The King Is Here is a 47 page musical play with 14 songs and 23 narrations and dialogues that can be produced very simply on a small stage or platform, which would be available in most schools and churches. It has actually been performed without a stage. In the productions that I have directed, we used only basic lighting. If available, occasional spotlights may be used, as desired, for the skits, dialogues, etc. I have always used 3 to 4 microphones in conjunction with the orchestral sound trax, which we replayed through a sound system. It is possible, however, to produce this with as little as a boom box, or to play the music live on a piano, keyboard, or guitar, using the lead sheets. If available, a drummer and bass player may be added making a contemporary rock band. There are no vocal harmonies; the music is simple, appropriate for group singing or solos, if desired. This musical contains a total of 23 narrations and dialogues of various lengths which may be performed by a series of chosen narrators. Most are interspersed throughout the book, but three of them are included as a prelude on the lead sheets with the songs. The songs including narration are "The Boy in the Temple," "The Lord's Prayer," Triumphal Entry," and "The Great Commission." Skits (actions during songs and narratives) are optional. Suggestions are included with the readings throughout the book. Costumes are a major consideration in producing this play. They may be simple, for example, bath robes & bed sheets, or more elaborate, such as hand made or purchased costumes. Most characters require only a robe and head covering. A few characters may need more specialized costumes. For example, Jesus could be dressed in a white robe and head covering. Kings and queens would likely wear red or purple robes & crowns. If animals are desired during "Mary and Joseph," they may be dressed in sweats and masks. Props include crowns for royalty may be purchased inexpensively, or made from gold or silver tinsel or pipe cleaner. A large baby doll may be used for Baby Jesus. Various characters could carry swords or spears during certain scenes. The entire production takes slightly less than one hour. It is appropriate for school plays, presented during school hours, or as an evening performance at the school or a local church. All the songs in the book are licensed with Christian Copyright International (CCLI) and have royalty numbers assigned to them for reports of usage worldwide in the catalog - The King's Court. The lyrics are available for download and church projection on a screen at ccli.com. Jeanne Brickman
About the Author: As a Christian schoolteacher, I had a deep desire to teach Scripture to children sequentially and in a memorable way. My first idea was to gather together all the children's songs about Bible stories and arrange them chronologically. When I had finished this task, I had only a small handful of songs. At that time, reasoning that the God who had enabled a donkey to speak could use me to write songs, I began to pray that He would use me to tell History. I had virtually no knowledge of music or songwriting, but the donkey, after all, had not studied Hebrew, and so I began. When I prayed for help with music, arranging, and recording, Will Goldstein joined me in the project. I thank God for carrying me through.