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SYNOPSIS

THE PERILS OF PENELOPE

The show begins with a prologue presenting the conventions of melodrama, including booing the villain and cheering the hero, ending with the song. “Everybody Loves to Hate the Villain.”

Act 1, Scene 1: Penelope Parker and her mother live in a cabin in the wilds of Minnesota. Penelope is in love with a forest ranger, “Forest Ranger,” Nelson Noble, but villainous Sylvester Snide has his eye on her – especially because he knows the Parker homestead is worth millions, “I Know What You’re Looking For.” During the first scene, we learn that Mrs. Parker’s brother has died and left her valuable property in Florida. The will is intercepted by Snide who adds a phrase at the end requiring Penelope to marry him or the inheritance will be invalidated. Nelson arrives ready to ask her to marry him, but she turns him down because of the will. He peruses it and discovers that the added phrase is in blue ink (not black), is clearly written by a right-handed person (as opposed to the rest of the will) and that the ink is still wet. Having been found out, Snide scowls and exits, leaving Nelson to propose again. When Penelope protests saying it is so sudden, Nelson leaves despondent. He leaves and Penelope and her mother go to bed. Snide returns carrying a bouquet and a note; he puts them on the table and turns on the radio which crackles a warning of an approaching blizzard as the scene ends.

Act 1, Scene 2: The next morning, Penelope enters, turns off the radio and notices the flowers and the note. Signed “NN,” the note is a good-bye letter from Nelson. Penelope decides she needs to stop him, especially because of the approaching blizzard. As she leaves and passes the window, Snide sneaks up behind her, puts a bag over her head and drags her away. A few moments later he enters, drugs her mother, takes her to her bedroom and waits for Nelson to appear. When Nelson does appear, “You, You, You,” Snide tells him she has gone into the blizzard to search for him. After Nelson leaves to find Penelope, Snide goes to the barn and “rescues” Penelope. Still concerned about the weather, she turns on the radio, which crackles that Penelope is missing and Nelson is looking for her. Suddenly there is a sound from the bedroom, and she exits to check on her mother. Realizing that he is about to be found out, Snide starts to leave when Noble returns. Snide hides under the table as Nelson enters the front door and Penelope and her mother enter from the bedroom. “Sylvester Snide.” After they discover Snide, a chase ensues with Snide finally captured. He points to Mrs. Parker and says, “Watch out!” and when Nelson turns to look, Snide escapes. A few moments later, Snide is blown by the wind past the window. Nelson proposes again and the act ends with Penelope’s acceptance.

Act 2, Scene 1: It is Penelope and Nelson’s wedding day. They and Mrs. Parker are waiting for the minister when there is a knock on the door. It is not the minister; it is Snide. He reveals that the blizzard blew him to a cabin in the woods where his childhood nanny had lived. He found a note she had written saying that she had accidentally mixed up two children long ago and never confessed. Snide is actually Nelson, and Nelson is actually Snide. Immediately, Nelson takes on Snide’s characteristic sneer and voice, and Snide sounds and looks like a hero. Penelope is confused because she is supposed to marry Nelson, but now Nelson is Snide. “What Shall I Do?” Mrs. Parker suggests she flip a coin. When Snide (now Nelson) wins every toss, Nelson (now Snide) leaves. Penelope decides to postpone the wedding for a few days and retreats to her bedroom with Mrs. Parker. After Snide (Nelson) leaves, Nelson (Snide) returns to look at the letter. Penelope returns to find him there and accuses him of deceiving her. “I Thought I Knew You.” After they leave, Snide (Nelson) returns with a lantern and a map. He starts tapping on the floor. Listening for hollow sounds as the scene ends.

Act 2, Scene 2: Lights come up on Snide (Nelson) still tapping on the floor, but with the room in total disarray. He looks at the map again, comes to a realization and starts toward the stove. As he looks at it, a noise at the door alerts him and he hides. Nelson (Snide) enters as Snide (Nelson) exits behind him slamming the door. Penelope enters and sees Nelson (Snide) standing in the disheveled room and accuses him of messing up the house. Snide (Nelson) returns and is shocked by what he sees. Nelson (Snide) exits. Snide (Nelson) wants to talk about the wedding, but Mrs. Parker protests and Snide (Nelson) leaves. Penelope discovers the map he left behind; it shows that the Lost Swede Gold Mine is located below her house. She immediately becomes obsessed with finding it and when Nelson (Snide) returns, she demands him to tell her where the entrance is. “Gold!” She returns to her senses after her mother slaps her. Nelson (Snide) has come to say good-bye and confesses he has no memory of ever being Sylvester Snide. Penelope decides to try to hypnotize him to help regain his memory. As she has him concentrate on a necklace, Snide (Nelson) appears at the window. He watches the necklace and falls down outside the door. With both Snide and Nelson in a trance, she finally discovers that Snide was always Snide and Nelson was always Nelson. She awakens Nelson and he helps tie up Snide. Then she asks Snide where the entrance to the gold mine is. He reveals the secret, and she awakens him. All ends happily as Nelson and Penelope embrace as Snide remains tied up waiting for the sheriff.

Notes

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The PERILS of PENELOPE Casting and Vocal Ranges

Nelson Noble

Stereotypical hero. Nelson is a forest ranger who always wears his uniform including ranger hat. He is in love with Penelope. He is mild-mannered and always wants to do what is right.

Tenor. Age 25-30. Vocal Range: D3 Low - F#4 High (one song A2)

Sylvester Snide

Stereotypical villain. He always dresses in black, including a cape and top hat. He is self-centered, vain, sinister and sarcastic. He only wants what is good for him.

Baritone. Age 25-35. Vocal Range: B2 Low - F#4 High

Penelope Parker

Stereotypical heroine. She is in love with Nelson and dreams of mar-rying him, She is naïve, shallow and not exceptionally smart.

Soprano. Age 21-28. Vocal Range: C4 Low - F5 High (1 song opt. A5)

Mrs. Parker

Penelope’s mother. She is always in an antique wheelchair with a full back so she cannot be seen when facing upstage, which she al-ways does. All that can be seen of her is her hair and occasionally her hands. She can be played by anyone of any age or gender.

Does not sing.

NOTE: In the first scene, the mailman brings a letter; only his/her arm is seen; could be played by Nelson actor.

NOTE: The Piano Player or Conductor interacts with actors several times throughout the show.

Notes

To save the script to your computer click with the right mouse button. A small menu should appear select "save target as" or "save to your computer," or "save link as." The exact text may vary depending on your browser.