--------------------------------------------------------------------------------CinderellaMusic: Richard RodgersLyrics: Oscar Hammerstein IIBook: Oscar Hammerstein IIPremiere: Sunday, March 31, 1957--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Godmother (sings)

Impossible... for a plain yellow pumpkin to become a golden carriage.

Impossible... for a plain country bumpkin and a prince to join in marriage.

(spoken)

A slipper, made of glass, is just a shoe. And dreamers, never make a dream come true.

(sings)

Impossible!!!

-----OVERTURE-----

Fragments of "Impossible", "My Own Little Corner", "A Lovely Night" "Stepsister's Lament" & "The Prince is Giving a Ball".

(A special focus is put on shoes & feet during the overture. Finally arriving on the short, shuffling steps of Cinderella's Stepmother)

Stepmother

Come along now, Girls!!

Minerva

Hurry up!!

Calliope

Move it!!

(Following behind, panting, and carrying many packages is Cinderella. They arrive at a cart with hats on it. Minerva picks up one and puts it on her head. Calliope gasps)

Minerva

What do you think mother??

Stepmother

(staggering, then laughing)

It's certainly not the sort of thing you see every day.

Calliope

I saw it first! How do you think it looks on me, Mother??

Minerva

(makes a gagging sound) Uhh!! Awful!

Calliope

I didn't ask you!

Stepmother

How can a mother choose between two such extrodinary daughters?

(she goes into the store)

Calliope

Cinderella? Cinderella!!

Cinderella

Yes?

(she has been watching a puppet show at another cart about a prince & his bride)

Calliope

What do you think? Does it look better on me?

(Minerva snatches the hat and puts it on her head)

Minerva

Or me?

Cinderella

Well I don't know much about hats, but, I don't think it flatters either one of you.

(both gasp)

Minerva

What did you ask her for?

Calliope

She doesn't know anything about hats, she said so herself!

(Calliope snatches the hat this time off of Minerva's head)

Minerva

Give it to me!!

Calliope

It's mine!!

(struggling and each pulling against the hat)

Both

Mother!!!

(they go into the store)

(Cinderella kinda stands there, while still watching the puppet show)

Puppets

Nothing will equal the joy of holding you in my arms again! Be my bride, lady Gwendaline, and I will pledge my love, for all eternity....

---"The Sweetest Sounds"---

Cinderella

(sings )

The Sweetest Sounds, I'll ever hear

are still inside my head

The Kindest Words I'll ever know

are waiting to be said

The most entrancing sight of all

is yet for me to see....

and the dearest love in all the world

is waiting somewhere for me

is waiting somewhere.... somewhere for me.

(Cinderella's stepmother and stepsisters come out of the store. Minerva is wearing the hat, and Calliope is wearing a different one)

Stepmother

Cinderella!

(she hands her some more bags)

Minerva

Have you ever seen such a lazy girl in all your life?

Calliope

Who are you calling lazy??

Minerva

Not you, stupid, Cinderella!!

Calliope

Oh! (smiling again) Who are you calling stupid??

Camera pans out across the market, and goes to the other side, identicle

Prince

(sings )

The sweetest sounds I'll ever hear

are still inside my head

The Kindest Words I'll ever know

are waiting to be said

The most entrancing sight of all

is yet for me to see....

and the dearest love in all the world

is waiting somewhere for me

is waiting somewhere.... somewhere for me.

(Cinderella's stepmother and stepsisters have arrived on the other side of the market and are browsing around. Cinderella is behind)

Prince

The Sweetest Sounds I'll ever hear

Cinderella

The Sweetest Sounds I'll ever hear

are still inside my head

Cinderella

The kindest words I'll ever hear

Prince

The kindest words I'll ever hear

are waiting to be said

Prince

The most, entrancing sight of all

is yet for me to see!

Cinderella

The most, entrancing sight of all

is yet for me to see!

Both

And the dearest love in all the world

Prince

is waiting somewhere for me

Cinderella

(echoing) waiting somewhere....

