Script and Illustration List
Scroll past the characters to read the script
Illustration Script for Frog Princess, Acts 1&2
A Play Within a Play--Reader’s Theatre
by Valrie Jensen
Potential Illustration needs are listed in as bold numbers in the script
Cast of Characters
1.
Kenna
Kendra
Director/Witch Baba Yaga
2.
Grandpa J
Grampa
King
3.
Jensen
Jamison
Prince Olaf the Daring/Producer/hut with hen’s feet
4.
Jackson
Jacob
Prince Peter the Noble
5.
Dylan
David
Prince Ivan the Curious
6.
Jordan
Jocelyn
Princess Natasha
7.
Coen
Cortney
Princess Ariana
8.
Marley
Marcie
(Frog Princess) Vassilissa
9.
Murphy
Marvin
Frog
10.
Talulah
Theresa
Matryoshka Doll/Handmaid Chef/ Weaver/White horse
11.
Avrie
Aubrie
Matryoshka Doll/Handmaid Chef/ Spinner/White horse
12.
Cali
Caitlyn
Matryoshka Doll/Handmaid Chef/ Seamstress/White horse
13
Lillian
Lisa
Matryoshka Doll/Handmaid Chef/ Seamstress/White horse
14.
Brody
Bryce
Bear
15.
Zane
Zach
Red Crowing Rooster/Musician—Flute
16.
Wyatt
Weston
Black Flying Rooster/Musician—Cheek-o-phone
17.
Dannon
Dorien
Green Running Rooster/Musician—Drum
18.
Lucas
Leo
White Jumping Rooster/Musician--Mandolin
19.
Linden
Lindsay
White Swan (Vassilissa turns into the swan wearing a crown)
20.
Embree
Emily
Stand in for the White Swan Princess/Magic White Duck
21.
Irie
Ivie
Gray Duck (with the magic Egg)
22.
Lyndee
Lynette
Hopping Bunny
23.
Maisie
Marcie
Running Bunny
24.
Dutch
Dakota
Magic Fish
25.
Rexton
Rylie
Old Man/Evil Kostshei
26.
Dexter
Denny
Court Lake Swan
27.
Jon
Jared
Duke of Bavaria
28.
Casey
Corey
Duchess of Bavaria
29.
Betty
Bettina
Court Lake Swan
30.
Sky
Sinclair
Lord Houser
31.
Julene
Julia
Lady Letterra
32.
Brady
Brad
Duke of Programmica
33.
Chris
Courtney
Lord Forrest
34.
Melanie
Mindy
Lady Healings
35.
Tyson
Tyler
Captain of the Guard
36.
Ginger
Georgette
Lady Gardenia
37.
Joe
Joey
Lord DeSilvis
38.
Shannon
Sherie
Lady Themis of Good Counsel
39.
Jeff
Joshua
Duke of Tuscany
40.
Kristin
Kirsty
Duchess of Tuscany
41.
Daniel
Devon
Sir Rappon
42.
Alex
Anthony
Lord Musica
43.
Kaelie
Karlie
Lady Artemis
44.
Grandma J
Gramma
Narrator
1 Backyard Patio—stage area with a few chairs, audience area with seating and “off stage” space: Cousins are quickly putting finishing touches on costumes and props for a family play they will present. The entire audience eventually plays a part: parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and three reluctant, but very patient dogs. Actors pantomime narration and read from the script.
Act I
Jocelyn: Marcie, could you hand me some of that gold trim?
Cortney: What do you think looks better as a frog crown, pink or gold?
Kendra: At this point, we just need to make it work—color doesn’t matter.
Jamison calls out from offstage
Jamison: How close are you guys to being ready? Everyone’s almost finished with dinner.
Kendra: Five minutes is all we have until it’s time to start! Weston, Zach, make sure these costumes fit the dogs. Brice, the frog costume isn’t ready for Marvin yet, but it will be very soon, right, Cortney?!! Hopefully Marvin won’t mind looking like a frog.
Cortney: Just need a safety pin and we’re good to go, Coach!
Kendra rolls her eyes and races out, grabbing up scraps the others have tossed on the ground. Jamison enters with 5-year-old Emily and 4-year-old Ivie
Jamison: C’mon girls, find your duck hats and then go tell your Mom’s it’s almost time to start.
