beautiful star script

8/13/2019 Beautiful Star script

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Cast of Characters

ReV. ROy leDBeTTeR

VeSTINa leDBeTTeR

TIDeNCe leDBeTTeRSHelly leDBeTTeR

MyRTle leDBeTTeR

VeRNON SPaRKS

PaUl SPaRKS

FRaNKlIN DUNCaN

eTHel GReeNlINDa GReeN

RICKy eGGeRS

MUSICIaNS

Acknowledgments

a production groups p rforming this p r r quir d to inc udth fo o ing cr dits on th tit p g of v r progr m:

Beautiful Star: An Appalachian Nativity s commission dnd origin produc d b Tri d St g , Gr nsboro, NC(Pr ston l n , artistic Dir ctor; Rich whittington, M n-ging Dir ctor).


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B eautiful S taran appalachian nativity

music and lyrics by Laurelyn Dossett

book by Preston Lane

ACT I

(The sanctuary of the Open Heart Community Fellowship inthe mountains of North Carolina on the evening of their annualChristmas play.)

(As the audience arrives, ReVeReND ROy leDBeTTeR andthe members of his congregation interact with their visitors andeach other. Several members of the congregation start singing aChristmas carol [such as Deck the Halls (1)], encouraging theaudience to join in. As ROy gives the actors a sign to take their

positions on the stage, he greets the audience.)

ROY. Sist rn nd Br thr n! Sist rn nd Br thr n! Good v ning toou nd com to th Op n H rt Communit F o ship.

wh t gift to s so m n of ou sitting out th r . I h v nt s nthis m n p op in church sinc D b rt N shs fun r , but th nmost v rbod h d b n - iting rs to p th ir st r sp ctsto D b rt.

(Beat.)

No, it s ms to m I s som f mi i r f c s nd som str ng on s,but h r t th F o ship, ik to s :ALL. a str ng r int nothing but fri nd ou int m t t.ROY. am n. So com to ou . and I just nt to th nk thGood lord th t ou m d h r s f nd in on pi c nd Im just-pr ing th t tonight i b might big b ssing to ou, v ron .and som of ou is b i v rs nd som of ou is not, but th t dontm k no n v rmind. Th sign on th door s s it c r nd oud: aar w com H r ! and a m ns a ! SoALL. w com !

ROY. No , b for g t st rt d, I just nt to s th t th ssom v n form r m mb rs of this v r congr g tion ho b -


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6 l ur n Doss tt nd Pr ston l n

ALL. am n!ROY. and th ts just h t r - iming to do tod . w r goingto m k such jo fu nois th t it i ight up th int r sk ik b utifu st r.ALL. am n nd pr is th lord!ROY. and no th t got th t s id, Id ik to sk ou ns to boour h ds nd join m in ord of pr r.

(He surveys the audience.)

lik I s id, a m ns a .

(Beat.)w , I r ckon th ts c os nough.

(Beat.)

lord, just th nk ou so much for -giving us this opportunitto g th r tog th r t this sp ci tim of th r nd sh r ourond rfu stor ith our fri nds nd n ighbors. and, lord, I ntto sk ou to tch ov r m nd h p m to r m mb r th ords

Im suppos d to s c us m m mor int h t it us d to b nd,ou kno , lord, it didnt us d to b much. and I nt to r mindou, lord, th t m if , V stin , som tim s h s som troub s -hitting th high not s, so if ou ou d, lord, giv h r h nd. and Ih t to conf ss it, lord, but st night som om n in th third rotook nigh on to v minut s un r pping butt rscotch during onof m big sp ch s nd m h rt s just d to p um brimmingith h t for h r, so prot ct m from sin nd m k sur v r onun r ps th ir c nd b for g t st rt d. and sur do hop ,lord, th t nobod s gonn h v to go out nd g t th is m n from

off in th b ck ro g in c us som bod st rts - shing pic-tur s nd th g t foo d into -thinking its th st r of B th -h m. and, n , lord, th r s jo fu nois nd th r s just p in o dug nois nd som of th s n fo ks, b ss th ir h rts, h s forgotto v th ir c phon s nd p g rs nd rm tch s t hom ikth ought to h v don , so if ou ou d, lord, smot th m do n, ifth st rt -ringing nd -j ng ing onc g t st rt d. a this humb pr . am n.ALL. am n.


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Beautiful Star: An Appalachian Nativity 7

this Tid nc s rst Christm s b ck in th church for s v r rsnd just nt th nk God for s tting him b ck on th str ight ndn rro . and if ou n d our tir s or muf r x d h d on ov r to

Fost rs Sh nd t th m R v r nd Ro s nt ou. and th t th ris V rnon Sp rks nd his bo P u this oung n just found out stk th t h s in r mission nd strong nd t nd h th nd th

sk th t ou k p th good fo ks ov r t th V Hospit in ourthoughts nd pr rs for th good things th v don for him.and this h r is Fr nk in Dunc n ho ou might r cogniz fromth post of c h so b ts c nup for th Hudd Hous Horn ts.and th oung om n in th b ck is corpor eth Gr n, ho justgot b ck from h r s cond tour of dut in afgh nist n nd right n xtto h r is h r ni c , lind hos sh s ooking ft r c us h r p r-nts r going through rough p tch. and th t th r s Rick egg rs,thr tim st t ch mpion of th pin ood d rb , scoutm st r fortroop 232, 4-H dir ctor nd our br nd n count xt nsion g nt.and on top of th t sti m n g s to m k it h r v r Sundv ning to d our sing s ministr . No , sp king of our sing s,h t b ssing to us th t th s n oung p op h v put to-g th r b nd for tonight to provid th music nd ts s ov r

th r s S d n on th , nd M nd on th nd rightth r s Bobb on th . So. Th ts us. and no ou. w d ovto g t to kno ch nd v r on of ou p rson , but int gottim to go round on b on so if on th count of thr oud justho r out our n m s ho r b ck ho d nd g t on ithit. So. On . T o. Thr .

(He pauses while the audience yells their names.)

ALL. Ho d !ROY. P s d to m t ou. No, ts kick things off ith song.

(The MUSICIaNS begin to play a song as the whole cast joins in.)SINGER.

lORD we aRe STRaNGeRS, FaR FROM CaNaaNS laNDNOT a FRIeND TO TURN TO, NOT a GUIDING HaNDTHeN a VOICe SayS CHIlDReN, STOP yOUR wORRy aND

FRIGHT

ClOSe yOUR eyeS aND FOllOw, walK INTO THe lIGHTALL.


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SHINeS FROM GlORy aBOVeITS THe lIGHT OF HOPeTHe lIGHT OF lOVe

SINGER.IT waS THe BeaUTIFUl STaR, THaT lIT THe VeRy FIRST

DayIN THe DawN OF TIMe, CHaSeD THe DaRK awayTHaT SelF-SaMe STaR, IT SHOweD THe SHePHeRDS

THe wayTO THe lOwly MaNGeR, TO THe HOly BaBe

ALL.OH THe BRIGHTeST STaRON THe lONGeST NIGHTIN THe DeePeST BlUeIS THe PUReST wHITeTHaT BeaUTIFUl STaRSHINeS FROM GlORy aBOVeITS THe lIGHT OF HOPeTHe lIGHT OF lOVe

SINGER.ITS THe lIGHT OF HOPeTHe lIGHT OF lOVe (2)

(When they nish singing, everyone exits except for VeSTINa, who moves toward the front of the stage and addresses the audience.)

VESTINA. Tonight, r going to t ou stor nd hi somof ou m b i v its tru nd som of ou m think it int, sur do hop no m tt r h t s ou think it is, ou grth t its po rfu nd b utifu t . Its stor bout itt , bittb b . and his momm . and th night h s born. But to t outhis stor , s ou som tim s ou got to do, got to t ou som ofthings th t h pp n d b for h nd. In f ct, r going to st rt b ck, b ck b for th b b , b ck b for his momm , ,

b ckc us th stor r xin to t ou st rts t th b gin-ning. No , v r stor h s got to h v b ginning, but this stor sst rt is THe b ginningth b ginning of v r thing. C us onc

th r r nt nothing. Nothing but God. and, in th b ginning,God spok


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ROY.I m gr cious nd gr t.I m god ithout b ginning.

Im th M k r unm d might is in m .I m if . I m b ssings d sc nding.Im for most. Im rst.wh t I s , it i bM b iss i n v r b b nding,Un nding ithout n nding.Sinc I m m k r unm d nd most m of might,

and s m nd ss sinc nought is but Ia b ssing, bount , b utifu sightCr t d from nothing, I m k nd right.and non but th orth sh ork for m iso I m k m m ng s or ds to fu .

( SHelly, MyRTle, lINDa, PaUl, VeRNON, FRaNKlIN, and TIDeNCe appear as aNGelS. They are singing an alleluiasong. [3] )

(As the aNGelS continue their song, GOD [ ROy ] addresseslUCIFeR [ TIDeNCe ]. lUCIFeR turns to face GOD.)

