About the Sketches: These short, humorous, fast moving, and participatory sketches feature six playlets from the Book of Luke, plus the Parable of The Lost Sheep and The Prodigal Son. From the Book of Acts the story of Peter and John, ‘Silver and Gold Have I None’, and the challenging “Ananias and Sapphira” are also offered -- ten sketches in all.

4M/2W
Time: Both Biblical and contemporary times.
Place: Biblical places and contemporary spaces.
Sample:

NARRATOR: Once upon a time, there was a father who had two sons whom he loved very much. One son was a hard worker and always did what his father wanted. The other son? Well, we'll let you find out about him yourself.

GOOD SON: Hi Dad.

FATHER: Hi, son.

GOOD SON: Well Dad, I've milked the cows, plowed the fields, and brought water from the well.

FATHER: Good boy, son.

(PRODIGAL enters yawning.)

PRODIGAL: Hi, Dad.

FATHER: Hi son. Did you milk your cows?

PRODIGAL: No.

FATHER: Did you plow your fields?

PRODIGAL: No.

FATHER: Well son, what have you been doing?

PRODIGAL: I had a good sleep, Dad.

FATHER: Well son, and what do you plan to do?

PRODIGAL: I'll show you what I plan to do.

(Kicks other SON.)

GOOD SON: Hey Dad, he just kicked me.

PRODIGAL: I did not.

(Short fight ensues.)

NARRATOR: But the father still loved both of his sons very much.

(FATHER embraces SONS.)

One day the young son asked his father for his share of the property
which his father had promised to him.

PRODIGAL: Hey Dad, I'm old enough now. Remember you promised me a share
of your property and I want it now. I'm going to sell it and get lots of money. I want to see beautiful things and meet beautiful people.
Boy, am I going to tear up this world.

NARRATOR: So, the son sold his property and got lots of money. His father
warned him about the evils of the big city.

FATHER: Now, I want you to remember son, I don't like what you are doing,
but if anything should happen to you. I'll always be here. Come back and see me.

NARRATOR: So, the son picked up his bag and started for the big city while his
brother stayed with his father, kept his property and worked hard.

About the playwright:
Gillette Elvgren has been writing for over thirty years, his plays have been produced by professional theatre companies throughout the United States and Canada. He is co-founder and resident playwright for Saltworks Theatre Company in Pittsburgh, PA. There have been approximately 8,000 performances of Elvgren scripts.

While a Professor at the University of Pittsburgh he was head of the M.F.A. directing program and staff director for the Three Rivers Shakespeare Festival. Presently he is a Professor in Theatre Arts at Regent University, Virginia Beach.