Charlotte's Web Act I

8/16/2019 Charlotte's Web Act I

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CHARLO'ITE'S

W

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***

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Produced by special arrangement with

TIlE DRAMATIC PUBUSHING

COMPANY

of Woodstock. Dlinois

Book CMCMLXXXIX by

JOSEPH ROBINETIE

Music and Lyrics CMCMLXXXIX by

CHARLES STROUSE

Based upon the work Charlotte's Web by

E.B. WHITE

Printed in the United States of America

A ll R ig ht s R e se rv ed

(CHARLOTI'E'S WEB)

ISBN0-87129-158-0

A Fu ll -Leng th Mu si ca l

For Four to Nine Men, Five to Ten Women,

Flexible Ensemble Group

CHARACIERS

FERN ARABLE , .. , , •.....•... •..... a

young

girl

JO HN ARABLE

her father

MARTHA A RA BL E ......••......•....... her mother

VERY ARABLE ..• .. • .• . .• . .. . . •. . .. . . .

her brother

,••..•mR ZUC KERMAN

her uncle

:U

ZUC KE RMAN •••.••..•............ her aunt

It

VY

a

hired hand

11 .IUlR •... ....... ..........••...•........•. a

pig

ItMI .BTON •.•............................•.. 8

rat

I A H f ) J m••••.•...................•..•.. a

spider

ll.tlANIlIu{, SHEEP, LAMB •...• f arm animal s



VOCAL SELECTIONS

ACI.l

-WHAT A MORNIN' .•..•.......... Doc, Sadie, Lurvy

BREAKFASf AT ARABLES ., .•.....•• Fern, Martha,

Avery, John

WILBUR .......•.......••..............•..... .Fern

-EATING ............•...............•..•.... Wilbur

NICE TO MEET YOU Goose, Gander,

Templeton, Lamb, Sheep

WHO SAYS WE CAN'T BE FRIENDS? .. ..•. Charlotte,

Wilbur

SUMMER .........•... Homer, Edith, Wilbur, Chorus

CHARLOlTE'S SPINNING SONG ......•.. Charlotte,

Bat, Owl, Templeton

-FREEDOM NOW Wilbur, Animals, Charlotte

SOME PIG Homer, Lurvy, Sheep, Charlotte, Lamb

-MAMA, YOU OON'T UNDERSTAND ME .... , . Fern,

Martha

COUNfY FAIR (and Act I FINALE) Lurvy,

Animals, Chorus

scm

REPRISE: COUNTY FAIR (Act n OPENING) . .. Chorus

DON'T Fern, Avery

YOU'RE YOU Charlotte

REPRISE: WILBUR Announcer, Chorus

FINALE Chorus

-These selecti ons are optional. The lyrics have been

omitted from the script. However, the music and lyr ics do

appear in the vocal score and may be reinserted if de-

sired-see production notes for details.

ACT ONE

(Music #A. OVERTURE)

(NOTE :

A prologue,

Music

1.

WHAT A

MORNIJVG,

may be used at thi s point, if desired - see production

notes.)

NE: The front yard of the Arable's farm. MARTHA

moves garments f rom a clothesline, folds them and

l tt

them into a basket which is held by

FERN ,

who is

'I/I111UUlDouslyeading a book. - ~ - -- - ~

10#lA. BREAKFAST AT ARABLES )

'·'NnW.

fl V o

plates .)



CHARLOTTE'S WEBage 6 Act

AVERY (to MARTHA).

WHY'S HER OMELET BIGGER THAN MINE IS?

(He setsthe plates down and picks up an air rifle.)

FERN to

A VERY).

BET'CHADON'T KNOW WHAT EIGHTEEN

TIMES NINE IS.

MARTHA (speaking). Shh Your father's resting.

(Singing.)

MUST YOU TWO BE SO NOISY?

I THINK IT'S BOISE.

FERN (speaking). What's Boise?

MAR THA. The capital of Idaho.

FERN. Why isPapa res ting?

MARTHA. Some pigs were born out in the hog house

las t night . Your father was up late deliver ing them.

AVERY. Aww Why didn't he wake me up?

(JOHN enters. He tarries an axe.)

JOHN. Morning all. Martha. (Singing.)

YOU KIDS BETTER HURRY UP AND GET DONE.

(Speaking.)

Avery-

(Singing.)

BE EASIER EATIN' WITHOUT THAT GUN.

(He exit sas A VERY sets down the rifle and picks up the

plates.)

FERN.

WHY IS PAPA GOING OUT?

~

Act I

CHARLOITE'S WEB

Page

7

MARlHA

NOTHING YOU KIDS NEED KNOW ABOUT.

FERN.

WHY'S HE NOT HAVING ms BREAKFAST

wrrausz

ALWAYS EATSmS BREAKFAST

J~

omothing out in the

1II0th llI out in tho hog

NO AN AXE THERE WIm

lh-

NO AN AXE THERE WIm

IN), Well, one of the pigs is a runt

ur

fatber bas decided to do

Ihlll, Ju s t because he's smaller

n to kill him. Papa

.ht. The pig would



Page 8 CHARLOTIE'S WEB Act I

(WILBUR, a young pig, runs into the yard. He looks

about fra ntically.)

JOHN's VOICE

(offstage).

Where'd he go? How'd he get

away?

( FE RN r un s to W IL BUR.)

FERN. I can't let him do this to you.

( JOHN e nt er s c ar ry in g t h e a xe. F ER N shie ld s WI LBUR .

She sings.)

FERN.

PAPA DON'T KILL HIM, IT'S SO UNFAIR

'SPOSIN' THAT I'D BEEN REAL SMALL AT

BIRTH,

WHAT WOULD YOU DO TIlEN?

WOULD YOU HAVE KILLED ME?

JOHN

(speaking).

Certainly not. But a little girl is one

thing, a runty pig's another.

FERN. I see no difference. This is the most terrible case

of injustice I 've ever seen.

(W ILBUR nod s v ig or ou sl y. )

MARlHA Fern

(Hop e le ss ly t o JOHN .)

John

(FERN

an d WILBUR /o ld t he ir h a nd s p le ad in gl y. )

JOHN

( a fter a pause).

Oh... al1right. I'll let you take care

of i t for a l it tle while.

(W ILBUR co ll ap se s i n r el ie f)

FERN

(hugging JOHN).

Thank you, Papa

MARlHA You can start him on a bottle, l ike a baby. I'll

go look for one.

( Sh e exits.}

FERN. What a cute little pig.

( Sh e h ug s WI LBUR.)

AVERY. You call that miserable thing a pig?

(WILBUR

is offended.)

He's nothing but a runt.

( W IL BUR u ns uc -

c e ss fu ll y a tt emp ts a h e-man p o se . AVERY lau g hs .)

JOHN. Come and eat your breakfast, Avery.

Act

CHARLQTI'E'S WEB Page 9

FERN. I 'm going to have such a

good

time with this little

pig.

AVERY. Can I have a p ig, too, Pop?

JOHN. No. I only distribute pigs to those who are trying

to rid the world of injustice. Let's eat.

(He and A VERY

ex it as

M AR TH A stick s her h ea d o ut

of 'he house.}

,TH A .

Fern, honey, I found a baby bottl e. I'll pour

111 0 warm milk in it. Bring your pig in and give him

breakfast. Say, what's his name, anyway?

h y

1 don't know.

lurry in now and eat your breakfast.

(She

(Music #IB. WILBUR )

T TIlE RIGHT NAME FOR IDM.

YOU GET GOES WITII YOU ALL

,IFE .



Act I CHARLOTJ'E'S WEBHARLOTI'E'S WEB Act Iage 10

(Singing.)

GOT TO FIND A NAME, PERFECf FOR MY

PIG •••

(Speaking rapidly.)

Willy? No. Willard, Howard, Filbert? Wilbert?

(WILBUR s ig na ls t ha t s he s ho ul d s ho rt en t he n ame .)

