--------------------------------------------------------------------------------CinderellaMusic:
Richard RodgersLyrics: Oscar Hammerstein IIBook: Oscar Hammerstein
IIPremiere: Sunday, March 31,
1957--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Godmother (sings)
Impossible... for a plain yellow pumpkin to
become a golden carriage.
Impossible... for a plain country bumpkin
and a prince to join in marriage.
(spoken)
A slipper, made of glass, is just a shoe. And dreamers, never
make a dream come true.
(sings)
Impossible!!!
-----OVERTURE-----
Fragments of "Impossible", "My Own Little Corner", "A Lovely
Night" "Stepsister's Lament" & "The Prince is Giving a Ball".
(A special focus is put on shoes & feet during the overture.
Finally arriving on the short, shuffling steps of Cinderella's
Stepmother)
Scene 1
The Public Square
Stepmother
Come along now, Girls!!
Minerva
Hurry up!!
Calliope Move it!!
(Following behind, panting, and carrying many packages is
Cinderella. They arrive at a cart with hats on it. Minerva picks up
one and puts it on her head. Calliope gasps) Minerva
What do you think mother??
Stepmother
(staggering, then laughing)
It's certainly not the sort of thing you see every day.
Calliope
I saw it first! How do you think it looks on me, Mother??
Minerva
(makes a gagging sound)
Uhh!! Awful!
Calliope
I didn't ask you!
Stepmother
How can a mother choose between two such extrodinary
daughters?
(she goes into the store)
Calliope
Cinderella? Cinderella!!
Cinderella
Yes?
(she has been watching a puppet show at another cart about a
prince & his bride)
Calliope
What do you think? Does it look better on me?
(Minerva snatches the hat and puts it on her head)
Minerva
Or me?
Cinderella
Well I don't know much about hats, but, I don't think it
flatters either one of you.
(both gasp)
Minerva
What did you ask her for?
Calliope
She doesn't know anything about hats, she said so herself!
(Calliope snatches the hat this time off of Minerva's head)
Minerva
Give it to me!!
Calliope
It's mine!!
(struggling and each pulling against the hat)
Both
Mother!!!
(they go into the store)
(Cinderella kinda stands there, while still watching the puppet
show)
Puppets
Nothing will equal the joy of holding you in my arms again! Be
my bride, lady Gwendaline, and I will pledge my love, for all
eternity....
Cinderella
(sings ) ---"The Sweetest Sounds"---
The Sweetest Sounds, I'll ever hear
are still inside my head
The Kindest Words I'll ever know
are waiting to be said
The most entrancing sight of all
is yet for me to see....
and the dearest love in all the world
is waiting somewhere for me
is waiting somewhere.... somewhere for me.
(Cinderella's stepmother and stepsisters come out of the store.
Minerva is wearing the hat, and Calliope is wearing a different
one)
Stepmother
Cinderella!
(she hands her some more bags)
Minerva
Have you ever seen such a lazy girl in all your life?
Calliope
Who are you calling lazy??
Minerva
Not you, stupid, Cinderella!!
Calliope
Oh! (smiling again) Who are you calling stupid??
( Camera pans out across the market, and goes to the other side,
identicle )
Prince
(sings )
The sweetest sounds I'll ever hear
are still inside my head
The Kindest Words I'll ever know
are waiting to be said
The most entrancing sight of all
is yet for me to see....
and the dearest love in all the world
is waiting somewhere for me
is waiting somewhere.... somewhere for me.
(Cinderella's stepmother and stepsisters have arrived on the
other side of the market and are browsing around. Cinderella is
behind)
Prince
The Sweetest Sounds I'll ever hear
Cinderella
The Sweetest Sounds I'll ever hear
are still inside my head
Cinderella
The kindest words I'll ever hear
Prince
The kindest words I'll ever hear
are waiting to be said
Prince
The most, entrancing sight of all
is yet for me to see!
Cinderella
The most, entrancing sight of all
is yet for me to see!
Both
And the dearest love in all the world
Prince
is waiting somewhere for me
Cinderella
(echoing) waiting somewhere....
Prince
Is waiting somewhere.....
(Cinderella is walking along and a coach sweeps through her
path. She jumps back and drops all her packages)
Prince
Are you all right, miss? (running to her aid)
Cinderella
Yes, I'm fine, I think.
Prince
(He picks up one of the very strange looking hats Cinderella was
carrying and looks at it for a second)
Here you go. Just like those royals isn't it? Not caring if
they're in anybody's way.
Cinderella
Well I'm sure they were going somewhere very important.
Prince
I doubt it.
(There eyes meet. There is a moment of silence)
Cinderella
Thanks. Thanks for your help.
(she gets up and starts to walk)
Prince
Wait! What's your name?
Cinderella
Cinderella. (her back to him)
Prince
Beg your pardon?
Cinderella
Cinderella. (facing him)
I like to sit by the fire and the cinders fly.
Prince
Ahh! Cinder-ella. I like it!
Cinderella
It... it grows on you, I guess. Excuse me!
Prince (following her)
Tell me Cinderella, what would a man have to do to find himself
in your good graces?
Cinderella
Who wants to know?
Prince
Let's just say a charming stranger.
(he has been walking backwards talking to her and runs into a
cart)
Cinderella
Oh my. I'm not sure I want to meet this stranger. He probably
has no idea how a girl needs to treated.
Prince
Like a princess, I suppose.
Cinderella
No, like a person, with kindness and respect.
Prince
You're not like most girls are you?
Cinderella
What do you mean?
Prince
Nothing. I didn't mean to offend you.
(They look away for a minute)
Cinderella
It's all right. It's just that I've led a pretty sheltered
life.
Prince
So have I.
Cinderella
Really?
Prince
Everyday the same old routine....
Cinderella
Until you just want to run away...
Both
and never come back!
(they laugh)
Stepmother
(appearing from behind)
I thought I told you never to talk to strangers!!
Cinderella
I'm so sorry, Stepmother.
