[NARRATOR, spoken]

With his wife

Into the Woods
[BAKER]
Scene 1 More than anything
-Into the Woods Prologue-
[WIFE]
(Downstage, three structures: Far left, the home of More than the moon
Cinderella. She is in the kitchen, cleaning. Center,
[BAKER'S WIFE]
the cottage where Jack lives. He is inside, milking his I wish
pathetic-looking cow, Milky-White. Far right, the
home/workplace of the Baker and his Wife. They are [CINDERELLA]
preparing tomorrow’s bread. Behind these homes, a The King is giving a Festival
drop depicts a large forest which separates them
from the rest of the kingdom. A Narrator steps [BAKER & BAKER'S WIFE]
forward.) More than life

[NARRATOR, spoken] [JACK]

Once upon a time I wish
In a far-off kingdom
There lay a small village [CINDERELLA]
At the edge of the woods I wish to go to the Festival

[CINDERELLA] [BAKER & BAKER'S WIFE]

I wish More than riches

[NARRATOR, spoken] [CINDERELLA]

And in this village And the ball

[CINDERELLA] [JACK]
More than anything I wish my cow would
Give us some milk
[NARRATOR, spoken]
Lived a young maiden [CINDERELLA & BAKER'S WIFE]
More than anything
[CINDERELLA]
More than life [BAKER]
More than jewels I wish we had a child

[NARRATOR, spoken] [JACK]

A carefree young lad Please, pal-

[JACK] [BAKER'S WIFE]

I wish I want a child
More than life
[JACK]
[NARRATOR, spoken] Squeeze, pal
And a childless baker
[CINDERELLA]
[BAKER & BAKER'S WIFE] I wish to go to the Festival
I wish
[JACK]
I wish you'd give us some [STEPMOTHER & STEPSISTERS]
Milk or even cheese Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
I wish
[NARRATOR, spoken]
[BAKER & BAKER'S WIFE] All three were beautiful of face, but vile and black of heart
I wish we might have a child The young lad had no father and his mother
I wish
[JACK'S MOTHER]
[STEPMOTHER] I wish
You wish to go to the Festival?
[NARRATOR, spoken]
[NARRATOR, spoken] Well, she was at her wit's end
The poor girl's parents had died
[JACK'S MOTHER]
[STEPMOTHER] I wish my son were not a fool
You, Cinderella, the Festival? I wish my house was not a mess
You wish to go to the Festival? I wish the cow was full of milk
I wish the walls were full of gold
[FLORINDA] I wish a lot of things
What, you, Cinderella, the Festival? (spoken)
The Festival?! What in heaven's name are you doing
With the cow inside the house?
[LUCINDA]
What, you wish to go to the Festival? [JACK, spoken]
I thought if he got nice and warm
[ALL THREE] He might produce some milk
The Festival?
The King's Festival? [JACK'S MOTHER, spoken]
It's a she
[NARRATOR, spoken] How many times do I have to tell you
And now she lived with her stepmother Only she's can give milk?

[STEPMOTHER, spoken] [NARRATOR, spoken]

The Festival? And then there was a hungry little girl
Ha! Who always wore a red cape

[NARRATOR, spoken] [LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD]

Who had two daughters of her own I wish
It's not for me
[FLORINDA] It's for my Granny in the woods
Look at your nails! A loaf of bread, please
To bring my poor old hungry
[LUCINDA] Granny in the woods
Look at your dress! Just a loaf of bread, please

[STEPMOTHER] [STEPMOTHER, spoken]

People would laugh at you
[CINDERELLA]
Nevertheless
I still want to go to the Festival
And dance before the Prince
Cinderella, if you can pick up these lentils
And finish your chores in time
Then you may go to the ball with us
Come along ladies
[STEPSISTERS, spoken]
Yes, Mother And no one keeps a cow for a friend!
(spoken)
[LUCINDA, spoken] Sometimes I wonder what's going on in that head of yours
Good luck
[LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD]
[CINDERELLA] Into the woods
Come, little birds It's time to go
Down from the eaves I hate to leave
And the leaves I have to go
Over fields Into the woods
Out of castles and ponds It's time, and so
I must begin my journey
[JACK] Into the woods
Now, squeeze, pal And through the trees
To where I am
[CINDERELLA] Expected ma'am
Ahhhhhhhhhh Into the woods
Quick, little birds To Grandmother's house
Flick through the ashes Into the woods
Pick and peck, but swiftly To Grandmother's house
Sift through the ashes
Into the pot [BAKER'S WIFE, spoken]
Now you're certain of your way?
[JACK'S MOTHER, spoken]
Now listen to me well, son [LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD]
Milky-White must be taken to market The way is clear
The light is good
[JACK, spoken] I have no fear
But, mother, no he's the best cow in the world Nor no one should
The woods are just trees
[JACK'S MOTHER, spoken] The trees are just wood
Was I sort of hate to ask it
She has been dry for weeks now But do you have a basket?
With no food or money
We've got no choice but to sell her [BAKER'S WIFE, spoken]
Look at her Yes, we do

[JACK, spoken] [BAKER, spoken]

But, Milky-White's my best friend I don't suppose you're planning on buying any of these

[JACK'S MOTHER] [BAKER'S WIFE, spoken]

Look at her Oh, shhhh
There are bugs on her dugs Now, don't stray and be late, alright?
There are flies in her eyes
There's a lump on her rump [BAKER, spoken]
Big enough to be a hump You might save some of those sweets for Granny?
Oh my
[JACK, spoken]
But [BAKER'S WIFE, spoken]
Just, leave it
[JACK'S MOTHER]
We've no time to sit and dither [BAKER, spoken]
While she wither's wither with her She's a thief!
 [FLORINDA]
[LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD] I know
Into the woods
And down the dell [LUCINDA]
The path is straight She means me
I know it well
Into the woods [FLORINDA]
And who can tell No she didn't
What's waiting on the journey?
Into the woods [CINDERELLA]
To bring some bread Mother said be good
To Granny who Father said be nice
Is sick in bed That was always their advice
Never can tell So be nice, Cinderella
What lies ahead Good, Cinderella
For all that I know Nice good good nice
She's already dead
But into the woods [FLORINDA]
Into the woods Tighter!
Into the woods
To Grandmother's house [CINDERELLA]
And home before dark What's the good of being good
If everyone is blind
[FLORINDA, spoken] Always leaving you behind?
Cinderella! Never mind, Cinderella
Kind Cinderella
[LUCINDA, spoken] Nice good nice kind good nice
Get up here!
[FLORINDA, spoken]
[CINDERELLA] Ow! Not that tight!
Fly, birds God!
Back to the sky
[BAKER, spoken]
[FLORINDA, spoken] Who might that be?
We're waiting!
[BAKER'S WIFE, spoken]
[CINDERELLA] We've sold our last loaf of bread!
Back to the eaves
And the leaves [BAKER, spoken]
And the fields It's the witch from next-door
And the
[BAKER'S WIFE, spoken]
[FLORINDA] We have no bread
Hurry up and do my hair, Cinderella!
Are you really wearing that? [WITCH, spoken]
I don't want your bread
[LUCINDA]
Here, I found a little tear, Cinderella [BAKER, spoken]
Can't you hide it with a hat? Then what is it you wish?

