By Evan Guilford-Blake

© Copyright 2014, Guilford-Blake Corp.

Professionals and amateurs are hereby warned that a royalty must be paid for every performance, whether or not admission is charged. All inquiries regarding rights should be addressed to Pioneer Drama Service, Inc., PO Box 4267, Englewood, CO 80155.

All rights to this play—including but not limited to amateur, professional, public reading and translation into foreign languages—are controlled by Pioneer Drama Service, Inc., without whose permission no performance, reading or presentation of any kind in whole or in part may be given.

All other rights in this play, including book, short story, radio broadcasting, television and motion picture rights, are controlled by GUILFORD-BLAKE CORP. to whom all inquiries should be addressed c/o Pioneer Drama Service, Inc. PO Box 4267, Englewood, CO 80155-4267.

These rights are fully protected under the copyright laws of the United States of America and of all countries covered by the Universal Copyright Convention or with which the United States has reciprocal copyright relations, including Canada, Mexico, Australia and all nations of the United Kingdom.

COPYING OR REPRODUCING ALL OR ANY PART OF THIS BOOK IN ANY MANNER IS STRICTLY FORBIDDEN BY LAW.

On all programs, printing and advertising, the following information must appear:

1. The full name of the play2. The full name of the playwright3. The following notice: “Produced by special arrangement with

Pioneer Drama Service, Inc., Englewood, Colorado”

For Melody and Kimberly, who inspired it, and Roxanna, who inspires me.

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THE BLUEBIRD PRINCE

A Fairy Tale

ADAPTED BY EVAN GUILFORD-BLAKEFrom the story by Mme. d’Aulnoy,

as translated and edited by Andrew Lang

CAST OF CHARACTERS# of lines

NARRATOR ONE ..................teller of the tale 109NARRATOR TWO ..................another 97

The Royal Family of ElgariaKING OXYMORON, THE THIRD ....................pronounced [ox- M-or-on]; kind 40

but meek king of ElgariaFIORDELISA ........................feisty, strong and usually 156

light-spirited princessCAVEATTA ...........................Oxymoron’s second wife; the 107

wicked stepmotherTROUTY ..............................Caveatta’s clueless daughter; 137

when they passed out smarts, she was at lunch

The Royal Court of ElgariaCOUNSELOR .......................wise and loyal friend of the kingdom 43PAGE ..................................messenger 19DRESSMAKER .....................in service to the queen 4MENDACIA ..........................treacherous lady-in-waiting 31FIRST GUARD ......................does the queen’s bidding 12SECOND GUARD .................another 14THIRD GUARD .....................another 7FOURTH GUARD ..................another 9OPTIONAL EXTRAS ...............as additional members of the n/a

court, guests at the ball, townspeople, etc.

The Kingdom of KimberlyPRINCE CHARMING* ...........kind and sincere young man who 80

is easily overexcitedBLUEBIRD* .........................Prince Charming transformed 44BELLSPINDER .....................an enchanter who is half-genie and 60

much enamored of his deeds

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SQUIRE ..............................in service to Prince Charming 22SPELLSPINDER ...................Bellspinder’s twin sister, also an 7

enchanterOLD WOMAN .......................helpful villager in Kimberly 6OthersMAZEELA ............................powerful and ill-tempered fairy 43PRINCE HOMER OF ILIADNA ........................suitor 8PRINCE WILHELM OF GRIMMIANA ..................another suitor 9MELCATH ............................indigo-and-primrose dancing fox 11

*The roles of Prince Charming and Bluebird are meant to be played by the same actor, but are separated in the script for clarity. They may be played by two actors if desired.

SETTINGTime: Once upon a time, a long time ago.

Place: A faraway land called Elgaria.

As the action moves quickly from place to place, the set is a multi-purpose unit that can be used for a variety of settings. The primary look should be that of a fairytale castle. This can be constructed as simply or elaborately as desired or can be done with a backdrop.

One necessity is a raised platform UPSTAGE that is used for all of the tower scenes as well as the prince’s bedchambers in Kimberly. A door on the UPSTAGE wall provides access to the platform from backstage and is used for most of the entrances and exits. This door can be painted with bars for Fiordelisa’s tower scenes to convey the sense of a prison.

The area UP LEFT near the platform represents a garden exterior and includes a cypress tree cutout that conceals a ladder so that BLUEBIRD can “climb” the tree to access the tower platform.

Other locations are created according to the director’s creative vision by the use of other platforms, by changes in lighting and by adding small set pieces or props as needed.

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SET DESIGN

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THE BLUEBIRD PRINCE

ACT ONEAT RISE: NARRATORS ENTER and take their positions DOWN RIGHT or LEFT. They will remain here to tell the story for the remainder of the show.NARRATOR ONE: Once upon a time—for this is a fairy tale, and that’s

how a fairy tale always begins—in a faraway land called Elgaria, there lived a king who was immensely rich. (KING ENTERS and, smiling, waves to a crowd.)

NARRATOR TWO: His subjects loved him, although he performed very few kingly acts.

NARRATOR ONE: In fact, his kindly and capable wife, the queen—whom the king loved very much—took care of Elgaria’s affairs.

NARRATOR TWO: Alas, one day the queen fell ill and died.NARRATOR ONE: And the king shut himself in a room where, for days,

weeks, months, he did nothing but… (KING sits despondently on a small stool or bench and cries in a handkerchief.)

NARRATOR TWO: His closest friends and advisers came and pleaded with him to return to the throne.

COUNSELOR: (ENTERS.) Your Majesty, the court needs you.KING: I know, good counselor. (Cries.)COUNSELOR: The people need you.KING: I know, good counselor. (Cries.)COUNSELOR: The country needs you! And think of the treasury, Your

Highness! Why, what we’ve spent this year just on handkerchiefs for you has almost exhausted the royal budget. Not to mention the cost of the laundry!

KING: I know, good counselor. (Cries.)COUNSELOR: (Sighs, mutters.) I know, good counselor. (FIORDELISA

ENTERS.) Fiordelisa! I have tried everything, but your father just sits and… (KING cries.)

FIORDELISA: Father, everyone worries about you, and I especially, for I hear what our people say. Your unhappiness makes them sad, too. And sad people don’t grow good crops, or make the fine goods they’ve always made before. (KING cries.) Come to the garden. I will dance for you! You have not seen me dance for so long.

KING: (Sad.) All right. (Crosses with COUNSELOR and FIORDELISA to the garden UP LEFT. COUNSELOR carries the stool and sets it under the tree.)

FIORDELISA: Now, you sit beneath the old cypress and watch. (CHAMBER MUSIC plays. FIORDELISA dances. KING sits and

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watches, slowly starting to smile.) There, you see? You’re feeling better. Now come. Dance with me.

KING: Well… (FIORDELISA draws him to her. They dance.)COUNSELOR: Bravo, Your Majesty! Ah, there was a star that danced

and under that you were born. (To FIORDELISA.) Do you recall the royal balls when you were a girl? How the king danced with the queen?

FIORDELISA: Why, I—KING: (Stops dancing.) The balls? The queen? I’m going back to my

room. (Cries and EXITS.)FIORDELISA: Oh, Father…COUNSELOR: My lady, remember—a rose by any other name would

smell as sweet.FIORDELISA: What?COUNSELOR: Just a wise saying, my princess. Wise sayings are a

part of my job.FIORDELISA: Ah, yes. (EXITS, followed by COUNSELOR, who removes

the stool.)NARRATOR ONE: And so an entire year went by. (KING ENTERS.)

Everyone was about to give up all hope when one day, a woman dressed all in black came to see the king.

CAVEATTA: (ENTERS.) Your Highness. (Wails.) I know what you are feeling… (Moans.) …for I have lost my husband, and there has never been a finer man than he.

KING: Nor a finer woman than my wife. (Cries.) Ohhh!CAVEATTA: Ohhh!KING/CAVEATTA: Ohhh!NARRATOR TWO: They wept.KING: Boo-hoo-hoo.NARRATOR ONE: And wailed.CAVEATTA: Waaahhhh!NARRATORS: Together.KING/CAVEATTA: Boo-hoo-waaahhh!NARRATOR TWO: For days and days, until…KING: (Sniffles.) You know, I think I’m… feeling better.CAVEATTA: (Sniffles.) So am I.KING: I’m so glad.CAVEATTA: So am I. (Clears her throat.) Imagine! We’ve spent all

this time together, and we haven’t been introduced. My name is Caveatta, Your Majesty.

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KING: I am King Oxymoron the Third, but you may call me King Ox.CAVEATTA: Thank you. (Mimes conversation with KING.)NARRATOR ONE: And soon Caveatta and Oxymoron were talking.NARRATOR TWO: And smiling.NARRATOR ONE: And laughing.NARRATOR TWO: And shortly after that, they astounded the entire

kingdom. (FIORDELISA, TROUTY and ROYAL COURT ENTER and assemble before KING and CAVEATTA.)

KING: My friends and loyal subjects, I am here today to announce an event of great importance. As you all know, I haven’t been very—

CAVEATTA: (Clears throat.) They know it, my dear.KING: Oh. Of course.CAVEATTA: Then get on with it.KING: Yes. However, I have had the pleasure and privilege of coming

to know a fine lady, a—CAVEATTA: (Clears throat.) To the point, my dear?KING: Oh. Of course. (Clears throat.) Thus, I want to announce that—CAVEATTA: We want to announce.KING: Oh. Right. We want to announce that we have decided to marry

and rule together as king and queen. I want to introduce you to Caveatta, the next queen of Elgaria. (CROWD cheers.)

CAVEATTA: Thank you. My subjects, I am truly pleased at the prospect of being your queen.

KING: Well spoken, my dear!CAVEATTA: I’m not finished!KING: Oh. Of course.CAVEATTA: As your queen, I promise to rule you with a regal

disposition. (CROWD cheers.)KING: Please welc—CAVEATTA: I’m not finished!KING: Oh. Of course.CAVEATTA: (To CROWD.) I trust you will obey.KING: (Beat.) Are you… finished now, my dear?CAVEATTA: Quite!KING: (To CROWD.) Then, please welcome her and love her. (CROWD

cheers.)FIORDELISA: Oh, Father, I’m so happy to see you smiling once more.KING: Thank you, my dear.TROUTY: (Giggles.) Me too.

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KING: Um… thank you.FIORDELISA: And for you too, of course, dear Caveatta.CAVEATTA: Thank you, my dear Fiordelisa.TROUTY: (Giggles.) Me too.FIORDELISA: (To TROUTY.) And I am so happy that we shall be sisters.TROUTY: Uh… me too. (Giggles. FIORDELISA EXITS with ROYAL COURT.)NARRATOR ONE: For, you see, the king’s bride-to-be had a daughter—TROUTY: A sweet and gracious and talented and refined and charming

and gorgeous daughter.NARRATOR ONE: Uh, yes, a daughter.CAVEATTA: Thank you.NARRATOR ONE: Who was but a year older than the fair Fiordelisa—CAVEATTA: But a thousand times fairer.NARRATOR ONE: Uh, yes.TROUTY: Thanks, Your Narrator-ness. What else?NARRATOR ONE: And, um, very nearly the same height?TROUTY: And?NARRATOR ONE: And, um, with the same number of fingers and toes?TROUTY: And danced with the same grace and charm. Hit it! (WALTZ

MUSIC plays. Dances gracelessly until MUSIC STOPS abruptly.) There! Well?

NARRATOR ONE: And, uh, she danced.TROUTY: (Giggles.) Thank you.NARRATOR TWO: But Trouty—for that was her name—was jealous of

Fiordelisa, who was much loved by everyone in the kingdom.NARRATOR ONE: Except… Caveatta.CAVEATTA: (To KING.) Ox! Everyone pays Fiordelisa too much attention

and not enough to Trouty, who is really a splendid girl.KING: Um, yes. A splendid girl.TROUTY: (Giggles.) Thanks, Pops. (EXITS.)NARRATOR TWO: And so time passed.NARRATOR ONE: Which, as most people can tell you, time will do.NARRATOR TWO: And some time after they were wed, Caveatta

announced…CAVEATTA: Husband! It is time for Trouty to marry.KING: Of course, my dear. And Fiordelisa as well.CAVEATTA: Well, yes, Fiordelisa as well.KING: Of course, my dear.CAVEATTA: Well—call a page!

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KING: Of course, my dear. Oh, page!PAGE: (ENTERS.) Yes, Your Highness?KING: Please announce that a great ball will be held, at which suitable

princes may seek the hands of my daughters, the sweet Fiordelisa and the… sweet Trouty.

CAVEATTA: And make sure the announcement is made to each and every prince in each and every neighboring land.

