These are the first two scenes of my original
musical based on the story Germelshausen
written by Friedrich Gerstacker
CAUTION: Professionals and amateurs are hereby warned
that Germelshausen the Musical being fully protected by
the copyright laws of the United States,the
British Empire including the Dominion of Canada, and all other
countries of the copyright union,is subject to royalty.All rights,
including professional, amateur, motion picture,
recitation, lecturing, public reading, radio and television
broadcasting, and the rights of translation into a
foreign language are strictly reserved. Particular
emphasis is laid on the question of reading, permission
for which must be obtained in writing from the author,
All inquiries should be addressed to the author
Michele Gifford, 505 Meeting House Ln, Cottageville, SC 29435
(or on the internet at [email protected])
CHARACTERS
MR.MASTOFF..........................Gallery owner,age 50's
ARNOLD.................................Young artist,age 23
ARNOLD............................................age 70's
WOODSMAN................................Woodsman! age 30's
GERTRUD ..................................Heroine! age 19?
TILLY.............................Gertrud's cousin,age 25?
MAYOR ..........................Gertrud's father,age 60's?
MATILDA.....................Gertrud's aunt,Mayor's sister,
age late 60's?
SALLY........................Gertrud's cousin,twin to Bub,
age 11?
BUB.................Gertrud's cousin,twin to Sally age 11?
FRIEDRICH ..............................Villager,age 40's?
WIFE . ....................Friedrich's wife,age late 30's?
SERVANT.....................Arnold's servant,age late 60's
GALLERY PATRON'S, VILLAGER'S
ACT 1
Scene 1: Mastoff�s Gallery in NYC
turn of the century
Scene 2: Countryside outside of Germelshausen on
a sunny summer morning.
Scene 3: On the streets of Germelshausen.
Scene 4: Mayor's cottage
Scene 5: Cemetary
Scene 6: Town square
ACT 2
Scene:1: Town square: evening
Scene 2: Cottage: a couple hours later
Scene 3: Arnold's home: many years later
GERMALSHAUSEN
ACT 1
SCENE 1
(Overture)
As audience enter they see a sign saying,�MASTOFF�S
OF NEW YORK� and individually lit paintings on the front
of proscenium curtain representing a prestigious art gallery.
During overture gallery patrons enter singly or in pairs to
inspect the paintings.By their dress we can tell that they are
wealthy elite in the late 1800's.
When the time for the opening number approaches more
gather until the music is silenced. MR.MASTOFF,
the gallery owner, comes on stage shaking patron's hands
as he works his way
to the center of the gathering. When HE arrives
at center HE taps on a small table and speaks...
MR. MASTOFF: Ladies and gentlemen! Attention, please!
Attention!
(Conversation dies down and everyone directs attention
to Mr.MOSTAFF)
We at Mastoff gallery
Welcome all our loyal guests
We appreciate your interest
And your numerous requests.
So to satisfy your prompting
Without ado or pause
You now have here before you
The paintings of Arnold Klaus.
(applause)
Herr Klaus became a recluse
Not much is known of the man
Except for the story of Germelshausen
What's known is second-hand
By those who commissioned portraits made
Someone who saw a mural
He knew a little fame in life
Yet did not revel in it
These paintings that you see here
Were found at his studio
When clearing out his cottage
About three years ago.
Without ever being married
And no family to claim them
They were donated by executors
To the Bonn museum.
Along with these paintings was found
Herr Klass' diary
It reveals the legend of a village
Steeped in mystery.
The legend of this village-
Is one of dreaded pain-
Unjustly persecuted-
For throwing off the diocese rein-
As our ancestors before us-
They sought the light of day-
The church was far too restrictive-
They'd worship their own way.
The village was very pious-
And thought to do no wrong-
Yet the Bishop he did curse them-
For his hatred was very strong.
Although he died the next day-
The curse could not be stopped-
So the doomed souls of Germalshausen-
Vanished into a murky bog.
SPOKEN:
The legend says that once-
Every hundred years the town-
Would rise...
Before I retell the tale-
Concerning punishment extreme-
Envision a beautiful valley-
And a young man with a dream.
BLACKOUT
ACT 1
SCENE 2
Germany
(1808)
ARNOLD is walking through the countryside carrying
knapsack and portfolio. It is a beautiful,sunny day in
summer.In the near distance a valley can be seen.A path
is seen running up to the valley from off of the main road.
There is a signpost pointing down the main road to
Wickersbahn. A stream is indicated further up the footpath
by which there is a rock big enough to sit on. A log lays
at the base of the backdrop of the valley.ARNOLD'S clothes
are well-tailored yet worn. HE is obviously weary for HIS
steps are slow. Making a decision,HE leaves the main road
and starts along the footpath. HE stops at a stream and
drinks,wets his face and then looking up...