[CINDERELLA] [WITCH, spoken]

You look beautiful It's not what I wish
It's what you wish
Nothing cooking in that belly now is there? And we'll call it square."
And there will never be
Unless you do exactly as I say [BAKER, spoken]
In three days time a blue-moon will appear I had a brother?
Only then can the curse be, undone
[WITCH, spoken]
[BAKER'S WIFE, spoken] No. But, you had a sister
What curse?
[BAKER, spoken]
[WITCH, spoken] Where is she?
The one I placed on this house
[WITCH, spoken]
[BAKER, spoken] She's mine now!
What are you talking about? And you'll never find her
Small price to pay for what
[WITCH, spoken] Else your father stole from me
In the past, when you were no more than a babe It cost me my youth, my beauty
Your father brought his young wife My mother warned me
And you to this cottage She would punish me
They were a lovely couple With the curse of ugliness
But not lovely neighbors If I ever lost any of them
You see
Your mother was with child [BAKER'S WIFE, spoken]
And she developed an unusual appetite Lost what?
She admired my beautiful garden
And she told your father that [WITCH, spoken]
What she wanted more than anything The beans
In the world, was
Greens, greens, nothing but greens: [BAKER & BAKER'S WIFE, spoken]
Parsley, peppers, cabbages and celery Beans?
Asparagus and watercress and
Fiddle ferns and lettuce [WITCH, spoken]
He said, "All right," The special beans
But it wasn't, quite I'd let him go, I didn't know
Cause I caught him in the autumn He'd stolen my beans
In my garden one night! I was watching him crawl
He was robbing me Back over the wall
Raping me Then bang! Crash!
Rooting through my rutabaga A lightning flash!
Raiding my arugula and Well, that's another story
Ripping up the rampion Never mind-
My champion! My favorite! Anyway, at last
I should have laid a spell on him The big day came
Right there And I made my claim
I could have turned him into stone "Oh, don't take away the baby,"
Or a dog... They shrieked and screeched
Or a chair... But I did
But I let him have the rampion- And I hid her
I'd lots to spare Where she'll never be reached
In return, however And your father cried
I said, "Fair is fair: And your mother died
You can let me have the baby When for extra measure-
That your wife will bear I admit it was a pleasure-
I said, "Sorry Than five!
I'm still not mollified."
And I laid a little spell on them- [JACK'S MOTHER]
You, too, son- Into the woods
That your family tree The time is now
Would always be a barren one We have to live
I don't care how
[BAKER, spoken] Into the woods to sell the cow
How could you do that? You must begin the journey!
Straight to the woods
[WITCH, spoken] And don't delay
And when your mother died We have to face
Your father deserted you The marketplace
Your father was no father so why should you be? Into the woods to journey's end
So there's no more fuss
And there's no more scenes [JACK]
And my garden thrives- Into the woods to sell a friend
You should see my nectarines!
But I'm telling you the same [WITCH, spoken]
I tell kings and queens: You wish to have
Don't ever never ever The curse reversed?
Mess around with my greens! I'll need a certain
Especially the beans Potion first
Go to the woods and bring me back
[JACK, spoken] One: the cow as white as milk
Yeah, but why do we have to go to the next village? Two: the cape as red as blood
Three: the hair as yellow as corn
[JACK'S MOTHER, spoken] Four: the slipper as pure as gold
Because, everyone in this village Bring me these
Knows the cow hasn't given a drop of milk in weeks Before the chime
Of midnight
[JACK, spoken] In three day's time
That's cheating! Tis' then the blue moon reappears
Which comes but once each hundred years
[JACK'S MOTHER, spoken] Just bring them and
We're starving, Jack! I guarantee
Don't you understand that? A child as perfect
Now, you're not to accept less than five pounds for her As child can be
Are you listening to me? Go to the wood!

[JACK, spoken] [STEPMOTHER, spoken]

Yes Ladies
Our carriage waits
[JACK'S MOTHER, spoken]
How much are you to ask? [CINDERELLA, spoken]
Now may I go to the Festival?
[JACK, spoken]
No more than five pounds [STEPMOTHER]
The Festival?
[JACK'S MOTHER, spoken] (sung)
Less than five! Darling, those nails!
Darling, those clothes!
[JACK, spoken] Lentils are one thing but
Darling, with those Ugh, You don't remember?
You'd make us the fools of the Festival (sung)
And mortify the Prince! The cow as white as milk
The cape as red as blood
[CINDERELLA, spoken] The hair as yellow as corn
The Festival lasts three nights The slipper as pure as gold
Surely, you could let me be there for one of them
[BAKER]
[STEPMOTHER, spoken] The cow as white as milk
The King is trying to find his son a wife! The cape as red as blood
Not a scullery maid! The hair as yellow as corn
We must be gone! The slipper as pure as gold
Go!
[CINDERELLA]
[CINDERELLA] I still wish to go to the Festival
I wish But how am I ever to get to the Festival?

[BAKER'S WIFE, spoken] [BAKER]

Beans? The cow as white as milk
These must be the witch's beans! The cape as red as blood
We'll take them with us The hair as yellow as corn

[BAKER, spoken] [CINDERELLA]

We? I know!
I'll visit Mother's grave
[BAKER'S WIFE, spoken] The grave at the willow tree
Yes! And tell her I just want to
Go to the King's Festival
[BAKER, spoken]
We? [BAKER]
You're not coming The slipper as pure as gold
It's not safe out there The cow, the cape
The slipper as pure as gold
[BAKER'S WIFE, spoken]
I can help you! [BAKER'S WIFE]
The hair!
[BAKER, spoken]
No! [CINDERELLA & BAKER]
I can do this on my own Into the woods
(sung) It's time to go
The spell is on my house It may be all
Only I can lift the spell In vain, you/I know
The spell is on my house Into the woods-
But even so
[BAKER'S WIFE] I have to take the journey
No, no, the spell is on our house
We must lift the spell together [CINDERELLA, BAKER & BAKER'S WIFE]
The spell is on our house! Into the woods
The path is straight
[BAKER, spoken] You know it well
Now tell me what am I to return with? But who can tell

[BAKER'S WIFE, spoken] [BAKER & BAKER'S WIFE]

Into the woods to lift the spell To see
To sell
[CINDERELLA] To get
Into the woods to visit Mother To bring
To make
[JACK'S MOM] To lift
Into the woods to sell the cow! To go to the Festival!
Into the woods!
[JACK] Into the woods!
To get the money! Into the woods
Then out of the woods
[CINDERELLA] And home before it's dark!
To go to the Festival! (blackout)

[LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD] END OF SCENE ONE

Into the woods to grandmother's house!
Scene 2
[ALL] -Cinderella at the Grave
The way is clear Hello, Little Girl
The light is good I Know Things Now
A Very Nice Prince-
I have no fear
Nor no one should
(the wood, late afternoon. The stage is filled by trees of all
The woods are just trees
The trees are just wood variety. Many twisted and gnarled---others going straight
No need to be afraid there forward to the sky without a branch. Bright sunlight streams
through, creating a wonderful light maze. As the scene
[BAKER] progresses, the sunlight is gradually replaced by moonlight,
There's something in the glade there and the stage gets alternately light and dark, suggesting a
windy/cloudy night. The foliage rustles in the breeze, with an
[ALL]
occasional gust blowing about low-lying fog, giving an eerie
Into the woods
Without delay feeling. CINDERELLA kneels before a tree filled with birds)
But careful not
To lose the way [NARRATOR, spoken]
Into the woods Deep within the woods,
Who knows what may Cinderella had planted branch at the grave of her mother
Be lurking on the journey? And she visited there so often, and wept so much
That her tears watered it until it had become a magnificent
Into the woods
tree
To get the thing
That makes it worth [CINDERELLA, spoken]
The journeying I wish
Into the woods
[CINDERELLA'S MOTHER, spoken]
[STEPMOTHER & STEPSISTERS] What is it that you wish, child?
To see the King (sung)
Do you know what you wish?
[JACK & JACK'S MOTHER] Are you certain what you wish is what you want?
To sell the cow If you know what you want
Then make a wish
[BAKER & BAKER'S WIFE] Ask the tree
To make the potion And you shall have your wish

[ALL]
(picks up the clothes and dashes offstage. Another part of (sung)
the woods. LITTLE RED RIDINGHOOD, is surprised by the And hello
WOLF.)
(he howls and exits)
[WOLF]
Look at that flesh, pink and plump Baker: (entering, horrified) Is harm to come to that little
Hello, little girl girl...in the red cape?
Tender and fresh, not one lump
Hello, little girl (WITCH appears, MUSIC under)
This one's especially lush
Delicious, Mmmh Witch: Forget the little girl and get the cape!
Hello, little girl, what's your rush?
You're missing all the flowers Baker: (clutching his chest) You frightened me.
The sun won't set for hours
Take your time Witch: That’s the cape. Get it. Get it. Get it!

[LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD] Baker: How am I supposed to get it?

Mother said, "Straight ahead,"
Not to delay or be misled Witch: You go up to the little thing and you take it.

