This takes you to the 70’s, the 40’s and the 20’s. Add songs from those periods with some fun costumes and you and your audience should have a delightful time. A spiritual message is woven into the story as Abigail watches her great grandparents get saved… which was when the Christian heritage began for her family. This is when Abigail decides to focus on her relationship with God and let the love thing happen in His timing. The gospel is shared in that scene and you will find period references and slang throughout the script. You will need to find your own music.Cast of 17 actors. (7 males, 9 females, the time traveler can be either) About 30 minutes of dialog (before songs are added). Simple sets.
CAST OF CHARACTERS:
ABIGAIL: Speaks 1053 words. A teenage girl wondering about true love.
TRAVELER 5683: Speaks 886 words. A time traveler assigned to help Abigail
HERBERT: 446 words. Abigail’s grandfather, back in the 40’s
DOMINIQUE: 380 words. Abigail’s friend
SALLY: 318 words. Abigail’s mother back in the 70’s
PETE: 309 words. Abigail’s father back in the 70’s
KATHERINE: 243 words. Abigail’s grandmother back in the 40’s
RAYMOND: 237 words. A bold Christian witness in the 20’s
GLADYS: 229 words. Abigail’s great grandmother in the 20’s
EUGENE: 180 words. Gladys’ friend
BERNARD: 98 words. Bert’s friend
LAURIE (99 words) AND SANDY (36 words): Sally’s friends
MILDRED: 75 words. Katherine’s friend
JOAN (68 words) AND BEVERLY (20 words): Katherine’s friends
FRANCES: 28 words. Gladys’ friend
CHESTER: 14 words. Abigail’s great grandfather in the 20’s
NORMAN (14 words) AND AGNES (12 words): Eugene’s friends
The setting for this play can be kept simple. The hardest part would be putting together a time machine. It would need to be something that is transparent, so you can see the actors inside and also hear them. Most of the places they stop at are places where there is music and/or dancing. This also could be kept simple. Period music played at each scene would really enhance the play to get the audience in the feel of that era. Also, costumes can add a lot if the kids are dressed in typical clothes of those decades. Song suggestions are not included, but left to the decision of the producer. The internet can help you find the right types of songs that you may want to use, either played or performed live.
Excerpt:
HERBERT
(To Bernard)
Bernie…all you have to do is just pick one and ask her to dance.
BERNARD
This is going to be a scene, I can tell already. Okay…I’m going fishin’!
(Crosses back over)
Which one of you gals wants to dance?
MILDRED
What? With a fuddy-duddy like you?
BERNARD
I’m not!
JOAN
I’ll dance with you, Bernard!
MILDRED
And I’ll come and pick out the music. We gotta get just the right one.
(They cross to where the records are and start looking through them.)
HERBERT
I guess that leaves you and me, Katherine.
KATHERINE
You can call me Kate, Herb, everyone else does.
HERBERT
Sure…then call me Bert. Bernie was acting corny and shy, like he didn’t know how to ask one of you to dance. I think it should be old hat with him by now.
KATHERINE
They were all in cahoots with each other.
HERBERT
Huh?
KATHERINE
They planned it. They’re trying to put us together.
HERBERT
They are?
(They turn and look at the others who are looking at them and they turn away quickly and giggle.)
HERBERT
Well, what do you know?
ABIGAIL
That’s them. My grandpa Bert and my grandma Kate. This is so weird!
TRAVELER 5683
Are you enjoying it?
ABIGAIL
Yeah…it’s pretty cool. They really talk funny, don’t they?
KATHERINE
Do you mind?
HERBERT
Not in the least. You?
KATHERINE
No.
HERBERT
So…what shall we talk about? Oh, how about this? Which funnies do you like best? Dick Tracy or Little Orphan Annie?
ABIGAIL
Funnies???
KATHERINE
Actually…I prefer The Katzenjammer Kids.
ABIGAIL
The what?
HERBERT
Oh yeah? I like them, too.
KATHERINE
Which magazine…Life or Collier’s?
HERBERT
(Laughs)
Saturday Evening Post. Not that I read it much. How about you?
KATHERINE
Collier’s I guess. But I don’t read it much, either.
HERBERT
What else do you like to read?
KATHERINE
I try to read my Bible.
HERBERT
Oh, that’s good. You should read your Bible. I need to read mine more. I’m usually reading Perry Mason.
KATHERINE
I heard those are really good.
HERBERT
Yeah. They’re good. Hey, I see you in church every Sunday sitting with your family. Do you ever sit with anyone else?
