Book by Vera MORRIS, Music and Lyrics by BILL FRANCOEUR

© Copyright 2001, by Pioneer Drama Service, Inc.

PERFORMANCE LICENSE The amateur acting rights to this play are controlled exclusively by PIONEER DRAMA SERVICE, INC., P.O. Box 4267, Englewood, Colorado 80155, without whose permission no performance, reading or presentation of any kind may be given. On all programs and advertising this notice must appear: “Produced by special arrangement with Pioneer Drama Service, Inc., Englewood, Colorado.” copying or reproducing all or any part of this book in any manner is strictly forbidden by law. All other rights in this play, including those of professional production, radio broadcasting and motion picture rights, are controlled by Pioneer Drama Service, Inc., to whom all inquiries should be addressed. CINDERELLA’S GLASS SLIPPER Book by VERA MORRIS Music and Lyrics by BILL FRANCOEUR

CHARACTERS (In order of speaking) # of lines TROUBADOUR ����������������lute player 7 ATTILA �����������������������������timid cat 24 BRUNHILDA �������������������Cinderella’s unpleasant 134 stepsister; loud voice CLEOPATRA ��������������������another stepsister; silly 134 STEPMOTHER ����������������mean to Cinderella 116 MOUSE ����������������������������likes cheese 12 CINDERELLA ������������������beautiful girl with a beautiful 112 heart; sweet and gentle APPRENTICE �����������������to Fairy Godmother 51 MISTRESS HAUGHTY ���neighbor 18 MAJORDOMO ����������������from the palace 53 PRINCE ��������������������������soon to rule the kingdom 81 FAIRY GODMOTHER �����friend to Cinderella 57 PUMPKINHEAD ��������������talking gourd 13 LADY URSULA‑URSULA lady‑in‑waiting to Queen 14 LADY BLOSSOM ������������marriage prospect 5 CAPTAIN ������������������������soldier 17 LADY VINE ���������������������another marriage prospect 5 LIEUTENANT ������������������another soldier 14 QUEEN ���������������������������rules kingdom 36 CITIZEN 1 �����������������������young girl 6 CITIZEN 2 �����������������������another 5 ADDITIONAL PARTY GUESTS as/if desiredADDITIONAL PARTY GUESTS as/if desired

For previewii only SYNOPSIS OF SCENES The action of the play takes place in a far‑off kingdom, many years ago.

ACT ONE The kitchen in the house belonging to Cinderella’s stepmother. ACT TWO Scene One: The palace. Night of the Grand Ball. Scene Two: The palace again. The following day.

SEQUENCE OF MUSICAL NUMBERS

MC 1 Once Upon A Time—Prologue ����Troubador, Company MC 2 Ladies of Fashion ��������������������Stepmother, Stepsisters MC 3 Hear Ye! ���������������������������������Majordomo, Stepmother, Stepsisters, Mistress Haughty MC 3a Ladies of Fashion—Reprise ������Stepmother, Stepsisters MC 4 Dream of Tomorrow �����������������Cinderella MC 4a Cinderella’s Waltz ������������������Instrumental MC 5 Don’t-Cha Worry ����������������������Fairy Godmother, Apprentice, Attila, Mouse, Pumpkinhead MC 6 Entr’acte ��������������������������������Instrumental MC 7 The Grand March ��������������������Majordomo, Chorus MC 7a The Presentations �������������������Instrumental MC 7b Cinderella’s Waltz ��������������������Instrumental MC 8 Behind the Mask ���������������������Prince, Cinderella MC 8a Cinderella’s Waltz ��������������������Instrumental MC 9 Did You Hear the News? ����������Majordomo, Chorus MC 9a Dream of Tomorrow �����������������Cinderella, Prince MC 9b Did You Hear the News?—Reprise ���������������������Company MC 10 Once Upon A Time—Epilogue ����Company

For previewiii only For previewiv only CINDERELLA’S GLASS SLIPPER

PROLOGUE

AT RISE: MUSIC CUE 1: “Once Upon a Time—Prologue.” A lone TROUBADOUR wanders IN strumming a LUTE. He proceeds DOWN CENTER. Or he can ENTER down the aisle of the auditorium.

TROUBADOUR: (Sings.) In a kingdom far away lived a girl, So young, fair and good-hearted, Regarded as an angel, So they do tell. (COMPANY begins to wander IN. SPOTLIGHT UP on CINDERELLA.) In her mansion she did work day and night, For her kin, thus, as their servant, Yet fervent in her own mind, That she one day would find true love. TROUBADOUR/CHORUS: (Sing.) Cinderella, Cinderella was the maiden’s name. Little cinder girl, so lost and all alone was she, she became Cinderella. Cinderella, from your deep despair you’ll climb, In a royal kingdom, once upon a time. (During music interlude, SPOTLIGHT FADES on CINDERELLA. SPOTLIGHT UP on PRINCE.) TROUBADOUR: (Sings.) Now in this kingdom, far away, lived a prince, As young, handsome and charming, Disarming as he could be, As he should be.

And the prince one day would search for a bride. He’d vow he would embrace her And grace her in his own mind, And on that day he’d find true love. (SPOTLIGHT FADES on the prince.) TROUBADOUR/CHORUS: (Sing.) Cinderella, Cinderella, don’t you hesitate. Little cinder girl a rags to riches fairytale, just you wait. Cinderella, Cinderella, how those wedding bells will chime In a royal kingdom once upon a time.

For preview1 only Cinderella, Cinderella was the maiden’s name. Little cinder girl, so lost and all alone was she, she became Cinderella. Cinderella, from your deep despair you’ll climb, In a royal kingdom once upon a time. TROUBADOUR: (Sings.) In a royal kingdom once upon a time. (At end of song, COMPANYstrolls OUT. TROUBADOUR is the last to EXIT, strumming his LUTE.)

ACT ONE

The kitchen of Cinderella’s stepmother.

Basics: STAGE RIGHT is a fireplace. Kettle, some wood for kindle. By the fireplace, UPSTAGE, is a stool. Leaning against the fireplace, DOWN RIGHT, is a broom. Straw is scattered in front of the fireplace. UPSTAGE CENTER is a small sewing/work table. Spools of thread, cloth, ribbons, two pairs of ladies’ gloves, two fans. LEFT of the sewing/work table is a full‑length standing mirror. RIGHT of the sewing/work table is a dressmaker’s dummy. On the dummy is a ball gown for CINDERELLA’S stepsister, CLEOPATRA. (Clothes tree with the gown on a hanger can substitute.) STAGE LEFT is a kitchen table with some dishware, cutlery, baskets of vegetables and fruit. Round of cheese, fish on a plate. There’s a stool at the UPSTAGE end of the table and a small bench or another stool behind it. RIGHT, above the fireplace, leads to the outside. DOWN RIGHT, below the fireplace, leads into a storeroom. UP LEFT and DOWN LEFT lead into the house. (NOTE: For suggestions on how to “dress up” the stage picture, CONSULT PRODUCTION NOTES at end of playbook.)

AT RISE: ATTILA, the timid cat, is snoozing by the fireplace.

ATTILA: (Dreamily.) Meow...eow...ow. (Pause.) Ow...eow...meow. BRUNHILDA’S VOICE: (From OFFSTAGE LEFT.) Where is she?! Where is that stupid girl?! CLEOPATRA’S VOICE: (From OFFSTAGE LEFT.) Cinderella! BRUNHILDA’S VOICE: Lazy, useless girl! Cinderella! CLEOPATRA’S VOICE: Good for nothing! Ungrateful! Never around when you want her. Cinderella! ATTILA: (Wakes up, reacts to voices.) Eh? (Angrily, BRUNHILDA storms IN LEFT. She wears a large, unattractive bathrobe. Some paper rollers in her hair. Circles of rouge on her face. She carries a ball gown

For preview2 only in her arms. Her voice is powerful, and she has a commanding presence.) BRUNHILDA: Cinderella, you clumsy oaf. You’ve ruined my gown for the ball. Everyone in the kingdom knows I have a sixteen‑inch waist. (Looks about.) Cinderella! CLEOPATRA: (ENTERS LEFT.) Cinderella! (CLEOPATRA is also dressed in a large, ugly bathrobe. Paper rollers in hair. Circles of rouge. She holds a pair of dancing slippers. She’s as silly as BRUNHILDA is loud. Both girls are convinced they’re ravishing beauties.) My dancing slippers haven’t been polished! How can I go to the ball if my dancing slippers haven’t been polished? BRUNHILDA: Save your breath, sister. The miserable creature isn’t here. CLEOPATRA: (Amazed.) Not in the kitchen? But Cinderella is always in the kitchen. She belongs in the kitchen. (Sees ATTILA.) Ask her cat where she is. BRUNHILDA: Ask Attila? Don’t be simple, Cleopatra. Attila the cat is even more useless than Cinderella. Besides, cats can’t talk. CLEOPATRA: Cinderella talks to him. BRUNHILDA: Talks to a cat? CLEOPATRA: I’ve heard her. BRUNHILDA: That proves it. On top of everything else, the girl is quite mad. Talks to a cat? A cat? Ha, ha, ha. Can you imagine? (ATTILA sits up, angry.) CLEOPATRA: Cinderella is quite mad. Yes, yes Brunhilda. Anyone who would talk to a dumb cat has nothing between her ears. Ha, ha, ha. BOTH: Ha, ha, ha! (This is too much for ATTILA. Although he’s timid, he rears up and makes a terrible hissing sound. STEPSISTERS jump back.) BRUNHILDA: Sister, did you see that? Attila hissed at us. CLEOPATRA: The brute. The beast. BRUNHILDA: I’ll fix that miserable cat. CLEOPATRA: What are you going to do, sister? BRUNHILDA: Watch. (She puts her ball gown on the sewing/work table and rolls up her sleeves.) No one, especially Cinderella’s mangy mouse‑catcher, hisses at me. (She strides to the broom and seizes it. ATTILA watches in mute fascination. BRUNHILDA chants.) Here a whack, there a whack. Everywhere a whack, whack. ATTILA: (Thinks it’s all a game. Delighted to play, he repeats the chant.)

For preview3 only Here a whack, there a whack. Everywhere a whack, whack. CLEOPATRA: He’s talking! BRUNHILDA: Nonsense. He just has an unusual way of meowing. (Fake sweetness.) Watch the broomie, Attila. (Foolishly, ATTILA nods to indicate he’s watching the “broomie.” BRUNHILDA slams down the broom in an attempt to whack him. ATTILA leaps back. His teeth are chattering, and he clamps one paw over his mouth to silence them.) CLEOPATRA: Give it another whack, sister. Stupid cat. Useless cat. Cinderella’s cat! BRUNHILDA: You’ll never hiss at me again, you nasty ball of fur! (Another swipe with the “broomie.”) ATTILA: Meow! CLEOPATRA: Out the door with him, sister! Out the door! BRUNHILDA: Into the alley with you, Cinderella’s cat! (Another whack, another “meow.” BRUNHILDA manages to hit poor ATTILA on the backside, and he leaps into the air on the impact.) ATTILA: Ow! Ow! Meow! Meow! (Rubbing his backside, ATTILA darts about the kitchen.) Meow! Meow! Meow! BRUNHILDA: (Indicates UP RIGHT.) Out! CLEOPATRA: Out! ATTILA: Meow! (ATTILA leaps OUT of the kitchen UP RIGHT as STEPMOTHER ENTERS from STAGE LEFT. She is already dressed for the ball. Fancy gown, jewels. STEPMOTHER is a social‑climbing snob. Not a nice person.) STEPMOTHER: (Reacts on seeing ATTILA flying from the kitchen.) What is the meaning of this outrageous behavior?! CLEOPATRA: It’s all Cinderella’s fault, Mother. She’s taught her cat to be very rude. He hissed at us. STEPMOTHER: (Icy.) I wasn’t speaking to you, Cleopatra. CLEOPATRA: (Cringes.) Sorry. STEPMOTHER: I was speaking to your sister, Brunhilda. Explain yourself, daughter. BRUNHILDA: What’s to explain, Mother? I whacked the cat. STEPMOTHER: That’s not what I meant. (Points.) What is that thing in your hand? BRUNHILDA: This? It’s a “broomie.” STEPMOTHER: (Snarls.) A what? CLEOPATRA: A broom. STEPMOTHER: (Furious.) I wasn’t speaking to you. CLEOPATRA: (Cringes.) Sorry. (Sits on stool at big table.)

For preview4 only STEPMOTHER: (Moves CENTER.) Broom? Ugh! To think that one of my beautiful daughters— STEPSISTERS: (Out to AUDIENCE, flattered. Eyelashes fluttering.) We are beautiful. Sooooo beautiful. STEPMOTHER: (Continues tirade. Outraged.) —would be seen with a broom in her hand, as if she were a common servant. What would the neighbors think? Shame! Shame! Shame! (On each “Shame!” the STEPSISTERS cringe as if they were being struck with a rolled‑up newspaper. MUSIC CUE 2: “Ladies of Fashion.” Speaks.) You, Brunhilda, and you, Cleopatra, are young ladies of fashion and promise. (Sings.) Gorgeous, glamorous, ravishing, radiant. Lovely’s the first word that comes to mind. Winsome, graceful, dainty, delicate. Artistically matchless and so refined.

Ladies of fashion and taste are you, The crème de la crème, they will see. When gentlemen look, we respond “yoo-hoo!” BRUNHILDA: (Sings.) Yoo-hoo! CLEOPATRA: (Sings.) Yoo-hoo! STEPMOTHER: (Sings.) A rich wife some day you will be. (Speaks.) Yes, young ladies, you are delicate and refined, lovely to look at and charming to hear. (STEPSISTERS look into AUDIENCE with idiotic grins.) STEPSISTERS: (Delighted by the flattery. Speak.) Yes, Momsy. STEPMOTHER: (Furious. Speaks.) Don’t call me “Momsy!” STEPSISTERS: (Speak.) No, Momsy. BRUNHILDA: (Sings.) Bewitching, enchanting, enthralling, entrancing. Unbridled femininity down to the core. CLEOPATRA: (Sings.) Beguiling and dazzling, intriguing, divine. We leave them all reeling and begging for more. STEPMOTHER: (Sings.) Ladies of fashion and grace are you. Young men will be falling your way. Like a turtle dove calling, respond “Coo-coo!” BRUNHILDA: (Sings.) Coo-coo! CLEOPATRA: (Sings.) Coo-coo! STEPMOTHER: (Sings.) We’ll have a big wedding some day!