[WOLF] Baker: I can’t just take a cloak from a little girl. Why don’t you
But slow, little girl, hark! And hush take it!
The birds are singing sweetly
You'll miss the birds completely Witch: If I could, I would! But I...
You're traveling so fleetly
Grandmother first, then Miss Plump (we hear RAPUNZEL singing in the distance, sweetly.
What a delectable couple: WITCH listens entranced)
Utter perfection, one brittle, one supple--
One moment, my dear! Ahhh, my Rapunzel...listen to her beautiful music...
(yelling) Get me what I need. Get me what I need!
[LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD]
Mother said, "Come what may (she disappears back up into the tree)
Follow the path and never stray."
Baker: (distraught) This is ridiculous. I’ll never get that red
[WOLF]
Just so, little girl, any path cape, nor find a golden cow, or a yellow slipper--or was it a
So many worth exploring golden slipper and a yellow cow? Oh, no...
Just one would be so boring
And look what you're ignoring
Think of those crisp, aging bones
Baker’s Wife: (softly, appearing behind the tree)
Then something fresh on the palate
THE COW AS WHITE AS MILK,
Think of that scrumptious carnality twice in one day!
There's no possible way
THE CAPE AS RED AS BLOOD,
To describe what you feel
When you're talking to your meal!
THE HAIR AS YELLOW AS CORN,
[LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD]
THE SLIPPER AS PURE AS—
Mother said not to stray
Still, I suppose, a small delay
Granny might like a fresh bouquet Baker: (overlapping) What are you doing here?

(spoken) Baker’s Wife: (Coming forward, takes a scarf and tries to put
Goodbye, Mr. Wolf it around his neck) You forgot your scarf—

[WOLF, spoken]
Goodbye, little girl
Baker: (taking scarf off) You have no business being alone
in the wood. And you have no idea what I’ve come upon
here. You would be frightened for your life. Now go home
immediately!
Baker’s Wife: I wish to help.
Baker: NO! THE SPELL IS ON MY HOUSE--
Baker’s Wife: OUR HOUSE.
(JACK enters dragging the COW by a rope on its neck)
Baker: ONLY I CAN LIFT THE SPELL,
THE SPELL IS ON MY HOUSE--!
Baker’s Wife: (overlapping) WE MUST LIFT THE SPELL
TOGETHER THE SPELL IS ON--
(puts hand across BAKER’S mouth, we see JACK at other
side of stage)
A COW AS WHITE AS—
Baker: (takes WIFE’S hand away) --milk.
(BAKER’S WIFE pushes BAKER in JACK’S direction,
follows)
Baker: Hello there, young man.
Jack: (looks at BAKER, scared) Hello, sir.
Baker: What might you be doing with a cow in the middle of
the forest?
Jack: I was heading to market--but I seem to have lost my
way.
Baker’s Wife: (coaching the BAKER) And what are you
planning to do there--?
Baker: And what are you planning to do there?
Jack: Sell my cow, sir. No less than five pounds.
Baker: Five pounds! (to WIFE) Where am I to get five
pounds?
Baker’s Wife: She must be generous of milk to fetch five
pounds?
Jack: (hesitant) Yes Ma’am.
Baker’s Wife: And if you can’t fetch that sum? Then what
are you to do?
Jack: I hadn’t thought of that. I suppose my mother and I will
have no food to eat.
(BAKER has emptied his pockets. He has a few coins and
the beans in hand)
Baker: (to WIFE) This is the sum total.
Baker’s Wife: (loudly) BEANS! We mustn’t give up our
beans! Well...if you feel we must.
Baker: Huh!
Baker’s Wife: (to JACK) Beans will bring you food, son.
Jack: Beans in exchange for my cow?
Baker’s Wife: Oh, these are no ordinary beans, son. These
beans carry magic.
Jack: Magic? What kind of magic?
Baker’s Wife: (to BAKER) Tell him.
Jack: How many beans?
Baker: Six.
Baker’s Wife: Five! We can’t part with all of them. We must
leave one for ourselves. Besides I’d say they’re worth a
pound each, at the very least.
Jack: Could I buy my cow back someday?
Baker: (Uneasy) Well...possibly.
(hands JACK the beans, counting out five and keeping one
for his pocket; BAKER’S WIFE then takes the cow)
Good luck there, young lad.
Jack: (tearful, to the cow) I GUESS THIS IS GOODBYE,
OLD PAL;
YOU’VE BEEN A PERFECT FRIEND.
I HATE TO SEE US PART, OLD PAL,
SOMEDAY I’LL BUY YOU BACK.
I’LL SEE YOU SOON AGAIN.

I HOPE THAT WHEN I DO,
IT WON’T BE ON A PLATE.
(overcome with emotion, JACK exits. MUSIC continues
under)
Baker: (angry) Take the cow and go home!
Baker’s Wife: I was trying to be helpful.
Baker: Magic beans! We’ve no reason to believe they’re
magic! Are we going to dispel this curse through deceit?
Baker’s Wife: No one would have given him more for that
creature. We did him a favor. At least they’ll have some food.
Baker: Five beans!
Baker’s Wife: If you know what you want, then you go and
you find it and get it!
Baker: (pointing off) HOME.
Baker’s Wife: Do we want a child or not?
Baker: Will you please go home.
Baker’s Wife: There are rights and wrongs and “ in
between”. Only three more tries and we’ll have our prize.
Baker: Take the cow and go home. I will carry this out in my
own fashion!
(BAKER and BAKER’S WIFE exit in different directions.
NARRATOR enters, RAPUNZEL singing off in the distance.
RAPUNZEL’S tower appears)
Narrator: And so the Baker continued his search for the
cape as red as blood.
(WITCH enters)
As for Rapunzel, the Witch was careful not to lose this
beauty to the outside world and so shut her up within a
doorless tower that lay deep within the forest. And when the
old enchantress paid a visit, she called forth:
(NARRATOR exits as WITCH crosses to tower,
RAPUNZEL’S PRINCE enters, kneels to hide from WITCH)
Witch: Rapunzel. Rapunzel. Let down your hair to me.
(RAPUNZEL stops singing and her hair descends. The
WITCH climbs up struggling as RAPUNZEL leans
forward in pain. RAPUNZEL’S PRINCE comes from
around a tree)
Rapunzel’s Prince: (to himself) Rapunzel, Rapunzel. What
a strange name. Strange but beautiful and fit for a prince!
Tomorrow, before that horrible witch arrives, I will stand
before her window and ask her to let down her hair to me.
(Baker steps into LITTLE RED RIDINGHOOD’s path; the girl
is eating a sweet as she enters)
Baker: Hello there, little one.
Little Red Riding hood: Hello.
Baker: Have you saved some of those sweets for Granny?
(he holds on to the edge of LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD’S
cape)
Little Red Riding hood: I ate all of the sweets, and half the
loaf of bread.
Baker: Where did you get that beautiful cape? I so admire it.
Little Red Ridinghood: My Granny made it for me.
Baker: Is that right? I would love a red cloak like that.
(examines the cape)
Little Red Ridinghood: You’d look pretty foolish.
(Baker goes to her and takes her cape)
Baker: May I take a look at it?
Little Red Ridinghood: I don’t like to be without my cape.
Please give it back!
Baker: (frustrated) I want it badly.
Little Red Ridinghood: Give it back please.
Witch’s Voice: Forget the little girl and get the cape!
(BAKER suddenly dashes away with the cape under his
arm. LITTLE RED RIDINGHOOD stands numb for a
moment, then lets out a blood-curdling scream, followed by
hysterical weeping)
Baker: (returning with the cape and placing it on LITTLE
RED RIDINGHOOD’S shoulders) I just wanted to make
certain that you really loved this cape. Now you go to
your Granny’s--and you be careful that no wolf comes
your way.
Little Red Ridinghood: I’d rather a wolf than you, any day.
(she stomps on BAKER’s foot and exits)
Baker: (in pain) If you know what you want, then you go
and find and take it!
(nods, convincing himself)
So you take it!
(with resolve)
(BAKER exits. NARRATOR enters)
Narrator: And so the Baker, with new-found determination,
went after the red cape. As for the little girl, she was
surprised to find her grandmother’s cottage door standing
open.
(we see GRANNY’s cottage with WOLF, dressed as
GRANNY, in bed, covers up and hands near his mouth.
the walls of the cottage are made of scrim. LITTLE RED
RIDINGHOOD enters)
Little Red Ridinghood: (to herself) Oh dear. How uneasy
I feel. Perhaps it’s all the sweets. (towards the bed) Good
day, Grandmother. (moves to the bed) My, Grandmother,
you’re looking very strange. What big ears you have!
Wolf: The better to hear you with, my dear.
Little Red Ridinghood: But Grandmother, what big eyes you
have!
Wolf: The better to see you with, my dear.
Little Red Ridinghood: But Grandmother, what large hands
you have!
Wolf: The better to hug you with, my dear.
Little Red Ridinghood: Oh, Grandmother. What a terrible,
big, wet mouth you have!
Wolf: The better to eat you with!
(bloodcurdling scream from LITTLE RED RIDINGHOOD who
disappears)
Narrator: And scarcely had the wolf said this, then with a
single bound he was devouring the little girl. Well, it was a full
day of eating for the both.
And with his appetite appeased, the Wolf took to bed for a
nice long nap.
(WOLF snoring, BAKER is outside cottage. Narrator exits)
Baker: That Grandmother has a mighty snore.
(goes up to the window and looks in)
Odd. Where is the little one? Eating no doubt.
(turns to walk away. WOLF belches. BAKER suddenly stops) 2
Or eaten!
(enters the house and timidly goes
over to the bed, his knife stretched
before him. he lets out a yelp when he
sees the WOLF) Grandmother, ha!
(BAKER draws the knife back, then stops)
What is that red cloth in the corner of your
mouth? Looks to me to be a piece of...ah
ha! I’ll get that cape from within your
stomach. (he slits the WOLF’s stomach,
then recoils in disgust)
Little Red Ridinghood:
(stepping out of the WOLF,
bloodied) What a fright! How
dark and dank it was inside that
wolf. (GRANNY emerges from How could I know what was in store?
Once his teeth were bared
WOLF, also bloodied) Though, I really got scared
Granny: (wheezing, tries to strangle WOLF, who reacts Well, excited and scared-