ROY. Of th mights th t I h v m d , I m k ou, m n, th mostn xt to m . B ou prot ctor of m cr tion. High st on high ndhumb st of , k p our broth rs nd sist rs s b sid ou. In m ou, fri nd, lucif rb r r of ight.TIDENCE. lord! lord! lord , ont ou ook t this! Gods m j stis mirror d m ! M b ming bri i nc is -shining, big nd bright.whoo- ! Im god no , ift d up high. Im b tt r th n ou. andou. and ou. Im b tt r th n th ho bunch of ou. you ns intnothing but ng s. But Im lucif r! Gods right h nd m n! Im thking of th m ! So ou ns hush up th t nois . Im sick of ourmo ning. Sing bout m ! Sing out lucif r song.

(The aNGelS song turns discordant and ends abruptly. [4] lU-CIFeR descends into Hell.)

TIDENCE. Oh h h h p ss m I. Its hot do n h r . Thish r s dung on of d th h r I dropp d. Oh, lord, h r s mb ut so com nd c r Oh lord h r s m po r so bigg t


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ROY. Th t foo from n f irn ss ith f s f nt si s f for mock-ing th might th t m rk d him nd m d him. No h s th ndfur fu for v r ith n r bit of m gr c ft to sh d him. But,

ang s, ho ov m , for v r ou d hom in p rf ction fu -ing m i s m k us or d of cr tion.(The aNGelS exit as the MUSICIaNS enter and sing a songabout the next four days of days of creation.)

MUSICIANS.HallelUJaH aNGelS SINGTHe GOOD lORD He MaDe eVeRyTHINGBRIGHT OF Day aND DaRK OF NIGHTwHeN He SaID leT THeRe Be lIGHT

THeN He HUNG a CURTaIN BlUeaND PlaCeD THe SUN aND STaRS aND MOONFOR SIGNS aND SeaSONS, DayS aND yeaRSTIMe aND ReaSON MeaSUReD HeRe

FIRe aND wIND aND waTeR aND laNDMaDe By HIS wORD By HIS COMMaNDBUT wHeN He TOOK THe Clay aND SaNDaND BReaTHeD THe lIFeBlOOD INTO MaNIT waS By HIS HeaRT aND By HIS HaND, By HIS HeaRT

aND By HIS HaNDTHe lORD He TOOK HIS MIGHTy HaND

aND GaTHeReD UP THe SeaS aND laNDHe DUG THe RIVeRS DeeP aND wIDe

aND CalleD THe MOON TO ROCK THe TIDeTHe FISH THaT SwIM aND BIRDS ON wINGTHe CaTTle, BeaSTS, aND CReePING THINGSTHe CReaTUReS He DID Tell TO FINDa PaRTNeR eaCH OF HIS OwN KIND

FIRe aND wIND aND waTeR aND laNDMaDe By HIS wORD By HIS COMMaNDBUT wHeN He TOOK THe Clay aND SaND

aND BReaTHeD THe lIFeBlOOD INTO MaNIT waS By HIS HeaRT aND By HIS HaND, By HIS HeaRT


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quilt from ropes and stand behind it. The quilt becomes the earth.SHelly, MyRTle, lINDa, and PaUl enter with presents

from which they take animal puppets.)

( ROy enters and surveys his creation.)ROY. look no , ang s, nd ou c n s th toi of v d s tim th st rs, th p n ts, th sun nd moon, th d , th night, thnd nd s , th if I nd to b sts nd tr s, to sh, to o rs, to

mount in str ms. F ir nd n is our ork tog th r. But th r s onthing ft. Th r s on thing ft to honor m . On thing ft to kth or d nd ov h t h v ov m d . On thing ft to ho dthis rth ik tr sur d r. I m k on mor b st, sm rt r th nth r st, ith ik n ss ik to m . No tchthis o dirt It k , I sh k , I sh p nd m k m n. and to k p him humb ,h n h p ss s from this rth, b ck to th dirt h go. and fromhis rib, I m k m t , so h i h v const nt fri nd.

(Like an incantation:)

Ris up no rth m k b ood nd bon .Ris up nd kno our n m d hom .Ris up nd orship m on .

(The quilt ies away revealing RICKy and eTHel as aDaM and eVe .)

ROY. I giv ou no th br th of if . I n m ou ad m. and ev ,our if .

( aDaM and eVe come to life.)RICKY. Th nk ou, God, for giving us if .

ETHEL. Th nk ou for this g rd n of p nt .ROY. I giv ou this or d to us s ou i . ev r thing in it isours to k p.RICKY. w pr is ou for v r in our h rts.ETHEL. and t nd our g rd n .ROY. a th s birds, th s sh, th s b sts of th ds ndth for sts, th s p nts nd roots nd h rbs r ours for ourd s nd our chi dr ns d s nd th ir chi dr ns d s nd th d sof th ir chi dr ns chi dr n t to com . But.


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RICKY. w ou dnt n v r br k our ho comm nd.ROY. Th n gu rd ou this tr . K p it nd s f , nd m b ss-ings i b on ou s.

( eTHel and RICKy admire the tree while ROy speaks to theaNGelS .)

ROY. For six ong d s v toi d nd toi d to m k or d of mr joicing. wh t ond rs h v rought. But of m cr tion,th s t o p s m th v r b st. No , ang s, com s th s v nthd . and h v rn d r st.

(The MUSICIaNS continue the song as all the actors excepteTHel and RICKy exit.)

MUSICIANS.He SCaTTeReD FRUIT aND GRaIN aND TReeSaND TOlD THe wIND TO PlaNT THe SeeDSTHe GaRDeN He CalleD eDeN FaIRTHeReD Be NO SIN OR SaDNeSS THeRe

THe lORD He lOVeD HIS eDeNlaND

aND MaDe THe wOMaN aND THe MaNHe MOlDeD THeM FROM DIRT aND SOUlHIS QUICKeNING BReaTH TO MaKe THeM wHOle

FIRe aND wIND aND waTeR aND laNDMaDe By HIS wORD By HIS COMMaNDBUT wHeN He TOOK THe Clay aND SaNDaND BReaTHeD THe lIFeBlOOD INTO MaNIT waS By HIS HeaRT aND By HIS HaND, By HIS HeaRT

aND By HIS HaND(As the song ends, RICKy exits, and a trap door ies open andTIDeNCe appears as lUCIFeR .)

TIDENCE. Its hot s h do n th r . and ook t m , burn d upith sin. T rn tion! Onc , I s th b st of th m , but no , Imfou d up ith r nd brimston . and its Gods f u t. Godthr m out. and it int f ir. I g t m r v ng iff n its th stthing I do. God is good? w th n, I b b d. and ch nd v rthing h m k s, I m ss it up ith ust nd gr d. look t this g r-d n gr n nd gro ing. God m d it. Fin . I rip up th tr s


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ook for th or d just ik m . Th r s th om n. I g t h rrst. I disguis m s f s s rp nt nd t mpt h r to sin.

(He turns into a snake.)

Sist r? Oh, sist r?ETHEL. whos th r ?TIDENCE. a fri nd. Com to do ou good.ETHEL. I dont kno ou.TIDENCE. you i . S , most tim s, I st und rground, but som -tim , I ik to com up nd t k ook round. No , st rd , I s

-sunning m s f on ston not too f r from h r nd I h rd ound th t m n of ours -t king to God. and I int suppos d to snothin, but not v s conds b for , h d b n -sp kin to m s , r o d fri nds nd go b ck nd h to d m h s-going to t st ou nd s if ou s sm rt nough to think on ouro n. H s -going to s t ou ru so stupid on n imb ciou d b foo nough to fo o it nd th n ugh t ou n xt tim hcom s round nd ou int got th gumption up to do it.

ETHEL. I dont b i v ou.TIDENCE. you mind if I g t m pi c of th t fruit up th r ? It surdo s ook scrumptious.ETHEL. No! Th t int ours to t. God to d us.TIDENCE. No , ook, f r b it from m to c us troub , but I just dont think its right for God to smirk hi ou nd ad m sitround dumb.

ETHEL. I int dumb.TIDENCE. you int? wh ts gr n ith h s?ETHEL. (Beat.) UhI dont kno .TIDENCE. Gr ss. Stupid.

(Beat. Aside:)

I i d bout th h s.

ETHEL. wh t kind thing is ou th t t s such i s to m .TIDENCE a orm h t kno s too ho ou might or-


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TIDENCE. Dumb. Dumb. Dumb.ETHEL. I int.

TIDENCE. you is.ETHEL. I int.TIDENCE. you is.ETHEL. I int.TIDENCE. you int.ETHEL. I is.

TIDENCE. you is. No , us our h d, om n. wh t fu kind ofthing c n God do to ou h n our s good s god ours f? Goon. I ou dnt n v r t nought but th truth to th .

(He leads eTHel toward the apple branch. eTHel picks theapple.)

T k bit .ETHEL. w

TIDENCE. Bit it bo d . Dont b sh m d. Th n run giv it to ad m.( TIDeNCe disappears. eTHel takes a bite of the apple. She sa-vors it, then calls out.)

ETHEL. ad m! ad m!RICKY. (Off:) wh t is it, ev ?ETHEL. Com quick.RICKY.

(Rushing on:) wh ts th m tt r.ETHEL. (Holding out the apple:) look.(Beat.)

T st .(Beat.)

e t.

RICKY. D ngn bit, om n! wh t ou don ?ETHEL. Dont g t m d, m n. I int don n r rong.


