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Cinderella Script - Scenes 7 and 8
SCENE #7 ALL OVER TOWN Narrator 10 The news went through town like wildfire. Everywhere people were talking. A grand, formal ball in the castle? Nothing like this had ever happened before. Farther and farther the news went, out across the land and into the neighboring kingdoms. Narrator 11 But nowhere was the excitement more intense than here in the little village at the foot of the hill. Everyone was working together, and the summer days flew by with dreams and plans and preparations. (During the next song, the whole summer goes by, and a number of important ideas are presented. The curtain opens to reveal the townspeople hard at work... the village square is filled with activity... Elsa is at the Dress Shop, Renata at the Flower Shop... the Castle section of the stage shows the King and Queen and other Castle officials working with paper and pen keeping track of deliveries, correspondence, etc. The Greadmore kitchen is first a place for Cinderella and Madame Greadmore to talk, then later the location for The Mouse Gang to bring fabric and start sewing. At one point, Governess Duvanne, walking through the village, orders a new dress for her niece. The Guards also march through, carrying supplies from the dock. Mr. Pops, Marcello, Cinderella and Vladimir arrive near the end of the song to show that the book project has continued through the summer as well as Marcello’s teaching of Vladimir about the Guard Drills. When the song ends, nearly everyone is somewhere on stage.) Song 6 - So The Summer Went By So the summer went by And the news of the proclamation Spread across the land Like sunshine across the sea Kingdoms far and near Responded to the invitation On the evening of the Autumn Festival Reserve a place for me Ah - - - - Reserve a place for me (In the village square... Mr. Pops walks through) Coralie - Voice in the Village Mr. Pops! Have you heard about the Grand Ball? Mr. Pops Grand Ball? Tell me about it. Tameryn - Voice in the Village It’s going to be wonderful. Right in the Castle. Brenna - Voice in the Village Everyone’s invited. Will you be there? Mr. Pops If everyone’s invited, then I must be invited too. Maybe I will be there. Deveron - Voice in the Village I hope so, Mr. Pops. It won’t be the same without you. The mood in the village square Is filled with anticipation Nothing like this before Has happened in the little town Everywhere you turn The picture is preparation All want to be part of the story When history is going down Ah - - - - History is going down (Action shifts to Greadmore Manor. Cinderella is working in the kitchen. Madame Greadmore enters.) Madame Greadmore Cinderella, great news! I have four more houses for you. Cinderella Four more? Madame Greadmore This will help pay for my new dress. Oh, isn’t it wonderful? Cinderella Well? Madame Greadmore Don’t stand there chattering, child. There’s work to be done. (Madame Greadmore exits. Cinderella picks up her bucket and rags and walks out into the village.) Colette - Voice in the Village Cinderella, I’m so excited about the Grand Ball. You’re coming, right? Cinderella I would like to. Colette Don’t miss it. This is “once in a lifetime.” (Governess Duvanne enters.) Governess Duvanne Cinderella, may I see you a moment? Here comes Elsa, too. What perfect timing! Elsa What can we do for you, Governess? Governess Duvanne I’d like to have a beautiful dress made... for my niece. She’s coming to the Grand Ball. Cinderella That’s wonderful. Elsa What size? Governess Duvanne That’s why I asked you to stay, Cinderella. My niece is about your size. Elsa That makes it easy. Stand still, Cinderella. (Elsa measures Cinderella with a measuring tape as the dialogue continues.) Governess Duvanne You’ll like my niece. You even look a little like her. I know you’ll be good friends. Cinderella I look forward to meeting her. Elsa I promise, Governess, your niece will have the finest dress money can by. That is, if money is no object. Governess Duvanne Make it as pretty as you can. Elsa I knew you’d say that. You can count on us. (Cinderella leaves to go to her work. Action shifts to the members of the Mouse Gang, who are all assembled in the kitchen at Greadmore Manor.) Vladimir (running in) Listen, everyone. Somerset Brie - Mouse Queen What is it, Vladimir? Vladimir Governess Duvanne just ordered