For preview5 only STEPSISTERS: (Sing.) Ladies of fashion and taste are we, The crème de la crème, they will see. STEPMOTHER: (Sings.) When gentlemen look, we respond “Yoo-hoo!” STEPSISTERS: (Sing.) Yoo-hoo! STEPMOTHER: (Sings.) Coo-coo! STEPSISTERS: (Sing.) Coo-coo! Coo-coo! STEPMOTHER: (Sings.) A rich wife some day you will be. STEPSISTERS: (Sing.) A rich wife some day I will be. ALL THREE: (Sing.) A rich wife some day you/I will be! STEPMOTHER: (At end of song.) You are both to read lovely books, think lovely thoughts and wear lovely things. STEPSISTERS: (Delighted by the flattery.) Yes, Momsy. STEPMOTHER: (Furious.) Don’t call me Momsy! STEPSISTERS: No, Momsy. (STEPMOTHER swallows hard, tries to control her temper. In truth, she knows the two STEPSISTERS are losers, but she pretends otherwise.) STEPMOTHER: (Hopeful.) Perhaps, tonight at the ball, you might attract the attention of a young gentleman. (STEPSISTERS giggle stupidly. STEPMOTHER frowns.) A young gentleman who might pop the question. CLEOPATRA: (Curious.) What question? STEPMOTHER: “Will you marry me?” CLEOPATRA: Why would I want to marry my mother? STEPMOTHER: (Temper explodes.) Auuuuuugggggh! (CLEOPATRA cringes.) BRUNHILDA: Cleopatra isn’t as dumb as she looks. (Out to AUDIENCE.) She’s dumber. Ha, ha, ha. CLEOPATRA: She’s making fun of me, Momsy. Make her stop. I’m sensitive. STEPMOTHER: Be quiet, Cleopatra. (Points.) And you, Brunhilda, drop that broom! (BRUNHILDA tosses aside the broom, and MOUSE teeters IN from DOWN RIGHT. CLEOPATRA sees it, screams.) CLEOPATRA: Mouse! Mouse! It’s a mouse! (Another scream.) BRUNHILDA: She knows the cat is gone! (Screams.) STEPMOTHER: Where’s Cinderella? She’ll know what to do! MOUSE: Squeak, squeak, squeak. (STEPMOTHER screams. MOUSE, knowing STEPMOTHER and STEPSISTERS are too scared to do anything, scurries to the large table and plucks away some tasties—a round of cheese, a piece of fruit, a fish. Scurries back to the storeroom and OFF. While this is going on, STEPMOTHER runs behind the mirror and begins to circle it—as if the MOUSE was chasing her.)

For preview6 only STEPMOTHER: Help! Help! BRUNHILDA: (Hoists the hem of her robe, thus revealing a pair of ugly stockings. She stomps about.) Get away! Get away! CLEOPATRA: (Also lifts the hem of her bathrobe to reveal that her hose are even uglier than BRUNHILDA’S. She steps atop the stool at the large table.) Shoo, Mouse. Shoo! STEPMOTHER/STEPSISTERS: (Even though MOUSE has retreated with its loot, they continue to moan and wail.) Shoo, shoo! Get away, Mouse! Help! STEPMOTHER: Where’s Cinderella? BRUNHILDA: Cinderella! CLEOPATRA: Cinderella! Cinderella! BRUNHILDA: Where are you, Cinderella! WOMEN: Cinderella! Cinderella! CINDERELLA: (ENTERS STAGE RIGHT.) Here I am. (STEPMOTHER and STEPSISTERS are frozen in position. That is, STEPMOTHER has one foot lifted in the action of running. BRUNHILDA has one foot in the air, as if about to stomp on MOUSE. CLEOPATRA has her hands held high, mouth open for another scream. They remain frozen in these awkward positions long enough for CINDERELLA to take the scene. ABOUT CINDERELLA: Sweetness and gentle temper. Even though her face is smudged with dirt and her dress is nothing but tattered rags, we can see that she is beautiful. She wears clumsy shoes, or none at all. She carries a bucket [of water]. Addresses AUDIENCE.) Goodness. I wonder what has happened? (STEPMOTHER, STEPSISTERS “unfreeze.”) STEPMOTHER: I’ll tell you what’s happened, you wretched child. A mouse! CLEOPATRA: A terrible mouse! BRUNHILDA: It was a savage beast! We could have been devoured. CINDERELLA: (Puts down bucket.) I am sorry, Stepmother, stepsisters. I’ll speak to Attila about it. CLEOPATRA: (To BRUNHILDA.) There. What did I tell you? She speaks to cats. STEPMOTHER: (Moves CENTER.) Here we are preparing for the most important event of the social season, and you’re outside, playing in the alley. Selfish, selfish Cinderella. (As if to emphasize their mother’s annoyance, STEPSISTERS stick their tongues out at CINDERELLA.) STEPSISTERS: Naw, naw. Selfish, selfish Cinderella. STEPMOTHER: Silence! (STEPSISTERS cower.) CINDERELLA: I wasn’t outside playing. (Holds up bucket.) I went to fetch water.

For preview7 only STEPMOTHER: A likely story. You’ve never shown proper gratitude, my girl. When your father died, it was out of the kindness of my heart that I allowed you to stay on. I gave you a place to sleep. CINDERELLA: (Points to the straw.) Straw on the floor. STEPMOTHER: Food. CINDERELLA: Whatever is left over from your plates. STEPMOTHER: Clothing. (CINDERELLA indicates her rags.) What do I ask in return? Almost nothing. Only that you do hard work from morning to night. BRUNHILDA: Get up before daybreak, carry water, light fires, cook and wash. CLEOPATRA: Brush our hair, polish our nails and make our dresses. STEPMOTHER: Now, I ask you, am I being unreasonable? CINDERELLA: I’m grateful for the little I have. STEPMOTHER: Little! You call all I do for you “little”? I’ll have none of your impudence. (To STEPSISTERS.) Now, girls, you must hurry and get ready for the Grand Ball at the palace. I’ve been ready for hours. (STEPSISTERS giggle girlishly.) We must leave shortly. BRUNHILDA: Which reminds me. (She gets her gown from the sewing table, displays it.) Cinderella, you know I have a teeny‑tiny, itty‑bitty waist. Why did you let it out, instead of taking it in? CINDERELLA: Because when you tried it on, Brunhilda, you could hardly breathe. BRUNHILDA: Make her take that back, Momsy. STEPMOTHER: We can’t stay in the kitchen arguing about nothing. We must make ready. Don’t call me Momsy. (To CINDERELLA.) Did you sew the pearls on the gloves? CINDERELLA: Yes, Stepmother. STEPMOTHER: You won’t forget to have hot chocolate ready on our return from the ball? CINDERELLA: I won’t forget. CLEOPATRA: Did you sprinkle perfume on the fans? CINDERELLA: Yes, Cleopatra. BRUNHILDA: I want the prettiest fan. CLEOPATRA: No, I want the prettiest fan. BRUNHILDA: It should go to me. I’m more beautiful. CLEOPATRA: I am! BRUNHILDA: Me! Me! (CLEOPATRA and BRUNHILDA dash to the sewing/work table. Each picks up a fan and spreads it open. They take turns posing in front of the mirror. CLEOPATRA eventually takes her gown from the dummy [or hanger]. More posing. While this is going on.)

For preview8 only STEPMOTHER: (Points to floor.) I see the print of a cat’s paw on this floor. Tsk, tsk. Disgusting. Clean it at once, Cinderella. CINDERELLA: Attila must have stepped in some mud. STEPMOTHER: Wretched cat. (CINDERELLA brings the bucket to the spot, gets down on her knees and begins to scrub with a brush from the bucket. Business at sewing/work table continues in pantomime. STEPMOTHER looks at the vain STEPSISTERS, then at CINDERELLA, then back to STEPSISTERS and, again, to CINDERELLA. To AUDIENCE.) I cannot endure the sweetness and beauty of Cinderella. She makes my own daughters seem detestable and drab. Therefore, her beauty and sweetness will be kept under smudges of dirt and patches of rags. (To CINDERELLA.) Always remember, Cinderella, “She who wants to eat bread must earn it.” CINDERELLA: (Scrubbing.) Yes, Stepmother. CLEOPATRA: (At the mirror.) I am sooooo beautiful. Perhaps the prince will ask me to dance. BRUNHILDA: No, he’ll ask me. CLEOPATRA: Me! Me! (They push and shove.) STEPMOTHER: Girls, girls. Behave. Always set a good example in front of the servants. STEPSISTERS: Yes, Mother. (LOUD BANGING from outside kitchen door.) STEPMOTHER: Who can that be? See who it is, Cinderella. CINDERELLA: Yes, Stepmother. STEPMOTHER: No beggars. (CINDERELLA EXITS UP RIGHT.) CLEOPATRA: (Excited.) I imagine they’ll have all sorts of delicious things to eat at the palace. BRUNHILDA: Sweetcakes and ice cream. CLEOPATRA: Peppermints and salted cashews. (They rub their tummies.) STEPSISTERS: Yum‑yum. STEPMOTHER: Stop it, both of you! A lady never has an appetite. Never! Tonight you may each have one glass of gooseberry punch and nothing more. STEPSISTERS: (Disappointed.) Oooooh, pooh. APPRENTICE: (ENTERS RIGHT. A young girl, shabbily dressed.) Good evening to one and all. (She curtsies. STEPMOTHER and STEPSISTERS frown.) STEPMOTHER: Who are you? APPRENTICE: A waif, madam. And a hungry one, at that. STEPMOTHER: A waif is nothing but a homeless child. A ragamuffin, a castoff. That means you’re a beggar.

For preview9 only BRUNHILDA: No beggars here. Out, out. CLEOPATRA: No charity here. Out, out. STEPMOTHER: Cinderella! CINDERELLA: I’m sorry, Stepmother. I tried to stop her. She drifted right by me. STEPMOTHER: In that case, she can drift right out. (Waving her off.) Begone, beggar. BRUNHILDA: Ragamuffin. CLEOPATRA: Waif. APPRENTICE: I haven’t had anything to eat for days. STEPMOTHER: Feed one beggar and, before you know it, there’s a line outside the door. Out. Out! STEPSISTERS: Out! Out! (MISTRESS HAUGHTY, a neighbor whose nose is always in the air, DASHES IN from RIGHT. She is dressed for the ball. She’s in a state of frenzied excitement. During the hoopla that follows, APPRENTICE is forgotten. She moves DOWN RIGHT of fireplace, sits on the floor and observes.) MISTRESS HAUGHTY: Wait until you hear the news! CLEOPATRA: What news? MISTRESS HAUGHTY: The Grand Ball! There’s a Grand Ball at the palace tonight! STEPMOTHER: We know that. (Indicates their gowns.) I’m dressed for it and so are you. STEPSISTERS: (Hold up their ball gowns in front of their ugly bathrobes.) And we soon will be. MISTRESS HAUGHTY: The majordomo is going up and down the street announcing something important. It’s so exciting! So thrilling! So unexpected! Don’t you agree? MAJORDOMO’S VOICE: (From OFFSTAGE, RIGHT.) Hear ye! Hear ye! News from the palace! News from the palace! STEPMOTHER: We might agree if we knew what you were talking about. MAJORDOMO’S VOICE: (From OFF RIGHT.) Hear ye! Hear ye! News from the palace! News from the palace! STEPMOTHER: Cinderella, run outside and fetch the fellow in. CINDERELLA: Yes, Stepmother. (Runs OUT RIGHT.) MISTRESS HAUGHTY: So unexpected, so marvelous! STEPMOTHER: You’d better sit down, Mistress Haughty. Your nerves are rattling. MISTRESS HAUGHTY: Is it any wonder! Yes, yes, I’ll sit down. BRUNHILDA: Looks to me as if she’s ready to fall down. STEPMOTHER: Hush, Brunhilda. Remember, manners become a

For preview10 only beauty. (BRUNHILDA and CLEOPATRA giggle loudly. MISTRESS HAUGHTY sits on bench at table, still thrilled by whatever it is the MAJORDOMO is proclaiming. CINDERELLA RETURNS RIGHT, talking to the unseen MAJORDOMO.) CINDERELLA: This way, sir. STEPMOTHER: Whatever can he be proclaiming? (MAJORDOMO ENTERS, a man of great self‑importance. He wears a fancy hat with a feather and walks with a long, beribboned staff—his symbol of office.) MISTRESS HAUGHTY: (Excitedly bouncing up and down on the bench.) That’s him! That’s the Majordomo from the palace! (To MAJORDOMO.) Tell them the news! STEPMOTHER: (Horrible thought.) The ball hasn’t been canceled? STEPSISTERS: Not that! (CINDERELLA sits on stool by fireplace.) MAJORDOMO: Certainly not. The Grand Ball will go on as planned. (STEPMOTHER, STEPSISTERS give sigh of relief.) STEPMOTHER: Then what’s all the fuss? (MUSIC CUE 3: “Hear Ye!”) MAJORDOMO: (Sings.) As you know, the queen is a widow. STEPSISTERS: (Speak.) Uh-huh. MAJORDOMO: (Sings.) She has one child, only one, the royal prince. STEPSISTERS: (Speak.) Oh, yes, the prince! MAJORDOMO: (Sings.) She’s decided that her only royal kiddo… STEPMOTHER: (Speak.) Go on. MAJORDOMO: (Sings.) Though of late he’s been most difficult to convince. Her majesty, with pageantry has unequivacably decided, she’s decided. Yes, the queen… STEPMOTHER/STEPSISTERS: (Sing.) Yes, the queen! MAJORDOMO: (Sings.) Has decided… STEPMOTHER/STEPSISTERS: (Sing.) Has decided! MAJORDOMO: (Sings.) That the prince... STEPMOTHER/STEPSISTERS: (Sing.) That the prince! MAJORDOMO: (Sings.) That her one and only son, the royal Prince… STEPMOTHER/STEPSISTERS: (Sing.) The royal Prince! MAJORDOMO: (Sings.) That the handsome and the charming royal Prince… STEPMOTHER/STEPSISTERS/HAUGHTY: (Sing.) The royal Prince! MAJORDOMO: (Sings.) Yes, the queen… STEPMOTHER/STEPSISTERS/HAUGHTY: (Sing.) Yes, the queen! MAJORDOMO: (Sings.) Has decided… STEPMOTHER/STEPSISTERS/HAUGHTY: (Sing.) Has decided! MAJORDOMO: (Sings.) She’s decided… For preview11 only STEPMOTHER: (Speaks.) Decided what?! MAJORDOMO: (Bangs staff to the floor three times. Sings.) Hear ye! Hear ye, good subjects of the realm. The queen has handed down a proclamation. Hear ye! Hear ye, good subjects of the realm. Come one and all and join the celebration! Yes, the queen… ALL: (Sing. Include APPRENTICE, CINDERELLA and CHORUS if desired.) Yes, the queen! MAJORDOMO: (Sings.) Has decided… ALL: (Sing.) Has decided! MAJORDOMO: (Sings.) That the prince… ALL: (Sing.) That the prince! MAJORDOMO: (Sings.) That her one and only son, the royal Prince… ALL: (Sing.) The royal Prince! MAJORDOMO: (Sings.) How exciting, how delightful that the prince… ALL: (Sing.) That the prince! MAJORDOMO: (Sings.) Yes, the queen… ALL: (Sing.) Yes, the queen! MAJORDOMO: (Sings.) Has decided… ALL: (Sings.) Has decided! MAJORDOMO: (Sings.) She’s decided… STEPMOTHER: (Speaks.) Majordomo! Please! What is the news from the castle?! MAJORDOMO: (Sings.) Hear ye! Hear ye, good subjects of the realm. Rejoice today and raise your finest chalice. Hear ye! Hear ye, good subjects of the realm. I come with joyful tidings from the palace. STEPMOTHER: (Speaks to AUDIENCE. Droll.) I’m going to strangle the man! MAJORDOMO: (Speaks.) Patience, madam, patience. (Sings.) Through careful thought and contemplation, I bring good news to all the nation! Pardon my commentary, I’m a mere emissary, With a secondary role that’s ordinary, yet necessary. Plenipotentiary as defined in the dictionary Is the power to act with royal staff, Indeed, in fact, the power to act on their behalf…

