1 IN THIS ROYAL KINGDOM (everyone) In this Royal Kingdom, everything is fine. Everyone is happy, most of the time. Everyone is friendly, as you can see. Children here are well-behaved – usually. So welcome to our Kingdom, this castle we call home. We hope that you enjoy your stay before you travel on. We’re proudly independent, of that there is no doubt. And should you need assistance, we’ll gladly help you out. In this Royal Kingdom, everyone’s polite. Arguments are quickly solved without a fight. Our King and Queen are most enlightened – in every way. Yes, in this Royal Kingdom, every day’s a perfect day. In this Royal Kingdom, every day’s a per – fect day. Narrator 1: Once, long ago, in a far-off land, there lived a King and Queen in a beautiful palace that was filled with fabulous treasures. Narrator 2: Their kingdom was at peace. Narrator 1: Their country was prosperous and their people adored them. Narrator 2: They had everything they could wish for. But they were very unhappy, because they had no children. Narrator 1: Every day, as they sat on their thrones, the King would look at the Queen and say: King: Ah….if only we had a child. Narrator 2: And the Queen would look back and they would sigh. King&Queen: (sigh) Ah….. Narrator 1: They were quite miserable. (King and Queen look at each other with sad faces and then look at the audience. Queen comes forward.) Narrator 2: One day, when the Queen was out for a stroll in her beautiful garden, she heard an unusual voice. Frog: (squatting behind a shrub) Cheer up! Ribbitt. Cheer up, Your Majesty, for your dearest wish will be granted. 2 Queen: (looking around) What? Where are you? Frog: (hops from behind the shrub) I’m down here and I have good news. Ribbit. Queen: (looks down, steps back) Ooo…you’re a …. frog! I didn’t know frogs could talk. Frog: It’s a gift. I also sing. Perhaps you’ve heard me with the boys down at the pond in the evening. We’re really quite good. THE FROG IN THE POND BY: Chad, William, Donald, Matthew, Tyler I’m a friggity frog, I higgity hop. I got my own band and my own beat box. I’m a frog, not a toad, I’m never on the road. I stay right here in my ‘pond sweet home.’ Frogettes: This frog needs to break the spell He don’t need a wishing well A Princess who is fond May save the Frog in the Pond You see, I’ve been cursed, it couldn’t be worse Doomed by a witch now I ‘sing this verse.’ I’m a prince in disguise, you see I got frog eyes. I have to eat flies, but ‘I like pies.’ (Frogettes) I’m waiting for a princess so I can rest. Then I can be a big success. I’m a friggity frog, I higgity hop. Get a princess, please, so this can stop! (Frogettes) Queen: Oh . well, you were saying . Frog: Oh yes . I believe that you wish to have a child of your own. Queen: Why yes Mr. Frog. How did you know? 3 Frog: It’s a gift. Anyway, in the spring, after the winter snows have melted and the cherry trees are covered with pink blossoms, you shall have a baby of your own. Queen: Of my own? How Wonderful! But how do you….? Frog: It’s a gift. Ribbit. IT’S A GIFT (Frog and Queen) Frog: It’s a gift. It’s a gift – that – I possess. A gift. and I mo – de – stly confess It’s a skill. It’s a talent. And I have a certain flair for this gift – that – I – now – share. (ribbit!) Frog: (hops and bumps Queen) Oh! Pardon me! Queen: That’s quite alright. Frog: I’d like to say that sometimes it’s nice to be this way. Telling things to others that will brighten up their day. But I also wish that I could be an ordinary frog. Catching flies, crunching wings, and sitting on a log. Queen: Oh, come now, don’t be so down on yourself. That’s a wonderful gift you have. Frog: (big sigh) I suppose so, but it’s so tiring talking to people. The other frogs think I’m weird and people think I’ll give them warts. Queen: Do you? (Frog starts to answer) Oh, never mind. Besides, you’ve got to look at all the joy you bring to others. You have made this one of the happiest days of my life! Queen: It’s a gift. It’s a gift – that’s – mine today. A gift. And I’d like – to – say that it’s a treasure that I’ll cherish and give the