Can’t Find Christmas

Bonnie is disillusioned with Christmas preparations. She feels distant from the holiness and merriment of the season. Over coffee, her friend Kate explains how hope, joy, love, and peace surround those who open their hearts to the real meaning of Christmas. Vignettes of a family decorating their home, children visiting Santa at the mall, a Sunday School class rehearsing its pageant, and last year’s Christmas Eve service prove her point. Music includes traditional carols, and instrumental solos between scenes. 
Cast size variable. Can be 15-25. Set has two parts – living room for Bonnie and Kate, another side for each vignette. While props are changed for the four scenes, solemn instrumental music is played. When Bonnie and Kate speak, scene actors are frozen in place. While they speak, the women freeze. If stage has lighting, half the set can be in darkness. Time is the present.

Getting the Message

Winifred, Maude, and Florence, cranky old sisters, don’t bother with Christmas anymore. Their new neighbors, however, don’t know that, and all these nice people keep coming to the door. They cause the sisters to realize they are missing out on so much by rejecting their past faith. Tom, the man next door, teaches music lessons as well, and the sounds the women hear through the wall touch their hearts eventually. Music utilizes a number of instrumentalists from beginner to advanced.
Cast size variable. Can be up to 25. Set has two parts – the sisters’ living room, and Tom’s apartment, separated by an invisible wall. The quality of the music increases with each music student, but all are interpreted as beautiful. Time is the present.  

I Heard It On the Radio

Richard just wants to relax after a hard day at the office. He finds out too late his wife has scheduled their annual Christmas party for that evening. He distances himself from the guests and frequently tunes in the radio, searching for news on the impending snowstorm. What he hears instead are snatches of Christmas carols and readings from the Bible. The guests share stories on the significance of the holiday. When the church bus full of Sunday School children slides into the ditch, Richard learns the meaning of having room at the inn.
Cast size variable. Can be 19-30. Set is a home in the 1950s. To the side is a set-up of a radio station, with a large (non-functioning) microphone. As Richard turns the radio dial, the singers and announcers take their cue and perform immediately. The two main acting couples are similar to the Ricardos and Mertz’s of ‘I Love Lucy’.

The Christmas Commercial

Holly is put in charge of a major campaign at the ad agency. The problem is, her boss doesn’t understand what his client means when he says he wants the TV commercial to present the true spirit of Christmas. The employees present ideas that just aren’t right. Holly asks the public for help. Their ideas are wacky. Then a maid sings to herself as she cleans the office and Holly finally understands that Christmas is Christ. She sells a beautiful and humble idea for the commercial to the client.
Cast size variable. Can be 20 or more. Set is an office. For one scene cast will be assembled in front of the stage area. Time is the present.