For preview12 only ALL: (Speak; confused.) What?! MAJORDOMO: (Sings; hushed gossip; growing faster and faster.) Though the queen is somewhat wary and the prince somewhat contrary, And I hear involuntary, though it’s quite hereditary, customary, Still extraordinary, revolutionary! (He gasps for breath.) Yes, the queen… ALL: (Sing.) Yes, the queen! MAJORDOMO: (Sings.) Has decided… ALL: (Sing.) Has decided! MAJORDOMO: (Sings.) That the prince… ALL: (Sing.) That the prince! MAJORDOMO: (Sings.) That her one and only son, the royal Prince… ALL: (Sing.) The royal Prince! MAJORDOMO: (Sings.) That the handsome and the charming royal Prince… ALL: (Sings.) The royal Prince! MAJORDOMO: (Sings.) Yes, the queen… ALL: (Sing.) Yes, the queen! MAJORDOMO: (Sings.) Has decided… ALL: (Sing.) Has decided! MAJORDOMO: (Sings.) That the prince shall… (Speaks.) Marry! ALL: (Speak; happily.) Marry?! (MUSIC OUT.) CLEOPATRA: (Thrilled.) Did you hear that, sister? The prince is going to marry! BRUNHILDA: Who’s he going to marry, Majordomo? MAJORDOMO: That’s yet to be decided. (Booming voice.) All females attending the Grand Ball are eligible. Tonight the future Princess for the kingdom will be selected! (This is too much for the STEPSISTERS. They gush. “Oh! Oh! Oh!” They run this way and that way. MISTRESS HAUGHTY bounces up and down. STEPMOTHER takes deep breaths, on the edge of fainting.) MISTRESS HAUGHTY: Did you hear? Did you hear? BRUNHILDA: I could be a princess! Princess Brunhilda! CLEOPATRA: I could be a princess! Princess Cleopatra! BRUNHILDA: Me! Me! CLEOPATRA: Me! Me! BRUNHILDA: He can’t marry us both! CLEOPATRA: Why not?! (Finally, STEPMOTHER regains her composure. Holds one finger up for emphasis.) STEPMOTHER: Cease! (STEPSISTERS grab on to one another for support. MISTRESS HAUGHTY settles down.) Since my daughters

For preview13 only each received an invitation to the Grand Ball, it’s obvious the prince has noticed them. Girls, I consider this a great opportunity for you both. Make the most of it. (STEPSISTERS giggle.) MISTRESS HAUGHTY: You heard the Majordomo. Any female is eligible. (Strikes a pose.) I’m unattached. Perhaps he prefers older women. STEPMOTHER: Don’t be absurd. MAJORDOMO: You’ll have to excuse me. I have other houses to visit. It’s been a long day. STEPMOTHER: Don’t let us detain you. (With considerable dignity, MAJORDOMO EXITS RIGHT.) MAJORDOMO’S VOICE: (From OFF RIGHT.) Hear ye! Hear ye! News from the palace! Her Majesty the queen has decided it is now time for her son, the prince, to marry. (Voice trailing off.) All females attending the Grand Ball are eligible. Tonight a future Princess for the kingdom will be selected! MISTRESS HAUGHTY: (Stands.) I must be off. I want to be one of the first to arrive. The early bird gets the prince. CLEOPATRA: What would the prince want with a bird? MISTRESS HAUGHTY: (To AUDIENCE.) Cleopatra really is a booby. (Laughing giddily, MISTRESS HAUGHTHY flutters OUT, UP RIGHT. MUSIC CUE 3a: “Ladies Of Fashion—Reprise.”) STEPMOTHER: (Speaks.) Girls, there’s not a moment to lose. Into your gowns. More powder, more paint. Perfume and mouthwash. I just know one of you is going to make your mother verrrry proud. (Sings.) Gorgeous, glamorous, ravishing, radiant. Lovely’s the first word that comes to mind. Winsome, graceful, dainty, delicate. Artistically matchless and so refined. Ladies of fashion and grace are you, The prince will be falling our way. Like a turtle dove calling, respond “Coo-coo!” BRUNHILDA: (Sings.) Coo-coo! CLEOPATRA: (Sings.) Coo-coo! STEPMOTHER: (Sings.) You’ll live in a castle some day! STEPSISTERS: (Sing.) Ladies of fashion and taste are we, The crème de la crème, he will see. STEPMOTHER: (Sings.) When royalty looks, we respond “Yoo-hoo!” STEPSISTERS: (Sing.) Yoo-hoo! STEPMOTHER: (Sings.) Coo-coo! STEPSISTERS: (Sing.) Coo-coo! Coo-coo! STEPMOTHER: (Sings.) A princess some day you will be. STEPSISTERS: (Sing.) A princess some day I will be.

For preview14 only ALL THREE: (Sing.) A princess some day you/I will be! (MUSIC OUT.) CLEOPATRA: I’m going to marry the prince. BRUNHILDA: No, I am. CLEOPATRA: I am! BRUNHILDA: Me! Me! CINDERELLA: I wish I could go to the ball. (STEPMOTHER and STEPSISTERS freeze. They look at CINDERELLA. Hold for a moment. They can’t believe what they heard. The THREE breaks into raucous laughter.) ALL THREE: Hahaha! CINDERELLA: I don’t see what’s so funny. STEPMOTHER: You? You go to the Grand Ball at the palace? BRUNHILDA: You’re dusty and dirty. Like always. CLEOPATRA: You have nothing to wear. CINDERELLA: (Sadly displays her pitiful rags.) True. STEPMOTHER: You can’t dance. You’d be laughed at. Imagine, a creature such as you at the palace. Ha, ha. CLEOPATRA: Ha, ha. BRUNHILDA: Ha, ha. TRIO: Ha, ha, ha. STEPMOTHER: Enough of that, girls. We must get to the palace before Mistress Haughty. Who knows how many others will try to beat us to the prince. Don’t forget—head high, shoulders back. (STEPSISTERS tilt their chins upward in exaggerated fashion. Pull back their shoulders.) STEPSISTERS: Head high, shoulders back. STEPMOTHER: Repeat after me—”I’m beautiful. I’m witty. I’m enchanting. I’m Prince bait.” (With a sweeping gesture LEFT, she means for the STEPSISTERS to EXIT. They do, each carrying her ball gown and repeating the lesson.) STEPSISTERS: “I’m beautiful. I’m witty. I’m enchanting. I’m Prince bait.” STEPMOTHER: Splendid. (She notices CINDERELLA.) And you, Cinderella. CINDERELLA: (Hoping she might be allowed to go to the ball, after all.) Yes, Stepmother? STEPMOTHER: (Points.) Get rid of this water bucket. (Head high, STEPMOTHER follows OUT after her DAUGHTERS. APPRENTICE remains silent and inconspicuous DOWN RIGHT. CINDERELLA moves for the bucket, picks it up.) CINDERELLA: (Thinking aloud.) I don’t think it would hurt anyone or anything if I went to the Grand Ball. (To AUDIENCE.) Do you? (MUSIC CUE 4: “Dream Of Tomorrow.” Speaks.) It would be nice to

For preview15 only have a pretty dress and dance with the prince. (Sadly.) If he saw me looking like this, I’m sure he’d run away. (Sings.) Look at me, what a mess, in this ragged worn out dress. Tangled hair, what a sight, dirty face, quite a fright. Blistered hands, calloused feet, working in the cold and heat. Dawn to dusk, every day, can’t live this way.

If I dream of tomorrow, will I see skies of blue? If I wish upon a star, will my wishes come true? If I follow a rainbow, will I find treasure there? Is there no one to answer my prayer?

Living here, so alone, every day they gripe and groan, “Don’t do this!” “Don’t do that!” “Stop conversing with your cat!” “Make the beds!” “Sweep the floor!” “Cinderella, wait, there’s more!” “Scrub the pots!” Fetch the wood!” Wonder now…

If I should dream of tomorrow, will I conquer my fear? If I wish upon a star, will it take me from here? If I follow a rainbow, will it bless me with gold? Will my fairytale ever unfold?

So I wait and I wonder and I wonder and wait. Yet I know in my heart I will live A most wonderful life in a faraway place In a magical kingdom some day. (MUSIC OUT. Sits, covers her face with her hands and cries softly. APPRENTICE steps forward.) APPRENTICE: Tears won’t accomplish much. They seldom do. CINDERELLA: (Hands down.) I thought you left. APPRENTICE: (Indicates DOWN RIGHT.) I was over there. In the excitement, everyone forgot about me. CINDERELLA: My stepmother will be angry, but I don’t think people should go hungry. APPRENTICE: You’re going to give me something to eat? CINDERELLA: I’ll fix you a basket. APPRENTICE: You’re kind. CINDERELLA: (Stands and begins to fill a small basket with some fruit and vegetables.) But you must leave right away. APPRENTICE: Why do they call you Cinderella? CINDERELLA: My real name is Ella. But, on cold winter nights, I like to sleep close to the dying embers in the fireplace. And when I do, I get cinders all over myself.

For preview16 only APPRENTICE: Can’t be much fun living here. They don’t treat you well. CINDERELLA: Things were different when my father was alive. APPRENTICE: Don’t you have anyone to care for you? CINDERELLA: I have myself. And Attila. He loves me. APPRENTICE: Attila? CINDERELLA: My cat. BRUNHILDA’S VOICE: (From OFF LEFT.) Cinderella! CLEOPATRA’S VOICE: (From OFF LEFT.) Cinderella, Cinderella! STEPMOTHER’S VOICE: (From OFF LEFT.) Wretched child! CINDERELLA: (Calls LEFT.) Coming, Brunhilda, Cleopatra, Stepmother. (Hands basket to APPRENTICE.) This will hold you for a day or two. Hurry off. You mustn’t be seen. Otherwise, I’ll be punished. APPRENTICE: Good as gone. BRUNHILDA’S VOICE: Cinderella! (CINDERELLA runs OUT LEFT. APPRENTICE moves RIGHT with the basket.) APPRENTICE: I feel sorry for that kind girl. I wish there was something I could do. Hmmmm. Maybe there is. ATTILA: (ENTERS RIGHT.) Meow. APPRENTICE: You must be Attila. ATTILA: (Nods affirmative.) Meow. APPRENTICE: This could be a most unusual night, Attila. Anything could happen. ATTILA: (As if to ask why.) Meow? APPRENTICE: You’ll find out. (She EXITS. ATTILA sits on fireplace stool. CINDERELLA hurries back IN LEFT.) CINDERELLA: Gloves, gloves. If it isn’t one thing, it’s another. (Moves to sewing/work table. Finds gloves.) Here they are. (Checks.) Oh, dear. One of the pearls is loose. ATTILA: Meow. CINDERELLA: (Turns, sees the cat.) It’s you, Attila. Where have you been? (ATTILA shrugs.) Did you hear the wonderful news? Tonight, at the Grand Ball, the prince is going to select his future bride. (ATTILA applauds with his paws. Moves DOWNSTAGE.) How I’d like to be there. I’ve never been anywhere. I never do anything but cook and scrub. Brush shoes and fasten buckles. It would be fun to pretend I’m at the palace. It would be fun to pretend I was dancing with the prince. (Sudden thought.) I know. I’ll pretend you’re the prince. ATTILA: (Points to himself, amused.) Me—ow? CINDERELLA: Your Highness, I should be most happy to accept

For preview17 only your invitation to dance. (ATTILA gets up and crosses to CINDERELLA, happy to play along. MUSIC CUE 4a: “Cinderella’s Waltz.” ATTILA bows in gentlemanly fashion.) ATTILA: (Speaks.) Meow.

BEGIN IMAGINARY WALTZ SEQUENCE

LIGHTING: Shifts to a romantic ROSE COLORED mood. ATTILA and CINDERELLA waltz about the kitchen. Faster and faster they whirl. Finally, they dance OFF LEFT. MOUSE ENTERS from storeroom and moves in front of fireplace, watching the OFFSTAGE dance. The DANCERS RETURN, only now, in her daydream, CINDERELLA is dancing—with the PRINCE! He wears some sort of military tunic with a ribbon sash across the chest. They spin around a few times. ATTILA RETURNS, crosses RIGHT and bows to MOUSE, who curtsies. CAT and MOUSE dance. The WALTZ PLAYS on a bit longer. CINDERELLA dances with her eyes closed, lost in her lovely thoughts. The OFFSTAGE VOICES intrude. BRUNHILDA’S VOICE: (From OFF LEFT.) Cinderella! Cinderella! CLEOPATRA’S VOICE: (From OFF LEFT.) Where are you, Cinderella? STEPMOTHER’S VOICE: (From OFF LEFT.) Never around when she’s wanted! Cinderella! (MUSIC WINDS DOWN. The PRINCE backs OFF LEFT. LIGHTS BACK TO NORMAL. MOUSE scurries OUT to storeroom. CINDERELLA takes a few more spins by herself.) TRIO OF VOICES: Cinderella! (The harsh VOICES snap CINDERELLA from her dream as she’s startled back to reality. MUSIC OUT.)

