The Original Broadway Cast of Cinderella
The Prince Is Giving a Ball / Now Is the Time
SEBASTIAN
Lord Pinkleton. I want you to tell this to all -
His Royal Highness
Christopher Rupert

TOPHER
Please don't say my whole name!

SEBASTIAN
Windemere, Vladimir
Karl Alexander

TOPHER
So embarrassing

SEBASTIAN
François Reginald
Lancelot...
Herman

LORD PINKLETON, OFFICIAL & POLITICAL FIGURE
Herman?

TOPHER
Herman
SEBASTIAN
Gregory James
Is giving a ball!

JEAN-MICHEL
Now is the time
The time to act
No other time will do!
Live and play your part
Don't give away your heart
Don't take what the world gives you
Now is the time
The time to live
No other time is real!
Yesterday has gone
Tomorrow is a guess
Today you can see and feel
For you can't just wait
To be served by fate
On a silver plate or a tray

JEAN-MICHEL and TOWNSPEOPLE
Now is the time
The time of your life
The time of your life is today
LORD PINKLETON
The Prince is giving a ball
The Prince is giving a ball
Hear ye!
Hear ye!
A ball and that's not all!
The Prince is giving a ball
The Prince is giving a ball
Hear ye
Hear ye
His Royal Highness
Christopher Rupert
James is giving a ball

TOWNSPEOPLE
He's giving a ball?

LORD PINKLETON
The Prince is giving a ball!

TOWNSPEOPLE
The Prince is giving a ball
The Prince is giving a ball!

JEAN-MICHEL
Now is the time!
The time to act
TOWNSPEOPLE
He's giving a ball

JEAN-MICHEL
No other time will do
TOWNSPEOPLE
The Prince is giving a ball

WOMAN IN A WINDOW
He's giving a what?

TOWNSPEOPLE
A ball!

JEAN-MICHEL
Now is the time
The time to live!
No other time is real...

LORD PINKLETON
The Prince is giving a ball

JEAN-MICHEL
But…

CROWD
Shh ... He's giving a ball!
The Prince is giving a… ooh!!

LORD PINKLETON
His Royal Highness
Christopher Rupert
Windemere, Vladimir
Karl Alexander
François Reginald
Lancelot Herman

CROWD
Herman?

LORD PINKLETON
Herman!
Gregory James
Is giving a ball!

MADAME
The Prince is giving a what?

TOWNSPEOPLE
The Prince is giving a ball!
The Prince is giving a ball!

LORD PINKLETON
His Majesty
Has this decree:
To attend the ball, all one requires is an invitation (CROWD reacts) and suitably fashionable attire! And, the Prince shall choose a woman from the ball to be his bride. (CROWD reacts) That means ANYONE can be the Queen! (CROWD reacts)

WOMEN (variously)
So will he want a taller girl
Or will he want a stronger girl
Or will he want a smaller girl

ALL
The Prince is giving a ball

WOMEN (variously)
I wish I were a bolder girl
I wish I were a younger girl
I wish I were an older girl

ALL
The Prince is giving a ball

ELLA WOMEN
I've wished a lot of things
I don't wish anymore
But now I wish a lot of things
I've never wished before
I wish I had I wish -
I wish I could
I wish I might I wish -
I wish I would
I wish I were invited I wish -
To the Prince's Royal Palace ball! Ooh - ah

(They dance.)

CROWD
He's giving a ball
He's giving a ball
The Prince is giving a ball!

JEAN MICHEL (after dance)
Now is the time
The time to act

CROWD
We hear ye
We hear ye
But the Prince is giving a ball

JEAN MICHEL
Now is the time
The time to live

CROWD
We hear ye
We hear ye
But His Royal Highness
Christopher Rupert
James is giving a ball
...is giving a ball
...is giving a ball

LORD PINKLETON
His Royal Highness
Christopher Rupert

CROWD
Christopher Rupert
Windemere Vladimir

LORD PINKLETON
Slayer of dragons

CROWD
Karl Alexander

LORD PINKLETON
Destroyer of Gargoyles

CROWD
François Reginald

LORD PINKLETON
Sportsman and poet

CROWD
Lancelot Herman

LORD PINKLETON
Herman?

CROWD
Herman!

ALL
Gregory James
Is giving a ball
The Prince is giving…
The Prince is giving…
The Prince is giving a ball!
The Prince is giving…
The Prince is giving…
The Prince is giving a ball!
The Prince…
Is…
Giving…
A ball!
A royal ball

LORD PINKLETON
He's giving a ball!

TOWNSPEOPLE
The Prince is giving a ball!