The White Christmas and other Merry Plays
Walter Ben Hare
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THE WHITE CHRISTMAS
AND OTHER
MERRY CHRISTMAS PLAYS
BY
WALTER BEN HARE
AUTHOR OF THE PLAYS
"_Aaron Boggs, Freshman_," "_Abbu San of Old Japan_," "_Civil
Service_," "_A College Town_," "_Kicked Out of College_," "_Macbeth a
la Mode_," "_Mrs. Tubbs of Shantytown_," "_Parlor Matches_," "_A Poor
Married Man_," "_My Irish Rose_," "_A Rustic Romeo_," "_Savageland_,"
"_A Southern Cinderella_," etc.
ILLUSTRATED BY
BUCKTON NENDICK
CHICAGO
T.S. DENISON & COMPANY
PUBLISHERS
COPYRIGHT, 1917
BY
EBEN H. NORRIS
MADE IN U.S.A.
[Illustration: From "ANITA'S SECRET OR CHRISTMAS IN THE STEERAGE"]
THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED
WITH THE BEST WISHES OF THE AUTHOR
TO
FRANCES MAAS ULLMANN
THE ORIGINAL
"ANITA"
AND
LUDWIG BLOCK ULLMANN
THE ORIGINAL
"JOLLY JACK FROST"
* * * * *
"I have always thought of Christmas time ... as a good time;
a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time; the only time
... when men and women seem by one consent to open their
shut-up hearts freely ...; and I say, God bless it!"
CHARLES DICKENS.
FOREWORD
In these little plays I have tried to bring before the public the two
dominant characteristics of the ideal Christmas season, kindness,
expressed by "good will toward men," and the inward joy wrought by
kind acts, and suggested by "peace on earth." As Yuletide draws near
we like to think of the swell of Christmas feeling, kindness, peace
and good will, that rises like a mighty tide over the world, filling
it with the fresh, clean joys and generous impulses that produce the
peace that passeth understanding.
Some of the plays are filled with the spirit of fun and jollity that
is always associated with Christmas merrymaking; in others I have
tried to emphasize the spiritual blessings brought to the children of
men on that first white Christmas night when Christ, the Lord, was
born in Bethlehem, and all the angels sang, "Gloria in excelsis, peace
on earth, good will toward men."
CHILDREN IN PLAYS.
The love of mimetic representation, either as a participant or as a
spectator, is an ineradicable instinct of childhood and adolescence.
Most of these plays call for a somewhat large number of children. This
need not daunt the producer as the chief characters are few and many
of the parts have very few lines to speak. Many extra children may be
introduced in several of the plays, as a chorus. At Christmas time,
the children's season, it is best to allow all who so desire to take
part in the entertainment. Some of the parts are rather long, but all
have been played by children of the age indicated in the text. Very
little children have sometimes done remarkable work in the plays. I
remember one instance when a very tiny Tiny Tim, who was not four
years old, spoke his part correctly, was heard in every corner of the
church and acted with a naturalness that was indeed remarkable.
REHEARSALS.
First and foremost, do _not_ over-rehearse your play. The chief charm
in Christmas plays lies in their naturalness and simplicity, a part of
which is almost sure to be lost if they have rehearsed the play until
they have lost their wonder and excitement and enjoyment in the
make-believe game of amateur theatricals.
The director's aim should be to establish a happy co-operation with
the players that will make the whole production, rehearsals, dress
rehearsals and final performance, a series of good times crowned by a
happy, if not perfect, production. The director should always strive
to be cheerful and happy, ever ready to give advice and ever ready to
ask for advice, even from the youngest players. Take them into your
confidence. Discuss color schemes, costuming, property making,
lighting and scenic effects with your actors.
At the first rehearsal have the children listen to a reading of the
play. Then read a short scene in detail, allowing each actor to read
several parts. Try every child in every child's part before you make
your final selection of the cast of characters. If it is possible,
begin your second rehearsal on the stage where the play is to be
given. Arrange chairs to represent entrances, doors, windows, etc.,
and have all properties on hand, in order to impress on the children's
minds the necessity of learning the words and the action at the same
time. At the third rehearsal the play should be given in its entirety,
music, gestures, entrances, exits, groupings and crossing from one
side of the stage to another at a given cue, etc. In fact, everything
as in the completed production, except that the actors may use their
copies of the play for reading the lines.
