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Family Plays

The Ugly DUckling

by

Karen LettsMusic by

Cat Ello and KarEn lEtts

© Family Plays

311 Washington St., Woodstock, IL 60098-3308Phone: (800) 448-7469 / (815) 338-7170

Fax: (800) 334-5302 / (815) 338-8981

www.FamilyPlays.com

ISBN-13 978-0-88680-408-4

The Ugly Duckling

“This enchanting musical, based on the classic tale by Hans Christian Andersen, will entertain children of all ages,”

(Fort Bend Star)

Musical. Dramatized by Karen Letts. Music by Cat Ello and Karen Letts. Cast: 3m., 3w. Audience participation, resolution of a family conflict, and an ecological touch are added bonuses to this fast-moving musical ver-sion which includes strong and distinct personalities for each member of the cast. Like the original, this script condemns prejudice and proclaims that “Real beauty comes from within.” The play illustrates the cruelty that many children (and many adults, too) exhibit when they put down, belittle, and shun people who are different. A careless, uncaring hunter, who wants to turn Mother Goose into goose soup, asks the children (even going into the audience) for help. He is thwarted by the concerned, knowledgable game warden, who turns out to be the brother he dislikes. By curtain time family quarrels are patched up and everyone accepts the fact that man and nature must work together for mutual survival.When the Fort Bend Com-munity Theater decided to add a dramatization to their Children’s Theatre repertoire, they couldn’t find a good one, so Karen Letts wrote this one. The end of the play brings warmth, smiles—and perhaps a tear. Although the music and songs add to the charm of the play, it may be presented with-out music. Because of the small cast and simple set, the play is ideal for touring. One act. Set: rural duck farm. Time: anytime. Code: U36.

The Ugly DUckling

© Family Plays

THE UGLY

DUCKLING

by Karen Letts

Music by Cat Ello and Karen Letts

Based on the tale by Hans Christian Andersen

I. E. CLARK PUBLICATIONS

www .ieclark.com

Family Plays311 Washington St., Woodstock, IL 60098

© Family Plays

*** NOTICE ***The amateur and stock acting rights to this work are controlled exclusively by FAMILY PLAYS without whose permission in writing no performance of it may be given. Royalty must be paid every time a play is performed whether or not it is presented for profit and whether or not admission is charged. A play is performed any time it is acted before an audience. Current royalty rates, applications and re-strictions may be found at our website www.FamilyPlays.com, or we may be con-tacted by mail at: FAMILY PLAYS, 311 Washington St., Woodstock, IL 60098.

COPYRIGHT LAW GIVES THE AUTHOR OR THE AUTHOR’S AGENT THE EXCLUSIVE RIGHT TO MAKE COPIES. This law provides authors with a fair return for their creative efforts. Authors earn their living from the royalties they receive from book sales and from the performance of their work. Conscientious observance of copyright law is not only ethical, it encourages authors to continue their creative work. This work is fully protected by copyright. No alterations, de-letions or substitutions may be made in the work without the prior written consent of the publisher. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, videotape, film, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permis-sion in writing from the publisher. It may not be performed either by professionals or amateurs without payment of royalty. All rights, including, but not limited to, the professional, motion picture, radio, television, videotape, foreign language, tabloid, recitation, lecturing, publication and reading, are reserved.

© 1995 by KAREN LETTS

Printed in the United States of AmericaAll Rights Reserved

(THE UGLY DUCKLING)

ISBN: 978-0-88680-408-4

For performance of any songs, music and recordings mentioned in this play which are in copyright, the permission of the copyright owners must be obtained or other songs and recordings in the public domain substituted.

© Family Plays

IMPORTANT BILLING AND CREDIT REQUIREMENTSAll producers of the play must give credit to the author(s) of the play in all pro-grams distributed in connection with performances of the play and in all instances in which the title of the play appears for purposes of advertising, publicizing or otherwise exploiting the play and/or a production. The name of the author(s) must also appear on a separate line, on which no other name appears, immediately following the title, and must appear in size of type not less than fifty percent the size of the title type. Biographical information on the author(s), if included in the playbook, may be used in all programs. In all programs this notice must appear:

“Produced by special arrangement with Family Plays of Woodstock, Illinois”

© Family Plays

THE UGLY DUCKLING

by Karen Letts

Music by Cat Ello and Karen Letts

CHARACTERS

Mother Duck. Not real bright, dotes on daughter.

