9 actors. (4 males, 4 females and one child) About 25-30 mins. Simple set.
CAST OF CHARACTERS
ANNIE: Speaks 1104 words. Recent widow and young mother, still hurting from her husband’s death and an unbeliever.
HENRY: Speaks 941 words. A handyman who has a heart of gold and an easy going manner of sharing the gospel.
CARRIE: 665 words. Annie’s sweet daughter who wants to learn more about Jesus.
GRAMPA JOE: 638 words. Carrie’s grandfather and Annie’s father-in-law. Strong Christian.
TONY: 434 words. Annie’s old classmate and church soloist.
RHONDA: 336 words. Choir member
SOPHIE: 275 words. Choir member
DENA: 256 words. Choir member (these 3 provide comedy)
PASTOR MIKE: 267 words. Typical loving pastor.
The set is simple in that all the acting takes place backstage at a church Christmas production rehearsal. Music may or may not be used to add to this, but if you have a choir on stage, you may need to have a place where these scenes can take place. Props are as simple as a few chairs and some cups of coffee. The handyman has a tool box. Set, costumes and props can all be kept very simple.
Excerpt:
RHONDA
Speaking of the congregation, have you girls ever watched the faces of the people during the song service on Sundays?
SOPHIE
How can you help it?
RHONDA
Sometimes I try to make eye contact with certain people.
DENA
You’re flirting with guys from the choir loft?? During the singing???
RHONDA
Of course not. No, I just mean, smile at people and try to get them to smile back. Some of their faces while they sing! Man!
SOPHIE
Oh, I know what you mean. They should have hidden cameras and then play it back for people to see what their faces look like. There’s this one guy…every week…I swear he looks like he just swallowed something really disgusting.
DENA
Or the ones who can barely keep their eyes open.
RHONDA
It get’s even funnier during the sermon. There’s one look I like to call, “The Amen Nighty-night Extravaganza”. From the back it looks like they are nodding in agreement with the message, but from up here, we can clearly see that they are just falling asleep and jerking their head when they wake up.
She demonstrates the head bopping.
DENA
And then there’s the “Chili’s Delight”. It starts out like a newborn with the mouth hanging open and almost drooling, and then they stare at a moth on the wall for awhile, but they keep checking their watch and the closer they get to the end of the service, they get this big smile on their face. It looks like they’re getting into the sermon, but they’re really thinking about the BLT from Chili’s that they are going to stuff in their face in about 30 minutes.
SOPHIE
But then… they’re all watching us. What do you suppose they’re thinking of our faces?
RHONDA
That’s why I’m trying to smile at them.
DENA
I guess that’s not a bad idea.
RHONDA
So, what do you think my chances are to get to sing a duet with Tony?
DENA
Where did that come from?
SOPHIE
About the same as my chances of winning a gold medal at the Olympics.
RHONDA
You’re not even an athlete!
SOPHIE
You’re right.
RHONDA
I could sing the melody! Tony could sing the harmony!
DENA
Give it up, Rhonda.
RHONDA
It could happen!
DENA
In your dreams!
As they exit. Lights go down on scene
SCENE THREE:
As the lights come up, we see Annie sitting and watching her daughter, finishing her coffee. Joe is sitting with her. Tony enters with a bottle of water. He sees Annie sitting there and looks at her for a moment.
TONY
Annie? Annie Parker?
ANNIE
(She stands and comes to him)
Tony! I thought you looked familiar! I’ve been sitting here trying to figure out where I knew you from. I just wasn’t going back to high school.
TONY
It’s been a long time! Wow, how are you? I didn’t know you went to this church.
ANNIE
Well, I don’t really. I’m here with my daughter.
TONY
Your daughter! Which one is she?
ANNIE
She’s in that bunch over there.
She looks and waves.
ANNIE
That’s her waving at me. I’ll introduce you later.
TONY
She’s cute. So, I take it you’re not Parker any more? When did you get married?
ANNIE
It was a long time ago. I’m a widow now. How about you? Married with kids?
TONY
No. Still bachin’ it. Man! Back when we knew each other, I wasn’t walking with the Lord at all! Did we ever go out?
ANNIE
You dated so many girls that you don’t remember?
TONY
I’m sorry. That’s terrible, isn’t it?
ANNIE
Well, we didn’t. You were too popular for the likes of me. So, what are you doing here? That’s probably why I couldn’t place you….it’s the surroundings.
TONY
I know. Isn’t it funny how things change when we grow up? I just came to the point in my life when I knew there was something missing. It was that void, you know? I don’t know how it was with you, but for me, I could not stop searching till I had the answers and filled up all the holes in my heart.
ANNIE
And you found them?
TONY
Yeah! Right here! One night, I just felt something moving in my heart. It was that tug from the Holy Spirit, you know? I came forward at the invitation and a man prayed with me and I’ve never been the same since! Now I read my Bible every day and I’m growing. It’s amazing. What was it like for you?
ANNIE
(Not sure how to answer)
Oh. Well, I guess it was pretty much the same. Maybe not as dramatic.
TONY
(Speaking with nervous energy, but hiding something)
Oh…that’s just me. I always make everything so dramatic. Vroooom! Full speed ahead! Ha ha! (Pause) But you know, I know deep down inside it’s just a mechanism to hide all the insecurities I have.
ANNIE
You don’t seem insecure.
TONY
I’m a good actor, huh? I can fool most people. I can’t fool God, though. Don’t get me wrong…He has really changed my life since He took over, but we’ve always got something new to work on, don’t we?
ANNIE
I guess so. Looks like you’re a good singer, too.
TONY
Thanks. I really love it.
ANNIE
I remember you always having the lead in those musicals in high school. I was always in the chorus.
TONY
That was fun… but this is so much better…singing for the Lord. I think I was always doing it for myself before, but my focus has really changed.
ANNIE
You HAVE really changed. You’re not the same Tony I remember at all.
TONY
It really shows what God can do in a person’s life, huh? Hey…what are you and your daughter doing after the rehearsal? I thought maybe we could catch up some more. I’d love to hear what’s been going on in your life for the past.. gee…how many years has it been?
ANNIE
Too many. I don’t know, Tony…I’m here with my father-in-law.
TONY
Oh sure. Some other time maybe. But I at least would like to meet your little girl. I’ll look for you afterward. Right now, I have to go sing. I’m playing Joseph in this next part.
ANNIE
Joseph?
TONY
Yeah, you know, Mary’s husband?
ANNIE
Oh, of course. I’m sorry…it’s just that… well, you said Joseph and all I could think of was my late husband. That was his name.
TONY
Oh, I’m sorry.
ANNIE
You didn’t know…it’s no big deal. Good luck with your song.
TONY
Don’t you remember? In the theater we don’t say “good luck” we say “break a leg!” Man! That’s really silly when you think about it, isn’t it? I’ll see you later.
He exits.
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