CHARLOTTE’S WE ‘A FultLength Ploy ‘Adopted trom the book by EB. White By Joseph Robinette *« SL Washington Street, P.O. Box 109 Woodstock, Ilinois 60098CHARLOTTE's WER ‘A Full-Length Play {for Four to Mine Men, Five to Ten Women, ‘Flexible Ensemble Group* CHARACTERS FERN ARABLE. : ss young gi JOHN ARABLE cece hee father ‘MARTHA ARABLE, seeteeteco coe mother AVERY ARABLE. 211117 sos he brother HOMER ZUCKERMAN fees hep une EDITHZUCKERMAN, . |. feteecc es bet amt KURWY..... os + third hand WIEBUR 2) ee TEMPLETON. |. 1! fl : tant CHARLOTTE... ceseeetecoe dapider (GOOSE, GANDER, SHEEP, LAB Ss fam anima CHORUS REPORTER, PHOTOGRAPHER, SPECTATORS, JUDGES, FAIRGOERS, ANNOUNCER, UNCLE (a pig), SPIDERS. veces exter ‘See Production Notes for flexible casting, ‘TIME: The Present and The Past PLACE: The Ambles Farm; the Zuckerman Ban; ‘the County Fair ‘ACT ONE SCENE: Anopen space in farmyard, [AT RISE OF CURTAIN: In dares, the sounds of farm Ju before aye ae ard: rks, hoot whip oor ete, The sounds may be on tape or produced “Ive offstage by the actor. The Highs come up faintly atthe [CHORUS eaters ori rereled ong. FIRST MEMBER (to the audeac), SAA Liste tothe sounds ‘ofthe morning. Very, very erly morning, So eatin fat, the un n't even up yet SECOND MEMBER. Lise to the crickets... the hootowis {fog down bythe pond... dog up athe nxt far. ‘THIRD MEMBER. And tay there's another wound. It tls that something excing happened during the right. Some ‘brandnew pigs were bor. (The squealing of young pis is heard) FIRST MEMBER, Here's one of them right now — exploring his ew home,ACT ONE SCENE: An open space in farmyard, [AT RISE OF CURTAIN: In daknes, the sounds of a farm jt before daybreak are heard; eikes, hoot, whip- Poor, ete. The sounds may be on tape or produced “ne” ‘offiage by the acton. ‘The lghts come up faty 36 the (CHORUS enters ors reveled ontge. PIRST MEMBER (1 the audience. Soh? Lise to the sounds of the morning. Very, very ently morlag So ety ia ft, the uni’ even vp yet SECOND MEMBER. Listen othe crickets. the hootows «2 frog down by the pond. dog upat the next farm THIRD MEMBER. And today thc's another sound, It tll ‘that something exciting happened dures the night. Some brand-new pigs were Dor. (The squealing of young pis Is ard) FIRST MEMBER. Here's one of tem right so — expla itPage 6 (CHARLOTTE WEB nat (QWILBUR, apg enters in wide-eyed amazement) [FIRST MEMBER, Hie mime is— wel, actly, he doen't have rave, yet, For the moment, he's il jst ite pg. But as youl he just any ordinary Pe WILBUR. Who an I? Where am? Ive never ben here before. (A beat) [ve never been anynhere before. Everything seems so arange, But Tet. «1 think SECOND MEMBER. ‘The ew pig hus been bor her at the Ara- bet fam. Before Song, you'll meet the Arbls, You'l ako ‘meet the others —the people ad the animals ~ who wil pay tn importnt part in thet p's i. THIRD MEMBER. Now, where should we tart” Wait amine, We're aledy started. fseary morning, We'reat the Arable! farm. Some pigs were born diag the night. For now, tha ail you need to Know, (The CHORUS MEMBERS exit asthe Tights come op fall.” A rooster crows. Delighted, WILBUR looks off inthe diction af the sound. He exited explores hisnew eaveonment unt be hess offstage vies.) [FER (flag). Where's Pap ping with that ax? MRS, ARABLE (oss), Out to the hoghous. Some pigs were bom ast ight. FERN (offstage), 1 don't se why he needs ana (MRS, ARABLE (offeage. Wel, one of the pis ix rut, Is ‘very anal and wesk. (WILBUR looks about in la, then points to hielo mouths “me?”) So you father has ied todo away with t, (WILBUR runs to downstag comer inte) FERN (otfaage). I've got to op hi. Act ‘CHARLOTTE'S WEB Page? (PERN, youn gi enters huey) FERN, Paps cast Mili just because is salle thn the