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Libretto for Tomie dePaola’s
The Night of Las Posadas
2nd draft
Music:
1. The Night of Las Posadas 2. The Night of Las Posadas (reprise)
3. Song of Sadness4. March of the Five Doors
5. No Room at the Inn6. I won’t Feel the Cold
7. No Room Part II 8. Maria's Prayer9. The Final Door
10. Through the Door11. Miracle
Cast:
Angie…could also play a devil
Priest…will also play a devil
Lupe…will also play Mary
Robert…will also play Joseph
Set:
A unit set…built like a box that contains wood carvings of Mary and Joseph. This can be projected on to show scene changes and illustrations from the book.
1.
Tomie dePaola’s
The Night of Las Posadas
(As the audience comes in an Overture will be played live or a pre-recorded CD will be played. At the front of the performance space is a plain wooden box, closed up. On the front of the box is projected one or more scenes from the town and church we are performing in. These can be older, historical photos or photos taken just moments before the overture started—showing the real audience parking and coming in, the farolitos being lit, etc. As the audience is seated the cue to end the overture will be given, lights will fade and a video will be shown of Tomie introducing the story.)
Introduction
Good evening and welcome. Los Posadas, an old Spanish custom which celebrates Mary and Joseph seeking shelter in Bethlehem on Christmas Eve, stems from the word posada, meaning “inn”. It began in Spain and came to the New World, first to Mexico, then to the American Southwest and now, tonight to __________________, New Hampshire.
Sister Angie (Tomie—indicates the actress as she enters with a candle in a bag) had been preparing the town for the celebration of The Night of Las Posadas for weeks.
Angie
The costumes are finished…the statues are in place…the farolitos are lit and placed throughout the town. (coughs and then shakes it off…music starts up) All the refreshments are done and…the music! Is the music finished!!!!?
1. The Night of Las Posadas
(The other three traveling singers come out to help the audience join in on the chorus. Projected on the box are photos from the town, again, with the last photo being the farolitos leading up to the front door of the church.)
VASQUEZ: GATHER ‘ROUND AND HEAR THE NEWS
COMING STRAIGHT FROM SANTA CRUZ
AT A PRICE YOU CAN’T REFUSE
SO COME ALONG WITH US
MAKE THE PREPARATIONS AND
HANG THE DECORATIONS
ANGIE AND VASQUEZ: WE’LL HAVE A CELEBRATION ON
2.
THE NIGHT OF LAS POSADAS
(Chorus) THE NIGHT OF LAS POSADAS
THE NIGHT OF LAS POSADAS
THE NIGHT OF LAS POSADAS DRAWS NEARS
THE NIGHT OF LAS POSADAS
THE NIGHT OF LAS POSADAS
THE NIGHT OF LAS POSADAS IS FINALLY HERE
LUPE: MY MOTHER INSISTS I PARTICIPATE
IN THIS SPECTACLE YEAR AFTER YEAR AFTER YEAR AFTER YEAR
IT’S NOT QUAINT, IT’S NOT FUN, READ MY LIPS, LUPE’S DONE
I CAN’T WAIT TO GET OUT OF HERE! OUT OF HERE! OUT OF HERE!
ROBERTO: AND THEY’RE MAKING ME POUR THE PUNCH AND CUT THE CAKE
ANGIE: SEW THE COSTUMES, GOODNESS SAKE
VASQUEZ: LIGHT THE FAROLITAS,
LUPE, ANGIE AND ROBERTO: SHAKE THE RUGS OUT, MAKE A FUSS
VASQUEZ: SWEEP THE FLOORS AND TRIM THE TREE
ANGIE: LIGHT A CANDLE TEARFULLY
LUPE: (spoken) Won’t somebody set me free?
ANGIE AND VASQUEZ: IN THE HOPES THAT VIRGIN MARY
BLESSES ALL OF US
3.
ANGIE, VASQUEZ, LUPE AND ROBERTO: THE NIGHT OF LAS POSADAS
THE NIGHT OF LAS POSADAS
THE NIGHT OF LAS POSADAS DRAWS NEARS
THE NIGHT OF LAS POSADAS
THE NIGHT OF LAS POSADAS
THE NIGHT OF LAS POSADAS IS FINALLY HERE
THE NIGHT OF LAS POSADAS
THE NIGHT OF LAS POSADAS
THE NIGHT OF LAS POSADAS DRAWS NEARS
THE NIGHT OF LAS POSADAS
THE NIGHT OF LAS POSADAS
THE NIGHT OF LAS POSADAS IS FINALLY HERE
(The actors playing Mary and Joseph look very modern in their dress and just stand around after the song. The priest goes to give Angie a Kleenex box and to comfort her.)
