Beauty and the Beast an Original Musical Adaptation

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST AN ORIGINAL MUSICAL ADAPTATION

MUSIC BY MICHAEL HEINZSCH LYRICS BY ANNE STANLEY BOOK BY ANNE STANLEY, ALEX H. URBAN, AND ALISON BRETCHES

ACT I

Scene 1 The Prologue Invocation Overture

Scene 2 The Marketplace Enjoy the Show

Scene 3 Beauty’s Cottage Beauty Comforts Father/Lullabye Family Farewell

Scene 4 The Forest Outside the Beast’s Castle

Scene 5 The Dining Room of the Beast’s Castle

Scene 6 The Forest Outside the Beast’s Castle What’s This I See?

Scene 7 Beauty’s Cottage Beauty’s Farewell

Scene 8 The Forest Outside the Beast’s Castle There’s Something Here

ACT II

Scene 1 The Dining Room of the Beast’s Castle Take My Hand (The Beast’s Lament)

Scene 2 Beauty’s Bedroom

Scene 3 The Bird Room Free

Scene 4 A Hallway

Scene 5 The Nursery The Soldier’s March

Scene 6 The Battlement Someone Like You The Confrontation

Scene 7 Beauty’s Cottage I Once Thought Love Would Be So Easy

Scene 8 The Garden Outside the Beast’s Castle Finale

ACT I, SCENE 1, PROLOGUE

NARRATION (VOICEOVER):

(The PRINCE, GYPSY WOMAN, and HER CHILDREN, behind a scrim, pantomime the narration.)

Once upon a time, in a far off land, in the middle of an enchanted forest, lived a strikingly handsome young Prince. The Prince was very wealthy and had everything he desired. However, he was selfish and uncaring, with a heart as black as night.

One cold, dark night, an old gypsy queen came to the castle with her two children. They were seeking shelter from the raging winter snowstorm and hoping for a few crusts of bread to save them from starving. The Prince’s servants pleaded with him to save the gypsies. However, the Prince scorned them as vagrants and petty thieves and sent them back into the freezing night to die. (Thunder is heard and lightening crashes. BLACKOUT.)

The ancient gypsy howled to the heavens. The sky became even blacker and the hidden moon turned a blood red as even with her dying breath she laid her curse: For the servants who refused to help them, they were doomed to be faceless spirits trapped for all eternity. And for the selfish and uncaring Prince, a life of suffering as a hideous Beast!

(Lights up to reveal the BATTLEMENT. Tall and made of stone, it stands out against a midnight blue sky. Two motionless GARGOYLES sit on top. A tall, hunched figure, the BEAST, walks slowly across the battlement to the edge. He sings THE INVOCATION.)

BEAST: BY ROSE AND NETTLE THORN, BY WINTER’S DARK AND ETERNAL FROST, BY BITTER COLD AND NEWBORN MOONLIGHT, BY WHISPERED WIND, THROUGH ANCIENT FOREST.

OH, LET THE ANGEL VISION FLY. AND WITH THE DREAMER’S DREAMING BLEND. BEFORE THE DAWN HAS STAINED THE SKY. OH LET THE CURSED DREAM DESCEND!

(During THE INVOCATION, lights slowly rise, suggesting the coming of dawn. As the BEAST raises his arms on the last line of the song, the GARGOYLES come alive. Lights then fade on them.)

NARRATION: If the Prince could find another whose love for him would transcend his ugliness and agree to be his wife and true love, the spell would be broken. As years passed, the Prince lost all hope. Would anyone ever find it in their heart to love this creature? Or would he remain a Beast for all time? Our story begins…

(Lights die on the battlement and come up on a downstage scrim with the projection “BEAUTY AND THE BEAST”. Music segues into THE OVERTURE.)

ACT I, SCENE 2

(The MARKETPLACE in Beauty’s dream. A troupe of wandering gypsies enters the town and dance about the stage. Members of the CROWD join them. JUGGLERS perform, SOLO DANCERS whirl and leap, people cheer. It is a frenzy of color and excitement. ELIPSIS, masked and wearing a Gypsy costume, enters.)

ELIPSIS: Ladies and Gentlemen, I present the King and Queen of the Gypsies! (The GYPSY QUEEN and KING make a regal entrance as the CROWD “oohs” and “aahs”. ELIPSIS begins again once the QUEEN and KING have settled.) Welcome friends, and gather ‘round our merry band! For we bring marvels and delights! Dancing, singing, daring deeds performed by my dashing brothers. Charms! Cures! Love potions to heat the long cold nights. Strange beasts to amaze you! And…if you’re very lucky…the Queen of the Gypsies may tell your fortune! So drop what you’re doing and head over here. What have you go to lose? (He laughs.)

ENJOY THE SHOW

ELIPSIS: COME, NOW, AND SEE THE MARVELS BROUGHT FROM THE MISTY MOUNTAINS. BROUGHT FROM OUR HOMELAND FAR AWAY WHERE THE WILD WINDS BLOW. COME SEE THE GYPSIES, NOW RETURNED FROM MYSTER’IOUS OUTLANDS. ROVERS ARE WE AND OUTCASTS… STILL YOU’LL ENJOY THE SHOW!

ELIPSIS and GYPSY BROTHERS: CROWD: DANCING AND SINGING, LOVE SONGS, AAAHH--- CURES, TONICS, CHARMS AND POTIONS. WE’LL CURE YOUR ACHING BACK AAAHH--- AND GIVE YOU SOME NEW HAIR, TOO. COME SEE OUR SILKS AND SPICES AAAHH--- BROUGHT FROM ACROSS THE OCEANS. AND IF YOU NEED A NEW WIFE... WE CAN PROVIDE THAT TOO. HA! HA! HA!

(Instrumental)

ELIPSIS and GROUP A, B, C, D: COME NOW AND SEE THE MARVELS BROUGHT FROM THE MISTY MOUNTAINS. BROUGHT FROM OUR HOMELAND

FAR AWAY WHERE THE WILD WINDS BLOW. COME SEE THE GYPSIES, NOW RETURNED FROM MYSTER’IOUS OUTLANDS. OUTCASTS ARE WE AND ROVERS TOO...

ELIPSIS: WELL, HERE WE ARE AGAIN. THIS DRAB LITTLE TOWN IS A RATHOLE LIKE NO OTHER. STILL, AM I SAD? THERE’S A FORTUNE TO BE HAD BY A CLEVER LAD IF HE’S GOT THE NERVE TO STEAL IT

ELIPSIS: CROWD: HERE SIR, YOU’RE LOOKING ILL. ZZSHA! ZZSHA! ZZSHA! ZZSHA! I KNOW IT’S THE CROWD ZZSHA! ZZSHA! AND THE WEATHER’S HOT AS HELL! ZZSHA! ZZSHA! BUT IF YOU WOULD CARE ZZSHA! ZZSHA! TO SEE OUR DOCTOR OVER THERE ZZSHA! ZZSHA! HE’LL CLEAR UP YOUR HEADACHE... ZZSHA! ZZSHA! (AND YOUR PURSE AS WELL!) ZZSHA! ZZSHA!

GOD WHAT A LIFE WE LEAD. AAAHH--- A GYPSY’S AN ORPHAN NO MATTER WHERE HE GOES TO. STILL, A “GYP” IS WHAT I’LL BE. THE ROVING LIFE’S THE LIFE FOR ME. AND WOULD I LEAVE THIS SWEET EXISTENCE? NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO!

OH...

ELIPSIS and GROUP A, B, C, D: COME THEN AND RAISE YOUR VOICES, SING OF THE MISTY MOUNTAINS. SING OF OUR/YOUR HOMELAND FAR AWAY WHERE THE WILD WINDS BLOW. SING THEN OF WAGON WHEELS OF RIVERS AND LAKES AND FOUNTAINS. RAISE UP THE BANNERS AND START THE SHOW.

ELIPSIS: OH... OH... OH... ENJOY THE... 5

ELIPSIS and GROUP A, B, C, D: SHOW! HEY!

ELIPSIS: Yes, friends, come tonight to the edge of the Black Woods and our show will delight and amaze you! You see, tonight, and tonight only, our gypsy carnival will be open to all of the citizens of this village. Ah! The wonders that are in store for each person (catching their attention) brave enough to come into the forest tonight.

ONLOOKER #1: Why? What’s wrong with the forest?

ELIPSIS: (laughs knowingly) A monster lives there.

(The CROWD reacts. Some scared, some in disbelief.)

ELIPSIS: Our honored Gypsy Queen will tell you the story.

GYPSY QUEEN: Well…I am not sure it will bring pleasant dreams.

CROWD: Oh yes! Please! Tell us! Etc.

GYPSY QUEEN: All right, huddle close together, and be prepared to be frightened! (All huddle in groups and prepare to hear the tale.) One dark and cold night, three children struggled to find their way through the enchanted forest. As they were about to give up all hope of ever being found again, they saw lights beaming from a castle on the hill. As they proceeded towards the castle, hoping to find shelter from the storm, they spotted, through the twisted branches, two enormous and spellbinding red eyes, beckoning them to their terrible fate! Then, the monster reached out and grabbed them! (The CROWD shudders in fear.) But that is enough. If I tell you more, you will all be too scared to come to our carnival tonight.