Prince

Is waiting somewhere.....

(Cinderella is walking along and a coach sweeps through her path. She jumps back and drops all her packages)

Prince

Are you all right, miss? (running to her aid)

Cinderella

Yes, I'm fine, I think.

Prince

(He picks up one of the very strange looking hats Cinderella was carrying and looks at it for a second)

Here you go. Just like those royals isn't it? Not caring if they're in anybody's way.

Cinderella

Well I'm sure they were going somewhere very important.

Prince

I doubt it.

(There eyes meet. There is a moment of silence)

Cinderella

Thanks. Thanks for your help.

(she gets up and starts to walk)

Prince

Wait! What's your name?

Cinderella

Cinderella. (her back to him)

Prince

Beg your pardon?

Cinderella

Cinderella. (facing him)

I like to sit by the fire and the cinders fly.

Prince

Ahh! Cinder-ella. I like it!

Cinderella

It... it grows on you, I guess. Excuse me!

Prince (following her)

Tell me Cinderella, what would a man have to do to find himself in your good graces?

Cinderella

Who wants to know?

Prince

Let's just say a charming stranger.

(he has been walking backwards talking to her and runs into a cart)

Cinderella

Oh my. I'm not sure I want to meet this stranger. He probably has no idea how a girl needs to treated.

Prince

Like a princess, I suppose.

Cinderella

No, like a person, with kindness and respect.

Prince

You're not like most girls are you?

Cinderella

What do you mean?

Prince

Nothing. I didn't mean to offend you.

(They look away for a minute)

Cinderella

It's all right. It's just that I've led a pretty sheltered life.

Prince

So have I.

Cinderella

Really?

Prince

Everyday the same old routine....

Cinderella

Until you just want to run away...

Both

and never come back!

(they laugh)

Stepmother

(appearing from behind)

I thought I told you never to talk to strangers!!

Cinderella

I'm so sorry, Stepmother.

Prince

I hope I see you again, Cinderella. (he turns and walks away)

Stepmother

Well hurry up with those packages!! What are you doing? (turning)

Cinderella

(sings)

The most entrancing sight of all,

is yet for me to see....

Cinderella & Prince

And the dearest love in all the world

is waiting somewhere for me.

Is waiting somewhere.....

Stepmother (returning)

Cinderella!!!

Prince & Cinderella

Somewhere for me.....

(the prince is seen getting into the royal carriage. Cinderella sees this and hurrys away)

Lionel

Why?! Why the disguise again your highness after I beg you?

Prince

I had a lovely time today Lionel. No one treated my like a prince. What a relief to be among real people.

Lionel

Listen to me. I am a real person. Does that tell you anything? Believe me, they are all out there wishing they could be you!

Prince

Because they have no idea what it's really like!

Lionel

Help me out here. You are rich, you live in a geourgous castle, you have beautiful women throwing themselves at your feet. Is there something I am not getting?!

(The Prince goes into his parent's bedroom)

Lionel (muttering to himself)

If he wants to kill me why does he not trample me with his carriage and get it over with?!

Prince

You wanted to see me mother?

Queen

Christopher darling where have you been? Your father and I were just talking about you.

King

Your mother was talking, I was listening.

Prince

What's going on?

Queen

Just planning a little get-together, nothing fancy. Just family...

Prince

Uh-huh..

Queen

And a few close friends...

Prince

Uh-huh.

Queen

And all the eligable young women in the kingdom.

Prince

Mother!

Queen

We're only talking 4 or 5 hundred at the most.

Prince

Mother you can't keep doing this to me!

Queen

What? Max, what's he saying?

King

He's saying he doesn't want to have another ball.

Queen

No he's not!

(she squeaks trying to find the right words, he stares at her harshly)

Prince

Here we go.

Queen

Max! My smelling salts! Max?

(she gives him a pleading look)

King

Chris, it's really very simple. All your mother and I want is for you to be happy.