Prince
I hope I see you again, Cinderella. (he turns and walks
away)
Stepmother
Well hurry up with those packages!! What are you doing?
(turning)
Cinderella
(sings)
The most entrancing sight of all,
is yet for me to see....
Cinderella & Prince
And the dearest love in all the world
is waiting somewhere for me.
Is waiting somewhere.....
Stepmother (returning)
Cinderella!!!
Prince & Cinderella
Somewhere for me..... (the prince is seen getting into the royal
carriage. Cinderella sees this and hurrys away)
Scene 2
The Royal Dressing Room
Lionel
Why?! Why the disguise again your highness after I beg you?
Prince
I had a lovely time today Lionel. No one treated my like a
prince. What a relief to be among real people.
Lionel
Listen to me. I am a real person. Does that tell you anything?
Believe me, they are all out there wishing they could be you!
Prince
Because they have no idea what it's really like!
Lionel
Help me out here. You are rich, you live in a geourgous castle,
you have beautiful women throwing themselves at your feet. Is there
something I am not getting?!
(The Prince goes into his parent's bedroom)
Lionel (muttering to himself)
If he wants to kill me why does he not trample me with his
carriage and get it over with?!
Prince
You wanted to see me mother?
Queen
Christopher darling where have you been? Your father and I were
just talking about you.
King
Your mother was talking, I was listening.
Prince
What's going on?
Queen
Just planning a little get-together, nothing fancy. Just
family...
Prince
Uh-huh..
Queen
And a few close friends...
Prince
Uh-huh.
Queen
And all the eligable young women in the kingdom.
Prince
Mother!
Queen
We're only talking 4 or 5 hundred at the most.
Prince
Mother you can't keep doing this to me!
Queen
What? Max, what's he saying?
King
He's saying he doesn't want to have another ball.
Queen
No he's not!
(she squeaks trying to find the right words, he stares at her
harshly)
Prince
Here we go.
Queen
Max! My smelling salts! Max?
(she gives him a pleading look)
King
Chris, it's really very simple. All your mother and I want is
for you to be happy.
Queen
Happiness has nothing to do with it! (collecting herself) I mean
of course we want you to be happy. But you do have certain
obligations.
King
What your mother's trying to say is: We think it's find you
chose a bride and produced an heir.
Queen
Someday soon this entire kingdom will be yours.
King
Not that soon.
Prince
Listen. All I ask is that you let my choose a bride myself, in
my own way. And I guess I have this silly idea that I want to be in
love when I get married. Like you were.
King
That's all we want for you too, son.
Queen
Yes darling, but there's nothing saying you can't fall in love
at the ball, it happens all the time! Now I should go through the
menus with you... where's he going?
King
Could it have been something we said?
Queen
Lionel? Lionel!
Lionel
Yes your majesty.
Queen
"Proclamation from the prince...."
Lionel
Excuse me, your majesty, I couldn't help over hearing and I
don't think the prince sounded too...
Queen
Lionel. Take this down:
(sings)
His royal highness, Christopher Rupert, Windamehr Ladameir,
Carl Alexander, Francois Reginal, Lanalot Herman...
Lionel
(spoken) Herman?
Queen
(spoken) Herman.
(sings)
Gregory James, (he'll thank us for it later)
is Giving a ball!
Scene 3
The Public Square
---"The Prince is Giving a Ball"---
Lionel
(sings)
The Prince is Giving a Ball!
His royal highness, Christopher Rupert, son of Her Majesty
Queen Constanina, Charley Germantrude Gueenavier Mazy....
Stepmother
(spoken) Mazy?
Lionel
(spoken) Mazy.
(sung)
Margarita... is Giving a Ball!
Townspeople
The Prince is Giving a Ball!
The Prince is Giving a Ball!
Stepmother
They've spread the message far and wide the Prince is giving a
Ball!
They say he wants to find a bride he may find one at the
ball.
Calliope
Oh if only he'd propose to me
Minerva
I wish that he'd propose to me!
Stepmother
Just leave the hair and clothes to me
All
The Prince is Giving a Ball!
Lionel
Now if you please the crown decrees
some peau de soie with frills
A silky satine in aubregine, a red if someone spills.
Now surely I'll need a side of ham, and lots of beef fillets
Some marbelized steak, a rack of lamb
and veal to raise to braise.
Limburger, swiss, and gourmandine
Cheddar, gryere, and blue
Chunks of swiss in barrels, please
make sure that its holey too!
Puddings and pies and rum sufflets
Succulent chocolate rounds
Cream puffs they can chew away to gain some royal pounds.
Lionel + Townspeople
The Prince in giving a Ball!
The Prince is giving a Ball!
---Instrumental--- (everyone dances, prepares, etc.)
Lionel
His royal highness...
200 orchids, 400 poppies, 600 roses, 800 lilies.
Christopher Rupert...
1000 oranges, 2000 plums
Wendemere, Vladimir
Karl Alexander
Raspberry, Blueberry
Strawberry, Gooseberry
Fransois Reginald, Lancelot Herman
Son of her majesty, Queen Constantina
Chocolate and Cheddar
and Charlotte and maisie
Son of his caviar
King maxamillion
Godfrey Ladislan
Leopald Sidney
Townspeople
Sidney?!
Lionel
Sidney!
All
Is giving a ball!!!
Cinderella
The Prince in Giving a Ball!
Scene 4
Cinderella's House
Calliope
Thank you.
(they walk to the door, stop and all turn around slowly)
Stepmother
(disgusted) Cinderella! The door!
Cinderella
Oh! Right away.
Stepmother
(sighing as she walks in)
Cinderella my wrap!
Minerva
Cinderella my hat!
Calliope
Cinderella, my gloves!
Stepmother
Cinderella have you dusted the rafters?
Cinderella
Not yet, stepmother I've had a busy day.
Stepmother
You've had a busy day?!
Cinderella
Uh, Yes. I've been in the village with you.