END IMAGINATION WALTZ SEQUENCE

CINDERELLA: It was such a nice daydream. Such a lovely fancy. ATTILA: Meow. (MOUSE sticks its head IN from storeroom.) MOUSE: Squeak, squeak, squeak. ATTILA: (Does his best to look ferocious, bolts after MOUSE.) Meow, meow, meow! MOUSE: (Retreating.) Squeak squeak squeak. (ATTILA springs OUT to the storeroom.) CINDERELLA: (To AUDIENCE.) Poor Attila. He tries so hard to be ferocious. The truth of the matter is—he wouldn’t harm a fly. (APPRENTICE ENTERS RIGHT, talking over her shoulder to someone who has yet to appear.) APPRENTICE: You’ll find Cinderella quite worthy. CINDERELLA: (Alarmed.) What are you doing back here? I told you

For preview18 only you mustn’t be seen. (Looks LEFT.) What if my stepmother sees you? It’ll go hard with me. APPRENTICE: Pish‑posh. There’s nothing to worry about. I’ve brought someone to see you. CINDERELLA: Who? APPRENTICE: Your Fairy Godmother. CINDERELLA: (Amazed.) My Fairy Godmother? (To AUDIENCE.) I didn’t know I had one. FAIRY GODMOTHER: (ENTERS RIGHT.) Everyone has a Fairy Godmother, but not every Fairy Godmother chooses to appear and lend a helping hand. (About FAIRY GODMOTHER: She’s a lovable grandmother type. Wears a long dress, maybe a tiara on her head. Carries a long “magic wand” with a star on the top end.) CINDERELLA: (Curious, a step to her.) Are you really my Fairy Godmother? FAIRY GODMOTHER: ‘Course I am. (Indicates.) My apprentice says you need help. CINDERELLA: Apprentice? FAIRY GODMOTHER: Someone has to train future Fairy Godmothers. APPRENTICE: I go from place to place to see what’s going on in the world. It’s good experience. CINDERELLA: You’re not a waif? FAIRY GODMOTHER: An apprentice Fairy Godmother must be adept at disguises. Otherwise, she’d be of no use. Let me have a good look at you. (Gestures.) Turn round and round. Do as I say, child. (APPRENTICE moves to table, sits on bench. She takes an apple from the bowl of fruit, munches.) CINDERELLA: Maybe I’m still daydreaming. FAIRY GODMOTHER: Round and round, I say. (CINDERELLA turns round and round, like a model showing off a new dress.) FAIRY GODMOTHER: Dear me, no. That dress will never do. APPRENTICE: Never do. FAIRY GODMOTHER: It’s nothing but patches and threads. CINDERELLA: What are you talking about? FAIRY GODMOTHER: Your gown for the Grand Ball at the palace. You can’t go dressed in that. APPRENTICE: (To AUDIENCE.) Won’t do at all. CINDERELLA: (Stops turning.) I’m not going to the Grand Ball. APPRENTICE: Of course you are, my child. CINDERELLA: I can’t dance. I’m only a servant. (FAIRY GODMOTHER and APPRENTICE laugh good‑naturedly.) Besides, I don’t want to go.

For preview19 only FAIRY GODMOTHER: How you carry on, Cinderella. Weren’t you dancing with the cat? And dancing nicely, too. CINDERELLA: How did you know? APPRENTICE: A Fairy Godmother knows everything. FAIRY GODMOTHER: There’s nothing wrong in being a servant, Cinderella, but you are less than a servant. Much less. You’re treated shabbily, and it’s most unfair. You have a good heart and you are kind. When you say you don’t want to go to the Grand Ball, you’re not being honest. You only say that so you won’t be disappointed. CINDERELLA: (Sadly.) That’s true. There’s nothing I’d rather do more than attend the Grand Ball. FAIRY GODMOTHER: And so you shall. CINDERELLA: I don’t see how. FAIRY GODMOTHER: Trust me. (All business.) You know the big chest in the attic? CINDERELLA: Yes. It belonged to my mother. It’s empty. (APPRENTICE stifles a laugh, knowing CINDERELLA is in for a big surprise.) FAIRY GODMOTHER: Off to the attic with you. I think you’ll find something pleasing in the empty trunk. (To AUDIENCE.) Empty trunks are always interesting. (Waving her DOWN LEFT.) Off you go. CINDERELLA: But how? FAIRY GODMOTHER: I simply flick my magic wand three times. (Demonstrates.) Turn about once. (Does so.) Hop on one foot. (Does this.) And one and all will think I am you. APPRENTICE: It’s called magic. I’m not good at it yet. CINDERELLA: But, but — FAIRY GODMOTHER: Hurry, child. You’re wasting time. (CINDERELLA doesn’t know what to believe. She looks to FAIRY GODMOTHER and then to APPRENTICE. Next, to AUDIENCE.) CINDERELLA: What shall I do? (Whatever the response, or none at all, CINDERELLA runs OFF, DOWN LEFT.) FAIRY GODMOTHER: You were right. Cinderella is quite worthy. APPRENTICE: How is Cinderella going to get to the Grand Ball? FAIRY GODMOTHER: What’s that? APPRENTICE: She can’t walk. Wouldn’t look right. FAIRY GODMOTHER: Hmmmmm. I hadn’t thought of that. She’ll need a coach. Fetch me the pumpkin. It’ll do nicely. APPRENTICE: One Pumpkinhead coming up. (Jumps up and runs OFF UP RIGHT.)

For preview20 only FAIRY GODMOTHER: She’ll need a horse and a coachman. Hmmmm. What do we have here, I wonder? (As if cued, MOUSE runs IN from storeroom.) MOUSE: Squeaksqueaksqueak. ATTILA: (Runs IN from storeroom, chases MOUSE.) Meowmeowmeow! FAIRY GODMOTHER: What’s this? (MOUSE circles FAIRY GODMOTHER and ATTILA circles after MOUSE.) MOUSE: Squeaksqueaksqueak. ATTILA: Meowmeowmeow! FAIRY GODMOTHER: (Commands.) That’s enough of that! (ATTILAand MOUSE skid to a stop.) Let me get a good look at you. (With the wand, she indicates fireplace.) Stand over there. Stand tall. (Both ATTILA and MOUSE “stand tall” and march to fireplace, turn around to face FAIRY GODMOTHER. Studying them.) Not bad. Not bad at all. (Points wand at ATTILA.) You’ll be the horse. You’ll pull the coach. ATTILA: I’m a cat! FAIRY GODMOTHER: For a few hours, you’ll be a horse. A beautiful horse. Trim and sleek and high‑stepping. It only takes a little bit of magic. MOUSE: Squeak, squeak. FAIRY GODMOTHER: You’ll be the coachman. ATTILA: I’m a mouse, not a man. FAIRY GODMOTHER: I’ve known more than one man that I’ve considered a mouse. So don’t carry on about it. You want to help Cinderella, don’t you? ATTILA: Yes! MOUSE: She’s good to me. Always dropping bits of cheese on the floor and never setting out a trap. FAIRY GODMOTHER: There we have it. All we need now is the coach. APPRENTICE’S VOICE: (From OFF RIGHT.) One coach coming up. (APPRENTICE ENTERS, GESTURES RIGHT, as PUMPKINHEAD ENTERS. ABOUT PUMPKINHEAD: The actress wears a flowing green gown. Pumpkin cutout for a head [CONSULT PRODUCTION NOTES].) PUMPKINHEAD: What’s up, Fairy Godmother? FAIRY GODMOTHER: The old “pumpkin‑into‑a‑coach” routine. (To AUDIENCE.) It’s an oldie but a goodie. APPRENTICE: It’s for Cinderella. She’s going to the Grand Ball. PUMPKINHEAD: Delighted. She is a charming girl. I see her sometimes when she comes to fetch water from the well.

For preview21 only FAIRY GODMOTHER: (Points with wand.) Over there, Pumpkinhead. With the others. PUMPKINHEAD: (Joins MOUSE and ATTILA.) How do we look? FAIRY GODMOTHER: Like nothing much, at the moment. But give me time. APPRENTICE: Only one coachman? Only one horse? FAIRY GODMOTHER: That’s the whole point. Everyone will drive up to the palace with large coaches and many horses and far too many footmen. Each trying to outdo the other. Cinderella will be simplicity itself. A gorgeous, small coach trimmed in real gold and silver. One beautifully‑attired footman and one champion horse that will rival anything in the royal stables. The effect will be stunning! APPRENTICE: (Impressed.) Stunning! (MOUSE, ATTILA, PUMPKINHEAD applaud.) TRIO: Stunning! APPRENTICE: Bravo, Fairy Godmother. Bravo. FAIRY GODMOTHER: That’s enough. You’ll have me blushing. STEPMOTHER’S VOICE: (From OFF LEFT.) Cinderella! BRUNHILDA’S VOICE: (From OFF LEFT.) Cinderella! Cinderella! CLEOPATRA’S VOICE: (From OFF LEFT.) Where are you, Cinderella?! FAIRY GODMOTHER: Quick! Hide! Leave them to me. I’ll make them think I’m Cinderella. (APPRENTICE runs OUT UP RIGHT. MOUSE and ATTILA dash OUT to the storeroom. PUMPKINHEAD runs CENTER, looks LEFT and RIGHT searching for a hiding place. Finally, she runs behind the table and scoots down so that PUMPKINHEAD rests on the edge of the table, looking as if it belonged with the foodstuff. STEPMOTHER storms IN LEFT, FOLLOWED by the STEPDAUGHTERS. CLEOPATRA and BRUNHILDA are now wearing their ball gowns. Their paper hair rollers are replaced with feathers. CLEOPATRA has a small star glued to the tip of her nose.) STEPMOTHER: Cinderella, where are you?! (FAIRY GODMOTHER does her “magic” number. She flicks the wand three times at STEPMOTHER. Turns about once. Hops on one foot. She “sounds” as much like CINDERELLA as possible.) FAIRY GODMOTHER: (Impersonating CINDERELLA.) Here I am, Stepmother. In the kitchen. Where I usually am. STEPMOTHER: The gloves, the gloves. The gloves for my daughters. FAIRY GODMOTHER: On the sewing table. With the fans. (CLEOPATRA and BRUNHILDA march to the sewing table and pick up gloves and fans, then return to STEPMOTHER.)

For preview22 only STEPMOTHER: Ah, tonight will be stellar. Remember, daughters, enchant the prince, bewitch him with your charms, bedazzle him with your rare beauty. (Of course, CLEOPATRA and BRUNHILDA can’t do any of this, but a mother can always hope. In way of reply, STEPSISTERS giggle stupidly.) Enough with the giggles! (STEPSISTERS cling to one another for support. To FAIRY GODMOTHER/CINDERELLA.) Are not my daughters beyond compare? Did you ever see such loveliness? They are perfection. (STEPSISTERS separate and grin foolishly to FAIRY GODMOTHER/ CINDERELLA.) BRUNHILDA: Perfection. CLEOPATRA: Double perfection with jelly beans on top. FAIRY GODMOTHER: You look, uh, unusual, Brunhilda. BRUNHILDA: Once the prince gets a look at me, I’m as good as wed. CLEOPATRA: I’m the one he’ll wed. Me! Me! FAIRY GODMOTHER: You look, uh, unusual, too, Cleopatra. But, uh, what’s that star on the tip of your nose? CLEOPATRA: It’s a beauty mark. FAIRY GODMOTHER: I thought you were supposed to wear a beauty mark on your chin or on your cheek. Not on the tip of your nose. CLEOPATRA: Shows how much you know about fashion. Drab little Cinderella. BRUNHILDA: Sad little Cinderella. STEPMOTHER: Little Mistress Nobody. Ignore the wretch. She hates you both because you are beautiful. CLEOPATRA: Beautiful. (She steps in front of FAIRY GODMOTHER, scoffs, LEAVES STAGE via auditorium AISLE—or EXITS UP LEFT.) BRUNHILDA: I am beautiful. (Same business. Steps in front of FAIRY GODMOTHER, scoffs, LEAVES the STAGE and up the AISLE [or UP LEFT].) STEPMOTHER: Still wishing you could go to the Grand Ball, Cinderella? Hee, hee. How people would chuckle if they saw you walk in. (Harshly.) Don’t waste time while we’re gone. Scrub the front steps, dust all the furniture and turn down the beds. And don’t forget the hot chocolate. (Gaily.) Girls, girls, wait for Mother! (She follows OUT after BRUNHILDA and CLEOPATRA.) FAIRY GODMOTHER: (Mimicking STEPMOTHER.) Girls, girls, wait for Mother. PUMPKINHEAD: (Lifts head somewhat.) Are they gone? FAIRY GODMOTHER: They’re gone. PUMPKINHEAD: (Stands.) What dragons!

For preview23 only FAIRY GODMOTHER: Never mind about them. (Calls DOWN RIGHT and UP RIGHT.) Mouse. Attila. Apprentice. (They ENTER.) ATTILA: (Salutes.) Reporting for duty, Fairy Godmother. MOUSE: Squeak, squeak. All we need now is Cinderella. (In contrast to the harsh tones of STEPMOTHER and STEPSISTERS, those ONSTAGE say the name sweetly.) ALL: Cinderella. . . Cinderella. . . where are you, Cinderella? FAIRY GODMOTHER: We’re waiting, child. (Hold for impact. CINDERELLA ENTERS, gorgeous in her simple yet elegant gown.) APPRENTICE: Can it be? Is this the same girl? Is this Cinderella? (MUSIC CUE 5: “Don’t-Cha Worry.”) CINDERELLA: (Speaks.) Do… do I look all right? APPRENTICE: (Speaks.) You look fantastic! (CINDERELLA smiles as OTHERS applaud.) FAIRY GODMOTHER: (Speaks.) You are truly beautiful, Cinderella, because your heart is truly beautiful. True beauty is within. (Sings.) Hey there, don’t-cha worry, ‘cause you’re lookin’ fine and quite t’do. Hey there, better hurry, there’s a handsome prince that waits for you. What a fine gown, if I do say, what a pick my magic is renown. Don’t-cha fiddle, don’t-cha faddle, skediddle-daddle down into the town. What a dress, oh, yes! APPRENTICE: (Sings.) And the finest slipper! GODMOTHER: (Sings.) Lookin’ chipper! ATTILA/MOUSE/PUMPKINHEAD: (Sing.) Can’t believe they were spun of glass. GODMOTHER/APPRENTICE: (Sing.) Quite high class! CINDERELLA: (Speaks in rhythm.) Spun of glass? ALL OTHERS: (Sing.) Quite high class! CINDERELLA: (Speaks.) How can such a beautiful gown be in an empty trunk? GODMOTHER: (Speaks. Winks to AUDIENCE.) We know, don’t we? CINDERELLA: (Speaks.) And my dancing slippers… (Lifts hem of gown. Indicates.) I can’t believe they’re made of spun glass. GODMOTHER: (Sings.) The night is full of mystery, The magic hour is upon you. Open your eyes and you will see. Don’t delay, it’s your day!

