Director’s Notes: I love old Twilight Zone episodes. So, I wrote this drama as if the mom has a magical remote. It’s pretty wacky but gets it’s point across.
BTW, I borrowed the ending from the Simpsons…
Cast:
Beth: Mom
Diane: Beth’s daughter
Rod Serling: Someone talking into a mike.
Props:
A remote
Boombox (prop only)
3 songs (1 heavy metal, 1 Johnny Mathis or the like, and 1 Beatles)
Twilight Zone theme (you can find this on the net)
Couch (or 2 chairs put together)
Setting:
Inside a family room.
(LIGHTS UP CENTER STAGE)
(Beth is lying on a couch, exhausted. She has the tv remote in her hand and is watching a show. Diane enters with boombox in hand blaring some heavy metal music)
Beth: Diane? DIANE!!!
Diane: What?
Beth: Would you please turn that off?
Diane: Why?
Beth: Because I ASKED YOU TO!
Diane: (exasperated) Whatever. (turns it off)
Beth: Honestly, young lady, I work my fingers to the bone for you and all I ask for is a little peace and quiet.
Diane: Doesn’t look like you’re working to me.
Beth: What? Do you have any idea what I’ve done all day? I’ve done 4 loads of laundry, cleaned the house from top to bottom, drove you and Tina over to the mall, picked you two up from the mall, made dinner and gave Timmy a bath.
Diane: Is that it?
Beth: Is that it? You don’t appreciate anything I do.
Diane: Whatever.
Beth: Argh! Would you stop (accidentally pushes remote. Diane freezes.)
Beth: Wha? Diane? (walks around her and as she looks at the remote, it dawns on her that the remote must be magical) Oh wow. What is going on?
Narrator: (Plays twilight zone theme) Beth Raymond, an ordinary mother in an ordinary suburban house on an extraordinary day. Yes, today is different. Today is Mother’s day. But not any Mother’s day but Mother’s Day in the Twilight Zone.
Beth: Okay so I said ‘Stop’ and I must have hit the stop button. Hmmm. I wonder what would happen if I hit rewind?
Diane: (Diane backs up to where she started…)
Beth: Cool! Now, let’s start over. No, wait. Let’s program the remote for something a little different. (sits down on couch) And, GO!
Diane: (Diane walks in listening to Johnny Mathis)
Beth: Diane?
Diane: Yes, mother?
Beth: Would you please turn that off?
Diane: Why of course, dear mother. (turns it off)
Beth: Thank you.
Diane: No, mother, thank you. Thank you for everything you do! Thank you for driving us and thank you for washing clothes and cleaning and loving us! Ohhh, mother!
Beth: Um, no problem honey. Do you want to watch TV with me?
Diane: Oh no, mother, I wouldn’t think of barging in on your quiet time. But perhaps you would like me, your humble daughter, to read a poem I wrote about how wonderful you are!
Beth: Uh, sure.
Diane: Mother, mother, how great you are.
You are so wonderful, a shining star.
You are my mother, oh yes, my mother!
There is no other, my mother…
Beth: Stop! (Beth presses the remote and Diane freezes.) Mother is getting ill! This isn’t what I wanted. I don’t want some sort of sweetening-sick zombie-daughter. I just want her to obey me. Hmmm, okay, last try. (presses some buttons – Diane goes back to where she was.)
Beth: Okay, GO!
Diane: (Enters listening to the Beatles)
Beth: Diane?
Diane: Yeah?
Beth: Would you please turn that off?
Diane: (turns it off) What, don’t like the Beatles?
Beth: I was always a Monkee’s fan.
Dave: (Joking) Ah, mom, I can’t take you anywhere!
Beth: Sue me.
Diane: Tough day, eh?
Beth: Yeah. Some Mother’s day.
Diane: Well, how about we just sit here and hang out, eat some ice cream and just watch some TV?
Beth: That would be great.
Diane: Cool. I have a couple of hours before Zog from the planet Zygorf picks me up in his space craft.
Beth: (looks at Diane, then at the remote, then at the audience).
Beth: Eh, close enough.
(twilight zone theme)
(LIGHTS FADE OUT)
END
(c) 1999 Dave Marsh
Hello and welcome to Stage Right, the online drama ministry of EXW. My name is Dave Marsh and there are a few things you should probably know about me. First, I’m not a ‘theatre guy.’ I’ve never quoted Shakespeare (at least seriously), and I’ve never played Daddy Warbucks in Annie. Second, I received my ‘training’ in writing, directing, and acting at a church called Willow Creek (in Illinois.) Third, I’m an online games producer by trade but my real passion is found in telling others about Christ through contemporary church drama.
I have a few opinions about drama in the church as well. I think that contemporary drama is both underutilized and misunderstood. I believe it is something like 5-10 years behind contemporary worship. When many churches think about using drama, it usually involves the Passion Play or a children’s Christmas musical. Many people don’t have the opportunity to experience what are called ‘slice of life’ dramas. These dramas may last only 3-4 minutes long but create a powerful (and many times humorous) illustration on any given Sunday. I also believe that any church, no matter what size, can use drama effectively, giving God glory, and inspire/convict normal folks like you and I to walk closer to God
So, what’s Stage Right all about? It’s about offering you the advice and resources you need to help you create and act in contemporary Christian dramas. I’m no expert, but I’ve seen lives changed as I continue to strive for excellence in this area, constantly praying that God would use me to tell others about how to live for Him. Over the coming weeks and months, I hope to provide you with articles about creating a drama philosophy, working with your pastor, developing a team, writing short effective scripts, directing actors, and acting on stage. I also look forward to hearing from you, taking suggestions on topics that you feel should be covered
Over the last 3 years, I’ve written over 45 dramas that are easy to memorize, require few actors, and are highly humorous and relevant. These dramas are available to you for free and will be added to this site over the course of the next few months. You can currently download all of these dramas from my personal site (www.dave-marsh.com) and can contact me personally if you wish (dave).
I look forward to serving you here at EXW and want to thank Steve for asking me to jump on board.
In His hands
Dave Marsh