2 The family begins gathering for the show, but a traffic jam forms with all the actors trying to locate their costumes. A loud whistle calls everyone to attention, well, mostly everyone.
Grampa: Thank you, Mindy. Please stop what you’re doing, wherever you are, and take a seat. Jocelyn, Cortney and Marcie will hand out costumes. Raise your hand when you hear your name.
Kendra and Jamison begin calling out names as the costumes and props are delivered to actors and parents busy working to settle little ones and the three dogs. The older cousins finish handing out costumes and stand near the front, waiting to go on. Soon most are quiet, at least quiet enough for the show to begin.
Jamison: Ok, ok, we’re ready to start! As you know, in this play, everyone in the audience also has a part. Get ready to come on, and when you hear gramma talk about your character, that’s when you enter. Just follow the directions that Gramma reads. When she comes to the part where the royal court is introduced, come up here, or just stand up from your chair and take a bow.
3 Kendra holds up a Matroyshka Doll; The Matryoshka Doll actresses line up, each holding two doll props (nesting doll measuring cups)—Theresa in front; Aubrie, Caitlyn and Lisa standing close behind
Kendra: The story we are about to tell you is from Russia. Uncle Brad went to Russia to serve a mission for the church. He brought back a very interesting doll called a Matryoshka Doll. How’s my pronunciation Uncle Brad?
4 As Kendra explains Matryoshka Dolls, Aubrie and Caitlyn hold out a doll prop, one at a time
Kendra: Inside every Matryoshka Doll, is another doll and another doll, until at last, you find the smallest doll.
Jamison: Listen carefully as we perform to see if you can tell the part of the story that is just like a Matryoshka Doll. You could win a prize!!
Kendra: Thanks for coming! We hope you enjoy our humble play, “The Frog Princess!” applause
Narrator (Gramma): In an old, old Russian kingdom, there lived a magnificent Tsar, who had three very brave sons: Prince Olaf the Daring, Prince Peter the Noble, and Prince Ivan the Curious. 5
The King saw that his sons were becoming fine young men and he wanted to divide his kingdom with them. So, one fine day the King said to his sons: “My brave and noble sons, 6 take one of these arrows, draw on your strongest bow and let the arrow fly. Wherever the arrow falls, in that court will be a wife for you.”
7 Prince Olaf the Daring drew back his bow, sending the arrow high above the clouds. Far in the distance, he watched as the arrow come down. Olaf raced in that direction and saw that the arrow had landed in front of the home of a wealthy Captain of the Guard and his lovely wife, Lady Gardenia. 8 On the lawn of their spacious home, walked their beautiful daughter, Natasha.
When 9 Prince Peter the Noble shot his arrow towards the far mountains, his found that his arrow had landed near the red porch of Lord Houser and Lady Letterra. 10 Sitting among the flowers on the porch of the estate mansion stood their enchanting daughter, Ariana.
The King’s youngest son, 11 Prince Ivan the Curious, pulled his bow with all his might and let the arrow fly. It soared deep into the forest. 12 Ivan searched for days and at last came to a swamp filled with water lilies. What Ivan saw next surprised him greatly. There on a large lily pad sat a croaking frog—holding his arrow.
13 Marvin, the dog, is encouraged to cross the “stage” and finally complies—he is wearing a frog costume with an “arrow” that appears to be attached to his hind leg.
Narrator: The frog refused to let go of the arrow, so Ivan took the frog, arrow and all back to the castle. 14 Ivan encourages Marvin to go to the “King”
Ivan Tsarevitch. By the way, Tsarevitch means Prince in Russian—Brad, how do you say it? Brad corrects her pronunciation and also explains that Tsar means King.
Narrator: Ivan Tsarevitch found his father in the garden and showed him the frog holding the arrow. 15 “How can I marry this frog?” he lamented. “She’s, well, she’s a frog!”
“Sorry son,” replied the King. “Life doesn’t always go as we plan.”
Just then, the frog (Marcie is the voice) said, “I promise, you won’t regret what has happened.”
16 The King and Ivan the Curious were so surprised to hear the frog talk, they decided to give her a chance to prove herself.
That evening, the King announced a contest, “The fiancée of each Prince must bake a loaf of bread by tomorrow morning.”