Stepmother
The impertinence! After your father died everyone said I should
have thrown you out into the street, (Like a swan girls) but I've
kept you out here all these years and this is the thanks I get.
(Shoulders back, Calliope, Back!) I've always been told I've got to
big a heart
Stepsisters
You've got to big a heart mother
Stepmother
(suddenly cheerful) We'll take our tea upstairs. Come girls,
we've got to get out beauty rest. We want to be our best for the
ball tomorrow night. (yawning) I don't know about you, but I'm
exhausted.
Calliope
I'm tried too, Mother.
Minerva
You're tired?
Calliope
Yes I'm tired!
Cinderella
Stepmother?
Stepmother
What is it now?
Cinderella
I was wondering about the ball. All eligible young women are
invited, and...
Stepmother
And I suppose you think the prince is going to take one look at
you and fall madly in love. Humph!
Cinderella
I...I didn't mean....
Stepmother
Take my advice Cinderella, no your place and be satisfied with
what you've got, I promise you. You'll be much happier.
Minerva
Cinderella, Hot water!
Calliope
Cinderella, warm milk!
Both
Cinderella!!
Cinderella
(walking into the kitchen mimicking her stepsisters)
'Cinderella, hot warm. Cinderella, warm milk Cinderella,
Cinderella!'
-----In my own little corner----
(sings)
I'm as mild and as meek as a mouse
When I hear a command, I obey.
But I know of a spot in my house
where no one can stand in my way.
In my own little corner, in my own litter chair
I can be whatever I want to be
On the wings of my fancy I can fly anywhere
and the world will open it's arms to me
I'm a young Egyptian princess or a milk-maid
I'm the greatest prima-donna in Milan
I'm a heiress who has always had her silk made
by her own flock of silk-worms in Japan
I'm a girl men go mad for, love's a game I can play
with a cool and confident kind of air
Just as long as I stay in my own little corner
All alone, in my own, little chair.
(Cinderella, I'm thirsty! You're thirsty?! Cinderella, where's
our tea?!)
I can be whatever I want to be
I'm a thief in Calcutta, I'm a queen in Peru
I'm a mermaid dancing upon the sea
I'm a huntress on an African Safari
It's a dangerous type of sport and yet it's fun
In the night I sally-forth to seek my quarry
and I find I forgot to bring my gun.
I am lost in the jungle all alone and unarmed
when I meet a lioness in her lair!
Then I'm glad to be back in my own little corner
All alone, in my own, little chair.
Stepsisters
Cinderella!!
Scene 5The Palace Ball Room
Prince
Mother!
Queen
Oh! (hurries away)
Prince
You've got to call this ball of immediately
Queen
Not possible. It's difficult to cancel once you've got the ball
rolling. Ha! ha ha ha...(laughs at her joke) Besides what would we
tell everyone?
Prince
Tell them you went behind my back and you're very ashamed of
yourselves!
Queen
Ashamed?!
King
I've never had to be ashamed of anything my entire life, I'm
certainly not going to start now.
Lionel
I should probably not interfere....
King, Queen, and Prince
Probably!!
Lionel
But let's say the prince goes to the ball tonight
Prince
Traitor!
Queen
I like the way that sounds.
Lionel
If he should find a bride that's wonderful, but if he does
not... (indicates to Prince)
Prince
Lionel, you're brilliant! Mother, I'll go to the ball, but if I
don't find her tonight you'll let me fall in love in my own,
without any interference, for as long as it takes.
King
It does have the ring of fairness to it.
Queen
I suppose. If that's what you want dear....
Prince
Thank you. (he leaves)
Lionel
Don't worry, your majesties. He will meet someone tonight. I can
feel it in my bones.
Queen
You'll feel it in your bones if doesn't.
(she knocks him off his ladder)
Scene 6Cinderellas House
Stepmother
My girls are going to be the envy of everyone at the ball.
Calliope
Do you really think so, Mother?
Stepmother
Stand still, Minerva! Our family has always been known for it's
fascinating women. Why I would have married a prince myself if I'd
had the same opportunities that you girls had....
Minerva
Ow!! (Stepmother has been pulling her corset tighter and
tighter)
Stepmother
...someone to push me the way you girls do. Some one to
sacrifice for me!
Minerva
Mother, you're hurting me!
Stepmother
Beauty knows no pain girls!!!
(regains herself)
Now if I've done my job right there's no reason on earth that
the prince shouldn't pick one of you for his brides. Girls??
Minerva
Well first I flutter my eyelashes.
Stepmother
Excellent!
Calliope
I'm going to start with a curtsy.
Minerva
Then I'm going to start with a curtsy too.
Calliope
Then I'm going to flutter my eyelashes.
Minerva
Then I'm going to flutter my eyelashes, too!
Stepmother
Let's... let's move on. Tell me what you're going to say to the
prince. Minerva?
Minerva
Well you said to show him that there's more to me that mere
beauty, so I thought I might recite a poem.
Calliope
A poem?
Minerva
What's wrong with that?
Stepmother
Whatever you do girls you mustn't let the prince know how clever
you are, men can't stand to be around smart women.
Stepsisters
Yes, mother.
Stepmother
For heaven's sake Minerva stop scratching yourself!
(Minerva has been scratching)
Minerva
I can't help it, Mother, you know how I get itchy when I'm
nervous!!
(Stepmother goes over and with force pulls her arms to her side.
Calliope has been giggling)
Stepmother
And what are you going to say Calliope!!?
Calliope
Well, mother, I've been working on my naturally infectious
laughter!
Minerva
Excuse me?
Calliope
Tonight I'm going to laugh infectiously at all the prince's
jokes.
(she laughs and laughs and then snorts)
Stepmother
Whatever you do Calliope: try not to snort. And Minerva!
(calmly) You must try not to scratch. Remember girls: We hide our
flaws....
Stepsisters
Until after the wedding!
Cinderella
But shouldn't a man love you for who you are in spite of
everything?
