----------------------------- A NOTE REGARDING THIS VERSION ----------------------------- This script is from the HIS COMPANY CATALOGUE of plays and musical resources. It is in ASCII (or plain text) format, and is intended only to be used for evaluation purposes. Visit our web site at http://hc.dlampel.com to download the FREE Adobe Acrobat (PDF) version for performance. A NEW HOPE A Musical by David S. Lampel Copyright (c) 2000 David S. Lampel. All rights reserved. Music Ordering Information -------------------------- This His Company script has been written to be used with the following music literature: Testify: Songs for the Soul-Winning Church (WORD, 1998); compiled by Mike Speck; arranged by Mike Speck, Lari Goss, and Danny Zaloudik. We strongly recommend that you contact your distributor or WORD MUSIC regarding the availability of choral books, Trax, or studio orchestration before deciding to produce this musical. At this writing, you may contact WORD at 1-888-483-0014. You may, of course, use this script with music of your own choosing. The Characters -------------- The Men of the Church (in order of appearance) Albert Henry Merril Frank Sam Richards Man #1 Man#2 The Women of the Church (in order of appearance) Inez Betty Sarah Woman #1 Woman #2 Wife of Man #2 Others (in order of appearance) The Preacher County Sheriff (Reuben) Cousin Sadie Mary Granfield Delmar Granfield Brother Harold Time: late morning on Saturday, March 4, 1933. Place: a county park in the rural Midwest. The occasion is the annual church picnic and outdoor worship service. Program Note for Audience: Once every year the good people of the All Saint's Community Church of Alden, Iowa celebrate the approach of spring by combining their weekly worship with a picnic, held in a small county park just outside of town. Ever mindful of the Midwest's intemperate, and unpredictable climate, the townsfolk rally quickly to take advantage of good weather--no matter where in the week it may occur. That is why this year finds them holding their worship and potluck picnic early on--and on a Saturday: The local radio station's weather forecaster had predicted freezing rain for the Sabbath and several inches of snow beyond, but sunshine and an unseasonable warmth for the day just before. Lights up on a park clearing--a picnic grove in the Hiram Jeeter Memorial Park, just two miles past the Iowa River dam bridge--which marks the town limits of Alden, Iowa. There are several small picnic tables, well weathered and dark with age, surrounded by a number of gnarled old oak trees, still devoid of leaves. Near the edge of the clearing stands a light pole, representing the only source of electricity in the rural park. About waist--high up the pole is an all--weather (covered) outlet. The cast enters, in family groups, from all directions--but mostly through the audience: down all the aisles in the auditorium. One young man (Henry) carries a large, wooden radio. Since they will be sharing a common meal, they bring with them the "potluck" dishes they will be contributing. As most (if not all) of the people gather at the foot of the stage (still on the level with the audience) their pastor (the Preacher) steps Center, as if to welcome them into the park. Cue Trax. They sing the first 8 bars from the floor, facing Upstage, with their backs to the audience. Some raise their hands. The picture from the audience standpoint is that they are beseeching the Lord's blessings before entering the picnic area to fellowship. At m9, beat 1, the people move upstage into the set, singing to each other; there is general "how-do" activity, organizing the food that has been brought, etc. At m62, on crescendoing 7-beat note, all cast members face out to audience till song cutoff. When the Holy Ghost Shows Up Page 16 :14 / 3:29 General commotion after song. As things settle down, the older women mostly congregate around the food tables, the youth huddle in their groups, and some of the men congregate around Henry Jones--who is plugging in the radio he brought with him. Albert (good-naturedly) Henry, why'd you bring that fool thing out here? Henry (excitedly) Don't you know, Albert? They're swearin' in the new President today. Albert That today? Henry That's right. Didn't want to miss it. Everyone has high hopes for FDR. As more of the men gather around him, Henry turns on the radio. He fiddles with the tuning knob as