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THE COMMEDIA PINOCCHIOLibrettoScript by LANE RIOSLEY

Music and lyrics by AVEN STEPHENSON, JR.

Script © Copyright 2007, by LANE RIOSLEY

Music and lyrics © Copyright 2007, by AVEN STEPHENSON, JR.

Professionals and amateurs are hereby warned that a royalty must be paid for every performance, whether or not

admission is charged. All inquiries regarding rights should be addressed to Pioneer Drama Service, Inc., PO Box 4267,

Englewood, CO 80155.

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

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COPYING OR REPRODUCING ALL OR ANY PART OF THIS BOOK

IN ANY MANNER IS STRICTLY FORBIDDEN BY LAW.

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

1. The full name of the play2. The full name of the playwright and the composer3. The following notice: “Produced by special arrangement with Pioneer Drama Service, Inc., Englewood,

Colorado”

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THE COMMEDIA PINOCCHIO

LIBRETTO

Script by LANE RIOSLEYMusic and lyrics by AVEN STEPHENSON, JR.

CAST OF CHARACTERSCOLUMBINE..............................common girl, but very clever and good at dance and

tumbling; the troupe leaderARLEQUIN.................................mischief-maker; clever, athletic and funnyPUNCHIN ..................................bombastic and proud with a big noseROSETTA ..................................fancies herself a lady; also funny and a good dancerPANTALONE...............................once a rich merchant, but now a stingy old man

SETTING

Time: Now.Place: Anywhere.

The stage is bare except for a props trunk. Other sets and props are brought in by the players. The players have made all the props and their costumes from found objects. Only the fish is custom-built, and they are very proud of it.

There is a central acting area the troupe uses, and when stage directions advise “enter” or “exit,” it means the central area. Once the performers enter, they remain onstage at all times.

AUTHOR’S NOTES

There is no need to write a synopsis of the famous story of Pinocchio, but a forward to this version might be helpful to the reader/player. The Pinocchio story used herein is from the original Collodi tale written in 1883, a more worldly tale than later adaptations. In all aspects, this play attempts to retain the unique spirit and events of the original, and only deviates when necessary to sustain the dramatic structure or to condense events for the sake of time. Certain parts of the story may be surprising, but the lessons of the Collodi story, though written for the 19th century, are still true today and remain valuable.

In considering the staging of the commedia style, it is helpful to remember the most famous twentieth-century artists of the commedia, the Marx Brothers.

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COMPOSER’S NOTES

What a joy it was to write this music! The scripts are so much fun. (I mean, how often do you get to perform commedia?) Lane Riosley has provided a great outlet for performers and a tasty treat for audiences. The show’s stagey performance style is perfect for a musical marriage. Commedia troupes did sing, after all. I jumped at the chance to try my hand at writing musical additions for the piece. The Pinocchio score was specifically composed for the Tarradiddle Players in Charlotte, NC. As a troupe member (Pantalone), composing continued throughout the rehearsal process, arranging the songs and adjusting tempi until they seemed just right for the theatrical moment. We performed these songs for thousands of excited youngsters, as I hope you are about to do. I hope, too, that you enjoy performing them as much as we did.

The opening number, “Here We Are,” is a rollicking scene setter establishing the traveling troupe as one from Italy and one that intends to laugh and sing! The a cappella, madrigal style evokes the period and allows for tight, four-part harmony that is as fun to sing as it is to hear. A pitch pipe starts this and all the tunes to get in key, and you’re off. We often would start at the back of the house and walk down the aisle as a unit, or begin off in the wings to enter singing or cross the stage pushing in the prop-wagon, whichever provided the best impact for the particular venue. This tune is the opening number and also serves for closing/bows. We used the bit from the “tra-la-la” lyric on as a closing tag. The second 16 bars, the chorus, works well with simple humming or even “la-la” lyrics for scene change music when needed.

And commedia troupers played instruments, too, you know. Get out a triangle and a wood block for the second number and count! The syncopated percussions of the woodblock drive “Chip, Chop” from beginning to end, and combined with the repetitive, bass-line lyric of the aforementioned title, the two fellows set a steady rhythm for this number. In our production, Pantalone played the block while Arlequin played the baguette, both doubling the bass line vocal. Band member Rosetta accompanies with the triangle, always striking on the first beat of the measure (except on every fourth measure, else it becomes really annoying). On the second verse only, Rosetta has a couple of back-up lyrics that add dynamic for the “on stage” action. And that, of course, is the creation of the puppet. Gepetto’s solo expresses the joy of his work and the love for his creation. A couple of his lyrics incorporate the Italian dialect when the melodic rhythm dictates, and the raised third at the end was very stylish for the Middle Ages. Practice slowly at first to set an accurate, steady pace between the rhythm section and lead voice. Add the simple, occasional lines of vocal harmony. Then, increase the tempo as you can to create a magical moment!

Pinocchio’s solo is next. When the Blue Fairy asks the despondent, incarcerated puppet how he landed there, “The Jail Tale” expresses his past, present and future. The simple AABA structure of the composition correlates to these tenses, and there’s a little extension at the end for flair, drama. Anyone can use the pitch pipe to get this one started. The onstage characters, the Blue Fairy and a guard, have harmony lines to add dynamic to Pinocchio’s lament. The comedic by-play between them reminds us of the play within a play structure. In the middle of the song when Pinocchio asks, “Is this my destiny?”, you might have to add a fermata while the audience screams “No!” The guard is there for crowd control if necessary. It’s almost better when they do not respond so the character makes the arc by himself and the song flows more smoothly. I love this ballad in ¾ time and employed many modern, lush harmonies to frame this “down and out” blues.

Next, we’re off to Toyland with another travel song, “The Ee-Aw Diddy!” Punchin as that evil kidnapper, the Coachmaster, gets Lampkin to coax the puppet to join them away to a fantasy land. This quintet is lively and very character-driven; it’s march-like rhythm deserves stage movement to set up the new scene nicely. Harmonies are rich with lots of duo-lines that bounce back and forth, and times for Pinocchio to take the lead. His lyric at m.31 (i.e., son) can be substituted with the current vernacular for “pal.” Pantalone and Rosetta as the two boys-turned-donkeys are challenged to pull the wagon while keeping their rhythmic bass lines in tempo. Of course, Rosetta sings her vocal in her regular octave range, but in tandem with the bass clef line. A couple of times, the donkeys braying would get out of hand, but the Coachmaster would certainly keep us in line with his riding crop. Everybody gets into this action!

The rest of the score consists of simple reprises: Inside the whale, there’s a short section of “Chip, Chop” that Gepetto and Pinocchio duet as they build the fire to make the whale sneeze. And, as I mentioned before, there’s a closing tag of “Here We Are” that serves as the finale and/or bows. Overall, I urge directors to use these scores as a blueprint. A cappella harmonizing is beautiful but not easy for some; don’t sweat all the harmonies if your cast doesn’t get them. Better to simplify than to risk unlistenable singing—there’s always unison. Employ the talents of your actors; add recorder, auto-harp or a string instrument and have FUN!

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THE COMMEDIA PINOCCHIO

LIBRETTO

LIGHTS UP: We hear the sound of the pitch pipe—B-flat (“Do”)—and finger snaps. The TROUPE ENTERS, singing. ROSETTA is dressed in ragged finery and affects manners; ARLEQUIN wears a patched suit and peaked hat; COLUMBINE leads the troupe; PUNCHIN has a large nose (which would make wearing masks a real trick if not for the fact that it is a false nose he wears because he believes all great men have great noses); and PANTALONE is homely and patched.

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Allegretto = 104

HERE WE ARE

SOPRANO

ALTO

TENOR

BASS

Oh, here we are from ve ry- far- from

Oh, here we are from ve ry- far from(Finger snaps)

Here we are, oh, here we are ev 'ry- one,from ve ry- far,ev 'ry- one,ohPitch Pipe

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near and- far- to- laugh- and- sing.- Tra la la boom de ay, we

near and far to laugh and sing.- Tra la la boom de ay, we

here we are to laugh and sing. Tra la la laugh and sing, ev 'ry- one, we

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bring to you a play, a cross- the sea from It a- ly,- we come to day.- We



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tra vel- all a round- the world to bring good cheer to ev 'ry-



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COLUMBINE: (At end of song, steps forward. The OTHERS jingle bells to announce her. Calls out loudly.)Players! Players! Players, ho! (PANTALONE takes off his baggy hat and lays it on the floor, gesturing to the AUDIENCE that they can throw money if they really want to. Then he sits and counts the coins in his purse several times.)