Wilbur?·

(H e n od s v ig or ou sl y. FERN s in gs .)

WILBUR WILBUR

WILBUR, AS LONG AS I'M WHERE I AM

WILBUR, YOU NEVER WILL BE A HAM.

FIN' lLY SOMEBODY TO BABY, IT'S SO NICE,

SEE THAT CURL TAIL, PINK. EYES, WORDS

FAIL

WILBUR, I 'VE GOT GREAT FOLKS AND TRUE

FRIENDS,

BUT TIlEY DON'T HAVEA CLUE,

NEED SOMEONE TO HOW,

NEED SOMEONE TO SCOW,

NEED A WILBUR UKE YOU

( They dance .)

FIN'lLY SOMEBODY TO BABY, IT'S SO NICE,

SEE THAT CURL TAIL, PINK EYES, WORDS

FAIL

WILBUR, I'VE GOT GREAT FOLKS AND TRUE

FRIENDS,

BUT THEY DON'T HAVEA CLUE,

I NEED SOMEONE TO HOLD,

I NEED SOMEONE TO SCOLD,

I NEED AWILBUR LIKE YOU

Page 11

(NOTE: Music 2. EATING may be used at this

point,

if

d e si re d- se e p ro du ct io n n o te s. ]

(JOHN

enters

carrying a

slop bucket.

MARTHA

follows

him , ho lding a b ab y b ot tl e. )

yo u

go , p ig. Tim e for a nice bucket of s lops .

lI'l'IIA. John, Ilhink we should start him on a baby

1 1 1 1 1 1 . ( Il I l JI i l v tile bottle to WILBUR who sucks on

htm up

a whole lot quick-

r o WILBUR who

delight-

f

w i t JO l-iN catching it,

IN catches It.)

't

sell him. You just

a n him-

I.)



Page 12 CHARLOTfE'S WEB Act I

FERN. I t's not funny. He

can

talk, you know.

MARTIIA. Oh, Fern. What an imagination ALL

exit.)

(Music #2A. INCIDENTAL: GOING TO TIlE

ZUCKERMANS,,)

(The scene changes to the Zuckerman bam which con-

tains a large spider web. A moment later, HOMER

ZUCKERMAN enters with his wife, EDITH, and

LURW, a hired hand. HOMER carr ies a pig trough,

LURW holds an armload of straw and EDITH has a

broom.)

EDTIH. Homer Zuckerman, I want to know where you

plan to keep that pig.

HOMER

(setting the trough down).

Right over here in the

barn, Edith. Lurvy, go out there and patch up that

piece of fence that's coming down.

LURVY

(setting the straw down).

Sure thing, Mr. Zucker-

man.

(He ex it s .}

HOMER

(calling to LURW).

And sl ide that door back so

the pig can't get in there where the cows are.

LURVY

(offstage).

Sure thing, Mr. Zuckerman.

EDITH. Well, I just hope this pig's not going to be more

trouble than it's worth.

HOMER. Now, I couldn't turn down Fern, could I? She

seemed so desperate.

(LURW is heard hammering off-

stage.)

Anyway, she only asked s ix dollars for i t. When

the pig ge ts big enough to ki ll and eat, he'll be worth a

lot more than six dollars.

EDTIH (cleaning up). Ugh. Dirt, spider webs ...

HOMER. Perfect for a pig.

FERN (offstage). Uncle Homer Aunt Edith

Act

CHARLOTIE'S

W EB

Page 13

EDITH. Here they are.

(FERN enters with WILBUR.)

ERN. Hi. This is Wilbur~

.lIOMBR (laughing).

Oh, he has a name, does he?

. ~:'~~J .~,.:?,~. .,.': ~; .,*~.,



Page 14

CHARLO'ITE'S WEB

Act I

GOOSE. The Goose.

WD..BUR. Oh. Hi, Goose.

GOOSE. And this is my friend, the Gander, Gander,

Gander.

WD..BUR. But

only see one Gander. You int roduced

me to three.

GOOSE. No, no, no.

GANDER. We tend

to

repeat, repeat, repeat ourselves.

GOOSE. Do you have a name ... besides pig ?

WD..BUR. Yes . They call me Wllbur.

TEMPLETON (offstage). Wilbur? That's a pretty tacky

.name, if you ask me.

GOOSE. Well, nobody, nobody, nobody asked you.

WD..BUR. Who was that?

GANDER. Templeton, the rat.

(TEMPLETON, a ra t, en ters . H e c ar ri es string, a tin c an

a nd a n o ra ng e.)

TEMPLETON. In person. (He stares at W ILBUR.) Well,

I will admit it's nice to have a pig around the place

again. lhaven't had delicious, leftover s lops in an age.

WD..BUR. But the slops will be for me;

TEMPlEfON. I'm sure you'll find it in your charitable

little heart to share your food with dear old Temple-

ton. Especia lly if I make a nest right here beside your

trough. ( He a rr an ge s t he s tr aw a t o ne s id e o f t he t ro ugh

and bu ri es t he string, c an a nd o range.)

SHEEP (offstage). What's all the commotion in here?

GANDER.It's the old, old Sheep.

GOOSE. And the lit tle, l it tle Lamb.

(The SHEEP an d L AM B en ter .)

Act I

CHARLO'ITE'S WEB

Page 15

GANDER. We have a new res ident.

GOOSE. His name is Wil-Wil-Wilbur.

LAMB (not en thused). Ob, yeah. The pig.

SHEEP. Lamb, mind your manners.

LAMB (not mean ing

it .

Nice.•.

to•..

meet ..•you... Wilbur.

GOOSE

(quickly). Our sentiments exactly-actly-actly.

• NICE TO MEET YOU )

PAL?

, HE'S QUIET.

IE SHOULD DIET.

I'M A SH EE P.

DEAR.

nu

YOU CAN

SLEEP HERE.

1 C . 1 . t .

I'ROmCf

YOU.



CHARLOTTE'S WEB

Act I

age 16

LAMB.

NICE TO MEET YOU, WE' lL TALK LATER.

GOOSE.

WELCOME TO THE-THE-~THE

ZUCKERMAN BARN

ALL (except WILBUR).

WELCOME TO THE ZUCKERMAN BARN






GANDER (aside).

HE SEEMS NICE, BUT LOOKS CAN FOOL YA.

I KNOW PIGS, AND THEY'RE PECULIAR.

LAMB (aside).

THIS ONE'S SAD AND QUITE FORSAKEN,

DOES HE KNOW HE'lL SOON BE BACON?

TEMPLETON.

ME, I KNOW WHERE THINGS ARE AT,KID.

IT'S MYNA11JRE; I 'M A RAT KID.

'CAUSE OF THAT, I'M YOUR CONNECTION,

IT'S TO ME YOU PAY PROTECTION.

SHEEP (to WILBUR).

HE'S OKAY, SON-JUST HIS WAY,SON.

Act I

CHARLO'ITE'S WEB

Page 1 7

GOOSE.

WELCOME TO TJlE.TllE-TIlE-THE ZUCKER·

MAN BARN

AU. ..

except

WILBUR).

WELCOME TO TIlE ZUCKERMAN BARN



WELCOME TO TIlE ZUCKERMAN BARN



(NOTE:A

th ird

vene an d chorusmay be added, if de -

'tl-see

produc t ion no tes .)

J I.nU R

(speaking). Thank you all very much. Now tha t

ow who you are, let me tell you a little about my-

Il, Wo

know al l about you.

m please d ). You do?

• W o ovorheard the Zuckermans discuss ing you.

Jill) to keep you nice and comfortable.

IIfl (lilton you up with delicious slops.

Ib tJu ed). Oh,

am

going to like it here.

s

know why they want

to

make

you fa t

lB 1 II W 1 t

you?

t W now, now, ol d Shoo p. He'll

learn

soon

I b J Ill lit u 1 1 .



CHARLO'ITE'S WEBage

18

Act I

GANDER. Good, good, good night, Wilbur. Better get

some rest after such a long day.