DELAYS.
The director should make every effort to guard against stage waits and
delays of every sort. Have your stage hands, prompter, property
managers, scene painters and all your assistants on hand at every
rehearsal, if possible. Long waits between the acts, tardiness in
beginning the performance, and all delays do much to destroy an
otherwise happy impression. Every piece of scenery, every costume,
every bit of make-up and every property should be in its place--all
ready to make a smooth final performance. Dress rehearsals are
absolutely necessary. The last two rehearsals should be complete
performances of the play with lights, curtains, costumes, make-up,
scenery and all incidentals exactly as they are to be on the night of
the performance.
With such preparation, scarcely anything is impossible of attainment.
The pleasure of the work and the pride in a production well done will
amply repay an ungrudging lavishment of time and labor.
WALTER BEN HARE.
_Drury College_,
_Springfield, Mo._
* * * * *
STAGE DIRECTIONS.
Stage directions are purposely simplified and few abbreviations used.
_R._ means right of the stage: _C._, center; _L._, left, etc. The
actor is supposed to be facing the audience.
MUSIC.
Music is provided for a few of the songs in this book. The others are
to be sung to old airs that are presumably familiar to everyone. If
any of them should prove unfamiliar, the music of all except some of
the hymns will be found in Denison's "_Songs Worth While_," one of the
best arranged and most carefully edited collections of old favorites
ever published. This book is beautifully printed on non-glossy paper,
measuring 7 by 10-1/4 inches, and is well bound in a stout paper cover
done in colors. It may be obtained from the publishers for the price
of $1.00, postpaid.
For all the hymns not included in "_Songs Worth While_," see any
standard church hymnal.
CONTENTS
The White Christmas (8 Male, 7 Female Adults) 13
Anita's Secret or Christmas in the Steerage
(1 Male Adult, 9 Boys, 7 Girls) 49
Christmas With the Mulligan's (2 Female Adults,
5 Boys, 5 Girls) 93
The Wishing Man (4 Male Adults, 13 Boys,
7 Girls) 131
A Christmas Carol or the Miser's Yuletide
Dream (10 Male, 5 Female Adults, 4 Boys,
4 Girls) 167
Her Christmas Hat (4 Male, 5 Female Adults) 203
THE WHITE CHRISTMAS
[Illustration:
JOSEPH MARY SIMEON
TIMOTHY ISAAC ANNA THOMAS
RUTH RACHEL DEBORAH PRISCILLA
MELCHOIR GASPAR BALTASAR PROLOGUE]
THE WHITE CHRISTMAS
A CHRISTMAS MORALITY PLAY IN ONE ACT.
_Originally produced by the Quadrangle Club of the University of
Missouri, Christmas Eve, 1909._
CHARACTERS.
MARY _The Maiden Mother_
JOSEPH _Of the House of David_
SIMEON _An Old Shepherd_
TIMOTHY _A Shepherd, the Husband of Anna_
ISAAC _A Young Shepherd_
ANNA _The Wife of Timothy, the Shepherd_
THOMAS _Her Little Son_
RUTH _Her Little Daughter_
DEBORAH _Hostess of an Inn at Bethlehem_
RACHEL _A Maiden of Bethlehem_
PRISCILLA _Her Cousin_
MELCHOIR }
GASPAR } _The Wise Men from the East._
BALTASAR }
_A Concealed Choir. The Prologue._
_For description of costumes, arrangement of the scene, etc., see
"Remarks on the Production" at the end of the play._
TIME OF PLAYING--_About One Hour._
* * * * *
SCENE I: _Before the play begins the_ PROLOGUE _steps in front of the
curtains and addresses the congregation._
PROLOGUE.
The earth has grown old with its burden of care,
But at Christmas it always is young,
The heart of the jewel burns lustrous and fair,
And its soul, full of music, bursts forth on the air,
When the song of the angels is sung.
It is coming, Old Earth, it is coming tonight!