in pain) Kill the devil. Take that knife and cut his evil head
But he drew me close
off. Let’s see the demon sliced into a thousand bits.
And he swallowed me down
Better yet, let the animal die a painful, agonizing, hideous Down a dark slimy path
death. Where lie secrets that I never want to know
And when everything familiar
Little Red Ridinghood: (Shocked) GRANNY! Seemed to disappear forever
Granny: Quiet, child. This evil must be destroyed. Fetch me At the end of the path
some great stones! We’ll fill his belly with them, then we’ll Was Granny once again
watch him try to run away! So we lay in the dark
'Til you came and set us free
Baker: (faint) Well, I will leave you to your task.
And you brought us to the light
Granny: Don’t ya want the skins? And we're back at the start

Baker: No. No. You keep them. And I know things now
Many valuable things
Granny: What kind of hunter are you?
That I hadn't known before
Baker: I’m a baker! Do not put your faith
In a cape and a hood
(GRANNY pulls him into the house as LITTLE RED They will not protect you
RIDINGHOOD walks downstage. lights change)
The way that they should
[LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD] And take extra care with strangers
Mother said Even flowers have their dangers
"Straight ahead" And though scary is exciting
Not to delay Nice is different than good
Or be mislead
I should have headed Now I know
Her advice... Don't be scared
But he seemed so nice Granny is right
Just be prepared
And he showed me things Isn't it nice to know a lot!
Many beautiful things And a little bit not
That I hadn't thought to explore (BAKER appears, dejected)
They were off my path
Little Red Ridinghood: Mr. Baker, you saved our lives.
So I never had dared Here.
I had been so careful
I never had cared (she hands him her cape)
And he made me feel excited
Baker: Are you certain?
Well, excited and scared

Little Red Ridinghood: Yes. Maybe Granny will make me

When he said "Come in!" another with the skins of that wolf.
With that sickening grin
 by his STEWARD. They look about for a moment, notice
Baker: Thank you! BAKER’S WIFE, who is curtseying deeply)

(dancing with joy, kisses her cheek and EXITS as LITTLE

RED RIDINGHOOD watches. disgusted LITTLE RED
RIDINGHOOD EXITS. NARRATOR enters)
Narrator: And so the Baker, with the second article in
hand, feeling braver and more satisfied than he had ever
felt, ran back through the woods. (a cut out of Jacks
house rises)
As for the lad Jack—
Cinderella’s Prince: Have you seen a beautiful young
woman in a ball gown pass through?
Baker’s Wife: I don’t think so, sir.
Steward: I think I see her over there.
(CINDERELLA’S PRINCE signals STEWARD off in
that direction; then takes another look at BAKER’S
WIFE before following. music continues under)

Jack’s Mother: Only a dolt would exchange a cow for beans!
(she throws the beans to the ground)
Jack: Mother, no--
Jack’s Mother: To bed without supper for you!
Baker’s Wife: I’ve never lied to royalty before. I’ve never
anything to royalty before.
Cinderella: (comes out) Thank you.
Baker’s Wife: If a prince were looking for me, I certainly
wouldn’t hide.

(she marches the boy back into the house) Cinderella: What brings you here--and with a cow?

Narrator: Little did they know those beans would grow into Baker’s Wife: Oh, my husband’s somewhere in the woods.
an enormous stalk that would stretch into the heavens. (proud) He is undoing a spell.

(NARRATOR exits. BAKER’S WIFE enters upstage tugging Cinderella: (impressed) Oh?
at MILKY-WHITE, lantern hangs from the cow’s horn; house
Baker’s Wife: Oh, yes. Now, the Prince, what was he like?
cut out descends ball music in the distance, growing louder,
CINDERELLA dashes onstage looking over her shoulder, [CINDERELLA]
she falls and music stops) He's a very nice Prince

Baker’s Wife: (leaves MILKY-WHITE to help) Are you [BAKER'S WIFE, spoken]
alright, miss? And?

Cinderella: (breathless) Yes. I just need to catch my breath. [CINDERELLA]

And
Baker’s Wife: What a beautiful gown you are wearing. Were
you at the king’s festival? It's a very nice ball

Cinderella: (preoccupied) Yes. [BAKER'S WIFE, spoken]

And?
Baker’s Wife: Aren’t you the lucky one. Why ever are you in
the woods at this hour?
[CINDERELLA]
And
(ball music in the distance, growing louder. we hear When I entered they trumpeted
MEN’S VOICES offstage. CINDERELLA signals to
BAKER’S WIFE to keep quiet, then ducks behind a tree. [BAKER'S WIFE, spoken]
fanfare: CINDERELLA’S PRINCE runs onstage, followed And?
The Prince? It's not what i expected

[CINDERELLA, spoken] [BAKER'S WIFE, spoken]

Oh, the Prince What, princes and castles and counts?

[BAKER'S WIFE, spoken] [CINDERELLA, spoken]

Yes, the Prince! I have no experience with those things

[CINDERELLA] [BAKER'S WIFE, spoken]

Well, he's tall But you will return to the festival tomorrow eve

[BAKER'S WIFE] [CINDERELLA, spoken]

Is that all? Yes. No. I don't know
Did you dance?
Is he charming? They say that he's charming [BAKER'S WIFE, spoken]
You don't know? oh, what i would give to be in your shoes
[CINDERELLA] What, it's slippers. As pure as gold
We did nothing but dance
[CINDERELLA, spoken]
[BAKER'S WIFE, spoken] I must get home
Yes? And?
[BAKER'S WIFE, spoken]
[CINDERELLA] No, no wait, I need your shoes
And it made a nice change Milky White!!

[BAKER'S WIFE, spoken] [WITCH, spoken]

No, the Prince! One midnight gone!

[CINDERELLA] [BAKER'S WIFE, spoken]

Oh, the Prince Already?

[BAKER'S WIFE] [WITCH, spoken]

Yes, the Prince Get the cow!