ARNOLD: Spectacular! A feast for a weary man's eyes!A sight
to quicken a tired man's soul! A detour of a life
time!Surely one more sketch, sleepy fingers, before we rest!
(Arnold tosses his pack down, gets out his pen and
pad from the portfolio, and drops down on a rock to draw.
From off in the distance is heard...)
WOODSMAN: TIMBER!
(Arnold looks towards the sound)
ARNOLD: Greetings stranger!
WOODSMAN: (closer)Here now my laddy,what are you doing
about in this vacinity?(comes up and looks at sketch
book in Arnold's lap) An artist I see! Can't recall ever
seeing an artist 'ere abouts!
ARNOLD: An artist I am,now capturing this beautiful
scenery for my portfolio!The names Arnold Klaus.(Arnold
looks at Woodsman questionly and offers his hand)
WOODSMAN: Durn,sorry,no manners!How do you do!
I'm called Woodsman by my friends, and I cut timber in the
forest 'ereabouts!
ARNOLD: (revived and cheerful)Greetings,woodsman,on
this lovely morning of this lovely day!
WOODSMAN: Poof!You wouldn't be saying that if it were
you that just chopped enough wood for a dozen fires in
a dozen households and it not yet noon! (grins)TIMBER!
(swings ax)That means Look Out! Only lovely thing about
work is that it gives a body an excuse to tip a few on
payday! A few gimlets for the gizzard, I always say!
(slaps Arnold on the back.Puts HIS ax down,then bends
to get himself a drink)
ARNOLD: (smiling)Truly, I'm sure it does! Yet I prefer
to keep my head on straight! I never know when I may run
across one of those...Rembrant moments!
WOODSMAN: Woah! A lad too ambitious to enjoy a evenings
entertainment?
Incredible!Indeed you are too ambitious
if you can't tarry now and again for
a lick of ale!
I can search back my entire life and
not recall a lad
to equal you! I myself live well
enough without much ambition!
(gets a piece of jerky
from shatchel and offers
some to Arnold who declines)
ARNOLD:(waving away the offer, preoccupied)
Ambition is a wonderful attribute!
You can't accompilish too much without
it!
[A LITTLE ADO ABOUT EVERYTHING]
ARNOLD:
If ol' Bill Shakespeare lacked ambition-
Where would Hamlet be?
A wee doddlin' baby still-
On his uncles' knee?
And what of alter-bound Romeo?
Where is his fair Juliet?
Still giggling with her nurse maid-
A female only tete-a-tete!
Consider the nasty witches brew-
Say you what of that?
A sweet,syrupy concoction?
A bland,tasteless pap?
Would Henry have even bothered-
Conquer France with his mighty sword.
Or would he hang about the throneroom-
Staring down advisers,being bored?
WOODSMAN:
Agreed Shakespeare had ambition-
That's plain as plain can be-
Yet,I am no great laurate-
I'm happy being me!
ARNOLD:
But what of articulate Benedict-
Whatever his last resort-
When to his banter poor Beatrice-
Could offer no retort?
Of course without ambition-
His loyalist of fans might laugh-
At a little ado about everything-
Or King Henry four and a half!
WOODSMAN:
This is too damn ridiculious-
You've dove off and gone SPLAT-
Please,you far-sighted ambitionist-
Spare me all of that!
ARNOLD: I will be a great artist.Known far and wide
for my paintings!
WOODSMAN: Well-known!I'm happy that the inn-keeper
knows my name!A mug of ale, a dance, a song, some
strange frauline 'ere I get the chance! Now that's
what I'm known for!
ARNOLD: Surely that can't be enough!Not for me it's
not!I don't want to pass through this life leaving
nothing to show others I was here!
WOODSMAN: A few will know I've been here.I've left
many a broken heart in my wake! A few broke heads too!
ARNOLD: (passionately)I have a dream,an ambition;
I'm on a quest to leave a mark on this world. To
be a sucess in this life, and after, is what
I'm striving for!
WOODSMAN: (patronizing,even more passionately)Then
you would be rich!
ARNOLD: (catches himself and laughs)Artists are
never rich,and most aren't even famous until long
after they're dead!
WOODSMAN: Then you do work far too hard for something
you won't get to enjoy! Me? I'll take my satisifactions
now thank-you and to hell with later.
(Laughs with Arnold,then...
squinting up at sky)Well enough of this
fodderoll. It's getting late and I have
a date with a mug
of ale for lunch!But before I go...
ARNOLD: So soon?I'm sorry to hear that for I've
quite enjoyed your company...and I so would have
wished to get you to sit for me?
WOODSMAN: (ignoring Arnold)About why I stopped...