Prince Olaf was pleased with this contest because he knew Natasha had learned to bake from a master chef. Ariana was equally talented and assured Prince Peter he had no worries. 17 They went off hand in hand to the royal kitchen, smiling and laughing.
Ivan Tsarevitch did not have a smile on his face. He was so worried, he put his head in his hands and sighed.
18 "C-R-O-A-K! C-R-O-A-K! Dear Tsarevitch Ivan, “Please do not worry so,” exclaimed the frog. "The morning hour is a better guide than the dark evening." The Tsarevitch took the frog’s advice and left to go to sleep.
All leave the stage except Marcie, who enters wearing a frogskin similar to Marvin the dog’s
Narrator: 19 As soon as she was in her room at the palace, the frog took off her frogskin and looked into the mirror. In the reflection was the beautiful, wise Vassilissa. She stepped out onto the balcony and whispered, “Fair Handmaidens from my forest home, come to me at once. We will bake a delicious loaf of bread for tomorrow morning, a loaf as sweet and delightful as the bread I used to eat in my father’s royal palace dining room.”
20 Enter in a line Theresa, Aubrie, Caitlyn and Lisa, each wearing a chef’s hat and working excitedly to “bake” and “frost” the glorious cake. They exit very proudly in a line
Narrator: The next morning, everyone in the palace was awakened by loud crowing from the castle roosters. 21 A red rooster was crowing from the top of the roost. 22 A shiny, black rooster tried to fly up into a tree, crowing with all his might, as 23 a dark green rooster and a white rooster chased him across the lawn.
The roosters were celebrating the dawn of a new day, and, as you know, roosters and chickens are never late.
24 Exit the roosters, enter the brides carrying their breads (Vassilissa wearing a frogskin)
Narrator: Everyone gathered on the front lawn to taste the three amazing loaves of bread. Natasha’s braided loaf was light and fragrant. Ariana had created a spicy cinnamon bread topped with creamy icing. The two loaves were very impressive, 25 but nothing could compare to the incredible round bread the frog had baked. Juicy, red berries glistened between delicate layers of sweet bread, as white as snow and light as a feather. Tiny candy figures danced around a sugar town with towering chocolate fortresses. The frog’s bread was the most fantastic that anyone had ever seen or tasted.
The King and the entire court were very pleased with Tsarevitch Ivan and the frog, who thanked them graciously.
Just as the sun was beginning to set beyond the mountains, the King exclaimed, “Now, here is another challenge!” He smiled at each of his sons and declared, “Each of your betrothed must weave a rug by tomorrow morning.
Tsarevitch Ivan looked sadly at the frog and again, he had no smile on his face.
"C-R-O-A-K! C-R-O-A-K! Dear Tsarevitch Ivan, “Please do not worry so,” said the frog. Again she exclaimed, "The morning hour will bring help."
Tsarevitch Ivan once more took the frog’s advice and went to his room to sleep.
Exit all except the frog.
Narrator: The frog hopped off to her room and once again, took off her frogskin and turned into the beautiful Vassilissa. The wise girl again whispered, “Fair Handmaidens, come to me at once. Weave with me a silken rug as soft and colorful as the rugs I used to sit upon in my father’s royal palace.”
26 The Handmaidens again enter in a line, carrying yarn and dangling threads
Narrator: Once said, quickly done! Vassilissa and her amazing handmaidens quickly wove a glorious tapestry with scenes of animals from the forest: ducks, swans, tiny bunnies and a flying fish.
The Handmaidens find Ivan who is asleep and lay the tapestry at his feet; they exit in a line
Narrator: Once again, the roosters began their early “cock-a-doodle-doo!” 27 Tsarevitch Ivan awoke and was amazed to see before him the most elegant silk rug. Shiny threads of gold and silver wove in and out between brightly-colored silken bands.
Ivan exits on one side and two Princes, their brides and the King enter from the other side
Narrator: Ivan carried the rug to his father’s throne room, where the others were gathered, admiring the rugs Natasha and Ariana had made. Everyone gasped when they saw Tsarevitch Ivan with the incredibly beautiful tapestry rug made by his frog.
28 The King was so impressed, he announced that the brides would be presented before the entire kingdom the very next day.
29 Olaf and Natasha danced around excitedly. Peter and Ariana clapped their hands and began making plans for the festive event.