other, (MARTHA ARABLE, Fee's mother, enter.) MRS. ARABLE. Stop, Feral Don't yell Your father i ight. ‘The pig would probably die anyway. (FERN spots WILBUR, She looks at him lovingly for 2 moment, then surts toward him) (GOHN ARABLE, Pern's father, enters from another diction, carry on ax) FERN (sisdig WILBUR who cringe behind her) Paps plese ont Kt H'sunfii. (WILBUR nds vigorous) [ARABLE. Fern, koow more about raking» liter of pigs than ‘you do, A weaiogmakes trouble, Now run along! PERN. But it's unfulr. The pg cous" hep being born smal, could #7 (WILBUR shakes he head) This ithe most ‘execs of tse Iver rad of. (WILBUR nods) MRS. ARABLE, Fem! (openly, to ARABLE.) John? (PERN and WILBUR fold thei hands pleasingly) ARABLE (after 2 pause), Of «call it. et you take are ofitfor ale while. (WILBUR collapses in elie.) [PERN (hogging ARABLE). Thank you, Paps (She ans to WIL- BUR ad pets hi.) MRS, ARABLE, You can start in on aot, ike baby. TL ook for one, (She exits)Page (CHARLOTTES WEB ctl (AVERY, Fecn's older brother, enters He cartis an alr if in one hand anda wooden dager inthe other) AVERY, What's going on? What's ern dog over there? ‘ARABLE. Your sster has «ges for breakfast, Avery. Infact, fora ite while, she's going to be aig tht pi. AVERY (akg clot look at WILBUR), You cal hat mise: sie thig «pig? (WILBUR tums his nose up atthe remark) He's nothing but a runt. (WILBUR tres to draw himself p in “hema” pose, but i not very succesful AVERY lugs) [ARABLE, Come in the houte and ent your brakls, Avery. The schoo bus wil be alo nhl an hour FERN (plying with WILBUR) T'm going to hare such a good time with thi ite le, AVERY. Can have pl, 00, Pop? ARABLE, No, only ditibute pigs to eal rss who are trying to cd the word of inustic, Let's eat. (He and AVERY et) (OURS, ARABLE enters) MRS, ARABLE. Fer, honey, [found a baby’s suring bottle and a rubber alppe. TH pour some warm mike in it Bring {your pig in, and. ive him some breakfast. Say, wha’ is pame,anyway? FERN, Wy, [dont koow. MRS. ARABLE, Hurry along now. (Sb exits) FERN. My very ova pg (WILBUR snes) Now, Ihave to ‘ame you. A perfect name fora perfest ig. (Sho thlaks ora moment) Fred. That's «good aame . but not for you ctl (CHARLOTTE WEB, Page CCarence. . .n, you don't ook tke a Clarence... Maxim ton. Because you're worth a milion tome, (A pane. BOTH. laugh and hake ther hens) Maybe 'm trying oo bar, Las see. «Barney, Herman, Lawrence, Newton, Mot, Waren, Wile, Wibar, Wim... QWILBUR nudges er.) Wat ami re.” Wibur (WILBUR nods, FERN tries ot the name) itis. QWILBUR sees snd sods gory) Wilbur! Whats Desa are! DMRS. ARABLE (ffage. Brest, Fern! FERN, I'm comlag! I esn we¥e coming, Fen ané iar! (She takes Wilbur’ hang, then they exit) (CHORUS MEMBERS enter from various oss) FIRST MEMBER, Wibur, SECOND MEMBER, Wilbur. THIRD MEMBER, Wir FIRST MEMBER. Fern loved Wibur more tha ating, ‘SECOND MEMBER. Every momiag, af tna she got up, he warmed hel, Wed his bib on, and ward his bottle for im, CILBUR caters weaviog bib and nicking» bottle. A moment Inter, FERN enter carying. her achook books, She pats ‘WILBUR onthe bead) THIRD MEMBER. fer breakfast, Wilbur always walked out to the road with Fernand waited i her bus care. (FERN and ‘WILBUR cross othe ie ofthe stag) FERN, Now you be «good boy until get home. (A bus horn sounds, Thir may be done offitage or the sound may bea Page 10 CHARLOTTE WEB Ast ‘made by @ CHORUS MEMBER.) That's the bus. "Bye, "ye, Wilbur. see you thi atenoon. (She huge WILBUR asthe horn sounds gain.) Coming! (Thay wave teach other ashe fits WILBUR slowly roses to C and resumes sacking is tote) FIRST MEMBER. Every day wasahppy day fr Wibu SECOND MEMBER. And everynight wat pease THIRD MEMBER. He was very contented lig with Fer and the Arable