CROWD: No we won’t! We’ll come tonight! Please, tell us more. Go on! I’m scared. More! Etc.

GYPSY QUEEN: Very well, but don’t be frightened! The petrified children screamed in terror and begged the monster to let them go. The monster screamed back in rage, but before he could destroy them…(changing her tone) a brave Gypsy Prince scooped them up in his arms and carried them away to safety.

(The CROWD, relieved, cheers and applauds.) 6

ELIPSIS: Now, friends, come tonight and we will display the magical and supernatural powers that we as gypsies possess.

ONLOOKER #1: Gypsies are nothing but thieves and vagabonds!

ONLOOKER #2: Yeah! Why don’t you take off that phony mask!

ELIPSIS: I wear this mask because beneath it, I have no face.

(The CROWD laughs at this nonsense.)

CROWD: No! Ridiculous! Etc.

ELIPIS: Would you like to see for yourselves?

CROWD: Yes! Show us!

(As the CROWD buzzes with anticipation, ELIPSIS grandly turns to them with his back to the audience and majestically lifts his mask. As he does, the CROWD falls silent, some faint.)

ELIPSIS: I assume I’ve silenced any doubts.

ONLOOKER #1: (now a believer) Show us a trick!

ELIPSIS: (appeasing them) Very well. Our Queen will tell the fortune of one lucky person. And that person is… (ELIPSIS points around the crowd. People in the crowd raise their hands, desperately wanting to be picked. ELIPSIS eventually settles on BEAUTY.) …YOU! (BEAUTY is reluctant, but several people push her towards the center of the crowd.)

GYPSY QUEEN: Come closer my child. Have we ever met before today?

BEAUTY: No.

GYPSY BROTHER #1: You swear to these good people that we’ve not met before? 7

GYPSY BROTHER #2: And that all our Queen will foretell about you, you’ve never told us previously?

BEAUTY: Yes, I swear to it.

GYPSY QUEEN: Very well then. Give me you hand, child. Ahhh!

CROWD: What? What is it? What does she see? Etc.

GYPSY QUEEN: Your name is Beauty.

BEAUTY: (astonished) Yes, it is!

(The crowd reacts.)

GYPSY QUEEN: I see…I see your father was a rich merchant who has since fallen on hard times. You and your family had to leave the city and move to a more modest home in the country.

BEAUTY: How do you know these things?

(The crowd again reacts.)

GYPSY QUEEN: (She eyes Beauty’s hand suspiciously. She looks up at her, afraid to go on.) I see…I see…I see it’s getting late. We better be going.

CROWD: Boo! Aww! Etc.

ELIPSIS: There will be more to see at the carnival tonight!

(The crowd leaves, disappointed, but anxious for the carnival later. As they disperse, the GYPSY QUEEN calls BEAUTY back over to her.)

GYPSY QUEEN: Beauty, wait! Would you like to know what else I saw? (BEAUTY nods her head “yes”.) I saw your future, child. All your suffering will end! You shall live in a castle; have gold and jewels and great good fortune. But you must give up the only thing you love to have the one thing you desire. Do not look with your eyes, but see with your heart. Look! Look! 8

(The GYPSY QUEEN gestures towards the bars of a cage, inviting BEAUTY to look inside. She peers in, closer…closer…Suddenly, a great animal roars and a hairy arm reaches through the bars to grab her. She shrieks and runs downstage, where she collapses, sobbing. BLUEOUT.)

ACT I, SCENE 3

(While BEAUTY is downstage, a scrim flies in, and we leave the MARKETPLACE . We are in the INTERIOR OF BEAUTY’S COTTAGE. Beauty’s FATHER enters downstage. He carries a candle.)

FATHER: Beauty! My dear, what’s the matter? It was only a nightmare. It was nothing.

BEAUTY: Oh Papa. I’m sorry I woke you. I’ve been having the strangest dreams lately. I dreamed about a band of gypsies and their Gypsy Queen told me a fortune.

FATHER: All gypsies tell fortunes.

BEAUTY: We were back in the marketplace and my sisters and I were wandering through the shops. Like we used to, remember? We used to buy perfume and books and sweets and pretty things. And flowers. Oh, how I miss the flowers. Do you remember how Mother used to fill the house with beautiful roses every Sunday?

FATHER: Of course I remember, Beauty. How could I forget? But things were different then. Your mother was alive and I was a wealthy man with a fleet of ships. Fortune destroyed that life for us all. I lost everything.

BEAUTY: But you still have your children. And we all love you very much. Papa, I know it was hard on you to sell everything and move to the country, but things will be fine again, you’ll see.

BEAUTY COMFORTS FATHER/LULLABYE

BEAUTY: FATHER DON’T WORRY, YOU MUSNT’ BE ANXIOUS. OH FATHER, IT SEEMS YOU’RE THE ONE WHO NEEDS COMFORTING. FATHER I WISH I COULD COMFORT LIKE MOTHER COULD. FATHER, FATHER

AGES IT’S BEEN SINCE I FATHER: SAW YOU CRY. BEAUTY, BEAUTY, FATHER: I KNOW IT’S BEEN HARD SINCE SHE DIED.

BEAUTY: PAPA, IT SEEMS IT WAS HARDEST ON YOU. PAPA, YOU KNOW THAT I STILL LOVE HER TOO.

I’LL SING YOU THE SONG SHE SANG TO ME WHEN I WOULD WEEP. SHE’D SING ALL THE MONSTERS BACK UNDER THE BED AND THEN WHISPER, “BEAUTY, TIME THAT ALL GOOD LITTLE GIRLS WENT TO SLEEP.”

PAPA LISTEN…

(The GHOST OF BEAUTY’S MOTHER and YOUNG BEAUTY appear behind the scrim. GHOST OF BEAUTY’S MOTHER sings to YOUNG BEAUTY, while BEAUTY sings to her FATHER.)

GHOST OF MOTHER and BEAUTY: VALLEY GREEN BENEATH THE MOUNTAINS, SO PEACEFUL AND STILL. BREEZES BLOW ABOVE THE FLOWERS THAT GROW WHERE THEY WILL.

GHOST OF MOTHER, BEAUTY, and YOUNG BEAUTY: IN THE SHADOWS OF THE VALLEY LIE PATCHES OF SNOW. ‘TWAS THERE THAT WE MET LONG AGO.

(GHOST OF MOTHER and YOUNG BEAUTY play with each other during the interlude. Then, both GHOST OF MOTHER and YOUNG BEAUTY turn and sing to FATHER from behind the scrim. It is a haunting memory.)

GHOST OF MOTHER and YOUNG BEAUTY: THERE YOU SWORE YOU’D LOVE ME TILL THE WORLD CAME TO END.

BEAUTY and YOUNG BEAUTY: THERE YOU PROMISED YOU’D NEVER LEAVE ME ALONE.

GHOST OF MOTHER, BEAUTY and YOUNG BEAUTY: FAITH YOU WERE AN HONEST MAN, YOUR PROMISE YOU KEPT. 10

GHOST OF MOTHER: WHO COULD KNOW T’WOULD BE I WHO MUST GO?

FATHER: (He turns away, unable to take any more. Lights go out on GHOST OF MOTHER AND YOUNG BEAUTY.) GO NO FURTHER BEAUTY!

BEAUTY: I’M SORRY!

FATHER: SPARE YOUR FATHER BEAUTY!

BEAUTY: I ONLY MEANT TO COMFORT YOU… PAPA…

FATHER: BEAUTY, YOU KNOW THAT I’VE ASKED YOU NEVER TO SING THAT SONG. BEAUTY YOU KNOW HOW THE MEM’RY STILL HAUNTS ME. YOU KNOW IN THAT VALLEY YOUR MOTHER LIES BURIED… (The memory brings him to gentle tears.)

BEAUTY: (trying to comfort him) LOOK, DAWN IS BREAKING. STARS ALL CLOSE THEIR EYES, SUNLIGHT IN THE SKIES. SOON ALL THE HOUSE WILL BE WAKING UP. YOU MUST STOP CRYING!

(As BEAUTY sings the last lines of THE LULLABYE, she turns and looks upstage. There, behind the scrim, the lights have come up on the INTERIOR OF THE HOUSE. BEAUTY and FATHER rise and cross upstage, joining the rest of the family, who are waking up and moving about the house. There is a long, plain table with a few simple chairs/benches. Some crude mugs and bowls are on the table, possibly a fireplace. BEAUTY’S family consists of OLGA and TANYA, both teenagers, SASHA and PETER, about 12 and 10 respectively, and the little ones, ALEX, 7, and ELLIE, 5.)

ALEX: Good morning, Papa!

FATHER: Good morning, and who are you? Are you my son Alex? I can’t see you for all the dirt on your face little boy!

BEAUTY: Ellie, come here darling and let me comb your hair.

OLGA: (OLGA and TANYA are used to the life they once led and are not accustomed to doing housework. BOTH carry baskets with clothing in them.) Oh, the wash! I hate doing the wash. Just look at my hands, all red and sore.

TANYA: In the old days, we never would have done the wash ourselves!

OLGA: How I wish that just once I could sleep late in the morning and have my maid bring me breakfast in bed.

