Cast

• CHRIS HOUSEMAN: A young boy between 6-12. A drummer. Stricken with Multiple Sclerosis, he shows some difficulty moving, but he is good-spirited, smart, lovable, spiritual, sensitive and has a heart of gold.
• SAM (Samantha) HOUSEMAN: Chris’ older sister. A young girl between 8-15. An artist. She is smart, good-natured, spiritual, caring and likeable.
• MRS. HOUSEMAN (MOM): Chris and Sam’s Mother, 30-55. She is good-natured, loving, smart and spiritual.
• MR. HOUSEMAN (DAD): Chris & Sam’s Father, 30-55. He is smart, good-natured and loving.
• SANTA CLAUS: A man of timeless age. He is good natured, a bit laid-back, jolly and friendly.
• MARY: A young woman of 15-20. She is a sweet, benevolent, spiritual and loving mother to Jesus.
• JOSEPH: A man of 25-30. He is a gentle yet solid, loving, spiritual and protective father to Jesus.
• MICHAELA: An angel between 10-25. She’s a youthful girl/angel-Friday who gets things done.

Plot Summary

It’s a blustery, snowy Christmas Eve. Sam and her brother Chris had asked their parents for a drum and an artist’s set, but monies are tight for their family,so no gifts were really expected this year. Dad had lost his job at the plant, and Mom’s part-time salary barely kept the family in PB&J!

But wait! Is that Santa on the roof?  Sam and Chris think so! So they quietly slide down the stairs on their bellies hoping to catch a glimpse; hoping to see they asked for. They crawled into the living room, lightened by the glow of the Christmas Tree and Crèche, and what to their wondering eyes should appear? It was Santa, who checked his toy bag, and presented a gift to each with their names on them. Inside— exactly what Sam and Chris asked for… a miracle? No —just a bit of Santa’s magic. The true miracle was to come!

Chris parades before the Crèche playing his drum, as Sam sketches it. Suddenly, the Crèche comes alive! Mary and Joseph warmly greet the children, and Chris bravely tells Mary and Joseph of his battle with M.S. Overwhelmed with empathy, the Angel, Michaela asks if something can be done.

Noises are heard upstairs. Are Mom and Dad awake? They are!  Quickly, the Holy Family returns to the Crèche, and all goes back normal. Mom and Dad are angry at the kids for coming down too early, but their anger soon disappears when they see Santa’s gifts. Sam and Chris tell their parents about Santa, and how the Crèche came alive after Chris drummed and Sam sketched, but they are hardly convinced. Even a few more surprises fill the family’s early hours before Mom and Dad start to see the magic of the morning. But it isn’t until afflicted Chris runs to the window and beckons his parents to check out the hoof prints left by the reindeer that they fully see the miracle that has come upon them, and the family is overwhelmed with the love, joy,
and the spirit of Christmas!

The Setting

Christmastime during hard times in anywhere, U.S.A. A staircase descends into a small living room with a sofa, chair, coffee table, etc., a Christmas tree and prominent miniature Crèche. Behind is a scrim or flat that hides a life- sized replica of this Crèche, which comes alive when lit or revealed later in the scene. Simple set with set pieces, and a few pieces of furniture.

$4.50/individual copy

$TBD/package +
$30/performance royalty

Have you read Conti's Wenceslas,  The Mystery of the House of the Seven Gables, Little Miracle of Bethlehem, Taming of a Bull-(Y) or Shades of Sylvia!