family. [WILBUR Tove er (OURS, ARABLE enters crying bow!) ‘MBS, ARABLE. Wabur,you'e geting bi enough to have some- ‘thing eses just mk. Tey tis bowl of corneal mush and honey. Ghe hands the bow! to WILBUR, who eagey sips from k MRS, ARABLE removes his bib, takes i bot sad cits) FIRST MEMBER, No looger was Wibura runt, (WILBUR pals inst op) SECOND MEMBER He was growing eich diy. (Somewhat cocky, WILBUR sees pose.) THIRD MEMBER. He was becoming quite «specimen of pg WILBUR (Dexag muscle). T chal it upto good, clean Living ARABLE (ffage)- Suppertine, Wb. WILBUR. And to good, ttening food (ARABLE enters crying 2 bucket) ARABLE, Okay, pig is time you gaduated 0 Hops Skim Act (CHARLOTTES WER Pag 11 ‘milk, potato skin, lover sandwiches and marmalade dpe ings WILBUR repeats cach tem alter ARABLE with ‘wowing ents, He fay swoon as ARABLE bands him the bucket, takes the bow, nd exits WILBUR quickly dak ‘om the bucket, sopping oceasioaly chew.) FIRST MEMBER. Before long, Wilbur as fie weeks od, WILBUR. 14 sy i's about time fora birthéey party SECOND MEMBER, He was ig WILBUR. Now let them cll ut, ‘THIRD MEMBER. And stro, WILBUR. Anyone for srmwrestng? FIRST MEMBER. And helt. ‘WILBUR. Checkout he pak in he cheeks, ENTIRE CHORUS. And he wa dy tobe sol WILBUR. For a prety far pce, Pm wilig 0... (A beat then with panic) Sold!” Oh, wo!” (The CHORUS ent WILBUR drops his bucket and cole) FERN (ofTiag). No, Pap, you can't sll im, You just can't. (ARABLE enters, followed by FERN and MRS. ARABLE.) ARABLE, He's eat too much. I ca't provide for him any longer. 1 aesdy sold Wiburs ten brothers aad sites (PERN runs to the uembag WILBUR, She sabe and em beach) FERN. Ob, Wibue. Wibur DMRS. ARABLE (after 2 best). Linen, everbody. have «su teston, Why don't we ell the Zvckemats?” Your Uncle Ho: ier sometines aes a pig. Aad if Wibur pos thereto ie, you can walk own th road and vit hin anytime you ikePage 12 CHARLOTTE WEB ctl FERN, Oh yes, Pet, Ppa. ARABLE (after 2 pause). Thats nota ba iden, Marta. Come long, Well call Uncie Homer. (He picks up the bucket PERN and WILBUR embrace in get reef, then sake hands) FERN, Can Wibur come, 00? AARABLE. Why ot? Mybe welll hin make the cal hl (Ge and MRS, ARABLE lugh she str to ext) FERN, Ie'snot funy. He an ta, you know. (MRS, ARABLE, Ob, Fer, What an imagination! (ALLesit) (The scone shifts tothe Zockerman bara, A momeat lair HOMER ZUCKERMAN eaters wth hie wife EDITH, and LLURVY, a hed hand. HOMER carries pig trough and LLURVY holds an armload of straw) EDITH, Homer Zuckerman, I want to know where you panto ep that pie HOMER (xing the tough dows) Right oer herein the bar, Edith, Lary, go oat there and patch up that pce offence that’s oming dove LURVY (setting the straw dows). Sure thing, Me, Zuckerman, (Ge ats) ‘ZUCKERMAN. I'l lie this door bak so he cat et in hare whee the cows are. (He sides a sizable door at R across an ‘opening. A lige spider we i evened behind the door at iemored) [EDITHL Well just hope this pies not going to be more trouble than ts worth, HOMER (completing the moving ofthe door). Now, I sould't tum down Fer, could I? She seemed 3 desperate. (LURVY Je heard hamming ffeage) Anyway, she only asked sie ota fori Wher the pig gets big enough to saute, hl Act CHARLOTTE’ WED Page 13 be worth alot more han six dlls. EDITIHaning up). Ugh Dit spider webs HOMER. Parfet for le FERN (offstage). Uncle Homer! Aunt Edith? [EDITHL Here they a (PERN enters wth WILBUR) FERN, Hi, This Wabur. HOMER (ughing). 