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ETHEL. a orm to d m so. H to d m God to d him. H to d m just on bit i m k us s good s God or b tt r. So. e t.RICKY. I dont kno ETHEL. I kno . I kno mor th n I v r kn b for . I just took itt bit nd r d I kno hundr d things ou dont kno .RICKY. lik h t?ETHEL. w I kno our n k d.RICKY. wh ts th t?ETHEL. T k bit nd ou nd out.

(She hands the apple toRICKy. He takes a bite. He looks ateTHel, then at himself.)

RICKY. Oh.ETHEL. S ?RICKY. Oh.

(Beat.)

I m sh m d. ev , ook t h t ouv don to m .ETHEL. Oh

(They try to cover themselves.)

RICKY. Its our f u t.ETHEL. No! Its th orm. Th t orms to b m . H to d m i snd m d ou sin. Oh, ad m, Im sorr .RICKY.

G t from m .ROY. (Off:) ad m? ev ?RICKY. lord?ROY. (Entering:) wh r ou t?

( RICKy and eTHel try to hide.)ROY. Oh, th r ou r .

RICKY. lord.ROY. look on m .


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RICKY. Forgiv m , lord.ROY. wh t m d ou do th thing I to d ou not to do.

RICKY. It s ev . Sh don m rong. I didnt nt to, lord, I s r.ETHEL. It r nt m , lord. It s orm ho i d to m .

( TIDeNCe appears as lUCIFeR, laughing at GOD.)ROY. Fou orm, ing nd. I curs ou no for v r. From this don ou cr on our b through th muck nd mir , ou bh t d for v r b cr tion, nd th dirt i b our hom nd food.

(To eTHel and RICKy:)

you too, t o foo s, for disob ing m i for v r mor ork nds t nd ch nd p in. and ou, om n, for b i ving thosi s, h n ou bring forth chi dr n, ho ou hurt nd curs ndgro n. and h n our tim com s to p ss b ck to dirt, d th shb sur , so mn sorro .

(Beat.)

ang s!

( PaUl, MyRTle, SHelly, lINDa, VeSTINa, FRaNKlIN, and VeRNON appear as aNGelS, with MUSICIaN . MUSI-CIaN begins underscore of The Tempter.)

ANGELS. H r , lord!ROY. G t th s t o out of m sight. and gu rd th g t s of thisg rd n nd s th t non of th ir kind n v r v r g in so much snt r in. Th r not orth of this p r dis . C st th m out to o -fu if . B nish th m no from v r ov thing. For v r in sorroi th s d sing.

( ROy exits as the aNGelS drive RICKy and eTHel, weeping, from the stage.)

MUSICIAN.HIS NaMe IS THe TeMPTeR, THe SNaKe IN THe wOODHe FOUNDeD THe BaTTle OF eVIl aND GOODSTRONG aRe HIS weaPONS, aND weaK IS yOUR wIll

yOUR FaITH IS HIS TaRGeT aND He aIMS TO KIllyOUll THINK VIRTUe IS wICKeD aND THINK lIeS aRe


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Hell TURN MaN aGaINST MaN aND TURN STaTeaGaINST STaTe

wITH yOUR HaTReD a-BURNIN, yOUR aNGeR aFlaMeHell MaKe yOU TO waR OVeR GODS MaNy NaMeSHeS THe ROOT OF all eVIl, ORIGINal SINaND yOUll NeVeR GeT BaCK TO THe GaRDeN aGaIN(6)

(The MUSICIaN exits as FRaNKlIN enters as NOaH. Hecarries a transistor radio. NOaH falls asleep as an announcersvoice is heard.)

VOICE (VERNON). Morning fo ks nd th nk ou for tuning intoR dio H v n. w g t b ck to th pr is ft r this bri f int rrup-tion. God c d pr ss conf r nc in h v n tod to sp k of hisgro ing conc rns bout f n cr tion. H xpr ss d his dismth t m nkind s ms to t k to sin ik sh t k s to t r nds id nd I quot If Id h v kno th s going to b so or-n r I ou dnt h v inv nt d fr i . your th r for c st forth k nd promis s p nt of sunshin , but ou b tt r k p ourumbr s h nd , c us n xt k its -gonn r in, r in nd mor w it! w int rrupt this int rruption to bring ou nd I do m nou, o d m n v r sp ci m ss g dir ct from God.ROYS VOICE. No h?FRANKLIN. (Waking up:) wh t?ROYS VOICE. you th r ?FRANKLIN. y h.

ROYS VOICE. list n up, m n.FRANKLIN. who ou?ROYS VOICE. God.FRANKLIN. who?ROYS VOICE. God.FRANKLIN. wh r ou t.

ROYS VOICE. In th r dio.FRANKLIN (Picking up the radio and shaking it:) wh t ou doing in


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FRANKLIN. Oh.(Beat.)

wh t is it?ROYS VOICE. No h, th or d is sinfu p c .FRANKLIN. your right bout th t, God. you c rt in r . amight sinfu p c .ROYS VOICE. and th r s but on right ous m n ft in th hoof rth.FRANKLIN. On on ? w , I b . as b d s th t? who is h ?

ROYS VOICE. Im t king to him no .FRANKLIN. H in th r ith ou?ROYS VOICE. No, No h, its ou.FRANKLIN. M ?ROYS VOICE. y s, No h, Iv s rch d th or d ov r nd ourth on right ous m n th t I cou d nd.

FRANKLIN. as b d s th t! w , no , lord, I s h v tri d togood.ROYS VOICE. Th ts right.FRANKLIN. Iv tri d to bring m bo s up prop r nd t ch th mright from rong. I dont n v r do no ork on th s bb th , Idont do much ork th r st of th k, but I r st p rticu r h rdon th s bb th. and v n though I m rri d m n, o d om n, Iv

s don right b h r nd most s r sist th t mpt tion tot h r sh s s ug s co s hind nd.ROYS VOICE. No h.FRANKLIN. Huh? wh t s it ou nt d g in?ROYS VOICE. Iv com to bring ou m ss g .FRANKLIN. w , h t is it?ROYS VOICE. you got som thing to rit ith?

FRANKLIN. Is it comp ic t d?ROYS VOICE I j st nt to m k s r o g t it right


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ROYS VOICE. I s such ir mong m nkind th t I c nt st ndto tch it n ong r. and so, Im going to sink th m in th ir sin,dro n th m in th ir d ds nd r in do n on th unright ous. and

b c us of th t, Iv com to ou. Go nd m k bo t.FRANKLIN. a bo t.ROYS VOICE. a big bo t.FRANKLIN. I int n v r m d bo t b for . and th on t rh r bouts is li rs Cr k xc pting h n it r ins.ROYS VOICE. w , its going to r in, No h. R in nd r in ndr in unti th r s no nd ft. So g t to ork. T k t tr s nd hth m c n, m k th m squ r nd tru nd t rtight. Thr hun-dr d cubits ong nd ft bro d. and h n its don , g th r up t oof ch b st nd bird from th nd nd ith our f mi s t tos . G t to ork. Th c ouds r ro ing in.

(A drop of water falls on FRaNKlINs head. He jumps up.FRaNKlIN hears song from radio, played as underscore offstageby MUSICIaNS. [7] )

FRANKLIN. Com h r , oung ns. w got ork to do.( TIDeNCe, RICKy, PaUl, eTHel, lINDa, SHelly, andMyRTle rush on stage and create a boat. As they complete it, avoice breaks in on the radio.)

VOICE (VERNON). Th Ho l nd w th r advisor h s issu d s v r thund rstorm tch for th ho or d. Mor d t i s t r.

(Music begins again. All exit and return with animal puppets,making a tremendous noise of barks, roars, chirps and squeal. AVoice breaks in on the radio.)

VOICE. Torr nti r inf r port d throughout th st rn h mi-sph r . H d for high ground, fo ks, this is going to b b d on .Th Ho l nd w th r advisor pr dicts possib sh o

(His voice is cut off suddenly.)

FRANKLIN. This sounds s rious. Go nd g t our momm , bo .(As the others get on the boat,TIDeNCe runs to call his mother.)

TIDENCE. M m ? M m ? D dd nts ou.


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TIDENCE. Sh ont com .FRANKLIN. T h r I to d h r to.

TIDENCE. I to d h r. Sh s id ou s foo .FRANKLIN. T h r I int -jokingsh b tt r hurr .TIDENCE. M m ?VESTINA. you t him h s ost his mind.TIDENCE. M m s s ouv ost h r mind.

( TIDeNCe turns and runs into FRaNKlIN .)

FRANKLIN. I int d f. you b st go g t h r.( TIDeNCe exits. He returns carrying VeSTINa .)

VESTINA. (As she is carried on:) No , ook h r , No hFRANKLIN. wom nVESTINA. I int got tim for this foo ishn ss. For thirt rs Ivput up ith our zin ss nd shift s, but I b d ng d if Imgoing to st nd b nd tch ou m k ughingstock of our ho

f mi .FRANKLIN. list n to m VESTINA. Th ho n ighborhood is ov r b th f nc just -pointing nd -hooting t ou nd this d rn d bo t. I kn I m r-ri d foo but I didnt kno I m rri d un tic. and th m nim sis dirt . and ou b st not think I scr tch our b ck h n oucom hom -cov r d in s.

FRANKLIN. Im - rning ouVESTINA. No, No h, Im - rning ou. you g t do n from th rright no b for I c th nd h v ou h u d off to th oonbin for good. and chi dr n, com on b ck up to th hous right no . Just c us our d dd s foo dont m n ou h v to

(A tremendous crash of thunder. Sudden torrential rainfall. VeS-TINa jumps into TIDeNCes arms. MUSICIaNS enter andbegin Waterbound underscore.)