Angie
Lovely…(coughs) lovely…Oh, did I forget to mention that we’ll need your help singing some of the songs? It’s the way it has been done for centuries—The Night of Los Posadas is a celebration in song and everyone joins in! (to priest) Thank you father. (she blows her nose) Our father is going to play two parts—a priest (to audience) which should be easy for him, si? And he’ll also be our devils. Devils you say, in a Christmas Story? Just wait and see—some people think the Devils are the best part.
(Priest exits and Angie goes to actors playing Mary and Joseph—they look like typical modern teens.)
Angie
And this year I’m so proud. My niece, Lupe, and her brand new husband, Roberto, are playing the parts of Mary and Joseph. Don’t they look perfect for the parts?
(both teens slouch as music comes up…)
Don’t they look perfect for the parts?
4.
(Lupe changes her posture and Roberto does so with her help…they look a bit more like Mary and Joseph.)
(to an audience member) Do you think they look like Mary and Joseph? (negative response) Here…I know…let’s look at the carvings…(she coughs)
(Angie opens up the box at the front of the room and we see carved figures of Mary and Joseph…they are all wearing bright costumes.)
Just think of these beautiful carvings and try to look like them?
(Lupe and Roberto look at them…they both scowl a bit and look dubious.)
Lupe
We’ll try Aunt Angie…we’ll try.
Roberto
At least we don’t have to worry about a smelly burro.
(Music note—something magic with lights and we think for a moment that we hear a burro bray—a piano chord--but then back to underscoring and regular lights, no one is sure if they heard this or not.)
Angie
Costumes! (loud coughing) That’s what you are missing, your costumes! Did you forget the nice ones I made you?
(Angie closes the box and the projected scene changes to a snow storm.)
Lupe
Roberto, did you forget the costumes!?
Angie
(coughing louder, Priest comes back out—he is now wearing part of his devil costume) You forgot?
Robert
S—(looks around the audience and the room) ugar! I knew I forgot something. I’ll hop in the truck and be right back.
Lupe
I’ll come with you!
5.
Priest
Be careful of the snow! It is really starting to come down—(indicates the snow storm being projected)
Angie
We have to have costumes. We can’t have our Mary and Joseph going from house to house with no—
Priest
There, there…Angie…they’ll be right back. Roberto and Lupe just live straight up the hill…
(Angie is coughing more—being upset doesn’t help.) Angie, I think you should go in the back and rest…all of this stress and now the snow…I’m afraid you’re going to get very sick! You rest…we’ll tell you as soon as Roberto and Lupe return.
Angie
Promise?
Priest
I promise.
Angie
Are you promising me as a priest or a devil?
Priest
(he leads Angie off…) Angie…just rest, Angie…just rest…
Angie
If I fall asleep wake me as soon as Roberto and Lupe return…(yawns) with the costumes.
Priest
(shows us his crossed fingers…of course, Angie…of course.)
2. The Night of Las Posadas
VASQUEZ: THE NIGHT OF LAS POSADAS
THE NIGHT OF LAS POSADAS
6.
THE NIGHT OF LAS POSADAS DRAWS NEARS
THE NIGHT OF LAS POSADAS
THE NIGHT OF LAS POSADAS
THE NIGHT OF LAS POSADAS IS FINALLY HERE
(Song reprises…this time Priest will lead the chorus…)
(After a few lines the song is interrupted and the music stops abruptly—slide changes to a truck off the road in the snow.)
Voice
(over loud speaker or can be an audience member) Ohh, Noooo!
Priest
(leads everyone) What!? What is it?
Voice
Tragedy!
Priest
(and everyone) Tragedy!?
Voice
Roberto’s truck slid off the road and it won’t be until morning that they’ll be free!
Priest
(leads everyone as sadness song starts…) Oh, no! (to audience) Let’s not tell Angie…there is nothing she can do about it…(gets quieter) I’m afraid it’ll just make her sicker…
Angie
(comes out looking even sicker…) Not tell me what?