the light behind the dial slowly glows into life. The broadcast we hear is of the Oath of Office being recited by Franklin Delano Roosevelt for his first term. As Henry finds the station and the Oath begins, the men around him gesture that he's found it. He shushes them. [FDR] "I, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, do solemnly swear..." As the crowd in Washington applauds and cheers... Frank (from the back of the group huddled around the radio) Turn it up, Henry. We can't hear it back here. Henry turns up the volume as the speech continues. [FDR] "...industrial enterprise..." The men listen intently, soberly nodding in agreement as FDR describes the present dismal conditions in the country. [FDR] "...only a foolish optimist can deny the dark realities of the moment." Sound: fade out, then pause tape While the men continue to listen to the radio, our attention moves to the women as they arrange food upon the picnic tables. Inez Betty, did you bring another of your raspberry pies this year? Land sakes, you must have put up a lot last year? Betty (cheerfully) The good Lord fills my bushes, Inez, so I gotta pick 'em. Inez How many years now with Jim gone? Betty Since '29. Inez (with a shudder) And how we'd like to forget that year! Sarah Say, where's the Harlan family today? Inez Didn't you hear, Sarah? They're home packing. (as if there'd been a death in the family) Lost the farm last week. Sarah No! Sound: release tape to resume FDR speech The women shake their heads sadly as the sound of the radio comes back up. [FDR] "...frankly and boldly... " [FDR] "...have to fear is fear itself. Nameless, unreasoning..." Speech slowly fades out Sound: stop tape Henry switches off the radio. Albert Well, do you think he'll pull it off? Frank Who? Merril God? Albert No, silly. Roosevelt. Merril Same thing. Frank He can't work miracles. Henry (to Frank and all) Listen, Frank, if anyone can get this country back onto its feet, it's FDR. Merril Don't be so sure. I say it's a long way from Hyde Park to us poor dirt farmers. Henry Just have a little faith. Merril What, in a politician?! Henry No, in our President! Preacher (scolding good--naturedly) Gentlemen! Not today. Not at our picnic. Albert What do you say, Pastor? Will the 'New Deal' really work? Merril Or will we just keep on building 'Hoovervilles'? Preacher God gives us our leaders, too. We'll have to trust His judgment. Albert Well, I say those leaders haven't been doing so well lately. The country's in a terrible mess. Couldn't get any worse! Preacher Albert, God's still here with us. Albert These days I think I'd rather go up and be with Him, 'stead of Him bein' down here with us. Henry Sure, when things are rough, that's when we want Jesus to return. Preacher (chuckling) But when things are smooth, we'd just as soon he take His time about it. Albert I don't care. He can take me outta here any time! Loud Enough to Wake the Dead Page 63 :10 / 3:05 Sound: after an 8 count (shorter, if no audience reaction), cue Trax for next song Henry (kidding) You're sure it's gonna be better up there, Albert. Albert (laughing) Brother, my feet are already on their way! I'll Put On a Crown Page 52 :14 / 3:22 Much laughter and slapping of backs as everyone settles back into their groups. Meanwhile, the County Sheriff enters--his sober countenance in marked contrast to the laughter and easy conversation around him. Preacher (happily; still energized by the previous song) Well Sheriff! It's good to see you out here! Where's Annabelle? Sheriff (trying to be friendly, but by the sober expression on his face, clearly has more serious things on his mind; acknowledging the preacher, but speaking to all) Preacher. Is Sam Richards here today? (he and everybody looks around) Got somethin' for him. Sam (with uneasy humor, knowing already what the Sheriff has for him) You finally decide to join the church, Sheriff? Sheriff (they're friends, but trying to be official about it) I'm real sorry, Sam. It pains me--but I gotta do it. (holds out the folded papers) I gotta serve these papers on ya. Grumbling from the people. Sheriff (acknowledging the sentiments of the people) Yeah, I know. I've been puttin' it off long as I can. But the bank says it can't wait any longer. (sadly) It's the law. It's just the way it is. Preacher (to the Sheriff) But not at our picnic, Reuben! (quickly reaching for something from one of the