The Night Shift Before Christmas

Introduction

Let Little Big Stuff serve up a down-home Christmas feast for your ears, eyes and hearts this season with the new musical for kids, The Night Shift Before Christmas. Join the other “night-owls” at Bethlehem’s only 24-hour roadside restaurant, the Falafel House!

Summary

Owner Mo has announced that the overnight business is just too slow, even with the recent census crowds, to justify staying open all night anymore. But head waitress Flo has a heart for those night-shift shepherds, the local innkeeper and the other regulars who frequent the eatery in the wee hours for their signature falafels and MLTs (mutton, lettuce and tomato sandwich).

Mo’s complaint that “nothing ever happens at night in this sleepy little town” goes down the drain with the dirty dishwater when a brilliant light splits the darkness over the fields outside of town, and surprised shepherds burst through the doors with a stunning tale of angels and an amazing birth announcement. Soon, the late-night crowd is bristling with excitement to join the shepherds to see and worship the long-awaited Savior, born during the night shift — right there in Bethlehem!

Featuring all the menu items you expect from Little Big Stuff – ultra-cool songs, solid Biblical message, fun characters and story that kids love and adults appreciate – you can dish up an unforgettable Christmas for your kids this year with The Night Shift Before Christmas.

Approximate Performance Time

39 minutes

Cast List/Character Descriptions

There are 18 speaking roles available for casting in The Night Shift Before Christmas. 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
FloFalafel House Co-Owner, Mo’s Wife, Head WaitressgirlShe’s in charge. She is the epitome of the gruff person who has a heart of gold. She’s the perfect example of a follower of Christ: No pretense, no claims of righteousness, just a child-like (but gruff) seeking heart.8
MoFalafel House Co-Owner, Flo’s Husband, CookboyHe thinks he’s in charge, but Flo really runs the place7
Lydia“New Girl” Waitress, first day on the jobgirlVery new at the restaurant. She’s a believer in prophesy, and also very childlike, but in a way totally opposite of Flo. Flo has “been there, done that.” Lydia is just experiencing the world.8
Ms. HalaOwner of the Sabbath Inn across the street from the Falafel HousegirlVery demonstrative, easily upset. A little A.D.D.5
TommyShepherdboyEverything is always bad news, until he experiences the “good news.”6
TammyShepherdgirlAll shepherds are very excitable, and very dedicated to their work. They enjoy the company of the patrons at Falafel House and are sad to hear that it will not be continuing with the night shift.
BiffShepherdboy
6
BuffyShepherdgirl
6
SkipShepherdboy
6
ScampShepherdgirl
6
BenCustomer at the Falafel HouseboyA customer from “way out of town,” visiting the Falafel House.4
LisaCustomer at the Falafel HousegirlA customer at the Falafel House, in town for the census.3
JoshCustomer at the Falafel HouseboyA late-night customer at the Falafel House.2
MaryNon-SpeakinggirlTypical Nativity scene character.2
JosephNon-SpeakingboyTypical Nativity scene character.2
AngelsNon-Speakinggirls/boysTypical Nativity scene character.2
AnimalsNon-Speakinggirls/boysTypical Nativity scene animals--cows, sheep, etc.2
CustomersNon-Speakinggirls/boysAny number of late-night customers at the Falafel House.7
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

Promo Video

SoundFX

For those who are performing with "live" accompaniment, we provide a free download of the Sound Effects on the SoundFX Page, or by clicking the download link below!

Graphics Files

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

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