Hey there, don’t-cha worry, I’ll be lookin’ after things quite nice. Hey there, better hurry, I’ll be there on time to throw the rice.

For preview24 only What a hair-do, if I do say, I’m the ticket, rickety and old. Better hustle, better rustle, ‘fore your bustle’s left out in the cold. Got a horse, of course… APPRENTICE: (Sings.) …and a pumpkin carriage. GODMOTHER: (Sings.) I see marriage. ATTILA/MOUSE/PUMPKINHEAD: (Sing.) Comes equipped with a footman, too! GODMOTHER/APPRENTICE: (Sing.) All for you. CINDERELLA: (Speaks in time.) All for me? ALL OTHERS: (Sing.) All for you! APPRENTICE: (Speaks.) This is Pumpkinhead, Cinderella. (CINDERELLA is surprised to see such an odd looking creature.) CINDERELLA: (Speaks.) Pumpkinhead? GODMOTHER: (Speaks.) Pumpkinhead will be your coach. APPRENTICE: (Speaks. Indicates.) Attila will be your carriage horse. ATTILA: (Speaks. Bows.) Meow. GODMOTHER: (Speaks.) Mouse, your footman. MOUSE: (Speaks.) Squeak, squeak. GODMOTHER: (Speaks. Points wand into AISLE or UP LEFT.) By the time the four of you reach the bend in the road, the magic will have taken hold. CINDERELLA: (Speaks.) I can hardly believe it. APPRENTICE: (Speaks.) Believe it. ALL OTHERS: (Sing.) Your dream is waiting just for you, a royal evening at the palace. CINDERELLA: (Sings.) My wish has finally come true. It’s my time! ALL OTHERS: (Sing.) Bells will chime! CINDERELLA: (Sings.) Hey there, don’t-cha worry, ‘cause I’m off to celebrate tonight. GODMOTHER: (Sings.) Hey there, better hurry, to be late just wouldn’t be polite. Get a move on, crack a whip now, better trust, you must-n’t hesitate. Don’t-cha dilly, don’t-cha dally, tally-ho through the valley don’t be late. As a rule you must be back in the kitchen. APPRENTICE: (Sings.) Ain’t no ditchin’! GODMOTHER: (Sings.) Best be back by the stroke of twelve! ATTILA/MOUSE/PUMPKINHEAD: (Sing.) The stroke of twelve! CINDERELLA: (Speaks in time.) The stroke of twelve? ALL OTHERS: (Speak.) The stroke of twelve! GODMOTHER: (Speaks.) Now, Cinderella, this is most important. CINDERELLA: (Speaks.) Yes?

For preview25 only GODMOTHER: (Speaks.) The magic will not last forever. You must be home by midnight. CINDERELLA: (Speaks.) Midnight. GODMOTHER: (Speaks.) Otherwise the coach will turn back into a pumpkin… APPRENTICE: (Speaks.) …the horse back into a cat… GODMOTHER: (Speaks.) …the footman returns to being a mouse. MOUSE: (Speaks.) Squeak, squeak. GODMOTHER: (Speaks.) Your lovely gown will turn into rags and you’ll wonder where the magic went. CINDERELLA: (Speaks.) I understand. GODMOTHER: (Speaks.) Until that time, the night is yours. Run along, my dear. Enjoy being young. Enjoy the Grand Ball at the palace. CINDERELLA: (Speaks.) I will, Fairy Godmother, I will. Thank you. GODMOTHER: (To MOUSE, ATTILA, PUMKINHEAD. Speaks.) What are you waiting for? Don’t stand about wasting time. To the bend in the road. TRIO: (Speak.) To the bend in the road. (They EXIT. FAIRY GODMOTHER passes the wand over CINDERELLA’S head.) GODMOTHER: (Speaks.) Shiver and quiver, my little tree, silver and gold throw over me. Let the magic of this night begin. CINDERELLA: (Speaks.) Thank you again, Fairy Godmother. Thank you! (Runs OUT after the TRIO.) GODMOTHER: (Sings.) The night is full of mystery. APPRENTICE: (Sings.) The magic hour is upon you. GODMOTHER: (Sings.) Open your eyes and you will see. BOTH: (Sing.) Don’t delay, it’s your day! (Speak.) Good-bye, Cinderella, good-bye. GODMOTHER: (Speaks.) Enjoy yourself. APPRENTICE: (Speaks.) Have fun. BOTH: (Speak.) Good-bye, good-bye!

End of ACT ONE

ACT TWO Scene One MUSIC CUE 6: “Entr’acte.”

The palace. Night. MUSIC CUE 7: “The Grand March.” ACTORS can ENTER from some side door, DOWN FRONT or down the CENTER AISLE, and parade in front of FORESTAGE and, eventually, work

For preview26 only their way BACKSTAGE. First IN is MAJORDOMO, looking important and self‑satisfied. He bangs the staff three times loudly on the floor.

MAJORDOMO: (Speaks in a booming voice.) Hear ye! Hear ye! Hear ye! Let the festivities begin! (Following the MAJORDOMO is LADY URSULA-URSULA. Next, LADY BLOSSOM, escorted by a young CAPTAIN. Next, LADY VINE escorted by a young LIEUTENANT. Then MISTRESS HAUGHTY and as many CHORUS MEMBERS as GUESTS as you wish, if any. Sings.) Hail to the prince and the royal marriage. Hail to the sov’reign mistress queen. Hail to the lords and hail to the ladies. Hail to the grandest ball we’ve seen! ALL: (Sing.) Hail to the prince and the royal marriage. Hail to the sov’reign mistress queen. Hail to the lords and hail to the ladies. Hail to the grandest ball we’ve seen! (There is a break in the procession, and we hear the voices of BRUNHILDA, CLEOPATRA and STEPMOTHER.) CLEOPATRA’S VOICE: (Speaks.) I should be the next one in! BRUNHILDA’S VOICE: (Speaks.) Me! Me! CLEOPATRA’S VOICE: (Speaks.) Get out of my way! BRUNHILDA’S VOICE: (Speaks.) You get out of my way! CLEOPATRA’S VOICE: (Speaks.) I’m more beautiful than you are! BRUNHILDA’S VOICE: (Speaks.) Not true! Not true! Tell her it’s not true, Momsy! STEPMOTHER’S VOICE: (Speaks.) Don’t call me Momsy! (PROCESSION continues, up ONTO the STAGE and OUT, RIGHT and LEFT. As the stately PROCESSION nears the STAGE, CURTAINS PART to reveal a room in the palace. The basics include a throne-like chair UP CENTER for the queen, a bench DOWN RIGHT and another DOWN LEFT. [NOTE: See PRODUCTION NOTES.]) MAJORDOMO: (Sings.) Herald the trumpets, march to the drums. Sing to the sound of the royal bells. Enter the kingdom’s loyal subjects. Enter the eligible mad’moiselles! ALL: (Sing.) Herald the trumpets, march to the drums. Sing to the sound of the royal bells. Enter the kingdom’s loyal subjects. Enter the eligible mad’moiselles!

For preview27 only (Finally BRUNHILDA and CLEOPATRA APPEAR.They whack each other with folded fans.) CLEOPATRA: (Speaks.) You keep away from the prince! That’s all I’ve got to say (Whack!) BRUNHILDA: (Speaks.) Don’t you hit me, you silly goose. He’ll marry me because I’m the most beautiful girl in the kingdom. (Whack!) CLEOPATRA: (Speaks.) But I’m more intelligent! (Whack!) BRUNHILDA: (Speaks.) You, intelligent? A house flea has more sense! (Whack! They continue to whack at each other in comic fashion. STEPMOTHER flies IN after them.) STEPMOTHER: (Speaks.) Stop it! Stop it! What would the prince think?! (Instantly both girls calm down and smile broadly.) BOTH: (Speak.) The prince! (Giggle.) STEPMOTHER: (Speaks.) Deportment, girls, deportment. It’s so important. (To AUDIENCE.) Brunhilda and Cleopatra are high- spirited, that’s all. Aren’t they lovely? (Commands.) Now behave, girls. Remember what I told you. STEPSISTERS: (Speaks.) Yes, Momsy. STEPMOTHER: (Speaks.) Don’t call me Momsy! (Motioning them along.) Onward, girls. Onward. History is being made tonight. (BRUNHILDA and CLEOPATRA again begin marching down the AISLE, exclaiming as they go….) BRUNHILDA: (Speaks.) I’m beautiful! CLEOPATRA: (Speaks.) I’m witty! BRUNHILDA: (Speaks.) I’m enchanting! CLEOPATRA: (Speaks.) I’m Prince bait! ALL: (Sing.) Hail to the prince and the royal marriage. Hail to the sov’reign mistress queen. Hail to the lords and hail to the ladies. Hail to the grandest ball we’ve seen!

Herald the trumpets, march to the drums. Sing to the sound of the royal bells. Enter the kingdom’s loyal subjects. Enter the eligible mad’moiselles!

Hail to the prince and the royal marriage. Sing to the sound of the royal bells. Soon to arrive in the royal carriage. Enter the eligible mad’moiselles! (STEPMOTHER follows the STEPSISTERS OUT. At this point, the

For preview28 only Grand March/Procession is finished. MUSIC OUT. QUEEN ENTERS room, followed by PRINCE.) QUEEN: I’m afraid, my son, you have little to say in the matter. PRINCE: Maybe this isn’t what I’m wishing for. QUEEN: Your wishes come second to the needs of the kingdom. I intend to retire and pass the crown on to you. However, I do not approve of bachelor kings. They get into all sorts of trouble. Every eligible girl in the kingdom will be here tonight. Surely, you’ll find someone who lights a fire in your heart. PRINCE: I don’t want to marry. QUEEN: Pish‑posh. You’ll do what a future king must. At midnight you will announce your selection. If your father were alive, he’d agree wholeheartedly. PRINCE: (Resigned.) Very well, Mother. I shall do as I must. Tonight I will select a bride. QUEEN: That’s a good boy. Mother knows best. (LADY URSULA‑URSULA ENTERS LEFT.) LADY URSULA‑URSULA: Your Majesty. (She curtsies.) QUEEN: What is it now, Lady Ursula‑Ursula? LADY URSULA‑URSULA: More ladies to be presented. PRINCE: What? More? Is there no end to them? (To QUEEN.) Where does your lady‑in‑waiting find them? LADY URSULA‑URSULA: They’re all over the palace, my Prince. In every nook and cranny. On the stairs and in the Royal Gardens. QUEEN: Duty calls, my son. Duty commands. PRINCE: Let’s get it over with. (Extends a hand and escorts QUEEN to the throne. She sits. PRINCE stands to RIGHT.) QUEEN: We are ready, Lady Ursula-Ursula. LADY URSULA-URSULA: Yes, Your Majesty. (Calls off LEFT.) Begin the presentations. MAJORDOMO: (ENTERS, bangs staff one time to the floor. MUSIC CUE 7a: “The Presentations.” The following dialogue is spoken over the instrumental music.) The Lady Blossom, cousin to the King of Utopia. Niece to the Duke of Neverland. LADY BLOSSOM: (ENTERS, steps in front of QUEEN, goes down on one knee in courtly salute.) Your Majesty. QUEEN: We are delighted, Lady Blossom. I believe you know my son. LADY BLOSSOM: Sir. (PRINCE nods. QUEEN dismisses LADY BLOSSOM with the wave of her hand. LADY BLOSSOM stands by bench, DOWN RIGHT.) QUEEN: (To PRINCE.) She’s young, attractive, rich and well‑born. She’d make an excellent wife. (PRINCE yawns.)

For preview29 only MAJORDOMO: (Bangs staff.) The Lady Vine, daughter of General Nutmeg. Sister to the Baron of Marmalade. LADY VINE: (ENTERS, steps in front of QUEEN. Down on one knee.) Your Majesty. QUEEN: We are delighted you are in attendance. Have you met my son? LADY VINE: Not yet, Your Majesty. (To PRINCE.) Sir. (PRINCE nods, stifles a yawn. LADY VINE is dismissed with a wave of the hand. She stands beside LADY BLOSSOM.) QUEEN: You could try to look interested. PRINCE: Yes, Mother. I’ll try. MAJORDOMO: Mistress Haughty. No relations of significance. MISTRESS HAUGHTY: (ENTERS, steps in front of QUEEN, goes down on one knee. She carries a garish mask on a stick, trying to cover up her age.) Your Majesty. QUEEN: (Indicates.) My son. MISTRESS HAUGHTY: (Quickly gushes out her qualities as a bridal possibility, with wild flourishes of her mask.) I can tell funny stories. I know how to play Chinese checkers and cards. Old Maid is my favorite. (PRINCE yawns. QUEEN dismisses her with another wave of the hand. MISTRESS HAUGHTY pouts, stands beside LADY VINE. Mumbles.) Drat. (Tosses mask away in disgust. [NOTE: Mask should be left where PRINCE can easily pick it up when talking with CINDERELLA later in scene.]) PRINCE: (To QUEEN.) How many more? QUEEN: Majordomo? MAJORDOMO: That’s the last, I believe, Your Majesty. PRINCE: Good. (On cue, we hear the VOICES of STEPSISTERS, STEPMOTHER from OFF LEFT.) CLEOPATRA’S VOICE: (From OFF LEFT.) I should be presented first. BRUNHILDA’S VOICE: (From OFF LEFT.) No, I should be presented first. CLEOPATRA’S VOICE: (From OFF LEFT.) Me! BRUNHILDA’S VOICE: (From OFF LEFT.) Me! Me! STEPMOTHER’S VOICE: (From OFF LEFT.) Girls, girls! Behave! (ALL ONSTAGE look LEFT.) MAJORDOMO: A mother with two daughters. The Misses Brunhilda and Cleopatra. (IN step BRUNHILDA and CLEOPATRA, still whacking at each other with the fans. STEPMOTHER is behind them.) CLEOPATRA: Me, first! BRUNHILDA: Me! (STEPMOTHER does a sweeping curtsy.) STEPMOTHER: Your Majesty. (Instantly, STEPSISTERS stop

For preview30 only quarreling. They realize all eyes are on them. MUSIC OUT. They “attempt” curtsies to the QUEEN.) STEPSISTERS: Your Majesty. (The curtsies are so poorly executed that BRUNHILDA and CLEOPATRA go sprawling to the floor.) Oops! (ONLOOKERS chuckle. As if the curtsies were beautifully executed, STEPMOTHER gushes in front of the throne.) STEPMOTHER: Such an honor to be here, Your Majesty. Such a thrill. Such excitement. My beautiful and talented daughters were quite overcome when they received their invitations. (OTHERS are still looking at the STEPSISTERS in disbelief. BRUNHILDA and CLEOPATRA look like turtles turned on their backs. They struggle to their feet. STEPMOTHER babbles on, determined that her daughters be noticed.) Still, they receive so many invitations. Rich men, poor men. Noblemen, army officers. Delivery boys. They are so accomplished. They would make any man an ideal wife. Cleopatra paints landscapes by the numbers. Beautifully. And no girl can match Brunhilda when it comes to bowling and clam digging. (PRINCE can stand no more.) PRINCE: Majordomo, let’s proceed with the ball. QUEEN: (Can’t stand STEPMOTHER, either.) An excellent idea, my son. The presentations are over. (Gestures to MAJORDOMO.) MAJORDOMO: (Bangs staff three times.) First dance on the terrace! Mind the flagstones. They’ve just been polished. (QUEEN stands, FEMALES curtsy. QUEEN EXITS RIGHT, followed by LADY URSULA‑URSULA and MAJORDOMO.) OTHERS: (Ad lib excitedly as they EXIT RIGHT.) What a night! Isn’t it wonderful! I wonder who the prince will select? STEPSISTERS: “I’m beautiful. I’m witty. I’m enchanting.” STEPMOTHER: Don’t worry about a thing, girls. Those others don’t have a chance. (ALL are OUT except the PRINCE. He slaps one hand to his forehead, as if he had a terrible headache.) PRINCE: How can I decide? (CAPTAIN and LIEUTENANT ENTER LEFT. The PRINCE is not only their sovereign, but a friend.) CAPTAIN: Well, sir, has any one girl captured your heart? LIEUTENANT: There are so many to choose from. PRINCE: Yes, Captain. Yes, Lieutenant. There are a great many to choose from. Too many —especially when I have no desire to marry. CAPTAIN: That’s not what your mother wishes to hear. PRINCE: Don’t remind me. CAPTAIN: Some are pretty.