SASHA: (draping a rag over his arm) Here you are m’ladies, your breakfast in bed. Now do the wash!

(The other children laugh.)

TANYA: You think it’s funny? How are we ever to find wealthy husbands when we are forced to live in this shack and act as servants?

PETER: I actually rather like living in the country! When I grow up, I can hunt in the forest!

ALEX: When I grow up I’ll have my own sword and slay the monster that lives in the Black Woods. (ALEX and PETER pretend to swordfight.)

SASHA: When you grow up, you can help me chop wood!

ELLIE: (frightened) Beauty, is it true there’s a monster in the forest?

BEAUTY: Oh no, Ellie. Monsters are just in fairytales and nightmares. There’s no such thing as monsters.

(A loud knock at the door is heard. ELLIE shrieks and hides behind BEAUTY’S skirt. FATHER opens the door to a ragtag bunch of SAILORS. Leading them is CAPTAIN SOBOTKA, a salty and somewhat ancient mariner, who is partially deaf.) 12

FATHER: Captain Sobotka! My faithful crew! What brings you to this part of the country?

CAPTAIN: Greetings, sir. We were just passing through and we stopped by to bring you some good news.

FATHER: Really? I could use some good news.

CAPTAIN: Eh, what’s this? You’ve already heard the news? Who from, sir?

SAILOR #1: (yelling) No, Captain, he said he could use some good news!

CAPTAIN: Ah, yes. A very good brew. I’ll have a glass.

(FATHER gets a glass from the table and brings it to him.)

FATHER: Now, what’s this news, Captain Sobotka?

CAPTAIN: Oh yes, some vodka would be fine. But enough of this, let me tell you the news.

SAILORS: TELL HIM!

CAPTAIN: Sir, we’re on our way to the Volga. We’ve heard there’s work for good crews there. But just as we left the coast, word came that your ship, The Beauty, has finally come back to port.

FATHER: What?! The Beauty has returned at last? This is a miracle!

CHILDREN: Papa! That’s wonderful! I can’t believe it! Etc.

FATHER: This could change everything!

CAPTAIN: Well, we hope the tide of fortune has changed for you. Perhaps with The Beauty home safe at last, your troubles are at an end.

ALEX: (running over to the CAPTAIN) Captain, did you sail with my Papa?

CAPTAIN: JAIL!? Who told you about that? That was a long time ago. Just a little misunderstanding. (getting more upset) I was young. I didn’t know any better…..

SAILORS: (breaking in before he says anything worse) Captain Sobotka! SAIL!!!

SAILOR #2: He asked if you ever SAILED with his father!

CAPTAIN: Oh! Yes, of course. We were all very proud of it.

FATHER: Captain Sobotka, you were ever my faithful friend. I promise you that if The Beauty has brought back a fortune, I will send word to you and your crew.

CAPTAIN: I look forward to that, sir. Now, we must be off. We have a long journey ahead of us and a storm’s coming on. If you plan to go back to the port, you’d better leave soon as well. The roads are very bad already.

FATHER: (as the CAPTAIN and SAILORS are leaving) Yes, I’ll leave right away. Farewell…and thank you! Best of luck to you all.

(The SAILORS all exit.)

FATHER: Children, I must hurry. Sasha, my pack.

SASHA: Yes, Papa!

(He goes to get it offstage.)

FATHER: Peter, my cloak.

PETER: Right away, Papa!

(He goes to get it offstage.)

ELLIE: Papa, do you have to leave right now?

FATHER: Yes, my dear. There’s no time to lose. (SASHA and PETER come back with FATHER’S things.) But, I wish I didn’t have to leave you all. (singing)

DO YOU UNDERSTAND WHY FATHER HAS TO GO?

FAMILY FAREWELL

CHILDREN: FATHER, FATHER, DON’T LOOK SO SAD. KEEP SMILING, SING A HAPPY SONG. FATHER WE UNDERSTAND, HAVE NO FEAR. WE KNOW THAT YOU WON’T BE LONG. TRY TO THINK OF US WHILE YOU’RE GONE.

(Dialogue continues under music.)

ALEX: Papa, will you bring us presents!

FATHER: Of course, presents for all! What would you like?

ALEX: A new toy solider!

FATHER: Alex, I’ll bring you a whole regiment of toy soldiers!

ELLIE: And will you bring me a new doll, Papa?

FATHER: A doll with lace dresses!

PETER: Bring me a new bow…and arrows with red feathers!

SASHA: I want a musket with a rosewood stock!

TANYA: I want new dresses trimmed in fur and pearls, like I used to wear. 15

OLGA: And diamond combs for our hair! And a maid to do all my washing!

FATHER: (laughing) Yes, yes, presents for all of you! Beauty, don’t you want anything?

BEAUTY: LOOK, I DON’T WANT MUCH. MINE ARE SIMPLE JOYS, I NEED NO MORE TOYS. ALL THAT I WANT IS A SINGLE ROSE. I’D BE SO HAPPY.

FATHER: Very well. I’ll bring you your rose, Beauty. Good-bye children! I’ll be home soon!

(As FATHER starts to leave, the CHILDREN all hug him and start to leave, BEAUTY remains.)

BEAUTY: Papa, promise me you’ll be careful.

FATHER: Of course I will. I’ll take the shortcut through the mountain pass.

BEAUTY: No! Please, Papa, don’t go through the forest. Stay on the main road!

FATHER: Don’t worry. I’ll be careful. Good-bye!

BEAUTY: Good-bye Papa.

(BLACKOUT.)

ACT I, SCENE 4

(Lights up to reveal FATHER, shivering in the FOREST. We hear the wind through the trees. It’s growing colder and darker. ELIPSIS J. WATERBUCK, disguised with a cloak as a frazzled, old hag bent over a cane, creeps in.) ELIPSIS: Hello, fellow. Where are you headed?

FATHER: Greetings to you, old woman. I’m coming back from the city…but it’s getting dark and I seem to have lost the path.

ELIPSIS: There’s a storm coming on. You will find some shelter if you go a little deeper into the forest.

FATHER: Thank you. Godspeed to you, old woman.

(FATHER leaves.)

ELIPSIS: And good luck to you…(ELIPSIS rips off his disguise, showing the audience who was underneath the cape.) FRIEND!

(ELIPSIS exits laughing. The snowstorm music becomes frenzied. FATHER enters again and finds himself in a dark, lonely forest. FOREST CREATURES and WOLVES peek out from the trees and approach the FATHER. He tries to escape from the CREATURES and ANIMALS surrounding him. They have attacked him. Suddenly, we hear a loud, beastly roar. The CREATURES and WOLVES cower and exit, leaving the FATHER in the forest, wounded. BLACKOUT.)

ACT I, SCENE 5

(Lights up to reveal the INTERIOR OF THE BEAST’S PALACE. The PALACE is rich, but dark and daunting, with gigantic shadows. There is a long table, set with a glass and decanter and some plates of food. On one side of the table, a chair is set, on the other side is a grand and tall chair, the BEAST’S throne. FATHER enters hesitantly, looking about. He sets his pack and cloak down.)

FATHER: Hello? Is there anyone here?

(There is no answer. He looks at the dining table. Cold, exhausted, and hungry, he looks around to see if anyone is watching. Reluctant to help himself, yet unable to resist, he takes a bite of food. Then he gives in and stuffs himself with all the scrumptious foods on the table. Finally, he sits down in one of the chairs and pours himself a glass of wine. After a few sips, his head begins to nod. He falls asleep at the table. A figure appears at the top of the stairs. The BEAST enters. BEAST covers FATHER with his cape. FATHER responds groggily.)

FATHER: Huh? What…who are you?

BEAST: I am master here. Now sleep. (He waves his hand in front of FATHER’S face and he instantly falls back asleep.) Rest now.

(ELIPSIS enters with a new cloak, a pack, a toy soldier, and a beautiful dress. ELIPSIS puts the toy soldier and the dress into the pack. They exit.

Blueout. Lights come up. It is now morning. FATHER wakes, sits up, and stretches. He rises and goes to get his cloak and pack. He is unaware of the contents inside the pack, but notices the new and majestic cloak. He tries it on, admiring it. He snatches a bite of food off the table.)

FATHER: (Speaking to his unseen host.) Thank you for your kindness, whoever you are. I wish there was some way to repay you.

(He exits. BLACKOUT.)

ACT I, SCENE 6

(It is the FOREST OUTSIDE THE BEAST’S CASTLE. The garden walls are covered in roses. FATHER enters in front of the walls. He turns to go, but notices the roses on the walls. Thinking of the rose he promised to bring BEAUTY, he reaches up and plucks one. As he does, the BEAST, roaring and furious, enters and confronts FATHER. FATHER falls to the ground at the sight of him and trembles with fear.)

WHAT’S THIS I SEE?

BEAST: WHAT’S THIS I SEE? TREACHERY! BLASPHEMY AND OUTRAGE! SIR, I CAUTION YOU TO DEATH YOU’RE VERY NEAR!

FATHER: (spoken) Who are you?

BEAST: (speaking in rhythm) I am master here! You eat my bread, you drink my wine, receive my gifts, enjoy my hospitality. And how am I repaid? (sings)

YOU STEAL THE ONLY THING IN LIFE WHICH I HOLD DEAR. OH CRIMINAL! FOR THAT I CLAIM YOUR LIFE THIS DAY!