KATHERINE
Like who?
HERBERT
I don’t know. Like a friend or something?
KATHERINE
I guess I could. It just hasn’t really come up. My parents would probably be concerned that I might be distracted from listening to the sermon.
HERBERT
Oh…I wouldn’t distract you.
KATHERINE
Huh?
HERBERT
Oh… I mean… If I were the friend. That’s what I meant.
KATHERINE
(Smiles with a pause)
Actually, you probably would distract me. A lot.
HERBERT
(Smiles)
Really? (Pause) Do you guys have a telephone?
KATHERINE
Yeah.
HERBERT
Could I call you up sometime?
KATHERINE
Sure. But we’re on a party line. You never know who might be listening.
HERBERT
Oh yes! The party line! That reminds me of that Hank Williams tune.
KATHERINE
I don’t think I know it.
HERBERT
Well, don’t ask me to sing it for you. It’s about women talking on the party line. Hey…I know a joke about answering the telephone.
KATHERINE
Let’s hear it.
HERBERT
The telephone rang in the middle of the night and it woke the guy up. He had to go all the way downstairs to answer it. It was a wrong number. The person on the other end apologized for calling in the middle of the night. The man said, “That’s okay…I had to get up to answer the phone, anyway.”
KATHERINE
(Laughs)
That’s a good one.
HERBERT
So, what’s your number?
KATHERINE
Stewart 5-2-9. Do you need to write it down?
HERBERT
Nope. I can remember. Stewart, like Jimmy Stewart. 5, like the number of fingers on your hand. 2, like the number of eyes in your head, and 9, like the number of freckles on your face.
KATHERINE
Okay. Just don’t call during Arthur Godfrey. The telephone is pretty near the radio. And my dad is always sitting right there.
HERBERT
Yeah…my family listens to the radio a lot, too. I love the music the most.
KATHERINE
Who’s your favorite band?
HERBERT
That’s hard to say. I love them all… Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller, Artie Shaw…the Dorseys.
KATHERINE
How about Duke Ellington?
HERBERT
Duke Ellington! Man, Kate… we need to get together and just listen to some cool music.
KATHERINE
Well, not at my house, probably. My mom doesn’t really like the big band sounds.
HERBERT
She doesn’t?
KATHERINE
It’s jazz. You know how some of the older generation can be. They think those people are all wild.
HERBERT
They probably are. But I still like listening to it.
KATHERINE
I don’t think she even likes Guy Lombardo!
HERBERT
Guy Lombardo???
KATHERINE
She likes Dinah Shore, though.
HERBERT
Dinah Shore is backed up by big bands!
KATHERINE
As long as the song is slow, she don’t know.
HERBERT
Hey…you wanna fade? I’ll walk ya home.
KATHERINE
I’d like that.
HERBERT
You would? Really?
KATHERINE
I ain’t whistlin’ Dixie!
They exit.
ABIGAIL
I almost feel like I’m in a different country! I couldn’t understand half of what they were saying.
TRAVELER 5683
You think that was strange…wait till you see the 20’s!
ABIGAIL
The 20’s??
TRAVELER 5683
You do want to keep going don’t you? Bert’s parents?
ABIGAIL
Sure. Let’s not stop now. I want to see how they all fell in love.
(As the lights fade, more 40’s music plays.)SCENE FOUR:
(When the lights come back on, things are set up for a place where people are listening to roaring twenties tunes or possibly dancing the Charleston.)
ABIGAIL
Man, Traveler…this is going to be really freaky! Do you know which ones are my great grandparents, or are you not going to tell me?
TRAVELER 5683
I think we’ll know. Do you know their names?
ABIGAIL
Yeah, I think so. I think his name was Chester. Chester Eugene Bingham. Her name was Gladys Marie something. Can’t remember her maiden name.
Eugene approaches Gladys.
EUGENE
Hey Gladys! You can really cut a rug!
GLADYS
Thanks, Eugene!
He walks away and Frances comes closer.
ABIGAIL
That’s them! I guess he went by Eugene.
FRANCES
That Eugene…he’s really the Bee’s Knees!
GLADYS
I guess he’s keen enough.
FRANCES
Gladys…I know you carry a torch for him.
GLADYS
Baloney! I’m not stuck on anybody right now.
FRANCES
Says you!
GLADYS
That’s right. I’m no pushover. How do I know he’s the Real McCoy?
FRANCES
Well, he keeps looking over here. He’s on the make.
