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David Christian Azarow Hannah Price Book by: Larry M. Weiner Based on O. Henry‚s short story, Gift of the Magi
Prologue
The action opens on an outdoor winter scene. The ensemble, in the guise of a group out caroling, is singing a carol.
Scene II ˆ Dell and Jim‚s Apartment
We meet Dell and Jim. Jim wants to be a painter, and he dreams of making a living at it. We see his latest effort. It is a painting of Dell, and it showcases her beautiful hair. As the scene opens, Jim is at work on his painting, while Dell is cleaning up the apartment. There are still breakfast dishes on the table. Dell: (cleaning up the table) Shouldn‚t you be off to work, Jim? Jim is absorbed in his work. Dell: Jim! Shouldn‚t you leave for work now?
Jim: (absentmindedly) I'm sorry, Dell. What did you say? Dell: (sighing) Will you please leave that painting for a moment and pay some attention to me? Jim:
(looking up)
He turns the painting toward her. Jim: . (cont‚d) There. That should do it. What do you think? Dell: (admiringly) Jim, how am I supposed to be mad at you when you know how much I love your painting?
They kiss. Dell: (cont‚d)
Jim:
Jim takes his watch out and looks at it. Jim:
The two hug and kiss. Jim leaves, painting in hand. Dell follows him to the door. She waves to him as he goes off and then turns back into the apartment. Before she enters, she spots a letter on the floor outside the flat. She stoops down and picks it up. She enters the apartment and opens the letter.
Dell: (reading)
Dell collapses in despair. There is a knock at the door. Dell answers it. It‚s Cecilia Thornton. She and Dell hug. Dell: Cecilia! Cecilia:
Dell goes about getting tea.
The buyer is supposed to be coming tomorrow. We need the money.
A gold watch chain.
A gold watch chain? Really!
He treasures his watch so much, I think sometimes he holds it more than me. Celia: Can you afford that? Dell: (a little defensively)
Cecilia: Of course you do, my dear. And what is Jim getting you? Dell: A set of combs for my hair·I hope. I‚ve left enough hints.
Please. Ceil: You better sit down, Dell. This will take a while.
Dell sits down. Ceil finishes pouring. Dell: I‚m ready now. You may begin. Cecilia:
Cecilia notices that Dell‚s upset. Cecilia: Dell, are you all right? Dell: Yes, I‚m·fine. Really. Ceil:
Dell: That‚s nice. Cecilia: Dell·why don‚t you and Jim come with us? Dell: Gee, Cecilia, I don‚t know· Cecilia: Well, you give it some thought. We‚d love to have you come withus.. Ta ta·
She exits the apartment. Cecilia: (continued). (singing) So frustrating, Losing all she had, How can she live How can she live How can she live like that?
She exits the stage. Dell: (emotional) I hate her·(song) After the song is over, Dell gets an idea.) Dell:
Dell goes over to the dresser and takes out a bag of coins. She empties the entire contents of the bag in her hand. As she makes her way to the door, she stops and turns out. Dell: Jim will sell the painting.
She leaves the apartment.
Scene II: William‚s office
Lou, Ed, and Harry enter sitting at stools in the office, hard at work Ed: You think Mr. Thornton will be gone long? Lou: What do you think, Ed? He‚s at lunch with his rich friends. Harry: In other words, Lou, it‚s time for a break. Ed: Harry, my boy. You took the words right out of my mouth.
The three put down their work and begin relaxing. Harry goes to William‚s desk and takes three cigars from a humidor. He hands them out. Lou: Can you believe it‚ll be Christmas in two days? Ed: I guess I‚d better go shopping. Harry:
Jim walks in, looking tentatively around. Jim takes out his watch. Jim: Sorry I‚m late. Ed: I don‚t know how, considering you‚ve got such a beautiful, old watch. Lou: It‚s because he‚s got a beautiful, young wife. Jim:
Ed: That‚s okay, Jim. We weren‚t doing any work, anyway. Help yourself to a cigar. Lou:
Jim: Is Mr. Thornton here? Lou: Naw. He‚s having lunch at the club. Probably eating pate de foie gras. Harry: ·or caviar. Ed: And drinking champagne. Jim: He was supposed to show me how to enter orders in the ledger. Harry: That‚s all right, old boy. We‚ll teach you all you need to now. Right, guys?