PAGE: Yes, m’lady. (EXITS.)NARRATOR ONE: But the queen feared no one would ever want to marry

Trouty. (To AUDIENCE.) I mean—would you, if you were a prince?NARRATOR TWO: (To AUDIENCE, confidentially.) Neither would I.NARRATOR ONE: And so Caveatta told the king…CAVEATTA: Trouty certainly ought to be the first to wed. After all, she

is older than your daughter and so much more refined.KING: Very well, my dear. If you think so. (EXITS with CAVEATTA.)NARRATOR TWO: And so the announcement of the great ball was

made far and wide.PAGE: (ENTERS DOWN RIGHT and announces.) A great ball is to be

held at the court of Elgaria! Princes from everywhere are invited to meet the princesses Fiordelisa and Trouty! (EXITS DOWN RIGHT.)

CHARMING: (ENTERS DOWN LEFT with BELLSPINDER.) Did you hear that, Bellspinder?

BELLSPINDER: I did, my prince.CHARMING: The two princesses of Elgaria are said to be the wisest,

fairest and most gracious in the land. It is said that any prince would be flortunate to flind their flavor.

BELLSPINDER: That’s “fortunate to find their favor,” Prince.CHARMING: Oh. Yes. Sorry. It just sounds so… exciting. (EXITS with

BELLSPINDER.)NARRATOR TWO: And so the prince of the nation of Kimberly and his

enchanter, Bellspinder—BELLSPINDER: (Steps ON again. To NARRATOR TWO.) That’s half

enchanter, half genie, Bellspinder. Don’t forget. Father was a cousin of Merlin’s, but Mama came straight out of the bottle.

NARRATOR TWO: Ah. Yes.BELLSPINDER: Good lad! (Or “lass.” EXITS.)NARRATOR TWO: And so the prince of the nation of Kimberly and…

Bellspinder prepared to go to the ball.NARRATOR ONE: Meanwhile, back at the castle… (TROUTY and

CAVEATTA ENTER.)

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TROUTY: Mother, Mother! The prince of the nation of Kimberly is coming to the ball. (Sigh.)

CAVEATTA: Oh?TROUTY: (Nods.) Oh!CAVEATTA: Well, we must prepare you. Trouty, call me a dressmaker.TROUTY: (Shrugs.) You’re a dressmaker.CAVEATTA: No, I— Honestly! (Calls.) Dressmaker?DRESSMAKER: (ENTERS.) Yes, Your Highness?CAVEATTA: I want you to create an outfit for Trouty the likes of which

the world has never seen.TROUTY: Oh, goody.CAVEATTA: A gown adorned with emeralds and sapphires—TROUTY: Oh, goody!CAVEATTA: —and for her head a tiara of spun gold encrusted with

diamonds and opals.TROUTY: Oh, goody!DRESSMAKER: Certainly, Your Highness. Will the princess come with

me, please?TROUTY: Yes, your dressmaker-ness. (Starts to leave with DRESSMAKER,

but stops and whispers.) Mother, what about… you-know-who?CAVEATTA: Oh, you won’t need to worry about her. Now, go on along,

dear. (TROUTY and DRESSMAKER EXIT.) Dressmaker! One moment!DRESSMAKER: (RE-ENTERS.) Yes, Your Highness?CAVEATTA: I want you to sew another gown, one for the… other

princess as well. Come here. (DRESSMAKER crosses to her. CAVEATTA whispers to her.)

DRESSMAKER: (Chuckles darkly.) Yes, Your Highness! (EXITS.)NARRATOR TWO: And so the entire kingdom prepared for the ball, and

as the evening approached, kings, queens, princes and princesses from far and wide arrived in Elgaria.

NARRATOR ONE: Fiordelisa prepared too, despite the fact that the dress she had been commanded to wear was, well… (FIORDELISA ENTERS. She wears a simple, plain white dress.)

CAVEATTA: Ah, Fiordelisa. What do you think of the gown I had my dressmaker make for you?

FIORDELISA: To be honest, this dress hardly seems suitable for a royal ball.

CAVEATTA: Are you criticizing the fine work of my dressmaker?FIORDELISA: No, m’lady, it just that to meet a prince—

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CAVEATTA: I command that you wear that gown. After all, I am your queen.

FIORDELISA: Yes, Your Highness. I suppose it will have to do. (EXITS. CAVEATTA EXITS opposite.)

NARRATOR ONE: Meanwhile, Trouty…TROUTY: (ENTERS in a jewel-encrusted, bizarrely multi-color gown. To

NARRATOR TWO.) Oh, isn’t this just the most beautifulest gown you’ve ever seen?!

NARRATOR TWO: Uh. Well…TROUTY: It’s just so… snazzy!NARRATOR TWO: Um, yes. Snazzy.TROUTY: And this perfume. Smell! (NARRATOR TWO sniffs.) It’s so

delicate. I only used half the bottle.NARRATOR TWO: (Coughs.) Um. Delicate.TROUTY: I just know all the princes will think I’m stunning.NARRATOR TWO: I’m sure they will be stunned, anyway.TROUTY: Thanks! Well, I’m off to the ball. Bye.NARRATOR TWO: Have a… good time.TROUTY: Thanks, your other narrator-ness. (EXITS.)NARRATOR ONE: And so she went to the palace’s grand ballroom

where the dancing had already begun. (WALTZ MUSIC plays. FIORDELISA and COUNSELOR ENTER, as do the rest of the ROYAL COURT, PRINCE HOMER and PRINCE WILHELM as EXTRAS. They ALL dance and mill about.)

KING: (ENTERS, dancing with CAVEATTA.) You look lovely tonight, my dear.CAVEATTA: Thank you.COUNSELOR: (Approaches FIORDELISA.) Your Highness, will you…?FIORDELISA: I’d be delighted, good counselor.COUNSELOR: You, um, look… very nice. The princes will be, um…FIORDELISA: Stunned?COUNSELOR: Well…FIORDELISA: Thank you for saying so. Still, Trouty is to be married

first, but perhaps there will be some prince who looks beyond my clothes and sees the woman inside them.

COUNSELOR: I don’t doubt it, Your Highness. I don’t doubt it at all. After all, a stitch in time saves nine.

FIORDELISA: What?COUNSELOR: A wise saying, Princess. Wise sayings are part of my

job. (Dances with FIORDELISA. TROUTY ENTERS and looks around. CHARMING ENTERS opposite and looks around.)

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FIORDELISA: (Notices CHARMING. To COUNSELOR.) Oh. Yes! He’s here.

COUNSELOR: Ah.TROUTY: (Shrieks.) Mother! He’s here.CAVEATTA: So I see. Well, we must make him welcome. (Rushes

to CHARMING with KING in tow.) Your Highness, welcome to our humble kingdom. I am Caveatta, the queen, and this is… (Her voice fades in the crowd as focus shifts to FIORDELISA. [NOTE: CAVEATTA introduces the KING in mime under the following dialogue. Once introduced, the KING then wanders away to greet other guests.])

FIORDELISA: (To the COUNSELOR, as they dance.) Oh, he is the most handsome prince I have ever seen. And, I have heard, he is as wise and kind as he is handsome.

COUNSELOR: Now, don’t fret about him. Someday your prince will come.FIORDELISA: I know, but I do wish I could at least become acquainted

with him.COUNSELOR: Perhaps you will. After all, there are more things in

heaven and earth, Fiordelisa, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.FIORDELISA: Oh, good counselor, you are so wise.COUNSELOR: It comes with age, my dear. (They continue to dance in the

background as the focus shifts back to CAVEATTA and CHARMING.)CHARMING: (Kisses CAVEATTA’S hand briefly.) Your Majesty, I am

delighted to meet you.CAVEATTA: And this is my daughter, the Princess Trouty. (CHARMING

turns to TROUTY to take her hand, but instead begins to sniff and cough.)

TROUTY: (Belches.) Pleased t’ meet ya, your prince-ness!CHARMING: And your, uh… delightfully… fragrant… (Sneezes as

TROUTY giggles.) …excuse me. And, uh, refined… (Sneezes as TROUTY giggles.) …excuse me… daughter.

TROUTY: Oh, thank you, Prince. Gesundheit! (Curtsies awkwardly.)CHARMING: (Stifles a sneeze.) Thank you.CAVEATTA: Trouty has been so looking forward to meeting you.CHARMING: She… has?TROUTY: You betcha!CHARMING: As, uh, I have been looking forward to meeting her…

(TROUTY giggles.) And the other princess of the court… There is another princess, isn’t there?

CAVEATTA: Yes, over there. The one in that awful dress she insisted on wearing.

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CHARMING: I see. Your Majesty, if you will excuse me, I shall pay my respects to her. (Crosses to FIORDELISA.)

TROUTY: But wait! Come back! Phooey! (Starts after him.)CAVEATTA: (Grabs her.) No, no, no, dear. Patience. He’ll be back as

soon as he gets a good look at her gown.CHARMING: (To FIORDELISA. Bows.) Milady, I have traveled many

places and seen many princesses, but never one so regal in silk and diamonds as you in this… simple dress.

NARRATOR TWO: And Fiordelisa looked at the prince.NARRATOR ONE: And their eyes met.NARRATOR TWO: And at once…NARRATORS: They fell in love. (Sigh.)CHARMING: The music… it’s beautiful, isn’t it?FIORDELISA: Indeed, it is.CHARMING: May I then have the donner of this hance?FIORDELISA: The donner of this hance?CHARMING: I mean, I mean… the honor of this dance. When I get

really excited, I…FIORDELISA: (Laughs.) Oh? And is meeting me that exciting?CHARMING: It is the thost exciting ming that’s— Wait. (Slowly.) It is

the most exciting thing that’s happened to me in a very long time.FIORDELISA: I see. Well, it is I who would be “donnered to hance”

with so kindly a prince.CHARMING: Thank you. Come, then. (Takes her hand.) May I call you

by name, milady?FIORDELISA: If you wish. I am Fiordelisa.CHARMING: Fiordelisa. I am Charming, prince of the kingdom of

Kimberly.FIORDELISA: I know. I have heard much of you, Prince Charming.CHARMING: And I of you.FIORDELISA: The ring you wear, it’s very beautiful.CHARMING: This ring holds the royal jewel of state. It will, someday,

belong to the woman who shall rule with me as Kimberly’s queen. (They dance.)

TROUTY: Mother! He’s ignoring me and dancing with her.CAVEATTA: I shall discuss this with the king. Oxymoron!KING: (Crosses to her.) Yes, my dear?CAVEATTA: Fiordelisa is hogging Prince Charming.TROUTY: It’s not fair!

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CAVEATTA: After all, Trouty is to be married first.TROUTY: And Charming is as handsome a prince as me.NARRATOR ONE: Uh, that’s “as I.” As in, “as I am a princess.”TROUTY: (To NARRATOR ONE.) You’re a princess, too? Gee. (Sighs. To

KING.) Prince Charming and I will make a beautiful couple, won’t we, Pops?

KING: Uh…CAVEATTA: So of course we must see to it that Fiordelisa doesn’t

distract Charming during the remainder of his stay. That way, he’ll be able to spend his time with Trouty as he obviously wishes.

KING: (Uncertain.) Well… If you’re sure…CAVEATTA: I am. We’ve no other choice. (EXITS with KING and TROUTY.

MUSIC FADES OUT as the GUESTS bow and take their leave. ALL EXIT.)

NARRATOR TWO: And so, later that night…NARRATOR ONE: After the ball had ended…NARRATOR TWO: And the fair princess returned to her room…FIORDELISA: (ENTERS.) Oh, my chambers seem so different now.

Lovely as they are, tired as I am, I would much rather be dancing with Prince Charming. Oh, why did it have to end? (SOUND EFFECT: KNOCK.) Who is it?

MENDACIA: (From OFF.) Mendacia, Your Highness. I have come to help you prepare for bed.

FIORDELISA: (To herself.) My lady-in-waiting. How thoughtful. Please come in, Mendacia. (MENDACIA ENTERS, pushed in by GUARDS, who immediately seize FIORDELISA.) What? Who are you?! What are you—

FIRST GUARD: (To MENDACIA.) Get out of the way! Come with us, Princess.

FIORDELISA: I will not! Let me go. Let go of me! (Kicks the SECOND GUARD.)

SECOND GUARD: Ouch!THIRD GUARD: Let’s go, Your Highness.FOURTH GUARD: Sorry, milady.FIORDELISA: Where are you taking me?SECOND GUARD: To the tallest turret of the castle.THIRD GUARD: The queen has ordered you will remain there as long

as Prince Charming is in Elgaria. (Drags her away with the other GUARDS. MENDACIA watches.)

FIORDELISA: No, wait! Mendacia. Help me. Help me! (GUARDS EXIT, taking FIORDELISA OFF with them.)

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MENDACIA: (Chuckles.) Oh, I’ll help you, Princess. I’ll help you stay in your turret until Charming has married Princess Trouty. (EXITS after them.)

NARRATOR ONE: The next day… (GUARDS ENTER, clapping each other on the back, satisfied with a job well done.) …Prince Charming went looking for his new love.

CHARMING: (ENTERS opposite and approaches GUARDS.) Excuse me, have you seen the princess?

