Tell Me the Story - s31818.pcdn.co€¦ · Tell Me The Story . By: Shane Sturdivant & Travis Eades...

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Tell Me The Story By: Shane Sturdivant & Travis Eades 4/2/2010 The Easter musical, "Tell Me The Story," was written and produced by the music ministry at Southwest Church of Christ in Jonesboro, Arkansas. The script explains the songs that were performed, but copyright restrictions prohibit us from including the performances of the songs and any musical interludes on the video. The video of the musical is provided on The Story website for reference purposes, so you can see how Southwest staged and performed it.

Transcript of Tell Me the Story - s31818.pcdn.co€¦ · Tell Me The Story . By: Shane Sturdivant & Travis Eades...

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Tell Me The

Story

By: Shane Sturdivant & Travis Eades 4/2/2010

The Easter musical, "Tell Me The Story," was written and produced by the music ministry at Southwest Church of Christ in Jonesboro, Arkansas. The script explains the songs that were performed, but copyright restrictions prohibit us from including the performances of the songs and any musical interludes on the video. The video of the musical is provided on The Story website for reference purposes, so you can see how Southwest staged and performed it.

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© 2010 Shane Sturdivant & Travis Eades P a g e | 2

Cast of Characters

Ryan’s dad

Ryan, Age 5

Ryan, Age 25, missionary

William, Age 25, disillusioned seeker

William’s father, godfather-like

Charles, William’s younger brother, flashy dresser, lots of bling, a bully

Alexander, William’s youngest brother, a spineless follower

John, Age 65, walks with a cane, kindly, professor-like

Miss Matthews, young teacher

Present-day children

Jewish crowd

John the Baptist

Jesus

Adulterous woman

Pharisees

Guards

Stage Setup

The stage has two levels. The higher level is a platform built across the entire rear of the stage, with two sets of stair steps leading down to the lower level. The upper level has two small side stage areas. The front part of the stage in front of the platform is the lower level, with enough space for several people to sit and stand.

A scrim covers the rear of the stage, about six feet back from the front of the raised platform. Behind the scrim the Biblical scenes are acted out. Choir risers are placed behind the scrim also, where the ‘cloud of witnesses’ sings.

A park bench sits at center stage (on the lower level of the stage, in front of the platform) and another park bench angled inward is at stage right, also at the lower level. Near the center bench is an overturned garbage can, and litter is strewn around the stage.

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John on upper platform in front of scrim, William holding his broken book, Ryan holding out a Bible

William singing closing song, with “cloud of witnesses” chorus behind the scrim.

Staging Alternatives

1. Two separate playing spaces: one for present day, one for Biblical.

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2. One space, Biblical scenes would come to life around present day characters.

3. One space, Biblical stories would just be told by present day characters (need really strong actors for this one).

Musical Options

A key component to how well a presentation fits a particular setting lies in the song selection. This show can be done with or without music. We have provided optional song suggestions throughout the script. In each case, it would be appropriate to contact the publisher. You may also use original compositions or songs that your congregation would find more familiar.

You can also use a choir in the opening and closing songs to bookend the show musically and visually. We called it our “cloud of witnesses” chorus, and they were dressed in all white. We would reveal them behind the scrim for the big choruses in the opening and closing songs.

Voice Over

You can have your actor speak these lines as he types on the laptop, or you can prerecord these and have them play at the appropriate times.

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OPENING SCENE

Dad is sitting in bench on stage right. Single spotlight down fades in with musical intro

(Little Ryan enters, carrying The Story for Kids)

Little Ryan:

Dad, will you read this to me?

(He climbs up in Dad’s lap)

Dad:

Sure. What have you got there? Oh… I know this story. It‟s the greatest story ever written.

Little Ryan:

What makes it so great?

Dad:

Well…what do you say we start here?

The Word Is Alive; Mark Hall and Steven Curtis Chapman, ©2007 My Refuge Music/Club Zoo Music/SWECS Music (BMI). Admin By EMI-CMG Publishing

(Lights fade in behind scrim. Song is sung by choir dressed in white, standing on risers. During the song, various pictures come to life behind the scrim. Joseph and his brothers. David and Goliath. Esther and the King. Mary and Joseph. Father and son look on, standing up and pointing, discussing what they see.)