ARLEQUIN: (In a tiny, mocking voice.) Players, ho!COLUMBINE: (Turns and glares, ARLEQUIN points innocently to a member of the AUDIENCE, but she is not

convinced. She tries again.) Players! Players, ho! Players, today!ARLEQUIN: (From within the AUDIENCE, a tiny, mocking voice.) Players, today! (COLUMBINE turns, glares.

ARLEQUIN again assumes innocence and points to another AUDIENCE MEMBER. COLUMBINE is not convinced. PUNCHIN circles around behind ARLEQUIN.)

COLUMBINE: Players, ho! A play today! A play today! Players! A play! A play!ARLEQUIN: (Again.) A play! A—auuupl (He is cut off by PUNCHIN, who grabs him from behind and brings him

center, wriggling.)COLUMBINE: Arlequin! Eh?ARLEQUIN: Scusi. Mi dispiace.COLUMBINE: Credo di no.ROSETTA: Tutto, inglese… eh?COLUMBINE: (Looks around.) Ah! Excuse me! We should speak English! Excuse me! We are world travelers,

sometimes we forget what country we are in. Arlequin says he is sorry, and I say… (Glares at him.) …I don’t think so! Arlequin is a very, very naughty fellow, and he may say he is sorry for doing some mischief and turn right around and do something worse!

PUNCHIN: (Stern.) Sì!COLUMBINE: But, enough of Arlequin! He needs no encouragement! We are the players, and we are here to

perform for you. Today we will perform…PUNCHIN: An opera!PANTALONE: No! Too expensive! (Pulls out a little account book and figures on his fingers and toes.)PUNCHIN: An opera! Sì! (Sings.) I will sing the tenor, sì! The hero, the lover… (ARLEQUIN pulls something

from trunk, hides it behind his back.) …very handsome, very brave, very strong, with a magnificent great voice and a magnificent great nose…

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boy and girl. Tra la la boom de ay, we bring to you a play, a -



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ARLEQUIN: (Holds up donkey ears behind PUNCHIN.) Like a donkey…PUNCHIN: Like a donkey… what? (ARLEQUIN runs safely away, laughing.)COLUMBINE: Arlequin! (ARLEQUIN does a donkey dance in the AUDIENCE.)PUNCHIN: He is a peasant! (ARLEQUIN stops, insulted.) He will not be in the opera!COLUMBINE: We are not here to do an opera.PUNCHIN: Ah! Then we do tragedy!PANTALONE: No tragedy! Too expensive!PUNCHIN: Sì! Tragedy! I will be the tragic hero who dies for love! (Pulls rubber dagger from belt.) Oh, destiny!

Oh, fate! (Stabs himself several times.) Sangue! Sangue! (Dies dramatically, at length.)COLUMBINE: (Walks over to him, nudges him with her toe.) Punchin…PUNCHIN: Go away, I am dead.COLUMBINE: Punchin, no tragedy.PUNCHIN: No tragedy?COLUMBINE: No tragedy.PUNCHIN: (Stands.) No tragedy?COLUMBINE: No tragedy. We do Pinocchio.PUNCHIN: Pinocchio?COLUMBINE: Pinocchio.PUNCHIN: Pinocchio?COLUMBINE: Pinocchio, sì.PUNCHIN: Pinocchio… hmmmmm… (Feels his nose.) I cannot play Pinocchio.COLUMBINE: You will not play Pinocchio. I will play Pinocchio.PUNCHIN: Oh? And why will YOU play Pinocchio?COLUMBINE: Because you must play the kindly old carpenter, Maestro Geppetto!PUNCHIN: (Considers this.) Ohhhh… Maestro… Geppetto… he has a great nose?COLUMBINE: Ahhh, yes! Yes, he does. A great nose.PUNCHIN: A great nose like a great man. All great men have big noses. Caesar, Leonardo DaVinci, they had

a nose out to here…COLUMBINE: Yes, a great man with a great nose. And I will play Pinocchio…PUNCHIN: Why does a woman play Pinocchio?COLUMBINE: Pinocchio was a little wooden puppet. Little puppet. Little. You are too big.PUNCHIN: Ah!COLUMBINE: Pantalone will play…PANTALONE: The wealthy and handsome merchant of the town!COLUMBINE: You will play Geppetto’s old neighbor, and the Puppet Master. Rosetta will play the Blue Fairy

and Arlequin… (ARLEQUIN smiles hopefully.) …will play all the parts no one else wants.ARLEQUIN: I want to play the fox.COLUMBINE: You must play the cat.ARLEQUIN: I WANT TO PLAY THE FOX! I WANT TO PLAY THE FOX! I WANT TO PLAY THE FOX! I WANT TO PLAY

THE FOX!COLUMBINE: Okay! Yes! Sì, you may play the fox!ARLEQUIN: (To AUDIENCE.) I will play the fox! (Pitch pipe sounds—F [“Fa”]. During dialogue, COLUMBINE pulls

out a little bag and a big, old book. In the last section of MUSIC following dialogue, COLUMBINE pulls black elastic bands from the bag and wraps them around her elbows, ankles, knees and wrists to make them look like puppet joints.)

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Allegretto = 104

HERE WE ARE - Transition A

Columbine

Rosetta

Punchin

Arlechino/Pantalone

la la boom de ay, We

la la boom de ay, We(Finger snaps)

Tra la la boom de ay, ev 'ry- one, wePitch Pipe

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bring to you a play, a cross- the sea from It a- ly,- we come to day.-


(Spoken - C:) This is the


(Humming

(Humming

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story of Pinocchio, written 125 years ago in Italy.C: I will play Pinocchio.

melodic line . . . etc)

melodic line . . . etc) (Spoken - P:) Oh, how I miss Italy. So beautiful, this story.

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Tra la la boom de ay, we bring to you a play, a -But I start out as a block of wood.

Tra la la boom de ay, we bring to you a play, a -

Tra la la boom de ay, we bring to you a play, a -

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ROSETTA: (Reads as ARLEQUIN and PUNCHIN wrap COLUMBINE in brown paper, draw wood grain on it and attach twigs to represent a log.) “Once, long ago, in a little small town in Italy, there was a block of wood. This block of wood was cut from an ordinary tree, and there is no reason it should have been special, but it was. It was very special.”

ARLEQUIN: Very special, this wood.ROSETTA: Do you want to read this?ARLEQUIN: No. You read very well.ROSETTA: Thank you. (As she reads, ARLEQUIN discovers the joys of the magic marker. He draws wood

grain on the paper and then draws a doggie and a kitty. PUNCHIN spots him and takes away the marker. ARLEQUIN mimics PUNCHIN’S walk back to the trunk as they retrieve other props.) “This special block of wood just turned up one day in the house of old Maestro Antonio. That was his real name, but everyone in the town called him Maestro Cherry because the old man was a master carpenter whose nose was just as red as a ripe cherry.” (PANTALONE rouges his nose as PUNCHIN holds up a mirror. When he is through, PUNCHIN primps.)

PANTALONE/M. CHERRY: Hello, I am Maestro Cherry! (Shakes hands with the AUDIENCE.) How are you? Buon giorno! Good day to you!

ROSETTA: (Reads.) “One day, Maestro Cherry awoke to find this ordinary block of wood in his woodshop!”PANTALONE/M. CHERRY: Oh! Look at this wood! It is not special wood, but I can use it to make a leg for a

table I am building! Let me get my sharp hatchet, here, and go over to this block of wood… (COLUMBINE, inside the brown paper, trembles.) …yes, nice and sharp, I’ll just hit it nice and hard and…

COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: (Tiny voice.) Please don’t hurt me!PANTALONE/M. CHERRY: Eh? What was that? I hear a voice… (Looks around.) It must have been my

imagination. I’ll take a good hard swipe at this block of wood… (Swings, connects and PUNCHIN bangs two WOODBLOCKS together to make a NOISE.)

COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: OUCH! That hurt!PANTALONE/M. CHERRY: Whaaat? (Makes a terrible face, the comedic mask of fear.) Where is that voice

coming from? (Looks all around.) This is very frightening… (Whistles, nervously.) I will just use my hatchet to carve this wood… (Gently scrapes the wood.)

COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: (Laughs.) That tickles!PANTALONE/M. CHERRY: The wood! The block of wood spoke! Ooohhh! (Staggers and totters while ROSETTA

and PUNCHIN dance around, trying to catch him. He finally picks a direction and falls down.)ROSETTA: (Reads.) “Maestro Cherry was so frightened by the little voice that he fell right down and stayed

there until his old friend, Maestro Geppetto, came to the door.”PUNCHIN/GEPPETTO: (Knocks on a board which he holds up himself.) Hello? Good morning! Are you home,

Maestro?PANTALONE/M. CHERRY: Come in.PUNCHIN/GEPPETTO: Good morning, my friend, and what are you doing on the floor?PANTALONE/M. CHERRY: What would anyone be doing on the floor? I am talking to the ants, they get so

lonely.PUNCHIN/GEPPETTO: Ah! Bravo! Bravissimo! What a good idea!

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cross the sea from It a- ly,- we come to day.


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PANTALONE/M. CHERRY: And what brings you here?PUNCHIN/GEPPETTO: I have come to ask a favor.PANTALONE/M. CHERRY: (Stands up.) Oh?PUNCHIN/GEPPETTO: This morning, I awoke with a wonderful idea! I want to make a wooden puppet!PANTALONE/M. CHERRY: Just a puppet?PUNCHIN/GEPPETTO: Not just a puppet! A wonderful puppet that can dance and fence with a little wooden

sword. With a puppet like that, I could travel and perform for audiences and earn money to live on! What do you think?

COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: Bravo! Bravo, you stupid old man!PUNCHIN/GEPPETTO: Eh? What?PANTALONE/M. CHERRY: I said nothing.PUNCHIN/GEPPETTO: You called me stupid!PANTALONE/M. CHERRY: I did not!PUNCHIN/GEPPETTO: Did, too!PANTALONE/M. CHERRY: Did not!PUNCHIN/GEPPETTO: Did! (Takes PANTALONE’S hat, throws it down and stomps on it.)PANTALONE/M. CHERRY: Didn’t! (Takes PUNCHIN’S hat, throws it down and stomps on it.) Give me back my

hat, please.PUNCHIN/GEPPETTO: (Gives hat.) And my hat.PANTALONE/M. CHERRY: (Gives hat.) Now, what was this favor you came to ask of me?PUNCHIN/GEPPETTO: I need a block of wood to make my puppet. Do you have some wood you can

spare?PANTALONE/M. CHERRY: (Smiles at the AUDIENCE.) Do I have some wood to spare? You can have this fine

piece of wood here!PUNCHIN/GEPPETTO: This fine, big block of wood, here? I can have this wood? (Smiles at the AUDIENCE.)

Oh, my friend, I don’t know what to say… (COLUMBINE reaches out of the brown wrappings and bangs PUNCHIN’S foot with her fist.) OOWW! You kicked me!

PANTALONE/M. CHERRY: I did not!PUNCHIN/GEPPETTO: You did, too!PANTALONE/M. CHERRY: Did not!PUNCHIN/GEPPETTO: Did, too!PANTALONE/M. CHERRY: Didn’t!PUNCHIN/GEPPETTO: Did! (Takes PANTALONE’S hat, throws it down and stomps on it.)PANTALONE/M. CHERRY: Didn’t! (Takes PUNCHIN’S hat, throws it down and steps on it and dances on it.

They glare at each other for a moment, then exchange hats again.)PUNCHIN/GEPPETTO: Did. (COLUMBINE giggles, and the OLD MEN glare at each other.)PANTALONE/M. CHERRY: You take this wood to make your puppet, and we will be friends.PUNCHIN/GEPPETTO: That is very generous of you.PANTALONE/M. CHERRY: It is nothing.PUNCHIN/GEPPETTO: (They shake hands.) Good day, my old friend.PANTALONE/M. CHERRY: Good day.ROSETTA: (Reads.) “Maestro Cherry and Geppetto were very old friends, so even though the naughty block

of wood made them have a fight, it didn’t matter, because even when friends fight, they are still friends. But we all know that the mischief-making pine log was really behind it all. Geppetto took the block of wood home and brought out his sharpest chisel. Actually, it was his only chisel because he was a very poor man. Even the fire in the fireplace and the pot of stew cooking over it were painted on the wall, he was so poor he could not afford a real fire. So he took his chisel and said to the woodblock…”

PUNCHIN/GEPPETTO: Ah, little block of wood, what shall I call you? You are a pine log, so I shall call you Pinocchio! (Pitch pipe sounds—D [“Do”]. As song beings, PUNCHIN begins to “carve” and as he does, throughout the song, COLUMBINE rips her way out of the wrappings to expose fingers, then an arm, etc. PUNCHIN sings, ARLEQUIN and ROSETTA dance a jig as he “carves.”)

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Allegro = 145

CHIP, CHOP

GEPETTO

Rosetta2nd Verse ONLY

ChoralEmsemble +

Rosetta

I chip a lit tle- here. I

I chip a lit tle- here.Pitch pipe

Chip,

[woodblock]

chop, chip, chop, etc.

2nd vs. Rosetta:

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chop a lit tle- there. IThe

thinkpeo

aple-

-it'swill

clearcheer

thishim

woodev

ae

--

isry-

I chop a lit

2nd vs. Gepetto:

tle- there.2nd vs. Rosetta:

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rare.where.

So I carve all night and 'den by day a

carve all night and 'den by day

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lit tle- mar ion- ette- will com e- my way. I makelove

my

I

2nd vs:

love

chip, chop, chip, chop, ah

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PUNCHIN/GEPPETTO: (At end of song.) Ah! Here is my puppet! I will put all these wood shavings in the corner here, in the trash barrel. (ARLEQUIN makes himself a trash barrel and receives the shredded brown paper. PANTALONE carefully collects it to save.) Let’s see if he can sit up! (Tries to bend COLUMBINE, but she is stiff as a board.) This puppet just won’t bend in half. (Appeals to AUDIENCE, and COLUMBINE sits up behind him.) What good is a puppet that won’t bend in half? (Turns around and COLUMBINE lies back down.) Little puppet, won’t you sit up? (Turns around and appeals to AUDIENCE, naturally COLUMBINE sits up and sticks her tongue out at him.) What shall I do? What good is a puppet who… (Turns around quickly and sees COLUMBINE, who grins.) Oh! You can sit up! How… (Bends down and COLUMBINE snatches his cap off, scoots off with it, puts it on and mocks PUNCHIN.) Oh! This is very bad! You have just been carved out, and already you misbehave! (Takes back his cap, puts it on and turns his back on COLUMBINE… big mistake.) This is very bad, oh, my, yes, what shall I… (COLUMBINE kicks him and sends him into a somersault.) OH! What a very naughty puppet you are! (COLUMBINE laughs and runs in circles around PUNCHIN and into the AUDIENCE, laughing and crowing.) Come back! Come back, you naughty puppet! (COLUMBINE runs circles around PUNCHIN, laughing as she runs into the AUDIENCE. Meanwhile, ARLEQUIN has put on a policeman’s hat, and when COLUMBINE runs back onstage, he blocks her exit.)

ARLEQUIN/POLICE: What is this? What is all this? I am a policeman! I am here to keep peace in the streets! What is this little puppet doing running wild? (COLUMBINE tries to dodge ARLEQUIN, but he grabs the puppet by the nose. COLUMBINE squeals and tries unsuccessfully to escape.)

ROSETTA/OLD WOMAN: (Throws a shawl over her head.) I saw him running from old Geppetto!ARLEQUIN/POLICE: Geppetto?PUNCHIN/GEPPETTO: Yes, he is my puppet! (To COLUMBINE.) Just wait ’til I get you home!ARLEQUIN/POLICE: Why was he running from you? Do you beat him?ROSETTA/MAN: (Puts on a man’s hat.) I bet the old man beats him! Yes!PUNCHIN/GEPPETTO: Why, no, of course I don’t beat him!ROSETTA/MAN: I bet the old man beats him all the time, for no good reason!PANTALONE/WOMAN: (Puts on a woman’s bonnet.) I bet he does! I bet the old man is terribly cruel! Just

look at his eyes! Cruel, squinty little eyes! (PUNCHIN opens his eyes as widely, as honestly as he can.)ARLEQUIN/POLICE: (Grabs PUNCHIN.) We will let the authorities figure this out. Come with me! (Leads

PUNCHIN OFFSTAGE.)PUNCHIN/GEPPETTO: No! Wait! Pinocchio! Tell him! Wait! (COLUMBINE finds herself alone onstage, sighs,

then runs off again, leaping, laughing and crowing. Stops CENTER.)ROSETTA: (Reads.) “The naughty puppet ran and leaped across the countryside until he found himself again

at the little house of his father, Geppetto. He walked into the house and locked the door behind him.” (ARLEQUIN brings out the cricket puppet.) “He sighed happily and stretched out on the floor.” (ARLEQUIN chirps like a cricket.) “Presently, he was disturbed by the sound of a very large cricket chirping on the wall.” (ARLEQUIN chirps again.)

COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: Who are you?ARLEQUIN/CRICKET: I am the talking cr-cr-cr-cricket who has lived in the house of Geppetto for 100

years.COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: Go away! This is my house now!ARLEQUIN/CRICKET: I will leave when I have given you some good advice, Pinoc-c-c-chio!

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wood en- toy. boy.

chip, chop, chip

chip, chop, chip, chip, chop, chip.

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COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: I do not like advice!ARLEQUIN/CRICKET: There is only unhappiness in store for little boys who run away from home and

misbehave and live lazy, naughty lives.COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: I don’t care what you think!ARLEQUIN/CRICKET: I am very old and wise, and I tell you this because it is always true.COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: Well, if I listen to you, I will have to go to school and study things I don’t care

about! I will have no time left to do the things I like! All I want to do is eat and sleep and lie around all day. I want to do what I want to do when I want to do it! If I do what you say, I will be busy all the time doing what other people want me to do!

ARLEQUIN/CRICKET: Poor little puppet! I feel so sorry for you.COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: Why do you feel sorry for me, cricket?ARLEQUIN/CRICKET: It is bad enough you are a puppet made of wood, but it seems your head is full of

sawdust, too!COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: Sawdust?!ARLEQUIN/CRICKET: Sawdust, yes! You are a very stupid puppet!COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: I will show you who is stupid! (Looks around and picks up a hammer, which

ROSETTA has placed near her. She throws it at the cricket, it hits him.)ARLEQUIN/CRICKET: Chhiirppp! (Falls down. ARLEQUIN puts him back in trunk.)COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: Dumb old cricket! Now he’s gone and made me hungry! (Looks around.) What

kind of house is this? There is nothing to eat! (Howls.) Ohhh! The talking cricket was right! If my Papa was here I would have something to eat! I’m going to starve to death! Ohhh!

PUNCHIN/GEPPETTO: (Approaches COLUMBINE.) Pinocchio! Pinocchio!COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: Papa?! PAPA! Oh, Papa, how did you get away from the police?PUNCHIN/GEPPETTO: They let me go, Pinocchio. They have no use for an old man.COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: I’m so glad you’re back! I thought I was going to starve to death!PUNCHIN/GEPPETTO: You are hungry? Here, you take this pear I bought for my own breakfast. (COLUMBINE

stares at it.) What is wrong?COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: Well, if you want me to eat it, you will have to peel it for me! (PUNCHIN laughs,

peels the pear and feeds it to COLUMBINE.)ROSETTA: (Reads.) “Pinocchio ate the pear up, and he was so hungry that later he even ate the rind. He

even promised to be a good boy and go to school.”PUNCHIN/GEPPETTO: (Hands items to COLUMBINE.) Here is your jacket, your hat and your reading book,

Pinocchio. You be a good little puppet on your first day in school.COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: I will! Good-bye, Papa. I will see you this evening.PUNCHIN/GEPPETTO: Good-bye, Pinocchio.COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: Papa, where is your coat?PUNCHIN/GEPPETTO: It was too hot, so I sold it.COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: You sold it? But… Papa, did you sell your coat to buy me this reading book?PUNCHIN/GEPPETTO: No! Of course not!COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: You did! You have no money, otherwise! Oh, Papa! I will be good! I will learn to

read today, and tomorrow I will learn to write, and the next day, I will learn arithmetic! Then I will get a fine job and buy you the best coat with gold and silver thread and diamonds for buttons! Bye, Papa! Bye!

PUNCHIN/GEPPETTO: Good-bye, Pinocchio!COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: What a good papa I have! (PANTALONE puts on a long beard, hat and cloak to

become the PUPPET MASTER. ARLEQUIN and ROSETTA put on puppet masks and wrap their elbows, wrists and knees with elastic. They dance a puppet dance as PANTALONE works imaginary strings. COLUMBINE spots them.) No one else has such a good papa! I will learn to read and write and I will be so smart and… and… what is this?! Ahhh, a puppet show!

PANTALONE/P. MASTER: (Stops, ARLEQUIN and ROSETTA FREEZE, dangling.) Hey! You! If you want to watch the puppet show, you must pay four cents admission!

COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: Oh, but I don’t have four cents.PANTALONE/P. MASTER: Then you go away!

9

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COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: Can I pay you tomorrow?PANTALONE/P. MASTER: You will not have four cents tomorrow if you do not have it today!COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: Will you buy my coat?PANTALONE/P. MASTER: It isn’t worth four cents, it is all patched!COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: Oh, please, I really want to see the show! My shoes?PANTALONE/P. MASTER: Puppet shoes?COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: My… reading book?PANTALONE/P. MASTER: Let me see it. (Looks.) Okay. I will take the book. (Resumes the puppet show.)ROSETTA/PUPPET: (Performing in puppet show.) Arlequino! Arlequino, you old thief!ARLEQUIN/PUPPET: I am no thief, you mischief-maker!ROSETTA/PUPPET: You came into my house and put salt in my sugar bowl and sand in my saltcellar!ARLEQUIN/PUPPET: I did no such thing! YOU, on the other hand, stole my new hat, which you have on!ROSETTA/PUPPET: Did not!ARLEQUIN/PUPPET: Did, too!ROSETTA/PUPPET: Did not!ARLEQUIN/PUPPET: Did, too!ROSETTA/PUPPET: I’ll show you! (Produces a slapstick and proceeds to beat ARLEQUIN, who produces

his own slapstick and thwacks away at her. COLUMBINE laughs aloud. Both PUPPETS turn and look at PINOCCHIO.) Who is that there?

ARLEQUIN/PUPPET: It is a puppet like us!COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: I am Pinocchio!ARLEQUIN/PUPPET: Brother Pinocchio!ROSETTA/PUPPET: Come up here, Brother Pinocchio! (COLUMBINE leaps beside them, and they laugh and

compare jointed arms and legs.)PANTALONE/P. MASTER: Stop that! Get on with the show!ARLEQUIN/PUPPET: We are greeting our Brother Pinocchio!PANTALONE/P. MASTER: You will get back to work, or I will burn you up in a fire!ROSETTA/PUPPET: A fire?COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: Stop! Stop! Do not burn Arlequino!PANTALONE/P. MASTER: You are right. I will not burn Arlequino. (PUPPETS smile in relief.) I will burn his

little Brother Pinocchio!ROSETTA/PUPPET: You would not dare!PANTALONE/P. MASTER: (Rages, and as he does, he steps on his beard, which pops back and hits him in the

face. He does this regularly. Raises his voice.) Oh? I will put him in a fire… (Grabs COLUMBINE.) …and I will burn him to cook my dinner! Watch and see if I don’t!

COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: Oh! Help! Oh, the talking cricket was right! I sold my reading book, and now I am going to be burned in a fire! Help me! Help me! Papa! Oh, my poor papa! Help me!

PANTALONE/P. MASTER: You are a wooden puppet! You have no papa!COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: I do! I have a wonderful papa, and now, with me all burned up, he will be all

alone!PANTALONE/P. MASTERA: You really have a papa?COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: Yes, but he is very poor. He sold his coat to buy me the reading book… which I

sold to you to pay to see the show.PANTALONE/P. MASTER: (Weeps, wipes his face with his beard.) That is the saddest thing I ever heard!

Here! (Holds out five gold coins.) Take these gold coins to your poor papa! (COLUMBINE tries to take the coins, but PANTALONE has a tight grip on them.) Give him my best wishes. (COLUMBINE puts up a struggle trying to pry PANTALONE’S fingers from the coins.) Now, go! Go on! (Releases the coins suddenly and sends COLUMBINE flying.) That is such a sad story!

PUNCHIN: Sad story! (Weeps.)PANTALONE/P. MASTER: My heart goes out to him! (He and PUNCHIN weep loudly on each other, then

PANTALONE checks his purse.) Are you sure I did not give you too much money?