When I saw you here,looking as if you might head deeper
into the valley...well I'm no alarmist but...
ARNOLD: I think I'd better sit for this!
WOODSMAN: There is something you should be aware of...
ARNOLD: That expression! I'll capture it!(starts
sketching)
WOODSMAN: Arnold! This is important!
ARNOLD: Go right ahead. Don't mind me...
(Woodsman looks on disgustly, then wanders off a
little distance scratching his head. He returns)
WOODSMAN: (almost comically dire)
Now listen, on the serious side-
In as much as I'd agree with you -
That the valley is indeed beautiful-
You may find it torturous too-
For farther along the footpath-
Right past a hollow log-
The way you'll find impossible-
For it turns into a bog!
ARNOLD: That's helpful to know (looks down path)
Yet, there's still a ways to go...
WOODSMAN:
If you venture deeper in-
Make sure that you take care-
For 'tis a well-known fact-
People disappear in there!
ARNOLD: I'm certain to be cautious then.
WOODSMAN: (squats down in front of Arnold,persisting)
It's said that strange things happen-
In the swamp beyond the log-
Unearthly things that creep about-
Amist an orange fog-
And what is even more-
Difficult to ken-
And in this I would not lie-
'Tis said to be so bad in the swamp-
An immortal would-
Want to die!
ARNOLD: (looks up suspiciously at him)
If I may inquire-
Assuming this foolery is true-
Then why,the bog being so close-
Am I here talking to you?!
WOODSMAN: (caught)
I myself daren't come so near-
If I had not seen you here...
I only thought to warn you...Only thought to inform you.
ARNOLD: Strange things in this gorgous place?
On such a wonderous morning?
GERTRUD: (in wonder and exaultation)
Birds, trees, whisper of leaves-
My glorious wonder world-
Oh, dawn, oh, wonderous light-
Perfumed, freshened breeze!
Clouds, sky, flapping wings-
Splendid, awesome world-
Oh, noon, oh how bright
All of God's creation sings!
(ARNOLD and WOODSMAN hear the singing. They get up
to peer around and see Gertrud.Arnold is facinated.
Woodsman is amused with Arnolds' reaction,but leary
about situation)
WOODSMAN: I don't know about this, laddie. Remember
what I was saying?
ARNOLD: Now you're being rediculious! Besides, I
thought you were the one up to an adventure with
a strange
frauline?
WOODSMAN: Well I am, but...I'll let you handle this one.
(clapping him on shoulder)
It's good to see your
ambition hasn't left you any less a man!
(laughs)Well
I'll be offthen.(Arnold distractedly tell him good-bye)
Remember,Timber means look-out!
(The WOODSMAN walks off.ARNOLD creeps closer to the
place where Gertrud is and starts sketching her)
[DEAREST FRIEND]
GERTRUD: (now meloncholy)
How long I've desired to see you-
My most dearest of friends-
So 'oft I've cried to be near to you-
To taste your love and then-
Drink in all of your glory-
You alone knows my sad story-
This time with you my life depends-
I could'nt carry on without you-
Couldn't carry on without you.
My loads are ever weightier-
Heavy burdens hard to bear-
Which leaves me increasingly mindful-
Ever so much aware-
Of just how often I need you-
To feel that you still care-
To bask in your association-
Just to be reminded you're still there-
To be reminded you're still there.
How I've long desired to see you-
My most dearest of friends-
So 'oft I've cried to be with you-
To taste your love and then-
Drink in all your peace!
(ARNOLD walks into her path,and GERTRUD accidently
bumps into him sending his sketchbook flying. Almost
falling herself, ARNOLD grabs her to steady her.A spark
passes between them and GERTRUD stares at his hands on
her shoulders as if astonished to find them there.)
GERTRUD: (embarrased, breaking the trance)Oh,dear !
Let me...I apoligize for my clumsiness.(stoops to
help him gather his drawings)I am surely at fault
for not paying attention to where I walked. I do
hope I haven't hurt you.
ARNOLD: No, you haven't,Frauline! I hardly felt
a thing. At least not a painful thing!
GERTRUD: Sir you flatter me so that I find I
have nothing to say except to again offer my
apoligies. I suppose I
was lost in a daydream.
ARNOLD: Dreaming no doubt about that beau you
were singing of a moment ago.
GERTRUD: (surprised and embarrased)You embarrass
me sir,for I had imagined that I was alone here.
But no,you are wrong,it was not of a beau that
I sang. I have no beau.
ARNOLD: I see.Now I apoligize.A girl as beautiful
as you singing so longingly made me certain 'twas
a love song.
GERTRUD: It was a love song of sorts,Isuppose.
I was singing of the beauty of this place.