(Here could be a song based on how they see an employer taking advantage of his workers. It should be lighthearted rather than lugubrious.) (After the song is over, the four men sit back in their chairs and smoke their cigars. At that moment, William enters. Each of the three veterans falls off their chairs. Jim, not knowing who William is, continues to smoke. The three try to nonverbally warn Jim about who has entered the store.) William Now I know why my profits are down. Get back to work.
The three scurry back to work. Jim continues to smoke. William approaches him. Jim finally notices him and literally falls on the floor in shock.
Jim shuts his eyes. He doesn‚t want to hear what‚s coming next.
Jim is in shock. William: Did you hear me?
Jim is still in shock. William snaps his fingers in front of Jim‚s face, which snaps him out of it. Jim:
William: I know it‚s a terrible punishment, Jim, but you did after all, smoke my cigar. Jim:
William gives him a dirty look. Jim notices it and shuts up quickly.
William reaches into his wallet and pulls out a wad of money. Jim is stunned by the amount of money in his hand.
As Jim reaches to take the money, he is gasping in awe. William: Anything wrong? Jim:
Jim: Yes, sir. (he takes his watch out) William: Hey, that‚s very nice. You better be careful. Looks like that chain‚s about to break. You don‚t want to lose a beautiful watch like that, do you? Jim: No, sir. William: Now, let‚s synchronize watches.
The two compare watches. William: Now, go.
Scene III ˆ Dell and Jim‚s Apartment
Dell is cleaning the apartment. She stops in front of the mirror and looks in it. Dell:
Dell sits down at the table sobbing. At that moment, Ceil arrives and just as she‚s about to knock on the door, she hears Dell say·
Dell breaks down crying. Ceil is about to knock on the door, but instead leaves.
Scene IV ˆ Outdoor Market
The scene opens to an outdoor market place. There are four store fronts ˆ The Pawnshop, Charlie‚s Bakery, The Jolly Toy Store, and Madame Sofronie‚s Goods. At the end of the four stores there is a lampost with a sign that reads: Swan‚s Fine Clothing, with an arrow painting offstage right. Charlie, the baker, is sweeping in front of his store as Henry, the toy store owner, approaches. Henry: Mmm, mmm·I could smell those tarts baking all the way up the street, Charlie. Charlie: Mornin‚, Henry. Is it nine o‚clock already? (slaps his head) Henry: (checking his watch) Eight fifty to be exact. Charlie: Ten minutes Œtill opening, and I still have apple strudels baking in the oven.
Henry takes a bun and almost puts it in his mouth when Charlie takes it away from him and good naturedly pushes him out of the store. Charlie: I noticed you finished your toy making for the holiday. Henry:
Albert, the pawnbroker, enters. Henry: Hold on to your wallets. Here comes the extortionist! Albert:
Madame Sofronie enters. Mme. Sofronie: Bon Jour, Gentlemen!
Albert, Henry & Charlie almost fall over themselves trying to greet her. Albert, Henry, Charlie: Good morning, Madame Sofronie. Mme. Sofronie:
At end of song, Madame Sofronie enters her store.
Scene V ˆ William‚s Office
William Thornton is working in his office when his wife Cecilia enters. Cecilia: I see you‚re hard at work·making money. William: Good morning, my dear. What brings you by? Cecilia: Do you remember when I gave you my Christmas list the other day? William: How can I forget? It took me all morning to buy everything. Cecilia: Well, there was one thing I forgot to ask for. William: With that list, there‚s nothing left in this entire city for anyone else to buy. Cecilia: Well, there is one more thing. William: Forget it.
Cecilia begins to sob. William:
Scene VI ˆ Madame Sofranie‚s. Jim happily enters the store. He is whistling. He goes over to the counter and gives Madame Sofranie a big kiss. Jim: Bon jour, Madame Sofranie. It‚s a beautiful day, isn‚t it? Madame Sofranie: Not so beautiful. My corn‚s are killing me. Jim:
Madame Sofranie Jim, I have some bad news for you. Jim:
Jim reads the note. Jim:
A pair of shoes! A lousy shoes! Everyone wears shoes!
