MIDWIFE & WITCH’S FATHER

LIKE A FROGGY, FERNY CABBAGE

THE BABY IS UNNATURALLY—

ALL

GREEN!!

WITCH’S FATHER

Take it away. Take it away…!

GLINDA

So you see—it couldn’t have been easy!

CROWD

NO ONE MOURNS THE WICKED

NOW AT LAST, SHE’S DEAD AND GONE

NOW AT LAST, THERE’S JOY THROUGHOUT THE LAND

AND GOODNESS KNOWS

GLINDA

GOODNESS KNOWS…

CROWD

WE KNOW WHAT GOODNESS IS

GLINDA

HER LIFE WAS LONLEY…

CROWD

GOODNESS KNOWS…

GLINDA

GOODNESS KNOWS…

CROWD

THE WICKED DIE ALONE…

GLINDA

SHE DIED ALONE…

CROWD

WOE TO THOSE

WHO SPURN WHAT GOODNESS IS

THEY ARE SHOWN

NO ONE MOURNS THE WICKED…

GLINDA

GOOD NEWS!

CROWD

NO ONE MOURNS THE WICKED!

GLINDA

GOOD NEWS!

CROWD

NO ONE MOURNS THE

WICKED!

WICKED!

CROWD

WICKED!

GLINDA

Well, this has been fun. But as you can imagine, I have much to attend to, what with the Wizard’s unexpected departure. And so, if there are no further questions—

(Suddenly, SOMEONE IN THE CROWD interrupts her.)

PERSON IN THE CROWD

Glinda! Is it true—you were her friend?!

(The CROWD gasps in disbelief. GLINDA freezes, completely thrown.)

GLINDA

Uhm… Well, I… I… Yes.

(The CROWD gasps)

GLINDA

Well, it depends on what you mean by “friend”. I did know her. That is, our paths did cross. At school… but you must understand it was along time ago… and we were both very young…

(And once again, the past comes alive. For GLINDA suddenly sees—her friend ELPHABA, just as she was on the day the GALINDA (as she was known then) first laid eyes on her, young, hopeful, and … green.)

SCENE 2

(In a parlor at Shiz University, the incoming STUDENTS gather.)

STUDENTS

O HALLOWED HALLS AND VINE-DRAPPED WALLS…

THE PROUDLIEST SIGHT THERE IS

WHEN GREY AND SERE OUR HAIR HATH TURNED

WE SHALL STILL REVERE THE LESSONS LEARNED

IN OUR DAYS AT DEAR OLD SHIZ

OUR DAYS AT DEAR OLD…

(GALINDA is the last to arrive, perched on an enormous stack of luggage.)

GALINDA

OH-OH-OH-OH-OLD…

STUDENTS & GALINDA

DEAR OLD SHIZ-ZZZZ…

(GALINDA and all the other STUDENTS rudely gape at ELPHABA.)

ELPHABA

What? What are you all looking at? Oh—do I have something in my teeth? Alright, fine—we might as well get this over with: No, I’m not seasick; yes, I’ve always been green; no, I didn’t eat grass as a child…

(The WITCH’S FATHER enters wheeling in NESSAROSE)

WITCH’S FATHER

Elphaba!

ELPHABA

This is my younger sister, Nessarose! As you can see she’s a perfectly normal color!

WITCH’S FATHER

Elphaba! Stop making a spectacle of yourself. Remember, I’m only sending you to this school for one reason.

ELPHABA

I know: to look after Nessa.

WITCH’S FATHER

My precious little girl: a parting gift.

NESSAROSE

Father… Jeweled Shoes?!

WITCH’S FATHER

As befits the future Governor of Munchkinland. Elphaba, take care of your sister. And try not to

talk so much.

(The WITCH’S FATHER exits.)

NESSAROSE

Elphaba…

ELPHABA

Well, what could he get me? I clash with everything!

(MADAME MORRIBLE, the school’s headmistress, enters.)

MORRIBLE

Welcome! Welcome, new students! I am Madame Morrible, head mistress here atShiz University. And whether you are here to study law, logic or linguification I know I speak for my fellow faculty member when I say: We have nothing but the highest hopes, for some of you. Oh, you must be the Governor’s daughter! Miss Nessarose, isn’t it? What a tragically beautiful face you have! And who is—

(MORRIBLE sees ELPHABA and screams.)

ELPHABA

I’m the other daughter, Elphaba. I’m beautifully tragic.

MORRIBLE

I see, well I’m sure you’re very bright!

GALINDA

Bright?! She’s phosphorescent!

(The STUDENTS laugh)

MORRIBLE

Now, regarding room assignments.

(ELPHABA and GALINDA raise their hands)

MORRIBLE

Is this regarding room assignments?

GALINDA

No, but thank you for asking, Madame Morrible, I’ve already been assigned a private suite. But you all can come visit me whenever you want!

PFANNEE

How good of you!

SHENSHEN

You are so good!

GALINDA

No I’m not!

Date: 2015-12-11; view: 903