“Home for the Holidays”

"Home for the Holidays"

(A Christmas Play or Musical in Two Acts) by

Eddie James and Chris Womack

? Skit Guys, Inc. Only original purchaser is granted photocopy permission. All other rights reserved. "Skit Guys" and "Skitiots" are trademarks of Skit Guys, Inc. Printed in U.S.A.

"Home for the Holidays"

ACT I

Pre-Show:

On air light goes on, commercials play, band takes its position. Announcer introduces show. Band plays Christmas medley; choir takes its position.

Scene 1: The Wynn Home.

Choir sings Winter Wonderland, no introduction.

Scene 2:

The Wynn Home and Barracks. Announcer introduces "Happy Holidays/White Christmas" medley.

Scene 3:

The Wynn Home Band plays Jingle Bells, no introduction. Announcer introduces Andrew Sisters. Andrew Sisters sing "Mister Santa."

Scene 4:

Barracks Choir sings "I'll Be Home For Christmas", no introduction.

Scene 5:

Radio studio and the Wynn Home. Interview with returning pilot. Lynne sings, "You're All I Want for Christmas," no introduction. Four Pennies sing, "I Believe," center stage of studio, Lynne is seen in home scene.

INTERMISSION

ACT II

Start of Act: Announcer introduces the start of second act/evening show. Band plays "Sleigh Ride."

Scene 1:

The Wynn Home and Barracks. Announcer introduces, "O Come All Ye Faithful." Choir and Angel Chorale sing, "O Come All Ye Faithful."

Scene 2:

The Wynn Home and Barracks. Choir sings, "Joy to the World," Wynn family sings along, Grandpa Wynn on porch. Choir sings "Angels We Have Heard on High,"

Scene 3: The Wynn Front Porch and Barracks.

Scene 4:

Announcer introduces, "Once and For All." Choir and soloists sing, "Once and For All."

Scene 5:

The Wynn Home. Choir sings reprise of, "I'll be Home for Christmas," Wynn family sings along. Announcer closes radio show. Closing comments from Cast member, Music Minister, or Pastor.

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CAST OF CHARACTERS

Lynne Wynn Danny Wynn Grandpa Wynn, Danny's father Grandma Wynn, Danny's mother Daniel Wynn, Danny's son Sarah Wynn, Danny's daughter Sean, Lynne's brother Nathan Cagle, Danny's army buddy Announcer/Clerk in "Jack Benny" skit Major Mike Taggort/Platoon Leader Bill, war buddy of Grandpa Wynn

"Home for the Holidays"

NOTE TO DIRECTOR: (Alternative Presentation)

You can do this play in two acts without the band and choir. The Radio Announcer takes center stage and CD's of 1940's Christmas songs are used as background music in the Wynn house and in conjunction with the announcer to transition between scenes. (If you do include a band and choir, songs are listed below along with their placement within the script.) Without the choir and band, instructions and dialogue found throughout the script to introduce acts and songs may be omitted.

To get a good feel for the Jack Benny sketch, listen to some old radio comedy tapes that can usually be checked out from your public library. The library also has good references for the style of dress and music for this time period.

Set Design: Center stage is the announcer and (if using) the band and choir members. Stage left is the Wynne Home with porch area. Stage right is the barracks where Danny Wynne and Nathan Cagle reside.

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"Home for the Holidays"

Songs in order and where to find them: Winter Wonderland: WB music corporation. Happy Holidays/White Christmas: Estate of Irving Berlin Mister Santa: Edwin H. Morris and Company, Inc. I'll be Home For Christmas: Gannon and Kent Music Co., Inc. You're All I Want for Christmas: websites available. I Believe: Cromwell Music Inc. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas: EMI Feist Catalog, inc. O Come, All Ye Faithful: Lillenas Publishing Co. Three Christmas Carols: 1.Joy to the World: Shawnee Press, Inc. 2.It Came Upon a Midnight Clear: Shawnee Press, Inc. 3.Angels We Have Heard on High Once and For All: Gaither Music Company I'll be Home for Christmas (reprise)

SPECIAL THANKS Ronny Higgins who took the potentially "cheesy" and made it work. Kristy Davis who made "mumbling" into "masterpiece." Chris Womack who gave me a chance. Bill Johnston, in whom I found a writing friend. The rest of the cast and crew who helped make this very special. Stephanie James who took the time for articulation, common sense

and punctuation.

