WHO WE ARE
Based on the short story by F.R. Stockton, The Lady or The Tiger? is an original full length musical written by Esther Ploegstra. Esther wrote the first songs for the musical at the age of 11 and by the time she turned 19, had finished a full length script and lyrics book. By this time quite a fan group had rallied around the project, insisting that The Lady or The Tiger? be produced. Esther found herself quite shocked that people were even interested in this outlandish musical of hers, and although she had started out with no intentions of producing the thing, began to be inspired by her fans. Now with small flocks of supporters throughout the U.S.- from little kids to doctors, from Esther's best friends and family to random strangers who she shared the story with- there is a group of people eager to see this musical take the stage!! Currently Esther and her TLOTT team preparing to present songs and the musical's story to local theater company directors.
WHAT HAPPENS IN THE MUSICAL
the story of "The Lady or The Tiger?"
The Lady or The Tiger? tells the story of a semi-barbaric kingdom whos pompous ruler, King Odd, has developed a unique justice system and form of entertainment.
Whenever a citizen of the Kingdom of Odd is accused of a crime, he is put on trial in the King's Arena, and the whole kingdom gathers to observe the spectacle. Inside the arena are two doors. Behind one there waits the most beautiful lady the kingdom can offer, and behind the other, crouches a fierce and hungry tiger.
But there is no way of knowing which will be behind each door. When the accused subject enters the arena, he must choose a door, and thus, the fates will decide whether the poor fellow is guilty or innocent. If he chooses the lady's door, he is instantly married to a gorgeous bride. If he chooses the other door, he is dinner to a hungry tiger.
Stubbornly seductive Princess Petunia, The King's daughter and heir, thinks this whole thing is stupid, and can't wait to put a stop to it when she becomes queen. However, her betrothal to the pathetic Prince Chancelot, who will do anything to please his future father in law, is making that difficult.
It so happens Petunia is not even in love with Chancelot. She's secretly crushing on the palace gardener, the innocent and tenderhearted Pip. But things are complicated because Chancelot has brought his kind and attractive childhood friend Pansy with him to the kingdom, and she and Pip are forming a camaraderie as the royalty seem to forget about them.
Things intensify as secrets and lies build up around this love quadrangle, and everything explodes at the Betrothal Ball, when King Odd learns of his daughters' affair with Pip. Enraged, he locks Pip in the dungeons, and declares he will be put on trial in the arena.
Refusing to submit to this, Petunia decides to do what no one has done before and find out who will be behind each door, in order to save her beloved Pip.
Manipulating the desperately love-sick Chancelot, Petunia finds out which door will conceal the lady and the tiger. But while meddling in this business she discovers the the lovely lady who will be behind the doors is none other than her rival, Pansy.
To her horror Petunia realizes that she is faced with a choice she does not want. When the trial starts, and her sweet Pip enters the arena, will she point him in the direction of Ferocia, the barbaric beast, or will she watch as he embraces her greatest rival for his affections? Perhaps it was better for fate to decide. Because now the question is put to you: who do you think Petunia chose? The Lady, or The Tiger?