(Eugene is talking to a friend)
NORMAN
Hey, Eugene… who was the tomato you were talking to?
EUGENE
That’s Gladys! Ain’t she the Cat’s Meow?
NORMAN
Pajamas.
EUGENE
Huh?
NORMAN
The Cat’s Pajamas!
EUGENE
Whatever you say. I’m going over.
(Eugene approaches again)
EUGENE
Gladys. Ya wanna dance, Doll?
GLADYS
What…you a hoofer?
EUGENE
Maybe.
GLADYS
My dogs are feelin’ it! Ask me later. Make sure it’s a love song. I like the love songs the best.
EUGENE
How about I get ya something to drink?
GLADYS
Not hooch!
EUGENE
I wouldn’t dream of it! They got punch.
GLADYS
Sure. I could use some.
EUGENE
Be right baaaaackkk!
(He walks away).
ABIGAIL
That’s them? Those two are really weird.
TRAVELER 5683
You sure it’s Eugene and Gladys?
ABIGAIL
I guess so. Those were the names. They’re just not the way I pictured them to be.
TRAVELER 5683
They never are. Let’s keep watching.
(To Bernard)
Bernie…all you have to do is just pick one and ask her to dance.
BERNARD
This is going to be a scene, I can tell already. Okay…I’m going fishin’!
(Crosses back over)
Which one of you gals wants to dance?
MILDRED
What? With a fuddy-duddy like you?
BERNARD
I’m not!
JOAN
I’ll dance with you, Bernard!
MILDRED
And I’ll come and pick out the music. We gotta get just the right one.
(They cross to where the records are and start looking through them.)
HERBERT
I guess that leaves you and me, Katherine.
KATHERINE
You can call me Kate, Herb, everyone else does.
HERBERT
Sure…then call me Bert. Bernie was acting corny and shy, like he didn’t know how to ask one of you to dance. I think it should be old hat with him by now.
KATHERINE
They were all in cahoots with each other.
HERBERT
Huh?
KATHERINE
They planned it. They’re trying to put us together.
HERBERT
They are?
(They turn and look at the others who are looking at them and they turn away quickly and giggle.)
HERBERT
Well, what do you know?
ABIGAIL
That’s them. My grandpa Bert and my grandma Kate. This is so weird!
TRAVELER 5683
Are you enjoying it?
ABIGAIL
Yeah…it’s pretty cool. They really talk funny, don’t they?
KATHERINE
Do you mind?
HERBERT
Not in the least. You?
KATHERINE
No.
HERBERT
So…what shall we talk about? Oh, how about this? Which funnies do you like best? Dick Tracy or Little Orphan Annie?
ABIGAIL
Funnies???
KATHERINE
Actually…I prefer The Katzenjammer Kids.
ABIGAIL
The what?
HERBERT
Oh yeah? I like them, too.
KATHERINE
Which magazine…Life or Collier’s?
HERBERT
(Laughs)
Saturday Evening Post. Not that I read it much. How about you?
KATHERINE
Collier’s I guess. But I don’t read it much, either.
HERBERT
What else do you like to read?
KATHERINE
I try to read my Bible.
HERBERT
Oh, that’s good. You should read your Bible. I need to read mine more. I’m usually reading Perry Mason.
KATHERINE
I heard those are really good.
HERBERT
Yeah. They’re good. Hey, I see you in church every Sunday sitting with your family. Do you ever sit with anyone else?
KATHERINE
Like who?
HERBERT
I don’t know. Like a friend or something?
KATHERINE
I guess I could. It just hasn’t really come up. My parents would probably be concerned that I might be distracted from listening to the sermon.
HERBERT
Oh…I wouldn’t distract you.
KATHERINE
Huh?
HERBERT
Oh… I mean… If I were the friend. That’s what I meant.
KATHERINE
(Smiles with a pause)
Actually, you probably would distract me. A lot.
HERBERT
(Smiles)
Really? (Pause) Do you guys have a telephone?
KATHERINE
Yeah.
HERBERT
Could I call you up sometime?
KATHERINE
Sure. But we’re on a party line. You never know who might be listening.
HERBERT
Oh yes! The party line! That reminds me of that Hank Williams tune.
KATHERINE
I don’t think I know it.
HERBERT
Well, don’t ask me to sing it for you. It’s about women talking on the party line. Hey…I know a joke about answering the telephone.
KATHERINE
Let’s hear it.
