The Student Prince
- Full Length Musical, Drama
- 9M, 4F
- ISBN: TW-9474
In The Student Prince, Karl Franz, prince of the kingdom of Karlsberg, has grown up sheltered and under tutors. Since childhood, he has been been engaged to Princess Margaret. His grandfather, the king, sends him to improve his social skills as a regular student at the venerable University of Heidelberg.
Karl and his entourage take up quarters at a local inn, and helped by new friends, Detlef, Lucas, and Von Asterberg, the prince soon starts enjoying student life. He also falls in love with Kathie, the innkeeper's niece, and the couple considers eloping.
But when Prince Karl learns that his grandfather is dying, he realizes that he must return to Karlsberg to become the new king, and to honor the arranged marriage which neither he nor the princess wants.
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Description
- Full Length Musical
- Drama
- Target Audience: Pre-Teen (Age 11 - 13), Teen (Age 14 - 18), Adult, Appropriate for all audiences
- Set Requirements: Unit Set/Multiple Settings
- Performance Group:
- Large Stage, Community Theatre, High School/Secondary, Professional Theatre, College Theatre / Student
PROLOGUE
Prince Karl Franz is heir to the (fictitious) German kingdom of Karlsberg. He has grown up fatherless, under rather gloomy military conditions of castle life (By Our Bearing So Sedate). He has been educated by tutors, in particular, kindly Doctor Engel, who has taught him the songs of his alma mater, the venerable University of Heidelberg (Golden Days). Karl Franz has been promised in marriage, since childhood, to the Princess Margaret (Johanna in some versions), but he has never met her. His grandfather, King Ferdinand, sends him to the University incognito, to live as an ordinary student, and improve his social skills. Karl Franz sets off under the watchful eye of Doctor Engel, accompanied by his snooty valet Lutz, who has his own assistant, Hubert.
ACT I
ACT I
At Heidelberg, Herr Ruder keeps the rustic Inn of Three Gold Apples (Garlands Bright). His beautiful niece Kathie waits tables in the inn's beer-garden. The inn is very popular with the students, who come there to drink and sing (Drink! Drink! Drink! / To The Inn We're Marching). Karl Franz, the finicky Lutz and Hubert arrive for the spring term and take rooms at the Three Gold Apples, to the delight of Engel and the disgust of Lutz (In Heidelberg Fair / Welcome to Prince). He falls in love, almost at first sight, with Kathie, who returns his affection (Deep In My Heart, Dear). But he is a royal heir, and she is a commoner.
Karl Franz also makes friends with three students, Detlef, Lucas and Von Asterberg, and shares the camaraderie of student life, with nights of enthusiastic drinking and singing (Overhead The Moon Is Beaming). He joins their student corps (Come Sir, Will You Join Our Noble Saxon Corps?).
ACT II
ACT II
As the term passes, Karl Franz and his friends continue to enjoy student life (Farmer Jacob Lay-a-Snoring / Students' Life). By the end of the term, Karl Franz and Kathie are deeply in love.
But then Karl Franz receives a surprise visit from Princess Margaret and her mother. They bring news that the king is ill and commands the prince return home for the ceremony of betrothal to the princess. After they leave, Karl Franz and Kathie consider eloping to Paris. But Doctor Engel and Count Von Mark (the prime minister of Karlsberg) remind the prince of his duty to his kingdom. Karl Franz reluctantly agrees to obey the king's command. He promises Kathie that he will return soon (Farewell, Dear). He takes leave of his friends (Thoughts Will Come Back To Me), and the students salute the University (Gaudeamus Igitur).
But then Karl Franz receives a surprise visit from Princess Margaret and her mother. They bring news that the king is ill and commands the prince return home for the ceremony of betrothal to the princess. After they leave, Karl Franz and Kathie consider eloping to Paris. But Doctor Engel and Count Von Mark (the prime minister of Karlsberg) remind the prince of his duty to his kingdom. Karl Franz reluctantly agrees to obey the king's command. He promises Kathie that he will return soon (Farewell, Dear). He takes leave of his friends (Thoughts Will Come Back To Me), and the students salute the University (Gaudeamus Igitur).