On the snowflakes which cover thy sod
The feet of the Christ Child fall gentle and white,
And the voice of the Christ Child tells out with delight,
That mankind are the children of God.
On the sad and the lonely, the wretched and poor,
The voice of the Christ Child shall fall;
And to every blind wanderer open the door
Of hope that he dared not to dream of before,
With a sunshine of welcome for all.
--_Phillips Brooks._
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from
Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. And this taxing
was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria. And all went to be
taxed, every one into his own city.
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth,
into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because
he was of the house and lineage of David. To be taxed with Mary his
espoused wife....
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished
that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her first born
son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger;
because there was no room for them in the inn.
(_Exit_ PROLOGUE.)
(_Soft chimes. As these chimes die away in the distance a concealed
choir is heard singing._)
O COME, COME, AWAY.
O come, come away
From labor now reposing,
Let busy care a while forbear;
O come, come away.
(_The front curtains are drawn, showing a winter street in Bethlehem.
No one appears on the stage, but the choir continues singing outside
at right front._)
Come, come, our social joys renew,
And thus where trust and friendship grew,
Let true hearts welcome you,
O come, come away.
RACHEL _and_ PRISCILLA _enter from the inn at right front, arm in arm.
They go to the center, then to the rear of the stage, turn and face
the inn, pause a moment or two, listening to the choir, and then go
out at rear left. The choir continues:_
From toils and the cares
On which the day is closing,
The hour of eve brings sweet reprieve,
O come, come away.
O come where love will smile on thee,
And round its hearth will gladness be,
And time fly merrily,
O come, come away.
_While the choir is singing the last three lines of the song_, SIMEON
_and_ ISAAC _enter from rear left, leaning on their shepherd's crooks.
They pause at rear center and listen to the singing. When the song is
finished the organ continues the same music softly._
SIMEON.
Make haste, my son, the hour is waxing late,
The night is cold, methinks our sheep await.
ISAAC.
Nay gran'ther, I would liefer tarry here.
The town is gay, the inns are full of cheer.
SIMEON (_points to rear right_).
But there our duty lies, the wind grows cold!
Come, let's away and put the sheep in fold.
(_Starts off right._)
ISAAC.
Nay, Simeon, wait! What means this crowd of men
And women here in peaceful Bethlehem?
SIMEON (_comes to him_).
Herod the King hath issued a decree
That each and all his subjects taxed be;
And every one who in this town saw light
Must here return and register tonight.
From all Judea, aye, from th' distant land,
Each Bethlehemite must come at his command.
ISAAC (_comes to the doorway of the inn and peers in_).
The town is full of people, great and small,
Each inn is crowded to its very wall.
SIMEON (_comes down center and takes his arm_).
But come, we're wasting time, 'tis very late.
Make haste, my son, I know the flocks await!
ISAAC.
Thou speakest true, though I would rather stay,
Our duty calls, so to the hills, away!
(_They go out at rear right._)
_The concealed choir repeats the first stanza of the song softly.
After a slight pause_ DEBORAH _enters from the inn._
DEBORAH (_coming down to right front_).
My inn is crowded to the doors. The heat
Is stifling, but out here the air is sweet.
(_Looks upward._)
The bright stars twinkle with mysterious light,
Methinks there's something strange about the night.
_She sits on the bench in front of the inn._ TIMOTHY _enters from rear
left._ DEBORAH _continues her soliloquy._
The air is still, the night is very cold,
The shepherds seek the hills to watch the fold.
(_Sees him._)
(TIMOTHY _goes out at rear R._)
DEBORAH.
Some strange, unearthly voice seems calling me,
Methinks this night portends great things to be.
_Enter_ RACHEL _and_ PRISCILLA _from rear right, then come down center
and address the hostess._
RACHEL.
Hail, hostess of the inn, my cousin here
Hath lodgings at your inn. We'd seek its cheer.
DEBORAH (_rises_).
Enter within. My guests tonight are gay
And fain would turn this winter's night to day.
RACHEL _and_ PRISCILLA _enter the inn, followed by_ DEBORAH. _The
organ music continues softly. After a slight pause enter_ ANNA _from
rear left. She leads_ RUTH _and_ THOMAS _by the hand._
THOMAS (_at rear center_).