Voice
Roberto’s truck slid off the road and it won’t be until morning that they’ll be free!
7.
3. Song of Sadness
ANGIE: OH, WHAT TERRIBLE NEWS TO BRING
VASQUEZ: TELL US THIS ISN’T HAPPENING
ANGIE: OUR FESTIVITIES CAN’T PROCEED
WITHOUT THE MAIN ATTRACTION
OH, THE CHAOS THAT WILL ENSUE
VASQUEZ: WHAT ON EARTH ARE WE GOING TO DO?
ANGIE AND VASQUEZ: FOILED BY INCLEMENT WEATHER
AND A SUDDEN LACK OF TRACTION
MISERY!
THIS CANNOT BE HAPPENING
OH WOE IS ME!
I CANNOT BELIEVE IT
CAN’T CONCEIVE SUCH A CATASTROPHE
COULD JUANITA PLAY MARIA?
ANGIE, VASQUEZ AND CHOIR: MISERY!
THIS CANNOT BE HAPPENING
OH WOE IS ME!
I CANNOT BELIEVE IT
CAN’T CONCEIVE SUCH A CATASTROPHE
VASQUEZ: COULD JUANITA PLAY MARIA?
ANGIE: NO, THE WOMAN’S FAR TOO CHUBBY
8.
BUT MANUEL IS BACK FROM MEXICO
SO HE COULD PLAY THE HUBBY
VASQUEZ: NO HE CAN’T; HE’S SICK IN BED
AND HE’LL BE LAYED UP FOR A WEEK OR EVEN TWO
BUT IF WE’RE DESPERATE WE COULD ASK HIS BROTHER LOU
8.
ANGIE: HIS BROTHER LOU IS BACK IN JAIL
BUT THEN THERE’S ALWAYS COUSIN CLEO
AND HER HUSBAND (WHAT’S HIS NAME AGAIN?)
VASQUEZ: TOO BAD THEY FLEW TO RIO!
ANGIE: COULD ROSITA DO IT?
VASQUEZ: MAYBE, BUT SHE STILL WON’T TALK TO DANNY
WHO’S THE ONLY DEVIL IN THE SHOW
BESIDES YOUR NEPHEW MANNY.
ANGIE: MAYBE PEDRO?
VASQUEZ: PEDRO’S FAR TOO OLD AND HAS A BROKEN PELVIS
ANGIE: AND MIRANDA WITH HER SIDEBURNS,
WELL SHE’D ALMOST PASS FOR ELVIS
VASQUEZ: ANGIE!
ANGIE: ISABELLA’S FAR TOO FRAIL TO MAKE IT OUT THE DOOR
VASQUEZ: AND POOR SOFIA CAN’T REMEMBER WHAT HER NAME IS ANYMORE,
BUT THERE’S PRISCILLA…
ANGIE: SHE HAD SURGERY AND NOW HER NAME IS DAVEY
VASQUEZ: SO THEN HE COULD BE JOSÉ
9.
ANGIE: BUT JUST LAST WEEK HE JOINED THE NAVY
VASQUEZ: HOW ‘BOUT JIM?
ANGIE: HE SMELLS LIKE STALE TEQUILA
VASQUEZ: TOM?
ANGIE: NO WAY!
VASQUEZ: HIS DAUGHTER SHEILA?
ANGIE: FATHER, THE GIRL IS FOUR YEARS OLD.
VASQUEZ, ANGIE AND CHOIR: MISERY! HOW CAN THIS BE HAPPENING
OH WOE IS ME!
I CANNOT BELIEVE IT
CAN’T CONCEIVE SUCH A CATASTROPHE
MISERY! HOW CAN THIS BE HAPPENING
OH WOE IS ME!
I CANNOT BELIEVE IT
CAN’T CONCEIVE SUCH A CATASTROPHE
Angie
(has a coughing fit and priest gets stern with her)
Priest
Sister Angie. If you don’t go back to bed immediately we will have to call the ambulance for you!
Angie
But (gestures towards the statues) the Las Posadas?
Priest
There is nothing more you or anyone else can do, Sister Angie. (Angie staggers) Now go to bed!
10.