FOURTH GUARD: And which princess would that be, sir?CHARMING: Why, Fiordelisa.FOURTH GUARD: (Smiles.) Ah, Princess Fiordelisa!THIRD GUARD: (Scowls.) He means Fiordelisa.FIRST GUARD: Begging the prince’s pardon, but Fiordelisa is vulgar.SECOND GUARD: Silly.THIRD GUARD: Wicked.FIRST GUARD: Vain.SECOND GUARD: Stupid.THIRD GUARD: Thoughtless.FIRST GUARD: Nasty.SECOND GUARD: Plain.THIRD GUARD: If you see, sir… (Pronounced “sah” throughout, as to

rhyme with Fiordelisa.)FIRST GUARD: Fiordelisa…SECOND GUARD: Were it me, sir…THIRD GUARD: I would flee, sir.FIRST GUARD: I would flee, sir.SECOND GUARD: I would flee, sir!FOURTH GUARD: From Fiordelisa!CHARMING: (Sighs.) I see. (EXITS purposefully. FOURTH GUARD looks

at OTHER GUARDS, shakes his head in disappointment and EXITS. OTHER GUARDS shrug and follow.)

NARRATOR TWO: The prince, however, did not believe any of these things, and spent the entire day searching.

NARRATOR ONE: Alas, he didn’t find her, but it wasn’t long before the queen heard of his quest. (CAVEATTA and TROUTY ENTER.)

NARRATOR TWO: And when she did, Caveatta devised a plan to win Prince Charming for Trouty.

TROUTY: Oh, goody.CAVEATTA: Trouty, call me a page.

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TROUTY: (Gives a blank look and shrugs.) You’re a page.CAVEATTA: No! Call me a palace page.TROUTY: You’re a palace page.CAVEATTA: You know, sometimes it’s hard to believe you’re my

daughter. (Calls.) Page!PAGE: (ENTERS.) Yes, Your Majesty?CAVEATTA: I want you to take this to Prince Charming’s chambers.

(Holds out her hand and reveals a ruby pedant.)TROUTY: (Eager.) What is it? (Looks into CAVEATTA’S hand.)CAVEATTA: This ruby, cut as a rose and splashed with water-droplet

diamonds.TROUTY: Ooh. And the stem’s gold.CAVEATTA: And with a single gold leaf on which I’ve had inscribed—TROUTY: (Reads from CAVEATTA’S hand.) “To Charming from Trouty.”

Isn’t that sweet?CAVEATTA: Yes. (Gives the ruby to the PAGE.) Go. And tell him…

(Whispers to the PAGE.)PAGE: Yes, Your Majesty! (EXITS.)CAVEATTA: Heh-heh-heh. Now we’ll see whether Prince Charming can

be… charmed. (EXITS with TROUTY.)NARRATOR ONE: The page hurried to Charming’s chambers, where…PAGE: (ENTERS and calls to CHARMING.) Sire? I come to you on behalf

of the princess of the realm.CHARMING: (ENTERS.) What is that, Page? What word does my

princess send me? Quickly!PAGE: This gift, sire.CHARMING: A gift! Such generosity from the fair princess.PAGE: Indeed, for she has bestowed upon you the highest honor. She

has chosen you to be her knight.CHARMING: Tell her I accept willingly. No, happily! No, joyfully! For I

could be the knight to no one but the Frincess Piordelisa—I mean the Princess Fiordelisa.

PAGE: But, sire, you confuse the names. The inscription says this is from the Trincess Prouty. I mean, the Princess Trouty.

CHARMING: Trouty. Trouty! Go, and tell the princess I cannot accept that… honor.

PAGE: Yes, sire. (EXITS. CHARMING sits unhappily.)SQUIRE: (ENTERS.) Sire, what troubles you?CHARMING: The Princess Fiordelisa, Squire. I have looked everywhere

for her, all to no avail.

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SQUIRE: Why, sire, I have become acquainted with one of her ladies-in-waiting—Mendacia by name. She will certainly know where the princess is.

CHARMING: Then please, go quickly and find her.SQUIRE: Certainly, my prince. (Crosses away as CHARMING EXITS.)NARRATOR TWO: And so the squire sought out Mendacia and told her

of the prince’s wish. And she told him…MENDACIA: (ENTERS. To SQUIRE as he crosses to her.) Oh, the princess

has hidden herself in a low tower at the far side of the castle, so she can study for her exams. She is a very studious young woman.

SQUIRE: Is there at least a window?MENDACIA: Oh, yes. And if the prince comes at midnight, I will tell the

princess to be at it.SQUIRE: Of course.MENDACIA: But he must be careful not to be seen, for I would be…

(Makes a noise indicating her throat would be cut and gestures accordingly.) …if the queen found out. She insists Fiordelisa’s studies not be disturbed. (The SQUIRE repeats the sound and gesture. MENDACIA nods and, again, repeats the sound and gesture.)

SQUIRE: (Gulps loudly.) The prince will be most cautious. Now, if you will excuse me, I must hurry to him and give him the news. (EXITS.)

MENDACIA: And I must hurry to the queen. (EXITS OPPOSITE. CAVEATTA and TROUTY ENTER.)

CAVEATTA: And I’m certain it’s only a matter of time until he comes to his senses.

TROUTY: He better! If he doesn’t I’ll have—MENDACIA: (ENTERS, crosses to CAVEATTA.) Milady, a word, if you

please.CAVEATTA: What is it, Mendacia?MENDACIA: You know that short tower on the far side of the castle

where no one ever goes?CAVEATTA: Of course.MENDACIA: Well, tonight at midnight, Prince Charming will be outside

its window, planning to speak with Fiordelisa.CAVEATTA: And why, pray tell, would he have such a plan?MENDACIA: Because I told him she would be there. (Laughs. CAVEATTA

starts to chuckle, which grows to a full laugh. She and MENDACIA laugh themselves into hysteria while TROUTY looks on, puzzled.)

TROUTY: What’s so funny?CAVEATTA: Never mind, Trouty. So the prince plans to speak with a

princess tonight. Well, we mustn’t disappoint him. Trouty!

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TROUTY: Yes, Mama? (Continues her conversation with CAVEATTA under NARRATORS’ dialogue as they EXIT and RE-APPEAR on the tower platform. MENDACIA EXITS.)

NARRATOR ONE: And the queen told Trouty just what to say.TROUTY: Yes, Mama. (Giggles.)NARRATOR TWO: And exactly how to say it.TROUTY: (Changes her voice to imitate FIORDELISA.) Yes, Mama!

(Giggles.)NARRATOR ONE: So the prince would think…NARRATORS: She was Fiordelisa? (TROUTY giggles.)CAVEATTA: And Trouty?TROUTY: Yes, Mama?CAVEATTA: Don’t giggle.TROUTY: Oh, no, Mama. (Giggles. CAVEATTA EXITS. SOUND EFFECT:

CLOCK CHIMES MIDNIGHT.)CHARMING: (ENTERS and crosses below the tower platform. Looks up,

trying to see in through the window. [NOTE: An actual window is not required.] To himself.) This must be the tower my squire spoke of. Yes, there’s a light in it. If only it weren’t so dark and foggy out here! Oh, well. (Sets himself, clears his throat and calls out.) My princess. I cav hum to— I mean, I have come to you as your lady-in-waiting said I would, to tell you I have loved you since we first spoke.

TROUTY: (Calls from the tower platform.) Oh, goody— I mean, me too!CHARMING: (To himself.) Oh, goody? Well, she has been studying all

day. (Calls.) If you are willing, I will await the day we can be married.TROUTY: You betcha! I’m… I mean, of course, dear Prince Charming!

How’s tomorrow?CHARMING: But what about your exams?TROUTY: Exams, shmexams. Who cares about some dumb old tests

when she’s gonna marry Prince Charming?CHARMING: Then, tomorrow it shall be.TROUTY: I’ll wait for you right here.CHARMING: I’ll come for you at midnight in an enchanted chariot, and

we will fly away and be together, forever and ever.TROUTY: Ohhh, goody.CHARMING: Oh, goody? (LIGHTS FADE as CHARMING EXITS.)NARRATOR TWO: The queen was quite pleased with the success of

her scheme, and the next night, Trouty was again in the window.NARRATOR ONE: But this time, her face was covered by a heavy veil

so the prince would not recognize her.

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NARRATOR TWO: And again, as the clock struck midnight… (SOUND EFFECT: CLOCK CHIMES MIDNIGHT. LIGHTS UP. CHARMING ENTERS with a ladder that reaches the tower platform.)

CHARMING: My love, are you ready? (Climbs the ladder and moves into the tower by stepping onto the platform.)

TROUTY: Yeah.CHARMING: My love. (Removes his ring.) No gem could be as precious

as the hand this will adorn. Will you wear it always?TROUTY: (Pulls the veil to her face.) Oh, yes, Charming.CHARMING: You sound so… different.TROUTY: It’s this veil. Princesses gotta be modest, y’ know. And—

(Sneezes.)CHARMING: Gesundheit.TROUTY: I think I have a… (Sneezes.)CHARMING: Gesundheit.TROUTY: …li’l cold.CHARMING: We shall make it vanish. My good friend, the enchanter

Bellspinder, will—BELLSPINDER: (Steps ON.) Do I always have to remind you?! That’s

half enchanter, half genie Bellspinder. (He’s OFF. TROUTY looks around, horrified.)

CHARMING: Ah, yes. I forgot.TROUTY: What was that?CHARMING: Oh, that’s just Bellspinder. He likes to announce himself

at the least-expected moments. But… where, my love, would you like to wold our hedding?

TROUTY: Huh?CHARMING: …Wold our—hold our wedding? I’m sorry, the

excitement…TROUTY: Yeah, I know whatcha mean! (Giggles.) I want to be married

at the palace of my godmother, the Fairy Mazeela.CHARMING: Then it shall be so. I have the chariot Bellspinder gave

me waiting outside. It’s guided by three flying frogs. It will get us there in no time at all. Come, my love. (Climbs down the ladder with TROUTY, and they EXIT with the ladder as the LIGHTS FADE.)

NARRATOR ONE: And with a cry…CHARMING: (From OFF.) To Mazeela’s palace!NARRATOR TWO: The flying frogs—who, as I’m sure you know, can

travel great distances in almost no time at all…NARRATOR ONE: And who have the map of the whole world inside

their heads…

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NARRATORS: Flew off.NARRATOR TWO: They flew over forests of firs gilded with golden

needles.NARRATOR ONE: And high above a moon-white silver lake…NARRATOR TWO: …beside which paced the rare indigo-and-primrose

dancing fox…NARRATOR ONE: …and over shimmering crystal mountain peaks…NARRATOR TWO: …until the chariot landed softly before a great

marble castle. (LIGHTS UP on MAZEELA’S palace. MAZEELA is ONSTAGE in the castle as CHARMING and TROUTY ENTER.)

TROUTY: I have to speak to my godmother alone.CHARMING: Of course, but—wait! That’s odd.TROUTY: Just stay here, okay? (Runs to the “castle.” CHARMING

remains in place.) Oh, Godmother Fairy Mazeela. Where are you? Godmother Fairy Mazeela!

MAZEELA: That sounds like… Trouty? Is that you?TROUTY: Yes, Godmother Fairy Mazeela.MAZEELA: Just call me Godmother, dear. That will do nicely.TROUTY: Thanks, your Godmother-ness.MAZEELA: To what do I owe this pleasure?TROUTY: (Giggles.) I’m getting married, Godmother. To Prince Charming.MAZEELA: (With interest.) Ye-es.TROUTY: Uh-huh. (In a sing-song.) We fooled Prince Charming.MAZEELA: I see.TROUTY: (Still in sing-song.) I have his ring.MAZEELA: I see.TROUTY: (Still in sing-song.) Now he’s got to marry me.MAZEELA: I see.NARRATOR ONE: Now, Mazeela was a powerful fairy, indeed, but, um,

she was…MAZEELA: Short-tempered and not very patient?NARRATOR ONE: (Defensive.) Oh, I wouldn’t say that exactly.MAZEELA: Oh, you wouldn’t?NARRATOR ONE: Um, no. Unless… you’d say so?MAZEELA: I’d say so!NARRATOR ONE: Well, then, um… yes.NARRATOR TWO: And she certainly loved her godchild, but…MAZEELA: (To TROUTY.) It will not be easy to convince him to fulfill his

promise, for I sense he loves Fiordelisa very much. Though why, when he could marry you, I will never understand.

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TROUTY: Me neither.MAZEELA: Come, Trouty. Let me introduce myself to your betrothed.

(Crosses with TROUTY to CHARMING.) Prince Charming, good evening. I am the fairy Mazeela, godmother to the fair princess. (TROUTY giggles.) Hush, dear. As her godmother, I gladly give you the hand in marriage of the princess to whom you have pledged yourself with your ring. (Lifts TROUTY’S veil.)

CHARMING: Trouty! (TROUTY giggles.) I—marry her?! Never! I have pledged her nothing.

TROUTY: Oh? Didn’t you come to my window last night and tell me you loved me since the first time you spoke to me?