FATHER: (on his knees) Sweet God, have mercy!

BEAST: If God has dealings with your soul, it shall be at the gates of eternity, for your time here is done! (He goes to strike him.)

FATHER: (trying to stop him) But I’m a poor man!

BEAST: YOU’RE NOT A MAN AND NEITHER AM I. I AM A BEAST, AND YOU ARE A THIEF! I COULD OPEN YOUR THROAT WITH ONE FLICK OF MY FINGER! (spoken) But that would be mercy. I should make you linger.

FATHER: HAVE PITY SIR, I’VE A FAMILY. THEIR MOTHER’S GONE YOU SEE. IF I’M TO DIE, WHO’S TO CARE FOR THEM?

BEAST: FATHER: IT MATTERS NOT TO ME! NOTHING CAN SAVE YOU NOW, I AM MY FAMILY’S SUSTENANCE. YOUR DEATH AT MY HANDS IS CERTAIN. WITHOUT ME THEY WILL DIE. FAMILIES FORGET IN TIME, IF I’M TO PERISH HERE AT YOUR HANDS, THEY WILL NOT REMEMBER YOU. I MUST TELL THEM GOODBYE. BUT IF YOU SIR WOULD BE A MAN, I NEED ONE WEEK TO ARRANGE AFFAIRS THEN FACE DEATH WITH QUIET, SO THEY MIGHT LIVE. DIGNITY, AND CALM. JUST GRANT ME THE TIME AND I SWEAR STOP ALL YOUR PLEADING. THAT I WILL RETURN. (yelling) RAISE YOUR HEAD!

BEAST: Enough, old man! Prepare to meet the almighty God who punishes us both! (He raises his arm as if to strike FATHER, but he stops.) …He punishes us both. (beat) Go home, old man. Go home to your family.

FATHER: What?!

BEAST: I grant you one week to set your affairs in order and to bid your family farewell. Return at the end of that time and repay your debt to me.

FATHER: Thank you, sir.

BEAST: Save your thanks. Tell me, old man. Why did you pick that rose?

FATHER: It was a gift for my daughter, Beauty. 19

BEAST: Your daughter? Well then. Since she is just as responsible for your crime, send your daughter to come in your place. I will take her instead. Beauty…the lover of roses.

FATHER: NO!

BEAST: Yes. Send Beauty to me. She will be the sacrifice that cancels your debt forever!

FATHER: NEVER!

BEAST: (silencing him) It matters not to me how you choose! In one week’s time I will have either your life or your daughter’s. The debt will be paid! And think not of betraying me, old man. If one of you fails to return, I shall hunt you down wherever you hide!

FATHER: This, for one rose?!

BEAST: Yes. Go! Now! Before I change my mind and kill you on the spot. Take the rose and go!

FATHER: You’re a monster!

BEAST: (roaring) GO!

(FATHER grasps the rose and runs offstage. ELIPSIS enters. He is dressed as a court jester.)

ELIPSIS: He won’t come back.

BEAST: I know.

ELIPSIS: And he won’t let her come.

BEAST: No, he won’t…not willingly.

ELIPSIS: I don’t understand. How is this going to work?

BEAST: She won’t let him sacrifice himself. She will come on her own, to save his life.

ELIPSIS: I’m not so sure.

BEAST: She will come.

(BLACKOUT.)

ACT I, SCENE 7

(The INTERIOR OF BEAUTY’S COTTAGE. The children are all anxiously waiting for FATHER’S return. FATHER enters.)

FATHER: Children!

PETER: Papa! You’re back!

(He greets the children. SASHA and PETER take his cloak and pack. FATHER is shaken and grateful to see his children again. The following lines spoken by the children all overlap.)

BEAUTY: Welcome home, Papa!

OLGA: What did you bring us?

TANYA: Did you bring fancy dresses?

ALEX: What about my toy soldiers, Papa?

FATHER: I’m sorry, children. I’m afraid all I’ve brought back is bad news. When I got to the city. I found The Beauty was nothing but a ruined hulk, barely floating. I sold her and had only enough money to pay off my debts.

ALEX: No soldiers?

ELLIE: No dolls?

FATHER: No. I’m sorry. No soldiers, no dolls, no gowns. Nothing.

BEAUTY: Never mind that. At least you’re home safe and we’re all together again.

ALEX: (going through FATHER’S pack) What’s this?! Aww, it’s just a stupid rose!

(PETER and SASHA start to look through the pack. Their faces suddenly light up.)

SASHA: Papa, you were only teasing us! Look!

(He pulls out the fabric, toy soldier, a doll, etc.)

TANYA: What’s all this?

OLGA: (holding up a pearl necklace) Look! It’s beautiful!

FATHER: (astounded) I don’t know where it all came from. Unless…

BEAUTY: Unless what, Papa? What has happened?

FATHER: Something strange happened on my journey, Beauty. I picked this rose for you not knowing how much it would cost me.

BEAUTY: I don’t understand.

FATHER: Lost in the snowstorm, I found an old castle where I stayed the night. In the morning, I picked this rose for you. (He hands her the rose.) Then a terrible beast appeared. Not a man at all. A monster! He said he would kill me unless…(Looking at BEAUTY, he realizes he can not tell her about the BEAST’S request to send her in his place.) …unless…I must return. In one week. He said he would hunt me down if I didn’t.

(The CHILDREN have been listening.)

SASHA: If this beast is so horrible, why did he fill your pack with these things?

FATHER: I don’t know. I wish it were all just a bad dream.

BEAUTY: (realizing the nightmare she had)…A bad dream…

PETER: If that old beast comes around here, Sasha and I will slay him!

ELLIE: Beauty, I’m scared!

BEAUTY: It’s all right darling. Don’t be scared. Time for bed. Tanya, Olga, will you put them to bed?

(TANYA and OLGA escort the CHILDREN offstage to bed.)

CHILDREN: (Spoken as they exit.) Goodnight Papa, goodnight Beauty.

BEAUTY: Papa, let me go instead.

FATHER: No! What kind of father would I be if I let my daughter go to a beast to save my own life?

BEAUTY: Father, the children need you.

FATHER: No, I forbid it! No more of this. Time for bed.

(They exit. Lights grow dim. After a moment, BEAUTY reappears, walking softly, carrying a candle and her cloak. She sits down at the table and picks up a small quill pen and writes a letter to FATHER.)

BEAUTY’S FAREWELL

BEAUTY: FATHER DON’T WORRY, YOU MUSN’T BE ANXIOUS. (to herself) WHAT PURE SELF-DECEPTION. 23

OF COURSE HE WILL GRIEVE FOR ME! (writing again) FATHER I CAN’T LET YOU DIE FOR MY SELFISHNESS. FATHER, FATHER, TRY TO FORGIVE ME.

(speaking, reading the letter) Dearest Father, I’ve always tried to be your obedient daughter, but I cannot let you sacrifice yourself for me. The family needs you too much. I’m going to the Beast’s castle. Please don’t be angry with me and please don’t try to find me. Please don’t forget me. Always remember that I love you. Beauty. (She leaves the note on the table, puts on her cloak, and looks around the room one last time. She sings.)

LOOK! DAWN IS BREAKING. STARS ALL CLOSE THEIR EYES, SUNLIGHT IN THE SKIES. SOON ALL THE HOUSE WILL BE WAKING UP. I MUST BE GOING!

(BLACKOUT.)

ACT I, SCENE 8

(The FOREST. A scrim is in. Throughout the song, FOREST SPIRITS come alive behind the scrim. BEAUTY is lost and afraid.)

THERE’S SOMETHING HERE

BEAUTY: OUT IN THE COLD WINTER’S NIGHT ALL ALONE, I NO LONGER SEE THE LIGHTS OF MY HOME. MY LIFE LEFT BEHIND ME IN PIECES AND TATTERS. I KNOW THAT I SHOULD GO BACK, NOT THAT IT MATTERS. OH GOD! LOST IN THE DARK, LOST IN THE FOREST WITH NOTHING BUT MEM’RIES OF HOME. SO FAR FROM FAMILY AND HOME.

QUICK SHADOWS LEAPING AS NIGHT FANS THE TREES. THE POWER OF DAYLIGHT BROUGHT TO ITS KNEES. THE NIGHT CREATURES RISE AND STALK OFF THROUGH THE MOLD. THE FOREST IS DEEP AND THE FOREST IS OLD. AND I’M LOST! LOST IN THE DARK, LOST IN THE FOREST WITH NOTHING BUT MEM’RIES OF HOME. I’VE LOST MY FAMILY AND HOME

(The SPIRITS appear again behind the scrim, seeming to taunt BEAUTY. SHE senses something behind her and turns around, but the lights go out and the SPIRITS are gone.) 24

SILLY BABY JUMPING SHADOWS ARE THRILLING MAYBE BUT THOSE SHADOWS ARE JUST IMAGINATION. YOU KNOW YOURSELF, THERE IS NOTHING TO FEAR.