Oh, lord! Quick, chi d, g t m on th t bo t. Its -r ining c ts nddogs


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Th r go s th n ighborhood. Oh, chi dr n, th dro n forsur . It int f ir to v th m stuck ik th t.FRANKLIN. Hush, om n, its Gods i .VESTINA. But our n ighbors I ish cou d h v s v d th m

. look t ho th c ing to th tr s nd ho r out for h p.FRANKLIN. God sho d th m h p nd hop but th turn d onhim ith sorr sin.TIDENCE. Th dro n for sur .VESTINA. Th r ont b non iv but us. Oh, No h, it int rightto v th m to di . It s ms so ick d to ki th m .FRANKLIN. Gods i is not for us to qu stion. Shh, no , om n,st nd b m nd th r out th storm.

(All sway as the rain continues and MUSICIaNS sing.)MUSICIANS.

CaNT FIND NO ROCK TO MaKe My HOMeCaNT FIND NO ROCK TO MaKe My HOMeCaNT FIND NO ROCK TO MaKe My HOMeBeFORe THe waTeR RISeS

waTeRBOUND aND I CaNT GeT HOMewaTeRBOUND aND I CaNT GeT HOMewaTeRBOUND aND I CaNT GeT HOMeBeFORe THe waTeR RISeS

RIVeRS UP aND I CaNT GeT aCROSSRIVeRS UP aND I CaNT GeT aCROSSRIVeRS UP aND I CaNT GeT aCROSSBeFORe THe waTeR RISeS

waTeRBOUND aND I CaNT GeT HOMewaTeRBOUND aND I CaNT GeT HOMewaTeRBOUND aND I CaNT GeT HOMeBeFORe THe waTeR RISeSwaTeRBOUND aND I CaNT GeT HOMewaTeRBOUND aND I CaNT GeT HOMewaTeRBOUND aND I CaNT GeT HOMe


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TIDENCE. Th good lord in his m rc h s s v d us from th storm.RICKY. H s k pt us s f from th oods fur .

ETHEL. and guid d us on our .PAUL. Th nk ou, lord, for nding us if .RICKY. Th nk ou, lord, for k ping us s f .VESTINA. Th nk ou, lord, but not to s m ungr t fu , th m ni-m s r st rting to stink, so ho much ong r ti nd dr nd.

( FRaNKlIN picks up a raven from among the animals.)FRANKLIN. This h r r v n is b ck nd bo d nd is . w s ndhim out to s rch for nd. and h n h r turns, h guid th .

( FRaNKlIN sets the bird free. The family watches it as it disappears. They wait.)

TIDENCE. D dd , th t birds b n gon too ong.RICKY. I b t it found dr nd nd int -coming b ckn v rmor .VESTINA. S nd noth r.

ETHEL. S nd th dov .VESTINA. y s, s nd th dov .

( FRaNKlIN picks up a dove from among the animals.)FRANKLIN. Good dov , I comm nd th to s rch f r nd idnd if ou nd n nd, r turn to us f ithfu nd tru .

( FRaNKlIN casts the dove free. The family watches it y away.They wait. They search.)

VESTINA. It int -coming b ck n ith r.TIDENCE. H v f ith, m m .ETHEL. H v f ith.FRANKLIN. look.

(The dove returns. FRaNKlIN catches it.)Chi dr n, pr is th lord! M dov s don did h t sk d himto. look h r ! an o iv br nch from th hi s of arm ni . Our ois nt nd i s i for hom .


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I GOT a HOMe IN THaT ROCKDONT yOU See?way BeTweeN THe eaRTH aN SKy,

THOUGHT I HeaRD My SaVIOR CRy,I GOT a HOMe IN THaT ROCKDONT yOU See?

( MUSICIaNS continue underscore.)VESTINA. It f s might good to touch dr nd g in. But, No h,is our fri nds nd f mi r gon ?FRANKLIN. a but us.

VESTINA. Dro n d?FRANKLIN. To p th pric of sin. So t us gri v our God no mor .

( ROy enters as GOD with a rainbow.)FRANKLIN. look to th sk , nd s th r inbo ! Gods sign th th ont n v r d stro th or d ik this g in. N if b ginstod .

( MUSICIaNS and actors continue song:)ALL.

GOD GaVe NOaH THe RaINBOw SIGN,DONT yOU See?GOD GaVe NOaH THe RaINBOw SIGN,DONT yOU See?GOD GaVe NOaH THe RaINBOw SIGN,NO MORe waTeR BUT FIRe NeXT TIMe,BeTTeR GeT a HOMe IN THaT ROCKDONT yOU See? (9)

(The MUSICIaNS end the song as the actors, except SHelly, MyRTle, and lINDa exit with the boat and animals.)

LINDA. But things dont s go s p nn d.SHELLY. and v n though God k pt his nd of th b rg in, h rd sth tri d, m nkind s soon nough -f uding nd - ghting nd-doing rong.

MYRTLE. and God b gin to ond r if n on m n ov d him h fs much s h ov d m nkind.


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lord for k ping m iv . I th nk him of -morning. I th nk him of- v ning nd I go to b d in th night just -pr ising th lord ith of m might. H uj h nd m n! and s much s I ov th

lord, I kno h ov s m t ic s much nd tch s ov r m ndb ss s m f mi ith gr c nd m rc . and ou sk m ho comI kno ? w , fri nds, I t ou. I kno , b c us h to d m so. S ,onc I s sitting und r ond r tr nd - ishing for b b of mo n h n ho shou d com -c ing but th Good lord hims f,nd h to d m , abr h m, th s d i b mu tip i d ik to thp bb s of th s . and I nt hom to t S r h, m if , nd shs id

( VeSTINa appears as SaRaH .)VESTINA. w s bout th t.VERNON. B c us sh thought sh cou dnt h v no b bi s nd shs idVESTINA. Im nigh onto nin t rs o d.VERNON. But I to d h r God s id it nd th t s good nough form . and S r h (Pause as VeSTINa laughs.) sh just ugh d. But

sur nough, com summ r, sh g v m itt b b bo . and c d him Is c.VESTINA. which m ns ught r.

( PaUl appears as ISaaC .)VERNON. and h s p rf ct in v r nd such jo to hisd dd . wh , h s th on thing I ov h f s much s I ov God. Iov him ik m if , ith m h rt nd i .

( RICKy appears as an aNGel as VeSTINa exits.)RICKY. abr h m? abr h m?VERNON. H r .RICKY. list n c os to h t I t for m ords com from onhigh. Th bo ou ov so fu nd this v r d must surdi . T k him up to ond r high st hi nd th r to p s our Godour bo ou ki . with f ith nd rop nd sh rp st knif go off r

up his ov if .( RICKy disappears.)


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No ns r. wh t i I do? los m son or os m God? I ov th mboth. I ou d r th r di m s f th n h v to choos b t n tht o. Ho c n h sk this? Ho c n I d cid ?

(Beat.)I c nt, God. I c nt do this thing.

(Beat.)

and t I must. God comm nds. and ho m I to qu stion God? Hg v m if . H g v m m son. a th t I h v I h v from him.

(Beat.)

Is c? Is c?PAUL. y s, d dd ?VERNON. w v got som h r to go nd ork to do.PAUL. wh t kind of ork?VERNON. Gods ork.PAUL. Th n ts go.

(As they start to leave, VeSTINa enters as SaRaH .)VESTINA. wh r ou going?VERNON. yond r s.VESTINA. wh t for?PAUL. Gods ork.VESTINA. w , dont b ong.

(As the men start to leave.)abr h m! you tch ov r th t bo nd bring him b ck hom s fto m .

( VeRNON doesnt respond.)abr h m! you h r?VERNON. Com on, bo .

PAUL. wh r to?VERNON. S th t mount in up ond r?


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VERNON. But th p th is h rd h v to fo o . Giv m ourh nd nd k p m comp n on th .

(They begin their journey. SaRaH watches after them. MUSI-CIaNS appear and sing with the rest of the cast.)

ALL.COMe THOU GOOD aND FaITHFUl ONe, weRe ClIMB-

ING TO MORIaHCOMe aND BRING THy ONly SON, weRe ClIMBING TO

MORIaHVESTINA / MUSICIAN.

SON OF laUGHTeR, SON OF SORROw, DaRlING DO NOTGOSON OF PROMISe, DO NOT FOllOw, STay wITH Me Be-

lOwALL.

COMe THOU GOOD aND FaITHFUl ONe, weRe ClIMB-ING TO MORIaH COMe aND BRING THy ONly SON,weRe ClIMBING TO MORIaH

PAUL / MUSICIAN.MOTHeR CaN yOU HeaR Me CallING, aM I BORN TODIe?

TReMBlING wITH FeaR, IM FallING, CaN yOU HeaRMe CRy?


ING TO MORIaH COMe aND BRING THy ONly SON,

weRe ClIMBING TO MORIaHVESTINA / MUSICIAN.