(Stepmother and Stepsisters turn around to her real slowly)
Stepmother
How quaint. Tell me Cinderella, what would you say to capture
the prince?
Cinderella
I don't know. (She shrugs)
Stepmother
Of course you don't.
Cinderella
But whatever I said, we'd know we were meant for each other.
Then he'd smile and kiss my hand...
Minerva
That's so romantic.
Calliope
Say it again, Cinderella!
Stepmother
Rubbish! This isn't about Love, it's about marriage! Have I
taught you girls nothing?!
-----Falling in love------
(sings)
Falling in love with Love is falling for make-believe
Falling in Love with love is playing the fool!
Caring to much is such a juvenile fancy
learning to trust is just for children in school.
I fell in love with Love one night when the moon was full
I was unwise with eyes unable to see!
I fell in love with Love, Love-everlasting
but Love fell out with me!
Stepsisters
Falling in love with Love is falling for make-believe
Falling in Love with love is playing the fool!
Stepmother
Caring to much is such a juvenile fancy
Stepsisters
Learning to trust is just for children in school.
I fell in love with Love one night when the moon was full
I was unwise with eyes unable to see!
Stepsisters & Stepmother
I fell in love with Love, Love Ever-lasting.
Stepmother
But Love fell out with me!
(Cinderella waves as they leave, then turns and walks back to
the house) Cinderella
Go to the ball? Me? Why would I want to go to the ball? I'd much
rather sit here by the fire.
(sings)
In my own littler corner, in my own little chair
I can be whatever I want to be
On the wings of my fancy, I can fly anywhere
and the world will open it's arms to me
I am in the royal palace, of all places
I am chatting with the prince and King and Queen.
And the color on my two stepsisters' faces
is a queer, sort-of sour apple green
I am coy and flirtatious when alone with the prince
(spoken) Oh your highness!
(sung)
I'm the bell of the ball, in my own little corner
all alone...
(crying now)
Oh I wish! I wish I could go to the ball!
Godmother
(sings)
Falder-ra and Fideldy Dee
Fiddeldy Faddaly Fadle
All the wishes in the world are
poppy-cock and twaddle
Cinderella
You?
Godmother
You got a problem with that? Because if you'd rather have some
little old lady sprinkling fairy dust everywhere I could....
Cinderella
Oh no, no! I just never dreamed....
Godmother (sings)
Falder-ra and Fideldy Dee
Fiddeldy Faddaly Foodle
All the dreamers in the world are....
dizzy in the noodle!
Cinderella
That's terrible!
Godmother
You try coming up with a rhyme on the spot like that!
Cinderella
No, no. I mean what you said about dreams.
Godmother
I can see this is going to take awhile. Aren't you going to
invite me in?
Cinderella
Oh forgive me, of course I am!
(she goes outside to look for her but she's gone)
Godmother
Cinderella! Over here.
(Cinderella goes back in the kitchen)
Is it just me or is it freezing in here?
(she lifts up her arm, fairy dust flies, and the fire
starts)
Cinderella
How'd you do that?
Godmother
Practice!
Cinderella
I've always dreamed that someone would come take me away from
here.
Godmother
Cinderella, if you want to get out of here you're going to have
to do it yourself. The music's in you. Deep down in your soul. When
you find it, nothing will be able to keep you from walking out that
door.
Cinderella
You haven't met my stepmother
Godmother
You wanna know what her problem is? She can't handle how
fabulous you are!
Cinderella
Fabulous? Me?
Godmother
Do you see anybody else in this room?
Cinderella
Those three are all I've got. Before my father died I promised
him that we'd stay together as a family.
Godmother
Cinderella, this can't be what your daddy had in mind for you,
baby.
Cinderella
I've dreamt about leaving so many times.
Godmother
That's the problem with most people. They dream about what they
want to do instead of really doing it.
Cinderella
Oh I wish... but I guess wishing's no good either.
Godmother
Mmmm... Everything starts with a wish.
Cinderella
You wanna know what I was wishing before you came here
tonight?
Godmother
That one of those pumpkins in the yard would turn into a great
big golden carriage and take you to the ball.
Cinderella
Guess I know what you're going to say: "Fal-der-a and Fidel-dy
Dee"
Godmother
Fidaldy Fadeldy Foodle.
Cinderella
You're right, it's impossible.
Godmother
(sings)
Impossible! For a plain yellow pumpkin
to become a golden carriage.
Impossible! For a plain country bumpkin
and a prince to join in marriage.
And four white mice will never be four white horses!
Such fal-der-a and fidel-dy dee of course is, Impossible!
But the world is full of zanies and fools!
Who don't believe in sensible rules.
And won't believe what sensible people say
and because these daft and doey-eyed dopes keep
building up impossible hopes,
Impossible things are happening every day!
Cinderella
Impossible Godmother Impossible Cinderella
Impossible Godmother Impossible Cinderella Impossible Godmother
Impossible
Both
Impossible!
(Godmother walks out into the yard. Cinderella follows)
Cinderella
Wait! If impossible things are happening every day, then why
shouldn't I have impossible hopes and dreams? Even something as
impossible as going to the ball?
Godmother
Then go to the ball, Cinderella, go. No one's stopping you but
you.
Cinderella
But I have no way to get there.
Godmother
You have a point there.
Cinderella
Godmother I've been wishing as hard as I can.
Godmother
I know you have Cinderella. Go on, stand over there, go
ahead.
(She lifts her arms, fairy dust flies, and a pumpkin out of the
garden rises, and then falls again)
Godmother
What's the matter with me? You'd think after 600 years... All
right... (She tries again. The pumpkin rolls out of the garden, and
rises to a golden carriage)
Cinderella
Oh my goodness!
Godmother
We need some horses. Let me see
(The mice from the kitchen appear, and they grow into four white
horses)
Cinderella
They're so beautiful!
Godmother
Don't you run away from me!
(The remaining mice become the driver, & footmen)
Let's see we've got footmen, the driver, horses, carriage... is
there anything I've forgotten?
