Song 1
Song Title: This
Is A Tale You Know
Show Name: The
Wolves of Winter
Character Name: Rainard
and the Village Ensemble
Song High Note: C4
(Rainard)
Song Low Note: G2 (Rainard)
Tags: Opening Ensemble Number, Waltz, Wistful, Cautionary,
Foreboding, Declaration, Foreshadowing
Vocal Notes: Rainard opens the piece
with a powerful declaration. The four
note motif in the accompanying orchestra during the rests is Elvera’s theme, so
make sure this is profoundly present.
Later, the Ensemble joins Rainard as they sing about the Test of Love
Tournament.
Song Context/Analysis: This piece is sung at the start of the Test of Love
Tournament where Onyx and Rose are next to enter. The number directly transitions to “Are You
Scared of the Frost Forest? / The One I Love,” so be sure to make the
transition smooth between the actors and orchestra pit.
Script & Lyrics:
ACT I
SCENE IV
INT. VILLAGE – DAY, FIVE YEARS LATER
The VILLAGER OWEYN and TOWN MASTER RAINARD enter from STAGE LEFT and walk towards CENTER STAGE. Ever since HAWTHORNE and IVY failed to return to THE VILLAGE, the people grew anxious. RAINARD created a “Test of Love Tournament” in which those of a pure heart would be able to make it through the FOREST safely.
|
#7 |
Elvera’s Theme |
(Underscore) |
OWEYN
(nervously)
Master
Rainard, do you think it is safe to continue to have this Tournament? So many people haven’t returned from it!
RAINARD
(reassuringly)
I’m aware of that, Oweyn. There’s too much suffering and heartache these days. This Tournament will ensure, in one way or another, that the Snow Queen will leave us alone.
RAINARD sings from CENTER STAGE while the VILLAGE ENSEMBLE gathers behind him.
|
#8 |
This is A Tale You Know |
(Rainard
and The Ensemble) |
THIS
IS A TALE YOU KNOW.
THIS
IS A TALE OF LOVE!
NOW
WHAT WOULD YOU DO
IF
YOU WERE THESE TWO?
FROZEN,
BY ICE, SO COLD…
SCARED
AND SEEMING
ALL
ALONE
DARKNESS
SHALL CLAIM
THOSE
WITH A BITTER TONE.
YET
A LESSON HERE COULD BE
FOR
YOU…OR EVEN FOR ME!
RAINARD joins the ENSEMBLE for the following chorus.
ENSEMBLE
PUT
YOUR LOVE TO THE TEST
MAKE
YOURSELF STRONGER NOW!
BUT
IF YOU FREEZE UP
YOU’LL
NEVER KNOW HOW
TO
LOVE FOREVERMORE
LOVE,
YOU SEE, SHALL GUIDE YOU THROUGH.
LOVE
IS THE KEY, SO GO ON NOW AND PROVE
THAT
YOU BOTH WERE MEANT TO BE
TOGETHER FOR ETERNITY!
-----------------------------------------------------
Song 2
Song Title: Transformation
Show Name: The
Wolves of Winter
Character Name: Elvera
and Onyx
Song High Note: G5
(Elvera), G4 (Onyx)
Song Low Note: C-sharp 4 (Elvera), C3 (Onyx)
Tags: Dramatic, Moderate Tempo, Powerful, Unnerving,
Declaration, Temptation, Seductive
Vocal Notes: Be mindful of vocal
endurance during this piece as it is rather long. Consider voice inflection, diction, and
motivation as the lines are delivered and sung.
Make sure that spoken lines are heard over the orchestra pit. The vocal melody of this entire piece is
taken from Franz Shubert’s “The Elf King” (1815). Some intervals are unusual and
dissonant. Having the actors read about and
listen to “The Elf King” before performing this piece will be beneficial to
delivery and figurative comprehension.
This classical piece was chosen as it mirrors Onyx and Elvera’s
situation.
Song Context/Analysis: Onyx has just said that he wishes for Elvera to take
away all of his pain. Elvera warns him
that the change takes commitment, that he won’t be the same, and that he cannot
turn back. Onyx seems determined to
follow through with it…until Elvera says that he must stay in the Frost Forest
with her forever.
Script & Lyrics:
ACT I
SCENE VIII
INT.
