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Cinderella Script - Scenes 1 and 2
SCENE #1 THE CASTLE ON THE HILL Song of the Storyteller Someplace, sometime, and who can tell Exactly when the story comes around... Narrator 1 Once upon a time in a beautiful country, where trees grow tall, and rivers flow peacefully on their way, a stately castle rose like a dream on a hill beside a little town. The town had all the usual places - a village square, dress shop, flower shop, a food market and an art store, for artists painted the scene often. Something about a marble castle rising behind an everyday town inspires the imagination. Narrator 2 In this colorful setting, filled partly with wonder, and partly with ordinary things, our story takes place. You might not have expected it, actually. Surprise is one of the treasured elements of life, and if everything was expected, surprise might never be known or felt. Still, surprising as it was, all the pieces were there at the very beginning. Narrator 3 I don’t suppose it would hurt to to tell you a secret. There’s a girl in this story who carries in her heart the sweet purity of her mother and the noble integrity of her father. She was born far away, but on a dark night an attack by warriors from the west took the lives of her parents. At the last minute she was sent away, with a letter and a box filled with money, to friends in a distant land, but an unfaithful servant intercept- ed the rescue, and sent her instead to one of his relatives. Narrator 4 The relative’s name was Nona Greadmore, and, seeing the opportunity to step up into high society, she decided to keep both the child and the money. Purchasing a manor on the edge of a beautiful town, she moved there with her two daughters. But the money, which seemed so plentiful at first, slowly dwindled, and in order to keep up appearances, she raised the child as a servant girl. Narrator 5 High on the hill behind the village stands the castle of King John IX and Queen Anna Rose. They rule the land well, with wisdom and love. Their son, Prince John X, has grown up to be a strong, young man in charge of the castle guards. Each morning you can hear them going through their drills up on the marble courtyard. (Curtain opens.) Song 1 - A Story to Tell What if you had a story to tell from way back in the days when there were knights knights in shining armor Holding their shields high in the sun Marching shoulder to shoulder Swords lifted high over everyone Enemies fear whenever they hear the sound we make the sound of the trumpet and the earth that shakes beneath We are the warriors defending the Castle on the Hill Mighty warriors of Prince John Mighty warriors of Prince John The story we tell, remember it well begins in a castle high above the valley where high on the castle wall A king and a queen look over the scene ruling the land with wisdom freedom and justice for one and all And they have a son whom everyone knows will be the heir to the riches and the kingdom and the throne We are the warriors defending the Castle on the Hill Mighty warriors of Prince John Mighty warriors of Prince John Left... March... 1... 2... Right... Thrust... Block... Thrust Lend your hand to a cause that’s just... Ah___ Ah___ Close... Now regroup... 1... 2... 3... 4... Mark your spot and hold to the line... Attack___ Ah____ Step to the left... Jump... Thrust... Close... Now regroup... Hey March... March... March and then Thrust... Block... Thrust again... Ah___ Ah___ Ah___ Ah___ 1... 2... 3... 4... Hold the shield, raise the sword Enemies fear whenever they hear the sound we make the sound of the trumpet and the earth that shakes beneath We are the warriors defending the Castle on the Hill Mighty warriors of Prince John Mighty warriors of Prince John March... March... March 2 3 4 March... March... March 2 3 4 March... March... March 2 3 4 (fade out) (As the guards march off, the King and Queen walk across the stage to speak with Prince John.) Queen You’re doing a fine job with the castle guards, son. Prince Thank you. We’re working hard. King I remember the day you first learned to hold a sword. Prince That was a long while ago. Queen How time flies. King You’ve grown up brave and strong, John. We’re proud of you. Ever thought about becoming an ambassador? Prince Not really. I like it here, working with the castle guards each morning and visiting the village in the afternoon. Queen Disguised as one of your own tutors? Prince Hey, if they knew I was the prince, they would treat me differently. I want to know them as they really are. King It will make you a better king someday, understanding people like that, but it does seem strange that up here in the castle, you’re Prince John, and down there in the village, you’re Mr. Pops. Prince (laughs) You won’t tell anyone? Queen No. It’s your secret, and we’ll help you keep it. King But if you change your mind about being an ambassador, let me know. It might help you meet a royal princess. Prince You’re picturing a wedding? King We’re not rushing things, but it has crossed our minds. Whoever the right girl is, somehow you’ll have to meet her. (The scribe enters.) Scribe Your majesty, a letter has arrived from friends in a neighboring kingdom. Would you like to read it in the library? King I’ll be right there. (turning to the prince) Think about it, John. You might talk with your mother. She’s good at these things. (The King leaves.) Queen We’re not pressuring you, John. But like the scribe said, we do have friends in neighboring kingdoms. Some of them have daughters. Prince I know. But at least for the moment, my heart’s here. I like teaching. Queen And you’re good at it. But someday you’ll be king, and having a faithful companion by your side... that’s a good thing too. Prince Do you remember meeting dad? Queen Yes. Prince What did you say to him? Queen The usual things... but then I found I didn’t have to say anything. Prince You mean he did the talking? Queen No. He looked at me, and then... he didn’t say anything either. Prince Just silence? Queen