Ivan sat down and put his head in his hands.
"C-R-O-A-K! C-R-O-A-K! “My dear Ivan. Why do you look so sad?” said the frog from a corner of the throne room.
“Now tell me, Miss frog, how could I dare go with thee to the celebration?!”
30 "Things are never as bad as they seem,” gently croaked the frog. “Go alone and I shall follow thee later. When thou hearest a great noise, do not be frightened; simply say: ‘There is my miserable froggy coming in her miserable box.’”
31 As everyone exits, the ducks and bunnies also decide it’s time to enter: hopping, running, flapping wings; they are gently “guided” back to their seats by the Handmaidens
Narrator: 32 Special guests throughout the kingdom began arriving to celebrate this momentous event. Among the first to enter the grand hall was the Captain of the Guard and his lovely wife, Lady Gardenia. Entering the court with a grand trumpet sound were 33 Lord Houser and delightful wife, Lady Letterra Even the Duke of Bavaria and the beautiful Duchess of Bavaria attended, with the Duke’s brother, the Duke of Progammica. They were soon followed by 34 Lord Forrest, his enchanting wife, Lady Healings, Lord DeSilvis of the French Court and Lady Themis of Good Counsel. Just when it seemed every distinguished guest possible was gathered in the stately court, the Duke and his charming Duchess of Tuscany entered with Sir Rappon, Lord Musica and the elegant Lady Artemis.
A trumpet sounded and the two elder Princes made a grand entrance with their brides, so beautifully bright, and cheerful, and dressed in richly-colored garments. 35 Sadly, both of the bridegrooms began to make fun of Tsarevitch Ivan.
"Why so alone our young brother?" they laughingly said to him. "Where ist thine betrothed? Did she have no gown to wear? How couldst thou find such a rare beauty? Throughout all the swamps in the kingdom of our father, we would wager there could be none like her." They laughed and laughed with their brides.
Then, lo!! A terrible noise rattled the dishes and rumbled through the hall. 36 The ground began shaking fiercely, which greatly frightened the royal guests.
All the while, Tsarevitch Ivan stood with a quiet smile and said: "No danger; it is my ‘miserable’ froggy coming in her ‘miserable’ box."
Narrator: 37 A brilliant red carriage, drawn by gleaming white horses came flying through the court doorway.
From the side, Uncle Devon drives up in his shiny red car; Vassilissa sits regally in the back seat; Devon stops the car and the four white horses (Theresa, Aubrie, Caitlyn and Lisa) prance out in front
Narrator: 38 Vassilissa, stepped out of the carriage and the court gasped in awe. She was beautiful beyond any description, with her flowing gown and sparkling crown. Her fiancée, Prince Ivan, stepped proudly forward, took her dainty hand and led her with him to the tables covered in snow-white linen and piled high with delightful culinary creations delivered from enchanted forests.
Musicians enter, playing loudly
Narrator: 39 A troupe of royal musicians began playing a lively tune, signaling the guests to join the happy couple. All began chatting and eating, accompanied by the amazing music.
Vassilissa lifted her cup of sweet lemonade and drank a toast to her prince. 40 When she had finished drinking, she poured the remaining lemonade into her left sleeve. 41 She daintily ate grilled chicken and when finished, threw the bones into her right sleeve. The wives of the two elder brothers had been watching Vassilissa very carefully and they decided to do exactly the same.
Alas, the guests had finished the wonderful meal and they joined the troupe in song and dance. As Ivan Tsarevitch drew his shining Vassilissa forward, 42 she bowed to her sovereign and bowed to the honorable guests, then danced with her delighted fiancée.
As they swayed to the flowing music, 43 Vassilissa waved her left sleeve and a gleaming lake appeared in the middle of the hall and a cool breeze floated over the guests. 44 Vassilissa waved her right sleeve and a white swan flew down to swim on the blue water.
Denny the dog and his canine companion, Bettina, enter as “swans”. However, their entrance is noticed by their cohort, Marvin, who doesn’t entertain a fancy for theatrical timing. 45 The dogs find their costumes more interesting than the storyline, and they are cheered on by their companion, Dakota, the reluctant fish-dog.
Kendra and Jamison make a valiant effort to steer things back to the story at hand.