QUeeN OF HeaVeN, CaNaaNS DaUGHTeRS, wHaTSTHIS GOD DeMaND? SeNSeleSS SaCRIFICe aNDSlaUGHTeR, THIS GOD OF aBRaHaM


ING TO MORIaH COMe aND BRING THy ONly SON,weRe ClIMBING TO MORIaH

PAUL / MUSICIAN


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ING TO MORIaH

COMe aND BRING THy ONly SON, weRe ClIMBING TOMORIaH (10)(As the song concludes,VeSTINa and the cast and MUSICIaNS exit as VeRNON and PaUl reach the top of the mountain.)

VERNON. w , bo , r h r .PAUL. But h r s th b st r gonn off r up.VERNON. (Pointing at ISaaC :) Th r , bo .PAUL. wh r ?VERNON. Right th r , m bo , m s t st son. Right th r h rou st nd. I c nt i , Is c. I c nt und rst nd. But God h s to d mou must b th off ring th t m k .PAUL. M ?VERNON. y s.

PAUL. Must I di ?VERNON. So God comm nds.PAUL. No, D dd ! Dont ki m . P s .VERNON. H v nt I s to d ou th t ou r Gods gift?PAUL. y s.VERNON. w , God nts his gift b ck no . H nts ou homin h v n.PAUL. I dont nt to v ou. I dont nt to di .VERNON. It is h t God comm nds, nd ou must ob .

( VeRNON takes out his knife.)PAUL. Do it quick. I ov ou, D d.

(Beat. VeRNON raises the knife to strike.)M h rt kno s I gott do Gods i , But Im sc r d th t f r im k m strong nd I knock th t knif . Bind m h nds.VERNON No Ho c n I bind o r h nds?


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PAUL. y s. No , ki m , d dd , s God comm nds.( VeRNON raises the knife.)

P s . M if is s t nd I c nt b r to s th b o th t nds ith r . I b g ou, d dd , b ind m s so I ont kno h n oustrik .VERNON. No.PAUL. P s . B ind m s.

( VeRNON ties a blindfold around PaUls eyes.)VERNON. Th r .

PAUL. Th nk ou.( VeRNON raises the knife.)

and b for ou strik , t m s on n pr r.VERNON. Quick, bo , th sun is s tting f st nd m i is k.Oh, God, h do ou sk this of m ?PAUL. Oh, God, giv m d dd str ngth to do h t ou to d himto do. l t him t k m if so I c n giv m if to ou. w tch ov rhim, God, nd if Iv v r don n thing to dis ppoint him, I b g hisforgiv n ss s I b g ours for m sins. am n.

(Beat.)

No , d dd . Do it no .VERNON. F r , m son. F r , m s t. Go to God.

(He raises the knife and prepares to strike. RICKy and lINDa

appear as an aNGelS. lINDa carries with a white quilt that isrolled to represent a lamb in her arms.)RICKY. abr h m! you h v prov d ours f truthfu nd tru . Godin his m rc no sp r s our son. your ov for Is c is s to his ovfor ou. God trusts th t in ou his i i b don . I bring ou thisr m from H v n on high. This r m tod , not our son, i di .

( lINDa unfurls the quilt across the pile of wood and exits withRICKy as VeRNON unbinds PaUl .)

VERNON. Forgiv m , son.PAUL Th i hi f i


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as this m n ou d giv his son for God, so God i giv his sonfor m n.

( SHelly and MyRTle and MUSICIaNS enter through thetheatre carrying a bright star.)

PAUL. look, Momm , off th r in th e st. S th t st r?VESTINA. wh r ?PAUL. Th r .VERNON. I int n v r s n on so bright.VESTINA. Its b utifu . Do ou think Gods t ing us som thing?

VERNON.THeReS a STaR IN THe eaST ON CHRISTMaS MORNIT wIll leaD TO PlaCe wHeRe CHRIST waS BORN

(During this the MUSICIaNS and the rest of the cast have en-tered. The MUSICIaNS begin a song. During the song, SHelly and MyRTle approach the stage with the star. They place the starcenter stage.)

ALL. leaVe yOUR SHeeP aND leaVe yOUR laMBSRISe UP SHePHeRD aND FOllOwleaVe yOUR eweS aND leaVe yOUR RaMSRISe UP SHePHeRD aND FOllOwFOllOw, FOllOw,RISe UP SHePHeRD aND FOllOwFOllOw THe STaR OF BeTHleHeMRISe UP SHePHeRD aND FOllOw

FRANKLIN & VOICE.IF yOU TaKe GOOD HeeD TO THe aNGelS wORDS

ALL. RISe UP SHePHeRD aND FOllOwFRANKLIN & VOICE.

yOUll FORGeT yOUR FlOCKS, yOUll FORGeT yOURHeRDS

ALL.RISe UP SHePHeRD aND FOllOwleaVe yOUR SHeeP aND leaVe yOUR laMBSRISe UP SHePHeRD aND FOllOw


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FOllOw, FOllOw,RISe UP SHePHeRD aND FOllOwFOllOw THe STaR OF BeTHleHeMRISe UP SHePHeRD aND FOllOw (11)

(All turn toward the star. Pause. ROy breaks from the group andapproaches the audience.)

ROY. a this p cting m k s m n kind thirst . l ts t k itt br k h r . Th got r fr shm nts in th f o ship h ndouns c n njo ours f.

End of Act I


30/61

ACT II

(The MUSICIaNS enter and begin to play around on their instru-ments. Others join in and sing:)

RICKY.eaRly ON ONe CHRISTMaS MORN JeSUS CHRIST THe SON waS BORNSINGING CaROlS, CHRISTMaS SONGSeaRly ON ONe CHRISTMaS MORNeaRly ON ONe CHRISTMaS MORN JeSUS CHRIST THe SON waS BORNSINGING CaROlS, CHRISTMaS SONGSeaRly ON ONe CHRISTMaS MORN (12)

ROY. a right no , v r bod , h ftim is ov r. and to st rt thingsb ck up g in r going to t ou bout m n.

(Beat. Look at the last minute stragglers.)

SHELLY. P -P ! P -P !ROY. wh t is it hon .SHELLY. Th po ic r outsid in th p rking ot nd th sth r gonn t k o d m n as off to j i . Th s h s b n s inghis Christm s Punch nd its g inst th !

(All men [except forROy ] react negatively to this news.)ROY. I rn d Broth r as . I to d himSHELLY. and th s id th s going to s rch v r st c r outth r .

(All men [exceptROy ] run to the parking lot.)

ROY. wh r do ou thinkSHELLY. and th s id th s -gonn s rch ours rst off.

( ROy runs out.)ROY. Ho d up f o s!VESTINA. Ro l db tt r!ROY. Its for m umb go!

SHELLY. Did I do good, m -m ?VESTINA. R good. Th nk ou, s t .


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timon nd it might b just t ns bit infuri ting to m husb ndso nt to g t it s id hi h c nt h r.

(Pause.)

Som of us om nfo k h v b n -t king nd hop ou dontthink this is s cri gious but som tim s it s ms to us h n ouh r som of th s stori s r -t ing tonight th t th r -g orif in m n. look t it rst of th r s ev , -t mpting h r hus-b nd to sin, nd th n ho kno s h r th r st of th om n comfrom, nd No hs if dont b i v No h nd poor S r h, h nssh s tir d nd o d nd r d to put h r f t up nd h t h pp ns?Sh g ts pr gn nt. Of cours th r s Ruth nd N omi nd esth r,but Ro is kind o d f shion d som tim s nd didnt f ik thosstori s tt d in c us h s got big stor to t tonight nd h thinksits bout m n.SHELLY / MYRTLE / LINDA. am n.VESTINA. But, h r r -h ding no cou dnt h pp n ith-out momm . and th t m ns om n. a v r sp ci om n notmuch mor th n gir .

(Beat.)I nt of ou ns to pictur som thing. Im gin our -sittingin church of Sund nd th choirs singing bout h v n nd str ng r com s in. a t n g gir . Sh s not dr ss d up too good,ou c n t sh int got much. Sh int got no m n b h r sid ndth r s conspicuous bs nc of dding ring on h r ng r nd s ing in h r b . No , h t ou gonn think?

(Beat.)

y s, sir. and if th ts h t ou think no - -d s, h t bout th m p op b ck in Bib tim s? wh t must th h v thoughtbout M r .

(Beat.)

look t h r. Sc r d, on , p op t king tr sh b hind h r b ck. Butsh int sc r d b c us Gods don to d h r sh s p rt of som thingond rfu .

( eTHel enters as MaRy. She and the Women sing a song.)MARY & MUSICIANS


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Be NOT aFRaID, Be NOT alONeTHe aNGel HaS TOlD Me THe SaVIOR IS COMeBe NOT aFRaID, Be NOT alONe

THe aNGel HaS TOlD Me THe SaVIOR IS COMeFeel THe wIND OF MIGHTy wINGSHeaR THe NewS THe aNGelS BRINGBlOw THe TRUMPeT, SOUND THe DRUMTHe yeaR OF JUBIlee IS COMe

Be NOT aFRaID, Be NOT alONeTHe aNGel HaS TOlD Me THe SaVIOR IS COMeBe NOT aFRaID, Be NOT alONeTHe aNGel HaS TOlD Me THe SaVIOR IS COMe

JOy wIll wIPe away THe TeaRSaND HOPe wIll TRIUMPH OVeR FeaRSwORDS wIll Fall aND waRS wIll CeaSeaND we wIll Call HIM PRINCe OF PeaCe

Feel THe wIND OF MIGHTy wINGSHeaR THe NewS THe aNGelS BRINGBlOw THe TRUMPeT, SOUND THe DRUMTHe yeaR OF JUBIlee IS COMe

Be NOT aFRaID, Be NOT alONeTHe aNGel HaS TOlD Me THe SaVIOR IS COMeBe NOT aFRaID, Be NOT alONeTHe aNGel HaS TOlD Me THe SaVIOR IS COMe BaND

eNDSIM NOT aFRaID, IM NOT alONeTHe lORD He HaS TOlD Me THaT ID BeaR HIS SONIM NOT aFRaID, IM NOT alONeTHe aNGelS TO HOlD Me, SO lORD Be IT DONe (13)

(As they nish, they withdraw FRaNKlIN as JOSePH enters.He addresses the audience.)

