As the lights come up, we find the Wise Man who narrates the story. He introduces the characters... first, the King and the Princess: The King is unhappy because his daughter never smiles; Princess Rosalynda feels there is no reason to smile. Next the Wise Man introduces a poor family: Mother, Samson, Whitney and Simpleton. The Wise Man exits and the family argues about how foolish Simpleton is (SIMPLETON). While his big brothers bully him, Mother insists that Simpleton find a job.

Giving Samson some sweet cakes and cider, she sends him out to collect firewood. The Wise Man meets up with Samson and asks if he might share his food and drink. Samson refuses the old man, calling him a beggar. The Wise Man leaves and Samson goes to cut firewood, but instead hits his own foot with his axe, and must return home. Mother then sends Whitney out for firewood, giving him a similar meal. As Whitney prepares to chop down a tree, the Wise Man approaches and asks him to share his food and drink. Whitney says no, telling the Wise Man to go find some berries in the woods. As the Wise Man leaves, Whitney hits himself on the head with his axe, and he returns home.

Simpleton now has to go get the firewood, so Mother sends him off, with just some stale bread and water. Simpleton also meets the Wise Man in the woods and the Wise Man asks him to share his food. Simpleton immediately agrees, sharing what little he has to offer. In return, the Wise Man tells him to look in the tree roots for something special hidden there, then disappears. Simpleton goes to the tree and finds a goose with golden feathers (LOOK AT WHAT'S HAPPENED TO ME). Simpleton cannot get home before dark, so he decides to stop at a tavern for the night.

Meanwhile, at the palace, the King is trying to cheer the Princess and make her smile (LAUGH). When she refuses, the King says they will go to the town in the morning and she will marry the first man who can make her laugh.

At the tavern, Simpleton explains to the Innkeeper and his daughter what has happened. The daughter can’t take her eyes off the goose and offers to watch it while Simpleton rests, but to no avail (GREAT GOOSE-WATCHER). Simpleton exits with the goose to go to sleep. Later that night, the Daughter sneaks into Simpleton’s room to take a goose feather. There is a loud scream as she re-enters holding the goose, unable to let go. The Innkeeper comes to help, but when he goes to pull his Daughter off the goose, he gets stuck to his daughter, who is stuck to the goose (GREAT GOOSE-WATCHER Reprise).

[If the show is done in TWO Acts, Intermission goes here.]

The next morning, Simpleton enters looking for the goose. The Innkeeper and his Daughter have fallen asleep. Awakened by SImpleton, they try to explain the situation. Simpleton says that he can’t take them home with him, and the Innkeeper says there is a doctor in town who might be able to help. They all go off to town.

The lights fade out and reestablish in the town. The King and Princess are walking around when they meet up with a Blacksmith. The King tells the Blacksmith that if he can make the Princess laugh, he can marry her. He agrees, and tries to do so (LAUGH Reprise), but she still will not laugh. The King and Princess walk away as Simpleton enters, with the Daughter and Innkeeper in tow. They are tripping over one another. The Innkeeper sees the Blacksmith and calls him over, explaining their situation. He begs him, because he is big and strong, to pull them off the goose. He agrees, but as soon as he touches the Innkeeper, he too is stuck. They continue their walk to find the Physician, tripping and bumping as they exit (STUCK WITH YOU).

Rosalynda returns with the King, complaining that she is tired and wants to go home. The Wise Man enters, disguised as a physician, and greets the King and Princess. The King begs the Wise Man to help the Princess smile, and he tells the King not to rush her - that she will smile eventually (FUNNY LITTLE FEELINGS). There is some commotion offstage and the group, still stuck to the goose, enter with Simpleton in the lead. The King demands to know what is happening. Simpleton tries to explain the situation, and that they are looking for the town physician. The Wise Man steps up to say that he is the physician. Unable to believe that such a beautiful goose has caused this dilemma, the King goes to pet the goose against everyone’s protest, and he gets stuck as well. Furious, the King demands to be released from this magic. Seeing this silly sight, the Princess begins to laugh and laugh. The King is overjoyed, and suddenly everyone is released from the goose. Simpleton introduces himself and the King gives him permission to marry the Princess. Simpleton says he will, if the Princess agrees. She does, and they all celebrate (FINALE).

CASTING: 3-4F / 3-7M*

CHARACTERS:   

SIMPLETON - our sincere, though somewhat dim-witted hero

MOTHER - his less-than-sympathetic mother

SAMSON - Simpleton's brother

WHITNEY - another brother

WISE OLD MAN - a mysterious stranger who narrates the story

INNKEEPER (written male, but originally played as female)

INKEEPER'S DAUGHTER

PRINCESS ROSALYNDA - a girl who can't seem to smile or laugh

KING - her father

BLACKSMITH

SETTING:

This show requires both interior and exterior settings. At rise, we are in a forest, with the home of Simpleton and his family on one side and a suggestion of a royal palace on the other. We follow Simpleton on his journey between these locations, including the interior of a tavern.

Special set consideration: a large old tree in which Simpleton first discovers the golden goose.

* 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:

• 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.)