ARNOLD: It is no wonder. This place is beautiful
enough to inspire song. I had been noticing the
beauty myself.
(Bell is heard faintly from the village.
The sound is discordant)
GERTRUD: (looking towards village)Hark! The bell
rings. They are just now leaving church.
ARNOLD: Now your bell on the other hand is not
so beautiful. It would seem that your bell is
cracked. It doesn't ring
true.
GERTRUD: It does not have a pleasant sound,does it?
We had meant to have it recast a long time ago,
but we have little money, and far littler time.
Yet,it is sufficient for our purpose. We understand
what it means when it rings.
(Both listen as bell rings out the eleventh hour)
ARNOLD: What is the name of your village? And even
more importantly, what is your name?
GERTRUD: We call our village Germalshausen. And
my name, though not as important as you say, is Gertrud
Bertrold.
ARNOLD: I'm so pleased to meet you dearest Gertrud!
My name is Arnold!Dearest frauline, may I inquire
to know if you have an inn in your village where
I might get a good meal,perhaps a bath,and after
you've taken me on a tour,a
decent night's rest? For I find that in my
anticipation I haved walked the night through
with nary a bite to eat.
GERTRUD: There is enough food to be had. Warm
water for bathing too,but a decent nights rest
could be quite a
problem.
ARNOLD: (teasing)What? Are there are no rooms
at the inn?
GERTRUD: (from a thousand miles away)Something
about that...(catches herself)The dance. There
is to be a dance at the inn tonight. Surely you
would get no rest, for the whole village will be
there and we are anything but quiet.
ARNOLD: Then I suppose that after a meal I will
have to be off to Wickersbahn. That is where I
was going when I discovered this path. I have been
told that in that town there is a church that would
make a splendid painting.
GERTRUD: I couldn't help noticing your drawings.
That would explain it.
ARNOLD: Pardon me?
GERTRUD: Your hands.
ARNOLD: My hands?
GERTRUD: By your hands I would have said that
you did no work.
ARNOLD: (studies hands and grinning at her)Quite
right! See here!(pulls out sketch of her)This is
how I work!
GERTRUD: Is this me? This is how I look to you?
(HE nods)I have never had a likeness done of me before.
ARNOLD: That's a shame! With a face like yours'there
should be hundreds made,so the world might enjoy your
beauty also. Yet,a painting by a mere mortal could
never catch your true spirit. I see something there
that seems wonderous, and yet, I find I can not
fathom it. (Stares at her,then realizes she
embarrassed again,changes subject)Some day I hope
for my paintings to become famous. I would love to
be known around the world for what I do.
GERTRUD: I wish I could know,be known like that.
ARNOLD: But you could. Anyone can. My master, when
I was an apprentice of course,always said, "To be
sucessful, all it takes is a modicrum of talent,
years of hard work,and above all else, for God
to be on your side!"
GERTRUD: (wistfully,almost sadly)On my side.
I dearly wish that I could feel as if he were
on my side.
ARNOLD: (concerned, he cups her chin in his hand)
You speak so solemnly when you say that. I know
you have God on your side.You seem so good you
would have to.
GERTRUD: Being good does not always save you
from the things that are bad.
ARNOLD: I suppose that is true.
GERTRUD: ( sadly, turning to leave)I really
must be getting back now. They are holding dinner for me.
(She starts to walk away. Arnold grabs his things
and goes after her)
ARNOLD: (confused about her change of attitude)
Wait! If you would be kind enough to show me the
way to the inn
I would be grateful.
GERTRUD: Oh, yes. I am very sorry. I will
take you there.(reconcidering)No on second thought,
you will come home with me to my father's house.
You will be welcome to dine with us and then I will
take you on that tour of our village.
ARNOLD: That's very generous of you, yet I'm not
sure...
GERTRUD: Oh please! Father will be glad when he
hears you are an artist.He will probably try to
convince you to stay with us awhile so that you
could touch up the murals in the church. They
are so old and faded.(cheering) Well anyway,you
will have a hard time refusing him, for father
is the mayor of Germelshausen.
ARNOLD: I suppose then I mustn't refuse such
a kind offer from the Mayor's beautiful daughter!
GERTRUD: This way then...along the path a short
way past that hollow log.
(They walk along the path exiting past the log.
WOODSMAN, who had been watching all along spies
the village.He shouts to Arnold, "Laddie, Laddie,
Timber, Timber!" but Arnold does not hear. WOODSMAN
looks towards the village,turns back towards main
road, crosses himself, and follows)
(BLACK OUT FOR SET CHANGE*,COME UP WITH MISTY,
ORANGEISH EFFECT)
Copyright 1995-2008 by Mickey Knapp-Gifford
Ready for Scene 3?
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