A Play in a Manger

Introduction

An Over-the-Top, Down-to-Earth Christmas Musical for Kids

Summary

The town of Centerton is preparing their annual Christmas Extravaganza–but this year it’s going to be bigger and better than ever, a real over-the-top display. The excitement is off the chart as the writer and director and legend-in-his-own-mind, Cecil V. DeVille, calls for pyrotechnics, sky-diving angels, dancing camels, and more. It’s obvious that this year’s production will be the greatest ever! But when catastrophe and calamity send those grand plans up in smoke, their epic production becomes an epic fail. Visions of grandeur are replaced with the beauty and power of the simple truth of Jesus’ birth: The Son of God, born to humble parents, lying in a simple manger, come to redeem. Now that’s epic!

Approximate Performance Time

45 minutes

Cast List/Character Descriptions

There are 18 speaking roles available for casting in A Play in a Manger. Any of the roles may be played by a boy or a girl with only slight name modifications in the script. The indications below show how we recorded them on the demonstration recording. Many roles could be played by older youth or adults.

Rotate your device horizontally to view the entire table.

NameCharacterGenderWhat They’re Like ...No. of Scenes
DeVilleDirectorboyOver-the-top, famous director. He is loud, sure of himself, but not mean. Eventually he is humbled and lets his guard down near the end.7
BaileyActor & Director’s AssistantgirlAn actor who gets wrapped up in DeVille’s production.8
TaylorActorgirlBegins “all-in” like Bailey with the excitement of the big new production, but quickly becomes concerned that the play is get- ting off-track and losing the “heart of the story.”8
StormieNews ReportergirlOn-the-scene TV reporter; bubbly and excited.8
BenProp BuilderboyGentle, wise older man who’s been around the play for years.6
FlumeMayorboyThe town Mayor who is good-natured, but likes the spotlight, and is usually concerned with votes.4
BriggsCouncilwomangirlThe town Councilwoman who is the “teammate” of Mayor Flume. They are often “jockeying” with one another for the spotlight.4
PyroPyrotechnics ExpertboyThe Hollywood pyrotechnics expert. Played in a comical way, a bit “happy-go-lucky” when it comes to the fireworks he is in charge of. Ends up covered in soot and smoke at the end (no one gets hurt, of course!)2
ChristineTV AnchorgirlA glamorous TV anchor.1
BiffTV AnchorboyA glamorous TV anchor.1
Shepherd 1ShepherdgirlA shepherd in the production.1
Shepherd 2ShepherdboyA shepherd in the production.1
Wise Man 1Wise MangirlA wise man in the production.1
Wise Man 2Wise MangirlA wise man in the production.1
Wise Man 3Wise ManboyA wise man in the production.1
MaryNon-speakinggirlTraditional nativity character.1
JosephNon-speakingboyTraditional nativity character.1
Angel(s)Non-speakinggirlTraditional nativity character.1
Click here to view the Cast List/Character Descriptions PDF

Questions or Special Requests?

Are you hoping to record your performance on video and make DVDs or put it up on the web? Please don't hesitate to contact us for this license or any other special requests or questions and we will be happy to help! Visit the Contact Page for more information.

Listen to the Musical

Directors and Choir Workers Only!
No Choir Members Allowed!

Note to Directors

Graphics Files

Free graphics files for promotion and signage. Download by clicking the "Download Graphics (.zip)" link below.

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