Angie
Yes, yes…you are right…as always…(yawns, coughs and exits…)
(Lights shift and we hear the bray of the burro once more…lights stay shifted…Priest is checking the curtain, making sure it is closed—going around the back where he will disappear for a moment as he sprinkles snow on the statues and makes them wet.)
(Music plays softly in background after the burro bray.)
(After Angie’s exit…Roberto and Lupe enter but they are changed—he wears a beard, she wears a traditional scarf, their hair styles have changed, if possible, and they wear the same costumes as the statues…)
Priest
(comes around box and stops--leads audience) OHHHH! (himself) Who are you?
Lupe
(with a different accent) We are friends of Sister Angie…Roberto and Lupe are stuck in the snow so we have come to be in the procession.
(The priest can’t believe their good luck…he circles the couple looking them over closely, smelling clothes, etc.)
Roberto
(also with an accent) We know what to do and we want to be in your procession.
Priest
Hmmmn…you say you are friends of Angie’s?
Lupe
Si.
Priest
You don’t look very familiar. I think I’ll have to go wake Angie up and ask her—
Roberto
Don’t do that!
(Mystery music stops.)
11.
Priest
Don’t do that? Why not?
Lupe
We know she is very sick and we don’t want to make it worse.
Priest
Ahh…they must be good friends with Angie if they know that.
Roberto
Venerable father…
Lupe
May we be in your procession?
Priest
Venerable father—I like that. Did you bring a donkey?
Lupe
Father…father…do you really think a woman 9 months pregnant is going to want to ride a donkey?
I mean just imagine—if you can.
Priest
I can’t, actually. (looks them over again, smells clothing—it is wet from snow) Hmmmmn…
(Miracle mystery music comes up again, softly.)
Roberto and Lupe
Well? Can we?
(Music ends.)
Priest
Of course, of course! We were ready to cancel our celebration and then here you are! You may use the rest of the townspeople and whatever else you want to, yes? (asks audience) Yes?
12.
(audience responds with a loud “”YES” as music comes up for March of Five Doors…Priest helps put numbers of each door—projections change to town square…)
4. March of the Five Doors (instrumental)
(Priest exits to get his first devil mask on as Mary and Joseph begin their journey…they will go to five specific doors—either real or projected and a different masked devil will appear from each one.)
5. No Room at the Inn
CHOIR: OH, LET THE HOLY COUPLE IN
GIVE THEM SHELTER
THEY ARE WEAK AND WORN
PLEASE, LET THE HOLY COUPLE IN
LET MARIA REST SO THE HOLY CHILD CAN BE BORN
ITALIAN DEVIL: THEY CANNOT COME IN ‘CAUSE I MAKE A THE PENNE
IT TASTE VERY GOOD BUT I NOT GIVE YOU ANY
YOU CRY AND YOU BEG AND YOU FUSS AND YOU MOAN
BUT DIABLO NO LISTEN SO LEAVE HIM ALONE
AUDIENCE: NO, NO, WE WON’T LET THEM IN
SLAM THE DOOR AND TURN THE KEY
IF YOU’RE WEARY, WEAK AND THIN
DON’T LOOK HERE FOR SYMPATHY
CHOIR: OH, LET THE HOLY COUPLE IN
GIVE THEM SHELTER
THEY ARE WEAK AND WORN
13.
PLEASE, LET THE HOLY COUPLE IN
LET MARIA REST SO THE HOLY CHILD CAN BE BORN
WEALTHY TELEVANGELIST: I FEEL YOUR PAIN, INDEED I DO
IT GRIEVES ME TO THE CORE
BUT JESUS LOVES ME MORE THAN YOU
AND THAT IS WHY YOU’RE POOR
AUDIENCE: NO, NO, WE WON’T LET THEM IN
SLAM THE DOOR AND TURN THE KEY
IF YOU’RE WEARY, WEAK AND THIN
DON’T LOOK HERE FOR SYMPATHY
CHOIR: OH, LET THE HOLY COUPLE IN
GIVE THEM SHELTER
THEY ARE WEAK AND WORN…
SCOTTISH DEVIL (INTERRUPTING):
YOU CAN’T COME IN, NO YOU CAN’T COME IN
I’LL SAY IT AGAIN, NO YOU CAN’T COME IN
HEAD FOR THE HIGHLAND AND STAY OFF OF MY LAND
YOU DIRTY WEE BUGGERS YOU CAN’T COME IN!
