Storyline: A single woman turning 40 can't wait any longer for a Tiffany diamond and visits Tiffany's Beverly Hills with her married friend, where they meet a handsome but nerdy salesman who encourages her to try on an $84,900 ring, which gets stuck (full synopsis below). I adapted More Precious than Diamonds, the Musical from my 10-minute play, More Precious than Diamonds (published by Smith & Kraus in The Best 10-Minute Plays 2009), writing the Book, Music and Lyrics. The mini-musical's running time, including acting, singing, and dancing, is approximately 11'30". Comments from Jango internet radio fans: "GOOD", "Very cute and relaxing", "kool", "Keep it up" Characters: Julie, late 30s, imaginative, single (Soprano) Michelle, early 40s, best friend of Julie, married (Alto) Salesman/Stewart 30s, upper crust British accent, scientific mind, handsome but unconscious of it, single (Tenor) Synopsis: Julie and Michelle enter Tiffany’s Beverly Hills. Julie, a single woman, is turning 40 next week and deplores that her left finger is still “naked." Her best friend Michelle, who is married, tells her that turning 40 is no big deal. Julie is tired of waiting for a Tiffany diamond ring and is determined to buy one for herself. Michelle tries to talk her out of it. [Song: Wait for a Man]. A Salesman enters, and Julie asks to see a 4 carat cushion cut. He compliments her on her taste and asks if she’s there to pick out rings before her fiancé visits. She admits there is no fiancé and tries to leave. He tells her the ring is just her size and wouldn’t she like to try it on? He has gotten his scientific expertise in jewelry due to his ex-girlfriend. Julie tries on the $84,900 ring on and it gets stuck; she compares herself to Cinderella’s stepsisters while the Salesman says, “No, you’re like Cinderella herself." They get lost in each other’s eyes, while Michelle muses about the parking meter. The Salesman offers his employee discount [Song: Your Hand is So Cold/ It’s the Discount, including a dance break]. The Salesman exits to get a special liquid spray. He reenters and finally gets the ring off. Michelle wants to leave; Julie says she’ll meet her in a few minutes. Michelle exits. The Salesman (Stewart) says he’d like to get to know Julie whether or not she ever buys a diamond there. Julie agrees that “Some things are more precious than diamonds." [Song: I See Diamonds in Your Eyes]. Our wonderful cast is: Fay Gauthier (Julie), Deborah Png (Michelle), and Marco Antonio Aguilar (Salesman/Stewart), with piano accompaniment by yours truly. More Precious than Diamonds, the Musical has been performed in two festivals (in 2009 and 2011) at the Secret Rose Theatre in North Hollywood, CA. Review by Broadwayworld.com's featured critic, Don Grigware: " Playwright/Composer/Lyricist Stephanie Hutchinson in Print and on CD: Los Angeles award-winning playwright/music composer/lyricist Stephanie Hutchinson has two of her short plays, More Precious than Diamonds and Super 8 Versus Bacara Resort and Spa, published in a new anthology entitled The Best 10-Minute Plays for 2 or More Actors (2009) edited by Lawrence Harbison and with publishers SK, a Smith and Kraus book. Hutchinson has a very keen eye for diverse characterizations and with it an infectious sense of humor. Julie in Diamonds and Lulabelle in Super 8 are as different as day and night, but they both want love and know how to get what they want. The comedy is real, down-to-earth humor, emanating from the people themselves - totally believable, not superficial. They are both a fun read. When I was first introduced to Miss Hutchinson, she had turned her More Precious than Diamonds into a musical, composing her own music and lyrics. It was performed in a festival of mini-musicals last June, 2009 at the Secret Rose Theatre in NoHo. The following is my review of the play, first printed in June, 2009 on my website: Winner of the annual Mini Musical Fest @ The Secret Rose Theatre in my book is More Precious Than Diamonds by Stephanie Hutchinson. The play revolves around Julie (Fay Gauthier) and friend Michelle (Deborah Png) , window shopping a diamond ring in a Tiffany's store. Julie has always wanted a ring and is fed up with waiting for the right man to come along & buy one for her. Stewart, the salesman (Marco Antonio Aguilar), who assists Julie, not only shows her an $84,900 ring, but ends up giving her much, much more. The mini play, with book, music and lyrics by Stephanie Hutchinson, is a sweet, fresh take on love at first sight. Jonathan Levit ably directs the mini play with Steve Walby also in the ensemble as a tough store security guard. The plot is simple and clear, the songs fresh and pretty, and the actors do a truly first-rate job in acting and singing their roles." Please enjoy the music! P.S. Please visit www.StephanieHutchinson.com for copies of The Best 10-Minute Plays 2009 books and performance licensing information.