CHARMING: What?!TROUTY: And again tonight, didn’t you give me this ring and tell me

to wear it forever?CHARMING: I have been deceived! I must find Fiordelisa. (Starts to

run OFF.)MAZEELA: Oh, no. Not so fast. (Waves her wand. CHARMING FREEZES

in place.) A promise is a promise, and you must honor it, for if you don’t, you will have offended a fairy, and that will make the fairy very, very angry!

CHARMING: You may turn me to stone, but I will marry no one but Fiordelisa.

MAZEELA: Oh, no, not to stone. To something much more interesting. If you do not marry Trouty.

CHARMING: Marry Trouty? Hah!TROUTY: I want him to marry me. (Cries.)CHARMING: Never! (TROUTY fumes.)MAZEELA: I warn you, Prince Charming. You will regret your decision.CHARMING: I will not regret it half as much as I would regret marrying

a woman who would deceive me as Trouty has done!MAZEELA: (Fumes as TROUTY wails.) I’m getting angry!CHARMING: And I’m getting tired of this. Do what you will, Mazeela. I

will not marry this, this… awful toad.TROUTY: Toad. Toad! Did you hear that? He called me a toad! Oooh,

I’m so mad I could just croak. (Cries and fumes.)MAZEELA: Silence! Charming, choose whether you will marry my

goddaughter or do penance for 20 years for breaking your pledge.CHARMING: I have given you my answer. And it will remain my answer.MAZEELA: Then enough! Fly from this palace, Prince Charming. For

20 years, you shall not be a man, but only a bluebird. (Waves her

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wand. CHARMING is transformed into BLUEBIRD. SOUND EFFECT: MAGIC. [For more on this transformation, see PRODUCTION NOTES.])

BLUEBIRD: Alas, Fiordelisa. (He “flies” OFF.)TROUTY: Prince Charming! Come back! (Cries.) I want him to marry me!MAZEELA: There, there, my dear. There, there. (They EXIT. LIGHTS

FADE OUT.)NARRATOR TWO: Time passed.NARRATOR ONE: Trouty returned to the palace.NARRATOR TWO: And told the queen all that had happened…NARRATOR ONE: While Fiordelisa remained, locked and alone, in her

tower. (LIGHTS UP on FIORDELISA on the platform in her tower.)COUNSELOR: (ENTERS the tower.) Psst. Psst.FIORDELISA: What? Who is it?COUNSELOR: ’Tis I.FIORDELISA: Counselor!COUNSELOR: I can only stay a moment. Here. (Hands FIORDELISA a

stack of books.)FIORDELISA: As always, thank you.COUNSELOR: You’re welcome. I’m grateful the guard and I are old

friends. But even so… is there anything else I can get you?FIORDELISA: Get me? What you can get me is out of here.COUNSELOR: Princess! It will happen… someday. You simply must

be—FIORDELISA: Patient? I have been patient! I have been so patient I

fear I shall be mistaken for a rock! (Sighs.) Oh, good counselor. I do nothing all day but read the books you sneak in and sit and stare out the window at the cypress and the garden below. They are lovely, but they are just a tree and a patch of flowers.

COUNSELOR: Perhaps, perhaps.FOURTH GUARD: (APPEARS at platform door.) Counselor, my good

friend, you should go. If you are discovered here, it will go badly for all of us.

COUNSELOR: Yes. Farewell, Princess. I will come again. (Sighs.) With more books. (EXITS with FOURTH GUARD.)

FIORDELISA: Farewell, good counselor. (Pause.) If only my prince would come! If only I could see him, I could bear all this. (Sighs and sits in her tower to read.)

NARRATOR TWO: Alas, the queen permitted no one—not even Fiordelisa’s father, the king—to see her.

KING: (ENTERS DOWNSTAGE with CAVEATTA and TROUTY.) My dear, don’t you think a visit would be good for Fiordelisa?

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CAVEATTA: Good for her?KING: I might be able to… encourage her, to, to…CAVEATTA: To what?KING: I don’t know.CAVEATTA: Then she shall remain alone in the tower until Trouty is married!KING: If you say so, my dear. (EXITS with a sigh.)CAVEATTA: Of course, if she thought Trouty and Charming were to be

married… Trouty! Call me Mendacia!TROUTY: (Shrugs.) You’re Mendacia.CAVEATTA: No, I—oh, never mind! Mendacia!MENDACIA: (ENTERS.) Yes, my queen?CAVEATTA: (Removes the ring from TROUTY’S hand.) Take this to the

tower, show it to Fiordelisa and tell her… (Whispers and gives her the ring.)

MENDACIA: Yes, my queen! (CAVEATTA and TROUTY EXIT. MENDACIA EXITS and RE-ENTERS on the platform in FIORDELISA’S tower.)

NARRATOR ONE: And so Mendacia hurried to Fiordelisa, where the lady-in-waiting showed her the royal ring of the land of Kimberly.

NARRATOR TWO: And told her Charming had given it to Trouty.MENDACIA: (Holds up the ring.) In honor of their engagement.FIORDELISA: Oh, no!MENDACIA: Oh, yes. And now, I must go and return the ring to Trouty

before she misses it, but I thought you should know. (EXITS hurriedly. FIORDELISA moves to her window.)

NARRATOR ONE: Each night Fiordelisa stood by the lone window that overlooked the old cypress tree she loved so well, and she dreamed of her freedom.

NARRATOR TWO: And of her prince, who now, it seemed, was lost to her forever.

FIORDELISA: What will become of me? (Calls out the window.) Is there no one who can hear me?

NARRATOR ONE: Indeed, there was one who could hear her.NARRATOR TWO: You see, it so happened that, one night, a certain

bluebird had been flying near the palace.NARRATOR ONE: And…BLUEBIRD: (ENTERS and crosses to the garden UP LEFT.) Can that

be… her voice?FIORDELISA: Please. Someone. Help me!BLUEBIRD: It is! My love, my love, do not despair. (“Flies” nearer to her

window by “climbing” the tree.)

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FIORDELISA: Who is that? Who is speaking to me?BLUEBIRD: (Reaches the level of the tower platform.) Don’t you mo

knee— I mean, don’t you know me?FIORDELISA: I cannot— Wait, “mo knee”? Prince Charming?BLUEBIRD: Yes. Sort of, anyway.NARRATOR ONE: And he told his princess of how he had been

deceived and all that had befallen him.FIORDELISA: Then you didn’t propose to Trouty?!BLUEBIRD: (Chirps and shakes his head.) Chirr-up! I have not, and

could not—so long as you love me! (Steps through the window and onto the tower platform.) Castle Kimberly shall be our home.

FIORDELISA: (Pauses. Dreamily.) What is it like?BLUEBIRD: It is beautiful beyond description with dozens of rooms.

But my favorite is a small one with a floor of soft grasses through which a silent stream flows. It is called the Chamber of Echoes, for any sound made there will be heard in the room above, which is my bedchamber.

FIORDELISA: The Chamber of Echoes…BLUEBIRD: It is where I keep my dearest treasures, such as this.

(Pulls out a silver locket.)NARRATOR ONE: And from beneath his wing, he drew a silver chain

that was attached to a silver locket, with two ruby hearts joined upon it.

FIORDELISA: Oh, it’s beautiful!BLUEBIRD: My enchanter Bellspinder made it.BELLSPINDER: (Steps ON.) That’s half enchanter, half genie Bellspinder.BLUEBIRD: Ah, yes. I keep forgetting.BELLSPINDER: ’Tis all right. You’re a good bird—um… lad. (He’s OFF

again.)FIORDELISA: (Amused.) That was Bellspinder?BLUEBIRD: That was Bellspinder. But—open the locket. There’s a

poem inscribed.FIORDELISA: Did you write it?BLUEBIRD: I helped. Bellspinder wrote most of it.FIORDELISA: (Reads.) “Oh! What a luckless pair we are!

One under a spell, one locked in a tow’r.All of our troubles and sorrows cameFrom a love which only our enemies blame.But vain are their efforts to keep us apart,For nothing can sever these two loving hearts.”(Pauses. Looks up and sighs.) Alas, how true it is!

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BLUEBIRD: I have no ring for you to remember me by. Will you keep this then, my princess?

FIORDELISA: I could never forget you, my prince, but I will keep this forever. (BLUEBIRD EXITS down tree. LIGHTS FADE OUT.)

NARRATOR TWO: And so they talked through that night, and the next and the one after that.

NARRATOR ONE: And each dawn, the bluebird flew away.NARRATOR TWO: To return each evening when he heard Fiordelisa at

her window, reciting the poem inscribed in the locket.NARRATOR ONE: And each night, he brought her some jewel.NARRATOR TWO: Or a spool of silk thread or a piece of fine cloth.NARRATOR ONE: Until, at last, Fiordelisa was able to appear as a

princess should.NARRATOR TWO: In a brocaded gown she had made herself. For

she was an accomplished seamstress. (LIGHTS UP on the tower. FIORDELISA now wears a different gown.)

FIORDELISA: “But vain are their efforts to keep us apart,For nothing can sever these two loving hearts.”

BLUEBIRD: (From OFF.) Yes, my princess. I am coming. (ENTERS, climbs the tree and steps through the window and onto the platform.) You look even lovelier than in my dreams. And how are you tonight?

FIORDELISA: I am well, but impatient. These walls separate me from so many wonderful things.

BLUEBIRD: What do you miss most?FIORDELISA: Most of all, I think, my father, the people of Elgaria, the

court and its music and dancing.BLUEBIRD: Then tonight I have brought just the thing! (From under

his wing, he takes a tiny decorated box.) If you lift the lid, you will hear music.

FIORDELISA: (Opens the box. SOUND EFFECT: MUSIC BOX.) Oh! (Listens for a moment.) And now that we have music, will you dance with me?

BLUEBIRD: As best I can. Here. (She sets the box down as the music continues. They dance.)

FIORDELISA: I’ve never danced with a bluebird before. You do it remarkably well.

BLUEBIRD: Because I am dancing with you.FIORDELISA: When we are free, we shall dance every night to this

same music.BLUEBIRD: Yes. When we are free. (They dance. LIGHTS FADE OUT.)

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NARRATOR ONE: Of course, each morning when the bluebird left, Fiordelisa changed into her simple white gown and hid the gifts he had given her.

NARRATOR TWO: Except the locket and the music box…NARRATOR ONE: Which she kept inside her dress.NARRATOR TWO: More time passed.NARRATOR ONE: Three months.NARRATOR TWO: Then six.NARRATOR ONE: Then a year.NARRATOR TWO: And, though Fiordelisa was still a prisoner…NARRATOR ONE: And Prince Charming a bluebird…NARRATORS: They were happy.NARRATOR TWO: Trouty, however, was… (LIGHTS UP.)TROUTY: (ENTERS with CAVEATTA.) Miserable! Nobody’ll marry me,

Mother.CAVEATTA: Oh, yes, someone will! Call me a page.TROUTY: (Shrugs.) You’re a page.CAVEATTA: I mean— oh, never mind. Page!PAGE: (ENTERS.) Yes, Your Highness.CAVEATTA: I am issuing this royal proclamation. (Pulls out a scroll and

hands it to PAGE.) See that it is spread throughout Elgaria and all our neighboring lands.

TROUTY: Ooh! What’s it say?PAGE: (Reads.) “The prince who marries the fairest, wisest and most

refined daughter of the realm…”TROUTY: That’s me!PAGE: “…shall receive a fine dowry…”TROUTY: Ooh.PAGE: “…an estate…”TROUTY: Ooh!PAGE: “…and jewels of every shape and size.” (EXITS.)TROUTY: Ooh! All that, and me!NARRATORS: Ooh!TROUTY: Hmph!NARRATOR ONE: And, of course, many princes came to call.PAGE: (ENTERS, leading ON PRINCE HOMER.) Your Majesties, may I

present Prince Homer of Iliadna.CAVEATTA: Welcome to Elgaria, Prince Homer.TROUTY: (Sotto voce.) I like his outfit! All that gold.

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PRINCE HOMER: Thank you. Queen Caveatta, I have seen your proclamation and present myself as a candidate to marry the fairest princess in the land of Elgaria.

CAVEATTA: Indeed, Prince Homer. A moment, please?PRINCE HOMER: Of course, milady.CAVEATTA: (Sotto voce.) What do you think?TROUTY: (Sotto voce.) He’s cute! (To PRINCE HOMER.) Hi, there, Prince!PRINCE HOMER: Good day. May I ask whom I have the… pleasure of

addressing?TROUTY: I’m Trouty, of course. (Belches.) ’Scuse me.PRINCE HOMER: Of course. (Bows.)TROUTY: (Whispers.) He’ll do.CAVEATTA: Good. Prince Homer, the princess agrees to marry you.PRINCE HOMER: Splendid. When shall I have the pleasure of meeting

her?TROUTY: You’ve just had the pleasure!CAVEATTA: This is your betrothed, the Princess Trouty.PRINCE HOMER: The Prin— but the proclamation said the prince would

wed the fairest, wisest and most refined princess in the realm.TROUTY: Yeah! Who else could that be?PRINCE HOMER: Why, the Princess Fiordelisa.CAVEATTA: The Princess Fiordelisa is not to be married. To anyone!PRINCE HOMER: I see. Then, if you will excuse me, I will be off.

