Cinderella - The Story

Act 1

A Herald proclaims: "The Prince is Giving a Ball" to celebrate his 21st birthday.We meet Cinderella, who is treated worse than a servant by her unpleasant Stepmother, and her Stepsisters, Joy and Portia. Left alone, she dreams of the life of a princess ("In My Own Little Corner"). Meanwhile, the King and Queen are preparing for the big celebration and the servants discuss the plans ("Your Majesties"). The Queen is touched when she overhears the King talking to the Prince ("Boys and Girls Like You and Me"). As Cinderella's Stepsisters get ready for the Ball, they laugh at her dreams. Cinderella's Godmother appears ("Fol-de-rol") and transforms her into a beautifully-attired young lady; mice, rats and a pumpkin become a carriage, horses and footmen ("Impossible"/"It's Possible").

Act 2

At the Ball, the Prince is bored with the attentions of the ladies he has danced with, including the Stepsisters. Cinderella's grand entrance attracts everyone's attention and intrigues the Prince. They dance and fall instantly in love ("Ten Minutes Ago I Saw You"). Seeing the Prince with a mysterious beauty, the Stepsisters ask why he wouldn't rather prefer a "usual" girl like them ("Stepsister's Lament"). The Prince dances with Cinderella and declares his love for her ("Do I Love You Because You're Beautiful?"). He kisses her, but the clock begins to strike midnight, and she flees before the magic wears off. In her haste she drops a glass slipper.

Act 3

The next morning, Cinderella's Stepmother and Stepsisters reminisce about the Ball and find that she knows what it must have been like going to the Ball ("When You're Driving Through the Moonlight") and dancing with the Prince ("A Lovely Night"). Meanwhile, the Prince is searching for the mysterious lady. His Herald unsuccessfully tries the slipper on all the ladies, including Cinderella's Stepsisters ("The Search"). Cinderella is not home, but is in the Palace garden. The Prince returns to the Palace dejected by his lack of success. Prodded by the Godmother, he tries the Slipper on Cinderella. It fits: Cinderella and the Prince marry and we have our happy ending.

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