HERBERT
The telephone rang in the middle of the night and it woke the guy up. He had to go all the way downstairs to answer it. It was a wrong number. The person on the other end apologized for calling in the middle of the night. The man said, “That’s okay…I had to get up to answer the phone, anyway.”
KATHERINE
(Laughs)
That’s a good one.
HERBERT
So, what’s your number?
KATHERINE
Stewart 5-2-9. Do you need to write it down?
HERBERT
Nope. I can remember. Stewart, like Jimmy Stewart. 5, like the number of fingers on your hand. 2, like the number of eyes in your head, and 9, like the number of freckles on your face.
KATHERINE
Okay. Just don’t call during Arthur Godfrey. The telephone is pretty near the radio. And my dad is always sitting right there.
HERBERT
Yeah…my family listens to the radio a lot, too. I love the music the most.
KATHERINE
Who’s your favorite band?
HERBERT
That’s hard to say. I love them all… Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller, Artie Shaw…the Dorseys.
KATHERINE
How about Duke Ellington?
HERBERT
Duke Ellington! Man, Kate… we need to get together and just listen to some cool music.
KATHERINE
Well, not at my house, probably. My mom doesn’t really like the big band sounds.
HERBERT
She doesn’t?
KATHERINE
It’s jazz. You know how some of the older generation can be. They think those people are all wild.
HERBERT
They probably are. But I still like listening to it.
KATHERINE
I don’t think she even likes Guy Lombardo!
HERBERT
Guy Lombardo???
KATHERINE
She likes Dinah Shore, though.
HERBERT
Dinah Shore is backed up by big bands!
KATHERINE
As long as the song is slow, she don’t know.
HERBERT
Hey…you wanna fade? I’ll walk ya home.
KATHERINE
I’d like that.
HERBERT
You would? Really?
KATHERINE
I ain’t whistlin’ Dixie!
They exit.
ABIGAIL
I almost feel like I’m in a different country! I couldn’t understand half of what they were saying.
TRAVELER 5683
You think that was strange…wait till you see the 20’s!
ABIGAIL
The 20’s??
TRAVELER 5683
You do want to keep going don’t you? Bert’s parents?
ABIGAIL
Sure. Let’s not stop now. I want to see how they all fell in love.
(As the lights fade, more 40’s music plays.)SCENE FOUR:
(When the lights come back on, things are set up for a place where people are listening to roaring twenties tunes or possibly dancing the Charleston.)
ABIGAIL
Man, Traveler…this is going to be really freaky! Do you know which ones are my great grandparents, or are you not going to tell me?
TRAVELER 5683
I think we’ll know. Do you know their names?
ABIGAIL
Yeah, I think so. I think his name was Chester. Chester Eugene Bingham. Her name was Gladys Marie something. Can’t remember her maiden name.
Eugene approaches Gladys.
EUGENE
Hey Gladys! You can really cut a rug!
GLADYS
Thanks, Eugene!
He walks away and Frances comes closer.
ABIGAIL
That’s them! I guess he went by Eugene.
FRANCES
That Eugene…he’s really the Bee’s Knees!
GLADYS
I guess he’s keen enough.
FRANCES
Gladys…I know you carry a torch for him.
GLADYS
Baloney! I’m not stuck on anybody right now.
FRANCES
Says you!
GLADYS
That’s right. I’m no pushover. How do I know he’s the Real McCoy?
FRANCES
Well, he keeps looking over here. He’s on the make.
(Eugene is talking to a friend)
NORMAN
Hey, Eugene… who was the tomato you were talking to?
EUGENE
That’s Gladys! Ain’t she the Cat’s Meow?
NORMAN
Pajamas.
EUGENE
Huh?
NORMAN
The Cat’s Pajamas!
EUGENE
Whatever you say. I’m going over.
(Eugene approaches again)
EUGENE
Gladys. Ya wanna dance, Doll?
GLADYS
What…you a hoofer?
EUGENE
Maybe.
GLADYS
My dogs are feelin’ it! Ask me later. Make sure it’s a love song. I like the love songs the best.
EUGENE
How about I get ya something to drink?
GLADYS
Not hooch!
EUGENE
I wouldn’t dream of it! They got punch.
GLADYS
Sure. I could use some.
EUGENE
Be right baaaaackkk!
(He walks away).
ABIGAIL
That’s them? Those two are really weird.
TRAVELER 5683
You sure it’s Eugene and Gladys?
ABIGAIL
I guess so. Those were the names. They’re just not the way I pictured them to be.
TRAVELER 5683
They never are. Let’s keep watching.
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