THE STORY
ACT ONE
Scene 1 Road To Lydia.
The GREEK CHORUS sets the scene with a rousing opening, IT'S ALL GREEK TO US. As they finish, we meet the old one-eyed fable-spinner AESOP. This former sheep-herding slave is literally on his last leg as he hobbles to Lydia, where he's to join the court of KING CROESUS as one of the monarch's collected brain trust. On the market road, he stumbles across the handsome young royal food taster, SPYROS, who has yet again managed to turn the head of a beautiful girl while enraging her father. Aesop soothes the situation with his tale of a wolf in sheep's clothing, which earns him the kitchen boy's somewhat dubious loyalty.
Scene 2 Palace of Sardis, The Court Of Croesus.
SOLON of Athens and THALES of Miletus have a problem. As advisors to the king, they're obligated to tell him of the dangers of ignoring impending invasion by the forces of a rival monarch, Cyrus. But Croesus doesn't want to hear it. He's more concerned with the arrival of his latest acquisition, which he crows about in RICH LIKE ME. The advisors watch skeptically as Croesus welcomes Aesop to court. When they challenge his talents, Aesop performs his fable about the hare and the frogs in his PHILOSOPHIZER RAP, which delights his new patron. When Spyros implores Croesus to allow him to serve as Aesop's personal valet, the king agrees, further vexing his other advisors.
Scene 3 Palace of Sardis, Aesop's Quarters.
Weary from his long travels, Aesop finds himself overwhelmed by a splendor he never imagined. Once Spyros has retired, he sings NOW THAT I'M FREE (Aesop's Lament), recalling his love for RHODOPE, who was sold away from him by his former master long ago. Aesop vows to renew his quest to find her.
Scene 4 Delphi, The Temple Of Apollo.
Across the Greek world at Delphi, the beautiful Oracle PYTHIA has a problem of her own. Even at her tender age, she knows she will never experience earthly love. In THE ORACLE SONG, she laments this unfairness. Still, she has a job to do. A delegation from Athens seeks the advice of the sun god Apollo's Oracle. At the urging of her High Priest THADDIUS, the conceited visionary advises her petitioners LEONIDAS and NIKOLAOS to form an alliance with Lydia to overcome an attempt by a former war hero PISISTRATUS to seize control of the city state as Tyrant as they discuss the problem in DISASTRATUS PISISTRATUS.
Scene 5 Palace of Sardis, Balcony.
The delegates travel to Lydia to seek the aid of Solon in convincing Croesus to forge a treaty. The former Athenian mulls over the problem unhappily until he hits upon a plan by singing SCHEMIN'.
Scene 6 Palace of Sardis, The Court Of Croesus.
Seeing a way to overcome the king's reluctance to involve himself in foreign affairs, Solon persuades Croesus to send Aesop to Athens as an emissary, expecting the story-teller to fail and the king to accept the pact. Reluctantly, Aesop accepts the assignment and sets off with Spyros, fully expecting to fail. Solon gloats with a reprise of Schemin'.
Scene 7 Agora of Athens.
The Citizens of Athens celebrate Aesop's arrival with a song of welcome explaining the nature of their civic passions in KEFI. Anxiously, Aesop delays his certain failure by suggesting the Athenians air their grievances with Pisistratus in attendance. Caught up in the fervor of their new democracy, the Athenians agree and go to fetch their aspiring Tyrant. Spyros seizes the opportunity to explore the local color on his own, leaving Aesop to consult with his conscience in the form of Rhodope. When she suggests his hosts are acting no better than children, Aesop decides to tell a fable and hope for the best.
The results exceed his wildest expectations. After reciting The Frogs Desiring A King to the gathered citizens, they immediately resolve their crisis. Happy with the results, they break into a wild celebration, singing TIK TIKKA TIK AND THEN WE DANCE. Aesop and Spyros are made honorary citizens. Relieved, Aesop serenades Rhodope with BY THE GODS.
Scene 8 Palace of Sardis, The Court Of Croesus.
Scene 9 Delphi, The Temple Of Apollo.
Upon hearing the news, both Solon and Pythia swear to seek revenge on Aesop for thwarting their plans. They join with Aesop in trio, adding their angry oaths to his song of hope bringing By The Gods to its climax and the first act curtain down.
ACT TWO
Scene 1 Agora of Athens.