Caring and compassionate

Prissy Duck. Very pretty and prissy

Susie Swan. The Ugly Duckling

Tommy Turtle. Slow, quiet, kind

Warden. A game wanien

Hunter. Not very bright

First perfonned at the Fort Bend Community Theater, Houston, Texas, directed by Tarra McCain, with the following cast:

Mrs. Duck ......................... Michel Harger Prissy ................................ Angela Harger Susie Rachel Mixon Tommy ............................ Michael Mixon Warden .................................. RonHowald Hunter ......................... David Williamson

iii

© Family Plays

iv

ABOUT mE PLAY

"This enchanting musical, based on the classic tale by Hans Christian Andersen, will entertainchildrenof all ages,"reportedtheFortBendStar.

''The Ugly Duckling" is one of the best loved of Andersen's tales because of its important message: Real beauty comes from within. ·

When the Fort Bend Community Theater decided to add a dramatiza­tion to their Children's Theatre repertory, they couldn't find a good one, so Karen Letts wrote this one. Like the original story, the play illusttates the cruelty that many children (and many adults, too) exhibit when they put down, belittle, and shun people who are different. The end of the play brings warmth, smiles-and perhaps a tear.

Although the music and songs add to the charm of the play, it may be presented without music.

Because of the small cast and simple set, the play is ideal for touring. Playing time is about 55 minutes.

© Family Plays

28 THE UGLY DUCKLING

PRODUCTION NOTES

Properties Bowl and spoon-Mrs. Duck Picnic basket-Tommy Table cloth-in Tommy's basket "NO HUNTING" sign, free standing-Warden Gun (optional}-Hunter. [WARNING: Firearms are dangerous. Use

a toy gun] Eyeglasses (the funnier the better}-Mrs. Duck Pad and pencil--on table for Mrs. Duck

Costumes In the original productions Mrs. Duck and Prissy wore knee-length

shorts or bloomers, loose-fitting long-sleeve sweatshirts, yellow knee­length stockings or tights and "shoes" shaped like duck feet. They wore duck bills fitted over their noses, and tail feathers (like feather dusters). Duck bills may be purchased or made of papier-mache. Both ducks wore rather fancy hats (hair ribbons with feathers would also work). They walked with short, duck-like steps-feet slightly turned outward. Prissy waddled slightly; Mrs. Duck waddled a lot!-tail feathers and hips swaying back and forth. Styrofoam may be used to give a larger ''tail," and the feathers may be stuck in the styrofoam.

Susie was costumed similarly, but there must be enough differences to draw the scorn of Prissy and other insensitive ducks. Perhaps her beak is shorter and rounder, her tail feathers more sparse, her "feet" smaller, and her hat very plain. Her costume should also be a different color-perhaps off-white or tan while the ducks' are white. Susie doesn't waddle.

Tommy, the turtle, wore a green knee-length blouse which was fitted loose enough so that he could raise it over his face to indicate the turtle's head receding into its shell. Dark make-up on his nose tended to make it almost disappear. He wore green knee-length stockings or tights and "shoes" resembling turtle feet Strapped to his back was a large turtle shell. It could be made of heavy wire mesh shaped like a shell, covered canvas or papier-mache, and painted green, or it may be made of 2-inch foam rubber, covered with gauze and shaped into a shell. He walked upright in a very slow, turtle-like pace.

The Warden might wear a uniform or khaki slacks and canvas shirt, with a badge. A broad-brimmed hat (like Smoky the Bear's) would be appropriate.

© Family Plays

TilE UGLY DUCKLING 29

The Hunter could be costumed in the typical huntsman camouflaged shirt and trousers, and a cap with ear flaps. � blue-jeans or slacks and shirt would also be satisfactory. He may or may not carry a gun. If he does, use a toy gun for safety. Real firealllls are very dangerous on stage.

Music A piano/vocal score and a demonstration/accompaniment cassette

tape are available from the publisher. The "demonstration" side of the tape contains music and vocals for perusal purposes and to help the cast members learn the songs. The "accompaniment" side contains instrumen­tal music without vocals, to be used for accompaniment at rehearsals and for performances if desired.

The play may be done without music.

Lights The play may be done without special lighting effects, making it easy

to tour to places without light controls. If the controls are available, Scene 2 may open on a fairly dark (scary) stage, brightening as the dialogue progresses.

4

Cll)

The Set Scenes 1 & 3

1-Mrs. Duck's house with windows and practical door. The should be free-standing and easily moved on and offstage.

2-Large cooking pot 3-Small table and chairs 4-Trees

© Family Plays

30 THE UGLY DUCKLING

Scene 2

em

4-Trees (Same as in Scenes 1 & 3. More may be added if desired)

5-Large stump or rock for actors to hide behind

If the apron is large enough, or if your stage has an olio curtain, Scene 2 may be played in front of the curtain, obviating the necessity for removing and restoring the house, pot, and table and chairs.