10

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COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: (Holds out coins for PANTALONE to see but not grab.) Five gold coins! Thank you, Puppet Master! Thank you! Thank you!

ROSETTA/PUPPET: Good-bye, Pinocchio!ARLEQUIN/PUPPET: Good-bye, and good luck! (ROSETTA and ARLEQUIN immediately switch into their Cat

and Fox masks and cloaks. ARLEQUIN/FOX keeps rhythm with a cane on transition)COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: What will my papa say to five gold coins? (RHYTHM CUE: “Here We Are Transition

B”.) What a lucky puppet I am! (Parades around, merrily humming. During song, ROSETTA ENTERS as CAT and joins FOX. ARLEQUIN walks with a cane he does not need, and ROSETTA wears a sign which says “BLIND” and dark glasses, which she keeps removing to see over. They spot COLUMBINE jingling the coins and go into their act.)

ROSETTA/CAT: (At end of song.) Make way for the blind!ARLEQUIN/FOX: Make way for the lame!ROSETTA/CAT: Make way for the blind!ARLEQUIN/FOX: Make way for the lame!ROSETTA/CAT: Make way for the… (Maneuvers to bump into COLUMBINE.) Uhhh! Scusi! Dove possiamo

traversare il fiume? (Shrugs, points to her eyes.) Cieco!ARLEQUIN/FOX: (Whispers.) Rosetta! English! English!ROSETTA/CAT: Ahhh… Excuse me! Can you direct me to the river crossing? (Shrugs.) I am blind, you see.COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: Ohhh… I wish I could, but I only know my own way home!ARLEQUIN/FOX: We are poor but honest travelers. (They give COLUMBINE a poor-but-honest look.) And you

are?COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: Pinocchio! My papa is also poor but honest!ARLEQUIN/FOX: What a lot we have in common!COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: But he will not be poor for long! I have been given five gold coins, see? (They do,

indeed.) I will take them home and give them to my papa!ARLEQUIN/FOX: Would you like to double the number of those gold pieces? Or triple them? How would you

like a hundred, or a thousand gold pieces to take home?COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: How can I do that, I only have five?ARLEQUIN/FOX: We will take you to the Field of Miracles!ROSETTA/CAT: What a good idea!ARLEQUIN/FOX: All you have to do is plant each gold piece in a little hole, just like a flower seed, then cover

it over, water it and go to sleep. Next morning, there will be five trees all loaded with gold pieces, so many you will not be able to carry them all!

COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: How wonderful! I will plant my gold pieces and carry all I can back to my papa. What is left I will give to you!

ARLEQUIN/FOX: Oh, no!ROSETTA/CAT: To us?ARLEQUIN/FOX: We wouldn’t hear of it!ROSETTA/CAT: No!

11

Allegro

HERE WE ARE - Transition B

Arlecchino/Fox

Columbine/Pinocchio

La, La La, La La, La La, La La,La Tra[Spoken: What a lucky puppet I am!]

6

C/P

A/F

la

Uses cane totap out rhythm

la boom de- ay I'll sing and play all day. La, la la la la la la la la la la la.

For preview only

ARLEQUIN/FOX: We only work to make other people rich.ROSETTA/CAT: We don’t want money for ourselves.COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: How generous you are! How wonderful! All right, let’s go! Let’s go to the Field of

Miracles! (They perform a mime in which COLUMBINE plants the gold as ROSETTA and ARLEQUIN watch; during the mime, PUNCHIN reads from the book.)

PUNCHIN: “And so it was that Pinocchio took the money and…”PANTALONE: Eh! Eh! Is he using real money?PUNCHIN: I don’t think so. (Resumes.) “And so it was that…”PANTALONE: I think he is using real money!PUNCHIN: What’s the difference?PANTALONE: If he is using real money, someone could steal it when we are not looking!PUNCHIN: I don’t think that will happen. (Resumes.) “And so it was that…”PANTALONE: I must insist that we decide if that is real money or fake money! Right now!PUNCHIN: I am not going to stop the play for that! You can wait! You interrupt the play! All the time! If you

cannot play your part and keep quiet, then go away!PANTALONE: You would not talk to me like that if I was still a rich man. You would listen to me if I still had

my money and my houses and my great ships from the sea.PUNCHIN: That’s right! But you don’t have any of those things, SO be quiet! (PANTALONE starts to object,

and PUNCHIN reaches over and pulls PANTALONE’S baggy hat down over his eyes. PUNCHIN takes his own purse and jingles it behind PANTALONE’S back, making him spin blindly and grope for the sound. He leads him away by tossing the purse to the other ACTORS in a blind man’s bluff until PANTALONE is out of the way. Resumes.) “And so it was that Pinocchio buried the money as the Fox and the Cat told him to!”

ROSETTA/CAT: Now, we will be on our way! (Starts to wander into the AUDIENCE.)ARLEQUIN/FOX: (Turns her around.) So good to have met you!COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: Thank you so much! But, won’t you wait until my money trees grow and take

some for yourselves?ROSETTA/CAT: No! We should have no reward for what we do except the joy of doing good. Bye, now!ARLEQUIN/FOX: Good-bye, Pinocchio! Good-bye!ROSETTA/CAT: Good-bye!COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: (Waves them off.) Good-bye, kind friends! Good-bye! (They are gone.) Well! What

good luck for me! I don’t know why people think little boys are such fools. I am doing just fine for myself. I don’t need anyone’s advice. I don’t need anyone to tell me what to do. I am going to lie under this tree and have a nap while my five gold pieces grow into a fortune! (Lies down. ARLEQUIN brings out the cricket puppet—it now has a white bandage around its head from the previous mallet incident.)

ARLEQUIN/CRICKET: (Chirps.) Pinocchio!COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: Whaa? Who is there?ARLEQUIN/CRICKET: I am well out of your range, Pinocchio, you will not hit me with a mallet again!COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: Oh! It is you! What do you want? You want to give me more foolish advice? Ha!

Well, I don’t need it! I am just fine!ARLEQUIN/CRICKET: Pinoc-c-c-chio, you must not trust the fox and the cat! They are scoundrels and will

betray you!COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: Ho, ho! That is what you think! Get out of here before I step on you! (Tries to step

on cricket puppet, but ARLEQUIN makes it hop nimbly away.) Stand still and be stepped on, or go away and leave me alone!

ARLEQUIN/CRICKET: I am wary of you, Pinoc-c-chio, but I think you are a good boy at heart, and I will help you if I can. (COLUMBINE tries to step on him.) But not tonight! (Hops off. ARLEQUIN puts the cricket puppet away.)

COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: Silly cricket! What does he know? He should mind his own silly green business! Chirp, chirp, chirp! Hmmph! (Lies down and proceeds to sleep. As he sleeps, ROSETTA and ARLEQUIN ENTER and dig up all the gold pieces, with many quiet snickers of triumph and shushing of the AUDIENCE. They leave with the gold, which PANTALONE immediately examines and declares fake with a “Phooey.” COLUMBINE yawns, rubs her eyes. Awakens.) Ah! It is morning! Now I should have… (Looks around.)

12

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…but… where are my trees filled with gold coins? Oh, no! (Digs, finds nothing.) What has happened? Oh, police! Help! Police! I have been robbed! Swindlers! Scoundrels! My gold! My gold! (Runs around the theatre as PANTALONE and ARLEQUIN don police hats, and PUNCHIN puts on a judge’s wig and robe.)

ARLEQUIN/POLICE 1: Who has called for the police? Hey!PANTALONE/POLICE 2: Who calls for the police?COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: Help! Take me to the judge! I have been robbed! (They lift COLUMBINE by the

elbows and deposit her before PUNCHIN.)PUNCHIN/JUDGE: (Roars, barely understandable.) Whaaaat’s all this about? Who has been rrrrrobbbbbed?COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: Me! I was robbed! A fox and a cat tricked me into thinking there was a Field of

Miracles, and all I had to do was plant my money and it would grow into great golden trees, and they came back when I was asleep and took my money, and they lied to me and cheated me horribly! Go and get them and bring me back my money!

PUNCHIN/JUDGE: I see. I see. Oooooooofficers, this little puppet has been robbed by two swindlers. Throooow him in jail at once!

COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: ME?! Throw ME in jail? But I was the one who was robbed!PUNCHIN/JUDGE: Don’t waste my time, ooooofficers! Into jail! Nnnnow! (They hustle COLUMBINE into jail—a

set of bars held up by ARLEQUIN—and march off.)COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: Oh… what shall I do, now? I guess I’ll die here. My poor papa! My poor papa! If

only… (Yawns.) If only… (ROSETTA puts on the hat of the Blue Fairy and walks over to COLUMBINE.) Oh!Who are you?