I ONCE THOUGHT THAT ALL THE MONSTERS WERE HIDING UNDER MY BED NOW I SEE THEY ARE HIDING IN MY HEAD. JUST ILLUSIONS. THERE’S NOTHING HERE.

ALL THOSE STORIES FROM MY CHILDHOOD WERE ONLY STORIES SO WHY AM I FRIGHTENED? I SHOULD HAVE STAYED IN MY SAFE LITTLE BEDROOM. I FEAR THERE’S SOMETHING HERE!

(As BEAUTY turns to look behind her, she sees the SPIRITS. They begin a wild dance, guiding and luring her through the forest to the BEAST’S CASTLE. At the crescendo, they lift her over their heads and bring her upstage. The CASTLE is revealed and ELIPSIS is discovered at the top of the stairs.)

ELIPSIS: Welcome…to the Beast’s castle!

(BEAUTY, still carried by the SPIRITS, faints. BLACKOUT.)

END OF ACT I

ACT II, SCENE 1

(The DINING ROOM OF THE BEAST’S CASTLE. As this is BEAUTY’S first night in the castle, the table is more elaborately set than the previous scene with FATHER. The ENTR’ACTE music segues directly into this scene. BEAUTY enters alone from USC. ELIPSIS, dressed as a butler, stands motionless to one side of the DINING ROOM. THE BEAST’S SERVANTS stand at attention waiting for instructions. BEAUTY looks about, unsure of what to do. ELIPSIS motions for her to sit.)

ELIPSIS: Your chair m’lady.

(She sits tentatively. The BEAST enters upstage. BEAUTY does not see him at first as she is looking around her new surroundings in wonderment. He looks at her for a few moments in silence.)

BEAST: Good evening, Beauty.

BEAUTY: (Cheerful at first) Good evening, (then turns to see him and sees what she is dealing with) sir.

BEAST: Call me “Beast.”

BEAUTY: As you like…Beast.

BEAST: Do you like my castle? Are you comfortable?

BEAUTY: It’s very fine. Thank you.

BEAST: Do you like your room and new dresses? Do you have everything you want? (BEAUTY does not respond. She will not look at the BEAST. There is an awkward silence.) Would you like some wine?

(The BEAST reaches for the decanter, but his great paws fumble with the slender glass bottle. He is irritated and gestures for ELIPSIS, who leaps forward and pours wine into BEAUTY’S glass. BEAUTY is embarrassed and keeps looking away from the BEAST. The BEAST is desperately trying to be sociable and suave, but it’s like a first date going sour.)

BEAUTY: (trying to be polite) Thank you.

ELIPSIS: (Sensing some privacy might help, claps twice to dismiss the servants.) Servants, dismissed! (SERVANTS all exit, as does ELIPSIS.)

BEAST: (Another awkward silence.) Beauty, look at me. (He leans closer.) Am I not hideously ugly?

BEAUTY: You’re very…unusual.

BEAST: Do I frighten you?

BEAUTY: No! (reconsidering) Yes. Er…a little.

BEAST: I may be very ugly, but I promise I will never harm you.

BEAUTY: Well, at least you are honest with yourself about your appearance. But if you are kind and truthful, that is much better than some men whose handsome faces hide lying hearts.

BEAST: Beauty, you cannot know how happy it makes me to hear you say that. I promise you that you will be happy here. If you want more gowns, they will be yours. Anything you want, new books, games, or toys to amuse you, jewelry and beautiful flowers. Your every wish will be granted. You only have to ask and I will do everything in my power to give you what you want.

BEAUTY: If I asked you to let me go, would you?

BEAST: No, I’m sorry. I cannot do that.

BEAUTY: Why did you make me come here?

BEAST: I am very lonely. I want you to keep me company.

BEAUTY: Tell me, what would have happened if I hadn’t come here to repay my father’s debt?

BEAST: What would have happened? I suppose years from now the forest would overgrow the castle and

it would fall into ruin. Then people would slowly forget the old legends about the castle and the monster in the Black Woods. Other than that, nothing would have happened, not really.

BEAUTY: (growing angry) But…you told my father you would kill him if I didn’t come! You told him you would hunt my family down!

BEAST: Beauty I could never harm your family or anyone you love. Beauty, I need you!

BEAUTY: (chord) My father needs me! (chord) My brothers and sisters need me! (chord) Who will look after them now? You only brought me here because you were lonely? You don’t need anyone. You don’t know what it means to need someone you love! (chord)

BEAST: (yelling) Don’t say that! (He lashes his paw out towards BEAUTY and she cowers. Realizing he has frightened her, he sings.) BEAUTY…I…I PROMISE YOU, NOTHING WILL HARM YOU HERE AND NOTHING WILL HARM YOUR FAMILY. THEY WILL BE TAKEN CARE OF… TRUST ME!

BEAUTY: (Slowly growing braver.) Trust you? (singing) YOU LIED TO MY FATHER AND THREATENED TO KILL HIM! YOU TORE MY FAMILY APART! YOU TRICKED ME! HOW CAN I TRUST YOU? (spoken) You…you ARE a beast!

(The BEAST roars in anger and frustration and lifts his paw to strike BEAUTY. She falls to the floor in terror. Feeling guilty and remorseful, he bends down to her, apologizes, and sings.)

BEAST: FORGIVE ME. I DID NOT MEAN TO FRIGHTEN YOU. (He makes his first of what will be many attempts.) BEAUTY WILL YOU MARRY ME?

BEAUTY: (In disbelief at such a question, especially after what has just happened.) Marry you? I could never marry you! I HATE you!

(BEAUTY runs off. The BEAST lowers his head in despair.)

THE BEAST’S LAMENT

BEAST: AM I A MAN OR A MONSTER? IS THIS SALVATION OR DISASTER?

DARKNESS COMES, AS THE SILENCE CLOSES IN. DON’T LEAVE ME ALONE IN THE NIGHT WITH A BATTLE I CAN NEVER WIN. MIDNIGHT FALLS, THE ONLY CONFESSOR TO HEAR MY SIN.

TAKE MY HAND. SAVE ME FROM MY DESPAIR, FROM EMPTY ARMS AND AN UNANSWERED PRAYER. SEE ME HERE, AS A PRIS’NER I STAND. A BEAST WITH BLOOD ON HIS HANDS.

SILVER MOON, DUSTY SHADOWS ON THE WALLS. HOW LONG HAVE I BEEN HERE IN THIS COLD SILENT SEPULCHER OF EMPTY HALLS? HEAR MY PRAYER, AND ANSWER YOUR SUPPLICANT AS HE CALLS:

GIVE ME LIFE, FOR I AM DYING! GIVE ME HOPE, FOR I AM CRYING! GIVE ME TIME, FOR TIME IS FLYING FAST! AND SOON THE DAWN WILL COME WHEN I MUST FACE THE SUN…

TAKE MY HAND! THE NIGHT IS COLD MY HEART IS TIRED AND MY SPIRIT IS OLD. TAKE MY HAND, LEAD ME HOME TO MY REST. IN LOVE AND LIGHT

I WILL BE BLESSED.

IN LOVE AND LIGHT… I WILL BE BLESSED.

(BLACKOUT.)

ACT II, SCENE 2

(BEAUTY’S BEDROOM. BEAUTY is asleep in her bed. A scrim is behind her. It is dark, just before the dawn. The lights behind the scrim come up to reveal the GHOST OF BEAUTY’S MOTHER.)

GHOST OF MOTHER: (softly) Beauty?

BEAUTY: (half asleep) Mother?

GHOST OF MOTHER: Beauty my dear, do not be sad. You will be very happy here. But do not let yourself be deceived by appearances. Do not be the one to go away.

(The lights fade on the GHOST OF MOTHER. BEAUTY tosses and turns in her bed. Lights come up on another figure behind the scrim, it is the form of the PRINCE, though he speaks softly in the BEAST’S voice.)

PRINCE (BEAST): Beauty, you are not so unfortunate as you think. Here you will be rewarded for all you have suffered. Your every wish will be granted. But you must help me. You must free me from my prison. Try to find me, no matter how I am disguised. Be as truehearted as you are beautiful and you will have nothing to wish for.

(The lights fade on the PRINCE. BEAUTY awakes and sits up in bed, slightly startled by her dreams. She gets out of bed and puts on her robe. ELIPSIS enters and greets her with a bright smile. He bows.)

ELIPSIS: Good morning to you, my lady. Elipsis J. Waterbuck at your service. Is there anything you want? Shall I call the servants to bring your breakfast? Or sing you a song?

BEAUTY: (smiling) No, just stay and talk to me a while. You cheer me up and make me laugh.

ELIPSIS: Certainly.

BEAUTY: Tell me something, Elipsis. Who are you? Where do you come from?

ELIPSIS: Oh, I’m just a wandering spirit. I am only here to please and serve you.

BEAUTY: You’re so odd! But then, this is a very odd place. I’ve been here a few weeks now and it always seems to be springtime in the gardens. Yet, I never hear any birds singing, or see any animals for that matter. No deer or rabbits even.

ELIPSIS: The Beast doesn’t care for birds. They don’t like him much either.

BEAUTY: I see. You know, he’s not so bad once you get to know him. He really is quite kind. I feel sorry for him.

ELIPSIS: Is that all you feel? Pity?