WILBUR

(a bit concerned).

Yes, thank you, I will.

(GOOSE, GANDER , S HE EP , a nd T EM PL ET ON e xi t.)

(Music #3A. PlAYOFF: NICE

m

MEET YOU,,)

WILBUR. The animals seem nice•••I think. But I'm not

sure about Templeton.

( A b ri ef pause.)

And I'm a trifl e

concerned about the old Sheep's remark.

(Slightly

im-

i ta ti ng t he SHEEP s v oi ce a s t he l ig ht :Js low ly d im.)

You

know why they want to make you fat and tender, don't

you? ...Well, I don't know. And the old Sheep didn't

tel l me. Well, I'm not going to worry about it just now.

I 'm much too tired.

(WILBUR yawns, l ie s d ow n a nd c lo se s h is e ye s. I n a f ew

moment s, t he re are n oi se s o f t hu nd er , l ig ht ni ng a nd r ai n.

T he 1 ig ht :J o me u p s lo w ly a s W IL BUR s ti rs }

Wll.BUR. Oh, no. Morning already, and it's raining. In

my dreams I had made such grand plans for today-

and now this.

( Th er e i s o ne

final

o ut bu rs t o f t hu nd er a nd

lightning.) I'm lonesome. And I know Fern won't come

in such bad weather. Oh, honestly

(L UR VY , in h at an d raincoat. en ter s w i th a bucket.)

LURVY. Morning, pig. Breakfast t ime. Lots of good lef t-

overs today.

(H e p oU TS th e s lo ps i nto t he t ro ug h.)

A

meal fit for a pig ( WI LBUR s ni ff s i t, t he n t ur ns away.)

What's wrong with you? A

brief

pause.) We must have

CHARWTI'E'S WEB

Page 19

lek pig here.

(He cal ls o ff st ag e. )

Mr. Zuckerman

,m e

out to the barn.

(He exus . )

WlLBUR. It does look delicious. But I don't want food. I

want love. I want a friend. Someone who will play with

me.

'~iARLOTfE

(offstase).

Do you want a friend, Wilbur?

I'llbe a friend toyau.

WILBUR

(excited).

Who was that? Where are you? And

who

are you?

HOMER (offstage). 1 think this will do the trick, Lurvy.

(HOMER, holding a large bottle and spoon, and

LU RV Y e nte r.)

HOMER. Now he won't like this medicine, so you hold

him and I'll feed it to him. ( LURVY g ra bs W IL BUR

who protests .)

Come on, boy. This is sulphur and mo-

lasses. It' ll cure what ails you.

LURVY. Okay, dose him up, Mr. Zuckerman.

(HOMER

gi ve s W IL BU R a sp oo nfu l. W IL BU R g ag s.)

There, that

wasn 't so bad, was it?

(WILBUR makes a f ac e a nd n od s

vigorously.)

HOMER. I think I 'l l g iveyou a second dose, jus t for good

measure.

(H e fo rc es a no th er sp oo nfu l d ow n W IL BU R

w h o g ag s a ga in.)

Good work, Lurvy. That pig will be

well in no time. (H e a nd L URW e xi t. W IL BU R c at ch es

h is b reat h a nd c le ar s h is t hr oa u)

WILBUR. Attention, please Will the party who just

spoke to me make himself or herself known?

A

pause.)

Please tell me where you are if you are my

friend.

( CHARLOTT E e nt er s. }



Page 20

CHARLOTTE'S WEB

Act

CHARLOTTE. Salutations.

WILBUR (somewhat taken aback by her). Oh, hello .

What are salutations?

CHARLOTI'E. It's a fancy way of saying hello. My

name is Charlotte.

WIlBUR. Charlotte what?

CHARLOTTE. Charlotte

A

Cavatica. And I'll

be

your

friend, Wilbur.

WIlBUR. But I'm a pig . .. and you're a spider.

CHARLOTTE. You're observant.

WILBUR. Isn 't i t a little unusual?

(Music 4. WHO SAYSWE CAN'T BE FRIENDS?,,)

CHARLOTTE. Who's to say? (Singing.)

YOU ARE BIG-ME, I'M SMALL

WHO SAYSWE CAN'T BE FRIENDS?

WILBUR

(agreeing).

I'M NOT UKE YOU AT ALL


CHARLOTTE (gently tickling WILBUR).

I CAN S~E WE SHARE A SENSE OF HUMOR,

BUT 1HAT'S WHERE THE SIMILARITY ENDS.

I AM DARK-YOU ARE UGHT,

LET 'EM SAY IT'S NOT RIGHT.

I SAYWE CAN BE-

WHO SAYSWE CAN'T BE-

I SAYWE CAN BE FRIENDS

CHARLOTTE'S WEB

Page 21

II.BUR

(speaking). gree . You don't have to be exact-

l y like

somebody-to like them.

I JARLOITE. Exactly.

ILOUR (singing).

I'VE FOUR LEGS.

'IIARLOTTE.

I'VE GOT EIGHT.

uora


WILBUR.

SECRET IS- TOLERATE.

BOTH.


CHARLOTTE.

YOU GO 'OINK' WHILE I MAKE THIS KIND

OF-

(She makes a swishing noise as she saws two of he,

legs against each othe,.)-

SOUND.

WILBUR.

BUT THE SOUND WE MAKE FOR SOME

REASON BLENDS.

CHARLOlTE.

WE'RE AN ODD SORT OF ACT-



Page 22

CHARLOITB'S WEB

Act I

WILBUR.

OPPOSITES WILL ATIRACT-

(They join hands in an X fashion.)

Born.

IN FACT WE CAN BE,

mIS PACT SAYSWE'LL BE,


WILBUR. Charlotte, I think you're beautiful.

CHARLOlTE. Thank you.

WILBUR. And your web isbeautiful , too.

CHARLOlTE. It's my home. I know it looks fragil e. But

i t's really very strong. It protec ts me. And I trap my

food in it.

WILBUR. I'm so happy you'll be my friend. In fact, it

restores my appetite.

(He begins to eat.)

Will you join

me?

CHARLOlTE. No, thank you. My breakfast is waiting

for me on the other side of my web.

WILBUR. Oh. What are you having?

CHARLOITE. A fly. I caught it this morning.

WILBUR

(choking).

You eat... flies?

CHARLOlTE. And bugs. Actually, I drink their blood.

WILBUR. Ugh

CHARLOITE. That's the way I'm made. I can't help it.

Anyway, if I didn't catch insects and eat them, there

would soon be so many they'd destroy the earth, wipe

out everything.

WILBUR. Really? I wouldn 't want that to happen.

CHARLOlTE. And there'll be plenty of bugs around

here soon-now that it's almost summer. So, if you'll

excuse me, I'm going to have my breakfast.

Act I

CHARLOTJ'E'S WEB

Page 23

(Music #4A. PLAYOFF: WHO SAYSWE CAN'T BE

FRIENDS?,,)

(CHARLOTTE exits behind web.)

WILBUR (wi th uncertainty) . Well, I've got a new friend,

all right, but she seems a little blood-thirsty. I hope I

can get used to her strange eating habits. Oh well,

she 's pret ty-and very clever, it seems. I'm sure tha t as

the summer drifts on, Charlot te will prove to be a loyal

and trusted friend. (H e glances ba ck a t the web, then

s low ly l ie s d own.)

(Music #5. SUMMER,,)

(HOMER, carrying a shovel, and EDITH, holding a

b ro om , e nt er a nd l az il y w o r k a t

chores

a ro un d t he b am.)

HOMER (singing).

SUMMER, SUMMER, SUMMER, SUMMER. ••

EDIm (speaking). Homer, I think maybe you and Lwvy

oughtta start thinking about building that new corncrib.

HOMER. Maybe in the fall. It's a little too hot for that

kind of work righ t now-wouldn't you say?

(Singing.)

SUMMER, SUMMER, SUMMER, SUMMER. ••

I~DIm (speaking, k idding him). I'd say you're just being

lazy, that's all.