Queen

Happiness has nothing to do with it! (collecting herself) I mean of course we WANT you to be happy. But you do have certain obligations.

King

What your mother's trying to say is: We think it's find you chose a bride and produced an heir.

Queen

Someday soon this entire kingdom will be yours.

King

Not that soon.

Prince

Listen. All I ask is that you let my choose a bride myself, in my own way. And I guess I have this silly idea that I want to be in love when I get married. Like you were.

King

That's all we want for you too, son.

Queen

Yes darling, but there's nothing saying you can't fall in love at the ball, it happens all the time! Now I should go through the menus with you... where's he going?

King

Could it have been something we said?

Queen

Lionel? Lionel!

Lionel

Yes your majesty.

Queen

"Proclamation from the prince...."

Lionel

Excuse me, your majesty, I couldn't help over hearing and I don't think the prince sounded too...

Queen

Lionel. Take this down:

(sings) His royal highness, Christopher Rupert, Windamehr Ladameir, Carl Alexander, Francois Reginal, Lanalot Herman...

Lionel

(spoken) Herman?

Queen

(spoken) Herman.

(sings) Gregory James, (he'll thank us for it later)

is Giving a ball!

---"The Prince is Giving a Ball"---

Lionel

The Prince is Giving a Ball!

His royal highness, Christopher Rupert, son of Her Majesty Queen Constanina, Charley Germantrude Gueenavier Mazy....

Stepmother

(spoken) Mazy?

Lionel

(spoken) Mazy.

(sung) Margarita...

is Giving a Ball!

Townspeople

The Prince is Giving a Ball!

The Prince is Giving a Ball!

Stepmother

They've spread the message far and wide the Prince is giving a Ball!

They say he wants to find a bride he may find one at the ball.

Calliope

Oh if only he'd propose to me

Minerva

I wish that he'd propose to me!

Stepmother

Just leave the hair and clothes to me

All

The Prince is Giving a Ball!

Lionel

Now if you please the crown decrees some peau de soie with frills

A silky satine in aubregine, a red if someone spills.

Now surely I'll need a side of ham, and lots of beef fillets

Some marbelized steak, a rack of lamb

and veal to raise to braise.

Limburger, swiss, and gourmandine

Cheddar, gryere, and blue

Chunks of swiss in barrels, please

make sure that its holey too!

Puddings and pies and rum sufflets

Succulent chocolate rounds

Cream puffs they can chew away to gain some royal pounds.

Lionel + Townspeople

The Prince in giving a Ball! The Prince is giving a Ball!

---Instrumental---

(everyone dances, prepares, etc.)

Lionel

His royal highness...

200 orchids, 400 poppies, 600 roses, 800 lilies.

Christopher Rupert...

1000 oranges, 2000 plums

Wendemere, Vladimir

Karl Alexander

Raspberry, Blueberry

Strawberry, Gooseberry

Fransois Reginald, Lancelot Herman

Son of her majesty, Queen Constantina

Chocolate and Cheddar

and Charlotte and maisie

Son of his caviar

King maxamillion

Godfrey Ladislan

Leopald Sidney

Townspeople

Sidney?!

Lionel

Sidney!

All

Is giving a ball!!!

Cinderella

The Prince in Giving a Ball!

(Back at Cinderella's House)

Calliope

Thank you.

(they walk to the door, stop and all turn around slowly)

Stepmother

(disgusted) Cinderella! The door!

Cinderella

Oh! Right away.

Stepmother

(sighing as she walks in)

Cinderella my wrap!

Minerva

Cinderella my hat!

Calliope

Cinderella, my gloves!

Stepmother

Cinderella have you dusted the rafters?

Cinderella

Not yet, stepmother I've had a busy day.

Stepmother

You've had a busy day?!

Cinderella

Uh, Yes. I've been in the village with you.