Kendra: 46 Places, places please!!
Jamison: We return to our story in progress—I promise it’s close to intermission. In the second act, there’s a bear, ducks, rabbits, and evil tyrant and a near-dead fish. You’ll love it, I promise!! Please continue Madam Narrator.
Narrator: The guests, the Tsar, even the fish in the lake.
Weston thinks this is Dakota’s cue and he “encourages” the reluctant dog onto the stage. The other dogs are less reluctant and view this as a cue to enter as well. 47 Kendra and Jamison are clearly mortified, but manage to clear the stage of dogs and dog wranglers.
Jamison signals to Gramma, who gradually begins reading more quickly.
Narrator: Everyone watched the beautiful Vassilissa in amazement. Only her two sisters-in-law-to-be
envied her. 48 At their turn to dance, the other brides waved their arms the same way as Vassilissa had done, but only sprinkled lemonade on everyone at the royal court. Bones flew from their sleeves instead of a swan and landed in the face of the Tsar father, who became very angry and ordered the two brides to leave the celebration, escorted by the two older Princes.
Meanwhile, Ivan Tsarevitch had been watching and slipped away to Vassilissa’s room. 49 He quickly found the frogskin and threw it into the fireplace, watching as it burned to ashes. Ivan returned and found Vasslissa graciously wishing the guests a fond farewell.
All clear the stage except Vassilissa.
When Vassilissa returned to her room, she began searching everywhere for the frogskin. She found
only a tiny piece smoldering in the fireplace. Alas, her beautiful eyes filled with tears and her shining face grew sad. Quickly, she rushed through the palace until she found Tsarevitch Ivan.
50 “Oh, my dear Ivan, what hast thou done? I had only a very short time left to wear the horrible frog skin! The moment was so close at hand when I could be as I really am, but now I must bid thee good-bye. Please search for me in a land far away, with roads no one knows how to find. I will be at the palace of the Evil Kostshei.” 51 Vassilissa turned into a white swan and flew away through the open window.
Emily floats in as the Princess Swan (wearing a crown); she gracefully circles the stage and exits. Weston “encourages” Denny and Bettina to make a cameo appearance in their swan outfits. The other two dogs misread this as a cue to enhance the scene, which takes considerable effort to resolve.
52 Gramma narrator loudly announces above the fracas:
Narrator: Poor Tsarevitch Ivan wept bitter tears as he prayed for the return of his beloved Vasslissa. Vowing he would find her, Ivan went on a mysterious journey.
Jamison: Time for Intermission, in 10 minutes, get ready for a wonderful second act. Ice cream float anyone?!! Watermelon?!!
Kendra: Everyone in Act 1, come help pass out treats. If you are in Act II, please eat first and get ready for your part.
53 The cousins in Act I hand out ice cream floats and bowls full of watermelon and strawberries, topped with foamy whipping cream. Trays of crunchy cookies are passed around. Everything seems to be going smoothly, that is until 55 Lynette grows tired of wearing her bunny ears and begins to cry. Marcie, ever sympathetic joins in the chorus until enticed with a chocolate chip cookie, to smile through her tears.
Mindy gives her famous ear-splitting whistle, as the audience moves to take their seats
Act II:
Jamison: Attention! Please find your chair. If you are in Act II, get ready to move onto the stage when you know your scene is coming.
Kendra: Did anyone notice a part in Act I that was exactly like a Matryoshka Doll? No? Well, it’s coming up in Act II! 56 Hold up a jar with small papers Everyone’s name is in this jar, at the end of the play, we will draw a name and if you can tell us the part that’s exactly like a Matryoshka Doll, you will win a wonderful prize!!
Jamison: And now, Act II. Take it away, Gramma, I mean, Narrator!”
Narrator: 57 No one knows how far Ivan the Curious traveled. but one day, as he crossed a wooden stile, he met an old, old man. Ivan bowed to the old man, who said: "Good-day, brave fellow. What art thou seeking, and whither art thou going?" Something about the man gave Tsarevitch Ivan confidence and he answered the question sincerely—telling the old man all about his misfortunes.
Slowly, the man shook his head, saying that burning the frogskin was definitely the wrong choice. The old man explained, “Vassilissa’s father envied his daughter because she had been born wiser than anyone in the kingdom. Her father was so jealous, he condemned his poor daughter to be a frog for three years.”