Farewell. (EXITS.)CAVEATTA: Page, bring in the next prince.PAGE: Yes, milady. (EXITS.)TROUTY: Prince Homer of Iliadna. Who’d want to marry someone

named “Prince Homer of Iliadna”? Prince No-mer of Silly-adna, if you ask me!

PAGE: (ENTERS with PRINCE WILHELM.) Miladies, this is Prince Wilhelm of Grimmiana.

PRINCE WILHELM: (With a heavy accent.) Gut evening, Queen Caveatta.

CAVEATTA: Good evening, Prince Wilhelm.PRINCE WILHELM: I have heard your proclomation. I am here! Yah!TROUTY: You want to marry the princess?PRINCE WILHELM: Yah! I vant to marry ze princess!CAVEATTA: May I ask, how old are you, Prince Wilhelm?PRINCE WILHELM: I am eighty-seven years old. Yah!

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TROUTY: Eighty-seven?PRINCE WILHELM: Yah! Old princes make ze best husbands. Ve have

lots of experience prince-ing.TROUTY: Oh?PRINCE WILHELM: And—I am ze richest prince in ze world. Yah!TROUTY: Oh! I guess he’ll do.PRINCE WILHELM: Gut! So. Where is this Princess Fiordewhosawhatsa

I am to marry?CAVEATTA/TROUTY: Fiordelisa!PRINCE WILHELM: Yah! That’s the one.CAVEATTA: No! Goodbye, Prince Wilhelm.PRINCE WILHELM: Yah, yah, yah! (Turns on his heels and EXITS.)CAVEATTA: Page, bring in the next prince.PAGE: Your Majesty, there are no more princes. They all left when they

found out they were to mar—I mean, when the moon was about to rise.

TROUTY: Waaahhh! It’s all Fiordelisa’s fault. She… bribed them all.CAVEATTA: Come, my dear. Let us go see just what your sister is

doing. (LIGHTS FADE OUT.)NARRATOR TWO: Now, the queen had not seen Fiordelisa in all this

time, and, as it happened, when she and Trouty burst into the tower, dusk was about to fall, and… (LIGHTS UP on FIORDELISA, in her tower prison, wearing her fine gown and jewels.)

FIORDELISA: “But vain are their efforts to keep us apart,For nothing can sever these two loving hearts.” (The BLUEBIRD’S chirr-ups are heard from OFF as CAVEATTA and TROUTY ENTER the platform.)

CAVEATTA: Aha! What is this? Where did all this finery come from?TROUTY: Maybe you discovered diamond mines in the tower!FIORDELISA: Where else might I have found them?TROUTY: (Mimics.) Where else might I have found them?CAVEATTA: Someone has given you these things, milady. For whose

admiration are you so finely adorned, hmm?BLUEBIRD: (ENTERS and ascends the tree.) My princess! I have come

to you again.TROUTY: Oh! A talking bird! Oh. (Realizes.) Oh, oh, oh, oh! (Runs OFF.)CAVEATTA: Trouty! It’s only a talking bird, come— A talking bluebird…

hmmm… I will be back, Fiordelisa. And I will discover how you came to have these treasures. (EXITS.)

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FIORDELISA: (Calls out the window.) Oh, my prince, what shall I do? They must not find you. Hide, quickly. I will shutter the window and open it again when it is safe.

NARRATOR TWO: And so the bluebird hid in the branches of the cypress. (Two GUARDS ENTER the tower and search.)

NARRATOR ONE: He waited, while Queen Caveatta’s guards searched Fiordelisa’s room for jewels.

FIRST GUARD: Hey, look at this! (Holds up a jewel.)SECOND GUARD: You think that’s something? Look at this! (Holds up

another jewel.)FIRST GUARD: And this.SECOND GUARD: And this, too!NARRATOR TWO: Finally, they found everything.NARRATOR ONE: Everything, that is, except the locket and the tiny

music box the princess had hidden in the folds of her dress.FIRST GUARD: Come on! The queen will reward us!SECOND GUARD: For sure! (EXITS with FIRST GUARD.)NARRATOR TWO: And moments later, Fiordelisa had another visitor.MENDACIA: (ENTERS.) Good evening, Princess.FIORDELISA: Mendacia!MENDACIA: Shhh, Princess! We must not be heard. The queen

would… (Gestures “cut off my head.”)FIORDELISA: She would?MENDACIA: Oh, yes. She would— (Gestures “cut off the head.”) —of

anyone who sought to help you.FIORDELISA: Which, of course, is what you want to do.MENDACIA: Of course. But it’s a great risk. (Stage whispers.) I had to

bribe the guard.FIORDELISA: (Ironically.) Oh, thank you, brave Mendacia.MENDACIA: Oh, think nothing of it. I’m just a lady-in-waiting doing her

duty to her qu— princess.FIORDELISA: I do so long for company.MENDACIA: I’m sure. This looks so… empty. What do you do all day

in here?FIORDELISA: Oh, I read, and count the branches of the cypress tree

outside my window.MENDACIA: That sounds like fun. And does no one ever come to see

you?FIORDELISA: The guards.

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MENDACIA: Well, at least you have your peace and quiet. This must be a wonderful place to sleep. I think I’ll spend a few nights here. To keep you company, of course.

FIORDELISA: Of course. But what if the queen should discover you and— (Gestures “cut off your head.”)

MENDACIA: I think nothing of the risk. One must be brave to serve her princess.

FIORDELISA: I see.MENDACIA: (Yawns.) I am tired— all this excitement has worn me out!

I think I’ll go to sleep right now.FIORDELISA: Yes, it is getting late. I will as well.NARRATOR ONE: And so they both lay down, and Mendacia pretended

to go to sleep. (MENDACIA snores. BLUEBIRD chirr-ups from the tree.)

MENDACIA: Huh? What is that noise!FIORDELISA: Oh, it is only the birds outside my window. They sing to

me at night.MENDACIA: (Yawns.) Oh. Well, I wish they would be quiet. It’s hard to

sleep with all that (Imitates the chirping.) going on!FIORDELISA: Pay it no mind. You’ll get used to it. I have.MENDACIA: Mmm.NARRATOR TWO: And, again, Mendacia pretended to sleep.

(MENDACIA snores. BLUEBIRD chirr-ups again.)MENDACIA: Birds! Phooey. (Curls up and snores.)NARRATOR ONE: Of course, Fiordelisa had guessed Mendacia had

been sent by the queen to spy on her. So she pretended to sleep as well, until…

FIORDELISA: Mendacia? (MENDACIA snores.) Mendacia, are you awake? (Goes to the window. Softly.) “For nothing can sever these two loving hearts.”

BLUEBIRD: (Steps through the window onto the platform.) My princess, I— Who is that?

FIORDELISA: (Whispers throughout.) A lady-in-waiting who has come to watch me. We must be very quiet. I fear we may wake her, but I so wanted to see you again.

BLUEBIRD: (Whispers throughout.) I see.FIORDELISA: Come, then. Let us dance.BLUEBIRD: But the music— won’t it wake her?FIORDELISA: We have music here. (Touches her heart.)BLUEBIRD: Ah, yes. Come. (They dance without music.)

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NARRATOR TWO: But Mendacia… (MENDACIA snores.) …between her snores… (MENDACIA snores.) …heard everything. (MENDACIA snores.)

NARRATOR ONE: And, as dawn rose… (MENDACIA snores.)BLUEBIRD: And now I must leave you.FIORDELISA: Oh, I am so tired of being a prisoner. If only there were

some way, any way I could escape this room! (MENDACIA snores.)BLUEBIRD: We’ll work on a plan. Don’t despair.FIORDELISA: I would do anything, anything at all to get out of here.BLUEBIRD: I know. Farewell, my princess. (Leaves the tower and climbs

down the tree, but does not EXIT. Instead, he remains concealed on the UPSTAGE side of the tree.)

FIORDELISA: Farewell. (Lies down and sleeps.)MENDACIA: (Sits up.) Princess? Princess! Aha! She’s asleep. Well,

you go right ahead. Never mind that some people were awake all night because of all the noise. Oohh!

NARRATOR TWO: And, of course, she went directly to the queen.MENDACIA: (EXITS and RE-ENTERS DOWNSTAGE where CAVEATTA

APPEARS in the queen’s quarters.) Your Majesty, this dreadful bird kept me awake the whole night. First it made this awful… chirr-up in the tree outside her window, then it talked and danced and—

CAVEATTA: Well, well, well. What a shame. But this bird is our guest, Mendacia, and I’m sure he is a very… charming one. We must prepare a very special welcome to the palace for such a charming bird.

MENDACIA: Oh, yes, Your Majesty. (EXITS with CAVEATTA.)NARRATOR ONE: That evening at dusk, Fiordelisa was again alone. She

went to her window and looked into the fading sun. (FIORDELISA rises and crosses to her window. BLUEBIRD appears from behind the tree and lies on the ground.)

FIORDELISA: “But vain are their efforts to keep us apart,For nothing can sever these two loving hearts.”

NARRATOR TWO: She recited, once, twice, a third time. (FIORDELISA mimes under dialogue.)

NARRATOR ONE: But the bluebird heard nothing, for he lay wounded in the garden at the bottom of the cypress.

NARRATOR TWO: You see, Caveatta had ordered traps be placed throughout the tree.

NARRATOR ONE: And, when the bluebird flew into it…NARRATOR TWO: They caught his wings and broke them, and he fell

from his flight, down…NARRATOR ONE: Down…

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NARRATOR TWO: Until he reached the ground where he lay, weak and unhappy…

BLUEBIRD: She said she would do anything—anything—to escape her prison. But she would not betray me! (LIGHTS change.)

BELLSPINDER: (From OFF.) Charming. (Sounds his horn.) Prince Charming, where are you?

BLUEBIRD: It’s Bellspinder! I am here.BELLSPINDER: (From OFF.) Charming? (Sounds his horn.)BLUEBIRD: I am here.BELLSPINDER: (ENTERS.) Where? (Sounds his horn.) Keep talking. I’ll

find you.BLUEBIRD: Here.BELLSPINDER: (Squeezes his horn.) I don’t see anything around here

that looks like you, Prince.BLUEBIRD: (Softly.) I am the bluebird.BELLSPINDER: Oh. Right. Heh. Almost forgot that. Well, that’s

what happens once you turn fifteen hundred. (Almost trips over BLUEBIRD.) Ah. Tch-tch-tch. You don’t look so good. Aah-ah, not good at all. Now, don’t fly away. (EXITS.)

NARRATOR ONE: And he left in a flash,NARRATOR TWO: And scurried about.NARRATOR ONE: Hither…NARRATOR TWO: …and thither.NARRATOR ONE: Gathering herbs…NARRATOR TWO: …and leaves.NARRATOR ONE: Plants…NARRATOR TWO: …and dew.NARRATOR ONE: And then…NARRATOR TWO: …in a flash…NARRATORS: …reappeared.BELLSPINDER: (ENTERS with a potion.) Now lie still. (He raps as he

applies the potion.) Heal his wound and heal his wing.Heal this prince who’ll soon be king.Potion! Heal until he stands.Bellspinder’s magic horn commands. (Sounds his horn.)

NARRATOR TWO: And as his horn rang out…NARRATOR ONE: …the bluebird rose and fluttered up, up, into the air.BLUEBIRD: (Rises.) Thank you!BELLSPINDER: You’re welcome! Now tell me, what in the name of a

chartreuse Scheherazade is going on?

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NARRATOR TWO: And the prince told him of meeting Fiordelisa.BELLSPINDER: Yes.NARRATOR ONE: And Trouty’s trick.BELLSPINDER: Go on.NARRATOR TWO: And Mazeela’s anger.BELLSPINDER: Mad as the Queen of Hearts at tea time, she gets!NARRATOR ONE: He told Bellspinder how Fiordelisa had been

imprisoned.BELLSPINDER: Really!NARRATOR TWO: And how, night after night…BELLSPINDER: (To NARRATORS.) Will you let him tell it? I’m getting

a crick in my neck from all this turning back-and-forth, back-and-forth, and—

BLUEBIRD: Bellspinder! I can’t believe, after all this time, she would betray me, even to gain her freedom. But tonight, there were traps in the cypress.

BELLSPINDER: Princesses! I’ve known hundreds of them. They’re all alike. Fickle as the fleas on a flying frog’s fanny! Not worth the trouble, not at all. Forget about her. Find some nice mermaid.

BLUEBIRD: Perhaps. But I still love her, Bellspinder. And I believe she still loves me.

BELLSPINDER: Mmm. Traps in the tree and all, eh?BLUEBIRD: Yes. And I must remain a bluebird for many years to come.BELLSPINDER: Well, it could be worse. You do look good in feathers.BLUEBIRD: Take me to the palace at Kimberly, good Bellspinder,

for there I may at least remain safe. Alone, but safe. (EXITS with BELLSPINDER.)