(They sit back down as music is still underscoring.)

Little Ryan:

Did all of that really happen?

Dad:

Oh yes.

Little Ryan:

But you said it was just a story.

Dad:

(Laughs) Oh Ryan, it‟s more than just a story. It‟s THE Story.

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(Lights and music fade down)

(25 year-old Ryan fades in downstage right. Single spotlight on him as he is sitting at the edge of the platform with his laptop, typing)

VoiceOver:

Hey Mom. Well, it‟s been less than a month since I got here and it already feels much longer

than that. I would‟ve loved to have seen this place before the war. There is no escaping the

story the war has written here. . I wish they knew what we knew. That there‟s an even greater

freedom and the price has already been paid. There are those that wish things had never

changed. Mainly these are the ones whose money and power have been threatened. They don‟t

make it easy for us, but they‟re more an annoyance than a problem. The kids here are awesome.

I wish you could meet them. So brave. Still smiling, though most are left with nothing, many

without any family. Yet they still show this amazing capacity for love and hope. So, now I go

and hang out with the kids in a park. Well, what‟s left of it anyway. A lot of the grown-ups are

still leery of my being around, but I hope I‟m growing on them. I bring my guitar and I‟ve been

teaching the kids some songs. And, I also tell them stories like Dad used to. I guess it‟s my way

of not missing him so much.

(Spotlight fades on Ryan as he shuts the laptop and exits downstage right.)

(Dim light on stage left revealing William. He is dressed neatly, but plain. He is sitting, leaned up against the wall reading a book.)

(Alexander, Charles, and their father enter from stage left. They are well-dressed and a little flashy - think Godfather meets Dmitry meets Guido.)

Alexander:

You see Father, I told you we‟d find him down here with the trash.

(William bolts upright defensively.)

William:

Hello father, I was just...

Father:

Just what? Rolling around in the rubble to see what kind of diseases you could bring home? I

don‟t understand you son. I give you a home. Away from all of…this…and you show your

gratitude by behaving like a commoner.

William:

We‟re all commoners now, Father.

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Alexander:

Well, maybe you are, big brother.

Charles: (As he grabs William’s book and tears it in half, throwing it down.)

Oh, but William is so much smarter than we are, right? He‟s better than us.

(William and Charles are now facing each other in a stand-off.)

Father:

Alexander, Charles, go home.

Charles:

But Father, he‟s….

Father: (angry, but controlled)

I said…Go home. (pause) Tell your mother we will be along shortly.

(Alexander and Charles exit stage left.)

William:

Father, I…

(Father grabs him by the collar and is square in his face.)

Father:

You listen to me boy. You want to waste your time reading silly stories and filling your head

with nonsense, go ahead, but don‟t expect to be a part of this family if you do. You think the war

is over? Do you? The war‟s just getting started and I WILL NOT have some weakling as my

eldest son. You got a choice to make William. Stay here and die with these…low-lifes, or come

and let your father teach you how to be a leader, a soldier. (Releases his grip on William and

proceeds to straighten his collar) Now, collect yourself and get home. You mother will be

expecting you for lunch. (Father begins to exit stage left, stops, and turns around.) I will not let

you disgrace what I have built for this family. Remember that. It‟s time to grow up William.

(William is left on stage by himself, picks up the pieces of his book, a little hurt, but mostly angry; throws the book.)

(Lights come up, stage right, revealing the rest of the park which is where William has been this whole time. Ryan is sitting on a park bench with his guitar with children sitting around him singing the end of a children’s song, such as “If You’re Happy and You Know It.” When the song ends the kids are clapping and excited).

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Ryan:

Alright kids, what song should we do now?

Kid 1:

Tell us a story!

Kid 2:

Yeah, tell us the one about Joseph and his dreams!

Kid 3:

No, tell us the one about Noah and the Ark!

(A slight uproar of opinions from the kids. Ryan stands to quiet them.)

Ryan:

Alright, alright now guys, I‟ll tell you a story, but only if you will be very quiet. Now, how

about a new story? Yes. Many years ago, there was a man who lived away from the cities in the

desert. He had crazy hair and a long beard. And he ate grasshoppers. (Obvious reaction from

kids). You see, he was telling the people about a savior that was coming: Jesus!

(Lights slow fade in behind scrim. Musical underscoring begins as John the Baptist is seen baptizing in the River Jordan.)

