NOTE. If three-level platform is impracticable, same effect may be had by arranging boxes of different heights for Star Maidens, highest for 1, lower for 2, and 3. Maidens 4 and 5 will stand on platform. Characters: Five "Star Maidens." Five Attendants. All in flowing white robes. (Enter FIRST STAR MAIDEN, taking her position on highest level, center.) FIRST STAR MAIDEN (slowly, with dignity): Back of all earth's wondrous life, (Points upward, holding pose while STAR MAIDENS Two and THREE enter with two attendants. MAIDENS take position on second level, in front of and about four feet on either side of MAIDEN ONE. ATTENDANTS remain on either side, near edge of platform. Soft organ music as these enter.) SECOND AND THIRD STAR MAIDENS (in unison): "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God And thy neighbor as thyself." Upward reach to God above Outward to thy fellow men. (Gesture.) Down from above comes radiant light Down to lighten lives of man: Outward it spreads to all mankind Girdling the globe with its rays, But ne'er for one alone it shines Always for all mankind! (Enter FOURTH and FIFTH STAR MAIDENS, with three ATTENDANTS. MAIDENS take positions on lowest level, same distance in front of and each about midway of the distance between MAIDEN ONE and MAIDENS TWO and THREE. They should be about five or six feet apart. Attendants join other attendants near edge of platform on either side. Soft music as these enter.) FOURTH AND FIFTH STAR MAIDENS (in unison): Lonely, forsaken, they lie, Dying in darkness and sin. Upward to God, and outward Toward men-the story is not told Downward its rays must reach to all, Lonely, neglected, and lost, Upward, and outward, and downward- (Platform dark; soft music. ATTENDANTS quickly move to proper positions between STAR MAIDENS to form outline of fivepointed star. When all are in position, each flashes on strong electric flashlight, held high while they sing, to the tune of "O Little Town of Bethlehem.") STAR MAIDENS AND ATTENDANTS: O Glorious Star of Light Divine, To farthest ends of all the earth. It tells of glad new birth. To every soul in darkness bound, It sings of Freedom found! PARTICIPANTS AND AUDIENCE (join in singing): "Joy to the World, the Lord Is Come." Prayer and Benediction. 2. THE TRIUMPH OF HAPPINESS PROLOGUE. SYNOPSIS "Interpreter." EPISODE I. "Nothing-to-do-Town." Junior Boys, the Spirit of Gloom, the Spirit of Mischief, the Spirit of Happiness. EPISODE II. "Busyland." The Junior Boys, the Spirit of Happiness, the Happiness Helpers, a C. V. S. Primary Group, a Group of Junior Girls, a Group of Junior or Intermediate Boys. INTERLUDE. The C. V. S. Song. EPISODE III. “The Light of Happiness." Scene 1. In the Home, Pantomime by Primary Group. Scene 2. On the Playground, Junior Boys. Scene 3. Among the Lonely, Intermediate Girls. Scene 4. In the Church, a 'Summer Christmas Tree." Scene 5. In "Our Father's World." 66 EPILOGUE. "Broadcasting Happiness." The Spirit of Happiness and the Entire C. V. S. Participants lead audience to exhibitroom for the inspection of exhibit of Church Vacation School handwork. PROLOGUE "THE INTERPRETER " (If desired, THE INTERPRETER, a primary boy, may be dressed to represent an old-time town-watchman, carrying a lantern, or a town-crier, with his bell. Or he may be in a simple white suit. He should carry a long cardboard sign, with the single word "Interpreter" in big letters. This sign should be about as long as the boy is tall. It should be concealed from the audience-blank side toward them until the second line of the second stanza, when he should hold it high above his head, then put it down at his feet, so audience will see it during rest of his speech.) THE INTERPRETER (recites): I'm only a little fellow, And not so very old, But I'm really quite important, As you'll see when my story's told. To homes and playgrounds and far-away lands, Till there's no room left for doubt. That C. V. S. is like magic In driving all Gloom away, In changing the dark of sadness We welcome you heartily, friends, Setting: Platform bare, curtain background. Characters: Four Junior Boys, Harry, Jack, Tom, and Bill, in ordinary summertime play clothes. The Spirit of Gloom, an older girl or young woman, in costume of dark gray, brown, or black, with hood. The Spirit of Mischief, a Primary or Junior Girl; costume of red or other bright color. The Spirit of Happiness, an older girl or young woman. She should be the most attractive one of the three Spirits. Costume of bright yellow-flowing hair, bound with gold ribbon around forehead. Carries yellow wand about three feet long. (Enter TOM and BILL, sit down on floor or small boxes. A suggestion of a curbstone will be effective, and can be easily made by a row of small wooden boxes.) TOM: Hey, Bill, what yer doin' today? BILL: 'Lo, Tom. Doin'? Nothin' 'tall, just same as usual. What you? TOM: Same as you. What is there to do, anyway, in this dead town. Oh, there come Jack and Harry. Let's see if they've got anything to do. (Enter JACK and HARRY.) TOM: 'Lo, fellows! Where you goin'? What yer doin' today? JACK: 'Lo! Doin'? Today? Why, just the same as yesterday, I guess and that's nothin'. There ain't anything for us fellers to do in such a dead town as this place. HARRY: Right you are, Jack. Whoever named this place sure hit it right. "Nothing-to-do-Town "-that's this burg, sure enough. Say, fellows, don't you almost wish that we had school in vacationtime? I know it sounds fishy, but, gee! I'm getting tired of settin' round here on this curb every day, just watching a million or so autos go by-just goin' through the town never stoppin' at all, always goin' somewhere else. Nothin' ever happens here. TOM (looking off to right): Say, look! Who's that comin' there? Isn't she the strangest? Never saw anybody lookin' like that around here, did you? |