FRANKLIN. T rn tion! Im poor m n nd I dont n d n mortroub . But troub is Iv got. I s h pp . w , m b not h p-p , but I s g tting b just n . But m f mi s id, Jos ph shou d


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and I s foo . I ist n d to th m. and no , ook t m . Th ugh-ing stock of N z r th.

(Beat.)

wh t did h xp ct, th s , G tting m rri d t his g ?(Beat.)

w , sh s m d ik nic g . S m d ik ! Ti no . C us nosh s don gon got h rs f in troub . and th ho to n is -hisp ring bout it nd th kno it r nt m . and Im sh m dto sho m f c in to n nd I c nt s p nd I c nt t nd to sp kth truth, fri nds, I f ik m h rt is don brok up insid .

(Beat.)

wom n! who n ds th m? Not m . I curs om n!(Beat.)

exc ptsh is fu purt nd fu s t. and I s r it s m dik sh s good gir nd th t sh ik d m . and I g t fu on - -sitting t hom -thinking bout h r.

(Beat.)But h t sh s m d ik nd h t sh is is might big dist nc . Just ook t h rb s d out to h r , king round just sproud s sh c n b . Id r th r b on th n foo . So, Im -gonngo nd t h r, I dont nt h r kind.

( eTHel appears as MaRy, pregnant.)ETHEL. Jos ph.

FRANKLIN. M r .ETHEL. I b n s rching v r h r for ou.FRANKLIN. For som thing.ETHEL. wh t ou m n?FRANKLIN. Sh m on ou.ETHEL. Jos ph!

FRANKLIN. whos b n th r ?ETHEL. No on , Jos ph. I s r.


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ETHEL. Gods. and ours.FRANKLIN. I m not b th sm rt st thing round, but I kno f ct or t o bout if . and it c nt b min . and th t m ns it h sgot to b som on s s.ETHEL. But it is ours. Giv n to us b God to r is .FRANKLIN. youv ost our mind, gir .ETHEL. Im t ing ou th truth. No m n h s com n h r n rm , no m n t . Just n ng com to bring ord th t God h spick d m out to b r chi d th t i b ours nd ours nd h v-ns king.FRANKLIN. Som ng ! Mor ik som tr v ing s sm n dr ss dup ik n ng p ing tricks on poor unsusp cting om n. whosis it?ETHEL. yours nd Gods i .FRANKLIN. T m th truth. whos is it?ETHEL. yours. and th King of B iss.

FRANKLIN. For sh m . I n v r did it. and ou int -gonn trickm into s ing its min .ETHEL. Jos ph, I s r Iv ov d no m n but ou. and God. andth t ov h s giv n m this chi d. I m virgin sti . Pur s h nou rst sk d for m h nd.FRANKLIN. a virgin? S o d up hug ? I dont think so.ETHEL. Its tru .

FRANKLIN. G t out of m sight.ETHEL. Oh, God! I b g ou p s , m k this m n s !

( VeRNON and ROy appear as the aNGel GaBRIel .)VERNON / ROY. JOSePH!FRANKLIN. T o m n? It just g ts orst nd orst.VERNON / ROY. Bo do n nd b g forgiv n ss from th t om nth r . and n v r sp k of h r in sin g in. Th chi d sh c rri s isGods o n son, conc iv d of th Ho Ghost. H is Princ of P c .God of m n a jo h b to hum nkind H i b J sus Th


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FRANKLIN. (Falling to his knees:) M r , ov , Im sick I s or our su i d up ith sin. I c nt n v r t k b ck m h t fu ords.

But I b g ou, M r , forgiv m .

ETHEL. Th r int nothing to forgiv . M ov for ou nd our ovfor God, h v m d this chi d our o n. and through this chi d, ourov c n th r n storm.FRANKLIN. I f t him kick.ETHEL. Ris up, Jos ph, nd t k m h nd, for must g t to B th-h m.

( MUSICIaNS underscore reprise of Be Not Afraid aseTHel and FRaNKlIN exit.)

TIDENCE. (To audience:) you int forgot bout m h v ou? C usI int forgot bout ou. I kno h r ou iv nd ho to nd out n hour of th d . Im s - tchin nd -p nnin forsom ho to tr p ou up nd t k ou hom ith m .

(Beat.)

No , I gu ss ou think ou kno h ts -gonn h pp n n xt,

dont ou? Its going to b s t nd sno nd st rs nd sh pnd sh ph rds nd s dd ing c oth. But dont forg t, I sti got p rtin this h r stor nd I int giving up so s .

(Beat.)

l ts just t k ook t th t th r m ss. Th t gir int m rri d t ndsh s gon nd got h rs f into troub . and th t dumb m n of h rsb i v s sh s pur s sno . and th think th t b b is God. lordh v m rc . Th ts h t m k s m job so s . M nkind is dumb sdirt. and th r s s som poor foo , ho do just h t I s outof gr d or sin or just p in m nn ss. and, uck m , I kno justth m n to do th job.

( VeSTINa, SHelly, and MyRTle enter.)King H rod.

( TIDeNCe becomesKING HeROD. SHelly places a crownon his head, VeSTINa puts a robe around his shoulders and

MyRTle hands him a scepter. They run offstage as TIDeNCethreatens them.)


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nd i do c us I c nis to sit right h r nd think up som thingn st .

(As TIDeNCe sits amongst the audience and thinks up somemean thoughts, ROy, RICKy, and PaUl enter as wISe MeN.They each carry telescopes and are studying the skies.TIDeNCewatches them.)

ROY. I s st r in th st rn sk . a st r I int n v r s n b for .PAUL. you s it too?RICKY. a shining st r.PAUL. wh t do ou think it signi s?ROY. M b its rning from God.PAUL. M b its th nd of tim .RICKY. No. I think its som thing good. look. Its b utifu st r.ROY. I h rd t proph c th t such st r ou d com nd shoth to th p c h r God i b m nif st, on in trinit .PAUL. I h rd th t, too. Do ou thinkRICKY. w shou d nd out soon. S , its g tting c os r s mov .PAUL. It ooks to m ik its som h r p st J rus m.RICKY. Th n got to b c r fu . J rus m is hom to n st king.ALL THREE. H rod.PAUL. I h r d t of him. and ho h h t s his p op . w b st bquick nd g t on out of to n.

( TIDeNCe approaches them.)TIDENCE. w , ook h r , if int thr sm rt p op tr ing tosn k p st m cit . I m H rod, king of this p c , mighti st king in

of th or d. who, m I sk, is ou? and h t brings ou out J rus m ?RICKY. w , sir, r is m n from dist nt nds, st- - s, nd ifou p rdon us, r on journ .

TIDENCE. wh r to?PAUL. w int quit sur .


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(Aside:)

H c nt s it c us its good thing.

(Back toTIDeNCe :)w s rch th h v ns for signs of things to com . Th t st r is onth t int n v r s n b for .TIDENCE. I r ckon if th r s n st r ov r m nd its som n

Gods thought up to honor m nd m k m kingdom v nmor sp ci .RICKY. Th t cou d b . But

TIDENCE. But h t?RICKY. But h v studi d proph c nd b i v it is th st r for -to d th t i d us to b b .TIDENCE. a b b ? youv com this to s b b ? aintou got b bi s h r ou com from?PAUL. This int no ordin r b b . S , h v h rd t this b bi b king.

TIDENCE. King? Of m nd?RICKY. Of nds nd kings nd kingdoms t to com . Hi ru t rn nd no m n i b too proud to orship him.TIDENCE. No g t out of m sight b for I count thr , I h vou thro n in j i nd ston d nd st rv d nd strung up high b -for th n xt sundo n. This is m kingdom nd I bo do n b forno m n.

ROY. This int no m n, but God nd m n in on .TIDENCE. Foo s. Th t int nothing but cr z t k.PAUL. w c n go, but th t ont stop th king. H i com . andou i bo do n.TIDENCE. N v r.RICKY. Sir, dont m n no h rm. P s , t us p ss. w onnt to honor him nd th n go.

ROY. w v com so f r.PAUL P


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(To the Kings:)

Forgiv m , fri nds, p rh ps I s mit h st . Iv h rd th tproph c s nd ond r d h t ight th t s th t shin d sobright. Go on. Fo o it. Find th king. On on condition.ROY. wh t conditions th t?TIDENCE. If th r s n king com to ru m nd, I n d top him m r sp cts. Sho him ho things ork. T k him und rm ing. T ch him thing or t o. No , Im might t mpt d to goong ith ou, but, I h v import nt busin ss tonight. So, h nou nd him, com on b ck nd t m kno x ct h r h is.

