The River

Actors: 2 - 6
Reference: Ezekiel 44:1-12
Notes: You'll need several props: Bags and backpacks, odd and assorted "treasures:" books, wallets, radios, CDs and tapes, small TVs, clothing, etc.

Full Script

Scene: Several people (P1 - Pn) are carrying large burdens full of their earthly treasures and standing on the bank of a river (the top step or stage right). It is very hot and the people are tired. Jesus stands on the other side of the river. The piano plays a dark or plodding tune.

Jesus steps into the river and gestures for the people on the bank to join Him. Each of them does - still clutching his or her bag. The water comes up to their ankles.
The piano plays a happier tune. The people splash around happily, grinning and enjoying the coolness. Jesus smiles too, and gestures that they follow him further.
One by one, P1 - P4 follow Him, either down to the second step or a few steps toward stage left.
P5-Pn stay behind, refusing to follow any further. Jesus looks sad.
The water is now up to their knees. They might roll up their pant legs or hitch up their skirts to demonstrate this. Walking becomes more difficult, and several totter dangerously, almost stumbling. The piano reflects the danger.
Jesus gestures that they should put down some of their "treasure."
Each pulls out something and drops it - perhaps one drops a book or two, another a few CDs, another a wallet or some money, but each retains the larger portion of their load.
The piano goes back to its original tune.
Jesus smiles and gestures that they should continue to follow.
One by one, P1-P2 follow down to the next step or further stage left. P4 and/or P3 stay behind. Jesus looks sad.
The water is now up to their waists. Perhaps they hitch their burdens up farther to keep them out of the water.
They almost loose their balance, and Jesus catches them. He does not appear to notice the water's depth. He then suggests they drop some more of their burdens, even pointing out a specific item or two.
They protest, but Jesus insists. Larger items go this time - radios, TVs, whole purses or wallets, maybe a bag or two, etc. P2 and P3 may retain more of the larger items.
Jesus again smiles and otherwise encourages them, and gestures for them to keep following. This time, only P1 comes.
They step down to the final step, or farther stage left. The water is now up to their necks, though again Jesus does not appear to notice. P1 hoists his/her "treasures" to the top of his/her head, and almost goes under. Jesus catches P1 and suggests that he/she just dispatch with the entire burden. Finally, P1 tosses the whole thing to the side of the river. The piano plays a victorious, celebratory tune.
Jesus congratulates P1 and gestures toward "heaven" - or far stage left. Hand in hand they proceed off stage.

A Note on the music: It admittedly takes a talented pianist to pull this off. I suggest that a fairly repetitive and flowing tune be chosen. Then, in each of the "climaxes" or "dangers," he can break into the melody and play crashing chords or celebratory chords or something along that line, and then go back to the original melody.






© 2000 The Thing of it Is Players / City's Edge Community Church. [Contact Us
No rights reserved - Print, Practice, and Perform!