🎶Fairy Tale

Setup and Launch

Ask the audience for one word. It is the only suggestion for the whole show.

Flow

The form is built on a Harold — a long form with an opening and a series of scenes. The story here is simple: a hero, a villain, and charm characters.

1. Opening number

A song builds out the world. It is the opening: the form starts with it.

2. Scene A — heroes and sidekicks

Two or three players step out. One is the hero; the others are sidekicks or supportive characters. The hero states a goal and says what they want to achieve. The hero wants to make the world better. Sidekicks can be supportive or less optimistic. Both drive the story: a sidekick either supports the hero's goal or adds their own perspective.

After the scene comes the I Want Song. The hero sings what they wish for and how the world will look if the wish comes true.

3. Scene B — villains and henchmen

Two or three new players step out. These characters hold views opposed to the hero. They believe in their own philosophy, and that philosophy is what stops the hero from reaching the goal. Note: it is not about the villain's plan, it is about their beliefs.

After the scene comes the Philosophy Song. The villain sings how the world works in their view and why they are right no matter the cost. The villain has no doubts, unlike the hero.

4. Scene C — charm characters

Three new players step out. They are not heroes and not villains; they are charm characters who add to the world. They can be quirky or odd and might not even know the villains or the heroes.

After the scene comes the three-person song — light-hearted and quirky.

5. Scene D — moment of doubt

The scene starts optimistically. Then the villain enters and shakes the hero's confidence. The hero starts to doubt themselves, and the villain feels victorious. So the audience sees the hero's vulnerability, and the stakes rise before the final act.

After the scene comes the Doubt Song. It is the low point of the story: the hero's despair, the villain's triumph. The song is emotional — the audience should feel the tension and uncertainty.

6. Scene E — ending

The story reaches its resolution. The hero and villain may find a way to resolve their conflict, or the villain may fail. Charm characters help solve the problem. The whole cast comes together for the ending.

7. End song

The End Song states the theme of the show. It is a big, fun ending to wrap up the musical. For time reasons it is often just two choruses.