John the Baptist: (Takes someone down into the river.)

I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than

I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

(John baptizes as action and music continues in river. Lights come back up on Ryan and the kids.)

Kid #1:

Fire! That doesn‟t sound good.

Ryan:

No, Sadie, not with real fire. John is talking about Jesus. And wouldn‟t you know it. John looks

up and there he is.

Kid #2:

There who is?

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Ryan:

The one they had all been waiting for. The Messiah.

Lights down on Ryan and the kids.

John the Baptist:

(Bowing before Jesus) I need to be baptized of you, and do you come to me?

Jesus:

Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.

(They walk down into the river and pause. John the Baptist sings.)

“Prepare Ye the Way,” Intro only; Robin Mark, ©1998 Daybreak Music Ltd.

(Music fades and lights fade behind scrim as Ryan’s voice trails back in, and lights come up on Ryan.)

Ryan:

And as Jesus came up out of the water, a voice from heaven said, This is my Son, whom I love,

and am well pleased.

Kid 3:

Tell us another story, Ryan!

(All kids chime in their approval)

Ryan: (noticing a Miss Matthews entering upstage left)

Well guys, it‟s getting pretty late and…

Miss Matthews:

Children! Come here now!

(The children do as they’re told, some turning and waving to Ryan as they leave. The woman can be heard scolding the children about trusting the stranger when she has told them to stay away.)

(William, who has been watching from stage left, is now walking upstage and around the set watching Ryan, but not speaking. Ryan is sitting on the bench messing with his guitar and is aware of William. William takes a piece of gum, unwraps it, puts the gum in his mouth and drops the wrapper to the ground as he’s seeming to exit upstage right.)

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Ryan:

You gonna pick that up?

(William stops and turns to face Ryan)

Well?

William:

Well what? Look around you man, it doesn‟t make a difference.

Ryan:

It doesn‟t?

William:

No, it doesn‟t (William turns to exit, but is stopped once again.)

Ryan:

But, what if…what if everyone that came through here stopped and picked up a piece of trash

instead of dropping one? Would that make a difference?

William:

I, well, I suppose it would.

Ryan:

Then wouldn‟t it also be true that by not throwing something on the ground, even if you didn‟t

pick anything up, you‟d be making a difference by not leaving more for someone else to pick up?

William:

Fine, I will pick it up. (Bends over and picks up gum wrapper.)

Ryan:

You‟re missing the point.

William:

What point?

Ryan:

That there‟s always a choice. Make it better, make it worse, do nothing. Always a choice.

William:

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Choice? Don‟t talk to me about choice. How long you been here? You don‟t know anything.

(Tosses gum wrapper in the general vicinity of Ryan, and it accidentally lands in Ryan’s open

guitar case. It stays there until the last scene.)

Ryan: (notices gum wrapper, raises his eyebrows, keeps quietly strumming.)

Maybe not.

(Awkward silence. William softens. )

William:

How long you been playing?

Ryan:

As long as I can remember I guess. You play?

William:

No, Father says music is for people that are weak.

Ryan:

Can‟t be strong all the time. (pause) So, you wanna learn?

William:

Learn what?

Ryan:

To play the guitar, man.

William:

Why? You gonna teach me?

Ryan:

Maybe. Yes. If you do something for me.

William:

(laughs) And what‟s that?

Ryan:

Just open your eyes and pay attention.

(John enters stage left. He’s thin, not walking so well, uses a cane.)

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John:

“Can‟t depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus.” Mark Twain said that.

(Proceeds toward the bench, stumbles, but catches himself on the back of the bench. Ryan has moved toward him to help him sit down.)

(laughs) I was walking down the street wearing glasses and suddenly the prescription ran out.

(pause)

William:

Who said that?

John:

Were my lips moving?

William:

Faster than the rest of you.

(John laughs, Ryan gives William a look)

John:

You‟re funny kid, what‟s your name?

William:

Uh, I‟m uh, William.

John:

Nice to meet you, William. And who‟s your friend here?

William:

He‟s not my friend.

Ryan:

I‟m Ryan, so (rifling a nutrition bar out of his pocket) you hungry?

(John looks at the bar like he wants it.)

John:

I‟m watching my figure.