[CINDERELLA] (BAKER’S WIFE starts off after CINDERELLA; MILKY-

He has charm for a Prince, I guess WHITE lets out a “MOO!” and takes off in the other
direction; BAKER’S WIFE stops, torn between MILKY-
[BAKER'S WIFE, spoken] WHITE and CINDERELLA. to CINDERELLA)
Guess? (blackout)

END OF SCENE TWO

[CINDERELLA]
I don't meet a wide range
And it's all very strange Scene 3
-Giants in the Sky
[BAKER'S WIFE, spoken] Agony
Why would you run away? It Takes Two-
3
[CINDERELLA, spoken]
(BAKER sleeps under a tree. music; JACK appears And the little you own-
suddenly from the trees, carrying an oversized money sack) The fun is done
You steal what you can and run
[JACK]
There are Giants in the sky! And you scramble down
There are big tall terrible Giants in the sky! And you look below
And the world you know
When you're way up high Begins to grow:
And you look below The roof, the house and your
At the world you've left Mother at the door
And the things you know The roof, the house and the world you never thought to
Little more than a glance explore
Is enough to show And you think of all the things you've seen
You just how small you are And you wish that you could live in between
And you're back again
When you're way up high Only different than before
And you're on your own After the sky
In a world like none
That you've ever known There are Giants in the sky!
Where the sky is lead There are big, tall, terrible, awesome, scary, wonderful
And the earth is stone Giants in the sky!
You're free, to do
Whatever pleases you (BAKER stirs; JACK bounds over to him)
Exploring things you'd never dare
Cause you don't care Jack: Good fortune! Good fortune, sir! Look what I have!
When suddenly there's Here’s five gold pieces.

A big tall terrible Giant at the door Baker (astounded): Five gold pieces! (He examines the gold)

[BAKER, spoken] Jack: I had more, but Mother made me surrender them. She
A Giant? allowed me these five to do with as I pleased.

A big tall terrible lady giant sweepin' the floor Baker: Oh, my;
And she gives you food
And she gives you rest Jack: (looking around) Where is Milky-White?
And she draws you close
To her Giant breast Baker: Milky-White is back home with my wife.
And you know things now
That you never knew before Jack: Let’s go find them. (JACK starts to leave)
Not till the sky
Baker: Wait!
Only just when you've made
A friend and all (BAKER returns money to JACK)
And you know she's big
But you don't feel small I don’t know that I wish to sell;
Someone bigger than her
Comes along the hall Jack: But you said I might buy her back.
To swallow you for lunch
Baker: I know, but I’m not certain that five gold pieces would-
And your heart is lead -
And your stomach is stone
And you're really scared Jack: Are you saying that you wish more money?
Being all alone...
And it's then that you miss Baker: More money is always--
All the things you've known
And the world you've left Jack: (hands him gold) Keep this. I will go fetch more.

Baker: Wait. I didn’t say--
(JACK exits; BAKER looks at money)
Five gold pieces! With this money I could buy baking supplies
for a year. I could buy a new thatched roof and a new
chimney.
(BAKER’S WIFE appeared from another tree)
What are you doing here now?
Baker’s Wife: (quickly switching gears) I see you’ve the red
cape.
Baker: Yes. I’ve the cape. Only two items left to locate.
Baker’s Wife: Three.
Baker: Two. I’ve the cape and the cow.
Baker’s Wife: You’ve the cape!
Baker: What have you done with the cow?
Baker’s Wife: She ran away, I never reached home. I’ve
been looking for her all night.
Baker: I should have known better than to have entrusted
her to you.
Baker’s Wife: She might just as easily have run from you!
Baker: But she didn’t.
Baker’s Wife: But she might have!
Baker: BUT SHE DIDN’T!!!
(WITCH drops from tree)
Witch: WHO CARES! THE COW IS GONE! GET IT BACK!
GET IT BACK!!!
(all three settle down)
Baker: (walks over to her) We were just going to do that.
Here, I can give you this--
Witch: DON’T GIVE ME THAT, FOOL! I don’t want to touch
that. Have you no sense?
(hears RAPUNZEL in the background)
My sweetness calls. (tough) By tomorrow midnight--deliver
the items or you’ll wish you never thought to have a child!
(WITCH puts a spell on them, they double over in pain as
WITCH leaves)
Baker: I don’t like that woman.
Baker’s Wife: (contrite) I’m sorry I lost the cow.
Baker: I shouldn’t have yelled. (beat) Now please, go back to
the village.
(BAKER’S WIFE annoyed, turns her back and begins to walk
away)
I will make things right! And then we can just go about our
life. No more hunting about in the woods for strange
objects. No more witches and dim-witted boys and hungry
little girls.
(SHE begins to move back towards him)
Go!
(THEY exit in opposite directions -- TWO FANFARES --
another part of the forest. CINDERELLA’S PRINCE,
somewhat bedraggled, crosses the stage. he is met by
RAPUNZEL’S PRINCE)
Rapunzel’s Prince: Ah, there you are, good brother. Father
and I had wondered where you had gone.
Cinderella’s Prince: I have been looking all night for her.
(BAKER’S WIFE appears behind a tree and eavesdrops)
Rapunzel’s Prince: Her?
Cinderella’s Prince: The beautiful one I danced the evening
with.
Rapunzel’s Prince: Where did she go?
Cinderella’s Prince: Disappeared, like the fine morning mist.
Rapunzel’s Prince: She was lovely.
Cinderella’s Prince: The loveliest.
Rapunzel’s Prince: I am not certain of that! I must confess, I
too have found a lovely maiden. She lives here in the woods.
Cinderella’s Prince: The woods? Oh, the torture they teach!

Rapunzel’s Prince: Yes. In the top of a tall tower that has no [RAPUNZEL'S PRINCE]
door or stairs. What's as intriguing-

Cinderella’s Prince: Where? [CINDERELLA'S PRINCE]

Or half so fatiguing-
Rapunzel’s Prince: Two leagues from here, due east just
beyond the mossy knoll. [BOTH]
As what's out of reach?
Cinderella’s Prince: And how do you manage a visit?
[CINDERELLA'S PRINCE]
Rapunzel’s Prince: I stand beneath her tower and say Am I not sensitive
“Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair to me.” And she Clever
Well-mannered
lowers the longest, most beautiful head of hair - yellow as Considerate
corn - which I climb to her. Passionate
Charming
As kind as I'm handsome
(BAKER’S WIFE reacts)
And heir to a throne?
Cinderella’s Prince: (starts laughing hysterically) Rapunzel,
[RAPUNZEL'S PRINCE]
Rapunzel! What kind of name is that? You jest! I have never
You are everything maidens could wish for!
heard of such a thing.
[CINDERELLA'S PRINCE]
Rapunzel’s Prince: (defensive) I speak the truth. She is as
Then why no?
true as your maiden. A maiden running from a prince? None
would run from us.
[RAPUNZEL'S PRINCE]
Do I know?
[CINDERELLA'S PRINCE]
Did I abuse her
[CINDERELLA'S PRINCE]
Or show her disdain?
The girl must be mad!
Why does she run from me?
If I should lose her
[RAPUNZEL'S PRINCE]
How shall I regain
You know nothing of madness
The heart she has won from me?
Till you're climbing her hair
Agony!
And you see her up there
Beyond power of speech
As you're nearing her
When the one thing you want
All the while hearing her:
Is the only thing out of your reach
Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-
[RAPUNZEL'S PRINCE]
[BOTH]
High in her tower
Agony!
She sits by the hour
Maintaining her hair
[RAPUNZEL'S PRINCE]
Blithe and becoming
Misery!
And frequently humming
A lighthearted air:
[CINDERELLA'S PRINCE]
Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-
Woe!
Agony!
Far more painful than yours
[BOTH]
When you know she would go with you
Though it's different for each
If there only were doors
[CINDERELLA'S PRINCE]
[BOTH]
Always ten steps behind-
Agony!
[RAPUNZEL'S PRINCE] Baker’s wife: Rapunzel…
Always ten feet below- Rapunzel: Is that you mother?

[BOTH] Baker’s Wife: Excuse me for this.

And she's just out of reach
Agony (SHE yanks hair three times. RAPUNZEL screams
That can cut like a knife! more loudly with each pull. On the third yank, the hair
I must have her to wife falls into the BAKER’S WIFE’s hands; CINDERELLA
(they exit)
enters as if pursued; SHE falls at the feet of the
Baker’s Wife: Two princes, each more handsome than the BAKER’S WIFE, losing one slipper)
other. You do take plenty of spills, don’t you?