© Family Plays

THE UGLY DUCKLING

SCENE ONE

[The setting is a "duck farm." The Duck house is Up Stage Left. It's a cozy-looking free-standing house with a practical door for entering and exiting, plus windows. A small table is in front of the house. A large cooking pot is Down Stage Right. It is morning; the SOUNDS ofafarm canbe heardasUGHTS come MRS. DUCK waddles in from the house carrying a bowl and goes to the pot. She stirs what's in the pot as she sings]

MOTHER. [Singing] Be kind to your web-footed friends, For a duck might be somebody's mother. Quack, quack, quack,e�.

[To audience] Oh! Hello there! I didn'tknow I had company this morning! I've been so busy making this root soup-what with gathering all the ingredients: onions, beetles, crickets, snails, and all sorts of goodies! Have you ever tried root soup? Oh, it's delicious! And so nutritious! I'll have to give you my recipe! [She gets bowl off table and dips it into pot, then smells it] Oh, this is wonderful. [Yells toward house as she places bowl on table]. Hurry up, Prissy! Your breakfast is getting cold!

PRISSY. [From inside house] Just a minute, Mother! I have to powder my nose first!

MOTHER. Oh Prissy. such a vain young duckling. Who in the world you get your vanity from? [She swishes her hips and primps her hair] PRISSY. [Enteringfrom house, wearing a bonnet and a big bow. She

has a bad cold] All that sneezing made my beak turn red, Mother. I don't want all my friends laughing at me because I have a red beak. Can you imagine what they'd say! [To audience] "Hey, Prissy, why don't you go see if Santa needs a replacement for Rudolf!" Or, "'Prissy, you look like Sneezy from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs!" Oh, Mother! I just couldn't stand it!

MOTHER. Everyone gets a cold now and then, Prissy. Surely your friends won't laugh at you.

PRISSY. Mother, PLEASE stop calling me Prissy! My name is Priscellal Prissy is such a child's name!

MOTHER. But it fits you so well, honey.

© Family Plays

2 THE UGLY DUCKLING

PRISSY. It's a child's name. I'm old enough now to have a grown-up name and it's Priscella How can I ever teach my friends to call me Priscella if my own mother keeps calling me Prissy?

MOTHER. I'm sorry, dear. I'll try to remember that. Now why don't you sit down and try to eat your breakfast

PRISSY. [Goes to it] What is it? MOTHER. Root soup. With seeds, and snails, and beetles! PRISSY.Beedes!I hopethey'renotthosehairy ones thatlook like fur

balls! MOTHER. What's wrong with them? PRISSY. Tommy says they'll put hair on my beak! MOTHER. Since when does Tommy know so much about beetles?

He only likes flies. PRISSY. Flies, YUK! I hate flies! MOTHER. Well, don't wacry. There aren't any flies in the soup. At

least not this time. PRISSY. You mean you put flies in my soup before? MOTHER. Flies are very good for you, Prissy. They have a lot of

protein, which makes your wings sttong and helps your feathers stay pretty. Just ask them. [Points to audience]

PRISSY. My hair is pretty,.isn't it? [Loo/cs at reflection in soup] MOTHER. Yes it is, Prissy. PRISSY. Priscellal MOTHER. Priscella PRISSY. I like the new hat you bought me, Mother. I'm wearing it

today and I feel so beautiful! MOTHER. Now Prissy, you shouldn't be so vain. Just where do you

get it? [Again, primps her hair vainly] Remember the stepmother in Snow White?

PRISSY. But she was EVIL! I'm not evil, Mother. Just pretty. MOTHER. Well, you should at least try to be a bit more humble. PRISSY. What in the world does that mean? MOTHER. Humble. Humble. Let me see. Oh yes, humble means you

should try to be less � your beauty and be more appreciative of what you have.

© Family Plays

THE UGLY DUCKLING 3

Music No. 1-''Prissy's Song"

PRISSY. Oh, I appreciate what I have! I appreciate being so beauti-ful! [She begins to sing]

My name is PrisceUa, and don't you forget. I get what I want and I want what I get­A beautiful dress or a bow or a peL A lovelier girl you have never met yeti

Ah huh. That's righL You got it.

My mother ADORES me, no need to ask why. My friends-they all swoon when they see me walk by. The makers of mirrors had me on their mind. You can't fmd one lovelier, so don't even try!

Ah huh. That's right You got it.

The birds and the bees, when they flutter their wings, Say how much they LOVE me--and how good I sing! The frogs that go RIB BIT, the cows that go MOO, All think I am beautiful, I know YOU do TOO!

Ah huh. That's righL You got it.

HI were a princess, the whole world would see The knights in their armor fall down on one knee. The kings and the queens in all lands would decree, There is no one prettier or lovelier than me!

Ah huh. That's right You got it.

Why, I'm the most gorgeous duck all around! With my, beautiful hair and my soft golden down. You can look high and low, and all over this town, But a lovelier girl, there will never be found!