For preview31 only PRINCE: True. LIEUTENANT: Some are rich. PRINCE: True. CAPTAIN: Some can sing. PRINCE: Perhaps. LIEUTENANT: Some are well‑born. PRINCE: No doubt. However, I believe true love “happens.” From what I’ve seen, it’s not going to happen tonight. Have you noticed those odd sisters? CAPTAIN: Brunhilda? LIEUTENANT: Cleopatra? PRINCE: Yes. CAPTAIN: How could we miss them? PRINCE: I am giving you a royal command. (CAPTAIN and LIEUTENANT snap to attention, salute.) BOTH: Sir. PRINCE: Keep Brunhilda and Cleopatra as far away from me as possible. Understood? BOTH: Understood. PRINCE: I can’t abide fools, and those girls are fools. CAPTAIN: Prince. PRINCE: What now? CAPTAIN: (Indicates PRINCE’S sash.) You’re not wearing the Royal Medal First Class. LIEUTENANT: The one your father gave you on your fifteenth birthday. PRINCE: (Checks, speaks.) I’ve been so distraught over this marriage business I quite forgot. (Removes sash.) Take this and pin on the medal. Lucky my mother didn’t notice. She’d never forgive me. She’s fussy about such things. (LIEUTENANT takes sash. CAPTAIN and LIEUTENANT come to attention, salute. EXIT RIGHT. MUSIC CUE 7b: “Cinderella’s Waltz—Entrance Music.” From OFFSTAGE we hear some FAINT WALTZ MUSIC, which eventually FADES, CINDERELLA backs IN from LEFT. In one hand she holds a glittery mask on a stick. She is overwhelmed by the palace. MUSIC OUT.) CINDERELLA: (To herself.) How lovely everything is. It’s like a dream. PRINCE: Think so? CINDERELLA: Oh! (She turns, sees the PRINCE. Immediately puts the mask to her face.) I didn’t mean to disturb you. PRINCE: You’re late. The marriage prospects have already been presented. CINDERELLA: I’m not a marriage prospect.

For preview32 only PRINCE: (Amazed.) You mean you’re not here hoping to marry the prince? CINDERELLA: No. PRINCE: Don’t you know who I am? CINDERELLA: A guest, I imagine. PRINCE: How do you know I’m not the prince? CINDERELLA: (Laugh softly.) Simple. (She floats to the bench DOWN LEFT, sits.) If you were the prince, you’d be wearing the royal sash with the Royal Medal First Class. Every child learns that in school. PRINCE: (Steps DOWNSTAGE a bit, speaks to AUDIENCE.) She know her civics. How good it feels not to be recognized—if only for a moment. I shall enjoy the game. (Turns to CINDERELLA.) Why do you hold that mask to your face? CINDERELLA: (To AUDIENCE.) I fear I might be recognized by my stepmother and my stepsisters. Shall I take a chance? (Regardless of the AUDIENCE response, CINDERELLA lowers the mask. PRINCE gets a good look and she gets a good look at him. It’s love at first sight.) PRINCE: (To AUDIENCE.) How lovely she is. To meet a girl who is not only lovely—but intelligent! (To CINDERELLA.) You must be presented to the prince. What is your name? CINDERELLA: On a lovely evening like this, names aren’t important. What’s your name? PRINCE: Uh, uh… As you say, names aren’t important. CINDERELLA: Are you in the service of Her Majesty? PRINCE: Yes. I’m in the army. CINDERELLA: (Aside, to AUDIENCE.) A soldier brave. How dashing he is. PRINCE: Would you like to walk in the garden? CINDERELLA: Alone? PRINCE: I’ll walk by your side. Unless you prefer to be alone. CINDERELLA: I’d enjoy your company. (Sighs in romantic fashion. To AUDIENCE.) Why is my heart beating like the wings of a hummingbird? (Absentmindedly, she drops the mask.) My mask. (PRINCE crosses to her and drops to one knee. Picks up the mask and returns it. They look at one another like lovesick puppies. MUSIC CUE 8: “Behind The Mask.” Suddenly embarrassed, they both retreat to opposite corners of the stage. PRINCE finds MISTRESS HAUGHTY’S mask on the floor, which he picks up. They each hold up their mask in front of their face.) PRINCE: (Sings.) Who is the girl behind the mask? I have never seen such a beauty.

For preview33 only Who is the girl I long to ask, Would she dance with me through the night? She has won my heart, bewitched me so. Who can she be? I’ve got to know. Surely, surely, she musn’t go Before I learn her name… tonight! CINDERELLA: (Sings.) Who is the man behind the mask? He is bold and ever so charming. Who is the man that, should he ask, I would dance with him through the night?

He has won my heart, bewitched me so. Who can he be? I’ve got to know. Surely, surely, he musn’t go Before I learn his name… tonight! Behind the mask… PRINCE: (Sings.) …is a girl… CINDERELLA: (Sings.) …is a man… BOTH: (Sing.) Waiting patiently. Behind the mask… CINDERELLA: (Sings.) Who is he? PRINCE: (Sings.) Who is she? BOTH: (Sing.) It’s all a mystery. Behind the mask… PRINCE: (Sings.) Is she real? CINDERELLA: (Sings.) Is he real? BOTH: (Sing.) A glance would satisfy. Behind the mask… CINDERELLA: (Sings.) Could he love… PRINCE: (Sings.) Could she love… BOTH: (Sing.) …someone such as I… tonight? PRINCE: (Sings.) Who is the girl behind the mask? CINDERELLA: (Sings.) He is everything I have wanted. Who is the man behind the mask? PRINCE: (Sings.) Should I ask her if she will stay? BOTH: (Sing.) She/he has won my heart, bewitched me so. Who can she/he be? I have to know. Surely, surely she/he musn’t go before I learn her/his name…

For preview34 only tonight! Behind the mask… PRINCE: (Sings.) …is a girl… CINDERELLA: (Sings.) …is a man… BOTH: (Sing.) …glancing thus my way. Behind the mask… CINDERELLA: (Sings.) …I do hope… PRINCE: (Sings.) …I do pray… BOTH: (Sing.) …she’ll/he’ll dance with me this day. Behind the mask… PRINCE: (Sings.) …is a girl… CINDERELLA: (Sings.) ...is a man… BOTH: (Sing.) …wond’ring who am I. Behind the mask… CINDERELLA: (Sings.) …Could it be?… PRINCE: (Sings.) …Could it be?… BOTH: (Sing.) …I’ve fallen for a spy? (They slowly drop their masks and look at each other. Realizing it was a far-fetched idea, look at AUDIENCE.) BOTH: (Speak.) No. (They quickly cover their faces again.) PRINCE: (Sings.) Who is the girl behind the mask? CINDERELLA: (Sings.) Who is the man behind the mask? PRINCE: (Sings.) Who is the girl behind the mask? CINDERELLA: (Sings.) Who is the man behind the mask? PRINCE: (Sings.) Who is the girl? CINDERELLA: (Sings.) Who is the man? PRINCE: (Sings.) Who is the girl? CINDERELLA: (Sings.) Who is the man? BOTH: (Sing.) Behind the mask?! (MUSIC OUT. The romantic mood is shattered by the ENTRANCE of MAJORDOMO from RIGHT. He slams the staff to the floor three times.) MAJORDOMO: Hear ye! Hear ye! Hear ye! The next dance will be lady’s choice. Select your partners for lady’s choice! (He, again, slams the staff to the floor. PRINCE turns on the sound.) CLEOPATRA’S VOICE: (From OFF RIGHT.) Where’s the prince?! Where’s the prince! He’s mine for this dance! BRUNHILDA’S VOICE: (From OFF RIGHT.) Mine! CLEOPATRA’S VOICE: Mine! BRUNHILDA’S VOICE: You stay away from him! CLEOPATRA’S VOICE: Fat chance, sister dear. (Alarmed, CINDERELLA jumps up.) CINDERELLA: (To AUDIENCE.) My stepsisters! They mustn’t see me.

For preview35 only (She runs OFF LEFT. BRUNHILDA and CLEOPATRA dash IN from RIGHT, see the PRINCE.) BRUNHILDA: There he is! Yoo‑hoo, Prince. CLEOPATRA: It’s lady’s choice, Prince. I “choice” you. BRUNHILDA: Not if I get there first. (PRINCE jumps up and runs behind the throne chair, hoping to escape the fearsome duo. They pursue. MAJORDOMO, more dignified than ever, EXITS RIGHT.) PRINCE: (Frantic.) I don’t feel like dancing. BRUNHILDA: Lady’s choice! Lady’s choice! CLEOPATRA: Stay away from him, Brunhilda. This dance belongs to me! BRUNHILDA: Me! Me! (The poor PRINCE escapes to the bench DOWN RIGHT and circles it. STEPSISTERS pursue.) Come back, Prince! Play fair! CLEOPATRA: I hope this dance is a rhumba! (PRINCE escapes to other bench, circles.) BRUNHILDA: He’s getting away! CLEOPATRA: He wants to play! (She giggles.) PRINCE: (Calls out.) Captain! Lieutenant! (On cue, CAPTAIN and LIEUTENANT ENTER.) CAPTAIN: It’s the prince! LIEUTENANT: He’s under attack! CAPTAIN: Charge! (As STEPSISTERS continue to pursue PRINCE around the bench, CAPTAIN and LIEUTENANT march DOWN LEFT and take CLEOPATRA under the arms and hoist her up. With her feet kicking in midair, the soldiers carry her OFFSTAGE.) CLEOPATRA: Help! Help! Momsy! (Finally, out of breath, PRINCE sits on the bench. BRUNHILDA quickly sits beside him.) BRUNHILDA: Isn’t this cozy‑wozy? Just the two of us. (PRINCE is so exhausted all he can do is pant heavily for breath.) Pay no attention to my sister Cleopatra. She’s a mere child. Foolish, ungraceful, stupid as they come. A tomato has more sense. (Stands, pulls the PRINCE to his feet.) Let’s dance. PRINCE: (Quivering.) I don’t hear any music. BRUNHILDA: Who needs music? (Forcefully, BRUNHILDA grabs the PRINCE and pulls him CENTER. She is doing the leading and is about as graceful as a dancing bear. The PRINCE practically dangles in her arms.) Don’t you think I look ravishing this evening? I just love dancing with a prince. Wouldn’t it be fun to dance like this forever? (CAPTAIN and LIEUTENANT RE‑ENTER and see that the PRINCE is, once again, in trouble. CAPTAIN steps to BRUNHILDA. Taps her on the shoulder.) CAPTAIN: May we cut in?

For preview36 only LIEUTENANT: May we have this dance? (Delighted by the attention, BRUNHILDA gushes.) BRUNHILDA: If the prince doesn’t mind. (She turns and CAPTAIN and LIEUTENANT take her under the arms and hoist her up. Same business as with CLEOPATRA. BRUNHILDA kicks her feet in midair as the soldiers carry her OFFSTAGE.) What are you doing? Stop. Prince! Prince! Momsy! Momsy! (PRINCE takes several deep breaths. CINDERELLA APPEARS from LEFT.) CINDERELLA: If I heard correctly—this next dance is lady’s choice. PRINCE: You heard correctly. (MUSIC CUE 8a: “Cinderella’s Waltz.” PRINCE bows. CINDERELLA moves toward him. LIGHTS blend to a ROMANTIC HUE. They dance, lovely together. [NOTE: If you wish, more DANCERS can be introduced. For example, CAPTAIN can dance with LADY BLOSSOM, LIEUTENANT with LADY VINE, etc.] Round and round. Eventually, PRINCE and CINDERELLA waltz OFF LEFT. OPTIONAL DANCERS RIGHT. LIGHTS BACK TO NORMAL. From OFF RIGHT push IN LADY URSULA‑URSULA, LADY BLOSSOM, LADY VINE, STEPMOTHER, CLEOPATRA, BRUNHILDA, MISTRESS HAUGHTY. They are watching the OFFSTAGE PRINCE and CINDERELLA. The following dialogue is spoken over the instrumental MUSIC.) LADY URSULA‑URSULA: Did you see that? LADY BLOSSOM: We all saw it. LADY VINE: Who is she? LADY URSULA‑URSULA: Whoever she is, she’s gotten the prince’s attention. LADY BLOSSOM: That ball gown! LADY VINE: That complexion! STEPMOTHER: Hmmmmm. She looks vaguely familiar. CLEOPATRA: Who cares about her? I wanted to dance with the prince. BRUNHILDA: I danced with him for a little while. MISTRESS HAUGHTY: The night is young. (Brief BLACKOUT to suggest the passage of time. The MUSIC continues to play under. LIGHTS UP, and we again see the WOMEN, this time QUEEN included. They are lined up across the FORESTAGE looking out over the AUDIENCE where supposedly the PRINCE and CINDERELLA are dancing. First grouping consists of MISTRESS HAUGHTY, BRUNHILDA, CLEOPATRA and STEPMOTHER. Second grouping has LADY VINE and LADY BLOSSOM. Third grouping is QUEEN and LADY URSULA‑URSULA.) STEPMOTHER: (Grim.) All night. They’ve been dancing together all