Ryan:

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Well, I‟ll leave it right here if you change your mind.

(Ryan returns to sitting with his guitar)

John:

So if you boys aren‟t friends, what are you?

William:

I uh…

Ryan:

I‟m going to teach Will here to play the guitar.

John:

Are you now? Well, can you boys sing as well? One without the other just doesn‟t seem right to

me. My wife could sing. Oh, she had the most beautiful, delicate voice. Could bring a grown

man to tears.

William:

Is… is your wife…

John:

Gone. 5 years now.

Ryan:

I‟m very sorry.

John:

Don‟t be. I‟m thankful she didn‟t have to see the home she so loved….turned into this.

“Although I enter not, yet round about the spot of times I hover. And near the sacred gate with

longing eyes I wait, expectant of her.” William Makepeace Thackery. Well, I look forward to

watching the progression of your musical education, young William.

(William’s brothers have entered stage left)

Alexander:

What are you…..?

Charles:

Oh, Father‟s going to love this.

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Alexander:

So, is this, this… Is he your friend?

William:

No, NO, I don‟t know him. Let‟s go home.

(William and Ryan exchange a look as William exits stage left and his brothers follow.)

Charles:

(To Ryan) Your time‟s coming, man. Just you wait.

(Silence as John and Ryan remain alone, seated.)

John: (as he picks up nutrition bar and begins to unwrap it)

Brothers are the reason why nothing ever gets finished.

Ryan:

Who said that?

John:

Michael Jackson.

(fade out long enough for John to exit. When lights come back up we find Ryan by himself packing up his guitar. William enters from stage left.)

William:

Uh, I‟m sorry about earlier.

Ryan:

No worries, man.

William:

It‟s just…..well, my family. Well, I guess you could say they‟re important. And they don‟t want

any part of the reformation. They‟ll lose a lot if it happens.

Ryan:

And you‟re not?

William:

What do you mean?

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Ryan:

You said THEY were important. As if you aren‟t a part of them.

William:

Most days I don‟t feel like it.

Ryan:

Sometimes your real family isn‟t the one you‟re born into, but the one you create, through faith.

William:

I have no idea what that means.

Ryan:

Someday you will.

William:

Anyway, I wanted to thank you for your offer, but I must regretfully decline.

Ryan:

Well, how, formal of you. May I ask why?

William:

You wouldn‟t understand.

Ryan:

Try me.

William (hesitates):

Let‟s just say that if my father found out I was consorting with the enemy he‟d have both our

heads.

Ryan:

Well, he sounds, umm, sweet.

William:

Oh yeah, sunshine and puppies, that‟s him.

Ryan:

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Well, what he doesn‟t know won‟t hurt him, right?

William:

What do you mean?

Ryan:

I mean, as long as we‟re careful, there‟s no reason you can‟t learn to play.

William:

And how would we manage that?

Ryan (thinking):

John could be our lookout.

William:

The professor? He can‟t see two feet in front of him.

Ryan:

I‟ll get him some binoculars.

(William seems to be mulling it over)

Ryan:

It‟s cool man. If you don‟t want to, just tell me and I will be on my way.

William:

Why?

Ryan:

Huh?

William:

Why are you going out of your way to be nice to me? We‟re not friends.

Ryan:

Maybe not, but… you never know.

William:

No

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Ryan:

Why not?

William:

Because I‟m me and you‟re you. That‟s why.

Ryan:

Well, if it‟s all so clear to you, then why are you here?

William:

I, uh…

Ryan:

I‟ll tell you why. You‟re looking for something. You don‟t know what it is, but you know that

your life is less because it is missing. I‟d like to help you find it.

William:

And you teaching me the guitar will somehow magically help me find it?

Ryan:

Worth a shot, don‟t you think?

William:

I don‟t know. I, uh, have to go.

(William turns and starts to exit)

Ryan:

When you decide to stop being scared, you know where to find me…Friend.

(Will stops, laughs to himself, turns to face Ryan.)

William:

Fine we‟ll play it your way

(William walks over, puts his hands out for the guitar, Ryan grins and hands it to him. They sit on the bench and Ryan gives a couple pointers on how to hold the guitar and such).

Ryan:

So, how important would you say your family is, really?

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William (thoughtful):

Let‟s just say if we had had a king and queen, my dad would‟ve been like, next in line for the

throne.

