Story/Script
Synopsis
Once upon a time, in the Kingdom of Bushelpeck, a land near the Wonderweird Forest, the townspeople are preparing for the Festival of Cukes. They gather their best bushels of cucumbers in hopes that King Willoughbye will select them to be included in his favorite dessert – Pickle-Chiffon Pie.
Unfortunately, this year, the cucumbers in Bushelpeck are in short supply. It is the “great cucumber crisis of the century!” And, to boot, the King’s daughter, Princess Sunnyskye, is being courted by many princes, including Prince Wellred, who is braggadociosly brainy, Prince Musselbaum, who is boastfully brawny, and Prince Bernard, who is courteously kind. When invited to the castle they eat so much of the King’s pie that there’s none left for him, adding to the drama.
As Sunnyskye is “of marrying age,” tradition holds that the King must find a suitable mate for her. King Willoughbye decides to hold a contest between Musselbaum and Wellred to find a husband for the Princess. But, strong-willed Sunnyskye, who doesn’t want to be forced to marry, tries to persuade the King to at least include Prince Bernard too. With a little more coaxing by Queen Lauralai, the King agrees to include Prince Bernard, mostly because he is certain that Bernard isn’t strong or smart enough to win his contest anyway.
The King summons the three competing Princes to meet at the enchanted Wonderweird forest. He explains that whoever brings back the most wonderful thing will win the hand of the Princess. With help from local villagers and her Ladies in Waiting, Sunnyskye schemes to thwart the King’s plan. Each Prince encounters strange and interesting creatures, with Musselbaum and Wellred each certain that they have found the “Most Wonderful Thing,” while Bernard continues to search for his prize.
At the castle, Wellred and Musselbaum present their ‘wonderful things,’ to the King but Bernard has brought back nothing. He explains the incredible things he encountered, but also the reasons that stopped him from bringing them back to the King. In particular, he explains how he found a three-nosed Snozzle baking Pickle-Chiffon Pie, which he was certain was the most ‘wonderful thing.’ But, he decided not to take the Snozzle because, as he tried to drag the Snozzle toward the castle, he saw several small Snozzle children who would be left behind. After considering his love for the Princess and the Snozzle’s love for her children, he released the Snozzle.
After further reflection and Sunnyskye’s convincing self advocacy, The King announces that the choice of whether and whom to marry will be left to his daughter. Sunnyskye announces that Bernard has won the contest because what he brought back from the forest isn’t “nothing” at all, but a tale of kindness, love and consideration for others, which is truly the “Most Wonderful Thing.”
Bernard and the Princess are married. At the wedding celebration, the Snozzle arrives and presents a giant Pickle-Chiffon Pie that she made from a generous supply of cucumbers in the forest. And they all live happily ever after…Snozzle Tov!
Versions
Full-Dill Version (Large Cast, Two Acts)
Half-Dill Version (Smaller Cast, Two Acts)
Gherkin Version (Large Cast, One Act)
Half-Sour Version (Smaller Cast, One Act)
Script Sample
Click here to see a sample of the script from “Pickle-Chiffon Pie: The Musical.” If you are interested in receiving a perusal copy of the entire work, please fill out the form on the “Contact Us” page and we’ll be glad get you one.