NARRATOR ONE: And so Bellspinder and the bluebird set out on their journey to the land of Kimberly.

NARRATOR TWO: And even as they left, they did not hear the words that floated through the night above them.

FIORDELISA: (At her window.)“Vain are their efforts to keep us apart,For nothing can sever these two loving hearts.”

NARRATOR ONE: Fiordelisa stood at the window, calling, all night.NARRATOR TWO: And when the sun rose…FIORDELISA: I am so tired. I must sleep. He will not come in daylight

anyway.NARRATOR ONE: And so she lay down. But as she closed her eyes…CAVEATTA: (From OFF.) Let me go!

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FIORDELISA: What’s happening? Is that—?CAVEATTA: (From OFF.) I said, let me go!FIRST GUARD: (From OFF.) Then come, Your Majesty.FOURTH GUARD: (ENTERS the tower, bursting IN.) Milady, milady!COUNSELOR: (ENTERS the tower, breathless.) My queen. You are free!FIORDELISA: Free? Your queen? I… (Runs to the window.) My prince.

My prince! I am free. (SOUND EFFECT: MUSIC BOX. Sadly. “Where is he?”) I am free. (LIGHTS FADE to BLACK.)

End of ACT ONE

ACT TWOLIGHTS UP: Moments later. FIORDELISA, the COUNSELOR and FOURTH GUARD are all at the base of the tower. FIRST and SECOND GUARDS ENTER with CAVEATTA in tow.CAVEATTA: Unhand me, villain!SECOND GUARD: In a moment, in a moment.FIORDELISA: Counselor, please tell me what is— Caveatta!SECOND GUARD: Your Majesty. (Kneels before FIORDELISA.)CAVEATTA: “Your Majesty.” Hmph!COUNSELOR: You are free from that awful prison, at last.FIORDELISA: Counselor, how did this…?COUNSELOR: Milady, it is my sad task to tell you that your father, the

king, died this very morning.FIORDELISA: Oh, Father.SECOND GUARD: And this lady… (Indicates CAVEATTA.) …immediately

issued a proclamation declaring herself—FOURTH GUARD: And her daughter—FIRST GUARD: Rulers of the land.CAVEATTA: As well we should be!COUNSELOR: And at once, she tripled taxes.FIORDELISA: Tripled them?COUNSELOR: Yes. The people have revolted. They demand you take

your rightful place on the throne as queen of Elgaria.SECOND GUARD: Trouty has fled.FIRST GUARD: But we have captured her.CAVEATTA: Let me go!FIORDELISA: Yes, I shall let you go, but you are banished from Elgaria

forever. Guards, accompany Caveatta to the border.FOURTH GUARD: Yes, Your Highness.FIORDELISA: Come then, Counselor. And thank you. All of you.

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CAVEATTA: Bah! Call me a lady-in-waiting.FOURTH GUARD: You’re a lady-in-waiting. Let’s go. (ALL EXIT.)NARRATOR ONE: So Fiordelisa was released from her prison.NARRATOR TWO: And, sad though she was at the loss of her father,

with the help of the good people of Elgaria and her counselor, she recovered from her loss and from her years in the tower in all respects… save one.

COUNSELOR: (ENTERS with FIORDELISA. Brightly.) Your Highness, it’s a beautiful day. The sun is shining, the trees are greening.

FIORDELISA: (Sighs.) That’s nice.COUNSELOR: The flowers are in bloom!FIORDELISA: (Sighs.) I’m sure they’re lovely.COUNSELOR: You know, the time has come, as the walrus said, to

talk of many things.FIORDELISA: What?COUNSELOR: A wise saying, milady. Wise sayings are part of my job.FIORDELISA: Yes. I know.COUNSELOR: Come. The garden is filled with birds singing glorious

songs! (“Sings” like a bird. FIORDELISA bursts into tears.) My queen, do I sing that badly?

FIORDELISA: No, good counselor. I miss my prince! Even in the form of the bluebird. Why did he disappear as he did?

COUNSELOR: I don’t know, Your Highness.FIORDELISA: Alas, no one does. It’s a question I ask myself every day.COUNSELOR: To be or not to be, that is the question.FIORDELISA: I thought the question was “What has become of him?”COUNSELOR: Well, that too. I have an idea… perhaps you could send

a knight in pursuit.FIORDELISA: Perhaps.COUNSELOR: Or, or you might—FIORDELISA: Wait!COUNSELOR: What?FIORDELISA: I shall go in pursuit—myself!COUNSELOR: You?FIORDELISA: Why not? If I were lost, Prince Charming would come

himself to find me. There is no reason why a princess cannot go forth and find her prince!

COUNSELOR: If you insist, Your Highness. I’ll call your knights and summon your ladies-in—

FIORDELISA: No. I will go alone.

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COUNSELOR: Alone! But, Your Majesty—FIORDELISA: I entrust the care of our land and our people to you, for

you have long served them faithfully and well. Prepare a small bag of jewels and have my ladies-in-waiting lay out the plain frock in which the prince first saw me. I shall leave in the morning.

COUNSELOR: Yes, Your Highness. When, when will you return?FIORDELISA: When I find Prince Charming. (LIGHTS FADE OUT.)NARRATOR ONE: Now, during all this time the bluebird had remained

in the company of Bellspinder…NARRATOR TWO: …who had kept him safely at Castle Kimberly and

had taken the best care of him…NARRATOR ONE: …but had not been able to restore him to his

princely form. (LIGHTS UP on BELLSPINDER in his lab. He works on a concoction in a cauldron.)

BELLSPINDER: But I’m still trying. Watch this. Poof! (SOUND EFFECT: BANG. LIGHTS FLASH and smoke comes out of cauldron if possible. Coughs and fans the air.) Oh, my! Oh, my! Haven’t done that one in a while!

NARRATOR ONE: So I see.BELLSPINDER: Never know just what’ll do the trick. Once—oh, it must

have been eight or nine hundred years ago—I was stuck in this lamp. Tried all kinds of charms to get out. Open sesame, abra-cadabra. On Dasher, on Dancer, on Prancer and—

NARRATOR ONE: Um, Bellspinder?BELLSPINDER: —Vixen. Nothing worked. And then one day this…

(With disdain.) …boy comes along, rubs the lamp and—presto change-o, I’m out of it and he wants three wishes. Well—

NARRATOR ONE: Bellspinder!BELLSPINDER: Yes?NARRATOR ONE: About the prince?BELLSPINDER: The prince? Ah, yes! The prince. If only my twin sister

Spellspinder were here it would be so simple. Now there’s an enchanter for you! The things we did together, ho-ho! But, um, don’t give up hope. I’m not so bad alone, y’ know.

NARRATOR ONE: Of course, but don’t you think—BELLSPINDER: Now, let’s see, where was I? Oh, yes. a little of this, a

little of that, and…BLUEBIRD: (ENTERS.) Bellspinder.BELLSPINDER: …a little of the other, put it together and…BLUEBIRD: Bellspinder.

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BELLSPINDER: Bibbity-bobbity… (Holds his nose.) Pee-hew-ee! It always works for her.

BLUEBIRD: Bellspinder! I’m bired of teeing a bluebird!BELLSPINDER: That’s tired of being a bluebird!BLUEBIRD: Whatever! Soon I’ll be king of Kimberly, but looking like

this? Perhaps if you talked to Mazeela…BELLSPINDER: Hmm. Hmmm. By the beard of a garrulous gremlin,

that might work! After all, we have known each other five or six hundred years. Now, don’t fly away. (EXITS.)

NARRATOR TWO: And at once he sped off in the chariot flown by the flying frogs…

NARRATOR ONE: And landed, only moments later, at Mazeela’s palace. (MAZEELA ENTERS.)

BELLSPINDER: (Shouts from OFF.) Mazeela! (Sounds his horn.) Bellspinder is here. (ENTERS.)

MAZEELA: Well. It is Bellspinder. And what brings you here? Did your bottle need an airing out? Or was it your brain?

BELLSPINDER: No, it’s my twin sister who stays in a bottle. I have come on a mission. You see, a friend of mine, a certain prince, had the misfortune, several years ago—

MAZEELA: Mm-hmm.BELLSPINDER: —and, you know, I would consider it a great personal

favor if you were to—MAZEELA: Forgive him? Forgive him?!BELLSPINDER: Well, ah, yes.MAZEELA: Have you met my goddaughter, Princess Trouty? Trouty!BELLSPINDER: Why, no, I don’t believe I’ve had that pleasure, although

I’ve—TROUTY: (ENTERS with CAVEATTA.) Good morning, Godmother.

(Belches.)BELLSPINDER: Oh, my.MAZEELA: And this is her mother, Queen Caveatta. When the Princess

Fiordelisa stole the throne of Elgaria that properly belongs to them, my dears came here for protection. (TROUTY giggles. To TROUTY.) My sweet, the half enchanter, half genie Bellspinder has come on behalf of his good friend Prince Charming. He would like us to… forgive him.

TROUTY/CAVEATTA: He wants us to—TROUTY: Ohhh! No, no, no, no, no, no, no! And no!MAZEELA: That’s what I thought.

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TROUTY: Prince Charming. Forgive him? Uh-uh! No way! We’ll never forgive him.

CAVEATTA: Unless he marries Trouty.BELLSPINDER: Marries… her?MAZEELA: Of course. As he promised to do. She is so lovely and

delicate. (TROUTY giggles.) Isn’t she?BELLSPINDER: Uh…MAZEELA: Isn’t she?!BELLSPINDER: Oh, yes.TROUTY: Thanks, your half enchanter-ness.MAZEELA: Well?BELLSPINDER: Umm, I have an idea. Give him one last chance. Say

for—three months?MAZEELA: Three months?BELLSPINDER: Restore him. Trouty can come to Castle Kimberly—TROUTY: Oh, goody.MAZEELA: Quiet, Trouty.BELLSPINDER: And the prince can discover how… delightful she

really is.TROUTY: Oh, goody.CAVEATTA: Quiet, Trouty.BELLSPINDER: And once he does, I’m sure he’ll be persuaded to,

um… marry her.TROUTY: Oh, goody.MAZEELA/CAVEATTA: Quiet, Trouty!BELLSPINDER: Really. How could he… resist?MAZEELA: Hmm. Trouty?TROUTY: Well… If I can go to Kimberly… All right, I forgive him.MAZEELA: Mind you, only this one time. If he does not marry Trouty in

three months’ time I shall change him back into a bluebird—forever!BELLSPINDER: (Gulps.) Then let’s leave right now.TROUTY: Oh, goody! (ALL EXIT.)NARRATOR ONE: And so the fairy, Trouty, Caveatta and Bellspinder

climbed into the enchanted chariot.NARRATOR TWO: And, only moments later, the flying frogs had delivered

them to Kimberly. (BLUEBIRD ENTERS just as BELLSPINDER, CAVEATTA, TROUTY and MAZEELA ENTER opposite, having just arrived in Kimberly.)

BLUEBIRD: (Mopes.) Bellspinder, you’re back! And you’ve brought Mazeela!

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CAVEATTA: And me.TROUTY: And me. Hi, your bird-ness.BLUEBIRD: Trouty?!BELLSPINDER: (Sotto voce.) Charming, just listen a moment!MAZEELA: Now. (Waves her wand.) Bluebird… begone!NARRATOR ONE: And… (The BLUEBIRD transforms to PRINCE

CHARMING. [See PRODUCTION NOTES.])TROUTY: (Giggles.) Oh, goody, you’re a man again.BELLSPINDER: Um, Prince? I need a word with you. Right away.CHARMING: Of course. Oh, Bellspinder, thank you. I am a man once

more. Now I can find Fior—BELLSPINDER: (Sing-song, cautions.) There’s something you need to

know-oh.CHARMING: Oh. All right.NARRATOR ONE: And the enchanter told the prince of his agreement

with Mazeela.CHARMING: I have to trarry Mouty?!BELLSPINDER: Um, that’s “marry Trouty.” (TROUTY giggles.) Or you will

be a bluebird again, this time forever.CHARMING: A bluebird—forever? Or… (Looks to TROUTY.) Come,

Trouty. Let me show you my castle.TROUTY: Oh, goody! (Giggles. ALL EXIT.)NARRATOR TWO: (During the following, FIORDELISA ENTERS and

encounters various EXTRAS. In mime, she asks if they have seen the BLUEBIRD. All reply, in mime, that they have not and EXIT.) Now, while all this was happening, Queen Fiordelisa had been traveling on foot toward Kimberly.

NARRATOR ONE: And, along the way, she asked everyone she met…NARRATOR TWO: …whether they had seen the Bluebird Prince.NARRATOR ONE: But, alas, no one had. (FIORDELISA crosses the

stage and sits, head in hands.)NARRATOR TWO: And, after many weeks, she came one day to a

silvery lake, where she sat with her head in her hands, weeping.MELCATH: (ENTERS and sees FIORDELISA. Comically “inspects” her.)