a dress for her niece. Friesla the Mouse I didn’t know she had a niece. Vladimir Well, apparently she does, and her niece is coming to the ball. And... Madame Greadmore is having a dress made too. Gouda the Mouse Where are you going with this? Vladimir Don’t you see? Everyone’s getting ready - except Cinderella. Tell me, what’s she going to wear to the ball, if she goes at all? Ragusano the Mouse You know, Vladimir is right. Somerset Brie - Mouse Queen If Cinderella needs a new dress, we’ll have to make it. Everyone search. Bring back whatever fabric you can find. All Mice (salute) Your wish is our command. (Mice scatter and reappear shortly, each one with fabric pieces. They act out sewing the pieces together. The Castle Guards march through with boxes of all kinds.) Heave Ho! Guards to the docks Supplies for the festival arriving Lay down your sword and pick up a box And march with your head held high Shoulder the load and come down the road With the colors of the castle flag flying If all goes well, listen time will tell Maybe Prince John will have a bride Ah - - - - Prince John will have a bride (Guards and villagers leave. Mr. Pops, Marcello, Cinderella and Vladimir enter. During the following dialogue in the castle, Mr. Pops is sitting with Cinderella on the bench, looking at a new book. Marcello is teaching Vladimir more of the Guard Drill. There are no words spoken... only actions.) Queen Flip Top, how many crumb cakes do we have? Flip Top One hundred thirty-nine, Ma’am. King Make it one hundred forty. Queen Scribe, how many bushels of apples for applesauce? Scribe Twenty-nine. King Make it thirty. Queen And how many plates of vegetables? King Anna Rose? This is a Grand Ball. Who needs vegetables? Herald To which I heartily concur. (Blast) But there is one thing you can’t have enough of, and we all know what it is. All Castle Voices Together Pigs in a blanket! Woohoo! (clap) (All voices and parts reappear and are part of the finale.) So the summer went by And the news of the proclamation Spread across the land Like sunshine across the sea Kingdoms far and near Responded to the invitation On the evening of the Autumn Festival Reserve a place for me Ah - - - - Reserve a place for me... Yeah!	SCENE #8 THE EVENING OF THE GRAND BALL Narrator 12 Yes, the summer went by, but everyone knew the end of summer marks the beginning of Autumn, and this year, the Autumn Festival had captured the imagination. Narrator 13 People talked about it in the shops, and in their houses, and when they passed each other on the streets, and though they didn’t know it, in other villages down the road, and in kingdoms far away, the same thing was happening. Narrator 14 Then one day, they all woke up on a bright morning, with just a little hint of fall in the air, and everyone knew without being told... this is the day... the day of the Autumn Festival, and the excitement was unbelievable. (Takes place in front of the curtain.) Flip Top Hey, King? What’s happening in Marble Plaza? King Just thinking. Flip Top Thinking? This is no time to think. This is a time to act.... greet people... dance... and eat. Did you know, in the castle kitchen there are hundreds of crumb cakes, thousands of dishes of apple sauce, and millions of “hogs under the covers?” King Hogs under the covers? Flip Top You know... pigs in a blanket. (softer) Shall I add a “Woohoo?” King Flip Top, it’s not food I’m wondering about. It’s whether this whole idea’s gonna work or not. Flip Top Still got pain on your brain cause the prince got no bride by his side? Listen, it’s not really my line, but I got good news. King What is it? Flip Top Think. Somewhere in this wide world there must be a wonderful girl just right for your son... just one... but that’s all he needs, right? King Yeah? Flip Top And you’ve invited every girl for miles around to come to the Festival tonight. King Yeah? Flip Top So... if you only need one, and they’re all coming, then that one girl is going to be here. King Flip Top, you’re right! Whoever she is, she’ll be here tonight! I better go and get ready. Thank you, Flip Top. Thank you. (The king runs off.) Flip Top Sure can do.... sure can dooooo. (Flip Top falls down and rolls under the curtain. Scene switches to Greadmore Manor - the curtain opens and the Mouse Gang enters the dining area with the dress they made and a nice box to put it in.) Somerset Brie - Mouse Queen