All Year

38 pages

Cast: 3 m, 3 w with doubling or 4 m, 4 w, guest acts optional.

The year is 1960. “The Piety Variety Gospel Show” is a locally televised religious program that blesses folks between church services with music, religious news, and much more. But now the host, Brother Shelby Greene, faces a crisis. With new regulations that require him to start paying for his airtime, how will he raise the money and stay true to his calling? This is a comic tale about becoming a televangelist when selling religious items, having nice hair, and asking for money on air was something new. A singing quartet performs ten well-known hymns, and th...

39 pages

5 m, 5 w

It is the future, a time when it is illegal to own a Bible or to proclaim any faith in Christ. The West family are true Christians. When their older friend Anna gives them a picture of Jesus, they are delighted, yet aware of the dangers of having it in their home. Even more distressing is the immediate threat of Anna's arrest. The government has ordered all those who refuse to deny their faith and refuse to pledge allegiance to the government to be put to death. After the soldiers take Anna away, the family knows they will probably be next. They wonder -- will their faith be strong enoug...

36 pages

4 m, 3 w

Father O'Sullivan is desperate. But who wouldn't be? The bank is about to foreclose on his church buildings and orphanage. He's got young people struggling with questions of love, developers struggling to turn the house of God into the Condos of God, a gangster struggling with the English language, and a bookkeeper who's just a struggle for everyone. Plus, he's hosting a Bingo night as a last chance to raise enough money to get himself out of this mess. So, what happens when his bookkeeper is killed and the money is stolen? It's time for Father O'Sullivan to ...

23 pages

3-4 m, 4 w, flexible extras as singers

Five contestants vie for the grand prize of eternal life in this special game show takeoff, "Who Wants Eternal Life?" The funny contestants embody certain personality traits, and as the game proceeds, they lose and leave the stage until only one wins the grand prize. The message of salvation is heard not only in word but also in song as singers perform during specially designed breaks to serve courses of the meal. Little rehearsal is needed as actors can have scripts hidden at their game-show podiums. Super easy and super fun. About 35 minutes.

48 pages

2 m, 6 w

Here's the perfect play to use as a fund-raiser, an audience-participation mystery, or entertainment for your own special dinner event. Rev. Longacre is gathering a small group of church members at a potluck dinner to broach the subject of starting a building fund. Duty-bound Hazel arrives first to set up everything and tell the Reverend she hasn't yet found out who's been sending him anonymous love letters. Jenny, a local politician, and Cornelia, a local poet, arrive next, followed by Annie, the church secretary who is hiding something under her coat, and i...

30 pages

5 m, 5 w, 9 or more flexible

From the short story "The Devil and Daniel Webster" by Stephen Vincent Benet. Poor Jake Stone is a total loser. When he finally loses the worst job he's ever had, he makes the claim that he would do anything to be a winner. Soon he meets Lucy, a seemingly attractive, professional woman who can make a special deal with him: she gives Jake wisdom, and he signs away his soul. Rather than waste his opportunity, Jake becomes a kind and intelligent person who gives much to the world. As the time to relinquish his soul draws near, he seeks out the counsel of Daniell...

28 pages

4 m, 5 w, 1 flexible

An evil banker, Char Cole, wants the land the church sits on to build a casino. He sends a bogus mortgage bill demanding the church pay a $10,000 balloon payment to scare the congregation in to selling him the property for a fraction of what it is worth. Church members hurriedly decides to submit a secret barbecue recipe to a contest in hopes of winning the huge cash prize. They even open a barbecue restaurant in the church to raise money. Meanwhile, Miss Phit, the bumbling church secretary, is constantly getting the bulletins and newsletters wrong, sending m...

45 pages

8 m, 1 w, 3 flexible, many speaking extras

When high-schooler Tom is assigned a report titled “Jesus: Myth or Reality?” he wants tangible evidence, not just faith. Resting for a moment, he dreams he is a reporter in biblical time. Motivated by a possible promotion, he must disprove that Jesus is the Messiah. First he meets Nicodemus who secretly requests that Tom speak with Jesus face-to-face before writing his article. Later Tom meets John the Baptist, a man healed by Jesus, a vendor, and Caiaphas. But Tom finds himself scrambling to save Jesus after hearing plans to arrest him. Instead of getting th...