AUDIENCE: NO, NO, WE WON’T LET THEM IN
14.
SLAM THE DOOR AND TURN THE KEY
IF YOU’RE WEARY, WEAK AND THIN
DON’T LOOK HERE FOR SYMPATHY
CHOIR: OH, LET THE HOLY COUPLE IN
GIVE THEM SHELTER
THEY ARE WEAK AND WORN
PLEASE, LET THE HOLY COUPLE IN
LET MARIA REST SO THE HOLY CHILD CAN BE BORN
ELTON JOHN DEVIL: IT’S A LITTLE BIT FUNNY
‘CAUSE HERE I AM INSIDE
AND YOU’RE OUT THERE, I WISH I CARED…
BUT I DON’T-AND I WON’T TRY TO HIDE IT
SO FOLLOW THAT YELLOW BRICK ROAD
TILL SOMEONE LETS YOU IN
BUT GET THERE QUICK, OR YOU’LL START TO FLICKER
LIKE A CANDLE IN THE WIND
AUDIENCE: NO, NO, WE WON’T LET THEM IN
SLAM THE DOOR AND TURN THE KEY
IF YOU’RE WEARY, WEAK AND THIN
DON’T LOOK HERE FOR SYMPATHY
15.
NO, NO, WE WON’T LET THEM IN
SLAM THE DOOR AND TURN THE KEY
IF YOU’RE WEARY, WEAK AND THIN
DEVIL: DON’T HANG AROUND
GET OUT OF TOWN
ALL: DON’T COME CRYING TO ME!
(Devil exits as Mary and Joseph circle around and end up in front of the box…they are outside, cold, with nowhere else to go…music starts up softly…lights comes down to just one on them…)
6. I Won’t Feel the Cold
JOSÉ: I WON’T FEEL THE COLD
IF WE STAND TOGETHER
LET THE WINTRY WEATHER
TUMBLE DOWN UPON MY BACK
MARIA: I WON’T HEED THE SNOW
IF YOU’RE HERE BESIDE ME
TAKE MY HAND AND GUIDE ME,
IT’S ENOUGH FOR ME TO KNOW THAT
BOTH: NO ONE IN THE WORLD
NO ONE IN THE WORLD
COULD DRY MY TEARS
AND CALM MY FEARS
AND LOVE ME MORE THAN YOU KNOW WHO
YES, NO ONE IN THE WORLD
NO ONE IN THE WORLD
COULD BE MY FRIEND
16.
AND COMPREHEND THE LIKES OF ME
THE WAY YOU DO.
JOSÉ: LIFE IS FULL OF DOORS YOU SEE
OF EVERY SHAPE AND SIZE
WE CHOOSE THE ONE WHICH SUITS US BEST
TOO LATE WE REALIZE
THAT DOORS PROVIDE NO CLUES
ABOUT THE DEVILS HOUSED WITHIN
AND SO WE KEEP ON KNOCKING
UNTIL SOMEONE LETS US IN
MARIA: YET I WON’T HAVE A CARE
THOUGH THE DEMONS TAUNT US
RIDICULE AND HAUNT US,
LET THEM COME, I WON’T DESPAIR
JOSÉ: SO COME AND TAKE MY HAND
WE CAN FACE TOMORROW
THERE’LL BE NO MORE SORROW
WHEN WE REACH OUR JOURNEY’S END
BOTH: FOR NO ONE IN THE WORLD
NO ONE IN THE WORLD
COULD DRY MY TEARS
AND CALM MY FEARS
17.
AND LOVE ME MORE THAN YOU KNOW WHO
YES, NO ONE IN THE WORLD
NO ONE IN THE WORLD
COULD BE MY FRIEND
AND COMPREHEND THE LIKES OF ME
THE WAY YOU DO.
(At end of song projection changes to the outside of the church door…they move towards it hopeful that they will be let in this place…the devil is more subtle here but he sneaks out to lead the song.)