Ryan (tentatively):

Oh, that‟s pretty important I guess, huh?

William (laughs):

Who‟s scared now……friend?

(Scene spills over into voice over. Eventually, William exits and Ryan is left alone on stage by the end of the voice over.)

Email Two (Voice Over)

Dear Mom: Well, things here are plugging along I guess. The kids got to go back to school last

week. Only half days since there‟s hardly any staff and a power shortage. But it‟s something

right? I don‟t get to see them as much, but I‟m happy they‟re getting a little bit of normalcy

back. I‟ve been keeping busy though. I don‟t think William trusts me totally yet, but, you know

me, I‟m working on him. He seems really lost. Confused and angry about everything that‟s

happened. I think God brought me to him, so I‟m gonna do everything I can to help him. I like

hanging out with him. He‟s constantly challenging me and he questions everything. It‟s even

more fun with the professor around. Well, gotta go. Love you, Mom!

Scene Two

(Stage left, scene opens. Rudimentary classroom setting. Children sitting around teacher, on the floor and steps.)

Teacher:

Well, children. It‟s so wonderful to be back with you today. Let me ask you, did you learn

anything during our time apart?

(Children raise their hands.)

Let‟s see, Christopher, what did you learn?

Christopher:

We all learned a song. Can we sing it for you?

(Teacher nods)

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Children’s song about God’s protection, such as My God is So Great.

(John enters and begins singing with the children)

John:

Hello Miss Matthews I brought sandwiches. I thought perhaps you would have lunch with me

today?

Teacher:

Why, yes John, of course I would.

Kids:

Mr. John and Miss Matthews sittin‟ in a tree, K-I-S-S-…

John:

Alright come here you little rugrats. You‟ll have to go to sleep at some point and when you do...

(Hollering after the kids): Wait for us!

(John chases them off giggling. Teacher follows exiting stage left)

Scene Three

(The park. Ryan is sitting alone playing his guitar and singing.)

“When I Get Where I’m Going”; George Teren and Rivers Rutherford, © 2005 Universal Music Corp., Memphersfield Music and House of Full Circle Music

(William enters halfway through song eating a bag of Cheetos, watches Ryan, then joins him at the end of the song.)

William:

Is there a beach there? If so, count me in.

Ryan:

Say, what?

William:

Where you‟re going. If there‟s a beach there, I‟m going with you. Of course, the Antarctic

would be a trade up from this, so wherever you‟re going, I‟ll buy the tickets.

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Ryan:

(laughs) No purchase necessary, Friend. Already bought and paid for.

William:

So, where is it exactly?

Ryan:

Heaven.

William:

You believe there‟s a heaven?

Ryan:

You don‟t?

William:

I believe in this Chee-to.

Ryan: (pulling a small Bible out of his pocket)

Here, maybe this‟ll help.

William:

What is it?

Ryan:

Greatest story ever written. Trust me.

(John enters from upstage left)

John:

Whew, I have a newfound respect for teachers of the young. Those kids are exhausting! So

much energy, I can‟t keep up! But oh, what fun.

Ryan:

I take it you‟re enjoying your new teacher…I mean teaching at the school.

John:

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(Collects himself.) More than I thought I would. I‟d forgotten what it was like to see everything

through a child‟s eyes. So hopeful and expectant.

Will:

They‟ll grow out of it.

John:

Sadly, you are right William.

(Ryan’s phone begins ringing)

Ryan:

Well gentleman, I hate to leave great company, but duty calls

Will:

Literally.

(As Ryan answers the phone he waves goodbye to the others and exits stage right.) (Will proceeds to go and sit next to John on the bench.) (Will is thumbing through the Bible Ryan gave him)

John:

Ah, a Bible, best biography I‟ve read.

Will:

You‟ve read this?

John:

Oh yes. Still do. Every day. My wife taught me about Christ; that‟s how we met actually.

Will:

Really? And you believe it?

John:

I don‟t just believe it. I KNOW it. All of these writers. Different backgrounds. Over a course

of two millenia. There is no other possibility than for it to be true. Not to mention the way I‟ve

seen God work in my own life.

Will: (almost laughing)

Yeah, losing your wife, being under tyrannical rule, watching your homeland torn to bits, God‟s

been at work all right.