Stepmother

The impertinence! After your father died everyone said I should have thrown you out into the street, (Like a swan girls) but I've kept you out here all these years and this is the thanks I get. (Shoulders back, Calliope, Back!) I've always been told I've got to big a heart

Stepsisters

You've got to big a heart mother

Stepmother

(suddenly cheerful) We'll take our tea upstairs. Come girls, we've got to get out beauty rest. We want to be our best for the ball tomorrow night. (yawning) I don't know about you, but I'm exhausted.

Calliope

I'm tried too, Mother.

Minerva

You're tired?

Calliope

Yes I'm tired!

Cinderella

Stepmother?

Stepmother

What is it now?

Cinderella

I was wondering about the ball. All eligible young women are invited, and...

Stepmother

And I suppose you think the prince is going to take one look at you and fall madly in love. Humph!

Cinderella

I...I didn't mean....

Stepmother

Take my advice Cinderella, no your place and be satisfied with what you've got, I promise you. You'll be much happier.

Minerva

Cinderella, Hot water!

Calliope

Cinderella, warm milk!

Both

Cinderella!!

Cinderella

(walking into the kitchen mimicking her stepsisters)

'Cinderella, hot warm. Cinderella, warm milk Cinderella, Cinderella!'

(sings)

I'm as mild and as meek as a mouse

When I hear a command, I obey.

But I know of a spot in my house

where no one can stand in my way.

In my own little corner, in my own litter chair

I can be whatever I want to be

On the wings of my fancy I can fly anywhere

and the world will open it's arms to me

I'm a young Egyptian princess or a milk-maid

I'm the greatest prima-donna in Milan

I'm a heiress who has always had her silk made

by her own flock of silk-worms in Japan

I'm a girl men go mad for, love's a game I can play

with a cool and confident kind of air

Just as long as I stay in my own little corner

All alone, in my own, little chair.

(Cinderella, I'm thirsty! You're thirsty?! Cinderella, where's our tea?!)

I can be whatever I want to be

I'm a thief in Calcutta, I'm a queen in Peru

I'm a mermaid dancing upon the sea

I'm a huntress on an African Safari

It's a dangerous type of sport and yet it's fun

In the night I sally-forth to seek my quarry

and I find I forgot to bring my gun.

I am lost in the jungle all alone and unarmed

when I meet a lioness in her lair!

Then I'm glad to be back in my own little corner

All alone, in my own, little chair.

Stepsisters

Cinderella!!

(back at the palace)

Prince

Mother!

Queen

Oh! (hurries away)

Prince

You've got to call this ball of immediately

Queen

Not possible. It's difficult to cancel once you've got the ball rolling. Ha! ha ha ha...(laughs at her joke) Besides what would we tell everyone?

Prince

Tell them you went behind my back and you're very ashamed of yourselves!

Queen

Ashamed?!

King

I've never had to be ashamed of anything my entire life, I'm certainly not going to start now.

Lionel

I should probably not interfere....

King, Queen, and Prince

Probably!!

Lionel

But let's say the prince goes to the ball tonight

Prince

Traitor!

Queen

I like the way that sounds.

Lionel

If he should find a bride that's wonderful, but if he does not... (indicates to Prince)

Prince

Lionel, you're brilliant! Mother, I'll go to the ball, but if I don't find her tonight you'll let me fall in love in my own, without any interference, for as long as it takes.

King

It does have the ring of fairness to it.

Queen

I suppose. If that's what you want dear....

Prince

Thank you. (he leaves)

Lionel

Don't worry, your majesties. He will meet someone tonight. I can feel it in my bones.

Queen

You'll feel it in your bones if doesn't.

(she knocks him off his ladder)

--Back at Cinderella's house--

Stepmother

My girls are going to be the envy of everyone at the ball.

Calliope

Do you really think so, Mother?

Stepmother

Stand still, Minerva! Our family has always been known for it's fascinating women. Why I would have married a prince myself if I'd had the same opportunities that you girls had....

Minerva

Ow!!

(Stepmother has been pulling her corset tighter and tighter)

Stepmother

...someone to push me the way you girls do. Some one to sacrifice for me!