tables) Here, have a sandwich--some cookies, a piece of cake... Sheriff I hate it as much as you, Preacher. But it's gotta be done. (handing the papers to Sam) They're givin' you three days, Sam--to come up with the mortgage or vacate the premises. Sam stares down at the paper in his hand; the Sheriff turns to go, but then turns back. Sheriff Real sorry, Sam. (pause) C'mon, I'll give you a lift into town. Sam (to the Preacher) What am I going to tell Myla? The preacher comforts Sam and they exit together as intro plays. Then Came the Morning Page 88 :19 / 5:25 The Preacher reenters at some point during song (depending on whether he sings or not). Even after the positive declaration of the previous song, there is a marked change in the mood of the event once the song has ended. The atmosphere has been changed by Sam Richards' sad departure--as if all the vitality and joy of the day have been drawn away with his leaving. Companions are loathe to look each other in the face; some of the men just sit and stare into space, imagining the same thing happening to them and their families. Even the pastor doesn't quite know what to say. Cousin Sadie, a slightly-past-middle-aged woman of robust girth stands in the middle of the forlorn crowd, looking around at her friends disbelievingly. Cousin Sadie (with vigor) Now, c'mon folks. Sure we got hard times. No argument there. And I know heaven starts lookin' real sweet when things are lookin' bad down here. But listen folks, there's no reason in the world to be thinkin' all's lost. You think the Lord don't see what's goin' on down here? You think His hand ain't in it? Why, I remember the old days when things were really tough. (those listening raise their eyes: 'here we go again') My stars, we were lucky to even get supper before bed. We'd have to trudge a good fifty mile through snow up to here just to get to school. Why, this is nothin'. (more seriously) Now listen, don't you go lookin' for no easy excuse to stop singin' His praise. The Lord's still on our side. He's still here with us. So when those blues start gettin' to ya, you just think of Jesus lookin' down from above. He's still takin' care of us--and if we only trust in Him, He'll get us through anything comes our way. Nothing is Impossible Page 81 :14 / 3:58 Everyone remains quiet as Cousin Sadie continues. Cousin Sadie Sure, we've all been there, haven't we. (looking around) Tom, remember when your barn caught fire and the whole town turned out to save it? You found friends you never knew you had. And Sarah, when your little Jimmy was late in coming and Frank was over in France fightin' the Kaiser . . . why, you had more midwives than you could handle. Even Pastor--when he first showed up, had no place to stay. We couldn't pay him a lick. I shouldn't, but I tell you, that man was down. (The pastor nods his head, admitting that she's speaking the truth) Friends, Jesus was right there in all of it. And He's still here, workin' through every one of us--through every bit of our troubles. (pause, looking around) Y'know what we haven't had enough of lately? We haven't had near enough of testifyin'. That's right. We ain't had enough of tellin' what the Lord is doin' in our sorry lives. (looking around; glaring intimidatingly) So who's gonna start 'er off? (she sits down with a dramatic plop) Sound: Cue Trax immediately Cousin Sadie is finished. Testify Page 97 :08 / 3:33 As the audience and cast are settling down after the song, their spirits improved, before we even hear their words we see Mary and Delmar Granfield arguing with each other. When they can be heard, we hear... Mary Go on, Del. You can do it. Delmar Leave me be, woman! Mary You said you were going to. Delmar That was yesterday. Mary Go on. Speak your peace before I speak it for you. Delmar (embarrassed that everyone's attention is on him by now anyway; reluctantly) It's really no big deal. I just had somethin' I wanted to say, that's all. (chickening out; turning back to his wife) But I don't think so. (Mary turns him back around) Well, you see, I just got this letter from my cousin--in South Dakota. He says grain there is cheaper than coal--so they're burnin' it in their furnace. Burned it all winter, they did. The county elevator listed corn at minus three cents. Minus three cents a bushel, can you believe it! You gotta pay that there elevator man three cents a bushel just to take it off your