58 With a rusty key, the old man opened an ancient cabinet, saying to Ivan, “I can see how much you care and I want to help you. 59 Here is a golden ball. Roll the ball and follow it without fear, in whatever direction it travels.
Thanking the good old man, Ivan Tsarevitch rolled the ball and following his new guide, walked for many days. The journey was long and winding. 60 As he passed through a large flowering field, Ivan noticed a huge Russian bear eating blackberries. Drawing back his bow, Ivan took aim and was about to shoot the bear.
61 “Please do not kill me, kind Tsarevitch,” cried the bear. “I may be useful to thee someday, you never know!” Ivan slowly lowered his bow as the bear ambled away through the flowers.
62 Ivan was hungry and noticed a lovely, white duck flying across the sky. Again, he drew back on the bow: “Please do not kill me, brave Tsarevitch,” cried the white duck. “I may be useful to thee someday, you never know!” Ivan decided to let the duck live and watched as it flew away over the distant hill.
Just then, a tiny rabbit hopped carefully through the grass.
63 Lynette, who is usually more than happy to play the part of the hopping rabbit (without bunny ears), has used her abundant store of patience and is no longer in the frame of mind required for such a performance. Whatever mind frame she is in, seems to be contagious, because Marcie takes up the same hue and cry. Theresa, Aubrie, Caitlyn and Lisa enthusiastically volunteer and hop out together in perfect time.
Narrator: 64 The Tsarevitch was placing his arrow in the bow when the hopping rabbits stopped and cried: “Please do not kill me, kind Tsarevitch! I may be useful to thee in a very short time, you never know!”
Placing the arrow back in his quiver, Ivan let the rabbits pass by. The Tsarevitch followed the rolling ball over a tall mountain. On the other side of the mountain, he came to a deep, blue sea. There, lying on the shore was a large fish, exhausted from trying to return to the water.
65 Dakota, the dog plays the part of the fish (with a little vocal coaching from Jamison). Now Dakota is a very relaxed dog. However, he appears to be suffering from the same malaise as Lynette. Dakota is lying down, but not on the shore (stage). No amount of coaxing can encourage his cooperation, so Weston, Dakota’s dog wrangler, does the honors—and plays the part of the fish.
Narrator: “Please Tsarevitch Ivan, have mercy on me,” gasped the tired fish, “push me back into the deep blue sea.” Tsarevitch felt sorry for the plight of the fish and, 66 as he put the fish into the water, he simply watched it swim away.
As he walked wearily on, 67 Tsarevitch Ivan was led to an odd hut that stood on hen’s feet.
It seems the audience is becoming a bit distracted and misses the part about the hen’s feet.
Narrator: (ever so much louder) As he walked wearily on, Tsarevitch Ivan was led to an odd hut that stood on hen’s feet. "Izboushka! Izboushka!" which seems to draw back some of the waning attention— that’s what they call small huts in Russia—Izboushka. Brad, how was that?
The narrator, concerned about the growing unease asks the audience to repeat the term
Narrator: 68 “Izboushka, turn your front to me," commanded Ivan, and the hut jumped up and turned its front towards Ivan. 69 Stepping inside the hut, Ivan was greeted by an amazingly scary witch!
"Ho! Ivan Tsarevitch! What brings thee here?" cackled the scary witch.
For some reason a scary witch is always a crowd pleaser, so the audience is quiet for a moment.
Narrator: "O, thou old mischief!" shouted Ivan angrily. "Is it the way in Russia, to ask questions before the tired guest gets something to eat, something to drink, and some hot water to wash off the dust?!" The witch apologized profusely and, introducing herself as Baba Yaga, she filled a bucket with hot water. 70 When the Tsarevitch had washed off the dust, Baba Yaga gave him plenty to drink and he ate until he could eat no more.
It is at this point that the Narrator does some creative editing—reading only the part that is underlined, ad lib.
Narrator: Feeling refreshed, Tsarevitch Ivan began relating the incredible story of his quest, how he had lost his dear girl and that his only wish was to find and marry Vassilissa.
