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(A children's or puppet play with music by Harry Alex Smith)
CHARACTERS: [Three or more gathered together]:
Jojo Dada (male, any age)
Yoyo Mama (female, any age)
Mymy Baby (any child, either sex, any age)
A one-act play with interchangeable-age/height characters (i.e., children, teenagers, single males or females, Vietnam veterans, homeless couple, drug addicts, you get the idea; for a Universal Play to a Universal Audience)
PROPS: Table and 2 chairs, a dummy in one chair COSTUMES: Just what you have on SCENERY: Dark backdrop, to focus attention on actors LENGTH: 25 minutes SEATING NECESSARY: At least a group of 10 or more
AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION: just the front row
ROOM FOR PLAY NECESSARY: 5 X 5, front of classroom or conference room
A/V EQUIPMENT NECESSARY: TV/VCR/DVD, kereoke cassette player for music, microphones (2) and intro
SONGS: TIME AFTER TIME by Cindi Lauper, BRING ON THE RAIN by Lee Ann Womack and FROM THIS MOMENT by Shania Twain, BECAUSE YOU LOVED ME by Celine Dion, WIND BENEATH MY WINGS by Bette Midler.
CUE MUSIC: TIME AFTER TIME by Cindi Lauper
ACTOR #1: Steps up from the front row, walks in circles on-stage, worried, thinking,
ANNOUNCER (off-stage) : But I thought I remembered EverythingI thought I was the one who was wrong, never going to be good enough, fast enough, strong enough, tall enough, rich enoughI dont remember when it all started, the very first time. I DO remember being confused, feeling lost, disconnected, left out, unloved. I DO remember being treated differently by all the others, like I didnt belong; well I guess Ive never felt like I belonged anywhere. I guess Id better get started. Shut up and speak.
ACTOR: (Picks a spot, stands still, and speaks, making eye contact with the entire first 3 rows in the audience) This is a poem by Robert Service entitled:
THE MEN THAT DONT FIT IN.
There's a race of men that don't fit in,
A race that can't stay still;
So they break the hearts of kith and kin,
And they roam the world at will.
They range the field and they rove the flood,
And they climb the mountain's crest;
Theirs is the curse of the gypsy blood,
And they don't know how to rest.
If they just went straight they might go far;
They are strong and brave and true;
But they're always tired of the things that are,
And they want the strange and new.
They say: "Could I find my proper groove,
What a deep mark I would make!"
So they chop and change, and each fresh move
Is only a fresh mistake.
And each forgets, as he strips and runs
With a brilliant, fitful pace,
It's the steady, quiet, plodding ones
Who win in the lifelong race.
And each forgets that his youth has fled,
Forgets that his prime is past,
Till he stands one day, with a hope that's dead,
In the glare of the truth at last.
He has failed, he has failed; he has missed his chance;
He has just done things by half.
Life's been a jolly good joke on him,
And now is the time to laugh.
Ha, ha! He is one of the Legion Lost;
He was never meant to win;
He's a rolling stone, and it's bred in the bone;
He's a man who won't fit in.
ANNOUNCER: (Shows Applause sign, gives a Cmon sign with his hand)
AUDIENCE: Applauds!
ACTOR #1: The poet bows, smiles, leaves the stage and takes his vacated seat in the front row.
ACT 2
ANNOUNCER: So, how many people here have NEVER felt like that?
Raise your hands. Thats what I thought. I love a good story, dont you? I wish I had oneI love a good joke toosorry, no luck there either. Oh well, moving on, the next lackey contestant on the Price is Too High is (drum roll) Mr./Ms JoJo Mama. [Contestant comes up from front row.]
CUE MUSIC: BRING ON THE RAIN by Lee Ann Womack
ANNOUNCER (off-stage) But I thought you said you loved me. I thought I was doing everything right. You said we would be together forever. You said you would be there No Matter WhatI dont remember when it all started, the very first time. I DO remember being confused, feeling lost, disconnected, left out, unloved. I DO remember being treated differently by all our friends, your friends anyway. I didnt know why they were avoiding me, not returning my phone calls, taking your side. I guess Id better get started. Shut up and speak.