Oh, mother, hark! There's music in the inn!
ANNA.
'Tis not for us--their noise and merry din.
RUTH.
Our little town is crowded, joyous, gay.
THOMAS.
So many travelers came this way today.
RUTH.
The night is chill and cold, I much do fear
The little sheep will shiver by the mere.
ANNA.
Too cold it is for thee, I fear, in truth,
Return and get thy cloak, my little Ruth.
We'll wait for thee upon the little hill.
(_Points off R._)
But speed thy steps, the cold will work thee ill.
RUTH.
I'll fly, dear mother, like an arrow home.
(_Runs out at L._)
ANNA.
We must not tarry. Come, my Thomas, come!
(_She leads him out at rear R. There is a pause. The music changes to
a mysterious plaintive air. The old German song, Holy Night, may be
effectively introduced as an organ solo._)
_Enter from rear right,_ JOSEPH, _walking with a staff and supporting_
MARY.
MARY.
Here is a place, now I must rest awhile!
For many a league, for many a weary mile,
We've trudged along since break of day began.
JOSEPH.
'Tis true, and I'm an old and ancient man,
My joints are stiff, my bones are waxing old--
And the long night is bitter, bitter cold.
Here take my cloak and keep thee warm within,
And wait thee here while I search out an inn.
(_He wraps his cloak around her and seats her on the bench or stool in
front of the manger. He goes out at rear left. The music changes to
the Magnificat, to be found in all Episcopal hymnals._)
MARY (_sings_).
My soul doth magnify the Lord: and my spirit hath rejoiced in God
my Saviour.
For he hath regarded: the lowliness of his handmaiden.
For behold, from henceforth: all generations shall call me blessed.
For he that is mighty has magnified me: and holy is his Name.
And his mercy is on them that fear him: throughout all generations.
He hath showed strength with his arm: he hath scattered the proud
in the imagination of their hearts.
He hath put down the mighty from their seat: and hath exalted the
humble and meek.
He hath filled the hungry with good things: and the rich he hath
sent empty away.
He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel: as he
promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed, forever.
_Enter_ JOSEPH _from rear L._
JOSEPH.
For hours I've trudged the street in fruitless quest,
Here is an inn, mayhap at last we'll rest.
_Enter_ DEBORAH _from the inn._
MARY.
Husband, I'm faint; I can no farther go.
Methinks I'll rest me here upon this loe.
(_Sits in front of the manger._)
JOSEPH (_assisting her_).
Have courage, Mary, here's the hostess here.
(_Comes to_ DEBORAH _at right._)
We'd lodge with thee tonight.
DEBORAH.
Alas, I fear
My inn is crowded to the very wall,
Soldiers and scribes, the rich, the great, the small!
JOSEPH.
Is there room for us? My wife is ill.
DEBORAH.
My heart is sad and it is not my will
To send you hence, but naught is left to do.
Perhaps some other inn will shelter you.
JOSEPH.
Alas, the other inns are all the same!
DEBORAH.
Never was seen the like in Bethlehem.
(_Laughter and noise at R._)
My guests are merry, hear their jovial din!
(_Goes to R._)
I pity you, there's no room at the inn.
(_Exits into the inn._)
MARY.
Our last hope gone! Now, what shall we do?
My strength is leaving!
(_Bows head._)
JOSEPH.
Would I could succor you.
I'll wrap thee warm. Now rest thee here a while.
We've traveled far, full many a weary mile.
_Enter_ RUTH _from rear L., hurrying along._
JOSEPH.
Maiden, I fain would stop thee in thy flight--
Can'st tell where we could lodge this winter night?
RUTH.
That inn is crowded. There's one upon the hill.
JOSEPH.
I've tried them all, my wife is very ill.
RUTH.
That little stable there upon the loe,
(_Points to L front._)
'Tis snug and warm. 'Twill shield thee from the snow.
MARY (_rises_).
God's blessing on thy little head, sweet child!
Come, Joseph, for the wind now waxes wild.
(_Exits L. front._)
(JOSEPH _leads her to exit L., then turns and looks off R._)
JOSEPH.