ROSETTA/BLUE FAIRY: I am she who watches over reckless boys and foolish puppets.COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: You must be very busy, indeed.ROSETTA/BLUE FAIRY: Oh, I am!COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: What is your name?ROSETTA/BLUE FAIRY: I am the Blue Fairy. Fairies come in many colors, but my family is all blue. Some are

light blue, some are dark blue, like indigo.COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: Your blue is very nice. Thank you for coming to visit me in jail. How did you find

me?ROSETTA/BLUE FAIRY: The talking cricket told me.COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: Oh, but he’s just a silly old bug!ROSETTA/BLUE FAIRY: Oh, no, Pinocchio! The talking cricket is a very special and magical creature! When

crickets live to be as old as he is, they become very wise. He has lived in the house with Maestro Geppetto for a long time, and you should feel lucky to have him!

COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: Lucky? Me? Oh, no, I’m going to die here in jail!ROSETTA/BLUE FAIRY: No, you have many adventures ahead of you, yet! Now, tell me, how did you get

here?COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: I… uh… I was robbed.ROSETTA/BLUE FAIRY: Oh?COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: Yes! A fox and a cat and a whole gang of fifty big black dogs… they caught me

on the road and… (His nose begins to grow, with each lie it grows more. This is done by holding up a series of half-masks, each with a longer nose.) …oh, and they had guns and they said they would shoot me if I didn’t give them my gold and… I fought with them! I fought so hard! I—

ROSETTA/BLUE FAIRY: Pinocchio…COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: Oh, I know you think I’m just a foolish puppet, but I can fight! And I fought so hard

that… (ROSETTA laughs at his nose, which is quite long by now.) What are you laughing at?ROSETTA/BLUE FAIRY: I am laughing at the lie you are telling me!COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: It is NOT a lie! It is true! (And his nose grows even more.)ROSETTA/BLUE FAIRY: I’m sorry, but some lies have short noses and some lies have long noses. The lie

you are telling me has a very long nose, indeed! (Giggles.) Even if they let you out of jail, I don’t think you could fit that nose through the door! (COLUMBINE turns her head and looks ludicrous, which makes ROSETTA laugh all the harder. COLUMBINE feels her new proboscis and is shocked. Pitch pipe sounds—D [“Ti”]. ROSETTA and PANTALONE and/or ARLECCHINO [GUARDS] sing introduction forebodingly.)

13

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Andante

THE JAIL TALE= 90

Pinocchio

Blew off school, sold the book. Saw a show, had a look, and it's

Ah

Blue Fairy

School Book Show Look

Guard(s)

Ah Book Show

6

true, I'm a real boy too Then, I was robbed by a

Oh, it's true. Ooh Robbed

Oh, it's true. Ooh Robbed

11

fox and a cat, and the fox real ly- smelled, but not

Fox Cat Ah Fox es- tend to Smell

Fox What a cat! Well

16

half as bad as jail. When, the cops came, I ex plained- what

Like a Jail Cops came Ex plained-

aah yaah

21

hap pened- to me. But` I was booked. How? Take a look now, is this my des tin-

Hap - pened, hap pened to me. Booked look now

yaah Hap pened to me. Booked Take a look now

14

For preview only

ROSETTA/BLUE FAIRY: (At end of song.) Here, let me help you with that nose! (Mimes pushing his nose back into place. COLUMBINE groans, then is amazed.) And don’t worry! You’ll be out of here soon!

PANTALONE/GUARD: (Kazoos an announcement, presents a document and reads.) The young prince has pardoned all the scoundrels and thieves.

COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: Who?PANTALONE/GUARD: You! (While he fumbles around for the keys and fails in his attempts to unlock the cell

door, dialogue continues...)COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: (Behind bars.) I am a thief and a scoundrel?ROSETTA/BLUE FAIRY: Well, maybe not a bad thief or a mean scoundrel, but you did sell your reading

book, and you are a very naughty puppet! (COLUMBINE shakes her head yes.) Do you promise to go back home? (COLUMBINE shakes her head yes. ) And go to school? (COLUMBINE rolls her eyes.) Pinocchio? You must go to school if you want to be a good boy and grow up. (COLUMBINE relents and nods yes.)Ah, very good. Now that you are free, (Expects the door to be opened by now. Beat.) Free? (Looks at PANTALONE) What is wrong?

PANTALONE/GUARD: (Exasperated) It doesn’t open!ROSETTA/BLUE FAIRY: (Takes charge.) Here! (Blows fairy dust in PANTALONE’S face, making him sputter

and move out of the way. She places the jail bars face-down upon the STAGE and pulls COLUMBINE

15

26

y? Spoken: No! I'll go to school. Learn all I can and be come- the pro per

School Can Come

School Can Come

31

man I am to be. Just you wait 'n see. Just as soon as

Come What are you to do? Just you wait 'n see.

Come What are you to do? Just you wait 'n see.36

I am free.

AmWoo dy's- got the blues

Am Woo dy's- got the blues.

For preview only

DOWNSTAGE away from it all. Then, PANTALONE removes the bars. ROSETTA continues.) Now that you are free, I’ll see you later, Pinocchio. And remember, this time, don’t let yourself be distracted.

COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: I’ll remember.

(As she walks, la-la-ing “The Jail Tale” in an up-beat, happy tempo, the OTHERS ENTER the playing area and establish the next scene. As she walks and sings, the OTHERS pull out umbrellas mounted two on a stick, which open to make wheels. The umbrellas are painted as spoked wheels, and spinning them makes it look as if the wheels turn. PUNCHIN dons a cap and becomes the COACHMAN. ARLEQUIN puts on a cap to become LAMPWICK, and ROSETTA and PANTALONE put on donkey ears to become DONKEYS. They assume expressions of donkey-like idiocy. PUNCHIN holds the reins so that as they trot along it looks like a coach pulled by donkeys. The PEOPLE laugh and carry on as if they are having a wonderful time. COLUMBINE’S singing ceases mid-phrase when called out by ARLEQUIN.)

ARLEQUIN/LAMP: Hey! Hey! Isn’t that Pinocchio?PUNCHIN/COACH: Whoa! Lampwick, is that a friend of yours?ARLEQUIN/LAMP: I recognize him! Hey!COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: Who is that, there?ARLEQUIN/LAMP: I am Lampwick! I used to live in the same village as your old papa, Geppetto!COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: What are you doing here?ARLEQUIN/LAMP: I am on my way to Toyland, me and my friends.COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: Toyland?ARLEQUIN/LAMP: It is a wonderful place where children don’t have to go to school because there is summer

vacation all year round! Every day is a Saturday, and there are hundreds of children just like me!COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: Oh… it sounds wonderful, but I have to go home to my papa and go to…

school.ARLEQUIN/LAMP: All right for you, Pinocchio! But I will think of you when I am having fun! And you think of

me in your stuffy old schoolroom!PUNCHIN/COACH: There is room, Pinocchio, for just one more.ARLEQUIN/LAMP: I will move over for you!COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: I can’t. The Blue Fairy said—PUNCHIN/COACH: Blue Fairy? Are you going to listen to a Blue Fairy? (They ALL laugh.)COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: And the talking cricket said…ARLEQUIN/LAMP: Are you listening to crickets, too? (They ALL laugh.)COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: Well…ARLEQUIN/LAMP: You come with us, and you’ll never have to listen to anyone ever again!COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: (Thinks hard, then.) All right! I will go with you, but just for a while!PUNCHIN/COACH: (As the OTHERS cheer.) Come on, then! (Pitch pipe sounds—D [“So”]. Finger snaps.

COLUMBINE joins them as they trot around, singing. )

16

Allegro = 150

THE JAIL TALE - Transition

PINOCCHIO

La la la. Tee hee hee. Look at me, I am5

free. And it's true, I'm a real boy too.