IIOMER (with

a

smile). Tell you what. I'll start that new

corncrib if you'll re -paper the living room l ike you've

been talking about.



Page 24

CHARLOTTE'S WEB

Act I

EDITH. You know ...maybe the fall would be a better

t ime for that job, too. (They laugh and sing.)

BOTH.

SUMME~SUMME~SUMME~SUMME~

SUMMER'S COMIN' IN.

EDITH.

BLOSSOMS

rnr,

mE TREES, AND BEES

lURN GIDDY FROM mE SUN,

BOTH.

IT'S AT IME FOR FUN

HOMER.

'CROSS THE LAKE A BAND IS PLAYIN',

SCREEN DOORS ARE SLAMMIN',

EDITH.

NOW IT'S DARK AND MOMS ARE SAYIN',

'COME INSIDE NOW,'

HOMER.

BUT THEIR KIDS WON'T COME,

BOTH.

'CAUSE THEIR SCHOOL WORK'S DONE.

(TOWNSPEOPLE enterfrom various locations. Group-

ing into Jam ilies, they are separate from each other,

though they share a community spiris. }

Act I Page 2S

HARLOTTE'S WEB

TOWNSPEOPLE.

SUMMER, SUMMER, SUMMER, SUMME~

SUMMER'S COMIN' IN

SWEET HAY,JUST PLAY ALL DAY, HOORAY

SUMMER'S COMIN'IN

WILBUR.

SUMME~ SUMMER, SUMMER, SUMMER

HOPE IT NEVER ENDS

IF IT EVER ENDS

I'M A HAPPY PIG

I'VE GOT A FRIEND.

ALL.

SUMMER, SUMME~ SUMME~ AAH

(NOTE: A second verse and chorus may beadded, if de-

sired-see production notes.)

(ALL except WILBUR exit. FERN enters as the ANI-

MALS, except the GOOSE, enter and greet her with ani-

mal sounds which soon give way to clear voices.)

FERN. Hi, everybody (She sits on a stool.] Wilbur, here's

little piece of pineapple-ups ide-down cake for you.

It's awfully good. Mama says she plans to enter the

recipe in the county fair tomorrow. (WILBUR

applauds, takes the cake and begins to eat.) May I stay

and vis it for a li tt le wh ile? (WILBUR nods vigorously

and the other ANIMALS agree. The GANDER whispers

cltedly to CHARLOTTE.)

J IARLOTTE. Attent ion, everyone. I have an announce-

mont. After four weeks of unremit ting effort on the

p rt of our friend, the Goose, the Goslings have ar-



Page 26

CHARLOITE'S WEB

Act

rived. (ALL are excited as the GOSliNGS chirp off-

stage.)

And here comes the new mother right now.

(1he GOOSE jIutters in asALL applaud.)

GOOSE. Thank you. thank you. thank you.

(She bows,

then embraces the GANDER.)

GANDER. We're pleased aswe can be, be, be.

WILBUR

(looking offstage).

How many Goslings are

there?

GOOSE. Seven.

TEMPLETON. I thought there were eight eggs. What

happened to the other egg?

GOOSE. It didn't hatch.It wasa dud, I guess.

TEMPLETON. Can I haveit?

GANDER. Certainly, -ertainly, -ertainly. Add it to your

nastycollection.

(TEMPLETON exits.)

wnBUR. Imagine wanting ajunky old rotten egg.

CHARL01TE (laughing lightly).

A rat is a rat. But, my

friends, let's hope that egg never breaks. A rotten egg

isa regular stink bomb.

(TEMPLETON

enters

with the egg.)

TEMPLETON. Don't worry.I won't break it. I'll just put

it right here under the trough with my other things.

(He does so.)

FERN. Oh, Wilbur,

have some good news. Uncle

Homer and Aunt Edith seem to be glad that you're

putting on weight.

(WILBUR beams.)

LAMB. Sure they are.

SHEEP. And you knowwhy,don't you?

GOOSE. Now,now, now, old Sheep.

Act

CHARLOTfE'S WEB

Page 27

SHEEP. He has to knowsometime.

WILBUR. Know what?

SHEEP. Wilbur ... they' re fat tening you up because

they're going to kill you.

WILBUR

(dismayed).

They're going to

what? (FERN

is

rigid

on her stool.)

SHEEP. Killyou. Turn you into smoked bacon and ham.

It'll happen when the weather

turns

cold. It's a regular

conspiracy.

WILBUR. Stop I don' t want to die. I want to stay with

all my friends. I want to breathe the beautiful air and

lie in the beautiful

su n.

LAMB.You're certainlymaking a beautiful noise.

WILBUR. But don't want to die.

CHARLOITE. Wilbur, quiet down.

(WILBUR

tries

to

control

himself.) You shall not die.

WILBUR. What? Who's going to saveme?

CHARLOTfE. I am.

WILBUR. How?

CHARLOTfE. I'm afraidthat remains to be seen.

AVERY

(offstage).

Fern

FERN. In here, Avery.

A V ERY

enters.)

AVERY. Mother sent me to get you. You're going to

miss supper.

FERN. Coming. 'Bye, everybody.And thank you, Char-

lotte, for whatever it

is

you're goingto do to save

Wil-

bur.

AVERY. Who's Charlotte?

FERN. The spider over there.



CHARL01TE'S WEB

Act I

age 28

AVERY. It's tremenjus I'm going to capture it.

(He picks

up a stick and advances toward CHARLOITE.)

FERN. You stop it, Avery.

AVERY. I want that spider.

(FERN grabs the st ick and

they fight Over it.

Let go, Fern

FERN. Stop it Stop it, I say

(WILBUR waves to FERN

that he has an idea. He rushes behind A VERY and

kneels; then makes a pushing motion with his hands.

FERN pushes AVERY over WILBUR. AVERY faIls into

the trough. The ANIMALS react.}

AVERY. Help

FERN. I warned you, Avery.

AVERY. That's not fair. You and Wilbur ganged up on

me.

FERN

(wrinkling her nose).

What's that smell?

AVERY. I think webroke a rotten egg.Good night, what

a stink Let's get out of here.

(He and FERN exi t hur-

riedly. The SHEEp, IAMB, GOOSE and GANDER flee

in different directions, protesting violentiy.)

lEMPLETON. My beloved egg

(He gathers up the egg

and the restof his belongings and

exits.)

CHARLOTfE. I 'm glad that 's over. I 'm sure the smell

will go awaysoon.

(A pause.)

WILBUR. Charlotte?

CHARLOTfE. Yes.

WILBUR. Were you serious when you promised you

would keep them from killingme?

CHARLOTfE. I've never been more serious in mylife.

WILBUR. How are you goingto saveme?

CHARLOTfE. Well, I really don't know, but I wantyou

to get plenty of sleep and stop worrying.

(WILBUR

stretches out on the straw as the lights begin to dim.)

WILBUR. Okay.Good night, Charlotte.

t

CHARLOTTE'S WEB

Page 29

IlARLOTfE. Good night, Wilbur.

(Apause.)

lLBUR. Thank you, Charlotte.

11ARWTI'E. Good night

(The barn

is

now in shadows.

WILBUR falls asleep.)

Whatto do. Whatto do. I prom-

IR O d to savehis life, and I am determined to keep that

promise. But how?

(Music #6. CHARWTI£'S SPINNING SONG )

IlARLOTI'E

(sings).

WHEN

rns

PROBLEMS OF UFE ARE MOST

TAXING,

J JUST DO WHAT MOST SPIDERS DO FOR

RELAXING,

I SPIN

(A BAT and

OW L,

along with TEMPLETON, enter and

walch CHARLOITE.)

T and OWL

HE SPINS

;IIARLOTfE

(Speaking.)

How can I save him? Wait a

minute. The way to save Wilbur is to playa trick on

'''uokerman. IfI can foola bug. I can surelyfoola man.

IIIwhat to do? Let's see...

