Christian Life On Stage
Volume I

by

Delvyn C. Case, Jr.


These plays can be produced royalty free when the appropriate number of scripts are purchased.Copyright ©2003 by Delvyn C. Case, Jr.
All Rights Reserved
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PERPETUA IN THE LION’S DEN:

CARTHAGE A.D. 205


A One-Act Play


by

Delvyn C. Case, Jr.



Copyright © 2003 by Delvyn C. Case, Jr.
Characters

PERPETUA , age 22

FATHER, 40’s—50’s


Time

March 8, 205


Place

A prison in Carthage.  The stage is bare except for a small mat at center stage.    PERPETUA wears a rough, dirty, torn robe.  She has a baby infant wrapped in a blanket.  FATHER has clean robe with sandals.



Synopsis

    Perpetua’s father begs her to offer a sacrifice to the Emperor to save her life.



Themes

Christian faith
Martyrdom

PERPETUA IN THE LION’S DEN:
CARTHAGE A.D. 205
by
Delvyn C. Case, Jr.

        (The roar of a lion.  As the lights come up, PERPETUA is sitting on the mat.  She gathers the infant to her as she finishes nursing him.  She hums to the infant.  FATHER enters from stage left and crosses hurriedly to PERPETUA)

                FATHER
        (anxiously)
My dear Perpetua.  Are you feeling better today?

                PERPETUA
        (happily)
Since they’ve given me back my son, my health has returned.

                FATHER
How is he?

PERPETUA
He’s nursing very well.  (patting infant’s head) It makes him happy, I think.  (smiling) It makes me happy too.  (hand up) The prison’s become a palace since he’s arrived.

        (FATHER shudders in great distress)

                FATHER
        (anxiously)
You know I’ve come in love…

                PERPETUA
        (kindly)
Of course.

                FATHER
I must ask you again.  (pleadingly) Please…change your mind.

                PERPETUA
        (genuinely)
I can’t.

                FATHER
Hasn’t the heat or the stench in this hole been enough?

        (PERPETUA looks down)

                FATHER (cont’d)
        (pointing to PERPETUA)
Or the torture you’ve endured?

        (PERPETUA looks at the blood stains on her
robe)

                FATHER (cont’d)
        (hands together in prayer)
Have pity on your father’s gray head.  (pointing to infant) Have pity on your son!  What’ll become of him?

        (PERPETUA looks at son and holds him tightly)

                FATHER (cont’d)
Perform the sacrifice for the welfare of the Emperor.  You must.

                PERPETUA
        (strongly)
I can’t go against God.

                FATHER
You don’t have to believe what you’re doing.  Just go to the temple.  I beg you.

                PERPETUA
I will not.
                
FATHER
        (in desperation)    
You’re doomed!  

        (FATHER crosses closer to PERPETUA)

                FATHER (cont’d)
This has only been the beginning.  They’re taking you to the amphitheater this morning.  You’ll be made to run the gauntlet between the elite guard as you enter the arena.  They’ll whip you with scorpions.  You’ll be stripped naked in front of the whole crowd.  (pointing at PERPETUA) Is that what you want?

                PERPETUA
I can’t stop what they’ll do to me.

                FATHER
        (earnestly)
Yes you can.  You can.  They’ll release the lions from the cages.  I could hear them roaring as I walked over here.

        (PERPETUA nods and looks down.  FATHER kneels down beside PERPETUA)

FATHER (cont’d)
        (imploringly)
Perpetua.

        (PERPETUA looks at FATHER)

        FATHER (cont’d)
They’ll tear you apart.  Please…(holding up one finger) just one sacrifice.

        (PERPETUA stands up with difficulty
        because of pain)

                PERPETUA
        (shaking head)
No!

        (FATHER falls on face in front of PERPETUA)

                FATHER
        (with great pathos)
There’s no hope.

                PERPETUA
        (triumphantly)
There’s hope, father.  I’m a Christian.

        (FATHER gets up on knees.  PERPETUA hands
        infant to FATHER)

        (black out)



END OF PLAY

MAHALIA JACKSON—MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE


A One-Act Play



by




Delvyn C. Case, Jr.




Copyright © 2003 by Delvyn C. Case, Jr.

Characters

MAHALIA JACKSON, Afro-American singer, age 44

SIMON, Mahalia’s manager, white male, 40’s—50’s



Time

1955



Place

A recording studio.  There is a tall stool at center stage with a microphone on a stand.  MAHALIA is attired in a dress.  SIMON is attired in a suit and tie.



