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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Patience (08/21/08)
Act 1

Host: Welcome to our service. Today we are looking at a very exciting passage of scripture in which the disciples are told to go to an upper room and…. wait. And that’s about all that happens.

I would rather be talking about Ascension or Pentecost, but I suppose we all have to start somewhere.

So, to fill time, I have invited a special guest. The renowned theologian and champion of the reformation…. John Calvin!

Enter Caterpillar, snacking on a bowl of lettuce.

Host: Who are you?

Calvin: My name is Calvin T Caterpillar. I am six weeks old. My favourite food is lettuce. I eat lots of lettuce.

Host: And what does the T stand for?

Calvin: The.

Host: Excuse me. I was hoping the agency would send someone to expound on a dull passage in a life changing way, not a lettuce eating demonstration.

Calvin: I admit I’m tired of eating lettuce. But, (sniff) today is an exciting day for me, I have been building up to this all my life. I’m about to go into my chrysalis.

Host: What is so special about that?

Calvin: It means I am about to change.

Host: How do you know that you are going to change?

Calvin: It is predestined.

Host: Fascinating. Do you mind if we watch?

Calvin: Sure, but I have never done this before. My mummy has given me some instructions to follow.
Gets out piece of paper and reads.
1: Build Chrysalis
2: Get inside
3: Wait.

Host: Would you like some help?
Build chrysalis. There is an opportunity for audience participation at this point.

Calvin: Now I am just going into my chrysalis to relax for a while.

Calvin enters chrysalis.

Host: Don’t be too long.

Calvin: Don’t worry, I have my alarm clock.

Host: We’ll come back in while to see how you are getting on. In the mean time it is back to our usual service.

Act 2

Host: Let’s see if anything has happened. There doesn’t seem to be much going on.

Hi Calvin, how are you doing in there? Has there been much change?

Calvin: I’m fine, but it’s dark in here and I can’t see what is happening. Do I look any different from out there?

Host: No, I’m afraid not. Please hurry up. People want to see action, adventure or gain a deep spiritual insight if nothing else.

Calvin: The situation is fairly fluid at the moment. Some things just take time I’m afraid.

Host: Perhaps we could open up your Chrysalis and take a peek.

Calvin: That isn’t a good idea. I might leak all over the floor. Things could get really messy.

Host: The tension is killing me, if not my ratings. I can’t wait to see how you turn out. I want an instant makeover.

Calvin: Try to look on the positive side. Building my chrysalis was a major life event for me; a bit like going to school for the first time. It does you good to chill out and relax…. Man.

Why don’t you look at the bible passage to pass the time? What does that say?

Host: Nothing much. All the exciting stuff happened at the end of the first book. The disciples are just told to go and wait.

Calvin: Did the disciples needed some time to think about what happened? Could have got really messy if they tried to go it alone?

Host: I suppose God could have done things straight away if He wanted to. Perhaps it was better for the disciples to wait and prepare for the big change that was to come later. Change can happen to us without our realising it.

Calvin: Wow. I didn’t realise that Christians could change on the inside too.

Host: Nor did I.

Calvin, we are going to take a break. See you later.

Act 3
Alarm rings.

Host: Finally we could see something happen. (Chant) Come on Calvin.

Calvin: batters his way out of the Chrysalis

I’m glad to get out of there. I can stretch at last.

Slowly unfurls his wings.

Calvin: Hey! I look good. Look at my fabulous wings. They are real babe magnets. Now I’m grown up, I’m off to the Flower Bar of a bit of the old amber nectar.

Host: Thank you for sharing your transformation with us Calvin The Caterpillar.

Calvin: You’re welcome, except I’m not Calvin the caterpillar any more. I’m now Calvin Klein, stylish butterfly.






Notes:
The preacher’s passage is Acts Chapter 1: 1-5

This play may be inserted to a service with hymns etc taking place between each act to give a sense of passing time.

IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTE:
Ensure that the chrysalis is well ventilated as the actor could be spending a considerable length of time in a confined space.
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This article has been read 1584 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Jan Ackerson
08/29/08
Absolutely hilarious, and wonderfully written.

The Calvin Klein joke seemed out of place to me.

Love, love, love the afterward, and I'd love to see this performed in a service. Really well done.
Glynis Becker
08/31/08
Very clever! I enjoyed the host's voice and could really see someone playing that part up a bit. Fun take on the topic.
Allison Egley 
08/31/08
Oh, this was great! You took a common illustration of patience and made something new out of it. (Hey, sounds kind of like Calvin!) I know you didn't intend for this part to be funny, but I actually found the safety note to be a bit humorous. (That's not a bad thing.) Great job!
Ellen Dodson
09/01/08
How on earth did you think this up??? So zany!! It would take actors who truly appreciate the humor in this to pull it off, and I had those "actors" in my head as I read. : ) My red ink comment is to establish the host's impatience a little more directly in the beginning. I like the way you worked in commentary on instant spirituality.
Lynda Schultz 
09/01/08
This would be fun to watch. I love the line about Calvin's middle name. Nicely done.
Patricia Turner 
09/01/08
Yes it was a fun read. As it happens, our pastor taught on that very passage last week, saying it's a good thing all Jesus gave the disciples was on task, to wait, since if he'd given them two they'd have skipped right past task number one. :)
Patricia Turner 
09/01/08
Sorry, re: above: one task not on task.
Sunny Loomis 
09/03/08
Very creative idea and good for the topic. Excellent job.
Carole Robishaw 
09/03/08
I enjoyed reading this, I could see it bing done. Thanks for some sunshine this morning.
Marlene Austin
09/03/08
Really nice skit, with a great visual to the message. :)
Lynda Lee Schab 
09/03/08
Too clever! And marvelously entertaining. Great humor throughout - "Mummy" and "babe magnets" are two that come to mind. LOL. Perfectly on topic this week. Love it!
Catrina Bradley
09/04/08
I could totally see the Host character being played as the straight guy who is being funny supposedly without meaning to. Great skit! And I love the message too.
Joshua Janoski
09/04/08
A delightfully funny play. I especially liked the safety note at the end. For some reason it made me laugh. This would be a wonderful play to see acted out on a stage. Good job with this!
LauraLee Shaw
09/04/08
Congratulations on a 4th place EC! Phenomenal sketch!
Sheri Gordon
09/04/08
Congratulations on your EC. I like the format...very entertaining. Nice job with the topic.
Joy Faire Stewart
09/04/08
Congratulations on your 1st place and EC. Great, unique, love it!
Jason Swiney
09/05/08
Very clever skit - perfect message for the topic, & should be fun to perform. Congrats on the EC.
Chely Roach
09/05/08
This was so much fun! Well done, and congrats on your EC!
Beth LaBuff 
09/06/08
This is so creative...Congrats on your EC!!