Jim rushes to the window. Jim: (Cont‚d) See! Look! Everyone‚s wearing shoes. What‚s so special about shoes? Madame Sofranie:
Jim turns back into the store. Jim: (Cont‚d) How could he? He promised. Madame Sofranie: I‚m sorry, Jim. Jim:
(Jim sings of his inability to sell his painting and buy Dell a gift. Pick up existing song)
Scene VII ˆ Dell and Jim‚s Apartment
Jim comes home looking forlorn. Slowly, he hangs up his coat. Dell enters cheerily from the other room and hugs him. Dell: Hello, darling. How was your day?
She notices his lethargy. Dell:
She sees Jim‚s reaction. Dell: Jim?·What‚s wrong? Jim: I didn‚t sell the painting. Dell: But, the buyer·what happened? Jim: He changed his mind. Dell: I don‚t understand·You said he was going to buy your painting. You were sure. Jim: (angry) So, I was wrong·
His demeanor changes. He goes to Dell and holds her. Jim: (Cont‚d) At least we have some money to buy each other something· Dell: I had to give it to Mrs. Himmelfarb. Jim: What? I thought she was going to wait until the painting was sold. Dell:
Jim: Well, as it turns out, I didn‚t sell the painting anyway. Dell: What are we going to do, Jim? Jim: How should I know?
Jim grabs his coat and rushes out of the apartment. Dell: JIM! DON‚T GO! JIM·!
Dell comes back into the apartment, crossing to the mirror. She decides to cut her hair in order to buy Jim a gold watch. (song) After the song is over, Dell gets her coat and leaves. The lights fade.
Scene VIII ˆ Dell and Jim‚s Apartment (pick up page 34 to Jim‚s song on 35 of script. This opening part of the song should not be happy, rather it should be melancholy.) The lights fade up and Dell comes home. We see she‚s cut her hair. After her song, we hear Jim approaching the apartment, singing his song on page 35. He enters the room.
Dell: Jim, don‚t just stand there staring. Jim: Your hair·
Dell bows her head and nods. Dell: I cut it and sold it. Jim: Your hair·your beautiful hair. Dell: (sings existing song)
She gives him present. Dell: Open it.
Jim takes the box and opens it. He takes the new watch chain out, and we can see the pain on his face. Dell: I hope you like it. Jim: It‚s·it‚s beautiful. Dell: Whenever you see the time, it‚ll remind you of me. Jim: Dell, I don‚t need a watch chain to remind me of you. I don‚t need a watch chain at all. Dell: Jim, what‚s matter?
Jim silently gives Dell his wrapped present. Jim: Open it. Dell: Oh, Jim·
She opens the gift and pulls out the combs. She is overwhelmed. Dell: They‚re·they‚re·beautiful. How could you afford them? Jim: I sold my watch. Dell: (stunned) You sold your watch to buy me these combs? Jim: And you cut your hair to buy me this watch chain.
She nods. They look at their gifts ruefully and then each other. Then, they come together and embrace and begin to laugh. Jim: There is only one gift I‚ve ever wanted, and I have it.
(Song from page 36)
There is a knock at the door. It‚s Madame Sofranie. Jim: Madame Sofranie! Mme Sofranie: Such news! Such wonderful news. Dell: What is it? Mme. Sofranie: Someone bought your painting. It‚s a miracle.
Jim gives her a double take. Then, he and Dell hug. Dell: I‚m sure Cecilia bought it.
At that moment, there is a knock at the door. Jim answers it. It is William and Cecilia, who enter the apartment. Jim: Mr. Thornton. Ceil. Come in. Dell: Cecilia, thank you so much for buying Jim's painting. Cecilia: Actually, every time I went to buy it, someone kept outbidding me· William: And every time I went to buy it, someone kept outbidding me.