(Singing.)

lit I THINK LONG ENOUGH ANIDEA WILL

OME.

(JST UKE IF I WAIT LONG ENOUGH A F LY

II ERE WILL COME.

LAN TO FOOL A MAN- FROM WHAT I

HEAR THEY'RE DUMB.

l'IN t



Page 30

CHARLOTfE'S

WEB

Act

OWL, BAT and lEMPLETON. CHARLOTfE.

SPIN, SPIN

'CASE YOU'RE WOND'RING, I SPIN, SPIN

HONEY, SHE'S A BAT

I'M A RAT, HE'S AN OWL SPIN, SPIN

CREATURES OF THE NIGHT,

OUT-A SIGHT, ON THE PROWL

OWL and BAT.

WHAT WE DO'S A HOOT

lEMPLETON.

OH, 1HAT'S CUTE

OWL, BAT and lEMPLETON.

WE'RE A HOWL.

AND WE SURE UKE SINGIN' , UH-HUH,

ARE YOU UST'NING TO ME,

UH-HUH, UH-HUH, UH-HUH, UH-HUH

CHARLOTlE.

THIS WON'T BE EASY, BUT IT MUST BE DONE.

I SEE IT AS A BATI'LE OF BRAINS WHICH

MUST BE WON.

ITALL DEPENDS ON JUST HOW THIS WEB IS

SPUN.

SPIN

Speak ing. )

Here goes. Got my fingers crossed. And myarms

- and my legs.

(Singing.)

FIRST I TEAR THIS SECTION OUT.

LEAVE A SPACE AND QUICKLY TIE IT.

Act

CHARLOTI'E'S WEB

Page 31

NOW I'lL WEAVE NEW THREADS, RE-

PLACING THOSE I TOOK.

THIS IS TRICKY, I WOULDN'T TRY IT

EVEN THE SPIDERS DON'T DO THIS NEXT

PART WELL

YOU GOT TO TAKE THE THREAD AND TIE IT

I 'M EXHAUSTED-THIS STUFF COMES OUT

OF MY BODY, YOU KNOW.

YOU DON'T JUST WALK INTO

A

STORE AND

BUY IT.

OWL (speaking).What's she making?

BAT. She's star ting to do something. What is i t?

lEMPLETON. don't know.

OWL Look, she's starting to spin.

BAT. You know spiders-they won't give up.

CHARLOTfE (singing as she begins to write in the

web).

SWING SPINNERETS, LET OUT THE THREAD.

THE MORE TIME YOU TAKE, Gnu.., THE BET-

TER IT'S READ.

I BEllEVE THAT I'M ON TO A WORKABLE

PLAN,

WEAVIN' A WEB WHICH'lL WHIM-WHAM

THE MAN.

IT'S ALL FOR AFRIEND, SO IT'S GOT TO BE

RIGHT,

I KNOW I CAN DO IT IF I LAST OUT THE

NIGHT.



Page 32

CHARI..01TE'S WEB

Act

TIE TIl lS, HOLD THAT, PAY OUT THE UNE

JUST KEEP GOIN' , WHAT I 'M SEWJN'S

GONNA WORK OUT JUST FINE.

(Speaking.)

And ..• tie .•.it ••.off. Good

(She steps aside as a special light reveals the words

Some

Pig

written in the web.)

OWL What does it say?

TEMPLETON. I don 't know.

BAT. I can't read. I'm blind as a -well , you know.

OWL Now I can make it out. Some Pig. (OM.., BA T

and TEMPLETON whisper Some Pig among them-

selves.)

CHARI..01TE (singing).

NOT BAD, OLD GIRL

EVEN I AM IMPRESSED.

BUT WRITING'S EXHAUSTING,

AND I MUST HAVE SOME REST.

AND MEN WIlL STOP IN HERE SOON,

AND NIGHT'S ABOUT TO END,

BUT I'M STRANGELY HAPPY-

THE WRITING BUG HAS BIT ME

AND WHAT] WROTE, I WROTE FOR MY

FRIEND.

(She exits behind the web as the OWL, BAT and

TEMPLETON also exit quietly. The lights begin to

brighten, and a rooster crows. WILBUR stirs. He

is

having a bad dream)

Act CHARWTTE'S WEB

Page 33

Wll..BUR. No, no. Please don't Stop (He wakes up.) Oh,

my goodness. That was a terrible dream. There were

men with guns and knives coming out here to take me

away.

(LURVY

enters

with

a

bucket. WILBUR

retreatsslightly.)

LURVY. Here you go, pig. Breakfast . Leftover pancakes,

half a doughnut, stale toast.

(He sets the bucket down.)

Absolutely de...de ... (He sees the writing in the web.]

What's that? I 'm seeing things. (He calls offstage.) Mr.

Zuckerman Mr. Zuckerman I think you'd better

come out to the pig pen quick (He exits hurriedly.)

Wll..BUR (unaware of the writing in the web). What did

he see? There's nothing here but me.

(He feels him-

self.) That's itl He saw me He saw that I'm big and

healthy and •.. and ready to be made into ... h am.

They're coming out here right now with guns and

kn ives. I just know it . What can I do?

A

pause} Wait

The fence that Lurvy patched up. Maybe it's loose

again. I have to get out. I have no choice. It's either

freedom ... or the frying pan.

(NOTE: Music

7 FREEDOM

NOWl may be used

at

this point,

if

desired, or as underscoring (accompaniment

only) for the c~e- see production notes.)

Wll..BUR. Chaaamge (He runs off . A crash is heard off-

stage.)

(CH AR L0 1TE e nte rs, yawning.)

CHARLOTTE. What was that? Wilbur, where a re you?



Page·34

CHARW'ITE'S WEB Act I

WllBUR

(from offstage).

I'm free

HOMER

(from offstage).

Now, Lurvy,what could be so

important that you had to drag meout here before I've

finished-

LURVY

(from offstage).

You'l l see, Mr. Zuckerman.

You'll see.

(HOMER

and LURVY enter.)

HOMER. All I can see is•..the pig's not here

LURVY. What?

HOMER. Look out there in the chicken yard

(He po in t s

offstage.)

He's escaped. Edith 's out there gathering

eggs.Maybe she can head him off.Let's go

LURVY. But...look at the spider web, Mr. Zuckerman.

HOMER. No time right now. Gotta catch that pig. (H e

and LURVY exit. From offstage.)

Edith The pig's out

Run him back this way Pig's out

CHAR.W1TE.Ob, no.

(SHEEP and LAMB enter.)

SHEEP. What's all the fuss?

LAMB.This racket is killingmyears.

(GOOSE

and GANDERenteT.)

GOOSE. There's so much noise, noise,noise.

GANDER. The Goslingscan't sleep.

(WILBUR

enters, chased by

EDITH, HOMER

and

LURJIY. The ANIMALS cheer WILBUR. WILBUR does

Act I CHARLOTTE'S WEB

Page

35

a

Ustum

and eludes the

OTllERS

as they exit, chasing

and yelling after him. The

ANIMALS

continue to cheer.)

CHARLOTTE Now stop this Don't encourage him.

If

Wilbur does escape, he'll never stand a chance in the

outside world. He's much safer right here in the bam.

So if he

runs

through here again, we've got to stop

him.

ANIMALS. She's right. He wouldn't stand a chance. He's

better off right here.

Etc.

(Panting, WILBUR enters and stopsfor a moment.)

WILBUR..I'll make it this time.

saw an open gate that

leads to the woods.

(He starts to run off. The ANI-

MALS grab him .)

What is this? Even

my

friends have

turned against me I'll not godownwithout a fight I'll

s truggle all the way to the butcher block. I won't be

bacon for anybody

(The ANIMALS pin WILBUR to the ground as

HOMER,· EDITH and LURVY enter breathlessly. The

ANIMALS quickly let go of WILBURwho cowers]

HOMER. Well, you certainlygave

us

a run for our-

LURVY. Mr. Zuckerman. Mrs. Zuckerman. Look This

is what I wanted to showyou. (H e p oin ts to

the web.