Baba Yaga smiled and nodded knowingly. “I have heard about your story. 71 Vasslissa only had three days left to fulfill the curse when you cast her frog suit into the fire. Now, she must remain with the Evil Kostshei, who is destined to live forever. He watches her day and night at his palace and no one has ever conquered him. Kostshei can only be stopped by a magic needle. The needle is inside an egg, which is within a rabbit; that rabbit is within the large trunk of an old oak tree and that oak tree is watched by Kostshei as closely as Vassilissa herself, which means closer than any treasure the Evil Kostshei owns."
The witch then told Tsarevitch Ivan where he could find the old oak tree. Quickly Ivan ran, but when he saw the oak tree, it was so huge, he did not know where to begin or what to do. 72 At the sound of a loud roar, the Tsarevitch turned just in time to see his old friend, the Russian bear charge up to the tree, grab it by the trunk, pull the tree up by the roots and throw it down to the ground.
Noting that shortening the text still has limited impact on the increasingly restless crowd, the Narrator reads faster and faster, as each actor rushes wildly through their part.
Narrator: 73 As the tree fell, the trunk broke open and a rabbit ran out. Other rabbits, the rabbits Ivan had spared, hopped with giant leaps after the running rabbit. The hopping rabbits scared the running rabbit so badly it began coughing. Out of the running rabbit flew a gray duck, which flew very high and was almost invisible. The white duck that Ivan had saved flew overhead and followed the bird, quacking so loudly the gray duck lost an egg. That egg fell into the deep, blue sea. Ivan, meanwhile, had anxiously watched as his faithful friends rushed to help him. But, when the egg disappeared into the churning water, 74 Ivan dropped to his knees and could not help weeping.
Suddenly, a big fish came swimming up, the same fish Ivan had saved! The fish carried the egg in his mouth and swam towards the shore! Ivan rushed out into the waves and thanking the fish, gently took the egg from its mouth. 75 Tsarevitch Ivan broke the egg and found the needle with unbreakable thread inside. The silver needle would restore his precious Vasslissa!
At that same instant, Evil Kostshei realized he had lost all his strength and power forever. Ivan Tsarevitch entered Kostshei’s vast domain and discovered the withered, powerless man. 76 Ivan quickly rolled Kostshei in a thick blanket and sewed the ends shut with the silver needle and unbreakable thread.
The Narrator takes a much needed, deep breath. The actors spin crazily away.
Jamison: Wait!!! Wait!! It’s time to find out if anyone can win the prize!!! What part of this story was exactly like a Matryoshka Doll?
77 Jamison draws a name from the jar. The audience listens in anticipation and the person who answers the question, receives a cookie jar filled with cookies (or candy)--inside!
78 Vassilissa quietly enters goes to a corner of the stage. She looks longingly outside the “window”
Narrator: (creative editing recommended) 79 Searching throughout the domain, at last, high in a room of a crumbling palace, 80 Ivan the Curious found his dear, beautiful Vassilissa! 81 He took her home to his father’s Kingdom, where a joyous wedding day was prepared for all three couples.
82 Everyone from Act I who feels so inclined, joins the couple on the stage
Narrator: Once again, royal guests from across the Kingdom gathered to celebrate. All were there: 83 The Captain of the Guard and his lovely wife, Lady Gardenia; Lord Houser and his delightful wife, Lady Letterra; the Duke of Bavaria and his beautiful Duchess of Bavaria; the Duke’s brother, the Duke of Progammica; Lord Forrest, his enchanting wife, Lady Healings, 84 Lord DeSlivis and Lady Themis of Good Counsel; the Duke and the charming Duchess of Tuscany; Sir Rappon, Lord Musica and of course, the elegant Lady Artemis. Everyone was very happy ever after, especially Ivan the Curious and his extraordinary wife, Vassilissa.
Jamison: This seems like the ending, and it kind of is—the end of the play. However, let us return once again to our story, while we share a last, final paragraph as an Epilogue. Narrator…
85 The majority of the audience returns to their chairs, leaving only Ivan and the beautiful Vassilissa
Epilogue
Narrator: On warm summer nights, Tsarevitch Ivan tenderly 86 takes his wife by the hand and smiles as 87 they walk out onto their balcony, where they watch the stars twinkle and listen to 88 the frogs’ croak, deep in the royal forest.
Kendra & Jamison: 89 Please take a bow (if patience and time allow, announce each actor)