BEAUTY: (trying to change the subject) Elipsis, is there a prince in this castle?

ELIPSIS: Why do you ask?

BEAUTY: I have these dreams. I dream there’s a handsome prince here and he’s a prisoner somewhere. He begs me to find him. But I can’t. Never mind, it’s just a dream.

ELIPSIS: (Now he’s trying to change the subject.) Will you take your breakfast in the dining room this morning?

BEAUTY: That’s another thing! Where is the dining room? I can never find my way around this place. Nothing stays in the same spot. The rooms are never the same from day to day. Just when I think I’m lost, I turn the corner, and there’s my room!

ELIPSIS: Just look for it, my lady, and if you really want it…you will find it.

(ELIPSIS exits.)

BEAUTY: All right. I will look! I’ll explore every nook and cranny of this place. I’ll figure it out myself!

(BLACKOUT as she exits.)

ACT II, SCENE 3

(The BIRD ROOM. It is completely empty and the lights are dim. BEAUTY enters, looks around, and throws up her arms in frustration.)

BEAUTY: Empty! Just another great big empty room! What this place needs is a little color!

(On the word “color,” bright and colorful BIRDS enter from every direction, flapping their wings and squawking uproariously. The lights brighten. ELIPSIS, disguised as a bird, hops out from the crowd.)

ELIPSIS: (yelling over all the noise) QUIET! (The BIRDS all hush.)

BEAUTY: Where did you all come from?

BIRD #1: We’ve been here so long. We can’t get out!

BEAUTY: Do you mean you’re trapped in here?

BIRD #2: Yes. But now that you’ve found us, you can set us FREE!

(All the BIRDS chirp and hoot.)

ELIPSIS: Will you?

BEAUTY: Of course I’ll let you all go!

ELIPSIS: We’re free! We’re free! Beauty has set us free!

(The BIRDS squawk some more at the news.)

ELIPSIS: Quiet!

(The BIRDS quiet down the ruckus and begin their back up singing.)

FREE

ELIPSIS and BACK-UP BIRDS: FREE, FREE, FREE! FREE, FREE, FREE! FREE, FREE, FREE! FREE, FREE, FREE!

ELIPSIS: A 1-2-3!

ELIPSIS and ALL BIRDS: SPREAD YOUR WINGS AND FLY AWAY! CELEBRATE YOUR HOLIDAY! NO MORE BARS, THE SKY IS OURS NOW. SO SPREAD YOUR WINGS AND FLY AWAY!

ELIPSIS: LONG AGO, WHEN GRASS WAS GREEN WE LIVED IN THE BIGGEST TREE THAT YOU’VE EVER SEEN. THERE WERE DOVES AND DUCKS AND PELICANS. OH, WHAT A SIGHT! THE GEESE KEPT WATCH ON THE GROUND BY NIGHT.

OH, ‘TILL ONE DARK DAY WHEN THE SKY TURNED BLACK. LOOKED LIKE SOMEBODY PUT THE SUN IN A SACK. WELL, THE TREE AND THE BRANCHES AND THE GRASS WERE GONE. BUT WE ARE THE BIRDS AND THE BIRDS SING ON.

ELIPSIS and ALL BIRDS: SPREAD YOUR WINGS AND FLY AWAY! CELEBRATE YOUR HOLIDAY! NO MORE BARS THE SKY IS OURS NOW. SO SPREAD YOUR WINGS AND FLY AWAY!

ELIPSIS: SO WE SAT IN THIS ROOM FOR AGES. WATCHING THE WORLD FROM OUR GOLDEN CAGES. CAUGHT IN A TRAP, WE BEEN HERE FOREVER. OH, BIRDS OF A FEATHER WE STUCK TOGETHER.

FOR YEARS AND YEARS NOT A PEEP WE SING. THE FLOORS DON’T BOUNCE AND THE WALLS DON’T RING. ‘TILL A BEAUTIFUL GIRL, SHE COME AND SET US FREE! OH, WE ARE THE BIRDS, SO WE SING YOU SEE!

ALL BIRDS: COCK-A-DOODLE-TWEET COCK-A-DOODLE-TWEET COCK-A-DOODLE-TWEET COCK-A-DOODLE-TWEET DO QUACK!

ELIPSIS: Wait a minute, wait a minute, wait a minute! Ok, let’s try this again. Roosters! Cuckoos! Ducks and canaries! Geese!

(ALL BIRDS begin to make bird sounds in rhythm, layering on as ELIPSIS calls out each bird variety : Cock-a-doodle-do, Honk, Cuckoo, Quack, Tweet. The dialogue continues underneath.)

ELIPSIS: My apology for this anthology of the etymology of our ornithology! But now that you’ve freed us, we can’t seem to settle down!

BEAUTY: That’s quite alright! It’s rather splendid to have some music and color in this dreary old place.

ELIPSIS: We certainly think so! We’ve been waiting to sing for centuries, and now…(He sings.)

OH!…

ELIPSIS and ALL BIRDS: SPREAD YOUR WINGS AND FLY AWAY! CELEBRATE YOUR HOLIDAY! NO MORE BARS THE SKY IS OURS NOW SO SPREAD YOUR WINGS AND FLY AWAY!

(BLACKOUT.)

ACT II, SCENE 4

(A HALLWAY. BEAUTY happily skips on, still humming “Free,” while the BEAST enters from the opposite side. They are unaware of each other and eventually bump into each other. They both scream and turn around to face each other.)

BEAST: What are you doing here?

BEAUTY: What are you doing here? I’ve never seen you out during the day before!

BEAST: I’ve never seen you in this part of the castle before.

BEAUTY: I’ve been exploring! I’m finding all sorts of things today. (She notices portraits hanging on the wall, out towards the audience.) Oh! Who are the people in all these portraits?

BEAST: Just some…old friends.

BEAUTY: (She points out to a specific portrait.) Who’s that? He’s very handsome.

BEAST: He’s…He was a very brash and proud man. He was very vain. He’s been gone a long time. You wouldn’t have liked him.

BEAUTY: I don’t know. People change.

BEAST: Yes, indeed they do.

BEAUTY: And looks aren’t everything. I’m discovering things aren’t always as they appear to be.

BEAST: How’s that?

BEAUTY: Well, that room back there, the one I was just in…I thought it was empty like all the others. Then, suddenly, it was filled with birds! And I let them all go!

BEAST: You must be mistaken. There are no birds here. Long ago that room was my…a nursery. All that’s left there is some old furniture and toys.

BEAUTY: No, you’re wrong! I saw…

BEAST: Go back and look again. Maybe then you’ll believe me. There are no birds here.

BEAUTY: Fine, I will then!

(BEAUTY looks at the BEAST skeptically. Then she turns on her heel and marches off the way she entered. The BEAST watches her go. BLACKOUT.)

ACT II, SCENE 5

(It is the same room as in Scene 3, but there are no birds. BEAUTY enters and looks around. There is a BALLERINA and TOY SOLDIER, both frozen, like life-size toys. There is also an old table with a music box placed on it. BEAUTY enters and looks around. Seeing it is just old toys, she sighs and is about to leave. However, suddenly the TOY SOLDIER and BALLERINA move. She sees them out of the corner of her eye. She stops in her tracks and looks at them. They stop moving. Then BEAUTY notices the music box. She goes over to it and opens it. It begins to play “The Lullabye” her mother used to sing to her. Startled, she closes it quickly and the music stops. She opens it again and the music plays. The BALLERINA begins to dance. Amazed, she then notices more BALLERINAS coming onstage and dancing. The music becomes a strong, loud march. It is THE SOLDIERS’ MARCH. Suddenly, many TOY SOLDIERS enter and begin to march about the room. The TOYS all dance. BEAUTY continues to watch in amazement and with curiosity. At the end of the music, the TOYS all collapse. The BEAST has been watching BEAUTY offstage. He then enters.)

BEAST: You see, I told you there are no birds here!

BEAUTY: (She is holding the music box.) Yes, you were right. This music box…(She opens the music box again. It begins to play “The Lullabye” again. This time the melody becomes distorted and eerie. She closes it quickly, slightly disturbed.) Tell me, why does this music box play…

BEAST: …The lullabye your mother used to sing to you?

BEAUTY: How did you know?

BEAST: I’ve watched you for a very long time, Beauty.

BEAUTY: You watched me? I don’t understand.

BEAST: I can see many things from my tower.

BEAUTY: Show me. Take me there now!

(The BEAST extends his hand. BEAUTY looks at it for a moment, then finally takes it. BLACKOUT.)

ACT II, SCENE 6

(The BATTLEMENT at dusk. BEAUTY and the BEAST are atop the BATTLEMENT, looking out.)

BEAST: Look, Beauty. All these lands once belonged to my family. There were farms and cottages, orchards and vast fields of grain.

BEAUTY: I can only see the forest.

BEAST: Well, all that was a long time ago. You see that river? (He points.) I used to fish in that river.

BEAUTY: The forest has grown so thick. It’s hard to imagine people ever lived there.

BEAST: And over there was a town, with a church on the highest hill. (He points over BEAUTY’S shoulder. They are very close together now. There is an awkward moment before BEAUTY turns away.) When you first came here, you were frightened of me. Do you still see me as a beast?