7. No Room Part II
LAWYER DEVIL: IN SECTION B, CLAUSE 23
IT’S STATED QUITE EXPLICITLY
THAT OUR INSURANCE COMPANY
DOES NOT ENCOURAGE CHARITY
WE CANNOT LET THE CHURCH BECOME
A HOSTEL FOR JUST ANYONE
THE RULES CONCERNING THIS ARE CLEAR
DEVILS: YES RULES MUST BE OBEYED MY DEAR
NO, NO, WE CAN’T LET YOU STAY
THERE IS NOTHING WE CAN DO
PACK YOUR BAGS, BE ON YOUR WAY
THIS IS NOT THE PLACE FOR YOU
CHORUS (WITH MARIA AND JOSÉ): O, LET THE HOLY COUPLE IN,
GIVE THEM SHELTER, THE ARE WEAK AND WORN
18.
PLEASE LET THE HOLY COUPLE IN
LET MARIA REST SO THE HOLY CHILD CAN BE BORN
POLITICIAN DEVIL: WHAT KIND OF PEOPLE ARRIVE IN TOWN
WITHOUT A PLACE TO STAY?
WHERE DID THEY COME FROM ?
WHERE ARE THEY GOING?
WHAT ARE THEY UP TO ANYWAY?
SOMETHING ABOUT THIS IS NOT QUITE RIGHT
MY SUSPICIONS ARE AROUSED
PENNILESS STRANGERS
LOOKING FOR HANDOUTS
TAKE IT FROM ME: THEY MUST NOT BE HOUSED
REDNECK DEVIL: ARE THEY GYPSIES FROM A CARAVAN?
POLITICIAN DEVIL: MAYBE FUGITIVES ON THE LAM?
REDNECK: CON MEN! POLITICIAN: COMMUNISTS!
REDNECK: PUSHERS! POLITICIAN: SLOBS!
BOTH: ILLEGAL ALIENS TAKING OUR JOBS!
NO, NO, WE WON’T LET THEM IN
SLAM THE DOOR AND TURN THE KEY
IF YOU’RE WEARY WEAK AND THIN
DON’T COME HERE FOR SYMPATHY
19.
(CHORUS, AUDIENCE JOINS IN)
NO, NO, WE WON’T LET THEM IN
SLAM THE DOOR AND TURN THE KEY
IF YOU’RE WEARY WEAK AND THIN
DON’T COME HERE!
DON’T COME HERE!
DON’T COME HERE FOR SYMPATHY!
(Joseph gives up and he begins trudging towards the exit leaving Mary alone at center…music comes up for her solo: #8…)
8. Maria’s Prayer
MARIA: SCORNED BY ALL, TURNED AWAY
FROM EACH PLACE WE TRY TO STAY
FREEZING COLD, FALLING SNOW
ALL ALONE, NOWHERE TO GO
BUT I PRAY MY GOD WILL WATCH OVER ME
AND HIS ANGELS WILL FULFILL THE PROPHECY
THAT MY CHILD WILL SAVE US ALL
THE MEEK AND THE MIGHTY, THE GREAT AND SMALL
O GLORIA IN EXCELSIS DEO
THERE’S NO ROOM ANYWHERE
DOESN’T ANYBODY CARE?
20.
DON’T THEY KNOW? CAN’T THEY SEE
THE MIRACLE INSIDE OF ME?
BUT I KNOW MY GOD WILL KEEP US FROM HARM
WE WILL SLEEP TONIGHT SAFELY IN HIS ARMS
AND MY CHILD WILL SAVE US ALL
THE MEEK AND THE MIGHTY, THE GREAT AND SMALL
O GLORIA IN EXCELSIS DEO
LET MY CHILD FIND SHELTER
A SOFT AND COZY BED
SOMEPLACE WARM AND SAFE WHERE HE CAN
LAY HIS LITTLE HEAD
WE GIVE OUR LIVES TO YOU O LORD
IN THOUGHT AND WORD AND DEED
I BEG YOU, DON’T FORSAKE US
IN OUR GREATEST HOUR OF NEED
YES, MY CHILD WILL SAVE US ALL
THE MEEK AND THE MIGHTY, THE GREAT AND SMALL
O GLORIA IN EXCELSIS DEO
9. The Final Door (a capella)
MARY: PLEASE, WON’T SOMEBODY LET US IN?
21.
I AM SHIVERING FROM THE COLD AND FRIGHT
PLEASE, WON’T SOMEBODY LET US IN?