ACT III
Back in Karlsberg, two years pass, with Karl Franz unable to return to Heidelberg. His grandfather has died, and Karl Franz is now King. His life is bound up in court ceremony (Waltz Ensemble). Princess Margaret has also had a secret relationship with another man, Captain Tarnitz (Just We Two). But as King, Karl Franz must honor the betrothal to Margaret (Gavotte). Margaret knows that Karl Franz has long pined for an old love, and she has heard rumors that in Heidelberg, he fell in love with a tavern keeper's niece.
Words arrives from Heidelberg that Doctor Engel has died there. Karl Franz is persuaded to visit Heidelberg for a brief reunion with his old friends, and he hopes to see Kathie again (What Memories).
ACT IV
Princess Margaret goes to Heidelberg first, and secretly visits Kathie. Margaret persuades her that for the good of the kingdom, she must break it off with Karl Franz. They agree that Kathie will tell Karl Franz she is in love with another man and is going to marry him. Karl Franz will then finally be free to accept Margaret, who has come to love him. Meanwhile, the students of Heidelberg continue their merry ways (Sing A Little Song / To The Inn We're Marching (reprise) / Overhead The Moon Is Beaming (reprise) / Come Boys, Let's All Be Gay Boys).
Karl Franz arrives, meets his old friends and visits Kathie. True to her promise, she tells him of her fictitious new love and plans to marry. Karl Franz resolves to marry Margaret without further delay, but Kathie will always be his true love (Deep In My Heart, Dear (reprise)).
Premiere Production:
Opening on Broadway in 1924, The Student Prince became the longest-running show of that decade, playing for 608 performances at Jolson's 59th Street Theatre starring Howard Marsh and Roberta Beatty. It was revived on Broadway both in 1931 and in 1943, and at the New York City Opera in 1988.
Characters
- Casting: 9M, 4F
- Casting Attributes: Strong Role for Leading Man (Star Vehicle)
- Chorus Size: Large
PRIME MINISTER VON MARK - Distinguished man of 60.
DOCTOR ENGEL - Baritone. Middle-ahed tutor of Karl Franz.
PRINCE KARL FRANZ - Tenor. Heir to the throne. A handsome boy of 21.
GRETCHEN - Soprano. Comedienne. Maid at the Inn of the Three Golden Apples.
RUDER - Baritone. Keep of the Inn. Uncle of Kathie.
TONI - Waiter at the Inn
LUTZ - The comic. The Prince's valet.
HUBERT - A footman.
COUNT HUGO DETLEF - Tenor. Student, leader of the Saxon Corps.
VON ASTERBERG - Tenor. Student, member of Saxon Corps.
LUCAS - Bass. Student, leader of Rheinisher Corps.
KATHIE - Soprano. A very cute maid at the Inn, niece of Ruder.
GRAND DUCHESS ANASTASIA - Domineering mother of Princess Margaret.
CAPTAIN TARNITZ - Tenor. Officer attending Princess Margaret.
BARON ARNHEIM - Gentleman of the Court.
COUNTESS LEYDEN - Lady of the Court.
TWO GUARDS
CAPTAIN OF THE GUARD
NICHOLAS - Servant at the Inn.
RUDOLPH WINTER - Keeper of a livery stable in Vienna. Cousin of Kathie.
Lackeys, Waiters and Waitresses at the Inn, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Court, Student of the Corps, Ladies-in-Waiting to the Princess and Flower Girls.
Available Material
| Name | Price |
|---|---|
|
Perusal Material
Shipped immediately. This is optional.
Order Now
1 x Piano Conductor's Score |
$24.00 |
|
Rehearsal Material
Shipped a minimum of 3 months before the last performance. This must be hired as a condition of the License to produce this show.
25 x Libretto-Vocal Books |
$550.00 +$135.00/pm |
|
Orchestral Material
Shipped a minimum of 1 month before the last performance. This is optional.
2 x Violin I |
$350.00 +$135.00/pm |