8, eas a name, does he? (LURVY enters) LURVY, All inked, Me. Zickeman. (ie spots WILBUR) ‘Wel, her's our new boarder, EDITH. Fen, honey, Tjust opened a big can of peaches, You ‘ome inand have a dich with FERN. Otay, thanks. But let me say with Wabur just for mite... tl he ges used to his sumoundigs. (EDITH, HOMER and LURVY exit Fora moment FERN and WIL. BUR look stout) Hs very nie hae, Wabue, (WILBUR smiles) AndT can coma dows and visit you amos every day, (WILBUR nods) Now I better go. Tlsee you tomorow: (They wave to ech otheras FERN es) WILBUR (after a beat, looking not). Is very Ie barn ‘And of, I'l bet. Tbe the sel, Fay ané manure. Horses and cows. Its peaceful aml. 8 though thing bad could happen ever again lathe wodd. (A bent) Fem was right. 115 very aie hee, (He an, les dome, and close ls yes)Page 14 (CHARLOTTE'S WEB Act (A moment itr, ¢ GOOSE enters, followed by » GANDER. ‘They cele WILBUR, studying him cael.) {GO0SE. Heo, elo, het, WILBUR (abit stare). Who. . who are you? (GOOSE. The Goo. ‘WILBUR, Oh, Hi, Goose GOOSE. And this is my fend, the Gander, Gander, Gander WILBUR, But I only see one Gander. You inodaced ime to thre. {G00SE. No, n,n GANDER. We tend to repeat, sepeat, repeat ousees GOOSE, Do you have wmame. «besides “pig?” WILBUR. Yes. They eal me Wibus ‘TEMPLETON (offtape). Wbur? Thatsa pretty tacky name, you ask me, GOOSE. Wel, obody, nobody, nobody asked you. WILBUR. Who wa ha (GANDER, Templeton, thera, (TEMPLETON, ara, eters He cares tring atin an, and an ange) ‘TEMPLETON, In person, (He stares at WILBUR.) Well Iwill ‘amt i's nlc to have apg around the pace aaa. T haven Id detiious eRover spr ana. WILBUR, But the slops willbe forme. TEMPLETON. Tim sue you'l find it in your chatable title art 0 sare your fod with dea old Templeton. Expect if ‘make nest right here beside your trough. (He aanges the str atone ie of the tough an buries the sig, cn, and ett (CHARLOTTES WEB. Page 1s orange) ‘SHEEP (esage). Whats al th canmotion in ere? GANDER. It’ the ol od Shoe. {GOOSE. And the i, ie Lam’. (Tie SHEEP and LAMB ener) GANDER, We haves new resident, GOOSE. Hisnane i Wabur. LAMB (unethused). Oh, yeah The pia. WILBUR. Yow know about me? SHEEP, We overhsid the Zackermans dicusting you. ‘They Plano keep you nce and comfortable. ‘LAMB. And fatten you up with desous ops, [WILBUR (delighted). Ob, Lam gig oie hers SHEEP. Jos the same, we dort envy you. You know why they ‘want to make you fe and tender, con't you? WILBUR, No, eon", GOOSE. Now, now, sow, old Sheep, Hel es soon enough. WILBUR, Lean what? SHEEP (ater beat). Ob, nothing. Nothing at all. Ne tomeet you... Wibsr, Lamb, ming your manners, LAMB (oot meanag i), Nice. . 0. . meet. .you ‘Wb. [WILBUR (abit conceroi). My pleasure, I'm sue, [GOOSE. Wel, Ihave geo hatch TEMPLETON. And hae tat ples to id GANDER. Good, good, good night, Wibur, Better get some est afer ach a ong dy. WILBUR. Yes, tank you, will (GOOSE, GANDER, SHEE?, LAMB, a TEMPLETON exit) The animal sem nie. «1SscsEE Seer Page 16 cHARLOTTE'S WEB Act think, But I'm not sue about Templeton. (Aes) And Tina tile concerned about the old Shesps reac, (Sihtly iit ting the Sheep's voice) "You know why they wat 10 make you fat and tender, don't you?” Wel, dont know, And ‘ld Sheep did't tele, Wel, Tim not gol to wory soon it jst now. Tim much to ed. (He yawns, is dowa, and closes his eye. The hts slowly di) (CHARLOTTE, spies, comes out from behind the web, She is tached to bya log dss ine, She caeilyccep one to WILBUR and snes) CHARLOTTE (quiet). Go to deep, Wilbur. Goto sleep, tie Ble. (She cose bck upstage and disappear behind the med, ‘WILBUR contiuesto sep in the dim light) (The CHORUS enters. There ae its of thunder, phnig, and ‘in These may be done offtge or by the CHORUS. The lights ome up slowly as WILBUR stn) WILBUR, Ob, no. Moring sendy. Andis rag, tn my reams, 1 had made sah grand plan for today, Lets se, FIRST MEMBER, Sixth, WILBUR. Beskist. SECOND MEMBER. Seven o'ock, WILBUR. 