Time passes pleasantly for Aesop in Athens. Nobody seems to notice that he's taken to reclining under an olive tree, tucked into conference with his memory of Rhodope. They sing of their optimism for a better future in IT'S POSSIBLE. But his idyllic down time has come to an end. The story-teller has been invited to an audience at Delphi with the promise he will find the answers he seeks in his search for Rhodope. With the encouragement of his new friends and The Greek Chorus, Aesop sets out to fulfill his quest as IT'S POSSIBLE and IT'S ALL GREEK TO US are reprised.
Scene 2 Temple of Apollo.
But Aesop's enthusiasm is naive. Waiting for his arrival are an Oracle bent on revenge and a rival eager to assist her. Solon has advised Pythia of Aesop's life-long search and she has devised a way to turn it against the old traveler. When her High Priest Thaddius expresses his grave concerns about her scheme, the Oracle threatens him with blasphemy. Reluctantly, Thaddius agrees to go along. When Aesop arrives, however, he still hasn't reconciled himself to what he's been instructed to do. In counterpoint to the petitioner's hopefulness, he adds his doubts to I'VE GOT A GOOD / BAD FEELING ABOUT THIS. Meanwhile, Pythia finds herself strongly drawn to the handsome Spyros, even though she knows she can never have him.
Unaware of the Oracle's agenda, Aesop is led to believe Solon traveled to Delphi at the behest of Croesus to find a suitable reward for his triumph. The Oracle's vision convinces Aesop he will soon be reunited with his lost love.
Scene 3 Stadium of Delphi.
Overjoyed, Aesop attends a public dinner in his honor, where he is implored by the Delphians to tell one of his signature tales, FABLE US. Before he can begin, however, Pythia attends to Spyros dressed as a serving girl. Aesop urges his companion not to cause any trouble. Spyros turns Pythia's advances down, infuriating the Oracle past the point of forgiveness.
Aesop introduces his story for the night in a song acknowledging the heroes and the glory of Greek Mythology in Wonders.
Scene 4 Aesop's Fable, Meadow.
Through a connected suite of songs, Aesop spins THE FABLE SUITE. He tells of a race between a Tortoise and a Hare, introducing his characters (portrayed by members of the Greek Chorus) in the Song Of The Hare and Turtle Music. He tells of their adventure in The Race. As the speedy rabbit outdistances his rival, he reflects on his Hopes And Dreams And Grecian Scenes. Nearing the finish line, he meets three interested spectators, a Fox, an Owl and a Lion, who convince him to celebrate his win before he's even won in a reprisal of And Then We Dance. Exhausted from his victory dance, the rabbit decides to take a short nap at the urging of his fans so he'll be fresh at the finish line. While he's asleep, the Tortoise passes him to finish the race first. Not wanting to become dinner for the hungry predators, the rabbit bolts from the scene with his fans in hot pursuit. The Tortoise celebrates his victory with Slow and Steady Wins the Race.
Scene 5 Agora of Delphi.
Aesop finishes his fable reprising Wonders for his delighted audience. Overwhelmed by remorse for sabotaging the old master, Solon begs the Oracle's new High Priest VASILIOS not to go through with the plan to disgrace Aesop. But it's too late. During a toast, Aesop raises a holy goblet taken from the Oracle's Temple, a blasphemous act punishable by death. He's hauled away despite the protests of Spyros.
Scene 6 Temple of Apollo.
Spyros rushes to the Oracle's Temple to appeal the grievous injustice. Shocked that Pythia is the serving girl he spurned, Spyros appeals to her mercy. Furious at having been thwarted in her desire for Spyros, the Oracle refuses to yield. She scoffs at Spyros in her song: CRUEL FATE.
Scene 7 Tholos, Sanctuary Of Athena.
Aesop shares his last night in a cell with Thaddius, who refused to participate in the set-up. Comforted by the priest in their duet, ACROSS THE RIVER STYX, Aesop realizes Rhodope waits for him in the Afterlife.
Scene 8 Delphi, Cliff.
At dawn, Aesop and Thaddius are led to Delphi's highest cliff to be hurled to their doom. Certain of his future in the Underworld, Aesop accepts his fate. CHARON the boatman guides his craft to the edge of the cliff with Rhodope waiting for Aesop in the bow. As Aesop steps into his future, the Greek Chorus celebrates his life and accomplishments by singing THE MORAL OF THE STORY while APOLLO drives his fiery chariot across the sky and the final curtain falls.
Fable Us! © 2010, 2016. All rights reserved. Reproduction or sale of this material in whole or part without the expressed written consent of the copyright holder is strictly forbidden.