hands. Say it don't pay for them to handle it. (pause, scratching his head) Well, it got me to thinkin'. Minus three cents is pretty bankrupt. You're scrapin' bottom when things get so bad that you gotta pay some guy to take your crop off your hands. Yessir, that's pretty bankrupt. (pause; this sort of thing--speaking in public--is really new to him; haltingly) Just like we're bankrupt when we come to the Lord. We got nothin' else. We come to Him with our pockets turned inside out--nothin' to offer. That's how anybody ever came to Him. Nobody ever had nothin' to give to Him. (pause; shaking his head) Minus three cents a bushel. We're plumb broke. And just look what He did for us anyway. Watch and See Page 28 :10 / 3:35 Sarah steps out and moves toward old Brother Harold--an elderly, cantankerous, retired preacher. Sarah Brother Harold! Haven't you got anything to say about all this? Harold I got plenty to say. But no one asked. Preacher That's never stopped you before. Harold When a man of God retires God don't turn off his brain. Preacher (for instance) Well, what do you think of our new president? Harold (pondering before he answers) When all's said and done, I bet you he puts his pants on one leg at a time, just like me. (pause for reaction) But I'll say this for him: he ain't afraid to speak his mind. Albert But, will he get us out of this depression? Harold Well now, he just might. But it won't be his doin'. Roosevelt's just hangin' around down here like us. I'm with Cousin Sadie; we aren't in charge down here. The great God in heaven's gonna pull us outta this fix we're in--and it's Him that's gonna decide when. (pause) Nobody's lookin' forward to those streets of gold more than this ol' preacher. But for the moment, we're here. And we're to be singin' His glory and doin' His work while we are. Inez What you gonna be doin' up there in heaven, Harold? Harold Now we all know I've overstayed my welcome. The good Lord's gettin' ready to call me home any day now. And you know what I'm lookin' forward to? I've been talkin' to Jesus from way down here all these years. Yeah, I know He's heard every word I've said. But still, it's gonna be glorious talking to Him in person--lookin' into His eyes, telling Him face to face how much I love Him. And I'll never get tired of doin' it. Jesus is Coming Medley Page 41 :18 / 5:00 Inez Well, you're not dead yet, Brother Harold! But you have been around awhile. Weren't you one of the original members of our church? Harold Set the front door in place myself, back in '89. Inez My, and how we've grown since! Preacher It's easy to forget how our church has bound us all together--not the building, mind you, but us. We're the church. Woman #1 (nostalgically) Why, I remember the day our little Amy was baptized-- Woman #2 --and the day the outhouse caught fire! Man #1 (grinning) Remember Pastor Sam and his talking mule? Man #2 I helped put the bell up in the belfry . . . his Wife (aside) Yeah, and the bats have been there ever since! Everyone laughs loudly, as if preparing to add more recollections, but the Preacher steps forward and interrupts. Preacher (coming before the people; slightly more formal--his speech should be liberally peppered with 'amens' and agreement from the people--especially near the end) Now folks, we've gathered here today--even as winter's still with us--to welcome the new season with worship and good fellowship. We're tired of the winter cold, and we're ready to get this year's crop into the ground-- (to Delmar) --no matter what we get for it. (Delmar acknowledges, agreeing; the Preacher continues) And I for one can't wait to get at Sister Edna's bean casserole! (more soberly) We're a stubborn folk that don't like gettin' pushed around--no matter who's doin' the pushin'. We pray today for this country's new leader; may he always give a--listen to the ways of the Lord--and may he use all the powers at hand to get us outta this fix we're in. (pause) But brothers and sisters, we're here--together--under only one Lord. We may pledge our allegiance to the flag of this land--but we pledge our lives to Jesus Christ the Lord! He's the one we answer to--and He's the one who'll get us through the hard times. Yes, we're a stubborn folk--and that can be a good thing. (with determination; crescendoing in intensity) We're stubborn about helpin' our neighbors when they need it. We're stubborn about the line drawn