(begins to follow the PRINCES; SHE stops) (BAKER’S WIFE picks up the slipper)

No! Get the hair Cinderella: Hello. It’s these slippers. They’re not suited for
these surroundings. Actually they’re not much suited for
(JACK’S MOTHER enters) dancing either.

Jack’s Mother: Excuse me, young woman. Have you Baker’s Wife: I’d say those slippers were as pure as gold.
encountered a boy with carrot-top hair and a sunny, Cinderella: Yes. They are all you could wish for in beauty.
though occasionally vague disposition, answering to the
name of Jack? (CINDERELLA takes the slipper back)

Baker’s Wife: What I wouldn’t give for just one.

Baker’s Wife: Not the one partial to a white cow?
Cinderella: One isn’t likely to do you much good. (SHE
Jack’s Mother: He’s the one. giggles)
Baker’s Wife: Have you seen the cow? Baker’s Wife: Was the ball as wonderful as last evening?
Jack’s Mother: No, and I don’t care to ever again. Cinderella: IT’S STILL A NICE BALL
(confidential) Children can be very queer about their animals.
You be very careful with your Baker’s Wife: Yes...? And...?
children... Cinderella: And...

Baker’s Wife: I have no children. THEY HAVE FAR TOO MUCH FOOD.
Jack’s Mother: That’s okay too. Baker’s Wife: No, the Prince...

Baker’s Wife: Yes...well, I’ve not seen your son today. Cinderella: Oh, the Prince...
Jack’s Mother: (annoyed) I hope he didn’t go up that Baker’s Wife: Yes, the Prince.
beanstalk again. Quit while you’re ahead I say.
Cinderella: IF HE KNEW WHO I REALLY WAS...
(SHE begins to exit) Jack...! Jack...!
Baker’s Wife: Oh? Who?
(WIFE, after a moment’s pause, exits in the other direction;
BAKER enters) Cinderella: I’M AFRAID I WAS RUDE.

Baker: (forlorn) Moo...Moo… Baker’s Wife: Oh? How?

(Finds the cow )
(Baker takes the cow and exits) Cinderella: NOW I’M BEING PURSUED
Rapunzel is singing in the tower…
Baker’s Wife: Yes? And...
Baker’s Wife: You’ve the cow!
Cinderella: AND I’M NOT IN THE MOOD
Baker: Yes. I’ve the cow. We’ve only two of the four.
Baker’s Wife: He must have really taken a liking to you.
(MILKY-WHITE continues to breathe heavily)
Cinderella: I have no experience with Princes and castles
and gowns. Baker’s Wife: Three.

Baker’s Wife: Nonsense, every girl dreams... Baker: Two!

Steward: Look, sir. Look! Baker’s Wife: (Pulls the hair from her pocket) Three.
Compare this to your corn.
Cinderella’s Prince: Yes. There she is. Move. Move. Move.
(BAKER does so and smiles)
Cinderella: I must run!
Baker: Where did you find it?
(BAKER’S WIFE grabs a shoe)
Baker’s Wife: (false modesty) I pulled it from a maiden in a
Baker’s Wife: And I must have your shoe! tower.

Cinderella: Stop that! Baker: (looking at hair) Three!

(The two engage in a tug-of-war over the shoe as dialogue Baker’s Wife: And I almost had the fourth, but she got away.
elapses)
Baker: We’ve one entire day left. Surely we can locate the
Baker’s Wife: I need it to have a baby! slipper by then.

Cinderella: And I need it to get out of here! Baker’s Wife: We? You mean you’ll allow me to stay?

(CINDERELLA wins the battle over the shoe, and Baker: Well...perhaps it will take the two of us to get this
desperately runs off; BAKER’S WIFE is embarrassed child.
by her own behavior. SHE straightens herself up as [BAKER'S WIFE]
CINDERELLA’S PRINCE with STEWARD bound You've changed
onstage, only to curtsey again) You're daring
You're different in the woods
Steward: Where did she go? More sure
More sharing
Baker’s Wife: Who?
You're getting us through the woods
Steward: Don’t play the fool, woman! If you could see-
You're not the man who started
Baker’s Wife: Oh, you mean the beautiful young maiden in And much more open-hearted
the ball gown? She went in that direction. I was trying to hold
her here for you... Than I knew
You to be
Cinderella’s Prince: I can capture my own damsel, thank
you. [BAKER]
It takes two
(CInderella’s Prince and Steward exits. BAKER’S WIFE and
BAKER stare at each other) I thought one was enough
It's not true:
Baker: (Dejected) I thought you were returning home. (angry) It takes two of us
I’ve had no luck. You came through
When the journey was rough [BOTH]
It took you We've changed
It took two of us We're strangers
It takes care I'm meeting you in the woods
It takes patience and fear and despair Who minds
To change What dangers?
Though you swear I know we'll get past the woods
To change And once we're past
Who can tell if you do? Let's hope the changes last
It take two Beyond woods
Beyond witches and slippers and hoods
[BAKER'S WIFE] Just the two of us-
You've changed Beyond lies
You're thriving Safe at home with out beautiful prize
There's something about the woods Just the few of us
Not just It takes trust
Surviving It takes just
You're blossoming in the woods A bit more
At home I'd fear And we're done
We'd stay the same forever We want four
And then out here- We had none
You're passionate We've got three
Charming We need one
Considerate It takes two
Clever-
(we hear the slow chimes of midnight begin; Jack dashes
[BAKER] onstage while staring at Milky-White)
It takes one
To begin, but then once Jack: Oh providence! My Milky-White.
You've begun
It takes two of you (JACK gives the cow a kiss)
It's no fun
You see. I promised you more than the five gold
But what needs to be done pieces I gave you, sir.
You can do
When there's two of you Baker’s Wife: Five gold pieces?
It's no fun
Baker: (to JACK) Now, I never said I would sell...
But what needs to be done
You can do Jack: But you took the five gold pieces.
When there's two of you
If I tear Baker’s Wife: You took five gold pieces!
It's because I'm becoming
Baker: I didn’t take, you gave.
Aware of us
As a pair of us Baker’s Wife: Where are the five gold pieces?
Each accepting a share
Of what's there Baker: Here take your fiver gold pieces!
Jack: (getting upset) You said I could have my cow! (BAKER’S WIFE gathers her things and begins to exit in

Baker: Now, I never said you could. I said you might. one direction, the BAKER in the other; we hear

Baker’s Wife: You would take money before a child! RAPUNZEL scream; they run off in fear) Narrator:
(MILKY-WHITE lets out a terrible yelp, and falls to the
Unfortunately for Rapunzel--
ground, dead. silence)

Jack: Milky-White is dead...

Rapunzel: (offstage) No!
(blackout)
END OF SCENE THREE Narrator: --the witch discovered her affections for the Prince
before he could spirit her away.
Scene 4
-Stay With Me (WITCH drags RAPUNZEL on. music)
On the Steps of the Palace-
[WITCH]
(as the lights come up, we see the BAKER’S WIFE and the What did I clearly say?
BAKER, bedraggled and exhausted) Children must listen

Narrator: Two midnights gone. And the exhausted baker [RAPUNZEL, spoken]
No, please!
and his wife buried the dead Milky-White, believing that when
the witch said a cow as white as milk, she was referring to a [WITCH]
live one. What were you not to do?
Children must see
And learn
Baker: You must go to the village in search of another cow.
[RAPUNZEL, spoken]
Baker’s Wife: And what do you propose I use to buy this No!
cow?
[WITCH]
Baker: (takes remaining bean from pocket) Here. Tell them Why could you not obey?
it’s magic. Children should listen
What have I been to you?
Baker’s Wife: No person with a brain larger than this is going What would you have me be?
to exchange a cow for a bean. Handsome like a prince?
Ah, but I am old
Baker: (losing patience) Then steal it. I am ugly
I embarrass you
Baker’s Wife: (angry) Steal it? Just two days ago, you were
accusing me of exercising deceit in securing the cow. [RAPUNZEL, spoken]
No!
Baker: Then don’t steal it and resign yourself to a childless
life. [WITCH]
You are ashamed of me
Baker’s Wife: (calm, but cold) I feel it best you go for the
cow, as I have met a maiden with a golden slipper these [RAPUNZEL, spoken]
No!
previous eves, and I think I might succeed in winning one of
her shoes. [WITCH]
You are ashamed
Baker: Fine. That is simply fine. You don't understand

[RAPUNZEL, spoken]
I am no longer a child. I wish to see the world Jack: What a beautiful cape!