(Cinderella looks down at her rags, and looks up again)
Spin around, don't make me do all the work!
(Cinderella spins and soon she's transformed into a baby blue
full flowing gown. She gasps while looking at her dress. She lifts
up her dress to reveal two glass slippers)
Cinderella
Thank you, Godmother! Thank you so much.
Godmother
There's one tiny little thing before I forget. You must leave
the ball before the clock strikes twelve. It's very important.
Cinderella
Before twelve?
Godmother
Look I don't make the rules. The magic only lasts till midnight.
Come on, Cinderella, it's time to go. (Cinderella blows a kiss as
the carriage pulls away)
Cinderella
(sings)
It's possible! For a plain yellow pumpkin
to become a golden carriage.
It's Possible! For a plain country bumpkin
and a prince to join in marriage!
Godmother
(flying along beside the carriage)
And four white mice are easily turned to horses.
Such faldera and fideldy of course it,
Quite possible.
It's possible.
Cinderella
For the world is full of zanies and fools
Godmother
Who don't believe in sensible rules.
Cinderella
And won't believe what sensible people say
Both
And because these daft and dewey-eyed dopes
keep building up impossible hopes,
Impossible
things are happening everyday.
Cinderella It's possible! Godmother It's possible! Cinderella
It's possible! Godmother It's possible! Cinderella It's possible!
Godmother It's possible! Both
It's Possible!
Scene 7
The Palace Ball Room
(The Prince is dancing with each girl waiting on the staircase.
He dances with them a couple minutes, then signals to Lionel who
brings another one over)
Queen
So many beautiful girls! He'll find the one he's looking for
tonight. I'm sure of it!
King
And if he doesn't?
Queen
This ball will never end!
Lionel
I don't think we ordered enough food
Queen
What?!
(Lionel is standing off to the side talking when Stepmother
comes over)
Stepmother
Pardon Me! I'm sure you've noticed my two beautiful
daughters!
Lionel
Madame...
(he looks over at Minerva and Calliope. Minerva is brushing her
teeth with her finger, and Calliope is pulling her dress down and
wiggling around. Lionel winces)
Madame. The prince will dance with all the young ladies in due
time. Please! Try to exercise some restraint
(She pulls him over behind the wall)
Stepmother
Naturally any mother would be eager to see her daughters dance
with the prince but what I would like to know is: Who's going to
have the honor of dancing with hhhh-you?
Lionel
Excuse me?
Stepmother
There's no need to be coy. Look at you! That manly physique.
Those handsome chiseled features. That wonderful full head... of
skin!
Lionel
No touching please.
Stepmother
Surely there's no need to pretend. I know you felt that certain
something. Between us.
Lionel
You know I honestly wish there were something between us
Stepmother
Really?
Lionel
A continent.
(He walks over to take the next girls hand to lead her to the
prince. It's Calliope. Minerva jumps forward and takes Lionel's
hand. She begins the gavotte with the prince. She begins scratching
herself)
Prince
Do you have an itch?
Minerva
No your highness, why would you say that?
Prince
You just scracted yourself.
Minerva
No I didn't. Ships that pass in the night and speak to each
other in passing.
Prince
Excuse me?
Minerva
On the ocean of life.
(she pulls him forward roughly)
It's poetry!!!!
Prince
Oh! (He motions for Lionel to bring the next girl)
Minerva
Ships that pass in the night, that's you and me! On the ocean of
life. Don't you get it?
Prince
Got it.
(Calliope comes forward, and starts laughing "infectiously")
Prince
Did I miss something? Oh your laughter is... incessant.
Calliope
But your highness is Tres amusel.
Prince
I don't think anyone's ever found me funny
Calliope
Good one! (snort) (Laugh, snort, laugh snort)
(Lionel comes to take her away)
Oh but we were getting along so well! Hey loosen up a
little!
(she hits him with the back of her hand)
Prince
Tell the orchestra to speed it up!
(The gavotte speeds up, the prince dances with more and more
girls)
Prince
Faster, Lionel!
(It gets faster)
King
I think it's going awfully well, don't you?
--Outside the ball--
(Cinderella gets out of the carriage)
Godmother
All right now, you're on your own.
Cinderella
Aren't you coming with me?
Godmother
I got you to the ball. The rest comes from you. Don't be afraid.
Just remember you gotta be out of there before the clock strikes
twelve.
--Back at the ball-
(The gavotte is very fast now)
(Cinderella arrives, and everyone stops and stares at her. She
descends down the stairs, and the prince goes to meet her)
Cinderella
How do you do, your highness?
(They waltz)
King
You is that charming girl?
Queen
No one seems to know she is stunning isn't she?
King
Like a vision. Why if I were a young man...
Queen
Yes dear?
King
Well I'd be younger wouldn't I?
Queen
Yes dear.
Prince
(waltzing)
You know I have the funniest feeling I've met you somewhere
before.
Cinderella
Well I'm sure I would remember
Prince
Was it last summer at the lake?
Cinderella
No I can't swim
Prince
Then it must have been last winter, at the lodge
Cinderella
Up in the mountains?
Prince
You go to the mountains too?
Cinderella
No I just love looking at them. They're very beautiful.
Prince
You're very beautiful.
Cinderella
Everyone is staring at us
Prince
Really? I had forgotten there was anyone else here
-----Ten Minutes Ago------
(sings)
Ten Minutes Ago I saw you
I looked up when you came through the door
My head started reeling you gave me the feeling
the room had no ceiling or floor
Ten Minutes I met you
And we murmered our how-do-you do's
I wanted to ring out the bells,
and fling out my arms
and to sing out the news:
I have found her, she's an angel
with the dust of the stars in her eyes
We are dancing, we are flying
and she's taking me back to the skies
In the arms of my love, I'm flying
over mountain and meadow and glen
And I like it so well that for all I can tell
I may never come down again
I may never come down to earth again.
