A Manger Mix-Up

A reader’s theatre play. Howard Sinclair is ready to direct the church’s outdoor manger pageant again, but since the previous one five years ago was a complete disaster, his wife Gladys wants everything to run smoothly. But of course that doesn’t happen! First the rented animals are delivered a week early, but instead of a camel, a goat is sent and it promptly starts eating the neighbor’s bushes. To appease their prickly neighbor, Howard agrees to let him play the part of a shepherd, even though another church member had been promised the role. Then there’s the elderly Mrs. Quimby who fell off the donkey the last time, but once again wants to play Mary. And finally, the guys playing the wise men argue over who will carry the gold. With all the bickering, how can this pageant even go on? Reverend Crosby helps them resolve their difficulties and the pageant turns out to be a medium for reconcilement, forgiveness and the healing of old wounds. This play is ideal for a reader’s theatre presentation. About 20-25 minutes.