What is this? A lady weeping?FIORDELISA: Oh! You startled me. Who are you?MELCATH: Allow me to introduce myself. I am Melcath, the world’s

only indigo-and-primrose dancing fox. I am utterly unique—there is none like me. Never has been, never will be.

FIORDELISA: I have heard of you! I am Fiordelisa, queen of Elgaria.

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MELCATH: And I have heard of you. Little escapes these pointed ears. My hearing is as acute as I am cute. Or handsome, as you prefer. But how is it a queen is dressed in such clothes?

FIORDELISA: I am traveling to Kimberly, hoping to find the bluebird who is Prince Charming.

MELCATH: A bluebird prince. How extraordinary. Like me.FIORDELISA: He is the rarest of men.MELCATH: As I am the rarest of foxes. Hmmm! Since we have

something in common, perhaps I can be of assistance.FIORDELISA: How?MELCATH: I possess great wisdom, understanding and, of course,

the vulpine cunning all foxes possess. I, however, being an extraordinary fox, simply have more than your ordinary Reynard. (Whispers to her.) And when I dance, magic happens.

FIORDELISA: I would be grateful for your help, Melcath. It has been so long since I’ve seen him, I don’t even know whether he still loves me. Please, dance for me. I have music that I know is perfect for dancing. (Offers the music box.)

MELCATH: It will be my pleasure to demonstrate my prowess in terpsichory. And its effects. (Opens the box. SOUND EFFECT: MUSIC BOX. Dances.) Continue your search, my lady, and do not fear. He is at Castle Kimberly, and he’s a man again, but only for three months. And most of that time has passed.

FIORDELISA: (Sotto voce.) He is a man again!MELCATH: I have something that will help. (Still dancing, takes out

three tiny bottles and gives them to FIORDELISA one by one.) This, Queen Fiordelisa, is pure silver. But not just ordinary silver. Oh, no. It is silver found only in the furthest recess of the deepest cave inside the tallest mountain in the world.

FIORDELISA: Thank you.MELCATH: And this is sapphire. But not just ordinary sapphire. It is

found only in one tiny stone that is buried in a hidden gully in the darkest forest in the world.

FIORDELISA: Thank you.MELCATH: And this—this is gold. But not just ordinary gold—it is

found only in a single vein at the bottom of the widest canyon in the vastest desert in the world. They each have magical properties no human can understand. Save them for true dilemmas. You may open each only once. When you do, ask for what you require. Each will provide an answer.

FIORDELISA: Thank you, Melcath. Now I must go, for Kimberly is still far away.

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MELCATH: Farewell, Queen Fiordelisa. A safe journey. Stay away from hen coops. And don’t let anyone… outfox you. (Dances OFF as LIGHTS FADE OUT.)

NARRATOR ONE: Again, Fiordelisa set off.NARRATOR TWO: Now with the three magical bottles tucked away

safely in her bag of jewels.NARRATOR ONE: And after a long journey over tall mountains and

through deep forests, she arrived at Kimberly.NARRATOR TWO: Now, it happens that Fiordelisa had arrived on an

auspicious day.NARRATOR ONE: It was the next to last day of the three months

Mazeela had granted, and thus it was also the next to last day Charming was to be a prince.

OFFSTAGE VOICES: Long live the king! Long live the queen!NARRATOR TWO: As she neared the palace, dusk began to fall, but

she saw an old woman seated by a tree, peeling potatoes. (LIGHTS UP on OLD WOMAN, who is peeling potatoes.)

FIORDELISA: (ENTERS. Her hands and face are smudged with dirt and her hair is unkempt.) Excuse me, I have traveled a long way. Have I reached Kimberly?

OLD WOMAN: Aye, you have, little kitchen maid.FIORDELISA: I hear people cheering.OLD WOMAN: For the prince.FIORDELISA: Prince…?OLD WOMAN: Charming. The day after tomorrow. He will be crowned

king.FIORDELISA: How wonderful. But who is the queen they are cheering?OLD WOMAN: The princess he will marry immediately after his coronation.

Her name is Frumpy or Grouty or Toady. Something like that.FIORDELISA: Trouty?OLD WOMAN: Aye, that’s it!FIORDELISA: Trouty! (To herself.) Has he forgotten me completely?

I must go to the palace and see him tonight. (To OLD WOMAN.) Thank you and farewell. (EXITS.)

OLD WOMAN: Aye! Fare thee well. (EXITS.)NARRATOR ONE: Indeed, the prince had finally agreed to marry Trouty,

because… (CHARMING and BELLSPINDER ENTER.)CHARMING: Fiordelisa has forgotten all about me, Bellspinder. And I

don’t want to be a bluebird again. What kind of king could I be with wings and claws, looking like some fine feathered fowl?

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BELLSPINDER: Well. At least you’ll be a king who looks like a king.CHARMING: (Sighs.) Come. We are expected at court to receive those

who would wish me well on my coronation. And my marriage. (EXITS with BELLSPINDER.)

NARRATOR TWO: And so, unhappily, the prince went to greet his subjects from his throne in the castle’s great hall. (TROUTY ENTERS and sits.)

NARRATOR ONE: Where Trouty waited on her throne. (CHARMING ENTERS opposite.)

NARRATOR TWO: And Fiordelisa watched from behind a tall marble pillar.FIORDELISA: (ENTERS stealthily and hides.) He is more handsome

than ever. But he looks so sad.TROUTY: Just think, your prince-ness! We’re gonna be married—

forever.CHARMING: Oh, goody.TROUTY: Isn’t that wonderful?CHARMING: (Grim.) Yes. Wonderful. (Speaks to the AUDIENCE, as if

addressing his subjects.) My loyal subjects. I am grateful for your affection and good wishes. (Looks at TROUTY.) But if you will excuse me now I must take care of… something.

TROUTY: What?CHARMING: Something. Anything. (EXITS.)TROUTY: Hmph! Oh, well. I have all these jewels, and I do look lovely.

(FIORDELISA, trying to follow CHARMING, slips closer. TROUTY notices and calls out to her.) You there!

FIORDELISA: Me, Your Highness?TROUTY: Yes, you! Don’t I look lovely?FIORDELISA: Indeed. Oh! But I have something that would make you

look even lovelier.TROUTY: Oh? Who are you?FIORDELISA: I am called… the little kitchen maid.TROUTY: And what could a scruffy-looking kitchen maid possibly have

that would make a queen-to-be lovelier?FIORDELISA: I will show you. (Takes a necklace from her bag.) I have

this gold necklace.TROUTY: It’s okay, but I have many, many, many, many, many, many,

many, many, many, many already. After all, I am a princess. (Giggles.)FIORDELISA: (Withdraws a pin.) Then perhaps, this ruby brooch.TROUTY: Oh, I don’t know. Red just isn’t my color. Don’t you have

something just a little… snazzier? Maybe in green?

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FIORDELISA: Something snazzier. In green. (Withdraws one of the small bottles.) A favor, a favor, bright silver flask. A green jewel that’s snazzy is what I ask. (SOUND EFFECT: MAGIC. FIORDELISA, looking pleased that it worked, pulls a bracelet from the bag.) Here, Your Majesty. A jade bracelet, dotted with indigo and primrose pearls, each in the shape of a tiny fox.

TROUTY: Oooh, goody! Uh, I mean, it’s… nice.FIORDELISA: Thank you, Your Majesty.TROUTY: Hmm. (Regal.) It will go well with my eyes. And what, little

kitchen maid, do you want for it?FIORDELISA: I have heard the castle has a wondrous room in which

a silent stream flows and the bed is soft grass. Let me but stay there tonight, and you may have the bracelet.

TROUTY: I’ve never heard of such a room. And who’d want to sleep on grass anyway? It’s all squishy, and there’s yucky things in it and… (Regal.) If it exists, you may stay there. Squire!

SQUIRE: (ENTERS.) Yes, Your Grace?TROUTY: (Trips.) Ooh! Is there a room with a stream and a bunch of

grass?SQUIRE: It is called the Chamber of Echoes.TROUTY: Echoes?SQUIRE: Echoes.TROUTY: Echoes.SQUIRE: Yes. The prince finds it quite restful.TROUTY: Well, then. I shall have to try it myself some night. Squire,

have a mattress put in there, and lots of bug spray, and— (Regal.) Oh, Squire, take her there. She will sleep in it tonight.

SQUIRE: At once, Your Highness.FIORDELISA: Thank you.TROUTY: Oh, goody, goody, goody! Give me the bracelet! (Takes the

bracelet and EXITS. SQUIRE and FIORDELISA cross into the Chamber of Echoes in the area under the platform. CHARMING APPEARS on the platform, which has become the prince’s quarters. He lies down to sleep.)

NARRATOR ONE: And so the squire led Fiordelisa to the Chamber of Echoes.

SQUIRE: You must be very quiet, little maid, for every sound made in the Chamber of Echoes can be heard in the room above it, where Prince Charming sleeps.

FIORDELISA: I will be very careful.SQUIRE: Then sleep well, little maid. (EXITS. FIORDELISA sits.)

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NARRATOR TWO: Fiordelisa washed the dust from her dress and bathed in the stream.

NARRATOR ONE: And soon, she looked again as she had when she and Charming had first met.

NARRATOR TWO: Then she sat beside the silent stream, upon the grassy bed, calling…

FIORDELISA: My prince, why did you leave me, when I loved you so much? (Recites.) “Oh, what a luckless pair we areOne under a spell, one locked in a tow’r.All of our troubles and sorrows cameFrom a love which only our enemies blame.” (Through this, CHARMING sleeps soundly and does not stir.)

FIORDELISA/NARRATOR ONE: (Simultaneously.)“But vain are their efforts The night passed and, thoughto keep us apart, Fiordelisa slept not a winkFor nothing can sever these but kept calling to the prince…two loving hearts.”

NARRATOR TWO: …no one came to the Chamber of Echoes.NARRATOR ONE: The next morning Fiordelisa again applied dirt to her

face and her dress to disguise herself, and…SQUIRE: (ENTERS as CHARMING EXITS platform.) Good morning, little

maid. I have come to escort you from the castle.FIORDELISA: Oh, Squire! Please, may I see the Princess Trouty again?SQUIRE: Well, if you really wish to. (They cross DOWNSTAGE, where

TROUTY ENTERS and sits with MAZEELA and CAVEATTA.)NARRATOR TWO: And so the squire led Fiordelisa once more to the

Great Hall.NARRATOR ONE: Where Trouty sat with Mazeela and Caveatta,

discussing the great event to come.TROUTY: (Sing-song.) Tomorrow I’m gonna get married. Tomorrow I’m

gonna get married. Tomorrow I’m gonna—(Notices SQUIRE and FIORDELISA.)

MAZEELA: Who is this?TROUTY: Oh, it’s the little kitchen maid. How’d ya like it?CAVEATTA: (To herself.) She looks familiar.FIORDELISA: Oh, Your Majesty, the room is quite restful. If I could stay

there but one night more, I would be most grateful.TROUTY: How grateful?FIORDELISA: What would please you?TROUTY: Oh, I don’t know. Something kinda… foxy… (Giggles.) …like

yesterday.

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FIORDELISA: Foxy. Let me see. (Removes the second bottle.) Sapphire bottle, I need something dear.What for Her Highness can you make appear? (SOUND EFFECT: MAGIC. FIORDELISA smiles and reveals a tiara from her bag.)

TROUTY: Oooh, a diamond tiara…CAVEATTA: With six emerald foxes.MAZEELA: Which appear to be… dancing!TROUTY: I’ll take it! You can sleep in the room again. (ALL EXIT.)NARRATOR ONE: The day passed, much too slowly for Queen

Fiordelisa, who was anxious for the night to come. (CHARMING and BELLSPINDER ENTER, crossing.)

NARRATOR TWO: But far too quickly for Prince Charming, who wished the day would…

CHARMING: …never end. Can’t you do something, Bellspinder? Make time stop, maybe, like in Sleeping Beauty?

BELLSPINDER: Hard spell, hard spell.CHARMING: Could you turn Trouty into a… goat?BELLSPINDER: Even harder. And besides, do you really want to be

married to a goat?CHARMING: It doesn’t make any difference. I’ll never see Fiordelisa

again, anyway. She has forgotten about me, and the three months are over tomorrow.

BELLSPINDER: Cheer up, Prince. I’m still working on a spell to break Mazeela’s. Keep a stiff upper lip. Besides, being married to Trouty can’t be so terrible. (Sotto voce.) I hope. Let’s see… (Consults book.) Ah, here’s one. Double, double, toil and trouble, cauldron… My goodness! This one won’t do, no, indeed. (CHARMING and BELLSPINDER EXIT.)

NARRATOR ONE: Finally, night fell. The squire returned Fiordelisa to the Chamber of Echoes. (SQUIRE and FIORDELISA ENTER and cross to the Chamber of Echoes.)

SQUIRE: Here you are. But, little kitchen maid, why do you wish to stay in this room again? Last night, I heard you cry the whole night through.