RICKY. (Aside:) So h c n ki him.PAUL. w ou d b proud to d ou to this king nd to h v oubo do n b for him, s ong s ou s r th b b i com tono h rm.TIDENCE. as I m m n of honor, I s r.PAUL. Th n, s ou r m n of honor, s r to r turn.

(The wISe MeN exit.)TIDENCE. Oh, lucif r, h p m no . I ki th t kid th t thr t nsm nd th n, b S t n, I thr sh th m thr .

( TIDeNCe exits as FRaNKlIN enters with MUSICIaNS .)MUSICIANS / FRANKLIN.

HeS THe PRINCe OF all DaRKNeSS, yOUR SOUl HellDeVOUR

He CRaVeS ONly HONOR aND PRaISeS aND POweR

STRONG aRe HIS weaPONS aND weaK IS yOUR wIllyOUR FaITH IS HIS TaRGeT aND He aIMS TO KIll

BRIGHT OBJeCTS Hell DaNGle, aND FIll yOU wITHGReeD

aND MaKe yOU waNT THINGS THaT yOU NeVeR wIllNeeD

Hell MaKe yOU SeeK GlORy, aND PleaSUReS OF PRIDeaS yOUR JealOUSy GROwS aND COMPaSSION SUBSIDeS

yOUll laUGH aT THe POOR MaN, yOUR RICHeS


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(As MUSICIaNS and FRaNKlIN exit, VeRNON enters as aSHePHeRD, pulling a toy sheep behind him.)

VERNON. whoo- ord, but int it co d. Th ind ho s up throughth v nd n r nough fr z s m n to d th. and th m richm n in to n in th ir n hous s ith th ir rm iv s b sid th mdont c r thing for th ik s of poor p op ik m . Th dontp us nothing to sit out of int r night nd tch th ir sh p.aint nothing tch s ov r m .

(Beat.)

M f c is numb, m h nds is ch pp d nd m bod is b ock of

ic . But h r I sit th ho ong night, just m nd ock of stink-ing sh p.(Beat.)

But th ts th th or d go s, s h s, sinc ev trick dad m nd c st us to sin. work nd orr , orr nd ork, ndh ts poor m n got to sho for it but froz n f t nd runningnos ?TIDENCE. (Offstage:) D gn bit!VERNON. whos th t? I s n som on s coming up th hi , but itsso d rk I c nt m k hid nor t i . Som oth r poor foo ik m , sh d b hom nd rm in b d.TIDENCE. I don st pp d in co pi .VERNON. (Recognizing MaCK who has entered downstage:) D ng, ifit int th t no- ccount- ing-sh p-st ing-good-for-nothing-foo -from-ov r- ond r-M ck. wh ts h nt, I ond r? Nothing good,I b t.TIDENCE. Ho d, fri nd, Ho s it ith ou?VERNON. Dont ou com up h r , bo . I dont nt non of ourtroub tonight.TIDENCE. I int com for troub , fri nd. I just thought it might bnic to com up h r nd k p ou comp n .VERNON. you just thought it might b nic to com up h r ndst ours f sh p.TIDENCE No th t int fri nd t k Iv ch ng d m s


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TIDENCE. Th is iv bunch. S ms ik m if h s non t ic r.VERNON. and our if ? whoo- ord , but sh s m n.TIDENCE. I ont d n it.VERNON. and sh drinks moonshin .TIDENCE. Most d s. and h n run out sh b ts m ti I st ,um, bu som mor . I sur nough m p umb poop d. you mind ifI sit do n?VERNON. Suit ours f. Just st h r I c n s ou.

TIDENCE. (Sitting:) Th ms som r n sh p ou got.VERNON. you v m sh p on .TIDENCE. I didnt m n no h rm. I s just -tr ing to m k con-v rs tion to p ss th tim .VERNON. you c n p ss th tim ithout t king bout m sh p.TIDENCE. H ! wh t if I s ng ou song?VERNON. I didnt kno ou cou d sing.TIDENCE. I c nt but th inds -ho ing so oud, m b ou ontnotic .

(Singing a lullaby off-key:)

HUSH CHIlD aND SleeP, TONIGHT THeRe IS NO SORROwHUSH CHIlD aND SleeP, TONIGHT THeRe aRe NO FeaRSHUSH CHIlD aND SleeP, yOUll NeeD yOUR STReNGTH

TOMORROwIll Be RIGHT HeRe, SO HUSH CHIlD aND SleeP

( VeRNON has fallen asleep during the song.)H o?

(Beat.)

yoo-hoo?(Beat.)

you k ?(B t )


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with on of our sh p.( TIDeNCe walks away with the sheep. The three wISe MeN ap-

pear, wandering through the Holy Land.)

RICKY. Th t st r shin s bright r s tr v on.PAUL. I int n v r s n such sight b for . Sur nough it must bsom kind of mir c .ROY. I b i v th proph ts h v to d us right nd i nd might king h r it ights th .RICKY. Com on fri nds. l ts k p -going. I c nt it to sh ts up h d.

( VeRNON wakes to see his sheep has been stolen. He storms off-stage as VeSTINa appears as MaCKS wIFe at Macks house.There is a chair and a cradle.)

VESTINA. wh r is th t no- ccount- ing-sh p-st ing-good-for-nothing-husb nd-of-min M ck.

( MaCK enters, carrying the stolen sheep.)

TIDENCE. H .VESTINA. wh r ou b n?TIDENCE. Out.VESTINA. wh t ou got?TIDENCE. This h r sh p.VESTINA. Foo . I s nt ou out for shin .

TIDENCE. But Im hungr .VESTINA. and Im thirst . No t k th t b ck h r ou found it.your gonn g t us hung for thi v s.TIDENCE. (Aside:) Sh go s rst, I di h pp .VERNON. (Off:) M ck!TIDENCE / VESTINA. Uh-oh.VERNON. M ck!VESTINA. w b st hid it.


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( VeSTINa takes the sheep and places it in the cradle, covering itup with a blanket. She rocks the cradle and sings the lullaby off-keyand hurriedly as MaCK sits and feigns sleep.VeRNON enters.)



VERNON. (Overlapping lullaby:) M ck, ou giv m b ck m sh pright no , ou dirt , ing, thi ving foo !

TIDENCE. w , ho d fri nd, h t brings ou out on night ikthis.VERNON. you kno d rn !VESTINA. Shh! M itt b b s s ping.VERNON. I nt m sh p.TIDENCE. Sh p? I int s n no sh p.VERNON. you trick d m nd ou took it nd Im t ing ou tru ,ou b st b bringing it b ck.TIDENCE. you gon cr z , m n?VERNON. I kn I s foo to t ou com n h r n r msh p.TIDENCE. I int b n out of th hous night. I b n h r ithm om n c us sh just h d b b .VESTINA. Its tru . M cks good d dd .VERNON. M cks good i r.VESTINA. Shhh! you k it up.VERNON. No giv m m sh p or I t r our hous do n tiI nd it.TIDENCE. S rch s ou nt. w int got n r sh p n -h r s.

VESTINA. But do it qui t. This poor b b s sick nd n ds its r st.VERNON Sick ? It gonn b right?


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TIDENCE. (Overlapping:) a gir .VESTINA. Its too soon to t .

VERNON. you sur its n ? It h s b rn rd sm .VESTINA. Th ts just M ck. H s ipp d nd f in big co pi .VERNON. Sm s ik sh p.VESTINA. Th ts just ou. Sh ph rds s stink of sh p.VERNON. (Drawing closer to the cradle:) Its got snout on it, dont it?TIDENCE. T k s ft r h r momm .

VERNON. I int n v r s n b b born ith horns.VESTINA. Its his d dd s chi d.VERNON. Th ts m sh p. and Im t king him b ck.TIDENCE. Thi f!VESTINA. li r.VERNON. Giv it b ck.

VESTINA. you t m b b go.VERNON. No.VESTINA. Giv it b ck!

(All three scuf e over the sheep until a blinding light revealsSHelly, MyRTle, and lINDa as aNGelS .)

SHELLY / MYRTLE / LINDA. P c , Sh ph rds, nd c s ourstrif , for tonight is th ho i st of ho nights. as f s s th t sh p

in th t cr d , tru chi d s ps in m ng r. a king com s tos v ou from our sins nd c s our f uds nd ghts. Fo o thb utifu st r. G t ou to B th h m nd orship him.VESTINA. lord h v m rc on us .TIDENCE. Forgiv m , God. I n v r st g in.VERNON. lord, forgiv m ng r.SHELLY / MYRTLE / LINDA. a ho s k him r forgiv n.