Okay, quiet everyone, quiet. Nona, Renata and Elsa just left for the ball. I want to congratulate you. As a result of your hard work, we have a wonderful dress for Cinderella. Look! (She holds the dress up. The mice answer with oohs and ahhs.) Now, we’ll put the dress in this box, find Cinderella, bring her here... and watch when she opens the box. Mouse Gang (Good plan! ) (All right! ) (Let’s go!) Somerset Brie - Mouse Queen Remember, quietly. (The Mouse Gang leaves to find Cinderella. Madame Greadmore, Renata and Elsa return unexpectedly.) Renata Oh, Mother, how could you? We were right on time, and now look at us... Elsa Late... double-late... and triple-late... because you forgot your handbag. Madame Greadmore I’m sorry, girls. In the excitement, it slipped my mind. I must have left it under the table. Renata A whole summer of preparation, and now we’re late because of a handbag under the table. Elsa What’s this? Renata That box wasn’t there when we left. Elsa What’s in it? (She opens the box.) It’s a dress! (She lifts it out.) Renata It’s beautiful. Do you suppose it’s Cinderella’s? Madame Greadmore I didn’t think she was going, but it must be hers. Who else could it belong to? Elsa Mother, if Cinderella wears this, she’ll outshine us all. Renata Wait. I recognize some of the fabric. Isn’t this a piece of the same pattern you’re wearing? Elsa It is. Well, of all the sneaky little cheats. Cinderella didn’t even ask if she could take those scraps. Renata It’s not fair to have that dress show up at the ball. Elsa No, it isn’t. Renata Mother, what are you going to do? Madame Greadmore Girls, girls... I’m surprised at you. This is a beautiful dress, and it’s definitely going to the ball... in my bag. (She stuffs the dress into her handbag. The girls laugh. Elsa throws a rose into the box, closes the lid, and they all leave. As soon as they are gone, a mouse peeks in, looks around, and motions the rest of the Mouse Gang to enter. They are leading Cinderella by the hand. She has her eyes closed.) Somerset Brie - Mouse Queen That’s good. Keep your eyes closed and keep coming. Don’t look yet. (They lead her to the box on the table. All gather around so they can see her expression.) Okay, open your eyes... now! Cinderella You made me a box. It’s very pretty. Would you like me to open it? Somerset Brie - Mouse Queen Yes, but before you do, we would like to say something. Mimolette the Mouse Cinderella, we know how much time you spend serving others, and how busy you are. Chontaleno the Mouse And we wanted to do something nice for you. Bonchester the Mouse So we worked together, and we hope you’ll like our gift. Cinderella Thank you for your thoughtfulness. Shall I open it now? Somerset Brie - Mouse Queen Yes, now. (Cinderella opens the box.) Cinderella A rose? It smells nice. Brinza the Mouse A rose? Isn’t anything else in the box? Cinderella I don’t see anything else. Somerset Brie - Mouse Queen Where’s the dress? Cinderella Dress? Somerset Brie - Mouse Queen Cinderella, we made you a beautiful dress. And it’s gone. (Vladimir enters.) Vladimir, where have you been? Vladimir In the castle, scouting it out before Cinderella gets there. Wow, you should see what the place looks like. Somerset Brie - Mouse Queen You haven’t seen Cinderella’s dress, have you? Vladimir Isn’t it in the box? Cheshire the Mouse It was, a few minutes ago, but it’s gone. Vladimir Did anyone come into the house? Somerset Brie - Mouse Queen I don’t think so. Madame Greadmore and her daughters left a half hour ago. Vladimir A half hour? Are you sure? I just saw them crossing the park. Crescenza the Mouse I think I know what happened. I think they forgot something and came back. And then they saw the box... and... you can guess the rest. The Mouse Gang (The Mouse Gang is heartbroken.) (How did this happen?) (It was so beautiful.) Cinderella I’m sorry. I wish I could have seen it. Wellington the Mouse Everyone hide! Someone’s at the door. Governess Duvanne Hello, is anyone home? Cinderella I’m here. Governess Duvanne, I thought you’d be at the Grand Ball with your niece. Governess Duvanne May I come in? Cinderella Sure. Is there something I can do for you? Governess Duvanne No, precious one. Sit down. This is my chance to do something for you. Cinderella What do you mean? Governess Duvanne Cinderella, look at me. Are you good at believing things? Things that seem like they couldn’t