As the show begins Puss explains how he used to be the Miller's cat and not as properous as he is now. Puss introduces the miller's three sons ("The Best Of Brothers"). They have to divide the estate of their father. By flipping a coin, the eldest picks the grain mill, the middle son picks the donkey, and this leaves the youngest left with the cat. The eldest and the middle sons become partners, leaving the youngest to find his own way in the world. The cat speaks up and promises to help the son if he will buy the cat some clothes and boots ("Clothes Make The Cat"). The son decides to get Puss the boots. Puss provides food by going hunting. but realizes that the son deserves better.

One day Puss sees the King coming and begins to set a plan. Puss introduces himself as the courier for the Marquis de Carrabas, bearing gifts of food and cider for the King and Princess ("The Marquis de Carrabas"). The King, wanting to meet the Marquis as soon as possible expresses his gratitude and leaves. The son is not sure of how to be a Marquis, but Puss tells him that the plan will work ("The Marquis de Carrabas Reprise").

After several weeks of receiving gifts, the King and the Princess are eager to meet the Marquis, but the Marquis does not have a manor house where the King can visit. Puss tells the son to meet him at midday by the lake. After the younger son leaves, Puss meets a farmer and his wife who explain that a mean, nasty ogre owns all the land and the villagers have to do all the work or be punished ("It's The Horrible Ogre"). Puss gives them some gold and asks them to tell the King, when he travels by, that all the land belongs to the Marquis. When the King arrives he is further impressed that the Marquis owns all the lands. The plot thickens as Puss hurries the farmer and his wife off to tell all the villagers about the Marquis owning the land. Puss hurries to the youngest son and makes him disrobe behind a tall hedge as the King's coach approaches. Puss then calls to the King and explains that the Marquis had his clothes stolen by robbers as he was swimming. From behind the hedge the son finally meets the King ("An Incredible Life"). The son is given an extra set of clothes to wear that the King had in his coach. He dresses and joins the King and Princess to travel to the Ogre's castle as Puss hurries off to reach the castle first and confront the Ogre ("An Incredible Life Reprise").

[If done in TWO Acts, Intermission goes here]

Sometime later, Puss is in a room in the castle. He decides to take a look around the rest of it. As he leaves, the Ogre comes in talking about doing some horrible mischief in the village ("It's Good To Be Bad"). He hears Puss coming back and hides. The Ogre confronts Puss, who gets the Ogre to talk about himself. The Ogre is quick to show how special he is with all his tricks. He asks Puss to stay for supper, or rather be supper ("Menu Song"). Puss changes the subject back to the Ogre's magical powers. He tells the Ogre that he has heard about his ability to change into different animals. The Ogre changes into a lion and then back again. Puss asks if the Ogre can change into a smaller creature like a mouse. As soon as the Ogre does change into a mouse, Puss pounces on him and gobbles him up.

Soon the youngest son, the King and the Princess arrive at the castle ("The Things I Like Most"). Puss enters and explains that he was housecleaning, but now the castle is safe for the village and the son. The son asks the Princess to marry him and she accepts. They toast to their new fortunes and everyone lives happily ever after ("Here's To A Happy Ending").

CASTING: 1-2F / 3-4M* (Minimum 5)

CHARACTERS:   

MILLER'S SON - a late miller's youngest son; our unlikely hero

ELDEST BROTHER - the miller's oldest (can double with King)

MIDDLE BROTHER (can double with Farmer and Ogre)

PUSS - a clever, talking cat (written male, most often played by a female)

FARMER - a local peasant laborer

FARMER'S WIFE (can double with Princess)

KING

PRINCESS

OGRE - a cruel and horrible landowner

SETTING:

Locations for this show include: the mill, a forest, a  path to the village fields and the dark, eerie castle of the Ogre, which is "cleaned up" by the cat.

Special set consideration:  a hedge, behind which the Miller's Son does a complete costume change onstage; something for the Ogre to hide behind while "magically transforming" into animals.

* All of our shows are written for small casts, but most are flexible for larger casts and could possibly include an ensemble. Some roles can switch between male and female with minor adjustments to the script. Please inquire for suggestions on alternative casting.

THE RENTAL PACKAGE for this show INCLUDES:

• 8 Copies of the Book/Libretto
• 6 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.)