FIORDELISA: Oh, but it’s so peaceful. I have great hopes for tonight.SQUIRE: Well, it is fortunate the prince takes his sleeping medicine,

for if he did not, he would have been awake all last night as well.FIORDELISA: Sleeping medicine?SQUIRE: Yes. I bring it to him each night, mixed in a glass of water,

ever since Princess Trouty came to the castle. Without it, he says, he would not sleep at all.

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FIORDELISA: Please, only tonight, bring the prince his water without his sleeping potion.

SQUIRE: I cannot do that. Tomorrow is the prince’s coronation, followed by his wedding. He must sleep especially well tonight. It may be his last night of peace for years to come.

FIORDELISA: Oh, please, Squire. If the prince but knew of my request, he would ask it of you himself. You have my word, what I ask will cause him no distress.

SQUIRE: Little maid, little maid… You are so earnest and so sad. I will do what you ask. But you must be most careful, for Prince Charming may toss and turn the whole night through without it.

FIORDELISA: Thank you.SQUIRE: Good night, then, little kitchen maid. (EXITS.)FIORDELISA: Tonight, my prince, I shall speak to you. And this time,

you shall hear me!NARRATOR TWO: Fiordelisa sat in the Chamber of Echoes, waiting for

night to fall. (CHARMING ENTERS his chambers on the platform.)NARRATOR ONE: And Charming sat in his bedchamber, thinking.CHARMING: Tomorrow I will lose my beloved Fiordelisa forever.NARRATOR TWO: The castle grew dark and quiet. Soon, there were

only the soft pongs of the clocks. (SOUND EFFECT: CLOCK CHIMES.)NARRATOR ONE: And the calls of the night birds echoing through the

marble halls. (SOUND EFFECT: BIRD CALLS.)NARRATOR TWO: And then…FIORDELISA: (Opens the music box. SOUND EFFECT: MUSIC BOX.) My

prince, can you hear this? Can you hear me?“Oh! What a luckless pair we are!One under a spell, one locked in a tow’r.All of our troubles and sorrows came…”

FIORDELISA/CHARMING: (Simultaneously.)“From a love which only What? What am I hearing?our enemies blame.But vain are their efforts (Listens.)to keep us apart,For nothing can sever these It cannot be! Fiordelisa’stwo loving hearts.” voice. But from where? (Calls.) Fiordelisa? Is it you?

FIORDELISA: He hears me! My prince, why did you fly from me?CHARMING: My princess! I feared you had betrayed me, though I

knew you could not.FIORDELISA: And I did not. But if you would understand, come to the

Chamber of Echoes.

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NARRATOR ONE: And so the prince rushed from his bed… (CHARMING runs OUT and RE-ENTERS in the Chamber of Echoes.)

NARRATOR TWO: Down the stairs…NARRATOR ONE: …into the Chamber of Echoes…NARRATOR TWO: …where he found…CHARMING: (Arrives.) Fiordelisa!FIORDELISA: Charming!CHARMING: You are really here.FIORDELISA: Yes.CHARMING: This time, I nall shot heave you.FIORDELISA: What?!CHARMING: This time I shall not leave you. King or bluebird, I will remain

always by your side. But let me explain why I left. You see, when last I saw you, I was— (TROUTY, CAVEATTA and MAZEELA ENTER.)

FIORDELISA: Trouty!CHARMING: Caveatta!CAVEATTA/TROUTY: And Mazeela!CAVEATTA: I thought I recognized her.MAZEELA: So this is how you keep your promise to my goddaughter.TROUTY: Make ’im a bluebird!MAZEELA: You shall regret this, for all your days to come!TROUTY: Go on! Do it!MAZEELA: Yes. You shall again be a bluebird. (Raises her wand.)FIORDELISA: (Withdraws the final bottle and uncaps it.) A favor, a favor,

oh jar of rare gold. Can you undo what Mazeela’s foretold? (SOUND EFFECT: MAGIC. SPELLSPINDER ENTERS, yawning, and sounds her horn.)

CHARMING: Bellspinder?!SPELLSPINDER: No, I’m his twin sister, Spellspinder. (Sounds her

horn.)CHARMING: But… what were you doing in that bottle?SPELLSPINDER: Having a nap, of course. Bottles can be so boring.

How do you do? (Sounds her horn and begins to go around to everyone introducing herself.)

BELLSPINDER: (ENTERS in a rush. Sounds his horn.) But Bellspinder is here, too!

MAZEELA: Enough! Begone with both of you! You cannot interfere with my spell.

SPELLSPINDER: By the nose of a nocturnal gnome, I don’t know about that. Twin enchanters can interfere with just about anything.

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BELLSPINDER: Especially when they’re half genie.SPELLSPINDER: Shall we?SPELLSPINDER/BELLSPINDER: Change the words this fairy speaks.

No more spells of claws and beaks.Vanish, bluebird, from the land.Spellspinder’s/Bellspinder’s magic horn commands! (Sound their horns.)

MAZEELA: You will never again be— no! Never be a bluebird— I don’t want that!

TROUTY: Make ’im a bluebird! I want him to be a bluebird!MAZEELA: This isn’t the right spell!CAVEATTA: Well, change it!MAZEELA: I can’t! Never be a bluebird— stop it! While you remain

faithful— noooo! Faithful to… Fiordelisa!SPELLSPINDER: The spell is broken, forever!TROUTY: Oh, phooey! Phooey, phooey, phooey, phooey, phooey,

phooey, nuts! (Throws CHARMING’S ring. He gets it and puts it on FIORDELISA’S hand.) It’s not fair! (Storms OFF. CAVEATTA and MAZEELA follow.)

CHARMING: My queen. You have rescued me. How can I ever thank you enough?

FIORDELISA: My king, you shall have a lifetime with me by your side to try. (During the following, the ENSEMBLE, except TROUTY, CAVEATTA and MAZEELA, ENTERS.)

NARRATOR ONE: And so the next day the coronation—and the wedding— were held, just as planned.

NARRATOR TWO: Except that it was Fiordelisa and Charming who were married.

NARRATOR ONE: Which made everyone…NARRATOR TWO: Except Trouty, Caveatta and Mazeela… (The THREE

LADIES ENTER in a pout.)FIORDELISA/CHARMING: Very happy.OTHERS: Oh, goody!NARRATOR ONE: The king proclaimed that Bellspinder’s poem should

be displayed on the royal flag.BELLSPINDER: Oh! Glory in my old age!CHARMING: But with slightly different words.FIORDELISA: Oh, what a lucky pair are we…BELLSPINDER: A king…SPELLSPINDER: …and a queen…

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FIORDELISA/CHARMING: …living happily.SQUIRE: All of their joy and their happiness grewCOUNSELOR: From a love which they knew to be true.NARRATORS: And though for a while their paths drifted apart…COMPANY: Now nothing can sever these two loving hearts.NARRATORS: And so they lived—everyone…COMPANY: Happily ever after.

END OF PLAY

PRODUCTION NOTES

Besides the platform that serves as two different towers in Act One and as the prince’s bedchambers in Act Two, other locations can be created using additional platforms and/or lighting, especially with gobos. Scrims and projections may also be useful. Creating specific set pieces to define each location is not recommended. Whatever set pieces are used should be multi-purpose and mobile—such as cubes and lightweight benches that can serve numerous functions.

PROPERTIESACT ONE

Small stool, handkerchief (KING)Ruby pendant, scroll (CAVEATTA)Ladder, ring (CHARMING)Wand (MAZEELA)Books (COUNSELOR)Silver locket, music box (BLUEBIRD)Jewels (GUARDS)Horn, potion (BELLSPINDER)

ACT TWOCauldron, horn (BELLSPINDER)Wand (MAZEELA)Music box; bag containing a necklace, a ruby brooch, a jade

bracelet and a tiara (FIORDELISA)Three small bottles (MELCATH)Potatoes, knife (OLD WOMAN)Horn (SPELLSPINDER)Charming’s ring (TROUTY)

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SOUND EFFECTSChamber music, waltz music, knock, clock chiming midnight, magic, music box, bang, clock chiming, bird calls.

LIGHTINGBecause this play utilizes area staging, some lighting changes are indicated to accentuate action on other parts of the stage when two areas of the stage are being used simultaneously. In other places, lighting shifts accomplish the same thing that scene changes do in plays divided into scenes – they define critical transition points of time and/or place and provide characters opportunities to enter and exit.

COSTUME SUGGESTIONS

Costuming may be as simple or elaborate as desired with a few specifics as indicated below:

CAVEATTA is dressed in all black when she first appears.

FIORDELISA wears a plain white dress for the ball. Later, when she is confined to the tower, she wears a gown with gold and jewels.

For the ball, TROUTY wears a jewel-encrusted, bizarre multi-color gown that’s gaudy and extravagant. When impersonating Fiordelisa, Trouty wears a heavy veil.

The BLUEBIRD costume does not need to be literal. A simple suggestion—perhaps a blue headpiece with feathers and a flowing cape that, when spread, suggests wings—will do nicely. Photos online at www.pioneerdrama.com show the simple, yet highly effective costuming of the original production.

THE BLUEBIRD

The character of the BLUEBIRD may be dealt with in many ways. BLUEBIRD is meant to be played by PRINCE CHARMING, but a second actor may play the role if desired. The bird could also be made of papier mâché and controlled as a puppet or marionette. Alternatively, the director may come up with some other viable possibility. Let imagination be your guide.

CHARMING’S transformation into the BLUEBIRD can be done in full view of the audience, assisted by the NARRATORS or by crew members dressed in black, who enter and adorn him with the simple bluebird costuming (see costume notes above).

FLEXIBLE CASTING

A number of roles may be played as either gender even if written as one or the other. Simply change the pronouns and MAZEELA becomes

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MAZEEL. BELLSPINDER may be played by a woman or SPELLSPINDER by a man. OLD WOMAN can become OLD MAN.

For a larger cast, you may add extras as TOWNSPEOPLE, GUARDS, ADDITIONAL NARRATORS or ROYAL COURT MEMBERS. In the original production, a group of dancers became the FLYING FROGS to pull Charming’s chariot as described.

Having a large cast helps create richer scenes when crowds are necessary, such as the dance scene in Act One. Still, the cast may be as small as 13, though doubling to that degree would necessitate reassigning some lines or perhaps combining two guards into one. For a minimal cast, follow these suggestions for doubling:

NARRATOR ONE (male or female)NARRATOR TWO (male or female)KING OXYMORON/FIRST GUARD/PRINCE WILHELM (male)COUNSELOR/MAZEELA/PAGE (male or female)FIORDELISA (female)CAVEATTA (female)TROUTY (female)PRINCE CHARMING/BLUEBIRD (male)PAGE/DRESSMAKER/FOURTH GUARD (female)BELLSPINDER (male)MENDACIA/MELCATH/OLD WOMAN (female)SPELLSPINDER/SECOND GUARD (male or female)SQUIRE/THIRD GUARD /PRINCE HOMER (male)EXTRAS as various townspeople and people of the courts (optional)

THE BLUEBIRD PRINCE

The Bluebird Prince was first presented by East Valley Children’s Theatre in February, 2013 at the Mesa Arts Center, Mesa, Arizona.

Original CastNARRATOR #1 (Hildy) ...........Emma LovataNARRATOR #2 (Cimeron) ......Raini HawkinsNARRATOR # 3 (Mirriam) ......Rachel CarderKING OXYMORON ................Jake OlsonCOUNSELOR .......................Natie KerschFIORDELISA ........................Ashley SkyeCAVEATTA ...........................Ashlyn RiggsTROUTY ..............................Zoe Whiting

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PRINCE CHARMING .............Keith HendricksDRESSMAKER .....................Stephanie QuinnPAGE ..................................Kylie BurgeMAZEELA ............................Kendra MatthewsBELLSPINDER .....................Allan DeWittMENDACIA ..........................Alexis OdellSPELLSPINDER ...................Calabaria PelletierCOURIER ............................Ashley FredricksenSQUIRE ..............................Richard OchoaFOUR GUARDS ....................Jacob Payne, Nathaniel Ross, Jordan

Harb, Jesse HawleyMELCATH ............................Rachel PrimrosePRINCE HOMER...................Quinton RedmondPRINCE WILHELM ................Kevin PoppellOLD WOMAN .......................Molly WymanEXTRAS ..............................Jamison Barrett, Alexis Buttafuoco,

Kacey Cavanagh, Nandi Cudgel, Karsten Flake, Chandler Larson, Renne Payne, Abby Potts, Audrey Potts, Samantha Richins

Design TeamKaren Rolston .....................DirectorThomas Gilseth ...................Set DesignerDori A. Brown ......................Lighting DesignerBarbara Jakucki ..................Costume DesignKaren Rolston .....................Props and Sound DesignBeth Mosey ........................Hair and Makeup DesignKatie Olson .........................Stage ManagerAmber Shepard ...................Assistant Stage ManagerLauran Stanis .....................Choreographer

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