Synopsis

    MALHALIA JACKSON considers a lucrative offer to sing music other than gospel music.



Themes

Gospel message
Christian commitment
Cost of Being A Christian



MAHALIA JACKSON—MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE
by
Delvyn C. Case, Jr.

        (As the lights come up, MAHALIA is sitting on the stool, holding the microphone and sheet music.  SIMON steps onto the stage from stage right stairs and crosses to MAHALIA.  He is clapping)

                SIMON
        (effusively)
Wonderful, Mahalia!  Absolutely wonderful.  I don’t believe in God myself.  But when you sing, it gives me goose bumps.  

                MAHALIA
They’s not goose bumps, Mr. Simon.  They’s your soul speaking and you don’t even knows it’s there.

                SIMON
        (nodding and smiling)
Perhaps.  Perhaps.  (pause)  So…(hands up) the session’s over.  We’ll get it mastered and we’re done.

        (MAHALIA stands up)

                MAHALIA
When will the record hit the stores?

                SIMON
Just before you start your tour.  The timing’s perfect, though most of the concerts are sold out anyway.  (pause) Now remember (pointing finger at MAHALIA), we’re having lunch with the president of Decca records.

                MAHALIA
You said…

                SIMON
        (hands up to stop MAHALIA)
Just give him a chance.  He’s come all the way to Chicago to talk with you.  He just wants you to…

                MAHALIA
        (slowly and emphatically)
I sing gospel music.


                SIMON
I know you do.  And you’re the best…

                MAHALIA
        (modestly)
Now…

                SIMON
The best in the world.

                MAHALIA
        (smiling with hands on hips)
What do ya want me to do?

                SIMON
        (waves hand)
I want you to come…

                MAHALIA
I already weigh too much…

                SIMON
And see what else you could do.
    
                MAHALIA
Could?

                SIMON
        (defeatedly)
Would.  Of course, would.

        (MAHALIA shakes head)

                SIMON (cont’d)
There’s big money out there.

                MAHALIA
I’s make a living.  People love my singing.

                SIMON
That’s not enough.  (with discouragement) Production costs keep going up…  

                MAHALIA
        (with feeling)
I want to reach people…

                SIMON
You will.  You will…

    
                MAHALIA
With the gospel message:  The love of Jesus Christ.  (pointing to SIMON) I was born to sing gospel music.  Period.

                SIMON
        (strongly)
You don’t have to stop.  You can sing it at…church.  

        (MAHALIA squirms with discomfort)

            SIMON (cont’d)
We’ll put it in your contract that you do another gospel recording (rolling hand around)…in a few years.  Later.  You can do it later.

                MAHALIA
I’s doing what I’s want now:  (closes eyes and puts hands up high in praise) “Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands”.

                SIMON
        (with exasperation)
Will you come to lunch?

                MAHALIA
I’ll get my own lunch.  I don’t want to owes him nothing.

                SIMON
This is gonna to cost you big.  This is nineteen fifty-five, not thirty-five.

        (MAHALIA turns away)

                SIMON (cont’d)
Time’s a changing.  It’s where everyone’s going.  

                MAHALIA
        (turning back to SIMON)
I don’t know where everyone’s going; (taps chest and looking up) but I’s know where I’s going.

        (SIMON looks up.  Then he looks back at MAHALIA shakes head)


                SIMON
(with a sigh)
I don’t know how long I can afford to manage you.

                MAHALIA
        (with resignation)
You gotta do what you gotta do.

                SIMON
        (with kindness)
We’ve been together a long time.

                MAHALIA
        (pointing to stage left)
Goes if you want to.  You don’t need my permission.

                SIMON
        (with enthuasism)
I just want to hear what he’ll offer you.

                MAHALIA
Suit yourself.

                SIMON
It’s a lot.  I know it is.

                MAHALIA
Go.

        (MAHALIA sits on stool)

                SIMON
        (as he crosses to stage left exit)
I’ll be back this afternoon.  

        (SIMON reaches stage left exit)

                SIMON (cont’d)
I promise.

        (SIMON exits stage left and shuts door sharply.
        The noise startles MAHALIA who is looking
        forward)



                MAHALIA
        (with resignation)
Byes, Mr. Simon.

        (MAHALIA looks at music)

        (black out)



END OF PLAY

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