Director’sNotes: Pastor Stark was doing a series called ‘Regis and Jesus: Same Questions, Different Answers.’ It was an excellent series on asking people what their final answer is when it comes to marriage, kids, and career. Well, naturally, I had to do a ‘Millionaire’ knock-off. I thought it would be interesting if the final million dollar question was totally subjective and, more importantly, eternally important…
Cast:
Regis: (Host of Who Wants
to be a Millionaire?)
Jim: (A contestant)
Laura: (Jim’s wife)
Ray (Your pastor): (A life
line)
Props:
2 chairs (about 4 feet apart
facing each other)
Powerpoint presentation
(found here)
Setting:
The set of a game show.
(LIGHTS UP CENTER STAGE with
Regis and Jim sitting there.) (It would be great if you taped and played
the theme. I found it on the web and recorded each part and burned it to
a CD…)
Regis: Well, welcome back
to Who Wants to be a Millionaire?! If you missed it, young Jim Duncan here
has us all on the edge of our seats! With the help of two of his lifelines,
Jim has breezed through the questions here like no other contestant! And
now he’s on the verge of winning 1 million dollars! Jim, in your wildest
dreams, could you ever imagine this happening?
Jim: Not really. I mean,
I had a little trouble with the interpretive ancient Hebrew dance question
and that one about the US value of 126,423 francs was a bit bothersome
but I’m feeling pretty good about it now.
Regis: Well I should say
so! Tell us a bit more about yourself Jim.
Jim: Well, I live in a college
town in Virginia and I work in admissions at a junior college there called
Piedmont. I enjoy hiking and relaxing.
Regis: Well, if you get this
next question right, you’re gonna have a lot more time for that! We know
your wife Laura is in the audience. Laura, can you believe this guy? You
must be pretty proud.
Laura: I sure am, Regis.
Regis: What will you two
do if he wins the million dollars?
Laura: You mean WHEN he wins
the million right?
Regis: Whoa! She’s more confident
than he is!
Laura: Well, I’m going shopping
in Richmond. Jim has to cut the grass.
Regis: Whoa!
Jim: She’s just joking around
Regis!
Laura: No I’m not.
Regis: Okay, okay, okay.
Well, you two will have to work that out. Maybe a compromise is a gold
plated lawn mower eh?
Jim: (laughs)
Regis: Well, I think it’s
about time we get to the million dollar question, don’t you?
Jim: I’m ready.
Regis: Well, you’ve got 1
life line left. You’ve got Laura in the audience and you have all of us
rooting for you so let’s play Who Wants to be a Millionaire?!
(PLAY ‘thinking’ music)
Regis: (Reads question) Which
one of these describes your relationship with Jesus Christ?
Not Interested
Spiritual Seeker
Casual Christian
Committed Believer
Jim: Wha? What kind of question
is this?
Regis: I don’t write em?
I just read em and make a lot of money doing so.
Jim: Well, hmmm. (looks over
the question over and over)
Regis: You’ve still got a
life line left if you want to use it.
Jim: (pauses a lot between
the following sentences) Yeah, I know. It’s just that I don’t think about
this too much. I mean, I went to church as a kid but they didn’t talk about
this. And now I go every once in a while. Hmmm. (thinks more) Okay, I’ll
phone a friend.
Regis: Okay, who are we calling?
Jim: Well, I thought I’d
call my pastor. His name is Ray Stark.
Regis: Well, that would be
perfect now wouldn’t it. If anyone knows the answer it’s him. Okay, our
friends at AT&T are going to give him a call.
Ray: Hello?
Regis: Hello Ray? Regis
Philbin here from ABC’s Who Wants to be a Millionaire.
Ray: Hey Reg!
Regis: Hello. We’ve got someone
here you know – Jim Duncan and he’s going for the million dollar question
so he’s really counting on you.
Ray: Well, I’ll do the best
I can.
Regis: That’s all we can
ask. Okay, the next voice you’ll hear is Jim’s. You have 30 seconds and
it starts now.
Jim: (Reads question) Which
one of these describes your relationship with Jesus Christ?
Not Interested
Spiritual Seeker
Casual Christian
Committed Believer
Ray: You mean your relationship
with Christ?
Jim: Yeah. My relationship.
Ray: Hmmm.
Jim: Hurry Ray. I’ve only
got 15 seconds left.
Ray: Well I’m afraid I can’t
help you there, Jim. I have no idea.
Jim: What do you mean? You’re
a pastor for crying out loud. What do you think?
Ray: It doesn’t matter what
I think. The answer to the question is between you and God.
Jim: But…
Regis: Time’s up Jim. Well,
the only question I have for you is: What’s your final answer?
(LIGHTS OUT SLOWLY)
END
(c) 2000 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