For preview only

Allegro Moderato = 110

EE-AW DIDDY

Coach Master

Lampkin

Pinocchio

Donkeys

FINGER SNAPS

We're off! Let's go! It's time to tal ly- ho! We'rePitch Pipe

Let's go! It's time to tal ly- ho! We're

It's time to tal ly- ho! We're

Ee Aw! Ee Aw!- Ee Aw!-

7

CM

L

P

D

in the know, my friend, Pi noc- chi- o.- There's no more schools, -

in the know, my friend, Pi noc- chi- o.- There's no more books, just

in the know, just

Ee Aw!- Ee Aw!- Ee Aw!-

13

CM

L

P

D

with out- the rules! How love ly.]- Oh, Toy land-

fun and games, Oh, Toy land- here we come.

[Spoken:

Oh, Toy land-

fun and games, Oh, Toy land- here we come. Oh, Toy land-

Ee Aw!-

17

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(They ALL cheer and then stop suddenly.)

20

CM

L

P

D

here we come. Toy land. It's your luck y- day!

here wecome.

Toy land.

[Spoken: ]

here we come. Toy land, Oh,Toy land.

Ee Aw!- Clip Clop,- Clip Clop,- Clip! Ee

26

CM

L

P

D

Boy land. Toy

Boy land. Toy

Boy land. B B- B- Boy- land! Hey, Lampkin, (Son), you're

Aw! Clip Clop,- Clip Clop,- Clop! Ee Aw!- Ee

32

CM

L

P

D

land! Boy land. Toy land- here we come.

land! Li vin'- life just like a bum. Toy land- here we come.

my best chum, li vin'- - life just like a bum. Oh, Toy land- here we come.

Aw Ee Aw Clip Clop,- Clip Clop,- Clop Ee -

38

CM

L

P

D

Oh, Toy - land, here we come.

Oh, Toy - land, here wecome.

Oh, Toy land, here we come.

Aw! Cl ip,- Clop. Ee Aw Ee Aw!-

18

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ARLEQUIN/LAMP: What?PUNCHIN/COACH: It is this lead donkey! (Gets out and goes to ROSETTA.) You! I have had all the trouble

from you I can stand! Now, let’s go! (Grabs ROSETTA’S rein and pulls to no avail. He jumps up and down.) All right for you! I will pull your ear off! (Pulls off ROSETTA’S ear—the OTHERS gasp—and gets back in the coach.) Come on, then! Get up! (They continue their ride, subdued.)

PUNCHIN/COACH: (Gets out, goes to ROSETTA.) I have had enough of you! (Rips off ROSETTA’S other ear. The OTHERS gasp.)

ARLEQUIN/LAMP: Well… I suppose you have to be firm with donkeys…COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: Lampwick, he ripped off his ear!PUNCHIN/COACH: No problem! (Sticks the ears back on, one of them goes on upside down.) We’re off again!

(Gets in the coach, and the ride continues in utter silence.) Look! There are the gates to Toyland! (As they pass under the imaginary gates, ALL gawk and point as if looking at some wonderful marvel.) Here are the ice cream towers. And here is the chocolate city wall. Over there are the gingerbread houses, and the toy factory is over the cream cake hill.

ARLEQUIN/LAMP: What a wonderful place! Aren’t you glad I invited you, Pinocchio?COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: Oh, yes, Lampwick, yes! (They ALL leap out of the coach and play—leapfrog,

catch, fencing with imaginary swords—and eventually tire themselves out as PUNCHIN watches.) Oh, Lampwick! I am so tired out! I’m going to lie under this tree and have a nap!

ARLEQUIN/LAMP: You can’t be tired already! We have only been here a day!COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: Oh, but I am full of chocolate and gingerbread, and I am tired from playing all

day! You play without me!ARLEQUIN/LAMP: (Shrugs.) Okay! (Trots off and gets the cricket puppet.)COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: Oh, what a wonderful… wonderful place… Toyland…ARLEQUIN/CRICKET: Pinoc-c-chio!COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: Whaa…?ARLEQUIN/CRICKET: Pinoc-c-c-hio!COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: Who… oh! It’s you! How did you get here?ARLEQUIN/CRICKET: It wasn’t easy! Pinocchio, I cannot believe you are here after all the good advice the

Blue Fairy gave you and all her good help!COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: I am just where I want to be. Go away!ARLEQUIN/CRICKET: And what about your poor papa?COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: Well… I will not stay here forever…ARLEQUIN/CRICKET: It has already been a month, Pinocchio!COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: No! I just got here today!ARLEQUIN/CRICKET: Days are used up quickly in Toyland. Your poor papa is searching all the oceans for

you in the boat he built.COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: But… how can I leave this wonderful place?ARLEQUIN/CRICKET: You must leave… now! Or something t-t-tterrible will happen to you!COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: Terrible?ARLEQUIN/CRICKET: It may already be too late! (ARLEQUIN looks on in amazement as, behind COLUMBINE,

ROSETTA holds up the donkey ears, just a little above his head. As ARLEQUIN talks, she makes the ears appear to grow from COLUMBINE’S head.)

COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: Oh… oh, cricket! For once you are right! I must think of my poor papa searching the oceans for me! Come! Let’s go right now!

ARLEQUIN/CRICKET: Oh, yes! Hurry! It may already be… too late! Oh! Oh! It is too late! (ROSETTA fastens the ears onto COLUMBINE’S head.)

COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: What? What is it?ARLEQUIN/CRICKET: Your ears! Pinocchio! Your ears!COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: (Feels her ears, gasps, tries to push them back into her head or pull them off,

but they are stuck fast.) Oh… oh, no! (ROSETTA flips a donkey face over COLUMBINE’S own.) What is it?! Cricket, what is it?! My ears feel so funny! And furry! And my face!

ARLEQUIN/CRICKET: Oh, Pinocchio, it is too late! You have… donkey fever!

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COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: What?ARLEQUIN/CRICKET: You have been such a lazy, foolish puppet, and you have spent too much time in

Toyland! Look! The others have it, too!ARLEQUIN/LAMP: (ENTERS with donkey ears.) Oh, Pinocchio! The coachman—eeehhaaww! The coachman

has taken all the children—eeehhaawww! He has sold them to the coal miners! We are all donkeys now! We will be made to pull heavy coal-wagons all day and all night forever! EEEEHAAAWWW! HEEEEHAAAWW!! (ROSETTA flips a donkey face over ARLEQUIN’S face.)

PUNCHIN/COACH: Donkey, donkey, where’s my pretty donkey?!ARLEQUIN/LAMP: Run, Pinocchio! Run away! Run away now! EEEHHAWWW! HEEEHAAAWW!PUNCHIN/COACH: (Grabs ARLEQUIN and drags him off.) You, my pretty donkey, you will carry the heavy

oyster shells from the beach up to the hills! Heavy loads of oyster shells, all day and all night forever! (Laughs and shoves him to the side of the stage.) Now… where is my cute little donkey, Pinocchio? He will be sold to a carnival where he will dance! He will be the dancing donkey! All day and all night, forever! (Laughs.) Pinocchio? (Sweet.) Pinocchio?! Pretty donkey! Good donkey! Got a tasty carrot for the donkey! (COLUMBINE sniffs for the carrot. Just as PUNCHIN is about to grab her, ARLEQUIN hops up and chirps very loudly.)

ARLEQUIN/CRICKET: Pinoc-c-c-chio! Run! Jump into the ocean! It is your only hope! Run! RUN! JUMP INTO THE OCEAN! RUN!

PUNCHIN/COACH: WHAT? You interfering cricket! I’ll step on you! (Tries to step on the cricket puppet, which hops about as COLUMBINE runs a donkey run.)

ARLEQUIN/CRICKET: RUN! Pinoc-c-c-chio! Run! Jump into the ocean! Run! RUN! Jump into the ocean! Run! Jump into the ocean! (Hops away. ARLEQUIN puts him in the trunk.)

COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: (Stops running.) Oh! (Stops short.) The ocean! It is so deep and… so wide and… so wet! And now that I am a donkey, I might not float!

PUNCHIN/COACH: I’ll get you little donkey, and when I do…!COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: Here goes! (Jumps and mimes swimming as ROSETTA removes the donkey ears.)

Oh! Oh! It worked! I am myself again! (Swims across the floor.) And I float very well! Oh!ROSETTA: (Reads from the book.) “It might seem that little Pinocchio is safe for the time being. Safe except

for the giant fish!” (Nothing happens, COLUMBINE looks around inquiringly.) “Except for the giant fish!” (Glares at PANTALONE.) Where is the giant fish?