For preview37 only night. Can’t imagine what the prince sees in her. She’s awfully plain. MISTRESS HAUGHTY: She’s not in the least plain. She’s lovely—if you like her sort. Light on her dancing slippers. STEPSISTERS: (Disappointed.) We wanted to marry the prince. STEPMOTHER: Nothing’s been settled. LADY BLOSSOM: She must be royalty. She looks like royalty. LADY VINE: I never saw a prettier dress, and those glass slippers! She must be fabulously wealthy. STEPSISTERS: (More and more dejected.) Oh, Momsy. Pooh. LADY URSULA‑URSULA: They do make a striking pair, Your Majesty. QUEEN: Indeed they do. But who is the girl? LADY URSULA‑URSULA: No one seems to know, Your Majesty. She’s something of a mystery. QUEEN: I’ve never seen my son look so happy. (MUSIC OUT.) STEPMOTHER: Obviously the prince does not know true beauty when he sees it. The creature looks sickly to me. BRUNHILDA: I’m going to drown myself in the river. CLEOPATRA: No, I’m going to drown myself in the river. Me first. Then the prince will be sorry. MAJORDOMO: (ENTERS RIGHT, bangs the staff to the floor three times.) Supper is served in the Chinese Room. Noodles with sweet and sour chicken chunks. CLEOPATRA: (Complete change in mood.) Good. BRUNHILDA: (Upbeat.) Let’s eat. (WOMEN EXIT RIGHT. MAJORDOMO bangs staff to floor, announces.) MAJORDOMO: Almost midnight! (He EXITS after the WOMEN. PRINCE and CINDERELLA ENTER LEFT. This time the PRINCE is wearing the sash with the medal.) PRINCE: Dancing with you is like dancing with wings on. CINDERELLA: It’s a wonderful evening. PRINCE: Why won’t you tell me your name? CINDERELLA: (Indicates sash and medal.) Why didn’t you tell me you were the prince? PRINCE: I like to play games. I don’t know about you, but I’m suddenly quite hungry. Must be all the dancing. Are you hungry? CINDERELLA: Yes, I am. PRINCE: May I bring you something out here? CINDERELLA: Please. (She curtsies. PRINCE EXITS RIGHT. CINDERELLA waltzes about by herself.) I’ve never been so happy. (She steps to bench, DOWN LEFT. Sits.) I’m not tired. But my feet are. (She removes one slipper and puts it beside her. She gently

For preview38 only rubs her foot. Thinks aloud.) I wonder what the prince would say if he knew who I really am? Ella of the cinders. Cinderella. A kitchen slave dressed in rags with dirt smudges on her face. If he knew, he’d have nothing more to do with me. (Shift in mood.) Ah, well. I still have this night. (The CLOCK CHIMES once and continues eleven more times through the following dialogue. ATTILA, MOUSE and PUMPKINHEAD rush IN from OFF LEFT. Or they can come running down the AISLE. They are “back” to their true state. Good-bye to the coach, the footman and the horse.) TRIO: Cinderella! Cinderella! CINDERELLA: (Sees them, jumps up.) Goodness! What happened? You’ve turned back to the way you were. It’s not midnight yet. It can’t be. PUMPKINHEAD: Almost. Listen. ATTILA: Fairy Godmother said you had to be back in the kitchen by midnight. Not a second later. MOUSE: We forgot time was slipping away. We were napping. Squeak, squeak. CINDERELLA: My dress and slippers haven’t disappeared. PUMPKINHEAD: They will. They will. CINDERELLA: I don’t want the prince to see me in rags. He mustn’t see me that way. ATTILA: Then you’ve got to get away. PUMPKINHEAD: We’ll have to run. MOUSE: Run, run. Squeak, squeak. (MOUSE and ATTILA take CINDERELLA by the hand.) PRINCE’S VOICE: (From OFFSTAGE RIGHT.) Do you like chocolate ice or vanilla? CINDERELLA: The prince! ATTILA: This way! Hurry! (They can either run OUT LEFT or leave the STAGE and run up the AISLE. As they EXIT, PRINCE RETURNS.) PRINCE: I asked if you liked chocolate ice or vanilla? (Sees that he’s alone.) Where are you? (He runs LEFT, calls OFF.) Where are you? (CAPTAIN and LIEUTENANT ENTER RIGHT.) CAPTAIN: Something wrong, sir? PRINCE: That girl. That girl I was dancing with all evening. She’s gone. (LIEUTENANT points in the direction CINDERELLA has taken.) LIEUTENANT: There she goes, sir. (ALL look.) PRINCE: She’s running away. But why? Why? (Calls after CINDERELLA.) Come back! CAPTAIN: (Points to glass slipper.) There’s something. (Crosses to slipper, picks it up.) It’s her glass slipper.

For preview39 only PRINCE: Give it to me. (Takes glass slipper from CAPTAIN.) I don’t know who she is, Captain, Lieutenant. But I intend to find out. Wherever she is, I’ll find her. (He holds the glass slipper in his grip and stares OFF after CINDERELLA. CURTAIN.)

End of Scene One

Scene Two

In front of CURTAIN—on FORESTAGE which now represents the palace exterior. MUSIC CUE 9: “Did You Hear the News?” CITIZEN 1 and CITIZEN 2, young teenage girls, ENTER from DOWN RIGHT. (NOTE: If you do not wish to introduce these new characters, LADY BLOSSOM and LADY VINE can play the scene.) They’re terribly excited.

CITIZEN 1: (Sings.) Did you hear the news, did you? Everybody’s been talking. Did you hear the news from the palace? CITIZEN 2: (Sings.) Did you hear the news, did you, Of the little glass slipper? Did you hear the news, did you now? CITIZEN 1: (Speaks.) Who hasn’t? The whole kingdom is in an uproar. CITIZEN 2: (Speaks.) Have you been inside the palace? CITIZEN 1: (Speaks.) Early this morning. I thought I’d be first in line, but there were dozens before me. CITIZEN 2: (Speaks.) So I’ve heard. (More CITIZENS ENTER.) CITIZENS 1 AND 2: (Sing. To the new CITIZENS.) Did you hear the news, did you? Everybody’s been squawking. Did you hear the news from the palace?

Did you hear the news, did you, Of the little glass slipper? Did you hear the news, did you now? CITIZEN 3: (Speaks.) Yes, we did. Imagine! The prince is going to marry the girl whose foot fits a glass slipper. CITIZEN 1: (Speaks.) I tried, but failed.

For preview40 only MAJORDOMO: (APPEARS through the opening in the CURTAIN or from DOWN LEFT. Speaks.) Hear ye! Hear ye! Hear ye! News from the palace. CITIZEN 2: (Speaks.) The Majordomo. He’ll know something. MAJORDOMO: (Sings.) Listen to the news I tell Of the little glass slipper. Listen to the news from the palace.

Any woman can try it, Try to see if it fits you. Any woman may thus apply.

(Speaks.) Last chance to try on the glass slipper! Any unmarried female in the kingdom may apply. If the shoe fits, the prince has found his bride. CITIZEN 1: (Speaks.) The glass slipper hasn’t fit anyone yet? MAJORDOMO: (Speaks.) Not yet. All the duchesses and countesses of the realm have tried it on. Every young lady from town and village. None can fit the dainty glass slipper. CITIZEN 3: (Speaks.) I wonder who she was… the prince’s dancing partner? CITIZEN 2: (Speaks.) Who can say? (More FEMALE CITIZENS ENTER.) ALL CITIZENS: (Sing.) Did you hear the news, did you, Of the little glass slipper? Did you hear the news from the palace?

Any woman can try it, Try to see if it fits you. Any woman may thus apply. MAJORDOMO: (Speaks.) You’ll have to excuse me, ladies. I have important business to attend to. (Starts to EXIT LEFT.) CITIZEN 1: (Speaks.) We know your important business. ALL CITIZENS: (Speak. Out to AUDIENCE.) The glass slipper. MAJORDOMO: (Speaks as he EXITS. Voice trailing off over MUSIC.) Hear ye! Hear ye! Hear ye! News from the palace. Last chance to try on the glass slipper! Any unmarried female may apply. If the shoe fits… (He’s OUT.) ALL CITIZENS: (Sing. As they EXIT DOWN RIGHT.) Did you hear the news, did you, Of the little glass slipper?

For preview41 only Did you hear the news from the palace? Any woman can try it, Try to see if it fits you. Any woman may thus apply. Any woman at all can try. Any woman may thus apply. MAJORDOMO’S VOICE: (MUSIC OUT. From OFF LEFT, voice trailing off.) Hear ye! Hear ye! Hear ye! News from the palace. Last chance to try on the glass slipper! Any unmarried female in the kingdom may apply. If the shoe fits… (CURTAIN OPENS, and we’re back in the palace. It’s the day after the Grand Ball. QUEEN is sitting in the throne chair. CAPTAIN to one side, LIEUTENANT to the other. LADY URSULA‑URSULA sits on bench DOWN LEFT. She holds a ledger and a quill pen. MISTRESS HAUGHTY sits on bench DOWN RIGHT. PRINCE is down on one knee attempting to force the glass slipper onto one foot. MISTRESS HAUGHTY holds her own shoe in her hand. She struggles to squeeze her foot into the small space.) PRINCE: It won’t fit. MISTRESS HAUGHTY: I’m sure it will fit, my Prince. I’ll push harder. (She does. Her foot won’t go into the slipper.) PRINCE: It’s no use, Mistress Haughty. Your foot and the glass slipper are no match. MISTRESS HAUGHTY: Drat. (To AUDIENCE.) That’s what I get for jogging. (In a huff, she puts on her own shoe and stands DOWN RIGHT. PRINCE stands.) QUEEN: It’s a most uncommon way to select a bride. PRINCE: It may seem illogical, but no one shall be my bride unless her foot fits this glass slipper. QUEEN: It is, indeed, an unusual shoe. If I didn’t know better, I’d suspect it was enchanted. PRINCE: The girl who wore it was enchanting. That much I know. QUEEN: What if she doesn’t turn up? PRINCE: Then I shall spend the rest of my life searching for her. QUEEN: (To CAPTAIN.) You’ve sent agents throughout the kingdom? CAPTAIN: Yes, Your Majesty. They could find no information about the mysterious guest. LADY URSULA‑URSULA: She wasn’t on the guest list. QUEEN: How strange. (To LIEUTENANT.) Any suggestions, Lieutenant? LIEUTENANT: Only one, Your Majesty. QUEEN: Yes? LIEUTENANT: Find a bigger glass slipper. One size fits all.

For preview42 only QUEEN: If you do not select a bride, I shall not abdicate and you, son, will not become King. CAPTAIN/LIEUTENANT: (Disappointed.) Oooooooooooh. QUEEN: Are there no more to try on the glass slipper? LADY URSULA‑URSULA: I’ve drawn a line through the name of Mistress Haughty. That leaves only two. PRINCE: Which two? LADY URSULA‑URSULA: (Squints at names in ledger.) The sisters Cleopatra and Brunhilda. MALES: Ugh. QUEEN: Well, where are they? (VOICES of BRUNHILDA and CLEOPATRA from OFFSTAGE LEFT.) BRUNHILDA’S VOICE: Here we are, Your Majesty! CLEOPATRA’S VOICE: Better late than never! (STEPSISTERS ENTER. Both are shoeless.) BRUNHILDA: To save time, we took off our shoes. CLEOPATRA: Wasn’t that sensible? (STEPMOTHER ENTERS LEFT.) STEPMOTHER: My daughters are not only beautiful, they are sensible. Excellent marriage material. PRINCE: Madam, neither one of your daughters was the girl I danced with last evening. STEPMOTHER: (Fiercely.) That’s beside the point. I know the rules. If the shoe fits, you marry the girl. BRUNHILDA: Any unmarried female in the kingdom may apply. Play fair, Prince. QUEEN: I’m afraid those are the rules, my son. You made them. PRINCE: Very well. To satisfy the rules. It’s a waste of time, though. (Delighted, STEPSISTERS gush.) STEPSISTERS: Wheeeee. I’m going to be a princess. BRUNHILDA: Me first! CLEOPATRA: Me! Me! BRUNHILDA: No, me! Me! Me! Me! (STEPMOTHER whacks at STEPDAUGHTERS with her fan.) STEPMOTHER: Stop it! Stop it! Remember your lesson. (Instantly, STEPSISTERS stop squabbling.) STEPSISTERS: “I’m beautiful. I’m witty. I’m enchanting.” CAPTAIN/LIEUTENANT: Ugh. PRINCE: Mistress Brunhilda. (BRUNHILDA gives CLEOPATRA a superior look, scoffs.) BRUNHILDA: Beauty before age. (BRUNHILDA marches to DOWN RIGHT bench, sits. Puts out her foot. PRINCE attempts to fit it.) STEPMOTHER: (To BRUNHILDA.) Push, push, dear! Think small.

For preview43 only BRUNHILDA: (Trying to squeeze her foot into the glass slipper.) I’m pushing, I’m pushing. I’m thinking small. (MISTRESS HAUGHTY and CAPTAIN and LIEUTENANT start to laugh at the absurdity, covering their mouths with their hands.) STEPMOTHER: Think smaller than small. Think tiny. CLEOPATRA: All morning she’s been soaking her feet in ice cubes. (OTHERS laugh. Realizing it’s hopeless, BRUNHILDA gives up.) BRUNHILDA: No one can wear a slipper that dainty. PRINCE: (Relieved.) Next. (BRUNHILDA stands beside MISTRESS HAUGHTY. CLEOPATRA sits on bench, thrusts out her foot.) CLEOPATRA: Pay no attention to my sister, Prince. She’s a crude person. (As if to prove the point, BRUNHILDA whacks her on the head with her fan.) Ow! (Again, PRINCE attempts to fit the slipper. It’s a struggle. CLEOPATRA wiggles and squirms.) STEPMOTHER: Push. Stuff. Squeeze. CLEOPATRA: I’m trying, Mother. I’m trying. I’m pushing. I’m stuffing. I’m squeezing. (The slipper dangles from CLEOPATRA’S big toe.) It fits! STEPMOTHER: (Almost hysterical.) Look at that, Your Majesty! It fits! It fits! A perfect fit! Dainty, dainty foot. (OTHERS laugh.) What are you laughing at? CAPTAIN: The glass slipper is dangling from her big toe. LIEUTENANT: That’s hardly a perfect fit. LADY URSULA‑URSULA: Nothing dainty about it. MISTRESS HAUGHTY: The silly goose. QUEEN: Reject them, Lady Ursula‑Ursula. LADY URSULA‑URSULA: I shall draw a line through the names of Brunhilda and Cleopatra. (CLEOPATRA wails and steps beside her sister, after PRINCE pulls away the slipper. BRUNHILDA wails.) STEPSISTERS: Ooooooooooooooooh. QUEEN: Silence! (Immediately STEPSISTERS fall silent.) PRINCE: I shall remain a bachelor until I find my true Princess. STEPMOTHER: (Forcefully.) Let me have a try. OTHERS: You? STEPMOTHER: Why not? I’m female, I’m unmarried and I’m a resident of this kingdom. I know the rules. STEPSISTERS: But you’re our Momsy. STEPMOTHER: (Snaps.) So what? QUEEN: Let’s get it over with and call it a day. (STEPMOTHER strides to the bench. At this point, OTHER MEMBERS OF THE CAST, but not CINDERELLA, ENTER RIGHT and LEFT and observe. [NOTE: If your STAGE is too small, the entire CAST may not fit. Adjust to your stage size. However, FAIRY GODMOTHER and APPRENTICE are necessary.]