Oh, John... sometimes... Song 2 - No Words to Say There are no words to say when Love comes Try your best - there are no words to say For when the heart has opened to find another close Then the world changes all in one day And there are no - no words to say There comes a day - a day in your story There comes a day the heart only knows When on the path you’ll find her standing close to you And love, opening up, like a rose Will tell you things the heart only knows And I could sing how winter’s cold can never touch the flame How everything else changes while what’s true remains the same But words would fail before my song was done Have you ever tried to hold a candle up against the sun There are no words to tell the wonder If there were words the wonder would cease Silence knows its moment when Love alone can sing The song born of love, joy and peace And you will hear the music When you do, be still Reach out your hand and bring her home To the Castle on the Hill (Curtain closes.)	SCENE #2 NOON AT GREADMORE MANOR (This scene begins with the curtain closed. Cinderella is busy working in the kitchen. After the narrators speak, Madame Greadmore enters.) Narrator 6 The world is filled with contrasts. There are places where children grow up like Prince John did, surrounded by love and care. And then, there are other places, not very far away, where young hearts just as valuable grow up neglected and scorned. Down the road from the castle, around the bend and across the village square, stood Greadmore Manor. It had once been a beautiful dwelling, but it was darker and less inviting now, perhaps because the expectations of those who lived there had grown darker also. Narrator 7 But one girl lived there whose heart was like the sun shining bright on a summer morning. She didn’t know how she came to be there - no one knew that - or at least, if anyone did, they weren’t telling. She only knew that’s where she was, and so she set about the work of living this moment, one day at a time. On this particular day, she was working in the kitchen, preparing the noon meal. Cinderella (singing to herself as she works) Madame Greadmore (entering) What’s that noise I hear? Cinderella You mean the soup boiling? Madame Greadmore Actually, I was referring to your singing. Let’s have a little less noise and a little more punctuality. My daughters will be here any minute. Cinderella The soup’s hot, and the bread is almost done. Madame Greadmore “Almost done” isn’t acceptable, Cinderella. When my daughters walk through the door, the noon meal is to be on the table. Do you understand? Cinderella Yes, Ma’am. Madame Greadmore (suddenly changing her tone) And here they come now, my pride and joy. Renata Hello, mother. Elsa What’s for lunch? Madame Greadmore Elsa? Elsa Greetings, Mother. Madame Greadmore That’s better. Now, come into the dining room and tell me, how was your morning? (The curtain opens and they enter the dining room. Cinderella serves them, going back and forth to the kitchen as needed.) Renata Actually, it was rather uneventful. A few people walked past the flower shop, but no one bought anything. Elsa Does that surprise you? (holding her nose) Flowers? Madame Greadmore And you, Elsa? Elsa My morning was B - double O - triple O - boooring. I sewed fabric strips together while Crumble Bonnet talked. I couldn’t wait to get home for lunch. Madame Greadmore Is that what you call the Dress Shop owner? Crumble Bonnet? Elsa She deserves it. Renata (looking at the soup) Vegetable soup again? Mother, can’t we at least have something interesting when we come home? Madame Greadmore Just eat it. Elsa “Interesting.” Now there’s a word for you. I wish this town had a little more of it. Madame Greadmore You think this is a boring town? Elsa Double O - triple O - boooring. Renata You have to admit, not much happens here. Madame Greadmore (speaking to Cinderella as she brings something to the table) What do you think, Cinderella? Do we live in a boring town? Cinderella (pausing next to the table) The people are interesting. Elsa Leave it to Cinderella to find something good. Renata That’s because you go to their houses to clean their fireplaces... Elsa ...and tell stories to their children Renata ... and pet their doggies and kitties Elsa ...like you were a princess or something. Renata Now there’s a laugh. Cinderella All I said was the people are interesting. (Cinderella returns to her work.) Elsa Well, keep your interest to yourself. Me? I’ve got real work to do. Back to the dress shop. Renata And me... back to the flower shop. Bye, mother. See you at supper. Madame Greadmore Bye, girls. Have an “interesting” afternoon. (The daughters groan and leave.) Now, Cinderella, for your afternoon... I’ve added two more houses to the list. Here it is. Cinderella (surprised) Two more? Madame Greadmore Excuse me. Are you complaining? Cinderella No... it’s just... I already have fourteen. Mrs. Greadmore So... now you have sixteen. Fireplaces need to be cleaned, and we need the money. Do the work well, and be back in time to prepare dinner. Cinderella Yes... I will. Madame Greadmore And... I’ve got things to do. See that I’m not disturbed. Cinderella Yes, Ma’am. (Madame Greadmore leaves. Cinderella carries the dishes back to the kitchen and the curtain closes. Vladimir, the mouse, enters the kitchen, eating a piece of cheese.) Vladimir Did your list get longer? Cinderella Oh, hi, Vladimir. Yes, it did. Hey, what is that you’re eating? Vladimir It’s real good cheese... from the castle. Cinderella They gave you that at the castle? Vladimir They didn’t exactly give it to me. I took it. Cinderella From the castle kitchen? Vladimir No, from the castle garbage. Maybe the queen didn’t finish her ham and cheese sandwich. Cinderella Vladimir, be careful. We have cheese here, you know. Vladimir (smiles) Not like this. Cinderella Well, as long as you found it in the garbage and didn’t steal it from the kitchen. Vladimir Cinderella, I never steal. Before I was a castle mouse, I was a church mouse. Bye. Cinderella Bye, Vladimir.