ALL stare at

it

for a moment. WILBUR and the ANI-

MALS look, too.)

HOMER

(amazed).

A miracle has happened on this

farm.



Page 36

CHARLOTJE'S WEB Act

( M usic #8. SO ME PIG ,,)

LURVY. A miracle.

EDrnI. I don't believe it Some Pig.

HOMER. I t is clear we have no ordinary pig.

EDrnI. It seems to me we have no ordinary spider .

HOMER. No, it's the pig that's unusual . Edith, call the

minister and tell him about the

miracle,

Then call the

Arables. Hurry

(EDITH e xi ts a s WILBUR rises a n d s it s

h ap pi ly o n a b ar re l o r b ox n ea r t he w e b. HOMER s in gs .)

S OM E P IG , I A LW AY S KNE W BE W AS GREAT

(Speaking.)

Let' s hurry and get the chores done. I'm sure we'll

have lots of visitors when word of this leaks out.

LURVY

(singing).

SO ME PIG W ON'T JUST END UP ON A PLATE.

HOMER

(speaking).

Let's go.

(They exit. The ANIMALS

ch ee r a nd co ng ra tu la te CHARW1TE .)

WIlBUR. Charlotte, Charlotte

(Singing.)

T HA NK Y OU , O B B OY , THOUGHT W AS

THROUGH.

CHARLOTTE, W IT HO UT Y OU , W H A T W O UL D

DO ?

CHARL01TE (speaking).

It seems to have worked. At

least for the present. But if we are to save Wilbur's

life,

will have to write more words in the web. And I

need new ideas. Any suggestions?

SHEEP

(singing).

UBIQUITOU S.

Ac t I

CHARLOTI'E'S WEB

Page 37

HARlOTI'E.

DO E S A NY ON E K NO W W HA T T HA T M EANS?

lAMB.

NET W EIG HT , SIX O Z. SA W T HA T O N SO ME

Ol D CAN O F B EAN S .

(ALL

shake th e ir heads negat ive ly .)

SHEEP

(speaking).

How about Pig Supreme'

CHARlOTI'E. No good. Sounds like a rich dessert.

lAMB. Big Pig?

cHARLOTfE.

That might give Zuckerman the wrong

idea - especially at butchering time.

(The

G OO SE an d

GANDER

have

been

whispering.)

GANDER. She' s got i t. She's got it. She's got itl

AIL. What'

GOOSE. How about terrific, terrific, terrific?

CHARlOTI'E.

Cut that down to one terrific and it will

do very nicely.

think it might impress Zuckerman.

Does anybody here know how to spell terrific ?

GANDER.

hink it's tee, double ee, double rr, double

rr, double eye, double

ff,

double eye, double see, see,

see, see, see.

CHARlOTI'E. What kind of acrobat doyou think

m?

GANDER. Sorry. Sorry. Sorry.

CHARlOTI'E. I' ll spel l the word the best way

can.

SHEEP

(glancing offstage R) .

Look, here comes Temple-

ton. Maybe he can belp with this project.

(1EMPLETON enters R

TEMPLETON. Templeton only helps himself. What's

up?



Page 38

CHARLOTIE'S WEB

Act

SHEEP. Did you see the message in the web?

TEMPLETON. Yeah, I saw Charlotte writing it last night.

I t' s no big deal.

SHEEP. It was a big deal to Zuckerman. And now Char-

lot te needs new ideas. When you go to the dump, bring

back a cl ipping from a magaz ine . Charlotte can copy

the words. It will help save Wilbur's life.

TEMPLETON. Let him die. I sbould worry.

SHEEP. You'll worry next winter when Wilbur is dead

and nobody comes down here with a nice pail of slops.

TEMPLETON

( a fter a pause).

I' ll bring back a magazine

clipping.

CHARLOTIE. Thanks. The meeting is adjourned. (The

ANIMALS b eg in t o e xi t, biddinge ac h o th er f ar ew e ll a s

they go.)

Tonight, I will tear my web apart and write

terrific. Now everyone leave me alone for a while . I

need to get my thoughts together.

WILBUR

( as h e e xi ts ).

I'll go take a nap out in the yard.

Thank you, Charlot te . You' re the best f riend a pig ever

had.

(He ex it s .)

CHARLOTTE

( sm i li ng t o herself).

Some pig.

S om e p ig .

(The

lights fade. )

(Music #9. INCIDENTAL and VOCAL:

AS THE DAYWENT ON )

(The

BAT and OM . enter.}

OWL Look, I think she' s get ting ready to do it again.

BAT. Sbe's a hard worker-that one.

OWL. Say, have you seen the rat?

BAT. I think he's on his way to the dump.

ctl

CHARLQITE'S WEB

Page 39

CHARLOTTE

(singing).

SWING SPINNERETS, LET OUT THE mREAD

mE LONGER IT GETS, THE BEITER IT'S

READ.

(She begins to write . Speaking.)

Easy now. Over to the left. Gotta burry. Morning

will be here before you know it.

(The word Terr i fi c

begins

t o a pp ea r in t he w eb . S in g-

ing .)

DESCEND, NOW PLAY OUT THE UNE.

IT NEEDS ANOTHER It -WILL THERE BE

TIME?

OWL

(speaking).

Oo,look at that.

BAT. T-E-R-R-I-F-I-C.

OWL Terrific. Hey,

hought you said you couldn't read.

BAT.

can't. But

didn't say I couldn't spell.

CHARLOTTE

(singing).

mE MESSAGE IS SPUN. I'VE COME TO THE

END.

mE JOB THAT I'VE DONE IS ALL FOR MY

FRIEND.

OWL

(speaking).

Look, she's eating a small bug she

caught in the web.

( CHARLOTT E e xi ts .)

BAT. She's earned her supper tonight.

OWL Let's leave her alone so she can get some sleep.

BAT. Good idea. I could use a bat-nap myself.

(She

chuckles.)

WL Don't get wise with me.



Page 40

CHARLOTI'E'S WEB Act I

(They exit. A light comes up on the web to reveal the

word Terrific. A rooster is heard crowing. Th e general

lights come up. A moment later, WILBUR enters yawn-

ing.)

WD..BUR. I can't beli eve I spent the entire day

and

night

outside s leeping. Ob, well. I t's very refreshing. Espe-

cially this t ime ofyear.

(LURVY enters with a bucket.)

LURVY. Well, sir, word about this spider-web miracle

has spread all over the countryside. I'll bet the whole

county will be here to see Some Pig written in that

web.

(He looks over at the web.)

I don't believe my

eyes. Terrific. Terrific Another miracle Mr.

Zuckerman Come quick It's another miracle. (He

exits.)

WD..BUR

(looking at the web).

It's beautiful.

(FERN enters.)

FERN. Good morning, Wilbur.

(WILBUR motions toward

the web.)

Terrific. Hooray for Charlotte She did it

again

(WILBUR shushes her.)

Ob, she's still sleeping.

It must have been a long night for her. (WILBUR

nods.)

HOMER

(offstage).

Edith, phone the reporter on the

Weekly Chronicle and tell him what happened

(HOMER enters,followed

by

LURVY.)

Act I

CHARLOTTE'S WEB

Page 41

HOMER. He may want to bring a photographer.

(He

looks at the web.)

Well, what do you know. There it is

as plain as day. Terrific. What do you know

(JOHN, MAR11IA and A VERY enter.)

MARTHA. Did it happen again?

LURVY

(pointing to the web).

Another miracle

JOHN. Homer, you're going to have visitors all over the

place today.

HOMER Lots of folks told me they were going to stop

by here on their way to the County Fair.

LURVY. We can park the cars in the open field.

JOHN. Avery and will direct traffic.

AVERY. Hooray. I'll be the captain of the Zuckerman

police force.

(AU laugh as JOHN and A VERY exit .)