40 pages

22 flexible characters, 12 with doubling.

This is a somewhat zany retelling of the traditional story of Jonah. Although enhanced with some extra characters and scenes, the theme and overall message hold true to the Old Testament Scriptures. Included in the story is Herald, the angel who acts as God’s voice and has the ability to turn up at unusual places and in unusual ways. In the opening scene a handful of fun-loving woodland creatures discover Jonah asleep, and bring in the right blend of seriousness when they realize he must be the prophet. Along the way Jonah interacts with some sailors who even...

21 pages

1 m, 1 w.

Here's a delightful adaptation of Mark Twain's witty stories about our beloved predecessors. We take Adam and Eve from the day she was "born" all the way through to her death with everything in between! It starts out with Adam feeling disgruntled because this new creature, Eve, wants to talk to him all the time, wants to put stars in her hair, and wants to name all the animals. The naming goes "recklessly on." And when Adam pushes Eve out of his shelter, those holes by her eyes start to leak! Eve, meanwhile, finds Adam unwilling to talk, because "perhaps he is not bright and wishes to co...

36 pages

3 m, 3 w

Amy Westmond and her husband Floyd, along with his brother and father who comprise a country music group, return to Amy’s home church. They reminisce and catch up on the gossip with Marie, the church’s housekeeper, and Betty, the choir director, who inspired Amy earlier but now seems to have somewhat of an attitude. The Westmonds are told that a search committee will be there for the evening hymn-sing to try to lure the church’s beloved pastor away. With the unseen organist who communicates through charades, they form a plan—a fake pastor and fake service! Ll...

46 pages

A Collection of Skits

At last, nursery rhymes with a reason. Here are 15 skits, based on popular nursery rhymes and tales, with delightful new twists toward biblical lessons. For instance, "The Three Little Kittens" may have lost their mittens, but they end up dressed in the whole armor of God. In "The Grasshopper and the Ants," the grasshopper learns how important it is to make provisions for the future which explains why the ants collect the bread of life. In another, the Little Christian, like the little engine that could, finds he is rewarded for facing his challenges. These s...

24 pages

Cast: 12 flexible.

The allegorical figure, Everyone, has only one hour left before starting his journey to Eternity. He has been instructed to find the One Person who can lead him to the town of Paradise so he can avoid the town of Hell. What must he do? Who can help him? Unable to remember exactly who this One Person is, Everyone seeks out many companions: Wealth, Friendship, Good Deeds and Charity. His search includes humor and drama with an energizing ending that will command the audience to search their souls concerning their personal journey to eternity. This play can fit ...

0 pages

14 m, 8 w, 1 boy, 1 girl, and 8 to 15 flexible roles with doubling possible.

Have you ever wondered about the people who wrote the hymns that you sing in church every Sunday? What events in their lives led them to sit down and write these songs - songs that would eventually became "hymnal classics" in the Christian church? This musical uncovers the true, behind-the-scenes stories of seven people and how they were prompted by tragedy or triumph to write such treasured favorites as "Just As I Am" and "Onward, Christian Soldiers." In addition, a beautiful, original song "Bringing a Hymn to Life," is also included. Told in a series of vig...

18 pages

10 m, 5 w, 13 flex, extras, doubling possible.

When is doing homework fun? Bookworms, Herman and Digger, take the bite out of a book report assignment for frustrated and bored Christopher. The Word of God comes to life as Biblical figures enter Christopher's bedroom through a life-sized "Holy Bible." These historians tell their story with humor intermixed with the witty bickering of the lovable bookworms. You'll enjoy a new look at your favorite Bible heroes and heroines, such as the bravery of Joseph as he is sold into slavery by his spiteful brothers or the adventure of Moses and the hapless Israelites at the parting of the Red Sea.