This Is The Day!

He wakes up on Mom’s couch on Christmas Eve and deals with phone calls from his fiancee and employees, a visit from his former girl friend from high school, an inquisitive mom, a mean uncle and a senile grandfather. He wishes he was not there. The next morning he wakes to the same things and then again and eventually figures out that he is living Christmas Eve over again. And this keeps happening and he thinks he’s going crazy. He even starts getting visits from his dead father who is trying to help him see where he’s gone wrong. Finally, after 50 years of living the same day…he learns his lesson. The old girl friend shares some scriptures with him and it opens his eyes and his heart, and he finally makes it to Christmas and a happy ending. Quite a bit of humor throughout. The lead character Andy, is a very large part.

A cast of 8 actors (4 males, 3 females, 1 child) about one hour. One set with no changes between scenes.

A version is available with the genders reversed. The main character of Andy is Andie, a female, and the fiancee and old flame are males. So, in this version, the largest part will be played by a female. (Still 4 males and 3 females and 1 child) It has an option with a few more children. Slightly longer.

CAST OF CHARACTERS:

ANDY: Speaks 4944 words. Raised on the farm, but now educated and living in the city, away from the Lord and living for himself. A very large part with a lot of lines.

GLADYS: Speaks 2312 words. Andy’s mom. A sweet country woman who loves God and wants her son to return to the Lord.

GRACIE: Speaks 1200 words. Andy’s high school sweetheart who is now a widow with a young girl whom Gladys baby-sits.

BILLY: Speaks 539 words. Andy’s dead father.

UNCLE PAT: Speaks 510 words. Billy’s brother, now running the farm, never married and dislikes Andy a great deal.

GRANDPA B: Speaks 286 words. Billy’s dad, who seems to have dementia, but is quite funny.

ANDREA: Speaks 217 words. Andy’s fiancee who is from a wealthy family.

FAITH: Speaks 182 words. Gracie’s little girl. (Could be played by a boy with the name changed)

Excerpt:

SCENE TWO
As the scene opens, you hear a rooster crow as the lights come up on Andy asleep on the couch again, just like before. Gladys enters.
GLADYS
Good morning, sleepy head! I see you’re finally up.
ANDY
Yeah…that rooster. I forgot how he wakes everybody up every morning. (He stops to think about what he just said) I smell bacon again. Are you making a big Christmas breakfast?
GLADYS
Well…I might do that tomorrow. This is just bacon and eggs. But don’t dilly dally…you don’t want it to get cold. Everybody else has been up since the crack of dawn and they’ve all eaten.
ANDY
Same as yesterday, huh?
GLADYS
Yeah…but you weren’t here yesterday. Oh, I should tell you, Gracie Newberry is coming over here with her little girl, so you might want to freshen up a little.
ANDY
Again? On Christmas Day?
GLADYS
You didn’t sleep that long, young man. It’s not Christmas yet.
ANDY
But it has to be. Yesterday was Christmas Eve.
GLADYS
Since when? Look at that nice watch of yours. I’m sure it will tell you what day it is.
He looks at his watch and is very confused.
GLADYS
You better hurry. She could be here any minute.
ANDY
Okay. Man, I must have had one crazy dream last night. (He starts for the exit) And isn’t her name Wilkes now?
GLADYS
Oh that’s right. She’ll always be Gracie Newberry to me. Her husband died, you know.
ANDY
(O.S.)
So, it’s just her and Faith, huh? She has no plans to remarry?
GLADYS
I’m sure she would like to. You know about Faith?
ANDY
(O.S.)
You just said she was coming over with her little girl.
GLADYS
But I don’t remember saying her name was Faith.
ANDY
Well, you must have. How else would I know? (He re-enters with his shirt tucked in, coming his hair)
GLADYS
I seem to remember that she was sweet on you at one time.
ANDY
Yeah. We dated. I lost contact with her when I went off to college.
GLADYS
She waited for you, you know.
ANDY
Well, that is water under the bridge, Mother. I am engaged to someone.
GLADYS
Engaged?! To who?
ANDY
Her name is Andrea (on-DRAY-uh). I think you would like her.
GLADYS
When do I get to meet her? I can’t believe you have gotten engaged to someone I haven’t even met!
ANDY
She comes from a real good family. Her father was a client of mine. Very wealthy.
GLADYS
You know that is not what is important, honey. Is she a Christian?
ANDY
Oh Mother…not that again! I do not want to have that conversation with you again! It serves no purpose!
GLADYS
What conversation? What are you talking about? We hardly spoke at all when you got here last night. I don’t understand you. Well, I need to go and keep your breakfast warm. Don’t dilly dally.
Grandpa B enters walking slowly
ANDY
Hi Grandpa B. (The cell phone rings and Andy begins looking for it. He remembers to look under the couch. As he gets down on his hands and knees, he suddenly looks up to see where Grandpa is) Do not sit on me, Grandpa!
GRANDPA B
Sit on you! Now why would I do something silly like that?
Grandpa sits on the couch and Andy comes back up with his phone.
ANDY
Hello?
GRANDPA B
Hello.
ANDY
Oh…Hi sweetheart.
GRANDPA B
Well…I haven’t been called sweetheart in many years. That is nice of you, my boy.
ANDY
I’m talking on my cell, Grandpa B. No… honey… it’s my grandfather. He thought I was talking to him.
GRANDPA B
It’s your grandfather? I thought I was your grandfather?
ANDY
(To the phone) Never mind…you don’t want to know. (Pause) I miss you, too.
GRANDPA B
I missed you, too. You’ve been gone a long time it seems.
ANDY
(To Grandpa) We’ll talk later, okay? Right now I need to do this. (Pause) What? No… not you! Look, maybe this was not the best time for you to call. (Pause) No, honey! We talked about this! This is not a good time for you to come here!
GRANDPA B
I never know when a good time is. Should I come back later?
ANDY
Grandpa! Please!
GRANDPA B
Well, alright. You don’t have to tell me twice. I’ll just go and milk the cows. (He gets up and heads for the exit)
ANDY
Milk the cows? (Pause) What? No! I said,… uh… fills the house! Yeah.. That’s it! Mother is making breakfast. The smell of baco…uh…her baking… fills the house.
Faith comes running in and she is followed by Gracie.
FAITH
Merry Christmas!
GRACIE
Faith! You should knock first! We don’t just barge in…
GRANDPA B
Hello girls.
ANDY
I gotta go, dear… (Hangs up)
GRACIE
Good morning, Grandpa B! Merry Christmas!
GRANDPA B
Is it Christmas?
GRACIE
Almost. One more day.
FAITH
Who are you?
GRACIE
Andy? Andy Berkenhousen! It is you! Wow! It’s been a long time!
ANDY
Hi Gracie. This is your daughter?
FAITH
I’m Faith. Do you know my mom?
ANDY
Yes. We are old friends from way back. I am glad to meet you, Faith. I feel like I already know you.
FAITH
Are you related to Mrs. B? Cuz you have the same last name!
GRACIE
He’s Mrs. B’s son, honey.
FAITH
Is Mrs. B in the kitchen?
ANDY
Yes…there might even be some breakfast for you.
Faith exits to the kitchen
GRACIE
Wow! Andy Berkenhousen! You look good.
ANDY
So do you…and it’s uh…Andrew Thomas now. I had it changed.
GRACIE
You changed your name?
ANDY
I could not go through life with a last name like that.
GRACIE
Oh. Well, I changed mine too, but for different reasons.
ANDY
Yes, I heard. Harlan Wilkes. Too bad about what happened.
GRACIE
So, you know all about that, huh?
ANDY
(Realizing) Yeah… I guess I do. Weren’t you hear yesterday?
GRACIE
I’m here a lot. Your mom is good enough to watch Faith for me. But you weren’t here yesterday.
ANDY
I guess not. I just had this really strange dream last night. You were in it. You told me that you worked at the Piggly Wiggly.
GRACIE
That is weird. I do work there. I’m sure you’re mom told you. Yeah… I’m the Executive Assistant to Purchasing Customers.