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John:

You‟re right. But it‟s not about the bad things that happen, but what we allow God to do with

them.

Will:

Well, all I‟ve seen is the bad.

John:

Look . If nothing had happened, Ryan wouldn‟t be here, you wouldn‟t have this Bible, and you

wouldn‟t be asking these questions. That tells me there‟s a plan. Just read it. I think you‟ll like

the main character. You share a common trait.

Will:

What‟s that?

John:

You‟re both rebels.

Will:

Hmmph.

John:

Just pray. You‟ll find Him.

Will:

(Will exits. John is left alone on stage)

EMAIL THREE: (voice over)

Hey mom, just thought I‟d update you on everything here real quick. Will and I have become

fast friends. He is constantly asking me questions about Christ and the Bible. I know God is

leading Him somewhere. It‟s so amazing to watch it all unfold. I can tell he‟s still conflicted

about his family though. But I think he‟s gone from being afraid of them to being afraid FOR

them. John‟s doing really well and is making a difference with the kids. The kids have become

his biggest fans! Will‟s too. He‟s catching on to the guitar really well and has a passion for

music. I think I‟ll be leaving the kids in good hands when I go. Not much longer mom! Just a

few more weeks and I‟ll be home. Tell everyone I love them. See you soon! Love, Ryan.

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Scene Four

(Will is using John’s cane to practice his golf swing and talking quickly as if he’s trying to work it out in his head rather than having a conversation with John. There is a bag with a sandwich setting next to John.)

Will:

Okay, I don‟t get how you believe all this. These stories. Lazarus? Dead then alive? Was he

really dead? Wouldn‟t he decompose after four days? It‟s just not believable. Seems like great

fiction to me.

Will:

But this one. This story I get.

John:

Which one?

Will:

Yeah, the one about the floozy that cheats on her husband.

John:

Oh. John 8.

Will:

I get that, for the most part.

(Lights come up behind scrim. Jesus is in the temple courts where all the people gathered around him, and he’s teaching them.)

Jesus:

If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the

truth will set you free.

(The teachers of the law and the Pharisees immediately break in and bring in the woman before Jesus. They make her stand before the group)

Pharisee:

Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law, Moses commanded us to

stone such women. Now what do you say?

(Jesus bends down and starts to write on the ground with his finger)

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Pharisee:

Well, what do you say?

Jesus: (Stoops down to write again)

If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.

{music begins}

(Everyone begins to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus is left with the woman still standing there. Jesus stands up and asks her)

Jesus:

Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?

Woman:

No one, Sir.

Jesus:

The neither do I condemn you. Go now and sin no more.

(Jesus leaves, woman sings solo. Could have choir sing backup.)

“Where Hope is Still Alive;” Robert Sterling, © 1994 Word Music, from the ‘One Voice’ Easter musical.

(Lights down behind scrim, lights up on center stage.)

Will:

Go and sin no more? That‟s it? That‟s where you lose me.

(John has been looking through his binoculars)

John:

Well, there comes Ryan, so why don‟t you go and see what he thinks

Will:

Sweet. I‟d like to hear him explain this one.

(Will exits to meet Ryan)

John: (Praying. During his prayer, Charles and Alexander enter.)

Thank you so much for opening Will‟s heart. And thanks for letting me be a part of this journey.

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Charles:

Look around you old man, God‟s not here. Just you and us.

John:

Well, hello boys. Out for another exciting evening of cow-tipping, I see.

Charles:

Excuse me old man. You don‟t talk to us like that. Do you know who we are?

John:

Well, of course everyone knows the brothers Grimm. Why, Charles, that‟s some fine jewelry

you‟ve got on there. Glad to see my tax dollars hard at work.

(Charles approaches John and slaps the sandwich out of his hand and grabs him by the collar. John’s really unfazed.)

John:

That was a perfectly good sandwich!

Charles:

(To Alexander) Aww, he‟s a funny old man, isn‟t he? (To John) Listen here, you tell that brother

of ours that Father says he‟s got a choice to make. And if he makes the wrong one, there will be

a price to pay…PROFESSOR.

John: (almost laughing)

You boys hold no sway over me, nor does your father. And Will can make his own choice.

(Ryan and Will enter from stage right)

Will:

Hey!