Minerva

Mother, you're hurting me!

Stepmother

Beauty knows no pain girls!!!

(regains herself)

Now if I've done my job right there's no reason on earth that the prince shouldn't pick one of you for his brides. Girls??

Minerva

Well first I flutter my eyelashes.

Stepmother

Excellent!

Calliope

I'm going to start with a curtsy.

Minerva

Then I'm going to start with a curtsy too.

Calliope

Then I'm going to flutter my eyelashes.

Minerva

Then I'm going to flutter my eyelashes, too!

Stepmother

Let's... let's move on. Tell me what you're going to say to the prince. Minerva?

Minerva

Well you said to show him that there's more to me that mere beauty, so I thought I might recite a poem.

Calliope

A poem?

Minerva

What's wrong with that?

Stepmother

Whatever you do girls you mustn't let the prince know how clever you are, men can't stand to be around smart women.

Stepsisters

Yes, mother.

Stepmother

For heaven's sake Minerva stop scratching yourself!

(Minerva has been scratching)

Minerva

I can't help it, Mother, you know how I get itchy when I'm nervous!!

(Stepmother goes over and with force pulls her arms to her side. Calliope has been giggling)

Stepmother

And what are you going to say Calliope!!?

Calliope

Well, mother, I've been working on my naturally infectious laughter!

Minerva

Excuse me?

Calliope

Tonight I'm going to laugh infectiously at all the prince's jokes.

(she laughs and laughs and then snorts)

Stepmother

Whatever you do Calliope: try not to snort. And Minerva! (calmly) You must try not to scratch. Remember girls: We hide our flaws....

Stepsisters

Until after the wedding!

Cinderella

But shouldn't a man love you for who you are in spite of everything?

(Stepmother and Stepsisters turn around to her real slowly)

Stepmother

How quaint. Tell me Cinderella, what would you say to capture the prince?

Cinderella

I don't know. (She shrugs)

Stepmother

Of course you don't.

Cinderella

But whatever I said, we'd know we were meant for each other. Then he'd smile and kiss my hand...

Minerva

That's so romantic.

Calliope

Say it again, Cinderella!

Stepmother

Rubbish! This isn't about Love, it's about marriage! Have I taught you girls nothing?!

(sings)

Falling in love with Love is falling for make-believe

Falling in Love with love is playing the fool!

Caring to much is such a juvenile fancy

learning to trust is just for children in school.

I fell in love with Love one night when the moon was full

I was unwise with eyes unable to see!

I fell in love with Love, Love-everlasting

but Love fell out with me!

Stepsisters

Falling in love with Love is falling for make-believe

Falling in Love with love is playing the fool!

Stepmother

Caring to much is such a juvenile fancy

Stepsisters

Learning to trust is just for children in school.

I fell in love with Love one night when the moon was full

I was unwise with eyes unable to see!

Stepsisters & Stepmother

I fell in love with Love, Love Ever-lasting.

Stepmother

But Love fell out with me!

(Cinderella waves as they leave, then turns and walks back to the house)

--Back in Cinderella's kitchen--

Cinderella

Go to the ball? Me? Why would I want to go to the ball? I'd much rather sit here by the fire.

(sings)

In my own littler corner, in my own little chair

I can be whatever I want to be

On the wings of my fancy, I can fly anywhere

and the world will open it's arms to me

I am in the royal palace, of all places

I am chatting with the prince and King and Queen.

And the color on my two stepsisters' faces

is a queer, sort-of sour apple green

I am coy and flirtatious when alone with the prince

(spoken) Oh your highness!

(sung)

I'm the bell of the ball, in my own little corner

all alone...

(crying now)

Oh I wish! I wish I could go to the ball!

Godmother

Falder-ra and Fideldy Dee

Fiddeldy Faddaly Fadle

All the wishes in the world are

poppy-cock and twaddle

Cinderella

You?

Godmother

You got a problem with that? Because if you'd rather have some little old lady sprinkling fairy dust everywhere I could....

