Cinderella lines

Rodgers and Hammerstein's cinderella

Sebastian: You there! Impoverished person! Fetch us some water!

Yes, sir

Sebastian: Look at her. She’s filthy

(drawn the water from the well into a gourd and gives it to Topher) Here you are, sire

Topher: That’s very kind of you

It’s just water

Lord Pinkleton: Be gone with you

No! good sirs, that is merely Crazy Marie, she lives in the woods and comes to town only to gather what others throw away. She is gentle in every way. Sweet and delicate, but nuts.

Topher: Be well, young lady

I don’t want charity

Marie: Thank you for saving my life, dear Ella. I shall return the favor.

I didn’t do it to have a favor returned

Marie: I have a shawl here that only has a few holes and smells of cabbage. You can wear it.

Not necessary, what a handsome man that was, and so kind and generous.

Marie: He has just returned to us from university. He is to be crowned king.

That man? a world leader? But he appears to have a heart, mind, and soul, it can’t be. Marie you’re crazy.

Marie: Look at your coin, dear

Why, it is him. From the left. such silly ears. And the crown doesn’t help things, he should wear a floppy hat (both laugh warmly) Here Marie, please take this coin. buy yourself something warm to eat.

Marie: Here is our Jean-Michel. He will spout gibberish now and bore us.

Be nice. Good day, Jean-Michel.

Marie: why not give the book to dear Ella?

If it’s quite all right, Jean-Michel, I would love to look at your book of how other countries live.

Jean-Michel: Good

A boo. It’s been so long since I owned something, just me.

Madame: Cinderella? Get in there and clean the kitchen

(Sweetly.) I’ve just finished it.

Madame: Then prepare the dinner.

(with a bit of pride) It’s on the stove.

Madame: Then the bed must-

Beds are turned down and your bed clothing is all laid out.

Madame: Well. Where’d you get that book?

Jean-Michel just gave it to me.

Madame: And What’s that doing here?

That’s my father’s coat.

Madame: It’s rags.

It’s all I have to remember him by.

Madame: It’s rags now. Clean the porch with these rags.

(In my own little corner starts) I’m as mild and as meek as a mouse..

Madame: I do have a flair for it, don’t I, actual daughters? Watch and learn! Cinderella, hurry, get dressed, get ready for the ball; you’re going to find a husband!

Am I?

Madame: Gabrielle, feed the baby! Cinderella, my cloak

Coming Madame.

Jean-Michel: Yes- I’m bleeding. I should walk up to the prince, scratch his lip.

Oh now.

Jean-Michel: make him dink lemonade- oh, it will sting!

That’s just cruel.

Jean-Michel: And finally get the prince to listen to us. Instead of having his fancy ball!

You should do that. You should march up to him and talk to him!

Jean-Michel: Noticing that the people are being evicted from their land. Ha! that’s absurd. Ha!

Jean-Michel! I could go to the prince and he might listen to me! And if I had a ball gown, I think I might look sort of nice.

Marie: (singing) All the wishes in the world are poppycock and twaddle!

Oh Crazy Marie. Are you mocking me with your gibberish?

Marie: (singing) All the dreamers in the world are dizzy in the noodle.

So what if I do have a dream to see the prince again? And tell him what life in his kingdom is really like? And what it could be.

Marie: Exactly. And then to have him fall in love with you.

No one will fall in love with me. Why do you come to visit me tonight?

Marie: (singing) In the same little chair in the pale pink mist of a foolish dream.

I am being foolish

Marie: Then be foolish with me. What would you dream of?

Why, an invitation to the ball, I guess.

Marie: Right here. There’s an invitation.

What? but it’s torn.

Marie: Don’t wait for everything to be perfect, just go! now, what else would you dream of?

Oh, a white gown, I imagine. A beautiful white gown sewn up with pearls. And jewels. And a tiara of diamonds.

Marie: And on your feet?

Why, the most beautiful grosgrain pumps, I’d imagine.

Marie: No. better. The Venetian glass that your stepmother so loves in her trinkets and baubles. An entire pair of shoes made only of Venetian glass.

Oh, how silly, I’d be the envy of all. But how would I get to the ball?

Marie: Well, this pumpkin over here?

Yes?

Marie: I’ll turn it into a golden carriage.

And horses?

Marie: Those mice? Trapped in this cage.

And a fox as a footman, and a raccoon as a driver. Oh, you are crazy, Marie. Why, in order to do that, you would have to be a fairy godmother.

(Marie rips off her rags and ragged cape, under is a beautiful gown)

Marie! but you’re a crazy woman! What are you doing in that beautiful gown?

Marie: You’d be surprised how many beautiful gowns have crazy women in them.

are you really my fairy godmother?

Marie: And now, I must make all the dreams we joked about come true.

But that’s so improbable. Implausible

Ella and Marie: Impossible!

But if you could be a beggar woman not five minutes ago and now are my fairy godmother, then anything is possible, right?

Marie: I suppose so.

You could change it all. you could make it all happen.

Marie: No, but you could change it. You could make it all happen.

Never, I couldn’t

(after transforming)

It’s the most beautiful gown in all the land!

Madame: Age before beauty. you first, dear.

You have such a beautiful speaking voice. Have you ever considered reciting poetry?

Madame: The anticipation is killing me! do the Ridicule! why do you say that?

No reason. I just really like your speaking voice and I just think you sound really wonderful reciting a poem. And I also like the feather in your hair. It’s a lovely color for you.