PANTALONE: In the box.ROSETTA: Take it out of the box and bring it here!PANTALONE: No.ROSETTA: NO?!PANTALONE: If we use the giant fish, it might get dirty.ROSETTA: If we do NOT use the giant fish, we cannot go on with the story!PANTALONE: But we just had it all redone, and it is so nice and—ROSETTA: Go and get the giant fish! Everyone wants to see the giant fish!PANTALONE: All right! But, Arlequin, if you get it dirty and it costs money to have it cleaned, you will pay

for it! (ARLEQUIN mimes cleanliness. ARLEQUIN and PANTALONE reach into the trunk and pull out the giant fish—a fantastic, gossamer, colorful device like a filmy, slit windsock with a giant maw and moving puppet eyes. It floats like a Chinese dragon. [NOTE: For more details, refer to the sketch at the back of the playbook.])

ROSETTA: (Reads.) “This giant fish was swimming through the ocean just looking for something to snack on.” (Giant fish swims around COLUMBINE.) “The giant fish was used to eating anything that caught his eye, and the little wooden puppet swimming in the ocean was colorful and moved just like a seabird floating on the water. The giant fish ate Pinocchio in one big gulp!” (Giant fish moves over COLUMBINE, and when it passes over her, a SPOTLIGHT comes up to indicate HERRINGBONE, as if light has to pass through a fish skeleton to reach the floor.)

COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: Oh, no! Heellppp! (Stands.) Oh, just when I thought I was safe! (Passes thru the mouth of the giant fish DOWNSTAGE. ARLECCHINO, as the GIANT FISH, belches. PANTALONE and ROSETTA EXIT with fish. PUNCHIN is revealed mid-stage area with a candle, carving a piece of driftwood to pass the time. COLUMBINE, is counter-stage of him in a clump on the floor. He echoes/hums the repeat phrases as he regains consciousness. They take much liberty between initial phrases.)

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PUNCHIN/GEPPETTO: (Hugs COLUMBINE.) P-Pinocchio!COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: PAPA! Where—are we INSIDE the giant fish?PUNCHIN/GEPPETTO: I’m afraid so, Pinocchio.COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: Oh.... it’s so dark in here! Ooohh, and it smells terrible! All fishy!PUNCHIN/GEPPETTO: I—I was sure you were long dead! I had given up ever finding you again!COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: Oh, Papa, I have been such a bad boy! And I didn’t listen to you or the Blue Fairy

or the talking cricket! Can you forgive me?PUNCHIN/GEPPETTO: Of course I forgive you, silly puppet!COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: Papa… have you been here a very long time?PUNCHIN/GEPPETTO: Yes, I have.COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: We have to find a way out of here. I am sure we will.PUNCHIN/GEPPETTO: Oh, I know the way out, and I would have left here long ago, but…COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: Yes?PUNCHIN/GEPPETTO: I can’t swim!COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: Oh! Well, since I am made of wood and I float very well, you can hold onto me!PUNCHIN/GEPPETTO: Ah! Yes! Well, then, all we have to do is wait until tonight when the big fish sleeps.

He will begin to snore, and then his mouth opens right up. We can just walk out.COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: Wonderful!PUNCHIN/GEPPETTO: Just in time, too, because this is my last candle! (ROSETTA and ARLEQUIN pick up

the big fish and together they snore like a big fish, lifting and lowering the fish’s mouth as they hold it over COLUMBINE and PUNCHIN.)

PUNCHIN/GEPPETTO: All right now, let’s wait until he opens his mouth very big… NOW! (They run out and fall into the “ocean.”)

COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: Papa! Hold onto me!PUNCHIN/GEPPETTO: Swim for shore, Pinocchio! Swim! Swim! (The fish is put away, and COLUMBINE and

PUNCHIN struggle through the water.)COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: Papa! I don’t know if I can make it! I am starting to sink!

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CHIP, CHOP - Reprise

Geppetto

Pinocchio

I chip a lit tle- here.

G hears P, thinksit's an echo

I chop a lit tle- there.

Hm I chop a lit tle- there10

Geppetto

Pinocchio

I

G moves towards echo

think a- it's clear this wood a- is rare. So I carve all night and

G "discovers" P

'den by day, a

Wood is rare. Carve all night and 'den by day,20

Geppetto

Pinocchio

lit tle- mar rion- ette

G picks P up from floor

- will com e- my way. I love my wood en- boy.

com e- my way. Love wood en- boy.

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PUNCHIN/GEPPETTO: I will let go of you, Pinocchio! Then you can swim to safety!COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: No, Papa! Hold on! Hold on!ROSETTA/BLUE FAIRY: (Puts on BLUE FAIRY hat, passes by COLUMBINE.) Bravo, Pinocchio! Bravissimo! You

are a brave boy, and you try so hard to save your papa! You deserve a reward, Pinocchio! You deserve a reward…

COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: Father! Father, I am sinking! I am waterlogged!PUNCHIN/GEPPETTO: Let go of me, Pinocchio! You save yourself!COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: No! I can make it… I know I can… (They fall down and mime crawling ashore.

They lie still.)ROSETTA/BLUE FAIRY: (Goes to COLUMBINE.) Wake up, Pinocchio. (Removes the black elastic bands that

make COLUMBINE a puppet.) Wake up…COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: Father… Father, we made it?PUNCHIN/GEPPETTO: Eh…? We made it!ARLEQUIN/CRICKET: (Hops up.) Pinnoc-c-c-chio?!COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: Cricket?ARLEQUIN/CRICKET: Well, I never thought I’d see you again!COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: Papa! Wake up!PUNCHIN/GEPPETTO: Eh? Well, hello! You are the little cricket that lives on my hearth, aren’t you?ARLEQUIN/CRICKET: Yes, good to see you again. I have tried to look after your little boy here, but it hasn’t

been easy.COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: I am not a boy… I am only a puppet.PUNCHIN/GEPPETTO: He… he is right! Pinocchio! You are a real boy! (COLUMBINE looks down and sees her

joints are no longer made of wood.) What has happened?!ARLEQUIN/CRICKET: The Blue Fairy, Pinocchio! The Blue Fairy is the only one who could have done this!

You have been a naughty puppet, but you did a brave thing, saving your papa. Now, if you can just stay a good boy…

COLUMBINE/PINOCCHIO: Oh! I will! I WILL! I was a foolish little puppet, but now I am a real boy, at last!ROSETTA: (Reads.) “And Pinocchio was much smarter as a little boy than he was as a puppet… however

much smarter that is.”PUNCHIN/GEPPETTO: But he was true to his promise to take care of his papa, Geppetto, forever!ARLEQUIN/CRICKET: And the talking cricket kept his home on the hearth for another hundred years!PUNCHIN: (Weeps.) What a beautiful story!PANTALONE: Now, good! This is the end of the story! Yes! (Takes off his hat and holds it out.) Now, everybody

pay!COLUMBINE: Pantalone! No! (Pulls PANTALONE back into line as pitch pipe sounds—F [“So”].)

Allegretto = 104

HERE WE ARE - Finale

SOPRANO

ALTO

TENOR

BASS

Tra la la boom de ay, we

Tra la la boom de ay, weFINGER SNAPS

Tra la la boom de ay, ev 'ry- one, wePitch Pipe

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END OF PLAY

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[IndividualBows Begin]

We



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boy and girl. Tra la la boom de ay, we bring to you a play a -

boy and girl. Tra la la boom de ay, we bring to you a play a -

boy and girl, Tra la la boom de ay, we bring to you a play a -

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PRODUCTION NOTES

PROP LIST

BellsAccount bookDonkey earsRubber daggerLittle bag with bandsBig old bookBrown paperDark markerTwigsRougeHand mirrorHatchetTwo woodblocksPolice hatsShawlBonnet

Cricket puppetHammerJacketReading bookPinocchio’s capLong beardMen’s hatsCloakPuppet masksBlack elastic bandsTwo slapsticksFox maskCat maskSunglassesWearable “blind” signCaneBandage

Judge’s wig and robeGorilla maskJail barsGrowing nose or several

half-masks of varying lengths

Blue fairy hatTwo sets of umbrellasCapsDonkey earsReinsTwo donkey facesGiant fishBenchCandle

COSTUMING

The troupe’s costumes are partly handmade and partly inherited from wealthier people who either tired of that fashion or thought better of it. The commedia diamond pattern is, of course, always evident.

SOUND EFFECTS

Jingling of bells, cricket sound (if not produced by actor playing ARLEQUIN).

LIGHTING

Spotlight with herringbone effect.THE GIANT FISH

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