They look at each other. Jim: So, if neither one of you bought my painting, who did? At that moment, Mrs. Himmelfarb enters, holding the painting. Mrs. Himmelfarb: Is it safe to come in? Would you believe it, I was in Madame Sofranie's earlier, and I just absolutely fell in love with this painting.
She crosses to Dell. And my dear, don‚t you think it looks exactly like you, except the hair is longer.
Music begins to play waltz reprise of Christmas Ball as the company comes onstage.
Scene IX Same scene as opening (Final scene repeats the Christmas choir)
Hansel and Gretel (In three acts) (DIRECTOR'S NOTES: THE ACTION BETWEEN THE GRANDMOTHER AND THE TWO CHILDREN SHOULD BE PLAYED EITHER EXTREME DOWNSTAGE LEFT OR RIGHT. IDEALLY, AN OVERHEAD, OR PINSPOT SHOULD SHINE DOWN ON THEM WHILE THE REST OF THE STAGE IS DIMLY LIT. WHEN THE ACTION SWITCHES TO THE STORY, THE LIGHTS WILL COME UP ON STAGE WHILE THE PIN SPOT FADES OUT. THE TWO GRANDCHILDREN CAN ALSO BE HANSEL AND GRETEL. THEY CAN BE WEARING ROBES OVER THEIR OUTFITS AND SHED THEM AS THEY NEED TO BECOME HANSEL AND GRETEL. THEN, AS THE ACTION SHIFTS BACK TO THE GRANDMOTHER, THEY'LL PUT THE ROBES ON AND TAKE THEIR PLACES NEAR HER. HOWEVER, TO MAKE THINGS EASIER, DIFFERENT ACTORS CAN PLAY HANSEL AND GRETEL.) Boy: Grandma! Grandma! Please tell us a bedtime story! Girl: Yes, Grandma. We want to hear a story. Boy and Girl (together): COME ON, GRANDMA! WE WANT TO HEAR A STORY! Grandma: Alright children! Alright! You don't have to twist my arm. Now, come sit next to me. THE CHILDREN DO SO. Grandma: Now, let's see...what story shall I tell you? Boy: Tell us the one about the man who goes into a foreign country and rescues people. Grandma: Not that Rambo story again! Girl: How about the girl who saves a handsome prince from drowning in the ocean? Grandma: My dear...didn't we just saw that story on Baywatch? No...I think I have a better story. A story about a girl, a boy, a father and a stepmother... Boy: I don't think I'm going to like this. Grandma: ...and a witch! Boy: A witch? Now you're talking! Girl: Please tell it, Grandma. Please. Grandma: Well, it started like most fairy tales do...you know... Once upon a time, there was a boy named Hansel and a girl named Gretl. Boy: What kind of names are those? Hansel and Gretel. Grandma: If you think those names are weird, wait til you hear the name of the man who wrote the music... Englebert Humperdink. Now...where was I? Girl: A girl named Gretel and a boy named Hansel. Grandma: Yes...Once upon a time, there was a poor woodcutter, his wife, and two children, Hansel and Gretel. Now, one day, while their father was out chopping wood, Hansel and Gretel were told by their stepmother to clean their rooms. Being two perfectly normal children, they cleaned for about 10 seconds and then decided to take a break. SONG: SUZIE, LITTLE SUZIE) Gretel: (bowing) Oh, dear Prince...won't you dance with me? Hansel: (bowing) I'm sorry, my lady, but I don't know how to dance. Gretel: Then I'll show you. GRETEL GRABS HIS HANDS PICK UP SONG, "BROTHER DANCE A STEP OR TWO..." Grandma: Well, wouldn't you know it, but Hansel and Gretel began dancing so wildly that they knocked over a jug of milk. Needless to say, their stepmother wasn't very happy with them. After all, she was hunched over that cow for an hour trying to get milk in that jug. Stepmother: That milk was for your supper. Now, you'll have nothing to dunk your stale bread in. Gretel: It was an accident, stepmother. Stepmother: Accident, schmaccident. I want the two of you to go into the forest and gather strawberries for supper. Now, scram. HANSEL AND GRETEL LEAVE. THE MOTHER SITS DOWN AT THE TABLE AND BEGINS CRYING. LIGHTS STAY UP DURING GRANDMOTHER'S DIALOGUE. Grandma: Now, children, I know what you're thinking... Boy: That I'll have to go