possibly be true? Cinderella Maybe. I don’t know. What is it? Governess Duvanne Well, first, my real name is not Governess Duvanne. Cinderella It isn’t? Governess Duvanne No. And I don’t have a niece either. Cinderella You don’t? But... you ordered her a dress. Governess Duvanne I ordered it for you. Cinderella For me? Governess Duvanne Yes, it’s here in this package. And it’s beautiful. I had it made so you could go to the ball tonight. Cinderella Thank you. I don’t know what to say. (The Mouse Gang reappears, having overheard the conversation, and they are all overjoyed.) Governess Duvanne I see you have friends. Cinderella This is the Mouse Gang. Governess Duvanne Well, your friends ought to hear this too. You see, there’s more. Your name ... is not really Cinderella. Cinderella It isn’t? Governess Duvanne No. You were born into a royal family many miles from here, to a wonderful dad and mom, and they named you “Marisse of Windswept Hollow.” Cinderella Marisse of Windswept Hollow? I don’t understand. Governess Duvanne When you were very young, your royal home was attacked by warriors from the west, and in the battle, your parents lost their lives. At the last minute, you were sent away with a box of money to friends in another kingdom. Cinderella How do you know these things? Governess Duvanne Because... I was your nurse, and I helped rescue you and send you away. But, sadly, I entrusted you and the box to the wrong servant, and instead of delivering you to the friends we intended, he took you to a distant relative of his, who spent the money, and then raised you as a servant girl. Cinderella This is all kind of overwhelming. I mean, are you sure it’s me? Could it be someone else somewhere? Governess Duvanne I know it’s you because of the box. Cinderella This box? Governess Duvanne No. The one by the fire. Would you bring it to me? (Two mice bring the box and set it on the table.) This is the box we sent you away with. I remember it. All the money’s gone, of course. Madame Greadmore spent it. But what she didn’t know is the box has a hidden compartment. And what I’m hoping... yes, here it is, all untouched.... your mother’s jewelry. Cinderella It’s beautiful, and what are these? They look like shoes made out of crystal. Governess Duvanne Your mother wore them on her wedding day. I imagine they would fit you now. And here’s the certificate.... the official announcement of your birth. Do you see the name? Marisse Marisse of Windswept Hollow. Governess Duvanne Marisse... look at me... do you believe me now? Marisse I guess so. I don’t know what to say. Governess Duvanne Marisse, there is so little time, and there’s one more thing you must know. The friends of your family, to whom we intended to send you, were named King John and Queen Anna Rose. Marisse You mean? Governess Duvanne Yes. All these years I’ve hoped to find you, and I never guessed you were growing up right under the shadow of the Castle on the Hill. Marisse What shall I do? Governess Duvanne Take this beautiful dress, put it on, add the jewelry that was your mother’s, and wear the shoes she wore on her wedding day. Then when you arrive at the Castle, tell King John and Queen Anna Rose that you are Marisse of Windswept Hollow. They will recognize your name, and will welcome you. Marisse How shall I ever thank you? Governess Duvanne Marisse, you have no idea how much it means to find you. I must leave now. Time is running short. Marisse You’re not coming? Governess Duvanne My part of the story has reached it’s happy ending. But your part, Marisse, your story is just beginning. Leave behind your name and your place. Take your new name, and go to the place where you truly belong. Marisse Thank you. Thank you so much. (They embrace, and then Governess Duvanne leaves.) Somerset Brie - Mouse Queen Marisse of Windswept Hollow... what a pretty name! Marisse? Marisse Yes? Somerset Brie - Mouse Queen Are you listening? Marisse (kneeling down) Oh, Somerset, I’m kind of in a daze. Somerset Brie - Mouse Queen (kneeling down beside her) Marisse, look at me. She said time is short. You must forget your name and place, and accept your new name, and find where you truly belong. Are you willing to do that? Marisse (pause) Yes... I am. Somerset Brie - Mouse Queen Then come... I’ll help you get ready, all right? (The Mouse Queen leads Marisse offstage. The other mice follow. The curtain closes.)