Cinderella

Oh no, no! I just never dreamed....

Godmother

Falder-ra and Fideldy Dee

Fiddeldy Faddaly Foodle

All the dreamers in the world are....

dizzy in the noodle!

Cinderella

That's terrible!

Godmother

You try coming up with a rhyme on the spot like that!

Cinderella

No, no. I mean what you said about dreams.

Godmother

I can see this is going to take awhile. Aren't you going to invite me in?

Cinderella

Oh forgive me, of course I am!

(she goes outside to look for her but she's gone)

Godmother

Cinderella! Over here.

(Cinderella goes back in the kitchen)

Is it just me or is it freezing in here?

(she lifts up her arm, fairy dust flies, and the fire starts)

Cinderella

How'd you do that?

Godmother

Practice!

Cinderella

I've always dreamed that someone would come take me away from here.

Godmother

Cinderella, if you want to get out of here you're going to have to do it yourself. The music's in you. Deep down in your soul. When you find it, nothing will be able to keep you from walking out that door.

Cinderella

You haven't met my stepmother

Godmother

You wanna know what her problem is? She can't handle how fabulous you are!

Cinderella

Fabulous? Me?

Godmother

Do you see anybody else in this room?

Cinderella

Those three are all I've got. Before my father died I promised him that we'd stay together as a family.

Godmother

Cinderella, this can't be what your daddy had in mind for you, baby.

Cinderella

I've dreamt about leaving so many times.

Godmother

That's the problem with most people. They dream about what they want to do instead of really doing it.

Cinderella

Oh I wish... but I guess wishing's no good either.

Godmother

Mmmm... Everything starts with a wish.

Cinderella

You wanna know what I was wishing before you came here tonight?

Godmother

That one of those pumpkins in the yard would turn into a great big golden carriage and take you to the ball.

Cinderella

Guess I know what you're going to say: "Fal-der-a and Fidel-dy Dee"

Godmother

Fidaldy Fadeldy Foodle.

Cinderella

You're right, it's impossible.

Godmother

(sings)

Impossible! For a plain yellow pumpkin to become a golden carriage.

Impossible! For a plain country bumpkin and a prince to join in marriage.

And four white mice will never be four white horses!

Such fal-der-a and fidel-dy dee of course is, Impossible!

But the world is full of zanies and fools!

Who don't believe in sensible rules.

And won't believe what sensible people say

and because these daft and doey-eyed dopes keep

building up impossible hopes,

Impossible things are happening every day!

Cinderella

Impossible

Godmother

Impossible

Cinderella

Impossible

Godmother

Impossible

Cinderella

Impossible

Godmother

Impossible

Both

Impossible!

(Godmother walks out into the yard. Cinderella follows)

Cinderella

Wait! If impossible things are happening every day, then why shouldn't I have impossible hopes and dreams? Even something as impossible as going to the ball?

Godmother

Then go to the ball, Cinderella, go. No one's stopping you but you.

Cinderella

But I have no way to get there.

Godmother

You have a point there.

Cinderella

Godmother I've been wishing as hard as I can.

Godmother

I know you have Cinderella. Go on, stand over there, go ahead.

(She lifts her arms, fairy dust flies, and a pumpkin out of the garden rises, and then falls again)

Godmother

What's the matter with me? You'd think after 600 years... All right...

(She tries again. The pumpkin rolls out of the garden, and rises to a golden carriage)

Cinderella

Oh my goodness!

Godmother

We need some horses. Let me see

(The mice from the kitchen appear, and they grow into four white horses)

Cinderella

They're so beautiful!

Godmother

Don't you run away from me!

(The remaining mice become the driver, & footmen)

Let's see we've got footmen, the driver, horses, carriage... is there anything I've forgotten?

(Cinderella looks down at her rags, and looks up again)

Spin around, don't make me do all the work!

(Cinderella spins and soon she's transformed into a baby blue full flowing gown. She gasps while looking at her dress. She lifts up her dress to reveal two glass slippers)

Cinderella

Thank you, Godmother! Thank you so much.