O little town of Bethlehem,
How still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by.
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
(_Turns toward manger._)
The everlasting Light;
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight.
(RUTH _stands at rear C., watching him._)
_The curtains slowly fall._
Scene II: _Hymn by the congregation._
WHILE SHEPHERDS WATCHED THEIR FLOCKS.
While shepherds watched their flocks by night,
All seated on the ground.
The angel of the Lord came down,
And glory shone around,
And glory shone around.
"Fear not," said he,--for mighty dread
Had seized their troubled mind,
"Glad tidings of great joy I bring,
To you and all mankind,
To you and all mankind."
"To you in David's town this day,
Is born of David's line,
The Saviour, who is Christ, the Lord,
And this shall be the sign,
And this shall be the sign."
"The heav'nly babe you there shall find
To human view displayed,
All meanly wrapped in swathing bands,
And in a manger laid,
And in a manger laid."
Thus spake the seraph--and forthwith
Appeared a shining throng
Of angels, praising God, who thus
Addressed their joyful song,
Addressed their joyful song:--
"All glory be to God on high,
And to the earth be peace;
Good will henceforth, from heav'n to men,
Begin and never cease,
Begin and never cease."
_The_ PROLOGUE _appears before the curtains and speaks._
PROLOGUE.
There's scarlet holly on the streets, and silver mistletoe;
The surging, jeweled, ragged crowds forever come and go.
And here a silken woman laughs, and there a beggar asks--
And, oh, the faces, tense of lip, like mad and mocking masks.
Who thinks of Bethlehem today, and one lone winter night?
Who knows that in a manger-bed there breathed a Child of Light?
There's fragrant scent of evergreen upon the chilling air;
There's tinsel tawdriness revealed beneath the sunlight's glare;
There's Want and Plenty, Greed and Pride--a hundred thousand souls,
And, oh, the weary eyes of them, like dull and sullen coals.
Who knows the town of Bethlehem, once gleamed beneath the star,
Whose wondrous light the shepherds saw watching their flocks afar?
And yet above the city streets, above the noise and whir,
There seems to come a fragrant breath of frankincense and myrrh.
I saw a woman, bent and wan, and on her face a light
The look that Mary might have worn that other Christmas night.
And as the little children passed, and one lad turned and smiled,
I saw within his wistful eyes the spirit of the Child.
--_Caroline Reynolds._
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field,
keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the
Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them;
and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good
tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is
born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the
Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in
swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host
praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth
peace, good will toward men.
And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into
heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto
Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord
hath made known to us.
And they came with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe
lying in a manger. (_Exit_ PROLOGUE _at L._)
(_Soft chimes are heard. The_ SHEPHERDS, _accompanied by the concealed
choir, are heard singing:_)
LEAD, KINDLY LIGHT
Lead, kindly Light, amid th' encircling gloom,
Lead Thou me on!
The night is dark and I am far from home;
Lead Thou me on!
Keep Thou my feet, I do not ask to see
The distant scene; one step enough for me.
_As the_ SHEPHERDS _begin on the second stanza of the hymn, the
curtains rise disclosing the same scene as before._ SIMEON, TIMOTHY
_and_ ISAAC _discovered seated in a group at rear center, singing._
THOMAS _stands by his father._
So long Thy pow'r hath blest me, sure it still
Will lead me on
O'er moor and fen, o'er crag and torrent, till
The night is gone,
And with the morn those angel faces smile
Which I have loved long since, and lost a-while.
SIMEON.
Methought I heard a whir of wings on high.
TIMOTHY.
I see naught save the snow and starry sky.
ISAAC.
We've come a long and mighty step today,
From o'er the frosty hills and far away.
THOMAS (_pointing over the manger_).
Look, father, dost thou see that shining star
That seems to stand above the town so far?
'Tis like a wondrous blossom on a stem,
And see, it ever shines o'er Bethlehem!
TIMOTHY.
A brighter star, I'm sure I never saw--
And perfect form, without a speck or flaw.
SIMEON.
A stranger star! It never shone before,
It standeth still above that stable door.
_Enter_ ANNA _and_ RUTH _from rear left._ ANNA _carries a little
lamb._
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