The Spoiled Princess

Agrita is a modern princess who has everything. She has designer dresses, flashy jewels, opulent restaurant food, and the unconditional love of two parents. What she doesn’t have is grace and charm. With a turned-up nose, down-turned mouth, dull eyes, and generally sour disposition, many in the kingdom find it hard to want to be near her. The King finds help for his daughter in the most unexpected heroes: a simple woman and her three daughters.

This play includes discussion questions and director’s notes regarding casting, costumes and simple set design.

Debra A. Cole is a celebrated humanities teacher, youth theatre director, and children’s playwright with degrees in journalism, art history, and elementary education. She understands the needs of young performers and their directors and creates pieces that encourage engaging discussion, creative thought, and quirky playfulness. Her goal is that young performers discover the power and delight that theatre brings to actors and audiences alike.

Visit her website:
www.debraacole-playwright.com

Excerpt from the play:

CHARACTERS

PRINCESS AGRITA — (F) Princess who is very sour – turned up nose, down turned mouth, and dull eyes
KING — (M) Loving father but maybe gives too much
QUEEN — (F) Loving mother and tries to temper the excesses of King
EXPERANZA — (F) Mysterious woman who says she has the magic to help the princess – mother of three daughters
AMOROSA — (F) oldest daughter of Esperanza- very loving
PENSA— (F) middle daughter of Esperanza – very thoughtful
TIPO — (F) youngest daughter of Esperanza – very kind
(The action takes place in modern day in a palace and a tiny house.)

(Lights come up on a King and Queen sitting on two elaborate modern-day thrones. Both are dressed with elegant style and sit with great posture and elegance.

SCENE 1

QUEEN
(soothingly) Dear, you mustn’t fuss over her so.

KING
But she is our daughter! She should have everything her heart desires.

QUEEN
I understand, dear, but she has so much already.

KING
Nonsense. You know she is working with some…issues.

QUEEN
Yes. Those. Did you hear what happened at Prince Michael’s birthday party yesterday?

KING
(worried) Oh no…

QUEEN
Well, as usual, our dear Princess Agrita went thinking that everyone would love and accept her immediately, because, well, she is a princess and our daughter, but…

KING
Let me guess. Everyone moved as far away from her a possible. I just don’t understand.

QUEEN
Dear, you know she isn’t always the most graceful or well-mannered.

KING
Why should she have to be? SHE IS A PRINCESS! All should bow to her every desire… despite her actions.

QUEEN
Dear, you know that will not work long-term for the monarchy. One day she will be Queen, and we want the entire country to respect and honor her because of her good deeds… not just because she will be Queen.

KING
I just don’t get it. That up-turned nose of hers. THAT is not from my side of the family. Our noses are level and just right.

QUEEN
…after a little plastic surgery… sure, but you think that down-turned mouth is from my side of the family? No, sir, it is not. My family all smile and charm those who meet us. (smiles in a beautiful and slightly stiff way)

KING
Well, neither of our sides of the family have dull eyes. Both of our eyes twinkle with light and joy. Where have those come from?

(Both blink and flash their eyes to the audience.)

QUEEN
(embarrassed) Look at us! We are picking our dear        daughter apart. She wasn’t like this as a baby. She was perfect. 7 pounds 8 ounces of pure beauty.

KING
No. These traits came on much later, as she grew. I wish everyone could see her for who she once was – a perfect, radiant, and happy young lady.

(Enter Princess Agrita stage left. She holds her nose to the ceiling, frowns, and squints her eyes. She looks overall very uncomfortable and generally tight.)

PRINCESS AGRITA
Daddy, my new Vitzen Von Bon designer dress has a tiny hole. We must contact the designer to make another one immediately!

KING
Yes, dear child.

PRINCESS AGRITA
Oh, and my bath water was quite tepid today. When I went to place my orange crush scented bath bomb in it, it didn’t sizzle or pop. The tiny ball just floated there. YOU need to fire the royal plumber. If he can’t make it so I can have a HOT bath, then he has no business working for the King. I think I’m going to go online and give him the worst review of his career.

KING
Yes, dear child.

PRINCESS AGRITA
One more thing, it IS Monday. (hinting)