Cinderella
Ten Minutes Ago I saw you
and we murmered our how-do-you do's
I wanted to ring out the bells
and fling out my arms and to sing out the news:
Prince
I have found her!
Cinderella
I have found him!
(Instrumental)
Both
In the arms of my love I'm flying
over moutain and meadow and glen
and I like it so well that for all I can tell
I may never come down again
I may never come down to earth again
(They waltz)
----Outside the ball----
(Cinderella and the Prince are waltzing alone)
-------Stepsisters Lament------
Minerva
(sings)
Why would a fellow want a girl like her
a frail and fluffy beauty
Why can't a fellow ever once prefer
a solid girl like me?
Calliope
She's a frothy little bubble
with a flimsy kind of charm
and with very little trouble
I could break her little arm!
Both
Oh why would a fellow want a girl like her,
a girl who's merely lovely?
Why can't a fellow ever once prefer
a usual girl like me?
Minerva
Her face is equiside I suppose
but no more equiside than a rose is
Calliope
Her skin may be delicate and soft
but not any softer that an doe's is.
Minerva
Her neck is no longer that a swan's
Calliope
She's only as dainty as a daisy
Minerva
Shes only as graceful as a bird
Both
So why is the fellow going crazy?!
Oh why would a fellow want a girl like her?
So obvioulsy unusual?
Why can't a fellow ever once prefer
a girl who's merely me!?
What's the matter with the man?
What's the matter with the man?
What's the matter with the man!?
(Stepsisters back up and fall into a fountain. Cinderella and
the Prince walk back into the ballroom and began to dance. The King
starts dancing with Cinderella, and the Queen with the Prince)
King
I do hope that son of mine is behaving himself.
Cinderella
Oh yes, Your Majesty. He's been a perfect gentleman.
King
Ah, chip off the old block, is he?
Cinderella
(Giggles)
Yes, Your Majesty.
King
Clearly he's smitten with you. I must say, it is though you've
appeared here by magic.
Prince
What's he saying to her?
Queen
What difference does it make? You said you weren't going to find
the girl of your dreams tonight.
(Privately to Cinderella)
Do we know your mother and father, dear?
Cinderella
I don't think so.
Queen
Well, you must introduce us. Where are they?
Cinderella
Well my father, he...
Queen
Yes, dear?
Cinderella
Well my mother, she... I'm sorry. Will you excuse me? (Runs
out)
Prince
What did you say to her? (Queen squeaks, not knowing what to
say. Prince runs out)
King
I think she's lovely. Don't you?
Queen
A little high strung.
King
A little.
(Lionel was kicked down onto the floor by the Stepmother)
Queen
Who is that?
King
Lionel, darling.
Queen
Oh.
---OUTSIDE THE BALL---
Godmother
It's not midnight yet.
Cinderella
I want to go now.
Godmother
Oh, so you're just giving up?
Cinderella
I'm not what they think I am.
Godmother
All they think is that you're the most beautiful girl at the
Ball. And you are.
Prince
(Runs out)
You're still here!
(Godmother disappears)
Cinderella
Yes, I was just...
(Turns. Sees Godmother is gone)
Prince
Please, I don't know what my parents said to you, by I
apologize.
Cinderella
No, no! They were wonderful... compared to my family.
Prince
I want to meet your family.
Cinderella
No you don't.
Prince
... everyone in your life!
Cinderella
No, really, you don't!
Prince
That bad, huh?
Cinderella
Well, they didn't want me to come here tonight.
Prince
Well, I'm glad you did. To tell you the truth I almost didn't
come myself.
Cinderella
How could the Prince not show up at his own Ball?
Prince
Well, don't you think it's a little medieval? Everyone circling
around like I was some prize bull they were trying to rope in.
(Cinderella laughs)
Go ahead and laugh. But this is serious. If I'm going to spend
the rest of my life with someone, she's gotta be...
Cinderella
Well she's gotta be exciting.
Prince
(Laughs)
I guess.
Cinderella
But sweet...
Prince
Not that sweet.
Cinderella
And your devoted servant forever and ever.
Prince
Servants I've got. What I need is someone I can really talk to.
You know what I wish? I wish...
Cinderella
You know the trouble with most people? It's that they sit at
home wishing for something to happen, instead of just doing
something about it.
Prince
You're right. May I ask you a question?
Cinderella
Of course.
Prince
Do you think it's possible to meet someone and know in an
instant that she's the one?
Cinderella
It's very possible.
Prince
I feel so strange. Like I'm not myself. But maybe with you I
really am myself... not the self that people expect me to be but
the real self that I...
(Laughs)
I'm not making any sense, am I?
Cinderella
Actually, you're making perfect sense to me. That's what's so
scary.
Prince
Scary... and confusing... and wonderful, all at the same
time!
------Do I love you because you're beautiful------
(Sings):
Do I love you because you're beautiful?
Or are you beautiful
because I love you?
Am I making believe I see in you
A girl to lovely to
be really true?
Do I want you because you're wonderful?
Or are you wonderful
Because I want you?
Are you the sweet invention of a lover's dream,
Or are you really as beautiful as you seem?
Cinderella
Maybe you're imagining me. And maybe I'm imagining you, too.
(sings):
Am I making believe I see in you
A man to perfect to
be really true?
Do I want you because you're wonderful,
or are you wonderful
because I want you?
Both
Are you the sweet invention of a lover's dream,
or are you really as wonderful as you seem?
Prince (Spoken)
I've always dreamed it would happen like this way... and now it
really has! I
don't ever want this night to end.
Cinderella (Spoken)
Neither do I.
Both
Are you the sweet invention of a lover's dream,
Or are you really as wonderful as you seem?
(They kiss. Midnight strikes. Cinderella gasps)
Cinderella
I can't stay!
(Starts running. While she's talking, she runs through the
ballroom, up the stairs, and outside)
Prince
What do you mean?
(The Prince follows her)
Cinderella
I have to go.
Prince
Wait! Come back! I don't even know your name!