( aNGelS and SHePHeRDS exit. As the stable is created, we seethe journeys of the wISe MeN SHePHeRDS and MaRy and


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wHeN CaeSaR TOOK TO COUNTING HeaDSHe RaN OUT OF ROOMS aND He RaN OUT OF BeDSHe SaID, ID BeTTeR GeT SOMe SleeP

SINCe I aINT GOT NO VaCaNCIeSaINT GOT NO ROOMS aINT GOT NO BeDSaINT GOT NOTHING BUT THe STaBle SHeD

well He HaDNT SlePT BUT a MINUTe MORe JOSePHS KNOCKIN aT HIS DOORSaID MaRy HeRe IS GReaT wITH CHIlDaND SHe CaNT MaKe IT FOR aNOTHeR MIleHe SaID I DONT CaRe JUST wHO yOU aReaND I DONT CaRe IF yOUVe TRaVeleD FaRaINT GOT NO ROOMS, aINT GOT NO BeDSGON ROUND THe HOUSe TO THe STaBle SHeD

SOON aS HeD GONe BaCK TO SleePwHeN HeRe COMe THe SHePHeRDS aND a FlOCK OF

SHeePaND wISe MeN TRyING TO FIND THeIR wayeVeRyBODy lOOKING FOR a PlaCe TO STayHe SaID, yall IS CRaZy, IS wHaT yOU aReOUT waNDeRING aFTeR SOMe SIlly STaRaINT GOT NO ROOMS, aINT GOT NO BeDSGON ROUND THe HOUSe TO THe STaBle SHeD

THe POOR MaN NeVeR SlePT THaT NIGHTwITH all THaT NOISe aND all THaT lIGHTTHe aNGel BaND aND a TRUMPeT CHOIR

aND THe SKy lIT UP lIKe a Ball OF FIReHe SaID I DONT KNOw wHy THIS INN I KeePCaUSe a MaN ROUND HeRe CaNT GeT NO SleePaINT GOT NO ROOMS, aINT GOT NO BeDSwHaTS all THe TROUBle IN THe STaBle SHeD

THeN THe MaN wITH THe CROwDeD INNON THe ROaD JUST eaST OF BeTHleHeMHe HOlleReD aND HaUleD OUT OF BeDaND weNT ROUND THe HOUSe TO THe STaBle SHeDTHeRe He Saw THe BaBy SweeT


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THeRe He Saw THe BaBy SweeTTHe BeaSTS all BOweD DOwN aT HIS FeeTa BaRNyaRD ROOM, a MaNGeR BeD

THe SaVIOR BORN IN a STaBle SHeD (15)( FRaNKlIN and eTHel approach the manger scene.)

FRANKLIN. wh t kind p c is th t? Th t int no p c to h v b b , t on Gods o n son.ETHEL. But th r s so m n p op com to to n, this h r s thb st th t c n do.FRANKLIN. No, M r . I c nt t ou st h r . w fr z to d th,or dro n in r in. w b storm d out of this st b , strick n t.Th s r f ing in on v r sid . Th r int no door, but op n irnd th roofs h f c v d in. Com on. w tr g in. Th r must bsom p c s h r c n r st.ETHEL. No. Im too tir d to tr no mor . and m tim is mostcom . This p c is n . God kno s h ts b st.

( eTHel goes into the stable.FRaNKlIN follows her.)

FRANKLIN. But th r int no b d, no cr d for our b b . Oh,lord, t us h t to do.ETHEL. H s to d us. No trust in him.FRANKLIN. w th n, m k do s b st c n. Its co d ndg tting d rk. Go on M r , nd r st ours f. I go hunt us up somsupp r nd som kind ing to bui d r .

( FRaNKlIN exits.)

ETHEL. Im sc r d, God. Im on . M bod ch s. and I intgot no id h t Im suppos d to do. Oh, God, giv m str ngth todo this thing th t must b don for you nd for m nkind.

(Beat.)

J sus m son, no h is com .( SHelly, MyRTle, and lINDa as aNGelS approach.lINDa carries a lantern. MyRTle carries the baby in her arms.

SHelly carries the Beautiful Star.)H i , m lord God. H i , princ of p c . H i , m f th r nd h i ,


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ETHEL / MUSICIANS.HUSH CHIlD aND SleeP, TONIGHT THeRe IS NO SOR-

ROw HUSH CHIlD aND SleeP, TONIGHT THeRe

aRe NO FeaRSHUSH CHIlD aND SleeP, yOUll NeeD yOUR STReNGTHTOMORROw

Ill Be RIGHT HeRe, SO HUSH CHIlD aND SleeP

IM BUT a GIRl, a MOTHeR lIKe all MOTHeRSI HaVe a CHIlD, HIS FaTHeRS ONly SONIM BUT a MaID, a VIRGIN lIKe NO OTHeRI BeaR THe BleSSING OF THe CHOSeN ONe



ETHEL. Son, you r m God nd m o n b b bo . Th s rms ofmin r not orth to c rr ou. But th r our m m s rms. I

b g ou s t chi d, to t m rock ou. I promis th t I i stch ov r ou nd dor ou.ETHEL / MUSICANS.

I CaNT PReDICT THe ROaD THaT yOU MUST FOllOwI CaNT PReVeNT THe eND THaT yOU MUST FaCeI CaNT PROTeCT yOU FROM yOUR FaTHeRS CallINGI CaNT PROTeCT yOU FROM a SaVIORS FaTe


TOMORROwIll Be RIGHT HeRe, SO HUSH CHIlD aND SleeP (16)

( eTHel bows her head over the child andSHelly, MyRTle, lINDa and MUSICIaNS exit. FRaNKlIN returns carryingan armful of sticks.)

FRANKLIN. lord God! wh t is th t g o th t shin s so sudd n .Im sur I ft M r in th d nk st d rk nd no th t st b is -


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Table of Contents

Notes on the Score for Beautiful Star . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

That Beautiful Star . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

By His Heart and By His Hand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Back to the Garden / The Tempter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Waterbound . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

I Got A Home In That Rock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Climbing to Moriah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Rise Up, Shepherd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Be Not Afraid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Back to the Garden / Prince of All Darkness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

The Stable Shed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Hush Child And Sleep . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24


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Notes on the Score for Beautiful Star The music included in Beautiful Star: An Appalachian Nativity is written and performed in tra-ditional bluegrass and old-time Appalachian styles. As such, it could be performed with tradi-tional Appalachian stringed instruments other than those listed. ( Beautiful Star has run for fourseasons and each year the band has changed, and the instrumentation has changed as well.) The

following endnotes list the instrumentation and modal tunings used in the original Triad Stageproduction and the accompanying cast recording. The public domain carols and ddle tunesused for transitions and underscoring could be substituted for other similar tunes of the period.

RESIST THE TEMPTATION TO DO THE SONGS CHORALLY UNLESS NOTED. The music isintended to be sparse and done in a style typical of the Appalachian mountains. Those listed inbold are also included in the CD recording. Those marked with * are NOT included in the score.

1. *Deck the HallsPage 5. This could be any holiday carol that the audience would likelyknow and join in on. We found Deck the Halls to be both familiar and lighthearted.

2. That Beautiful Star (L. Dossett)Page 8, CD TRACK 1.Instrumentation: Bluegrass banjo, guitar, ddle. Lead vocal with harmony on chorus.Cast join on chorus. (Note: the recording is uncharacteristically slow, it was performedfaster.)

3. * AllelujahPage 9. The script calls for an allelujah song. The original cast sang a simplea capella version of the ancient Alle Psallite C*m Luya.

4. *Page 9 stage directions The Angels song turns discordant. The original cast sang theword diabolelatin word for devil or demon, in response to those allelujahs, sung ona single low note like a mantra.

5. By His Heart and By His Hand (L. Dossett)Page 10, CD TRACK 2.Instrumentation: Bluegrass banjo, guitar. Lead vocal with harmony on chorus.

6. Back to the Garden / The Tempter (L. Dossett)Page 17, CD TRACK 3.

Instrumentation: clawhammer banjo, voice7. *Page 19 Stage Directions: The original cast used an improvised bluegrass tune that re-

sembled Raindrops Keep Fallin On My Head. Another option is Johnny Cashs Five Feet Highand Risin and would require paying royalties.

8. Waterbound (Traditional)Page 21, CD TRACK 4.Instrumentation: Mandolin, guitar. Lead vocal with harmony on chorus.

9. I Got A Home In That Rock (Traditional)Page 23, CD TRACK 5.Instrumentation: Guitar, banjo, mandolin, ddle. Lead vocal with harmony.

10. Climbing to Moriah (L. Dossett)Page 27, CD TRACK 6.

Instrumentation: clawhammer banjo, mandolin, guitar. Lead vocals and chorus.11. Rise Up, Shepherd (Traditional)Page 30, CD TRACK 7.

Instrumentation: guitar, lead vocal and harmony, cast chorus.

12. *Page 31 Stage directions: the original cast sang a bluegrass version of Christ Was Born OnChristmas Morn, but any familiar Christmas song could be used.

13. Be Not Afraid (L. Dossett)Page 33, CD TRACK 8.Instrumentation: Clawhammer banjo, ddle, guitar, lead and harmony vocals, cast cho -rus.

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14. Back to the Garden / Prince of All Darkness (L. Dossett)Page 39, CD TRACK 9.Instrumentation: Lead vocal, ddle, clawhammer banjo, guitar.

15. The Stable Shed (L. Dossett)Page 46, CD TRACK 10.Instrumentation: lead and harmony vocals, banjo, ddle, mandolin.

16. Hush Child And Sleep (L. Dossett)Page 47, CD TRACK 11.Instrumentation: lead and harmony vocals, mandolin, guitar, ddle.

17. *Oh Holy Night (Traditional)Page 50, CD TRACK 12.Instrumentation: Lead and harmony vocal, mandolin, guitar and ddle.

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By His Heart and By His HandLaurelyn Dossett

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10


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19


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The Stable ShedLaurelyn Dossett

22


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