(Ryan holds Will back by placing his right arm in front of him. Looks at him as if to say, Let me handle this.)

Ryan:

What‟s goin‟ on here, fellas?

Charles: (approaching Ryan)

What are you going to do about it?

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(Will approaches aggressively, Ryan holds him back.)

Ryan:

Listen, it‟s getting late. Let‟s just all go home.

(Charles backs off)

Alexander:

Let‟s go Charles.

Charles: (to William)

Father‟s going to love this! You better find somewhere else to sleep tonight…BROTHER.

(Brothers exit.)

Will:

Am I really related?

Ryan:

They‟re just confused. You have to let it go, Will.

Will:

Oh right, the whole forgiveness thing…where‟s my sandwich?

(John, who’s eating Will’s sandwich, smiles really big and points to the one on the ground.)

Ryan:

Come on John. Let‟s get you home. Will, it‟s getting late. Better get home.

(John and Ryan exit)

Will:

Home? (Music cue) So you want me to trust you, right? Believe all of this? How do I do that?

How do I just forget my life and everything I‟ve always known and… ?

(Scene splits with Will on one side, looking off in the distance, and Jesus in the Garden on the other side, behind scrim, kneeling. Will sings verse 1 and chorus, Jesus sings verse 2 and chorus, duet for rest of song.)

“So All Alone,” Chris and Diane Machen, © 2001 Pilot Point Music. Admin. By Lillenas Publishing.

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(When the song ends, Will stands and starts to exit, his father is standing behind him.)

Will: (startled)

What are you doing here?

Father:

Looking for you.

Will:

Why? Sending my brothers to stir up trouble wasn‟t enough?

Father:

I…

Will:

Don‟t deny it...you forget… I know you.

Father:

Okay fine, but they were just supposed to convince you to come home. To make you see that

these are not your people.

Will:

Tell me, father, whose my people? You? Charles?

Father:

We‟re your family.

Will:

Family, doesn‟t tear you down. Family doesn‟t make you feel like nothing.

Father:

Well if you‟d just do what I asked you…..

Will:

Asked? Asked? You‟ve never asked for a thing in your life. No, you don‟t ask, you demand.

You know what? (looking up) I give up. I can‟t do this on my own. So, I‟m all yours.

Father:

Who are you?

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Will:

Who am I? Dad, I love you, but I‟m never gonna be you. Not gonna happen. So…that‟s it I

guess

(Will begins to exit but pauses when Father speaks.)

Father:

So you‟ve made your choice then, Will?

Will:

Yes, I have.

Father:

Then forgive me for the choice I must now make.

Will:

I already did.

(Will exits, Father, looking furious is left alone on stage)

(lights down)

Email # 4: (voice over)

Mom, I‟ll be leaving in a couple of days. Can‟t tell you how excited I am to see you. But, also

a little sad to leave behind my new friends. Will‟s struggling with his new identity and I hate to

go, but I know that John will be his guide. Well, I gotta run, Mom. Can‟t wait to see you!

Scene Five

(Father is on stage. Brothers enter.)

Father:

So. Where is he?

Alexander:

He‟s down there with the foreigner.

Father:

Well, I guess he‟s where he wants to be then.

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Alexander:

Father, he won‟t listen.

Charles:

(Clenches his fist, pounds it into his hand, ready to punch something.)

Alexander:

Why you always gotta use your fist?

Charles:

What are you gonna use, your big mouth?

Alexander:

And where has bullying gotten you?

(They go on arguing while Father has been thinking.)

Father:

Silence! This has gone on long enough. (Hands Charles the gun.) Take this and take care of our

problem.

Charles:

Whoa! I want the foreigner gone as much as you but….

Father:

No. Not him.

(Lights out)

Scene Six

(William and Ryan in the park.)

Ryan:

I‟m really impressed at how good you‟ve gotten.

Will:

Thanks, I had a good teacher.

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Ryan:

So listen, I need to tell you something.

Will:

You‟re leaving day after tomorrow.

Ryan:

How‟d you know?

Will:

John may not be able to see very well, but his ears are like stinkin‟ sonar. It‟s creepy. He

overheard you talking to your team.

Ryan:

I‟ve been wanting to tell you, I just didn‟t…

Will:

It‟s okay man. I know you‟ve gotta go. I‟ve always known you‟d leave sometime.