For preview44 only STEPMOTHER takes off her shoe and thrusts out her foot. Wiggles her toes.) STEPMOTHER: (Pointing.) This little piggy went to market. This little piggy—(ALL silence her with a communal glacial look.) I only wanted to lighten the mood. Everyone is so serious. I’m ready, Prince. (PRINCE attempts to fit the glass slipper. STEPMOTHER makes strange little struggling sounds as she works her foot into the slipper.) Push. Stuff. Squeeze. COURT: Push, squeeze. (Amazingly, the slipper goes on her foot. PRINCE is startled.) STEPSISTERS: It fits! It fits! (COURT is agog.) STEPMOTHER: Princess! I’m going to be a princess! (To BRUNHILDA and CLEOPATRA.) Help me up. (STEPSISTERS help STEPMOTHER to her feet. The fit of the slipper is obviously unnatural and uncomfortable, but STEPMOTHER is not going to admit this. With BRUNHILDA and CLEOPATRA helping her, STEPMOTHER attempts to walk. PRINCE stands. Unnoticed, CINDERELLA ENTERS from LEFT. She’s barefooted. Holds the shoes belonging to STEPSISTERS. She is back in her rags and looks as much as possible as she did at the play’s opening.) I can walk. I can walk. (She pushes STEPDAUGHTERS aside and walks. Awkwardly, lopsided, in great discomfort.) Perfect fit, perfect fit. (Like some great clumsy bird, STEPMOTHER totters this way and that. COURT breaks into laughter.) LADY URSULA‑URSULA: It doesn’t fit at all. CAPTAIN: Any fool can see it’s too tight. LIEUTENANT: She walks like an ostrich. MISTRESS HAUGHTY: An ostrich walking on hot coals. QUEEN: Silly woman. Vanity makes fools. (Finally, STEPMOTHER can stand no more.) STEPMOTHER: Ow! Ouch! This slipper is killing me! Take it off, take it off! (She manages to stumble back to the bench. Sits, pulls off the slipper with a great sigh of relief.) That’s better. Oh, my corns! (PRINCE takes the slipper.) FAIRY GODMOTHER: Let her try on the slipper. (Only now do OTHERS notice FAIRY GODMOTHER.) OTHERS: Who? FAIRY GODMOTHER: (Points to CINDERELLA.) There. That girl. (ALL look to CINDERELLA.) ALL: Huh? PRINCE: (To AUDIENCE.) There’s something about that girl that seems familiar. (He stares at her some more.) BRUNHILDA: Ha, ha! That girl is Cinderella.

For preview45 only CLEOPATRA: Our servant. She’s only here because we needed someone to hold our shoes. STEPMOTHER: Cinderella, I told you to wait outside. You’re embarrassing us. Leave immediately. Out, out! Wretched child. (CINDERELLA turns to go.) PRINCE: No. Wait. (At this point, the PRINCE is fairly sure who CINDERELLA is. All he needs is the final proof.) Rules are rules. STEPMOTHER: (Protests.) But she’s only a servant, I tell you, Prince. BRUNHILDA: Not a very good one, either. CLEOPATRA: She’s quite mad. She talks to cats. PRINCE: (Hand out to CINDERELLA.) Please. (CINDERELLA drops the STEPSISTERS’ shoes to the floor and crosses to the PRINCE. He takes her hand and guides her to the bench. STEPMOTHER, stunned, rises, steps beside STEPDAUGHTERS DOWN RIGHT. ONLOOKERS are mesmerized by the action. CINDERELLA sits on the bench.) We’ve met before, I think. STEPMOTHER/STEPSISTERS: What?! What?! QUEEN: When was this? PRINCE: Last evening. (To CINDERELLA.) You said, “How lovely everything is.” CINDERELLA: (Remembers.) It’s like a dream. PRINCE: (Kneels. Takes CINDERELLA’S foot.) If the glass slipper fits… you are my Princess. (Dramatic pause. He slips on the shoe. Perfect match.) OTHERS: It fits! (MUSIC CUE 9a: “Dream Of Tomorrow—Reprise.”) STEPMOTHER: (Speaks.) I don’t believe it! STEPSISTERS: (Speak; horrified.) Cinderella?! STEPMOTHER: (About to faint.) Ooooooooooo… (STEPSISTERS support her.) CINDERELLA: (Sings.) If I should dream of tomorrow, will you be by my side? PRINCE: (Sings.) If I wish upon a star, will I find you’re my bride? CINDERELLA: (Sings.) If I follow a rainbow, will it bless me with you? BOTH: (Sing.) Has my fairytale finally come true? CINDERELLA: (Sings.) So I wait and I wonder. PRINCE: (Sings.) And I wonder and wait. BOTH: (Sing.) Yet I know in my heart we will live A most wonderful life, in a faraway place, In a magical kingdom some day. PRINCE: (MUSIC OUT. Helps CINDERELLA to her feet.) Mother, this is the girl I will marry. This is my Princess.

For preview46 only QUEEN: Thank goodness! You’ve finally selected a bride. (PRINCE leads CINDERELLA CENTER. ALL except STEPMOTHER/STEPSISTERS applaud.) STEPMOTHER: I don’t understand. BRUNHILDA: Where did she get the ball gown? CLEOPATRA: Who taught her to dance? (NOTE: At this point, EVERYONE should be ONSTAGE, even if it gets a bit crowded. PUMPKINHEAD, MOUSE, ATTILA, et al.) FAIRY GODMOTHER: (Steps forward.) Are you happy, Cinderella? CINDERELLA: I have never been so happy. FAIRY GODMOTHER: Good. There’s nothing more you wish for? CINDERELLA: Only one thing. (STEPMOTHER and STEPSISTERS begin to bawl.) STEPMOTHER: This is outrageous! A scandal! CLEOPATRA: I wanted to marry the prince. Me! Me! BRUNHILDA: Our miserable stepsister—a princess. It’s not fair! (Howling.) Ooooooooooo. . . STEPMOTHER/STEPSISTERS: Oooooooooooo. . . CINDERELLA: I wish my stepmother and my stepsisters were nicer people. FAIRY GODMOTHER: Apprentice? APPRENTICE: (Steps forward.) Yes, Fairy Godmother? FAIRY GODMOTHER: I think it’s time for you to try your skill. Time you had some practical experience. QUEEN: What is that woman talking about? APPRENTICE: I’ll do my best, Fairy Godmother. (Turns to STEPMOTHER/STEPSISTERS and wiggles her fingers.) STEPMOTHER: (Nervous.) What are you doing? BRUNHILDA: Isn’t that the beggar girl who came to the kitchen? CLEOPATRA: Could be. What’s she doing here? APPRENTICE: (Does her “magic” as ALL watch with great interest.) “Turn and peep! Turn and peep! Turn and peep! Turn and peep!” STEPMOTHER: Get away, get away. STEPSISTERS: Shoo! Shoo! APPRENTICE: (Dips into a pocket and produces some glitter flakes or confetti. Tosses in direction of STEPMOTHER/STEPSISTERS. Voice rising.) “Hear me well! Hear me tell! Hearts of ice, Turn to—nice!” (On “nice,” the LIGHTS BLACKOUT. OPTIONAL BOOMING SOUND. Almost at once, the LIGHTS RETURN TO NORMAL. STEPMOTHER and STEPSISTERS are now “nice.” Very sweet and loving. They rush to CINDERELLA.)

For preview47 only STEPMOTHER: Dear, dear Cinderella. My sweet, sweet stepdaughter. Congratulations! I’m so happy for you. BRUNHILDA: You’re getting a wonderful girl, Prince. PRINCE: I know. CLEOPATRA: Couldn’t have happened to a nicer girl. You deserve every bit of happiness that’s coming your way, Cinderella. CINDERELLA: Thank you, Stepmother. Brunhilda, Cleopatra. QUEEN: (Stands, indicates throne.) Sit here, my dear. You deserve the place of honor. (PRINCE guides CINDERELLA to the chair. QUEEN gestures to MAJORDOMO. He slams the staff to the floor three times.) MAJORDOMO: Silence! Silence! Her Majesty is about to speak. QUEEN: I’m giving another Grand Ball this evening to celebrate the engagement of my son to—(To STEPMOTHER/STEPSISTERS.) What is her name? STEPMOTHER/STEPSISTERS: (Sweetly.) Cinderella. QUEEN: Cinderella. The entire kingdom is invited. ALL: (A shout.) Hooray! (MUSIC CUE 9b: “Did You Hear The News?— Reprise.” Sing.) Did you hear the news, did you? Everybody’s been talking. Did you hear the news from the palace? Did you hear the news, did you, Of the little glass slipper? Did you hear the news, did you now? Did you hear the news, did you, Of the little glass slipper? Did you hear the news from the palace? Cinderella will marry, she’ll become legendary. All is well that has ended well. FAIRY GODMOTHER/APPRENTICE: (Sing; with a wink.) All because of a magic spell. ALL: (Sing.) All is well that has ended well. (DIRECT SEGUE to MUSIC CUE 10: “Once Upon A Time—Epilogue.” CAST freezes in position as FAIRY GODMOTHER steps to AUDIENCE.) FAIRY GODMOTHER: (Speaks.) Never forget. This story has two morals. One—you’ll be happier if you try to be a little nicer. And two—if the shoe fits, wear it! (TROUBADOUR, lute in hand, wanders IN from LEFT and is SPOTLIGHTED LEFT FORESTAGE. [Or he may ENTER down the aisle of the auditorium.]) TROUBADOUR: (Sings. Mimes playing the lute as in the PROLOGUE.) In a kingdom far away lived a girl. So young, fair and good-hearted.

For preview48 only Regarded as an angel, So they do tell. In her mansion she did work day and night For her kin, thus, as their servant, Yet fervent in her own mind, That she one day would find true love. TROUBADOUR/CHORUS: (Sing.) Cinderella, Cinderella, don’t you hesitate. Little cinder girl, a rags to riches fairytale, just you wait. Cinderella, Cinderella, how the wedding bells will chime, In a royal kingdom once upon a time. TROUBADOUR: (Sings.) In a royal kingdom once upon a time. (COMPANY, except CINDERELLA, PRINCE and TROUBADOUR, begins to EXIT. CINDERELLA and PRINCE are SPOTLIGHTED DOWN CENTER, TROUBADOUR remains in SPOTLIGHT DOWN LEFT. LIGHTS FADE to BLACK.)

End Of Musical

MUSIC CUE 11: “Curtain Call.”

For preview49 only PRODUCTION NOTES STAGE PROPERTIES The kitchen: Fireplace; kettle; wood for the kindle; two stools; broom; scattered straw; small work table with: spools of thread, cloth, ribbons, two fans, two pairs of gloves; full‑length standing mirror; dressmaker’s dummy (or clothes tree) with Cleopatra’s gown on a hanger; table with small bench, basket of vegetables, fruit, round of cheese, fish on a plate. The palace: Throne‑like chair (Putting it on a low platform will make it look more regal, but is strictly optional.), two benches. ACT ONE BROUGHT ON: Ugly bathrobe, ugly stocking, paper rollers in hair, head feathers (BRUNHILDA, CLEOPATRA); ball gown (BRUNHILDA); dancing slippers/shoes, stick‑on star for nose (CLEOPATRA); scrub bucket with brush (CINDERELLA); hat with feather, long staff with ribbons (MAJORDOMO); sash (PRINCE); wand and optional tiara (FAIRY GODMOTHER); pumpkin mask or cutout (PUMPKINHEAD). ACT TWO BROUGHT ON, Scene One: Staff (MAJORDOMO); fans (BRUNHILDA, CLEOPATRA); ribbon sash over jacket, large medal or medallion for ribbon sash (PRINCE); mask on stick (MISTRESS HAUGHTY, CINDERELLA). BROUGHT ON, Scene Two: Staff (MAJORDOMO); ledger and quill or feather pen (LADY URSULA‑URSULA); Cinderella’s slipper (PRINCE); fan (STEPMOTHER); two pairs of shoes (CINDERELLA); glitter or confetti (APPRENTICE). COSTUMES Basic fairy‑tale wardrobe as suggested in script. The GUESTS at the Grand Ball should look as “rich” as possible, the queen the richest of all. The prince might wear a white tunic or jacket with a ribboned sash across his chest, dark trousers. CINDERELLA’S gown, of course, should be as beautiful as you can manage. Her entrance for the Ball in ACT ONE should be a visual delight. No female onstage should have a gown prettier than the one CINDERELLA is wearing. She might have a tiara in her hair. Shoes, if possible, should “sparkle.” Use sequins or glitter. The bathrobes CLEOPATRA and BRUNHILDA wear in ACT ONE might be men’s robes. The bigger the better—since they

For preview50 only immediately establish the fact the stepsisters have deplorable taste in finery. Big laugh with their awful stockings—maybe candy‑striped. Perhaps slippers with curled toes.

MISCELLANEOUS DRESSING UP THE SCENES: Both the kitchen and the palace work nicely as described. However, if you have the means, you might add a kitchen back wall (backdrop). For the palace, you might add a hanging chandelier, if you have the overhead space. Some leafy plants. A painted screen RIGHT and LEFT of the throne will add royal atmosphere. PUMPKINHEAD: For the “head” you can use a Halloween pumpkin mask, stage makeup, or paint a bushel “basket” with an opening for the head to slip through. CLEOPATRA AND BRUNHILDA: These are comedy roles. The stepsisters are too stupid and silly to be genuinely nasty. Play them for laughs. One might have a long nose, the other a pointed chin. Their hairstyles are absurd. One might stand with her toes pointed outward, the other inward.

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