FERN. Does this mean you're not going to kill Wilbur,

Uncle Homer?

HOMER. Who said anything about kil ling him?

FERN. But that's what happens to pigs. In the cold

weather. You know ... the conspiracy.

MARTHA. Conspiracy? Where did she get a word like

that?

FERN. The old sheep •.. mean, guess I picked it up

somewhere.

HOMER. Wilbur's safe for now, Fern. As long as he's

attracting

all

this attention. Come on

Lurvy.

Work to

do.

LURVY. Terrifi c pig.

(He and HOMER

exit.)

MARTHA. Fern, your Aunt Edith is doing lots of baking

for the visitors today. Let's go he lp her.

fTERN. Can't I stay?



Page 42

CHARLoITE'S WE13

(NOTE: Music 10. MAMA, YOU DON'T UNDER-

STAND ME may be used at this point,

if

desired-see

production notes.)

MARlHA I think you spend too much time with these

animals. You should play with children your own age . ..

like Tommy Watson.

FERN. Oh, Mother

MARlHA Freddy Johnson.

FERN. YukI

MARlHA Henry Fussy?

FERN. Henry Fussy. ..ick

MARlHA

(giving up).

Let's go.

FERN. Oh, all right. 'Bye, Wilbur.

(FERN and MARTHA exit. A moment later CHAR-

LOTTE enters, yawning and stretching.)

CHARLoITE. Good morning, Wilbur.

WILBUR. Oh, Charlotte . Everybody's so exc ited about

the word. And they're expecting a lot of visi tors today.

(CHARLOTTE smiles. The GOOSE and the GANDER

enter.)

GOOSE and GANDER. Morning, morning, morning.

WILBUR. Did you see Charlot te 's new word?

GOOSE. Of course, of course, of course. Terr if ic was

my idea. Remember?

(The LAMB enters, followed by the SHEEP.)

Act I

CHARWTIE'S WEB

Page 43

'..AMB. Wilbur, i s all this attention going to go to your

head and make you s tuck up?

WILBUR. Of course not. Fame wil lnever spoil me.

HEEP. Anyway, he still has to worry about the future.

His li fe is not secu re ye t.

WILBUR. I know. But I can face anyth ing with fri ends

like you. Friendship is one of the most sat is fying things

in the world.

(TEMPLETON enters holding the lid of a soapflakes

box.)

TEMPLETON. You'd better believe it, buster. And you'd

bet ter not forget the fri endship of old Templeton who

just happened to be at the dump all night looking for

words to save you. (He hands the box lid to CHAR-

LOTTE.) Try this one. It's from an empty package of

soap flakes.

CHARLOTTE (reading). With new, radiant action.

(The OTHERS repeat the words approvingly.) Wilbur,

run around. I want to see you in action to see if you

are radiant . (WILBUR runs about.) Now back again.

Faster. (WILBUR obeys.] Jump into the air. (WILBUR

jumps as the OTHERS applaud and cheer with increas-

ing intensity ashe completes each task.) Do a front som-

ersault . ..a back somersault . .. and rol l over into a spl it

(In the spli t, WILBUR smiles and poses as AIL cheer.)

It may not be radiant, but it's interesting.

WILBUR. Actually, I feel radiant . I really do.

CHARLOTTE. Then radiant you shall be. (TEMPLE-

TON looks offstage, quiets them, then hides.)



Page 44

CHARLOTIE'S WEB Act I

(Music 11. COUNTY FAIR and Act I FINALE)

(LURVY

is

h ear d s in g in g o ff st ag e , t he n h e en te r s c a rr yi ng

a

bucket.)

LURVY

(singing).

A WONDERFUL DAYFOR THE FAIR

A WONDERFUL DAY FOR THE FAIR

A WONDERFUL DAY FOR THE FAIR

HERE ARE YOUR SLOPS

(Speaking .)

Sorry, pig, but I got so excited, I forgot to feed you

this morning.

(H e po urs the food in the trou gh as WI LBUR b eg in s to

eau)

Mrs. Zuckerman even threw in a whole piece of

fresh apple strudel she's baking for the visitors.

And-

(Singing.)

MISTER ZUCKERMAN'S THINKING OF

TAKING YOU IN THE

OLD PICKUP TRUCK TODAY

AND EXIllBIT YOU THERE

DOWN AT THE COUNTY FAIR

(H e

exits

as

TEMPLETON

comes out of

hiding.)

lAMB

GUESS WHAT I'VE HEARD?

I JUST HEARD THERE'S A

FAIR

WILBUR

(eating)

GOOD AND TASTY

ctl

CHARLOTIE 'S WEB

Page 45

GOOSE and GANDER

t

WONDERFUL, WONDER·

FUL, WONDERFUL

WONDERFUL

DAYFOR· DAYFOR THE-

DAYFOR THE FAIR

lAMB

I HEAR THERE'S A FAIR

SHEEP

DO PASS THE WORD,

DEAR,

I'VE HEARD

THERE'S A FAIR

Wll.BUR

.EVERYBODY,DID

YOU HEAR THAT?

A COUNTY FAIR

THAT COULD MEAN

I MIGHT UVE FOR

ANOTHER MONTH

TEMPLETON

(speaking).

Big Deal

(Singing.)

I'M NOT AT ALL INTERESTED

LAMB.

YOU WOULD LIKE IT THERE-

GARBAGE EVERYWHERE?

lEMPLETON

WELL, MAYBE I MIGHT

UKE IT THERE-

ARBAGE EVERYWHERE?

OSE and GANDER

(nodding)

VIW(

WILBUR, I'LL BET HE'LL

WIN

SHEEP

ONLY IF YOU WIN A

BLUE RIBBON,

THAT'S MY HUNCH

lEMPLETON

OTHERWISE, I'LL

TAKE BETS HE'LL

BE

SOMEONE'S LUNCH



Page 46

CHARLOTTE'S WEB

WILBUR.

CHARLO'ITE, SAY THAT YOU'LL GO

WITH ME TO THE FAIR

CHARLOTTE.

MY WORST TIME, I'M AFRAID.

MY EGGS MUST NOW BE LAID.

WILBUR.

COULDN'T YOU LAY YOUR EGGS

WHILE YOU'RE WITH ME THERE?

CHARLOTTE.

I DON'T KNOW.

TEMPLETON.

SHE DON'T KNOW.

ALL.

SHE WON'T GO

LAMB (speaking). Nobody's going to the fair yet, Lurvy

said they were just

thinking

about taking Wilbur,

if

the

excitement continues.

CHARLOTTE. Well, that means more new words. So, I'd

better start another one right away.

(Singing.)

SWING SPINNERETS-

(Speaking.)

Now, everybody stand infront of me.

(ALL make a line in front of her, standing on boxes,

bales of hay, etc. She is now partially h idden as she

sings.)

LET OUT THE THREAD-

Act

Act I

CHARL01TE'S WEB

Page 47

(S peaking.)

That way the others won't notice I'm writing if they

come back before I'm finished.

(S h e w r it es q u ic kl y a s she s in g s. )

THE LONGER IT GETS, THE BETTER IT'S

READ

GANDER

(speaking).

Charlotte's working fast, fast, fast

CHARL01TE. I've pretty wellgot the bang ofit now.

LAMB

( lo o ki ng o ff r ig h t) .

Hurry, Charlotte, here come

somevisitors.

SHEEP

(a lso look ing off).

I t looks like a reporter and a

photographer.

CHARL01TE. Attach, ascend, repeat

GOOSE. Hurry, hurry, hurry,Charlotte

CHARL01TE. Almost f inished. Just have to cross the

final T. Over to the right, payout line, attach.

LAMB. They're here

(ALL

are vel)'

nervous]

CHARL01TE. Repeat, attach...finished.

(A LL q uick ly

dis se mb le t he ir c ov er ag e o f CHARLOTTE a nd a ss um e

na tu ral p o si ti on s. TEMPLETON pa rt ia ll y h id e s h imsel f.