WE HAVE JOURNEYED FAR
AND MY CHILD WILL BE BORN THIS NIGHT
10. Through the Door (instrumental)
(the final door opens and they are welcomed in by Voice leading the audience—ad libs, “Come In, Welcome! You found the right place! Merry Christmas! Priest reappears—no longer the devil…he leads everyone in cheering and wishing everyone Merry Christmas…during this Mary and Joseph exit…)
Priest
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Our young friends certainly saved Las Posadas, yes? (Looking around) Did anyone see where they went? (ad libs looking around) Maybe they went downstairs to be first in line for the hot chocolate—let’s go down and—
Angie
(enters, rested and looking around) Whew…do I feel better. (looks around some more) But where are Roberto and Lupe? Didn’t you celebrate the Night of Las Pasados?
Priest
Their truck slid off the road and they are waiting with it until they can get pulled out.
Angie
So there was no Mary and Joseph? There was no celebration? For the first time in fifty years---
Priest
Not to worry! (to audience) Right? (waits for them to respond with “Right!”) Your friends came and saved the day…
Angie
My friends? (to herself) My friends?
Priest
The ones who are going to have a baby.
22.
Angie
The ones who are going to have--? But I have no friends who are having a baby.
Priest
What? You don’t know who we are talking about?
Angie
No, I don’t…where are these supposed friends?
Priest
Well…we thought they were in the basement getting hot chocolate but I guess they aren’t…(looks around) We don’t know where they are…
Angie
But they were here!?
Priest
(leads everyone) Oh, yes…yes. Yes!
(Angie looks around…the projection on the box has changed to Tomie’s illustration of Mary and Joseph—they have snow on them…she opens the curtain and sees the same on the real statues.
(Music starts as Priest holds up and everyone looks at the statues…)
Angie
Were the statues outside in the night?
Priest
(leads everyone else) Noooo…
Angie
Then how did they get snow on them? And how did their costumes get…(touches) wet?
Priest
There is no way they could have gotten snow on—and is the church leaking? No, of course not-- so how could their costumes be wet? I am confused Sister Angie…confused.
23.
Angie
It’s a…
11. Miracle
ANGIE: HOW CAN YOU UNDERSTAND A MIRACLE?
OR HOLD IT IN YOUR HAND, A MIRACLE?
EXPLAIN IT ALL AWAY, AND YET, IT HAPPENS ANYWAY
FOR WORDS CANNOT CONVEY A MIRACLE.
VASQUEZ: WE ORGANIZE OUR LIVES SO NEATLY
OUR DESTINY IS OURS TO PLAN COMPLETELY
THEN SOMETHING CHANGES YOU
REPLACING ALL YOU THOUGHT YOU KNEW
ANGIE: AND LIFE BEGINS ANEW,
VASQUEZ: MORE SWEETLY
ANGIE, VASQUEZ start and then LUPE AND ROBERTO join in: ALLELUIA, ALLELUIA, ALLELUIA
Priest
I think I get it.
Angie
I knew you would…
ALLELUIA, ALLELUIA, ALLELUIA
ROBERTO: MIRACLES CAN HAPPEN IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE
LUPE: OR MAYBE TAKE A LIFETIME TO MATURE
24.
ROBERTO: SOME INSPIRE LAUGHTER,
LUPE: SOME MAY MAKE YOU CRY
ROBERTO AND LUPE: WHILE OTHERS LEAVE YOU SPEECHLESS, AND UNSURE…
ANGIE, VASQUEZ, LUPE AND ROBERTO: ALLELUIA, ALLELUIA, ALLELUIA
ALLELUIA, ALLELUIA, ALLELUIA
ALLELUIA, ALLELUIA, ALLELUIA
ALLELUIA, ALLELUIA, ALLELUIA
ANGIE: DON’T TRY TO UNDERSTAND A MIRACLE
VASQUEZ: OR HOLD IT IN YOUR HAND; A MIRACLE
ROBERTO AND LUPE: THE BEST THAT WE CAN DO IS
PRAY THAT GOD WILL SEE US THROUGH
LUPE: FOR THERE IS NO MISTAKE
ANGIE, VASQUEZ, ROBERTO AND LUPE: GOD ALONE CAN MAKE
LUPE: A MIRACLE.
(Roberto and Lupe have entered for final lines and repeat of the “Miracle” song…then stay out for the Finale.)
12. Finale
(Curtain Call )
The End