between right and wrong. (lifting high his well-worn Bible) We're stubborn about this good Book, and the voice of God it holds. Brothers and sisters, we're especially stubborn about our love for the Lord. We rise up proudly to declare that we belong to Him--and no one else! We're a stubborn people who stand for God in a dark and troubled world. Firmly Committed Page 73 :14 / 3:22 Frank (to the Preacher and all) So what are we to do then? Henry Roosevelt painted a pretty grim picture. Frank How should we live, Pastor, when everything's crumbling around us? Sarah The Harlans lost their farm last week--Sam Richards is packin' right now. Frank How are we to live with all this goin' on? Pastor (after a beat; kindly, but with firm conviction) We're to live knowin' that God's not surprised by any of it. We're to live with humility, knowin' that we come to him as bankrupt as a newborn babe. We're to live our lives comfortable with His decisions, realizin' that He's still in control--as He always will be. And we're to live every day down here remembering what lies before us. With Jesus Christ in our hearts, we're no longer tied to this place. We're citizens of a new land, a new future, a new hope. Brothers and sisters, just live each day trusting in the one who gives you breath. Live out the gospel without fear or shame. (more pointedly) And when your neighbors come by, lookin' for that same hope that keeps your head above the water--you tell 'em. You tell 'em about your Lord. You tell 'em about how He's the one got you through those hard times. You tell 'em that after everything else has been taken away--you still have your Lord. You still have Jesus by your side. Reach the World Page 108 :14 / 3:51 After the song, the choir and dramatic personnel remain in place while the pastor (the real one) mounts the stage and speaks to the audience of salvation in Christ. He keys off the previous song, of being firmly committed to Christ in everything we do--through good times and hard. He brings into his remarks what the Christian has to look forward to in the hereafter. If the pastor extends a formal Invitation, have the pianist vamp quietly on "Firmly Committed." The pastor should close his remarks by describing how the Christian life comes full circle, in that once we come to Christ, we are called to tell others about His saving grace. Pastor ends with prayer. Optional... Sound: Cue Trax as pastor leaves the stage. Testify... reprise Page 104, pickup to m93 ---------------- COPYRIGHT NOTICE ---------------- This script is Copyright (C) 2012 David S. Lampel. This data file is the sole property of David S. Lampel. The data file may not be altered or edited in any way. It may be reproduced only in its entirety for circulation as "freeware," without charge. All reproductions of this data file must contain the copyright notice (i.e., "Copyright (C) 2012 David S. Lampel"). This data file may not be used without the permission of David S. Lampel for resale or the enhancement of any other product sold. This includes all of its content. Brief quotations not to exceed more than 500 words may be used, with the appropriate copyright notice, to enhance or supplement personal or church devotions, newsletters, journals, promotions, or spoken messages. Permission is hereby extended for this script to be printed for rehearsal and performance use. Copies may be reproduced in sufficient number for the director, actors, and technical personnel, as long as each copy contains the copyright notice (i.e., "Copyright (C) 2012 David S. Lampel") ----------------- USING THIS SCRIPT ----------------- For electronic distribution, the Internet version of this script uses the following conventions: * character names are in ALL CAPS. * stage directions within a character's line are enclosed in parentheses (e.g., "(with anger)"). * stage directions without are enclosed in brackets (e.g., "[They exit.]"). * the plus sign (+) indicates when to cue trax or begin intro for next song ---------------------------------------------------------------------- These plays and musical resources are made available free-of-charge, without obligation, in service to our Lord and to His glory. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- David S. Lampel Winterset, IA 50273 USA Complete resources at http://hc.dlampel.com/ "For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen." (Rom 11:36) 20120305