FROST FOREST – NIGHT
ONYX
(pleading)
Please,
Elvera. Take away my feelings so I never
know pain. I shall become stronger than
ever!
ELVERA grins wickedly at his statement. The stage lights grow dim.
|
#25 |
Transformation |
(Elvera
and Onyx) |
When ELVERA begins singing, a spotlight shines on her, making her words seem like a declaration.
ELVERA
SO
YOU WANT TO CHANGE AND FEEL NO LOVE?
NOW
YOU MUST COMMIT TO STAY THAT WAY.
THIS
CHANGE IS UNIQUE.
YOU
WON’T BE THE SAME.
THIS
CHANGE IS LASTING.
YOU
CAN’T TURN BACK.
The stage lights resume to normal lighting, shining on both characters. During the musical interlude, ONYX contemplates his options before singing his ultimate reply.
ONYX
(V.O of his thoughts)
What if Rose was right? Should I let go of my fear? No, never! Fear can protect you.
OH
YES, I COMMIT TO ALL THAT YOU SAY!
JUST
TAKE THEM NOW, THESE FEELINGS I HAVE.
JUST
SAVE ME FROM ALL
THE
PAIN AND THE STRIFE.
I KNOW THIS WILL BE FOR THE BEST.
ELVERA
(spoken, laughing)
Hahahaha, that’s the spirit Onyx! I knew you’d see it my way…
MY
DEAR ONYX, COME CLOSER NOW.
LET
ME TAKE ALL OF YOUR PAIN AWAY.
AND
YOU WILL SEE HOW HAPPY YOU WILL BE
WITHOUT THOSE PESKY FEELINGS EVER GETTING IN YOUR WAY…
ONYX
I
KNOW THAT ELVERA!
JUST
TAKE THEM AWAY!
GIVE
ONLY COOLING COMFORT TO ME!
I’LL
BE FREE, AND NEVER GET HURT.
AND NEVER FEEL SAD EVER AGAIN…
ELVERA
OH,
YES YOU SHALL FEEL AS NEVER BEFORE
AND
NOT FEEL AGAIN, I’LL TELL YOU ONCE MORE.
YOU’LL
BE SO FREE THAT YOU’LL TOUCH THE SKY
AND
NOT EVEN CARE OR EVER HAVE TO CRY.
AND NOT EVEN HAVE TO TAKE TIME TO QUESTION WHY.
ONYX
ELVERA!
ELVERA!
IS
ALL YOU SAY TRUE?
DOES
LOVE POSE DANGER FOR ME AND YOU?
MY
QUEEN, MY QUEEN. FREE ME FROM THE
PAIN!
AND NEVER LET ME FEEL LOVE AGAIN…
ELVERA
(spoken amusedly)
You didn’t think I’d just take away your feelings
for free, did you? Magic always has a
price…
IT’S
TRUE; I’LL TAKE AWAY ALL OF YOUR FEAR.
NOW PAY, BY STAYING HERE FOREVER, MY DEAR!
ONYX
ELVERA!
ELVERA!
DON’T
DO THIS TO ME!
TAKE
ALL MY PAIN
BUT LET ME ROAM FREE…
ELVERA
(ELVERA laughs wickedly after ONYX’s lyric before
singing)
FREEDOM
IS FUTILE
FOR
YOU CHOSE THE COLD.
TO
CHOOSE THAT LIFE MEANS
THE
PRICE WILL BE BOLD!
TO
PAY, YOU MUST STAY HERE WITH ME.
BUT
TO BE KEPT SAFE AND WARM –
TRANSFORM.
At the end of the piece, ONYX trembles in fear at ELVERA’S final lyric.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Song 3 – SENSITIVE SUBJECT/ CONTENT WARNING:
Contains political dehumanization
Song Title: They’re
Barely Human
Show Name: The
Wolves of Winter
Character Name: Arcadio
and Rainard
Song High Note: E4
(Arcadio), D4 (Rainard)
Song Low Note: A-sharp 2 (Arcadio), G-sharp 2 (Rainard)
Tags: Up-tempo, Jazz, Swing, Two-Feel, Piano, Argumentative,
Controversial, Manipulation, Villain Song
Vocal Notes: Similarly to
“Transformation,” this piece is a debate where one person is trying to convince
the other to take their side. While
performing, be sure the spoken lines between singing are heard clearly as there
will be piano accompaniment. Be sure to
find the proper balance between Arcadio’s sincerity, manipulation tactics, and
comic relief. Try not to make Rainard
too angry. Remember his feelings
ultimately stem from grief.