Ah huh. That's righL You got it. ACHOO!

MOTHER. I hardly think that is being humble, Prissy. Now get busy and eat before your soup gets cold.

PRISSY. Oh Mother! You should appreciate me more! Here I am, the most beautiful duck in town and all you can say is sit down and eat? [Sigh] Oh all right. I guess I do need to eat to keep my beauty. ACHOO! And my health. [Begins to eat] Ummm ... This isn't so bad, Mother.

Thank you.

© Family Plays

4 THE UGLY DUCKLING

PRISSY. Oh! I almost forgot! Tommy's coming over to get me this morning. We're going to the river!

MOTHER. The river! It's too dangerous there! And so dark! That forest is full of wild animals, Prissy! Why, I don't even like to go there myself, much less let you go! You're too young to go so far from home.

PRISSY. Mother! I'm almost grown up! Please? MOTHER. Oh, Prissy. I just don't know. I've heard stories about a

hunter named Jock who likes to hunt ducks out there. He catches them and turns them into Duck Soup!

PRISSY. Oh Mother, who ever heard of Duck Soup! Such silly talk. MOTHER. It's true! PRISSY. Well, I'm not afraid. I'm too pretty to be turned into Duck

Soup! Nobody would hurt me! MOTHER. Well, I'd feel better if there were more than just you and

Tommy. I know, why don't you ask Susie to go along with you and Tommy.

PRISSY. ACHOO! [Unhappily] Susie! YUKI MOTHER. And just what is wrong with Susie? PRISSY. She's just so ... so ... so UGLY! She's probably dumb too.

MOTHER. Since when did looks have anything to do with being smart? Or being a nice person, for that matter.

PRISSY. Oh Mother, I don'tlike Susie! MOTHER. Now stop that, Prissy. How do you know you don't like

her. I've seen her in town a couple of times and she seems like a very nice young girl. You know, everyone can't be as pretty as we are, Prissy. And besides, I hear the poor thing doesn't have a mother. You should be nice to her.

PRISSY. Oh, I'll be nice to her all right. But don't expect me to ask her to join Tommy and me today. Tommy and I are best friends and we don't need an ugly duckling tag-a-long.

MOTHER. Prissy! That mean talk from such a young child is not very pretty! THAT will hair on your beak.

PRISSY. Idon'twant Susiegoing with us! And I'm not a child!

What are you and Tommy planning to do at the river? PRISSY. We're going to play hide and seek. ACHOO! MOTHER. I insist that you ask Susie to join you, Prissy. It's just too

far for you to go alone. And besides, you have a cold. PRISSY. I won't be alone, Mother. Tommy is going with me. And

since when does a cold stop a person from having fun'l

© Family Plays

THE UGLY DUCKLING 5

MOTHER. Well, I want you to ask Susie to play too, and that's �. I'll feel better knowing there are at least three of you together.

PRISSY. I won't. MOTHER. Prissy ... PRISSY. I won't! I won't! I won't! ACHOO! MOTHER. Careful, Prissy. You're going to spill your breakfast all

over yourself. Now hush, I hear someone coming.

[SUSIE SWAN enters from Stage Left. She's a homely looking young swan with promisesfor the future. Very sad and lonely, but very polite. (She doesn't know she's a swan)]

SUSIE. Hello, Mrs. Duck! Hello, Prissy! MOTHER. Oh, hello, Susie. How are you today? SUSIE. Fine, thank you, Mrs. Duck. How are you, Prissy? PRISSY. ACHOO! SUSIE. Oh, you have a cold. That's too bad. I came by to see if you

wanted to play, but I guess with that cold, you'll be staying in bed today. PRISSY/MOTHER. Yes/No. MOTHER. Actually, Susie, Prissy was just telling me about her plans

to go to the river today. [PRISSY is wildly swinging her arms behind Susie's back trying to get her mother to be quiet. Her mother ignores her] I'm sure she'd love you to join her. Wouldn't you, Prissy?

PRISSY. Well, actually ... MOTHER. She's going with Tommy Turtle. Have you met Tommy,

Susie? SUSIE. Yes, I have. I like him. He's nice. PRISSY. [Sarcastic] He's handsome too.

MOTHER. [Dirty lookat Prissy]Thatsetdes it, then. The three of you will go together. Prissy, hurry and fmish your breakfast.

PRISSY. ACHOO! [She spills her soup] Oh, Mother! Look what you made me do!

MOTHER. I made you spill? PRISSY. Yes! You did it, Mother! How could you! [She storms off

into house] SUSIE. Maybe it's not such a good idea that I go along. MOTHER. Nonsense, Susie. I insist. ff Prissy and Tommy plan to go

to the river, I don't want them going alone. You'll be good company for them.

© Family Plays