Godmother

There's one tiny little thing before I forget. You must leave the ball before the clock strikes twelve. It's very important.

Cinderella

Before twelve?

Godmother

Look I don't make the rules. The magic only lasts till midnight. Come on, Cinderella, it's time to go.

(Cinderella blows a kiss as the carriage pulls away)

Cinderella

(sings)

It's possible! For a plain yellow pumpkin to become a golden carriage.

It's Possible! For a plain country bumpkin and a prince to join in marriage!

Godmother

(flying along beside the carriage)

And four white mice are easily turned to horses. Such faldera and fideldy of course it, Quite possible. It's possible.

Cinderella

For the world is full of zanies and fools

Godmother

Who don't believe in sensible rules.

Cinderella

And won't believe what sensible people say

Both

And because these daft and dewey-eyed dopes keep building up impossible hopes, Impossible things are happening everyday.

Cinderella

It's possible!

Godmother

It's possible!

Cinderella

It's possible!

Godmother

It's possible!

Cinderella

It's possible!

Godmother

It's possible!

Both

It's Possible!

---At the Ball---

(The Prince is dancing with each girl waiting on the staircase. He dances with them a couple minutes, then signals to Lionel who brings another one over)

Queen

So many beautiful girls! He'll find the one he's looking for tonight. I'm sure of it!

King

And if he doesn't?

Queen

This ball will never end!

Lionel

I don't think we ordered enough food

Queen

What?!

(Lionel is standing off to the side talking when Stepmother comes over)

Stepmother

Pardon Me! I'm sure you've noticed my two beautiful daughters!

Lionel

Madame...

(he looks over at Minerva and Calliope. Minerva is brushing her teeth with her finger, and Calliope is pulling her dress down and wiggling around. Lionel winces)

Madame. The prince will dance with all the young ladies in due time. Please! Try to exercise some restraint

(She pulls him over behind the wall)

Stepmother

Naturally any mother would be eager to see her daughters dance with the prince but what I would like to know is: Who's going to have the honor of dancing with hhhh-you?

Lionel

Excuse me?

Stepmother

There's no need to be coy. Look at you! That manly physique. Those handsome chiseled features. That wonderful full head... of skin!

Lionel

No touching please.

Stepmother

Surely there's no need to pretend. I know you felt that certain something. Between us.

Lionel

You know I honestly wish there were something between us

Stepmother

Really?

Lionel

A continent.

(He walks over to take the next girls hand to lead her to the prince. It's Calliope. Minerva jumps forward and takes Lionel's hand. She begins the gavotte with the prince. She begins scratching herself)

Prince

Do you have an itch?

Minerva

No your highness, why would you say that?

Prince

You just scracted yourself.

Minerva

No I didn't. Ships that pass in the night and speak to each other in passing.

Prince

Excuse me?

Minerva

On the ocean of life.

(she pulls him forward roughly)

It's poetry!!!!

Prince

Oh! (He motions for Lionel to bring the next girl)

Minerva

Ships that pass in the night, that's you and me! On the ocean of life. Don't you get it?

Prince

Got it.

(Calliope comes forward, and starts laughing "infectiously")

Prince

Did I miss something? Oh your laughter is... incessant.

Calliope

But your highness is Tres amusel.

Prince

I don't think anyone's ever found me funny

Calliope

Good one! (snort) (Laugh, snort, laugh snort)

(Lionel comes to take her away)

Oh but we were getting along so well! Hey loosen up a little!

(she hits him with the back of her hand)

Prince

Tell the orchestra to speed it up!

(The gavotte speeds up, the prince dances with more and more girls)

Prince

Faster, Lionel!

(It gets faster)

King

I think it's going awfully well, don't you?

--Outside the ball--

(Cinderella gets out of the carriage)

Godmother

All right now, you're on your own.

Cinderella

Aren't you coming with me?