4 sp indoor. ‘THIRD MEMBER. Eph o'clock WILBUR. A nap outéoors (He is deected.) Jn the sum, FIRST MEMBER. Nise otlock, WILBUR. Dig shal, Act CHARLOTTE'S WEB, Page 17 SECOND MEMBER, Ten olock ‘WILBUR. Fl yp the hole, ‘THIRD MEMBER. Eleven o'ock, WILBUR. Jos sand sland watch the Nis, And the bees and the salons, FIRST MEMBER. Twehe noon, WILBUR. Linc. SECOND MEMBER. One onc. WILBUR. Seep, THIRD MEMBER. Two o'clock WILBUR. ‘Seatch tehy pices by rubbing spot the fence FIRSTMEMBER. Thre o'lck. WILBUR. vist fom Fer, SECOND MEMBER. Four o'lock, WILBUR. Super. And fourth 08 ENTIRE CHORUS, Free tine! WILBUR (moaning). Right 1 get evrything all beautifully planed out, andi has to go and an, (There isone fal ut burt of thunder and lighting, then the CHORUS ext) 'm foesome. And I tow Fem won't con in aich bd eather, Ob, honesty. Um les than two months ol, and slendy Pn ed fring (LURVY, ia hat and raincoat, enter with a bcket) LURVY. Moris, pie. Breakfast tine. Lots of gpod left: ves today. (He pours the dope ito the trough) A tea 4 for a i! GILBUR sis, then tars wy.) Wh ‘rong with you" (A teat) We must have a sek pi here (te cal offsage) Mr. Zuckerman! Come out to the barn,Page 18 CHARLOTTE’S WEB Aad Gieexts) WILBUR. Tr does look delicious. But I don't want food, I want love. Iwant friend. Someone who wil play with me (CHARLOTTE (offage). Do you want a fiend, Wilbur? Tbe a friend to yoo. I watched you all night, and Ulike you. WILBUR, Where are you? And who are you? HOMER (offstage). I think this will do the trick, Lury. (HOMER, with a container and spoon, and LURVY enter) HOMER. Now he won't like ths medicine, s0 you hold him and TM feed it to him. (LURVY grabs WILBUR who protests) Come on, boy. ‘This is sulphur and molases. 1° cure what ailsyou, LURVY. Okay, dos him up, Mr. Zuckerman. (HOMER gives WILBUR 2 spoonful. WILBUR gays) There, that wasnt 20 bad, was it? (WILBUR makes a face and nods vigorously.) HOMER. I think Til give you 2 second dose, just for good ‘measure, (He forces another spoonful down WILBUR who gage again.) Good work, Lury. That pig willbe wel in no time (ile and LURVY exit, WILBUR catches his breath and clears, his throat.) WILBUR. Attention, please! Wil the party who just spake to ‘me make himelf or herself known? (A pause) Peas ell me Where you are if you ae my fiend. (CHARLOTTE enter.) CHARLOTTE, Salutations. WILBUR (excitedly). Ob, hello, What ate slvatons? Act CHARLOTTE’S WEB Page 19 CHARLOTTE. 10s fancy way of saying “hell.” WILBUR. Oh. And salutations to you, too, Very pleased to meet you, What is your name, plese? May [have your name? CHARLOTTE. My name is Charote, WILBUR. Chasiotte what? CHARLOTTE. Charlotte A, Cavaia. I'm spider, WILBUR. I think you're beri CHARLOTTE, Thank you. WILBUR. And your web is beautiful, too, CHARLOTTE, I's my home, Iknow it looks file, But i's really very strong. It protects me, And I trp my food in it WILBUR. Tm so happy you'll be my frend, In fact, it restores -my appetite, (He begins to eat) Willyou join me? CHARLOTTE, No, thank you. My breakfast is waiting for me ‘on the other side of my web, WILBUR. Oh, What are you having? CHARLOTTE. A fy, Teayght i this morning WILBUR (choking). You eat... fies? CHARLOTTE, And bugs, Actally, 1 drink their blood WILBUR. Ugh! CHARLOTTE. That's the way I'm made, I cant hep it, Any- ‘way, IFT did't catch insects and eat them, there would soon be so many they’ destroy the eath, wipe out everything, WILBUR. Really? I wouldn't want tha o happen. CHARLOTTE. Now, if you'll excuse me, 'm going t have my ‘breakfast (She exits behind the web) [WILBUR (with uncertainty). Well, I've gota new frien, al ight But Charlote is... brutal, think. Aad bloodthity, How can I eam to like her, even though she i petty, and very lever, it seems (He glances back atthe web, then slowly hes down)