● ● ● ● ● STUDY GUIDE TO PRODUCTION & ACTIVITIES
Introduction Rooted in the belief that the arts are basic to many aspects of education, Pushcart Players is delighted to present “Happily Ever After,” based on the classic tale, “Cinderella.” Pushcart was drawn to this enduring story for many reasons: Its origins are informed by the universal longing to overcome adversity. Certainly it speaks to all of us who have a vision or a dream yet to be fulfilled. And, we never grow tired of its central themes of goodness, generosity and compassion. But perhaps of greatest importance in today’s world of growing up, it provides a pathway for discussion and significant learning opportunities about Bullying Behav - ior – a topic of increasing concern in schools throughout the country. Toward this end we are coupling our presentation of “Happily…” with the book, “Banishing Bullying Behavior” by SuEllen Fried and Blanche Sos - land, PhD, as a resource in the classroom; and have included a section of discussion and activities on Bullying Behavior prepared by Blanche Sosland in this Study Guide.
This Study Guide is designed to assist teachers, parents and group leaders in preparing students for the presentation. It also offers suggestions for discussion, art and values tie-in activities following the program. It is our hope that the material suggested in this guide will be tailored to the age and interests of your students and presented in a nurturing and supportive classroom, recreation or home setting.
www.pushcartplayers.org • 261 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona, NJ 07044 • 973- 857-1115 The Roots Agency • www.therootsagency.com • 717-227-0060 Happily Ever After - A Cinderella Tale
Book and Lyrics by Ruth Fost Music by Larry Hochman and Laurie Hochman
Summary This production begins with a spoken Prologue set to music that provides an overview of the characters and events that come together to form the Cinderella tale. The story itself begins with Cinderella at a breaking point, suffering from the verbal abuse and demands of her stepmother and stepsister. Exhausted and over - whelmed, we see her sobbing quietly. Her barnyard friends hear her and quickly come in to help her. The play moves forward in song and story following the classic sequence in the following scenes and musical numbers:
• Ella becomes Cinder-ella, working day and night to serve the needs of her Stepfamily • Announcement of A Ball at the Palace for the Prince to find a Bride • The Step Sister and Stepmother prepare and then leave for The Ball • A Godmother appears, Cinderella is magically transformed and goes to the Ball. • Cinderella dazzles everyone, especially the Prince, at the Ball • The clock strikes 12 and Cinderella runs home. All is as it was before. • The Prince finds a glass slipper and is determined to find the person who wore it. • The slipper is tried on many maidens, but it fits none, until Cinderella comes forward. • Justice triumphs and dreams come true. Cinderella leaves for the Palace with the Prince. • Epilogue – also spoken to a musical underscore, this segment tells of what happened after Cinderella is escorted to the Palace to become the Bride of the Prince. • Finale - The Epilogue segues to a Finale that celebrates the story and the concept of reaching for a Happily Ever After conclusion.
2 TRANSFORMING THE CULTURE OF PEER/SIBLING ABUSE This section of the Study Guide has been prepared by Blanche Sosland Ph.D., co-author of the book, “Banishing Bullying Behavior,” by SuEllen Fried and Blanche Sosland, published by Rowman & Littlefield Education, a division of Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc. For orders and information call 1-800-462- 6420 or visit their website at www.rowmaneducation.com We are recommending coupling the presentation of “Happily Ever After… A Cinderella Tale” with use of the book, “Banishing Bullying Behavior” by teachers and parents to maximize and enhance your school’s anti-bullying program.
There is growing recognition that the serious problem of sibling abuse/bullying has been overlooked far too long. With the rise in the number of blended families, the bullying of step-brothers and step-sisters is also increasing. Each year siblings abuse 19 million children in their own homes. Nearly 2 million children use weapons as a means of resolving a physical problem with a sibling. Siblings commit 10 percent of the murders in the American family. These staggering statistics underscore the critical need to address this significant problem. Students who are bullied at home by either parents and/or siblings conduct much of the peer abuse that occurs at school. Many state legislatures have mandated anti-bullying programs.
“Happily Ever After – A Cinderella Tale” offers an excellent opportunity to re-enforce the anti-bullying program at your school. Here are some discussion points and activity suggestions to help you get started. All discussion points should be open ended. Discussion topics Review the five types of bullying* :
1. Physical – punching, shoving, choking, tripping etc. 2. Verbal – name-calling, put downs, threatening, cursing etc. 3. Emotional – psychological and non-verbal, can be effected by physical and verbal. 4. Sexual - inappropriate touching and sexual harassment 5. Cyber bullying – Should lead to an interesting discussion contrasting the effects of the traditional types of bullying in “Happily Ever After” and the devastating effects of the 21st century cyber bullying.
• Discuss which of these types of bullying played out in “Happily Ever After” . Example: how was the scene in which Griselda was bullying Ella to give her the precious necklace from her mother an example of both physical and emotional bullying?
Note: Until recent years, when students were asked which type of bullying they found worse, school or sibling, they usually responded that sibling bullying was worse because they could not get away from it. But now cyber bullying follows them home, as well.