BEAUTY: No, now I know you better. I see someone who is very kind. (She turns back out to look over the land.) Look out here. Tell me more. What do you see?

SOMEONE LIKE YOU

BEAST: HERE FROM THIS TOWER I SEE THE EARTH. WATCHING THE HOMELAND THAT GIVE ME BIRTH. ALL THE WORLD IS SLEEPING, BUT HERE IN THE NIGHT I KNOW MY SOUL IS WEEPING.

BEAUTY: HERE FROM THIS TOWER MY EYES LOOK OUT. COLD, SPINNING WORLD TWIRLING ‘ROUND ABOUT ME. BUT HERE, AT THE CENTER, LOST IN OUR OWN LITTLE WORLD.

I’VE FOUND PEACE AND QUIET BEAST: AND REST. I’VE WAITED FOR AGES THROUGH COLD, SILENT YEARS JUST FOR SOMEONE TO TOUCH ME.

BOTH: SOFTLY, THE WIND BLOWS. DEEP INSIDE MY HEART KNOWS. THE BREEZE FANS A GLOWING EMBER. FROM A DREAM I STILL REMEMBER.

CATCH ME. I’M FALLING AND MY HEART IS CALLING A SWEET SOUND, BOTH OLD AND NEW. A SONG TO TREASURE WITH SOMEONE LIKE YOU.

BEAUTY: STARLIGHT SHINES DOWN TO DISPEL THE GLOOM. SOMEWHERE INSIDE ME A ROSE IS BLOOMING. THE FROST CANNOT KILL IT.

BEAST: A FLOWER WILL BLOSSOM IF YOU ONLY WILL IT.

TEND TO THE ROSE AND DEFY MY FATE.

BEAUTY: UNDER THE BLOSSOM A THORN AWAITS ME.

BEAST: EVEN THE THORN HAS ITS PURPOSE.

BOTH: GUARDING AND SHIELDING THE ROSE.

BEAUTY: BEAST: MY FEARS FALL AROUND ME, HOW FAR WE’VE JOURNEYED NOW CONSUMED BY THIS BURNING LIGHT. FROM OUR INTRODUCTION. AND I KNOW SOMETHING GREATER I KNOW I WOULD LAY MY LIFE DOWN GLADLY IS BORN ON THIS NIGHT. TO SAVE THE ROSE FROM DESTRUCTION.

BOTH: SOFTLY, I’M LIST’NING TO A VOICE WITHIN ME. IT’S WHISP’RING A SECRET PRAYER THAT I’LL REACH OUT AND FIND YOU THERE.

CATCH ME. I’M FALLING AND MY HEART IS CALLING.

A SWEET SOUND, BOTH OLD AND NEW, A SONG TO TREASURE WITH SOMEONE LIKE YOU. SOMEONE LIKE YOU LOVING SOMEONE LIKE YOU.

(At the end of the song, BEAUTY finds herself being held tenderly and protectively in the BEAST’S arms. She looks down and see his hairy claw holding her hand. She pulls away suddenly, startled. The moment is gone. The BEAST realizes this and looks at his own hands in disgust and frustration.)

BEAST: I…I’m sorry.

BEAUTY: No, don’t be.

BEAST: Beauty, are you happy here?

BEAUTY: You’re very kind to me. You’ve given me almost anything I could wish for. I feel safe here…with you.

BEAST: Beauty…

BEAUTY: You don’t really have to call me that you know. “Beauty” is a silly pet name from when I was a little girl. My Papa once asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I told him I wanted to be a beauty. (They both find this amusing.) He teased me so. My real name is Katarina, after my mother.

BEAST: You are very beautiful, and Katarina is a beautiful name.

BEAUTY: What’s your name? Your real name?

BEAST: I used to be called Nicholas. (There is a beat. Then he softly sings.) BEAUTY WILL YOU MARRY ME?

BEAUTY: Why do you keep asking me that, day after day?

BEAST: I must!

BEAUTY: Please don’t ask me anymore. You seem so sad when I say no. I don’t want to hurt you.

BEAST: I must ask you until you say “yes.”

BEAUTY: (near tears) But why?

BEAST: I can’t tell you.

BEAUTY: I can’t. I can’t marry you. I’m so unhappy.

BEAST: But, you said you were happy here. Don’t you want to stay?

BEAUTY: I don’t know what I want. Please, try to understand. I am happy here. This place is so wonderful, so magical. I have come to care for you, but I can’t forget my family. I miss them terribly. Nothing can replace that loss.

BEAST: I understand.

BEAUTY: Please, let me go home to see my family. Just for a visit. I promise, if you let me go, just to see them once more, I’ll come back and stay with you forever. I can’t marry you, but I will come back and keep you company.

BEAST: I cannot refuse you anything, even if it could cost me my life. Go…(He offers her a rose.) Take take one of my roses. Let it remind you of your promise. You may go home to your family for one week. At the end of that time, please return to me…or your Beast will die of a broken heart.

BEAUTY: Oh, Beast! I won’t forget. I’ll come back. I promise!

(BEAUTY exits, leaving the BEAST alone. After a moment, ELIPSIS enters.)

ELIPSIS: So? How did it go? Did she finally say yes?

BEAST: No.

ELIPSIS: Well, next time. Where has she gone?

BEAST: Home. Gone home to her family.

ELIPSIS: Home? You…you let her go? Why?

BEAST: I had to. She loves her family and she misses them. She promised to return in a week’s time. If she does, it will be because she wants to come back to me. If she doesn’t…well then…it doesn’t matter.

ELIPSIS: Maybe not to you! But what about me? She was our only hope to break this miserable curse!

THE CONFRONTATION

BEAST: YOU’RE NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO’S SUFFERED HERE, SASHA DEAR! (spoken) Or Elipsis…or whatever you’re calling yourself these days. (sung) SHE GAVE HER WORD AND I BELIEVE HER.

ELIPSIS: Believe her? (sung) NICHOLAS, HAVE YOU GONE MAD? YOU TELL ME SHE’S GONE BUT SHE PROMISED TO RETURN. WELL THAT IS THE LAST THAT WE’LL EVER SEE OF HER! SHE IS GONE FOR GOOD AND IT MEANS WE’RE DOOMED TO DIE HERE!

WAS THAT SMART? WAS THAT WISE? OH, AND DON’T TELL ME NOW I SEE TEARS IN YOUR EYES… (spoken) I can’t believe it!

BEAST: Sasha, I had no choice! I cannot make her love me! And I can’t keep her here, caged up like an animal. What sort of man would I be?

ELIPSIS: YOU’RE NOT A MAN AND NEITHER AM I! WE HAVEN’T BEEN MEN FOR FOUR HUNDRED YEARS!

LOOK AT ME, I AM NOBODY. NOTHING, NOT ANYONE! (spoken) I’m a ghost…a spirit. There is no face behind this mask!

BEAST: I MADE THE ONLY CHOICE I COULD HAVE! (spoken) I love her. The choice is made. Now we wait for Beauty to make hers.

ELIPSIS: We wait?! (rhythmic) Well, while you’re waiting for Beauty to kiss you, I don’t have to stand here and listen to this…YOU MONSTER!

(He has gone too far. BEAST grabs him by the throat and holds him over the ledge of the BATTLEMENT. He could drop him to his death at any moment.)

BEAST: DON’T YOU EVER CALL ME THAT! I COULD DROP YOU FROM THIS PARAPET! THAT WOULD END YOUR TROUBLES QUICKLY!

ELIPSIS: So drop me! What if she does break this miserable curse? What then? I have no Beauty waiting for me, my Prince. My family and friends are dead and gone, like yours. We are both alone now.

BEAST: We all died that day. (He loosens his grip on ELIPSIS.) But how was I to know? People at the gate in the middle of the night…

ELIPSIS: A band of wandering gypsies, sire. It was winter. All they wanted was some shelter and food. They were cold and starving.

BEAST: Vagrants, petty thieves!

ELIPSIS: They begged!

BEAST: They stole!

ELIPSIS: They died! Their children froze to death in the snow, Nicholas!

BEAST: I sent them to their death.

ELIPSIS: I said I was just…following orders. I only work here.

BEAST: THE ANCIENT GYPSY QUEEN HOWLED TO THE HEAVENS.

ELIPSIS: THE SKY GREW DARK AND THE SUN TURNED BLACK.

BEAST: AND EVEN WITH HER DYING BREATH SHE LAID HER CURSE:

ELIPSIS: IF SLAVE YOU ARE, THEN SLAVE YOU SHALL REMAIN. YOU FOLLOW ORDERS, AND DO NOT COMPLAIN. IF GHOST YOU ARE, THEN PHANTOM SHALL YOU BE. A SPIRIT TRAPPED FOR ALL ETERNITY.

BEAST: FOR YOU WHOSE HEART KNOWS LOVE THE LEAST, WHO TURNED AWAY THE WANDERING BEGGAR FROM THE FEAST, UNTIL YOUR SOUL CAN LEARN TO LOVE AND BE LOVED IN RETURN THE PRINCE IS DAMNED TO BE… A BEAST.

ELIPSIS: She does love you.

BEAST: But will she love me enough to return…and save us both?