Godmother

I got you to the ball. The rest comes from you. Don't be afraid. Just remember you gotta be out of there before the clock strikes twelve.

--Back at the ball-

(The gavotte is very fast now)

(Cinderella arrives, and everyone stops and stares at her. She descends down the stairs, and the prince goes to meet her)

Cinderella

How do you do, your highness?

(They waltz)

King

You is that charming girl?

Queen

No one seems to know she is stunning isn't she?

King

Like a vision. Why if I were a young man...

Queen

Yes dear?

King

Well I'd be younger wouldn't I?

Queen

Yes dear.

Prince

(waltzing)

You know I have the funniest feeling I've met you somewhere before.

Cinderella

Well I'm sure I would remember

Prince

Was it last summer at the lake?

Cinderella

No I can't swim

Prince

Then it must have been last winter, at the lodge

Cinderella

Up in the mountains?

Prince

You go to the mountains too?

Cinderella

No I just love looking at them. They're very beautiful.

Prince

You're very beautiful.

Cinderella

Everyone is staring at us

Prince

Really? I had forgotten there was anyone else here

(sings)

Ten Minutes Ago I saw you

I looked up when you came through the door

My head started reeling you gave me the feeling

the room had no ceiling or floor

Ten Minutes I met you

And we murmered our how-do-you do's

I wanted to ring out the bells, and fling out my arms and to

sing out the news:

I have found her, she's an angel

with the dust of the stars in her eyes

We are dancing, we are flying

and she's taking me back to the skies

In the arms of my love, I'm flying

over mountain and meadow and glen

And I like it so well that for all I can tell

I may never come down again

I may never come down to earth again.

Cinderella

Ten Minutes Ago I saw you

and we murmered our how-do-you do's

-I wanted to ring out the bells

and fling out my arms and to sing out the news:

Prince

I have found her!

Cinderella

I have found him!

(Instrumental)

Both

In the arms of my love I'm flying

over moutain and meadow and glen

and I like it so well that for all I can tell

I may never come down again

I may never come down to earth again

(They waltz)

----Outside the ball----

(Cinderella and the Prince are waltzing alone)

Minerva (sings)

Why would a fellow want a girl like her

a frail and fluffy beauty

Why can't a fellow ever once prefer

a solid girl like me?

Calliope

She's a frothy little bubble

with a flimsy kind of charm

and with very little trouble

I could break her little arm!

Both

Oh why would a fellow want a girl like her,

a girl who's merely lovely?

Why can't a fellow ever once prefer

a usual girl like me?

Minerva

He face is equiside I suppose

but no more equiside than a rose is

Calliope

Her skin may be delicate and soft

but not any softer that an doe's is.

Minerva

Her neck is no longer that a swan's

Calliope

She's only as dainty as a daisy

Minerva

Shes only as graceful as a bird

Both

So why is the fellow going crazy?!

Oh why would a fellow want a girl like her?

So obvioulsy unusual?

Why can't a fellow ever once prefer

a girl who's merely me!?

What's the matter with the man?

What's the matter with the man?

What's the matter with the man!?

(Stepsisters back up and fall into a fountain. Cinderella and the Prince walk back into the ballroom and began to dance. The King starts dancing with Cinderella, and the Queen with the Prince)

King

I do hope that son of mine is behaving himself.

Cinderella

Oh yes, Your Majesty. He's been a perfect gentleman.

King

Ah, chip off the old block, is he?

Cinderella

(Giggles)

Yes, Your Majesty.

King

Clearly he's smitten with you. I must say, it is though you've appeared here by magic.

Prince

What's he saying to her?

Queen

What difference does it make? You said you weren't going to find the girl of your dreams tonight.

(Privately to Cinderella)

Do we know your mother and father, dear?

Cinderella

I don't think so.

Queen

Well, you must introduce us. Where are they?

Cinderella

Well my father, he...

Queen

Yes, dear?

Cinderella

Well my mother, she... I'm sorry. Will you excuse me?

(Runs out)

Prince

What did you say to her?