[WITCH] (LITTLE RED RIDINGHOOD swerves around, brandishing a

Don't you know what's out there in the world? knife)
Someone has to shield you from the world
Stay with me Little Red Ridinghood: Stay away from my cape or I’ll slice
Princes wait there in the world, it's true you into a thousand bits!
Princes, yes, but wolves and humans, too
Stay at home Jack: (stepping back) I don’t want it! I was just admiring it!
I am home
Who out there could love you more than I? Little Red Ridinghood: (proud) My granny made it for
What out there that I cannot supply? me from a wolf that attacked us. And I got to skin the
Stay with me
Stay with me animal--and best of all, she gave me this beautiful knife
The world is dark and wild for protection.
Stay a child while you can be a child
With me
Jack: (competitive) Well, look what I have. A hen that lays
golden eggs.
(spoken)
I gave you protection, and yet you disobeyed me.
Little Red Ridinghood: (suspicious) I don’t believe that egg
came from that hen. Where did you get that egg?
[RAPUNZEL, spoken]
No -
Jack: I stole this from the kingdom of the giant--up there.
[WITCH, spoken] And if you think this is something, you should see the
Your prince will never lay eyes on you again. He will never golden harp the giant has. It plays the most beautiful
lay eyes on anything again.
tunes without your even having to touch it.
[RAPUNZEL, spoken]
What did you do to him? Little Red Ridinghood: (smirking) Of course it does. Why
don’t you go up to the kingdom right now and bring it back
[WITCH, spoken] and show me?
It doesn't matter. Because where you're going, no one will
ever see you again! Jack: I could.

[RAPUNZEL, spoken] Little Red Ridinghood: You could not!

No!
Jack: I could!
Witch: Why didn’t you tell me you had a visitor?
Little Red Ridinghood: You could not, Mr. Liar!
(RAPUNZEL keeps whimpering; music crescendos)
(she makes a hasty exit)
I will not share you, but I will show you a world you’ve never
seen. Jack: I am not a liar. I’ll get that harp. You’ll see!

(she cuts RAPUNZEL’S hair) (he exits)

Rapunzel: No! NO! Narrator: After having cast out Rapunzel to a remote desert,
the witch returned to take the Prince by surprise.
(WITCH drags RAPUNZEL off.)
(Rapunzel’s tower. RAPUNZEL’S PRINCE climbs Rapunzel’s
(JACK comes upon LITTLE RED RIDINGHOOD, who hair, when suddenly the WITCH pops out from the tower)
wears a cape made of wolf skins. She walks with a
Witch: You would fetch your dearest, but the bird no longer
certain bravado)
sits in her cage.
(the WITCH pushes RAPUNZEL’S PRINCE from the tower. The choice isn't easy to make
He falls and screams, grabbing his eyes. The WITCH laughs To arrive at a ball
with delight) Is exciting and all
Once you're there, though, it's scary
Narrator: And unfortunately, the Prince fell into a patch of And it's fun to deceive
thorns which pierced his eyes and blinded him. When you know you can leave
But you have to be wary
(RAPUNZEL’S PRINCE stumbles helplessly offstage) There's a lot that's at stake
But I've stalled long enough
As for Cinderella, she returned from her final visit to the 'Cause I'm still standing stuck
Festival. In the stuff on these steps

Better run along home

(lights dim. CINDERELLA hobbles onstage, wearing but one And avoid the collision
shoe) Though at home they don't care
I'll be better off there
[CINDERELLA] Where there's nothing to choose
He's a very smart Prince So there's nothing to lose
He's a Prince who prepares So I'll pry up my shoes
Knowing this time I'd run from him
He spread pitch on the stairs Wait, though, thinking it through
And I'm caught unawares Things don't have to collide
Well it means that— he cares I know what my decision is
This is more than just malice Which is not to decide
Better stop and take stock I'll just leave him a clue:
While you're standing here stuck For example, a shoe
On the steps of the palace And then see what he'll do
Now it's he and not you
All right, what do you want? Who'll be stuck with a shoe
Have to make a decision In a stew, in the goo
Why not stay and be caught? And I've learned something, too
Should I give that a thought Something I never knew
What could be his response? On the steps of the palace

But then what if he knew (BAKER’S WIFE races onstage)

Who I am when I know
That I'm not what he thinks Don’t come any closer to me!
That he wants?
Baker’s Wife: (breathless) Please, just hear me out!
Or, then, what if I am?
What a Prince would envision? Cinderella: We have nothing to discuss. You have attacked
But then how can you know me once before--
Who you are till you know
What you want, which I don't? Baker’s Wife: I did not attack you! I attacked your shoe. I
So then which do you pick: need it.
(CINDERELLA begins to run away. BAKER’S WIFE reaches
Where you're safe, out of sight into her pocket)
And yourself, but where everything's wrong? Here. Here is a magic bean in exchange for it.
Or where everything's right
But you know that you'll never belong? (CINDERELLA stops, BAKER’S WIFE hands her the bean)
And whichever you pick
Do it quick Cinderella: Magic bean?
'Cause you're starting to stick
To the steps of the palace (takes bean, looks at it)

It's my first big decision Nonsense!

 Baker’s wife: Worrying will do you no good. If he’s
(throws the bean away) safe, then he’s safe. If he’s been crushed, well, then
there’s nothing any of us can do about that, now is
Baker’s Wife: Don’t do that! there?
(drops to the ground and searches for the bean)
(to STEWARD) We must be off. I need my rest before
tomorrow’s search is to commence.
Cinderella: I’ve already given up one shoe this evening. My
feet cannot bear to give up another.
(CINDERELLA’S PRINCE and STEWARD begin to exit)
(begins to leave)
Jack’s Mother: Doesn’t anyone care a giant has fallen from
the sky?
Baker’s Wife: (rising, desperate) I need that shoe to have a
child!
Baker’s wife: (stops) He is dead, isn’t he?
Cinderella: That makes no sense!
Jack’s Mother: With such a thud, I would suppose.
(we hear rumblings in the distance)
(Baker’s wife nods, and exits with STEWARD. WITCH
appears, frantic; looks up to the sky)
Baker’s Wife: Does it make sense that you’re running from a
prince?
Witch: (unpleasant) The third midnight is near. I see a cow. I
see a slipper.
Steward: (offstage) Stop!
Baker: (pulling items from his bag) And the cape as red as
Baker’s Wife: They are here. Let’s go! I will take you away
blood.
from here. Sshhhh.
Baker’s Wife: And the hair as yellow as corn.
( Blackout)
Witch: (amazed) You’ve all the objects?
(BAKER enters with another cow)
Baker’s Wife: Yes. (she brings the cow forth)
Baker’s Wife: I’ve done nothing...
Witch: That cow doesn’t look as white as milk to me.
Baker: I’ve the cow.
Baker’s Wife: (moving towards cow) Oh, she is. (patting
Baker’s Wife: (excitedly, to BAKER) The slipper! We’ve all
cow) She is!
four!