to the bathroom soon? Grandma: Oh, I guess I don't know what you're thinking. Anyway, you may think the stepmother is not such a sweetheart, but on the inside she really does care. You see, she realizes how poor they are. And with the milk spilt, there's nothing to eat. Not to mention a big mess on the floor. THE FATHER'S MUSIC IN BACKGROUND. IT BEGINS UNDER GRANDMOTHER'S DIALOGUE. WHEN SHE'S FINISHED, THE FATHER SINGS HIS ARIA. Father: (cheerfully) Rita, I'm home. Stepmother: (sadly) Hi, Sam... Father: I've got wonderful news. Stepmother: You won the lottery? Father: No, I sold my brooms, and...look at all this money I made. Say...where's Hansel and Gretel? Stepmother: They were carrying on, so I sent them into the forest to gather strawberries. Father: You did what? Don't you know there's a witch living out there? Stepmother: After the day I had with them, there's a witch living in here. Father: ...and she eats children! We've got to find them! THE TWO RUSH OUT. END, ACT I. Grandma: How would you like some milk and cookies, children? Girl: Finish the story first. Boy: I'm really getting into this. Grandma: Yes, it is a honey of a story, isn't it? Now... when last we saw Hansel and Gretel, they had been sent into the forest to collect strawberries. Now, let's see what those two whipper snappers are up to. WE GO BACK TO THE STORY AND SEE HANSEL AND GRETEL STROLLING THROUGH THE FOREST. GRETEL SINGS THE SONG "THERE STANDS A LITTLE MAN." WHEN IT'S OVER... Grandma: Doesn't that Gretel have a lovely voice? Well, as it so happens...they being perfectly normal children, Hansel and Gretel were playing so hard that they didn't notice how dark it had gotten. Suddenly, the children spotted a mysterious and shadowy gray figure approaching them. Well, I don't need to tell you, they began to shake in their boots. THE SANDMAN COMES UP TO THEM. Grandma: Well, bust my britches...it was only the Sandman, who had come along to put sand in their eyes and help them get to sleep. THE SANDMAN SINGS, "I SHUT THE CHILDREN'S PEEPERS..." IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SONG. Sandman: (speaking) You can't use average, everyday sand to make children go to sleep...like the kind you find at the beach. You have to use special sand. It's called sleeping sand. SANDMAN SINGS REST OF SONG. Hansel: Boy, that sand in your eyes really makes you tired. Gretel: Boy, I'm really pooped. He must have dumped a whole bucket of the stuff in my eyes. Hansel: I'm going to sleep. Gretel: No, we've got to say our prayers before we go to sleep, remember? SONG: "WHEN AT NIGHT, I GO TO SLEEP" IS SUNG. Grandma: My, my, my...aren't they cute when they're asleep? Girl: I don't know about you, but I don't think I could sleep at all in the woods. Boy: I could. I'd sleep like a log. Grandma: Sure you could, John. Now, Hansel and Gretel did sleep very soundly that night, because they were protected by the angels. And, if you've ever been protected by angels, you'll know you've had one sound sleep, let me tell you. END. ACT II. Grandma: John, did you brush your teeth? Boy: Uh, yeah... Grandma: Let me see. BOY SHOWS HER HIS MOUTH Grandma: (cont'd) Emily...your turn. GIRL BREATHES. Grandma: Sweet smelling breath...both of you. Boy: Now, will you finish the story. Grandma: The next day, the Dew Fairy popped in from out of the clear blue sky and woke up all the creatures in the forest. Now, you can imagine what kind of noise that was. SONG: "DEW FAIRY" Grandma: As the children rose from one sound sleep, they noticed a cute little house...made up...of all things...of delicious things to eat. Boy: Boy, that house wouldn't last long around me. Grandma: That's exactly what I was thinking, John. Now, the children didn't remember seeing the house the night before, but that didn't stop them from approaching