In the w eb is the word Rad ian t . )

(HOMER e nte rs , fo llo w ed

by

a REPORTER. a PHO-

TO GR AP HE R, the A R AB LE S, L UR VY , F ER N, E DIT H

an d a C RO WD .)

REPORlER or AIL

(singing).

IS TlDS THE PIG ABOUT WHOM

EV'RYBODY'S TALKIN'?

WHERE IS THE WEB ON WHICH THE MES-

SAGES WERE SENT?

YES, HUMAN INTEREST'S WHAT HE'S GOT,



Page 48

CHARLOTIE'S WEB

Act

W E M AYB E O NT O S OM ET HIN G H OT ,

I T' S A M ED IA EV EN T

FERN

(speaking).

May I have my picture taken with Wil-

bur? I 'm the one who discovered him.

REPORTER. Sure, young lady.

(FERN

joins

WILBUR.)

PHOTOGRAPHER. Say cheese.

(TEMPLETON

emer-

g es f r om h is h id in g p la ce , u ns ee n b y t h e h um a ns .)

lEMPlETON

( li c king h i s l ip s ).

Cheese?

(The LAMB an d

SHEEP s ho ve h im b ac k in to h id in g as the PHOTOG-

RAPHER s na ps a p ic tu re .

Th e

REPORTER u rg es t he

Z UCKERMAN S a nd A RA BL ES to p os e w ith WILBUR.

They

do

so .)

REPORTER

(singing).

T HE RE M AY B E A D RO UG HT , B UT

DRO UG HT 'S A RE O UT O N E V'R Y N EW S

SHOW;

I D ON 'T A LW A YS P R IN T A S TA TE M EN T B Y

THE PRESIDENT .

B UT T HIS O NE, IT C OU LD B E A B IG GY ,

N EV ER H AV E W E H AD A P IG GY ,

IT 'S A M ED IA E VE NT

(The

PHOTOGRAPHER sn ap s a

piaure.)

MARTIIA

(speaking).

Oh, my hair. It's such a mess.

( Du ri ng t he f ol lo w in g, w h en t he ANIMALS sing,

it

is al-

wa ys t o t he ms el ve s, i n t he ir o w n g ro up s, u nn ot ic ed b y t he

TOWNSPEOPLE. )

TOWNSPEOPLE

(singing).

c.B.S ., A.B.c .

UVEATFIVE,

Act I

CHARLOTIE'S WEB

Page 49

AVERY

( po si ng f or t he PHOTOGRAPHER) .

PL E AS E S HO OT M E

LAMB.

W OU LD Y OU JU ST

WOK

AT 11JAT-

HEEP

(strutting).

A DAN C IN G S H EEP • ••

TEMPLETON

( ap p ea ri ng ou t o f h id in g ).

A H AND SO ME R AT

TOWNSPEOPLE ( th e l ine s m a y

be

as signed individua11y) :---

W E All. H AV E H AD O UR S HA RE O F S HO OT ·

IN G S A ND T OR NA DO ES ,

OF BA TT E RE D liV ES A ND C RO OK S W IT H

UV ES T HA T A RE M IS SP EN T

TH E ENTIRE W OR LD M AY B RE AK O UT

FIGHTING,

BU T THIS PIG 'S GOT A SPID ER W R IT IN G ,

A ND T HA T'S A M ED IA E VE NT

lllJOTOGRAPHER

(speaking).

Now, how about a pic-

ture of the pig all by himself. (ALL

applaud, as WIL -

BUR

be ams a nd p os es .)

MARTIIA Look how big Wilbur's gotten.

OliN.

You'll get some extra good ham and bacon,

Homer, when it comes t ime to kill

that

pig.

(WILBUR

.fWa ySba c k a nd f or th, then faints . )

1'lmN.

Somebody help him

VERY .

I'll

be

the pig Hey, watch me

(H e kneels next

to WILBUR an d tosses stra w into the air.)

Oink, oink,

olnkl

AlL except FERN an d MAR11lA laugh.)



Page S O

CHARW'ITE'S WEB

FERN. Oh , keep quie t Keep

qui-uti

MARTIIA. Avery, what do you think you are?

AVERY. A

pig

I'm a

pig.

Oink, oink, oink.

(MAR11fA

pulls him away

from WILBUR)

FERN (patting

WILBUR's cheeks).

Wake up, Wilbur

Wake up

(WILBUR

comes to an d slowly rises as

ALL

cheer.}

HOMER Yep, just like it says in the web- (Singing.)

I ALWAYS SAID THAT HE WAS SOME PIG

AND TERRIFIC.

EDfIH

(speaking).

Hab

HOMER (singing).

YEAH, WELL AT LEAST I KNOW DEEP DOWN

THAT'S WHAT I MF.ANT

REPORTER (speaking). But Mr. Zuckerman that's not

what i t says in the web. Look (ALL look at the web.)

LURVY (singing).

IT'S CRAZY, BUT SOMEHOW-

ANOTIlER WORD IS UP TIIERE NOw

HOMER

(speaking).

I 'll be dipped

EDITH (singing).

RADIAN-

LURVY.

RADIAN-

Act I

Act I

CHARLOTTE'S WEB Page 51

llERN.

RADIANT

ANIMALS.

HUM

HOMER

(speaking).

Well, sir. That does it. I have an an-

nouncement that you can print in the newspaper. I'm

going to ente r this pig in the County Fai r. (ALL cheer.)

If he can win a blue ribbon, I guarantee we'll never

make bacon and ham out of him. (More applause.)

ALL.

WE ALWAYSSAID THAT HE WAS ''SOME PIG

AND TERRIFIC

HOMER.

YOU COULDN'T HAVE PUT IT BETIER,

THAT'S MY SENTIMENT

ALL (again, lines may be assigned individually).

A WVELY PIG, AHUMOROUS PIG,

A REGAL PIG, A MUSICAL PIG,

HE MAKES US SING, HE MAKES US LAUGH

AVERY (appealing to the PHOTOGRAPHER).

YOU SURE YOU DON'T WANT MY PHOTO-

GRAPH?



Page 52

CHARLOTIE'S WEB

Act

EDITH

(speaking asALL sing)

Come on, everybody,

let 's go to the kitchen

and celebrate with.

some fresh apple strudel

and iced tea Then

we'l l head for the fair

(The TOWNSPEOPLE begin to leave.)

AlL

IT'S A MEDIA-

IT'S A MEDIA-

IT'S A MEDIA-

ALL

IT'S A MEDIA EVENT

(They

exit.

Th e

ANIMALS cheer.)

Wll..BUR. Charlotte, you did it. Thank you. Thank you.

CHARWTfE. Well, we got you to the Fai r. But that 's

only half the battle.

Wll..BUR. Wpi you come with me, Charlot te? Please.

CHARLOTTE. I'm not sure. I'm just not sure . (A pause.)

Now may I ask everyone to kindly leave? This day has

been particularly exhausting, and I must have some

rest.

SHEEP. Of course, Charlot te . Come on, Lamb.

TEMPLETON. I'll admi t she's earned a lit tle peace and

quiet.

GOOSE. Me, me, me, too.

GANDER. Ditto, ditto, ditto.

WILBUR. I'll go outside and get a little sun on my

cheeks so I'll look good at the fair. (ALL, except

CHARL07TE, exit.)

CHARLOTTE. I'm suddenly very tired. I mow I won't

be able to help Wilbur much longer. I'l l have to lay my

eggs soon, and I do want them to hatch right here in

Act I

CHARLOTfE'S WEB

Page 53

the barn where it's warm and safe. (A beat.) But I 'l l

take the chance. I will go to the Fair with Wilbur.

People will be expecting to see a word in the web. It

may help him win that blue ribbon, and his whole fu-

ture - if he's to have a future at a ll- totally depends on

what happens at the Fai r. (She

goes

behind the

web.)

CURTAIN

END OF ACT ONE

Charlotte's Web Act I

Documents

Transcript of Charlotte's Web Act I