(she runs to the BAKER)

Jack’s Mother: (hysterical; she bows) There’s a dead giant
in my backyard!
(CINDERELLA’S PRINCE shoots STEWARD a look)
(more hysterical) I heard Jack coming down the beanstalk,
calling for his axe. And when he raced to the bottom, he
took it and began hacking down the stalk. Suddenly, with a
crash, the beanstalk fell, but there was no Jack. For all I
know, he’s been crushed by the ogre.
(she cries; long pause; Baker’s wife goes to her)
(white powder flies about as BAKER’S WIFE pats the cow.
BAKER pulls her away as WITCH approaches)
Witch: This cow has been covered with flour!
Baker: We had a cow as white as milk. Honestly we did.
Witch: Then where is she?
Baker’s Wife: She’s dead.
Baker: We thought you’d prefer a live cow.
Witch: Of course I’d prefer a live cow! So bring me the dead
cow and I’ll bring her back to life!
Baker: You could do that?
Witch: Now!
(WITCH zaps BAKER with lightning; WITCH, BAKER’S
WIFE and BAKER scamper upstage towards MILKY-
WHITE’S grave and we see dirt flying into the air as they
dig into the grave; JACK comes running onstage with a
golden harp that sings)
Jack’s Mother: (relieved) There you are! (she hits him) I’ve
been worried sick.
Jack: Mother, look. The most beautiful harp. (he hands harp
to her)
Jack’s Mother: You’ve stolen too much! You could have
been killed coming down that plant.
Baker: (offstage) She’s too heavy.
Jack: What’s happening?
Jack’s Mother: Milky-White is dead, but don’t worry. They’re
going to bring her back to life!
(WITCH waves her hand, causing a puff of smoke. MILKY-
WHITE suddenly stands, restored to life. BAKER and
BAKER’S WIFE bring cow forward.)
Jack: Milky-White! Now I have two friends. A cow and a
harp.
Witch: Quiet! Feed the objects to the cow!
Jack, Baker’s Wife, Baker: What?
Witch: You heard me. Feed them to the cow.
(music; the BAKER begins to feed MILKY-WHITE the
objects. With great effort, the cow chews them, and with
greater effort, swallows. We hear the first chime of midnight.
The remaining eleven sound through the rest of the scene.
All stare intently at the cow. The WITCH pulls a silver goblet
from her cloak and gives it to the BAKER)
Fill this!
Jack: (going to MILKY-WHITE) I’ll do it. She’ll milk only for
me. Squeeze, pal.
(Jack milks her feverishly. Nothing. WITCH goes and takes
the goblet back; she turns it upside down)
Witch: Wrong ingredients. Forget about a child.
Baker’s Wife: Wait! We followed your instructions. One, the
cow is as white as milk, correct?
Witch: Yes.
Baker’s Wife: And two, the cape was certainly as red as
blood.
Witch: Yes.
Baker’s Wife: And three, the slipper--
Witch: Yes.
Baker: And four, I compared the hair with this ear of corn.
Baker’s Wife: I pulled it from a maiden in a tower and--
Witch: YOU WHAT?! What were you doing there?
Baker’s Wife: Well, I happened to be passing by--
Witch: I touched that hair! Don’t you understand? I cannot
have touched any of the ingredients!
Baker, Baker’s Wife: (moaning) Nooooo… But wait! What
about this corn? The hair of the yellow corn.
(COW squeals)
Jack: She’s milking!
(BAKER’S WIFE holds goblet under MILKY-WHITE’s
udder as JACK milks; all eyes are on the cow. BAKER’S
WIFE hands the filled goblet to the WITCH; BAKER and
BAKER’S WIFE dance with joy as WITCH drinks potion.
They go to her)
Baker: We’ve given you what you wish.
Baker’s Wife: Now when can we expect a child?
(WITCH begins to shake and move away)
Baker: What’s wrong? What’s happening?
(WITCH with a flourish turns around. She has been
transformed into a beautiful woman. Blackout)
END OF SCENE FOUR
 Scene 5 Narrator: The Prince returned the false bride, and asked the
-Careful My Toe- other sister to put on the shoe.

Narrator: As for the Prince... (STEPMOTHER tries forcing shoe onto LUCINDA’s foot)

(fanfare) Lucinda: (struggling with the shoe) WHY WON’T IT FIT?

...he began his search for the foot to fit the golden Stepmother: (holding the knife) DARLING, BE STILL.
slipper.
CUT OFF A BIT
He went to Cinderella’s home.
OF THE HEEL AND IT WILL.
As the Prince anxiously waited, the stepmother took matters,
and Florinda's foot, into her own hands. AND WHEN YOU’RE HIS WIFE

[FLORINDA] YOU’LL HAVE SUCH A LIFE,

Careful my toe!
YOU’LL NEVER NEED TO WALK!
[STEPMOTHER]
Darling I know (looks at LUCINDA encouragingly as she cuts off LUCINDA’s
heel)
[FLORINDA]
What do we do? Narrator: The girl obeyed and swallowed her pain. But as
she was helped on the back of the horse by the Prince, he
[STEPMOTHER]
It'll have to go. noticed blood trickling from the shoe. The prince returned
But when you're his bride back Lucinda.
You can sit or ride,
You'll never need to walk!
Prince: Is there any other girl inside the house?
[NARRATOR, spoken]
Stepmother: No one, but if you grant me a chance to take it,
Minus one toe, Florinda mounted the Prince's horse,
I will.
unaware of the blood dripping from the slipper. Lucinda was
next.
Steward: We can’t allow that to happen sire! She’s a not a
maiden, she’s been married twice! She doesn’t deserve to be
[LUCINDA]
your queen.
Why won't it fit?
Prince: The woman whom I shall marry is the girl who keeps
[STEPMOTHER]
running before the midnight struck. The girl who left this
Darling be still.
golden slipper and if I won’t let this woman try, I might lose
Cut off a bit
the chance of knowing the truth. I might lose my queen.
Of the heel and it will.
And when you're his wife,
(blackout)
you'll have such a life,
END OF SCENE 5
You'll never need to walk!
Scene 6
[NARRATOR, spoken]
-Cinderella Song
Minus a heel, Lucinda did her best to swallow the pain.
Battle Song-
[STEPMOTHER, spoken]
Narrator: And it came to pass, all that seemed wrong was
It's a perfect fit, Your Highness.
now right, the kingdoms were filled with joy, and all the
curses have been ended. Rapunzel’s Prince have regained
(CINDERELLA’S PRINCE looks at FLORINDA’s foot and
his vision and married Rapunzel and lived far from the
sees blood trickling from the shoe. they return to
kingdom. Jack’s family have been wealthy while Little Red
CINDERELLA’s home)
RidingHood enjoyed her capes. The witch restored her Baker’s wife: (worried) My husband! Our child is
beauty and lose her power. While, the Baker and his wife had missing!
their first child. And they reunited for the Prince’s wedding.
Baker: What do you mean our child’s missing?
(Cinderella’s stepmother steps out together with the prince.
They were received blessings from all the people of the
kingdom. Cinderella appears with hatred in her eyes while Baker’s wife: Look! There’s a note! “Into the woods”
watching the wedding from afar.)
Baker: sings***
Narrator: When everything seems to be perfect

Cinderella: (talks to herself, denial) This isn’t happening!

This is just a lie! (tear drops from her eye, she runs away and (In the song he encountered Jack’s mom, Little Red
went to the woods) Ridinghood, and the witch)
(Cinderella hurriedly runs into the tree where she usually
asks wishes.)
Cinderella:
IN THE WOODS
CINDERELLA SONG
Narrator: In middle of the woods, Cinderella and the
Narrator: And then there is the giantess who throws her fury Giant were waiting relentlessly…
in the village because of her husband’s death.
Baker’s wife: (sees Cinderella holding her child) Give
Big Giant: Give me the child! Where is Jack? me my child!
(Heard Cinderella crying) Cinderella: NO! I can’t let you be happy! Because of
you my prince married anybody else! YOU and YOUR
Big Giant: Give me the child! Where is Jack?
SELFISH DESIRES!
Cinderella: You are not the only victim here! I am too.
(Everybody sings while dodging the hands of the other
Let’s make a pact. We have become a victim of their
characters but in the end the Baker did get the child.
own selfish desires! I want to have my revenge! They
The witch revealed the true identity of Little Red
will pay for all the misfortunes they have brought to us!
Ridinghood. At the end of the song Cinderella stabbed
Big Giant: I will help you in exchange, you will give me the witch.)
what I want and I’ll help you get what you want.

Cinderella: I want them all miserable! I will not let them

CURTAINS CLOSED.
have their own happy ending while I’m here all alone
suffering!

Big Giant: As you wish… Narrator: Where is the last page?

CASTS: Sings another song “Be careful what you

wish.”
Narrator: Cinderella kidnapped Jack and brought him
to the Giant. In fiery anger the Giant stabbed Jack in
the chest and fell lifeless in the ground. While on the
village…
.