Ryan:

Doesn‟t make it any easier.

Will:

Tell me about it.

(Ryan has packed up the guitar and pauses.)

Ryan: (handing guitar case to Will)

Here, I want you to have this.

Will:

Your guitar? No, I can‟t. I can‟t take it.

Ryan:

Come on, you don‟t have one of your own, besides, you‟d be doin‟ me a favor. One less thing I

have to lug across the world. Not to mention, I hope it‟s something you can remember me by.

Will: (stands, pauses)

Fine, I‟ll take it. But you have to do something for me.

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Ryan:

Anything

Will:

Tell me the story one more time…of how Jesus died for me.

Ryan:

You already know it. You told me you read it.

Will:

I have. But now I wanna hear it from a great storyteller.

Ryan: (kind of shifts his feet and laughs)

You know I can‟t resist, don‟t you?

(Will sits on the ground like the children always do.)

(Ryan proceeds to tell the story)

(Lights fade on scene. Lights come up behind scrim in such a way as the figures are silhouetted, backs turned to the audience. Beating scene prior to the crucifixion takes place, just as shadows and sound. Two Jewish women who are standing back watching the crucifixion scene sing the song as a duet.)

Blessed Redeemer, Mark Hall and Bernie Herms, ©2009 My Refuge Music/Club Zoo Music/SWECS Music (BMI) Word Music. Admin by Sony/ATV Publishing

(After the beating scene is done – by the end of the first verse or chorus – Jesus is given a cross to carry and the lights come up on Will and Ryan. Music continues, softly underscoring the dialogue.)

Will:

I can‟t imagine (moves to sit next to Ryan on bench and takes Bible out of his hand.)

Ryan:

It gets worse.

(Lights dim on Will and Ryan, crucifixion scene and song continue to the end. Lights dim behind scrim, lights come up on Will and Ryan.)

Will:

But….why would He do that. For me?

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Ryan:

„Cause…you‟re enough.

Alexander: (Runs on stage) Will! You‟ve gotta get out of here, NOW!

(Alexander drags Will away. Will has no idea what’s going on.)

(As Ryan turns to get his backpack, Charles enters and crosses, gun in downstage hand, next to leg, pointing down. Ryan sees him.)

Ryan:

Charles

(Charles stops, looks at Ryan, 2 beats, Charles smiles and runs offstage, Ryan chases him.) (Once off stage we hear a single gunshot. 3 beats of silence.) (Lights go dim. Music underscores voice over.)

Letter: (voice over)

Dear Mom, if you‟re reading this, then something has happened to me and I‟ve had to break my

promise to you. You taught me that the only story worth telling is the one Jesus writes on my

heart. And that‟s what I‟ve tried to do every day. I won‟t ask you not to be sad, because I know

that would be impossible if the situation was reversed. Just pray. Pray that, in my death,

someone else found life and found it in Christ. Pray for all those lost souls who just need

someone to see them. And I will see you soon. I will wrap my arms around you and hold you as

God holds us. Let His love heal your broken heart. And know that I am here, singing praises for

my King and waiting for you to come home. I‟ll be seeing you. All my heart, Ryan.

(As this voice over happens, the dim silent scene has continued. Will slowly walks back out to the park area carrying Ryan’s guitar)

Scene Seven

(Will carries the guitar case, sits on Ryan’s bench, pauses, looks around. Some manifestation of grief. He takes out the guitar and finds the gum wrapper from the first day they met.)

(Will sings, a capella. As he sings, the children come onstage.)

“I Will Rise,” Giglio,Tomlin, Maher, and Reeves. ©2008 Vamos Publishing, Worshiptogether.comsong, Sixsteps Music, Thankyou Music, and spiritandsong.com, Admin by EMI-Christian Music Publishing

(Will has made his way back to the bench with the children around him)

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Will:

Alright guys, who wants to hear a story?

(Lights down)

(On the scrim, this scripture is displayed: “The last enemy to be defeated is Death.” I Corinthians 15:26.)

Choir sings reprise:

“I Will Rise,” Giglio,Tomlin, Maher, and Reeves. ©2008 Vamos Publishing, Worshiptogether.comsong, Sixsteps Music, Thankyou Music, and spiritandsong.com, Admin by EMI-Christian Music Publishing