Chicago style hot dog and creates the scariest monster you have ever seen: HOT DOG ZILLA!    Hot Dog Zilla has one mission and one mission only… To Destroy the Willis Tower!  

“Hot Dog Zilla, he’s the evil one in the poppyseed bun.
Hot Dog Zilla, he is coming today to chase the ketchup away!
We’re all in a pickle when he comes to down;
He’s going to knock the Willis Tower down!
Hot Dog Zilla!”

(The Chorus to our Class Song “Hot Dog Zilla”)

What do our students have to say about Hot Dog Zilla?  Well, he’s evil, hungry, outrageous, mean, pricey, and of course he has a sour attitude!