ACTOR: (Picks a spot, stands still, and speaks, making eye contact with the entire first 3 rows in the audience) This is a poem by Maya Angelou entitled :
STILL I RISE
You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I'll rise.
Does my sassiness upset you?
Why are you beset with gloom?
'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells
Pumping in my living room.
Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I'll rise.
Did you want to see me broken?
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops.
Weakened by my soulful cries.
Does my haughtiness offend you?
Don't you take it awful hard
'Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines
Diggin' in my own back yard.
You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I'll rise.
Out of the huts of history's shame - I rise
Up from a past that's rooted in pain - I rise
I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.
Leaving behind nights of terror and fear - I rise
Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear - I rise
Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
I rise
I rise
I rise.
ANNOUNCER: (Shows Applause sign, gives a Cmon sign with his hand)
AUDIENCE: Applauds!
ACTOR #2: The poet bows, smiles, leaves the stage and takes her vacated seat in the front row.
ACTOR #3: So, has anyone here EVER felt like that? Dont raise your hand, close your eyes, cover your heart, and thank the Lord you do not have to feel like that anymore. I love a good prayer, dont you? I have a good one. Would you please join me in The Lord's Prayer?
[Insert Lords Prayer here]
ACT 3
ANNOUNCER: "All Rightie then, lets call the last contestant on the Price is Too High. MyMy Baby."
CUE MUSIC: I WON'T GROW UP by Mary Martin
ACTOR #3: (Next Contestant comes up from their front row seat.)
ANNOUNCER (off-stage) But I did what you told me to, thought I was a good boy, you told me if I behaved, then we could go to the Park - you promised. I remember being confused, feeling left out, unloved. I DO remember being treated differently; I knew I was never your favorite. Ive never been anyones favorite. I guess Id better get started. Sit down, shut up and do what youre told.
ACTOR: (Picks a spot, stands still, and speaks, making eye contact with the entire first 3 rows in the audience) This is a poem by Harry Smith entitled:
I Dont Want Your Word, Give Me Your Time
When I was younger I knew maybe means No. I remember well see meant Probably Not. I realized that probably means If I Have Time. When I grew up I should have known better when people said, Ill be Right Back. I especially got scared when I heard Trust Me. But when I heard I Promise, I expected people to keep their word
I know how the Indians felt when the white man put big promises on paper and broke them. Or soldiers who died in combat during a cease fire agreement. Or hostages who are shot just before they are rescued. Not betrayed so much, as being stupid for believing mere mortal man in the first place. Ive seen Presidents lie on TV, Ive even had a school principal steal my money, so I dont know why Im so surprised
CUE MUSIC: FROM THIS MOMENT by Shania Twain, BECAUSE YOU LOVED ME by Celine Dion, WIND BENEATH MY WINGS by Bette Midler. (Tape loop to repeat until entire audience has gone home.)
I really should not put all my faith in people, you would think by now, I would learn. But ugly me, I just keep trusting the wrong people. I remember thinking one of these days someone will keep their word. Well it took me a long time but I finally found Him, his name is Jesus Christ. The only thing He promised me is Heaven, but he always makes time to listen. He always has time for me and he always has time for you.THE END.
Maybe not the end, maybe just the beginning, the healing of your heart, the building of your faith.
E P I L O G U E
ANNOUNCER (Center Stage): Ladies and Gentlemen, what we have done here tonight is hit a nerve; we have created a teachable moment. What we want is for you to understand is that you are not alone in your feelings, experiences, daily highs & lows. No matter what you have done, where you have been, who you have hurt, when or why you did it, we can all Change, be Forgiven, Healed and go to Heaven. Some times we just need a second chance, and that is what we do at Aloha Haven. We believe in the people that the rest of the world has given up on, and we give them a new start and a second chance.
Thats what we are all about, which is why we need your help, right now. We know you understand; now all we need is for you to make a decision. Goodnight, Merry Christmas and thanks for coming!
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