Scene 1 Road To Lydia.
The GREEK CHORUS sets the scene with a rousing opening, IT'S ALL GREEK TO US. As they finish, we meet the old one-eyed fable-spinner AESOP. This former sheep-herding slave is literally on his last leg as he hobbles to Lydia, where he's to join the court of KING CROESUS as one of the monarch's collected brain trust. On the market road, he stumbles across the handsome young royal food taster, SPYROS, who has yet again managed to turn the head of a beautiful girl while enraging her father. Aesop soothes the situation with his tale of a wolf in sheep's clothing, which earns him the kitchen boy's somewhat dubious loyalty.
Scene 2 Palace of Sardis, The Court Of Croesus.
SOLON of Athens and THALES of Miletus have a problem. As advisors to the king, they're obligated to tell him of the dangers of ignoring impending invasion by the forces of a rival monarch, Cyrus. But Croesus doesn't want to hear it. He's more concerned with the arrival of his latest acquisition, which he crows about in RICH LIKE ME. The advisors watch skeptically as Croesus welcomes Aesop to court. When they challenge his talents, Aesop performs his fable about the hare and the frogs in his PHILOSOPHIZER RAP, which delights his new patron. When Spyros implores Croesus to allow him to serve as Aesop's personal valet, the king agrees, further vexing his other advisors.
Scene 3 Palace of Sardis, Aesop's Quarters.
Weary from his long travels, Aesop finds himself overwhelmed by a splendor he never imagined. Once Spyros has retired, he sings NOW THAT I'M FREE (Aesop's Lament), recalling his love for RHODOPE, who was sold away from him by his former master long ago. Aesop vows to renew his quest to find her.
Scene 4 Delphi, The Temple Of Apollo.
Across the Greek world at Delphi, the beautiful Oracle PYTHIA has a problem of her own. Even at her tender age, she knows she will never experience earthly love. In THE ORACLE SONG, she laments this unfairness. Still, she has a job to do. A delegation from Athens seeks the advice of the sun god Apollo's Oracle. At the urging of her High Priest THADDIUS, the conceited visionary advises her petitioners LEONIDAS and NIKOLAOS to form an alliance with Lydia to overcome an attempt by a former war hero PISISTRATUS to seize control of the city state as Tyrant as they discuss the problem in DISASTRATUS PISISTRATUS.
Scene 5 Palace of Sardis, Balcony.
The delegates travel to Lydia to seek the aid of Solon in convincing Croesus to forge a treaty. The former Athenian mulls over the problem unhappily until he hits upon a plan by singing SCHEMIN'.
Scene 6 Palace of Sardis, The Court Of Croesus.
Seeing a way to overcome the king's reluctance to involve himself in foreign affairs, Solon persuades Croesus to send Aesop to Athens as an emissary, expecting the story-teller to fail and the king to accept the pact. Reluctantly, Aesop accepts the assignment and sets off with Spyros, fully expecting to fail. Solon gloats with a reprise of Schemin'.
Scene 7 Agora of Athens.
The Citizens of Athens celebrate Aesop's arrival with a song of welcome explaining the nature of their civic passions in KEFI. Anxiously, Aesop delays his certain failure by suggesting the Athenians air their grievances with Pisistratus in attendance. Caught up in the fervor of their new democracy, the Athenians agree and go to fetch their aspiring Tyrant. Spyros seizes the opportunity to explore the local color on his own, leaving Aesop to consult with his conscience in the form of Rhodope. When she suggests his hosts are acting no better than children, Aesop decides to tell a fable and hope for the best.
The results exceed his wildest expectations. After reciting The Frogs Desiring A King to the gathered citizens, they immediately resolve their crisis. Happy with the results, they break into a wild celebration, singing TIK TIKKA TIK AND THEN WE DANCE. Aesop and Spyros are made honorary citizens. Relieved, Aesop serenades Rhodope with BY THE GODS.
Scene 8 Palace of Sardis, The Court Of Croesus.
Scene 9 Delphi, The Temple Of Apollo.
Upon hearing the news, both Solon and Pythia swear to seek revenge on Aesop for thwarting their plans. They join with Aesop in trio, adding their angry oaths to his song of hope bringing By The Gods to its climax and the first act curtain down.
ACT TWO
Scene 1 Agora of Athens.