Song Context/Analysis: Arcadio wants things to return as they once were with
Elvera ruling over the Winter Wolves.
Arcadio tries to convince Rainard to help him with this. Rainard wants nothing to do with the Wolves
and think it is best to leave them alone.
Script & Lyrics:
ACT II
SCENE III
INT. FROST FOREST –EVENING
ARCADIO
(darkly)
I feel that Queen Ivy is unfit to rule my Pack. I want to bring back Elvera and return the Winter Wolves to the Forest. That way, things can be as they once were.
RAINARD
(pondering,
scratching his chin)
Those wolves are monsters and have no place among humans. They chose a cursed life, and consequently, can never truly be human again. I remember when they buried my daughter, Rose. Those wolves bring tragedy, death, and destruction wherever they go!
ARCADIO
(persuasively,
putting an arm around RAINARD)
My thoughts exactly! Once you covet the cold, you’re past the point of no return.
|
#49 |
They’re
Barely Human |
(Arcadio
& Rainard) |
THEY’RE BARELY HUMAN
OH, DON’T YOU
SEE?
THEY’RE BARELY HUMAN
THEY’RE NOT AT
ALL LIKE YOU AND ME!
THEY’RE BARELY
HUMAN
THOSE WINTER
WOLVES
HAVE NO PLACE
AMONG US
LEAVE THEM OUT IN THE COLD.
RAINARD
(matter-of-factly)
I will always resent the Wolves, but it seems they have moved on. Perhaps it is best we do the same…(starts to turn away)
ARCADIO
No, never! What if they bring more pain and
destruction? And besides…(grabs RAINARD by the shoulders)
DON’T YOU WANT
TO GET BACK AT THEM
FOR WHAT THEY
DID? (releases him)
THOSE WICKED
WINTER WOLVES ATTACKED YOUR VERY OWN KID!
ONYX, HAWTHORNE
AND YOUR FRIEND OWYEN TOO
TRIED TO SEE
THE GOOD WITHIN THEM
THAT JUST WON’T DO!
RAINARD
(earnestly)
I don’t trust Onyx, but Owyen isn’t that bad. What exactly are you trying to say?
ARCADIO
(insistently)
BECAUSE THEY’RE
BARELY HUMAN
OH, DON’T YOU
SEE?
THEY’RE BARELY HUMAN
THEY’RE NOT AT
ALL LIKE YOU AND ME!
THEY’RE BARELY HUMAN
THOSE WINTER
WOLVES
HAVE NO PLACE
AMONG US
TAKE THEM TO THE QUEEN OF SNOW.
RAINARD
(with
surprise and concern)
What would Elvera do? She’s powerless! Do you know how to use her staff?
ARCADIO
(comedically
with a patronizing undertone, patting RAINARD’s head)
Please save all
questions and commentary until after the performance!
NOW WHO’S THE
ONE BEHIND THIS WHO YOU SHOULD REALLY BLAME;
THE CRAFTY
CANINE MASTERMIND OF ALL OF THIS SHAME?
THE ANSWER IS
BEFORE YOU. IT’S PLAIN TO SEE:
IT’S NOT ME, OR YOU…BUT QUEEN IVY!
RAINARD
(revelatory)
Maybe you’re right! If Onyx never ran after Ivy, Rose might still be alive.
ARCADIO
QUEEN IVY IS
THE ONE
WHO COULD HAVE
SAID NO
TO HER MISTRESS
ELVERA
WOW, THAT WOULD
CHANGE THE WHOLE SHOW!
SEE REASON,
RAINARD, AND FOLLOW MY LEAD!
DON’T YOU WANT
TO SAVE YOUR PEOPLE?
WHERE’S YOUR HUMANITY?
RAINARD
(angrily)
Who are you to question
me? You’re nothing more than a pawn in
this game of frozen hearts…
YOU WERE ONE OF
THEM
I’M SURE YOU
RECALL
CHASING ELVERA
EVERYWHERE
LIKE A DOG WITH A BALL
(grabs
the STAFF out of ARCADIO’s hands and gestures to it)
WHY SHOULD I
HELP YOU WHEN YOU’RE JUST LIKE THEM?
