Genesis

Written by Warren Sager

Concept & Plot by Allan Vieira

Plot: The central idea takes place in an ordinary house, at its backyard, where a mother, while putting clothes on the line, tells her son two or three times not to climb the tree (which will be in the center of the stage). He pretends to obey, but when his mother leaves, he climbs the tree and eats the fruit. A gentleman, called ADONAI, approaches and starts a conversation about original sin.

Cast of over 50 characters.  46 speaking parts, most of which can be played by actors playing more than one role.  Adonai has the most lines, but many of them can be read offstage as voice over.  Only 9 female roles, but the townspeople and perhaps contractors could be women.  Possibly Joseph’s steward & even some of his brothers could be played by females.

This play is about 60-70 mins unless you are going to add music and/or videos which would make it longer.  A couple of the scenes can be easily omitted.

Excerpt:

(Maria is hanging clothes on the line)

MARIA

Adamus…. What are you doing?

(Adamus is trying to climb the tree)

ADAMUS

I am trying to climb the tree.

MARIA

You know that you are not supposed to be climbing that tree. I have told you many times!

ADAMUS

I know, Mamma… but I want to try the fruit.

MARIA

Adamus…. get down right now.

ADAMUS

But Mamma!

MARIA

Please obey me. Get down! You know the rules. No climbing of that tree… and no eating of that fruit!

ADAMUS

I know. But it looks so good! Why can’t we eat it?

MARIA

Because this fruit is not intended for you now. You know the rules. Now get down.

ADAMUS

Yes, Mamma.

MARIA

I need to go inside and start dinner. You could help me.

ADAMUS

Can I stay outside longer?

MARIA

Alright. You can stay out here, but do NOT climb that tree! You need to obey me!

ADAMUS

Yes, Mamma.

MARIA goes inside. He climbs down and walks around kicking his foot, not knowing what to do. He keeps looking at the tree. He finally gives in and climbs the tree again. He picks and eats the fruit. A stranger approaches.

ADONAI

Good morning.

ADAMUS

Oh, hello. I did not see you there.

ADONAI

What are you doing?

ADAMUS

Oh, nothing. I’m just trying to climb this tree. There is some good looking fruit up there.

ADONAI

Didn’t your mother forbid it?

ADAMUS

How did you know that?

ADONAI

I know a lot of things. Why don’t you come down and have a chat with me?

ADAMUS (Climbing down)

What do you want to chat about?

ADONAI

I was just curious if you knew why you wanted that fruit so badly.

ADAMUS

Look at it! It looks so good! Wouldn’t you want to try it? It’s delicious.

ADONAI

Not if it is forbidden. Eating it would be wrong. Your mother told you.

ADAMUS

I know. It’s not fair.

ADONAI

But when you do something wrong, that’s called sin, isn’t it?

ADAMUS

I guess so.

ADONAI

But I want to tell you something. The fruit is not the problem.

ADAMUS

It’s not?

ADONAI

No. The problem is your heart. Your mother told you not to climb the tree, yet you climbed it anyway. You have a disobedient heart. It tells me that your heart is far from God.

ADAMUS

What does God have to do with it?

ADONAI

Oh… everything! You have a lot to learn. If you will allow me, I would love to show you some things.

ADAMUS

What kind of things?

ADONAI

Something very, very serious called “original sin”. I will tell you how everything started and why this desire is in your heart. Do you want to hear about it?

Later:

SERPENT

Hello, Eve

EVE

Who are you?

SERPENT

I am one of the more beautiful creatures. But I am more … how shall I say this?… More interesting than most of the other creatures in the garden. The man called me, “Serpent”

ADAM (Approaching)

Who are you talking to?

EVE

The serpent

SERPENT

Yes, the most interesting of all the creatures.

EVE

You ARE more interesting. The others don’t speak.

SERPENT

That’s right. Not only do I speak, but I know things.

EVE

You know things? What kinds of things?

SERPENT

Just about anything that you would like to know. Like… that fruit there… for instance.

EVE

Oh… the forbidden fruit?

SERPENT

Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?

EVE

We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’

SERPENT

You will not certainly die, For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.

EVE

Really?

SERPENT

Shall I get it for you? The serpent climbs the tree, picks the fruit and comes down and hands it to the woman It’s very tasty. Such good food! It is the reason that I know so much. This fruit will make you very wise. Doesn’t it look delicious?

EVE

It does. It looks quite delicious.

SERPENT

It tastes even better than it looks.

EVE (Taking a bite)

Adam! It is delicious! God was hiding this from us. Here! You taste it.

Adam takes a bite.