Time passes pleasantly for Aesop in Athens. Nobody seems to notice that he's taken to reclining under an olive tree, tucked into conference with his memory of Rhodope. They sing of their optimism for a better future in IT'S POSSIBLE. But his idyllic down time has come to an end. The story-teller has been invited to an audience at Delphi with the promise he will find the answers he seeks in his search for Rhodope. With the encouragement of his new friends and The Greek Chorus, Aesop sets out to fulfill his quest as IT'S POSSIBLE and IT'S ALL GREEK TO US are reprised.
Scene 2 Temple of Apollo.
But Aesop's enthusiasm is naive. Waiting for his arrival are an Oracle bent on revenge and a rival eager to assist her. Solon has advised Pythia of Aesop's life-long search and she has devised a way to turn it against the old traveler. When her High Priest Thaddius expresses his grave concerns about her scheme, the Oracle threatens him with blasphemy. Reluctantly, Thaddius agrees to go along. When Aesop arrives, however, he still hasn't reconciled himself to what he's been instructed to do. In counterpoint to the petitioner's hopefulness, he adds his doubts to I'VE GOT A GOOD / BAD FEELING ABOUT THIS. Meanwhile, Pythia finds herself strongly drawn to the handsome Spyros, even though she knows she can never have him.
Unaware of the Oracle's agenda, Aesop is led to believe Solon traveled to Delphi at the behest of Croesus to find a suitable reward for his triumph. The Oracle's vision convinces Aesop he will soon be reunited with his lost love.
Scene 3 Stadium of Delphi.
Overjoyed, Aesop attends a public dinner in his honor, where he is implored by the Delphians to tell one of his signature tales, FABLE US. Before he can begin, however, Pythia attends to Spyros dressed as a serving girl. Aesop urges his companion not to cause any trouble. Spyros turns Pythia's advances down, infuriating the Oracle past the point of forgiveness.
Aesop introduces his story for the night in a song acknowledging the heroes and the glory of Greek Mythology in Wonders.
Scene 4 Aesop's Fable, Meadow.
Through a connected suite of songs, Aesop spins THE FABLE SUITE. He tells of a race between a Tortoise and a Hare, introducing his characters (portrayed by members of the Greek Chorus) in the Song Of The Hare and Turtle Music. He tells of their adventure in The Race. As the speedy rabbit outdistances his rival, he reflects on his Hopes And Dreams And Grecian Scenes. Nearing the finish line, he meets three interested spectators, a Fox, an Owl and a Lion, who convince him to celebrate his win before he's even won in a reprisal of And Then We Dance. Exhausted from his victory dance, the rabbit decides to take a short nap at the urging of his fans so he'll be fresh at the finish line. While he's asleep, the Tortoise passes him to finish the race first. Not wanting to become dinner for the hungry predators, the rabbit bolts from the scene with his fans in hot pursuit. The Tortoise celebrates his victory with Slow and Steady Wins the Race.
Scene 5 Agora of Delphi.
Aesop finishes his fable reprising Wonders for his delighted audience. Overwhelmed by remorse for sabotaging the old master, Solon begs the Oracle's new High Priest VASILIOS not to go through with the plan to disgrace Aesop. But it's too late. During a toast, Aesop raises a holy goblet taken from the Oracle's Temple, a blasphemous act punishable by death. He's hauled away despite the protests of Spyros.
Scene 6 Temple of Apollo.
Spyros rushes to the Oracle's Temple to appeal the grievous injustice. Shocked that Pythia is the serving girl he spurned, Spyros appeals to her mercy. Furious at having been thwarted in her desire for Spyros, the Oracle refuses to yield. She scoffs at Spyros in her song: CRUEL FATE.
Scene 7 Tholos, Sanctuary Of Athena.
Aesop shares his last night in a cell with Thaddius, who refused to participate in the set-up. Comforted by the priest in their duet, ACROSS THE RIVER STYX, Aesop realizes Rhodope waits for him in the Afterlife.
Scene 8 Delphi, Cliff.
At dawn, Aesop and Thaddius are led to Delphi's highest cliff to be hurled to their doom. Certain of his future in the Underworld, Aesop accepts his fate. CHARON the boatman guides his craft to the edge of the cliff with Rhodope waiting for Aesop in the bow. As Aesop steps into his future, the Greek Chorus celebrates his life and accomplishments by singing THE MORAL OF THE STORY while APOLLO drives his fiery chariot across the sky and the final curtain falls.
Fable Us! © 2010, 2016. All rights reserved. Reproduction or sale of this material in whole or part without the expressed written consent of the copyright holder is strictly forbidden.
