As the show starts, a shoemaker named Joseph Cobbler and his wife, Peach, are living together in a rented cottage where he has his shop. The shoemaker works hard to make beautiful shoes, but no matter how many shoes he makes, he cannot earn enough gold kroners for himself and his wife to live on. Finally, the day has come when all he has left on his workbench is a piece of leather that

will make one pair of shoes, but they try not to give up hope ("You Never Know"). As Joseph and Peach realize they are in some money trouble, the landlord of the cottage, Lord Lowenbrau, enters the shop. He has come to tell them that since they cannot pay the rent, they will have to move out and become farmers in the country ("The Villain's Song"). Joseph says he only needs a little extra time before he has the money to pay the rent. Lord Lowenbrau reconsiders and gives them two weeks to pay the rent or he takes the shop away from them. He leaves. Joseph and Peach decide not give up hope that someone will come to buy shoes. Joseph lays the leather and his tools out on his workbench and they leave the room for the night.

The next morning Joseph enters the shop to find an exquisite pair of shoes on his workbench where the leather had been. He calls for Peach who comes and sees the beautiful shoes. Peach puts them in the shop window and almost immediately Jacob the printer sees them in the window and comes in to buy them. He is so pleased that he buys the new shoes for five gold kroners and two new books. He goes away with his new shoes. Joseph takes the kroners and leaves to buy more leather so he can make shoes. While he is gone Lord Lowenbrau returns to check up the shoemaker. Peach tells him of their success and reminds him that he has given them two weeks to get the rent money. Lord Lowenbrau exits in a huff.

Next morning, Joseph and Peach are amazed at the new shoes that continue to be made and left on the workbench each morning. Word of the marvelous shoes are spreading throughout the villages and towns and people have come to buy the shoes. Jacob enters the shop again with the two books he owes Joseph and tells him that he wants to buy boots for his brother Wilhelm. While he is there a traveling actor enters the shop to buy a pair of boots. He has come from far away because he has heard about the wonderful shoes ("Simply The Best"). Both Jacob and the traveler buy their boots, for much money, and leave very happy with their purchase. Jacob and Peach are overjoyed, but they have become very curious about who is making these shoes ("Who's Making The Shoes?").

Later, at midnight, two elves, Sprite and Elvish, emerge from the shadows. They are wearing tattered clothing, but are having fun busily making shoes. They work into the night, and the next morning Joseph and Peach again find the shoes. They make a plan to stay up that night and watch the shop to see the mystery person who is making the shoes ("Who's Making The Shoes? Reprise").

[If done in TWO Acts, Intermission goes here]

When the lights come up it is late at night. Peach and Joseph are not seen, but Sprite and Elvish are getting ready to work on the shoes. They dance and sing and have a good time ("The Elf-A-Bop"). As they get to work Joseph and Peach come out of hiding. They see the elves and decide they must somehow repay them for their great kindness. Peach, seeing the elves old clothes, wants to make them new vests and coats. Joseph will make them new shoes. The elves, hearing noise, stop working, but do not see anything. They go back to work and Joseph and Peach get very quiet and fall asleep where they hide.

In the morning, Joseph and Peach are still sleeping on the floor when there is a knock at the door. They're awakened and let Lord Lowenbrau into the shop. He has come for the rent. Joseph tells him they have enough to pay the rent. Lord Lowenbrau is very upset ("The Villain's Song Reprise"). Joseph and Peach are explaining to him about the shoes when a wealthy Lady enter. The Lady discloses that she has been sent by the King to have the extraordinary shoemaker come to the King's court to make the King new shoes. Joseph tells her to tell the King he will come to the court and she leaves. Lord Lowenbrau is so impressed that he tells Joseph and Peach they can stay in the cottage for as long as they need it. He then buys a pair of shoes and exits. Joseph and Peach have one last thing to do. They need to make the clothes and shoes to give to the elves. They get working on their projects as the lights fade.

It is night when the lights come up. Joseph and Peach have placed the vests and jackets on the workbench where the leather usually is and they hide. Sprite and Elvish arrive and find the new clothes. They are surprised by the gifts. The elves rejoice and gleefully leave the shop. Joseph and Peach come out of hiding very happy that they could help the elves, who helped them keep their cottage and allow Joseph to continue making shoes for rest of his life ("From Now On").

THE RENTAL PACKAGE for this show INCLUDES:

• 10 Copies of the Book/Libretto
• 8 Copies of the Vocal Book
• 1 Copy of the Piano/Keyboard Accompaniment Book (Currently Lead-Sheet only)*
• 1 Copy of Production Notes & Suggestions

OPTIONAL MATERIALS AVAILABLE:

• Additional Copies of the Book/Libretto available for larger casts
• Additional Copies of the Vocal Book available for larger casts
• Additional Copies of the Piano/Keyboard  Accompaniment Book (Lead Sheets)*
• Full DEMO Recording (Composer's original demos; currently this is the only available recording for this show; we are working toward making Full CAST recordings available for all of our shows.)
• Rehearsal CD of Piano Accompaniment Tracks (not intended for use in performances)
• Performance CD of Accompaniment Tracks (We are working toward making Performance Tracks available which will include instruments other than piano; If you would like to use a  Performance CD instead of live accompaniment, please inquire.)
• *Alternative Accompaniment Books:

1. Full Piano/Keyboard-Arrangement Book (The accompaniment books are currently available in the form of "Lead Sheets" only (i.e. vocal lines on a treble-clef staff with chord names above); We are working toward providing fully-arranged versions. If your Music-Director / Accompanist  requires full arrangements, please inquire and we will make a Full Arrangement Book available to you for a small additional fee.)

2. Pit Band Accompaniment Books (We are currently working toward making accompaniment books available for  a 2-5 piece band; in addition to Piano/Keyboard, this will include parts for Keyboard 2, Guitar, Bass and/or Percussion;  If interested in  using a live pit band for performances, please inquire.)