ELIPSIS: I don’t know. But either way the end is coming soon…and you and I will have to face it…(ELIPSIS extends his hand to the BEAST)…together.

(They shake hands. BLACKOUT.)

ACT II, SCENE 7

(The INTERIOR OF BEAUTY’S COTTAGE. The whole family is present. BEAUTY and FATHER are seated. ELLIE is sitting in BEAUTY’S lap.)

ELLIE: Tell me again about the magic birds, Beauty!

BEAUTY: Ellie, I’ve already told you that story a dozen times!

(The FAMILY all laughs at this.)

FATHER: I can’t believe it’s already been a week. I’m glad we convinced you to stay one more day. Perhaps we can get you to not go back at all.

(CHILDREN all chime in and beg her to stay, “Yes, Beauty.” “Please stay.” “Don’t go.” etc.)

BEAUTY: I made a promise.

SASHA: What’s a promise to a big, hairy animal?

BEAUTY: I told you, he’s not just an animal.

FATHER: Well, what difference does a day or two make?

BEAUTY: Yes, I suppose you’re right. It is good to see you all again. I missed you so.

TANYA: Alright everyone, there’s work to do.

BEAUTY: I’ll help.

TANYA: No, just stay here and talk to Papa. Come on children.

(The CHILDREN all exit.)

FATHER: Beauty, what’s wrong. These last few days you’ve been home you seem so far away.

BEAUTY: It’s my dreams, Papa. When I was in the Beast’s Castle, I used to dream that Mother would come and tell me not to be sad and to not be deceived by appearances. Then, I’d dream of a handsome prince. He told me he was a prisoner and that I had to find him and set him free. What do you think it means?

FATHER: (after some consideration) You told me the Beast, as frightening as he is, loves you dearly. Perhaps he deserves your love and gratitude for his gentleness and kindness. Maybe your dreams mean you should go back to him, despite his horrible appearance.

BEAUTY: I would be very sorry to never see my Beast again.

FATHER: Beauty, you must do what will make you happy.

(He exits.)

I ONCE THOUGHT LOVE WOULD BE SO EASY

BEAUTY: I ONCE THOUGHT LOVE WOULD BE SO EASY. LIKE WAKING UP ON A SUMMER MORNING. BUT NOW I KNOW IT’S NEVER EASY. THE END CAN COME WITHOUT A WARNING.

I DANCED AT THE SUNRISE OF MY LIFE. I DANCED UNTIL THE MUSIC CHANGED. THE RHYTHM CAME UNRAVELED UPON THE ROAD I TRAVELED. I LOST THE COUNT, AND NOTHING WAS THE SAME.

I ONCE THOUGHT LOVE WOULD BE SO EASY. NOT JUST A TOUCH WITH NO TOMORROW. BUT NOW I KNOW IT’S NEVER EASY. EVEN JOY LEAVES A BITTER TASTE OF SORROW.

I DANCED AT THE MIDDAY OF MY LIFE. I DANCED ‘TILL MY FEET WERE FAR FROM HOME. THERE WAS SUNSHINE ALL AROUND ME UPON THE DAY YOU FOUND ME. UNTIL THEN, I NEVER KNEW I WAS ALONE.

NOW I FIND THAT YOU ARE GONE AND I AM COLD AND LONELY. I REAPED THE HARVEST I HAD SOWN. EVERY DREAM HAS ITS SEASON, TRUE. BUT THIS LITTLE GIRL NEVER KNEW. I DON’T WANT HER TO DISCOVER I’M ALONE. I DON’T WANT TO FACE THE SUNSET ON MY OWN.

I ONCE THOUGHT LOVE WOULD BE SO EASY. JUST SPREAD YOUR WINGS, AND TRY TO TOUCH THE SKY. BUT NOW I’VE LEARNED IT’S NEVER EASY, SO IT’S TIME TO KISS THE LITTLE GIRL GOODBYE. GOODBYE, GOODBYE, IT’S TIME TO KISS THE LITTLE GIRL GOODBYE.

BEAUTY: Papa! Papa!

(The FAMILY enters.)

BEAUTY: I have to go back. Now! Right now! I’ve stayed too long.

FAMILY: No. Please stay. Beauty! etc.

BEAUTY: I can’t. It may be too late already.

(BEAUTY grabs her cloak, kisses her FATHER, and runs off. BLACKOUT.)

ACT II, SCENE 8

(The INTERIOR OF THE BEAST’S CASTLE. The BEAST lies at the top of the stairs, motionless. ELIPSIS is nearby, on deathwatch. BEAUTY enters and runs to the BEAST.)

BEAUTY: Beast! No! Beast, I’ve come back. I kept my promise. Listen to me! (The BEAST slowly raises his hand to take BEAUTY’S.) Everything’s going to be alright now. (To ELIPSIS.) Isn’t it?

ELIPSIS: It’s too late now.

BEAUTY: No, it can’t be! (The BEAST’S hand falls lifelessly.) Beast! Don’t die. I’ve come back.

ELIPSIS: Come away, Beauty. (ELIPSIS starts to pull BEAUTY away from the BEAST’S body, but she resists.)

BEAUTY: No! I…

ELIPSIS: Come on, we have to go. I must take you home before I…before I fade away, too.

BEAUTY: No! I can’t leave him! Nicholas! Nicholas, I love you. I love you and I want to marry you!

(At these words, the BEAST’S hand shoots up into the air, but it is a human hand. THE TRANSFORMATION begins. ELIPSIS and BEAUTY stand and watch in amazement as we slowly see a handsome PRINCE rise before us.)

PRINCE: Katarina?

BEAUTY: I don’t understand. Where’s my Beast? (She searches his face.) Nicholas?!

PRINCE: Yes, it’s me, Nicholas. (She runs to him and they embrace.) Katarina…my Beauty. You came back. You’ve broken the curse!

BEAUTY: Of course I came back. I realized I loved you…as you are…or were. What curse? I don’t understand.

PRINCE: Do you remember the portrait you saw of the young man? (She nods.) That was me. That is, until an old gypsy queen cursed me for my selfishness and vanity. She cursed me to be a beast until I could learn to love someone besides myself, and until someone could truly love me in return.

BEAUTY: How you’ve suffered.

PRINCE: Many people suffered because of the terrible thing I did. My closest friend and companion may have suffered the most. Sasha was caught in the curse as well.

BEAUTY: Sasha? Who’s he?

ELIPSIS: Ahem. (ELIPSIS slowly removes his mask. As he does so, he feels his own face, realizing for the first time in hundreds of years that he is real again.) I…am Sasha. (He bows.) At your service.

(BEAUTY runs to him and kisses him softly on the cheek. He is astonished and slightly embarrassed.)

BEAUTY: Thank you.

(BEAUTY goes back to the PRINCE. Together they start to leave. The PRINCE stops for a moment and looks back. The two men exchange a look and the PRINCE crosses to ELIPSIS. ELIPSIS goes to bow to the PRINCE. The PRINCE stops him and offers him his hand to shake. ELIPSIS takes his hand, they shake, and then pull each other in for an embrace. ELIPSIS motions for him to go and be with BEAUTY and the PRINCE runs offstage.)

ELIPSIS: (speaking directly to the audience) True love and beauty bloom eternal, but never the rose without the thorn. (He begins to sing to himself.) Spread your wings and fly away…celebrate your holiday…no more bars the sky is ours now…(He then speaks with growing excitement.) I’m free…I’m free…I’M FREE!

(The entire COMPANY enters for THE FINALE.)

FINALE

ALL: SPREAD YOUR WINGS AND FLY AWAY. CELEBRATE YOUR HOLIDAY. NO MORE BARS THE SKY IS OURS NOW. SO SPREAD YOUR WINGS AND FLY AWAY.

SPREAD YOUR WINGS AND FLY AWAY. CELEBRATE YOUR HOLIDAY. NO MORE BARS THE SKY IS OURS NOW. SO SPREAD YOUR WINGS AND FLY AWAY.

ELIPSIS: NOW THE SNOWS ARE GONE, AND THE SPRING HAS COME, AND THE SKIES ARE CLEAR AT LAST. WE CAN START AGAIN NOW THE ROSE HAS FIN’LLY BLOSSOMED.

ELIPSIS and FATHER: THROUGH A FATHER’S HOPE, AND A DAUGHTER’S LOVE, WE HAVE EARN’D OUR JUST REWARD.

ELIPSIS: NOW THAT PEACE HAS BEEN MADE, 49

FATHER: PLANS WILL BE LAID,

ELIPSIS and FATHER: LIFE CAN BEGIN ONCE MORE.

ALL: WILL YOU JOIN US? TOGETHER WE’LL STAND. COME WITH US, THOUGH THE ROAD IS LONG. LOVE AND BEAUTY WILL TAKE YOUR HAND. AND TOGETHER WE’LL JOURNEY ON

WILL YOU JOIN US? TOGETHER WE’LL STAND. COME WITH US, THOUGH THE ROAD IS LONG. LOVE AND BEAUTY (AND PEACE) (WILL) TAKE YOUR HAND. (IT WON’T) NO MATTER HOW FAR WE ROAM. LOVE AND BEAUTY WILL LEAD US HOME.

(BLACKOUT.)

BOWS

CURTAIN