(points
the STAFF dramatically at ARCADIO)
YOU HAVE NO
PLACE AMONG US
WITH
FROZEN-HEART LUST!
(ARCADIO swipes the STAFF back and distances himself from RAINARD, clearly pondering his next move)
ARCADIO
BUT I’M HUMAN NOW!
RAINARD
NEVER TRUST A WOLF…
ARCADIO
TRUST ME, MY FRIEND!
RAINARD
MY DAUGTHER IS
DEAD!
IS WHAT YOU SAY TRUE?
ARCADIO
TRUST ME, AND
YOU’LL SEE.
QUEEN IVY IS TO BLAME. NOT ME!
(RAINARD walks towards STAGE LEFT to ponder what ARCADIO has said thus far. ARCADIO sings to following verse to himself out of earshot of the town master, caressing ELVERA’S STAFF obsessively)
MY DEAR ELVERA,
I’LL SEE YOU AGAIN
I WON’T BE
ALONE WITH NOTHING BUT MEMORIES OF SNOW.
MY DEAR ELVERA,
I’LL KILL IVY AND THEN BE THE WOLF KING
AND YOU SHALL BE MY QUEEN!
ARCADIO enthusiastically dances across the stage to RAINARD at STAGE LEFT.
(clearing this throat)
So, will you help me summon Elvera?
RAINARD
Why should I bring back the very person who caused so much pain?
ARCADIO scratches his chin thoughtfully at this. He suddenly grins wickedly, as if he has come up with the perfect plan to persuade the town master.
ARCADIO
(slyly)
If you summon Elvera, she can take you to see Rose.
RAINARD
(Breathless disbelief, with underlying
grief)
She can?
----------------------------------------------------
Song 4
Song Title: How
Do I Move on From The Past?
Show Name: The
Wolves of Winter
Character Name: Ivy
Song High Note: A5
Song Low Note: D-sharp 4
Tags: Ballad, Conflicted, Slow Tempo, Character
Song
Vocal Notes: Try not to have the
melody “drag along” and make Ivy seem like she’s whining about her
situation. Envision this piece as an
internal monologue that is sung aloud in an effort to gather thoughts together. Ivy ultimately wishes to come to an epiphany,
remember who she truly is, and become the best version of that. She wants to do this not only for her own
wellbeing, but also for those around her.
As a result of her confusion, the piece contains some dissonant passages
so be mindful of intonation.
Song Context/Analysis: Ivy has just run away from her family at the Ice
Castle. She knows that Arcadio and
Elvera want to capture her. She believes
that she’s protecting her family, however she left them rather confused and
hurt. She performs this piece in an
effort to understand her feelings and make amends with everyone, including
herself.
Script & Lyrics:
INT. FROST FOREST – NEARING MIDNIGHT
QUEEN IVY stands at CENTER STAGE, clearly overcome by fear. A spotlight shines on her dramatically, while the rest of the stage remains dim. The Queen is clearly at an impasse, and doesn’t know how to proceed.
|
|
How Do I Move on From The Past? |
(Queen
Ivy) |
QUEEN IVY
THE
PAST! MY PAST…
HOW
DO I MOVE ON FROM THE PAST?
AM
I TRULY FROZEN AT LAST?
I
KNOW LOVE IS STRONG, IT CANNOT BE WRONG.
I’LL
BE SAFE FROM THE QUEEN OF SNOW!
I
HEAR THEM, I SEE THEM
THE
WOLVES CALL ME FURTHER INSIDE!
IF
I FOLLOW THEM, WILL I DIE?
THESE
VISIONS AREN’T REAL! THERE’S TOO MUCH TO FEEL!
WOULD
I BE FREE AT LAST IN THE SNOW?
THE
FOREST OF WHITE SNOW
WAS
ONCE A PLACE THAT I CALLED HOME.
WINTER
WOLVES SHOULD BE DEAD
SO
WHY ARE THEY IN MY HEAD?
THE
PAST! MY PAST…
I
HAVE TO MOVE ON FROM THE PAST!
FROZEN
HEARTS, I KNOW, DO NOT LAST.
THE
SNOW QUEEN HAUNTS ME AND WANTS ME TO FREEZE
BUT
I KNOW THAT LOVE CONQUERS ALL!
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