Sebastian: what is this bewitchery you practice?

It’s just kindness.

Sebastian: Kind-ness?

Oh yes. Kindness is practiced now in all the great courts. Ridicule isn’t done anywhere anymore. It’s all kindness now. Even in the French courts.

Sebastian: Kind-ness.

You know. Compassion.

Madame: Shoes made of venetian glass! My resentment is all-consuming.

Kindness. You must all try it.

Topher: I’ll be first. Kindness. Isn’t it wonderful to have a pleasant young lady such as yourself in our court?

Thank you. And it’s an honor to be at this wonderful part you are throwing.

Topher: Events like this… I just feel like- what am I doing here?

I feel the same.

Topher: Like such a phony.

So do I!

Topher: You do?

Yes!

Topher: Me too! My name is-

Topher, short for Christopher. Yes, I know.

Topher: Have we met before?

Yes, and we are seeing each other for the first time right now.

(The clock strikes midnight, and the clock continues to ring)

I have to go!

Topher: But I’ve just found you!

I don’t want to go, but I must!

Topher: Don’t go!

Prince Topher. There’s something I must tell you. you need to open your eyes to what’s happening in your kingdom. The poor are having their land taken. You must help them. You must.

Topher: I don’t think that’s kind. How can you say that’s kindness?

This is all so wonderful! You are so wonderful, but I have to go!

Madame: when I left this house in my carriage, I was quite convinced my daughter was going to be queen and I would never have to come back here to this. And now, well, I’m back here to this.

Was the ball a disappointment, Madame?

Madame: He spent the entire evening talking and dancing with some little nobody.

How did Gabrielle and Charlotte take that?

Gabrielle: I can imagine it, I think.

I can imagine it.

Charlotte and Gabrielle: “He can turn a girl to gravy!”

And I can imagine it.

Madame: I am throwing caution to the wind! I am imagining it as well!

I imagine what that girl would be feeling when dancing with the prince!

Gabrielle: Is there anything else you would like to know, Ella?

No, it sounds like a really marvelous ball. I only wish I could have been there.

Gabrielle. How did you know all that happened at the ball earlier this evening?

I just… supposed it. Imagined it. Had a vision.

Gabrielle: Quick, how many fingers?

Two?

Gabrielle: Three. Fascinating. Where’re your visions now?

You’re being silly. You’re just picking on me just because I said the prince was wearing a white jacket and-

Gabrielle: You didn’t say it and he was. Something’s going on here.

You’re being absurd. More than usual. I need to finish up and….

Gabrielle: Just like the hand of the woman I shook this evening. Who danced with the prince.

I don’t know what you’re-

Gabrielle: It was you tonight. Wasn’t it?

I-

Gabrielle: It was you! How did you dance in glass shoes?

You won’t tell the others, will you? Madame and charlotte?

Gabrielle: No. Never

Are you mad at me that I stole the prince from you?

Gabrielle: Or even liked him. There’s someone else that I want.

How wonderful for you. who is it?

Gabrielle: Well, Madame hates him.

Madame hating them doesn’t narrow the field. Who is it?

Gabrielle: If I promise to keep your secret of the prince, can you keep my secret of my forbidden love?

I can. And I will.

Gabrielle: It’s Jean-Michel. The firebrand.

He is a good man. And seems angry for all the right reasons.

Gabrielle: He wants to change the world and make it a better place. You gotta love a guy like that.

You may one day win Jean-Michele. But I will never win prince Topher. If he saw who I truly was, he would have no interest in me.

Gabrielle: That’s not true. He would love you for who you are.

I don’t see how.

Gabrielle: Well, if Madame ever saw me with Jean-Michel, why I shudder to think what she might do! Are you sure you can keep my secret?

I can. And you can keep mine We shall have a secret. That will make us-

Gabrielle: Co-conspirators.

Friends.

Gabrielle: Sisters.

May we both find our loves.

Gabrielle: I am going to tell Madame, that I am sick-

Would you like some-

Gabrielle: I’m taking him up on his offer to go help in a soup kitchen!

A soup kitchen?

Gabrielle: Quickly, I’ll change and you- you knock on the door.

It knocked back

Jean-Michel: Hello, Ella!

Well, hello, Jean-Michel

Gabrielle: I am sick of hiding in the shadows like a fearful person.

would you rather see Madame?

Jean-Michel: Hiding is nice.

How are you this evening?

Madame: I had created a life for you and this is how you show your gratitude-

All dressed up and ready for court. How do I look?

Madame: Worn-out rags, that’s all you deserve.

No!

(Ella Cries, Marie enters in her gown)

At last, a friendly face.

Marie: Ella, sweet child, hurry, you shall be late for the banquet.

No, look, everything is ruined.

Marie: Hurry. The prince needs you. He wants you.

No, I can’t

Marie: why do you think he’s having this second event tonight? to try to find you.

Every time I take a step forward Madame pushes me back. The prince would never love me if he saw me as I truly am. I can’t keep fighting.

Marie: Why, otherwise, how would you know the dream is yours?

But my life-

Marie: “There is music in you.”

But I can’t go to the banquet. My clothing is in tatters. It’s all I have.

Marie: Yes, perhaps we need even more tatters. More rags, rags, rags!

But-

Marie: Now place these rags in your bag. Now remember the magic is gone at midnight!

Yes, the magic is gone at midnight. Is there anything else?