utmost care. This gift – that – I – now – share. I’d like to say “Thank you,” for the message that you bring. It’s made my day and I can’t wait to tell the King. This is everything we’ve hoped for, what we’ve dreamed about. My head is light and in a spin, I want to leap and shout! Frog: It’s - a - gift. Frog: It’s a gift. Queen: It’s a gift. Queen: a gift that I will care for. 4 Frog: A gift. Frog: and I mod – est – ly declare Queen: Yes, a gift. a gift so special. Frog: not a burden though it takes the utmost care. Queen: It’s a treasure though it takes the utmost care. Both: This gift – that – I – now share. (repeat last section) Frog: Ribbit. Narrator 2: As autumn arrived with a chill in the air, and the leaves turned to reds and yellows, the trees were transformed into a forest of gold. Narrator 1: And….. Narrator 2: (overly dramatic) And as winter arrived with the first snowfall, the forest turned into a fairyland of white. Narrator 1: Would you get on with it? Narrator 2: And, when the cherry trees turned pink with blossoms, a baby girl was born to the King and Queen. Queen: (holding the baby) She is so beautiful. I’ll name her Briar-Rose. Narrator 1: It was an odd name but . this IS a fairytale. King: To celebrate the birth of our daughter, we will have a holiday. Everyone can take the day off and we will have a feast and invite all of our friends. Queen: Don’t forget to invite the seven Graces that live in our Kingdom. They can be her Grace Godmothers. Narrator 2: This was a BIG mistake because there were actually EIGHT Graces in the Kingdom. (Court Herald appears between Narrators.) Narrator 1: But more about that later. Court Herald: (tapping royal staff on the floor) Hear ye, hear ye! His majesty, our King, has declared this a royal holiday in celebration of the new Princess, Briar-Rose! Let there be music! Let there be merriment! Let us celebrate! (move to position for announcing the arrival of the guests) CELEBRATION OF THE PRINCESS (Seven Graces) 5 Court Herald: Presenting the Duke and Duchess of Windleshire. Court Herald: Presenting the Duke and Duchess of Hollymead. Court Herald: Presenting Sir Alfred and the Lady Katherine. Court Herald: Presenting the Seven Lovely Graces of our Kingdom. Grace 1: We’re so excited! Grace 2: We got here as fast as we could. Grace 3: Where’s the baby? Grace 4: Isn’t it a wonderful occasion? Grace 5: (to the King and Queen) You must be very proud! Grace 6: So you’re adding a new member to the royal family! Grace 1: (claps her hands) Girls. GIRLS! Please…we have gifts to present to our new Princess! (with a flourish, holds up a wand and waves it toward the baby) (Throughout the song, after the presentation of each gift, Grace 7 tries to be next.) Grace 1: The gift I bring to the Princess, a gift I gladly bestow, It is the gift of Beauty that in her face will glow. Grace 2: My gift is something special, as everyone can tell. It is the gift of Wit and Charm, may she use it well. All Graces: Gifts – we – bring, carefully chosen for the Princess. Come celebrate and dance and sing! Fa la la la la la. Grace 3: The gift I bring to the Princess is perfect, as you’ll see. It is the gift of Grace and Elegance, fit for royalty. Grace 4: And I’d like to add another, the gift of Song. May she sing just like a nightingale with notes both clear and strong. All Graces: Gifts – we – bring, carefully chosen for the Princess. Come celebrate and dance and sing! Fa la la la la la. Grace 5: I’d like to add another, it is the gift of Dance. May she be as light as a feather, with the proper poise and stance. Grace 6: And with due consideration, I beg you please don’t laugh. To face the future self-assured, she will be good at Math. All Graces: Gifts – we – bring, carefully chosen for the Princess. Come celebrate and dance and sing! Fa la la la la la la. (Grace 7 gets into the spirit of things by directing the 2 groups of fairies on either side.) All Graces: Let us celebrate and dance and sing! Grace 1, 3, 5: Fa la la (Grace 2, 4, 6 echo) Grace 1, 3, 5: Fa la la (Grace 2, 4, 6 echo) All Graces: These are the gifts we bring.