it. Hansel: I've never seen so much food. Gretel: You did so...at cousin Helmut's wedding reception last year. Hansel: Yeah, but I've never seen so much food to eat on a house. Let's eat some. HANSEL TAKES A BITE OF THE HOUSE. Gretel: I don't know... WITCH SONG: "NIBBLE, NIBBLE..." Gretel: What was that? Hansel: What was what? Gretel: I thought I heard a voice. Hansel: Aah...it was only the wind. Come on, Gretel...have a bite. SONG: "NIBBLE, NIBBLE..." AGAIN. BOTH CHILDREN STOP MOMENTARILY WHEN THEY HEAR THE SONG. THEY LISTEN FOR A SECOND, FRIGHTENED, BUT WHEN NOTHING HAPPENS, THEY GO BACK TO THEIR EATING FRENZY. SONG: "NIBBLE, NIBBLE..." THIS TIME THE WITCH COMES OUT OF THE HOUSE. Witch: Are you selling girl scout cookies? Hansel: No, we were just wandering in the woods... Gretel: Actually, we're lost. Witch: Well, why don't you come inside, and I'll see if I can call your parents, you tasty morsels, you. Gretel: Gee...I don't think so. I think we'd better get home...right, Hansel. Hansel: Uh...yeah...let's split this scene. SONG: "WITCH CASTS A SPELL ON THEM". WHILE SET IS BEING CHANGED TO INSIDE THE HOUSE, WE GO BACK TO THE GRANDMA. Grandma: Did you see that poof? That was a magic spell...to prevent Hansel and Gretel from escaping. Magic spells aren't really in style anymore, you know. But, in those days, they were quite the rage. Anyway, the witch took the children into her house and locked them up. Boy: Uh, oh... Grandma: Amen to that. But things couldn't be going better for our not so friendly witch. She began dancing for joy because...you see...she loved to eat children. Girl: Uuch...That's enough to make you heave. SONG: "WITCHES BROOM DANCE." Grandma: The witch forced Gretel to prepare the oven, while she kept feeding Hansel. After all, she liked her children plump. This was bad news for Hansel, since he was the fastest runner in his part of Germany. And if there was one thing he didn't need, was a spare tire around his waist to slow him down. Gretel, in the meantime, was scheming...after all, she loved her brother...believe it or not...and didn't want him to be eaten. Witch: Say, Gretel, you've got to stack that wood in order to get the fire going. Gretel: Excuse me, Ms. Witch, but what do I know about stacking fires? Braiding hair, that's another thing. Witch: (exasperrated) This younger generation...completely spoiled. Move out of the way, I'll show you. AS THE WITCH BEND OVER TO PUT WOOD IN THE OVEN, GRETEL PUSHES HER IN AND SLAMS THE DOOR SHUT. THEN, GRETEL PICKS UP THE WITCHES MAGIC WAND AND UNLOCKS HANSEL. SHE THEN TRANSFORMS THE GINGERBREAD CHILDREN INTO REAL KIDS. MUSIC PLAYS DURING THIS PART. KIDS ADLIB PROFUSE THANKS. SONG: "THE SPELL IS GONE." Grandma: Now, in the distance, who do you think was approaching? Boy: Rambo? Girl: The men of the highway patrol? Grandma: Good guess, both of you...but wrong. Actually, Hansel and Gretel's father and stepmother were coming. SONG IN BACKGROUND: "TRA LA LA LA..." Gretel: Oh, father, you wouldn't believe what happened. A wicked witch got us and was going to eat Hansel. But, I pushed her in the oven and she was baked into a large gingerbread witch. Hansel: Then, Gretel turned all these gingerbread children into real children. Stepmother: Sam...I think they're feverish. Grandma: Now, as if finding their kids alive and safe wasn't enough, Sam found gold and jewels by the bundle in the house. They became so rich, that Sam gave up his broom making business and joined a golf club. The stepmother got her real estate license. Hansel started karate lessons and Gretel studied the piano. And, everyone lived happily ever after. FINAL SONG. NOTE: IF THE TWO KIDS PLAYING THE GRANDCHILDREN ARE DIFFERENT FROM HANSEL AND GRETEL, THEY CAN JOIN IN ON THE FINALE.)
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