Lionel
Your Highness, what is it?
King
Chris, don't let her get away!
(Starts to run up the steps after Cinderella. He passes the
Queen, who squeaks yet again)
---THE PALACE STEPS / STREET---
(Cinderella runs down the steps and looses her glass slipper.
Her ball gown changes into her rags. She runs down into the street.
Prince walks onto the steps and picks the slipper up)
Prince
(sings):
Do I want you because you're wonderful?
Cinderella
( Off Stage )
Or are you wonderful
Because I want you?
Both
Are you the sweet invention of a lover's dream,
Or are you really as wonderful as you seem?
Scene 8
Cinderellas House
(Stepmother and Stepsisters return from the ball. Stepmother
yawns)
Stepmother
Come along, girls.
(Enters house with Stepsisters. They each give Cinderella their
coat)
Oh! What a night! What a magnificent affair!
Minerva
Perfect!
Calliope
Like a dream!
Cinderella
Oh! Did any of you get to dance with the Prince?
Minerva
I danced about an hour with him
Calliope
An hour?
Minerva
Didn't you?
Calliope
Well, of course I did... if you did.
Stepmother
I wouldn't be surprised if the Prince chose one of you as his
bride!
Cinderella
Oh, that sounds too good to be true. Did you know everyone at
the Ball?
Stepmother
Everyone who's anyone... except some Princess something or
other... I never did quite catch her name.
Cinderella
Ooh a Princess? Did she dance with the Prince?
Stepmother
I didn't notice.
Cinderella
Do you think he liked her?
(Calliope laughs and snorts. Minerva smacks her on the back)
Stepmother
And, uh, what... pray tell, have you been doing all night,
Cinderella?
Cinderella
I've been dreaming, mostly. About what it would be like to go to
the Ball.
Minerva
She couldn't possibly think what it was like unless she was
there.
Calliope
You simply can't imagine!
Cinderella
Well I imagine there's a Grand Staircase. Candles everywhere.
And an orchestra playing.
-----A Lovely night-----
Minerva
(sings)
It looks that way
Calliope
The way you say
Stepmother
She talks as if she knows.
Cinderella
I do not know that this is so
I only just suppose...
I suppose that when you come to the ballroom
and the room itself is floating in the air If you're suddenly
confronted by his highness
you are frozen like a statue on the stair
You're afraid he'll hear the way your heart is beating
and you know you mustn't make the first offense
You are seriously thinking of retreating
when you seem to hear him asking you to dance...
(Spoken):
And when you waltz with him, you whirl around so that your feet
never touch the floor...
Calliope
That's right they don't!
Cinderella
And it makes you feel like you weigh nothing at all.
Minerva
That's right it does!
Cinderella
And for a few precious moments, you're the only two people in
the entire world.
(Sings):
A Lovely night, a lovely night
A finer night you know you'll never see
You meet your Prince, a charming Prince
As charming as a Prince will ever be.
The stars in a hazy heaven
tremble above you
While he is whispering:
"Darling I Love you"
You say good-bye, away you fly
but on your lips you keep a kiss
All your life you'll dream of this
Lovely, lovely night.
Minerva
A Lovely night,
Calliope
How lovely!
Minerva
A lovely night
Calliope
How lovely!
Minerva
A finer night you know you'll never see
Calliope
How lovely.
Minerva
You meet...
Calliope
your Prince,
Minerva
a char-...
Calliope
...ming Prince.
Stepmother
As charming as a Prince will ever be.
The stars in a hazy heaven
Calliope
tremble above you
Stepmother
While he is whispering:
Minerva
"Darling I Love you"
Cinderella
You say good-bye, away you fly
Stepsisters
but on your lips you keep a kiss
Stepmother
All your life you'll dream of this
Cinderella
Lovely,
Minerva
lovely,
Calliope
lovely...
Stepsisters and Cinderella
Lovely night!
Stepmother
Stop this! Worst nonsense I've ever seen! Rubbish and
dribble.
Minerva
But mother...
Stepmother
And you, hanging on her every word...
Calliope
But mother!
Stepmother
Enough. go to your room. It's late.
(Stepsisters leave up the stairs)
And the thought of you dancing with the Prince. It's
preposterous!
Cinderella
Why? Why is it so hard for you to imagine?
Stepmother
Because! You're common, Cinderella. Your mother was common, and
so are you. Oh, you can wash your face and put on a clean dress but
underneath you'll still be common. That a Prince would even
consider take you for his bride...
(Forces a laugh)
Why it's laughable!
Cinderella
My father...
Stepmother
Your father was weak. He spoiled you rotten. He filled your head
with silly thoughts and dreams that will never come true. Never.
Now clean this place up. It's a sty.
(Cinderella sadly walks through the kitchen sadly. Then goes
outside and prays)
--OUTSIDE--
Cinderella
(Praying)
Father, I know I promised I'd never leave here. But after
tonight I don't see how I can stay. If you only knew how she's
changed you'd understand. I deserve better, father. I deserve to be
loved. And that's what I found out tonight. And that's all that
really matters...
(Sings)
My dream came true,
away I flew,
But on my lips he left a kiss,
all my life I'll dream of this,
Lovely, lovely night...
Godmother
(Appears)
Cinderella... If you really love him, why don't you let him
know?
Cinderella
How can I? Look at me!
Godmother
Do you really think he fell in love with your fancy gown and
pretty braids?
Cinderella
I don't know anymore. If you hadn't helped me...
Godmother
You didn't need my help. You just thought you did. Believe in
yourself, Cinderella. and trust him to love you as you really
are.
Scene 9
The Royal Dressing Room
(Prince is staring at the glass slipper. King and Queen
enter)
Queen
Chris, you've been up all night. Come in and have something to
eat.
Prince
I can't. I can't eat or rest until I have found her again.
King
Chris they've been searching everywhere and not a trace of her.
You may never find her.
Prince
Don't say that. I'll find her. I have to.
