[Musical direction: A sudden orchestral cut. One sharp dissonant chord. The room freezes.
SISTER (spoken, shouting)]: “No!”
[Silence…]
[The orchestra strikes again, this time with a pulsing, dramatic rhythm. Sister steps forward, directing her anger toward the Main Princess and her husband. Her voice begins with disbelief and grows into a declaration of ownership.]
*Sister Sings*: This is me,
Can't you see?
This is all I've ever wanted.
You two were there,
You should know this is all I've ever wanted.
When you two ran off,
To live happily ever after,
Don't you remember why I stayed?
Because this is all I've ever wanted.
No, you cannot take away
What my mother has promised me!
No, you cannot take away
What my mother has promised me…
Can't you see this is all I've ever wanted?
Can't you see a real tiara, is all I've ever wanted?
Can't you see this palace is all I've ever wanted?
Can't you see this is all I've ever wanted?
[Orchestral pause — the emotional turn
On the final word, wanted, the orchestra cuts out.]
[Movement II — The Main Princess remembers
Musical direction: A new key. Soft piano, delicate strings, and a lonely woodwind melody. The tempo relaxes. The Main Princess, who has been listening, steps forward. She doesn't challenge Sister. Instead, she seems to be speaking to a memory.]
*Main Princess sings* When I was a little girl,
My mother used to say,
One day you will grow up
And be a great queen.
Is that a promise?
Or a wish?
And do wishes come true?
My mother used to say,
One day you will grow up
And have A-great King.
Is that a wish?
Or a promise?
If it's a promise,
I guess I can hang my ring around it too.
[Movement III — The comic interruption
Musical direction: Abrupt orchestral break. Total silence for a beat. BACKGROUND ACTOR (whispering loudly to a neighboring guest)]
*Background actor speak* “I told you the family was fighting.”
[The orchestra responds with an exaggerated, dramatic flourish.Think a tiny burst of scandalous operatic music: a descending string run, a sharp brass accent, and a cheeky percussion hit.]
*Background actor speak* “This is messy.”
[The orchestra responds with an exaggerated, dramatic flourish.Think a tiny burst of scandalous operatic music: a descending string run, a sharp brass accent, and a cheeky percussion hit.]
[Opens-Up]
*Ensemble sings* Who’s it gonna be?
Who’s it gonna be?
The Kingdom can only have one ruler,
Who’s it gonna be?
Who’s it gonna be?
The Haves or The Nots?
Who’s it gonna be?
Who’s it gonna be?
The Kingdom can only have one ruler,
Who’s it gonna be?
Who’s it gonna be?
The Haves or The Nots?