King
Before last night, you didn't know a thing about her. And you
still don't know anything about her now.
Queen
Except that she's beautiful. And all the girls last night were
equally as beautiful.
Prince
I don't want to hear about anyone else, Mother. She's different
than all the others. She's different than any girl I've ever
met.
Queen
How can you know that after one night.
(Sings):
Are you making believe you see in her
A girl to lovely to
be really true?
Do you love you because she's wonderful?
Or is she wonderful
Because you love her?
Is she the sweet invention of a lover's dream,
Or is she really as wonderful as she seems?
Prince
All my life I've been searching for something. And I finally
found it... in her.
King
Well then you must find her. Keep looking, Chris, for as long as
it takes.
Lionel
(Enters)
Your Highness, I afraid I don't have very good news to report.
No one seems to know who she is or where she's from.
Prince
Lionel, she's out there somewhere. And I'm going to search every
inch of this Kingdom until I find her.
(Hands Lionel glass slipper)
Lionel
A shoe made of glass? Who dances in glass shoes?
Prince
We're going to try this foot on every woman in the Kingdom until
we find her. I'm going to marry her, do you understand?
Queen
Do as he says, Lionel.
Lionel
Yes, Your Majesty.
Prince
(sings):
And the dearest love in all the world,
Is waiting somewhere for me...
Is waiting somewhere
somewhere for me.
--- THE SEARCH---
(Lionel tries the slipper on a variety of foots, but none of
them fit. Prince stares depressed and impatient. Finally, they come
to Cinderella's House)
Scene 10
Cinderellas House
Calliope
That's my slipper! I'd know that slipper anywhere. (Jams it on)
You see? It fits perfectly.
(Lionel tries to push it on. It doesn't fit. Calliope giggles,
then gets up as Minerva sits on the couch)
Minerva
Honestly. Anyone can see that that slipper was made for a
daintier foot.
(Sticks her foot in Lionel's face. Lionel coughs. Tries to put
it on, but it doesn't fit)
What happened to it?
(Slams his head on the couch and holds it there)
You shrunk it! It fit me perfectly at the Ball!
Lionel
His Highness is very weary and I... think it is obvious.
(Stepmother locks kitchen door. Cinderella hears the lock.
Lionel takes the slipper off of her foot)
Are there any other women in the house?
Stepmother
Why, yes. There's one more. Move over!
(Sits)
Lionel
I mean are there any other young women in the house?
Stepmother
(her voice high and squeaky)
How young?
Lionel
Younger than you.
Stepmother
(Takes the slipper and jams it on her foot)
My stars! It fits! It fits!
(Calliope and Minerva gasp)
Prince
Impossible!
Stepmother
(laughing slower and slower)
And it's cutting off my circulation! Get it off me... off! Off!
Off! Pull it harder, you idiot, harder!
(By now the Stepsisters have joined in to help pry the slipper
off the Stepmother's foot)
Lionel
Madam, there is no need for name calling! On the count of
three... one... two... three!
(They manage to pull it off. Stepmother's squeals of pain turn
into sounds of releif)
Stepmother
What's the matter with you people? A blind man could tell it
wasn't going to fit my foot.
Prince
Are you sure there's no one else here?
Stepmother
Uh... no. Not a soul.
Minerva
No one Your Highness.
Calliope
Not even a Servant Girl!
(By now the three have hobbled over to the locked door and are
covering it with their arms)
Prince
Those doors. Where do they lead to?
Stepsisters
What doors?
Prince
The doors right behind you.
Stepmother
Doors. Oh, doors! These doors! Why didn't you say -- there's
nothing behind these doors.
Prince
I'd like to see for myself, please.
Stepmother
Oh, it's just like any other kitchen. A few pots and pans, a
couple of mice...
Lionel
Step aside, madam.
(Stepsisters and Stepmother move from the doors. Lionel signals
for the key. Stepmother resentfully pulls it from her dress and
gives it to him. Lionel opens the doors. The Prince walks in. All
look in. No one is in there. He walks out)
Stepmother
Take one of my daughters, I beg of you!
(Calliope hops trying to jam the slipper on)
Calliope has charm, and eloqution! She is really much brighter
than she appears.
(Calliope throws the slipper up in the air. Minerva catches it.
Throws it back to Calliope)
And Minerva, she's as strong as an ox... and cultured! She's
memorized the vespors in three languages... four -- if you count
Pig Latin.
(While all this is going on, Calliope is keeping the slipper
away from Lionel)
Prince
Madam! I command you to stop this foolishness this instant! Come
along, Lionel.
(Lionel takes the shoe and follows the Prince out the door)
--- OUTSIDE ---
(Cinderella has just dropped her bags because the Prince's coach
pulls up in front of her)
Prince
Just like those Royals, isn't it? Not caring if they're in
anybody's way?
Cinderella
Well I'm sure they were going somewhere very important.
Prince
What did you say your name was?
Cinderella
Cinderella.
Prince
Cinderella. I like it.
Cinderella
It grows on you, I guess.
(Prince takes the slipper. Stepsisters and Stepmother enter)
Prince
May I?
(Cinderella takes her foot out of her slipper, and he easily
slips the shoe onto her foot)
Stepmother
Nooo!
(Faints. Stepsisters catch her)
Lionel
Quiet, woman!
(Prince stands. Smiles at Cinderella. They kiss)
Godmother
(Appears and sings)
Impossible things are happening every day!
(Changes their outfits change into wedding outfits with her
magic powers)
Someone wants you, you know who
Now you're living, there's music in you.
Now you're hearing, something new
Someone's playing the music in you.
Now you're living, you know why
Now there's nothing, you won't try....
Move a mountain, light the sky
Make a wish come true, there is music in you.
Now you can go wherever you want to go
Now you can do whatever you want to do
Now you can be whatever you want to be
And love is the song you'll sing your whole life through....
Oh, Move a mountain, light the sky
Make a wish come true
There is music in you!
In you.......
-- THE END --
11