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"Home for the Holidays"

ACT 1 ? Christmas Eve

Center stage: On air light comes on in studio and excerpt from old news show plays to set up time period. Optional footage can usually be found in local archives or libraries. Sometimes footage can be found from people within congregation or establishment.

Announcer:

Live from Radio City Music Hall, it's time for our countdown to Christmas. It won't be long before jolly Saint Nick will be coming down the chimney to brighten the kiddies' faces. What a show we have for you with The Radio City Music Hall choir and band. Yours truly, Bob Wilson. So gather around the radio with your family and sit back as we spend Christmas with you...

The Wynn family is at home (stage left) putting the finishing Christmas decorations around the house and tree, awaiting Danny's arrival.

Scene 1

Grandma:

Let's hurry now...I want everything to look just right. I hope Lynne thinks we have everything done. (Yelling offstage to Grandpa Wynn) Henry! Henry! Have you found the wise man? I'm missing the wise man to the nativity! (To herself, looking at nativity) I'm also missing a sheep and a cow. Now where did I put that wise man, the sheep and the cow?

Daniel:

(Enters with piece of chocolate cake, sees Grandma Wynn talking to herself, looks at her for a little bit) Who you talking to, Gramma?

Grandma:

None of your concern. Take that on into the kitchen. You know you're not supposed to eat in the living room. Your mom has worked very hard to get this house looking good for when your Daddy comes home.

Daniel:

I'll miss the show if I go in there, Gramma. Please, let me eat in here. I promise I won't make a mess.

Grandma Wynn:You think you can give me those puppy dog eyes and I'll do whatever you want, is that it? (Beat) All right, go on. If I see one crumb...

Sarah:

(Runs through the house, interrupting Grandma Wynn's train of thought) Gramma! Gramma! Guess what I am?

Grandma: What are you?

Sarah:

I'm a princess. Mommy helped me make this outfit for Daddy. Daddy always says I'm his little princess, so I wanted to look just right for when he comes home. Do you like my dress?

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"Home for the Holidays"

Grandma:

I think you are the most beautiful princess in the whole world. Your Daddy is going to be so happy to see you!

Daniel:

(Turns around from the radio with chocolate all around his face) What about me Gramma? Is Daddy going to be happy to see me too?

Grandma:

Well, first he's going to have to recognize you. Let's get you in to the bathroom and get you cleaned up.

Daniel:

See, I didn't drop any crumbs on the floor.

Grandma: No, you managed to get them all stuck nicely to your face.

Daniel:

(Smiling) I'm getting better, huh?

Grandma:

Words can't describe Daniel. Words can't describe. (Both exit into hallway)

Sarah is still in living room and has gone over to table to look at the nativity, which Grandma Wynn is trying to put together. Sarah takes another of the wise men and sticks him in a plant.

Sarah:

There you go Mr. Wiseman. This is your new home. You're probably getting tired of going to that barn year in and year out, huh? Now you can live in the jungle.

Lynne:

(Voice starts from offstage) Sarah sweetheart, come here. I need you. Baby, I want you to go upstairs and clean up your room so daddy can see what a pretty bedroom you have.

Sarah:

Princesses don't do rooms.

Lynne:

(Sternly but smiling) This princess does. Now go on.

Sarah:

Yes, Mama. (Exits)

Grandma:

(Enter with Daniel from kitchen, runs and hides behind couch) Daniel where are you? Daniel, don't run away from me. I see you! There you are... come on. You've got to go get cleaned up.

Lynne:

Look at your face. Go on upstairs and clean up. Then put on those clothes I laid out for you. Sarah will help you. (Yelling offstage to Sarah) Sarah, help your brother!

Sarah:

(Offstage) Princesses don't help brothers!

Lynne:

My princess does.

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Sarah: Lynne: Grandma: Lynne: Grandma:

Lynne:

Grandma:

Lynne: Grandma: Lynne: Grandma: Grandpa:

Lynne: Grandpa: Lynne: Grandpa:

"Home for the Holidays"

(Offstage) Yes, Mama.

Grandma Wynn. Thanks for watching the kids this morning.

Not a problem dear. I live for it. Oh! If you see Henry, tell him I'm in need of a sheep and a cow.

A sheep and a cow?

He'll know what I mean. (Pauses) Oh, I've been so busy I had almost forgotten about you. Aren't you excited about Danny coming home?

Yes, very. If I'm real honest, I guess I'm a little scared too. Sometimes I don't think I can remember the sound of his voice. There's something so familiar about his face that I've just forgotten. The past two years our relationship has been nothing but pen on paper and I'm so scared that I'm not going to know what to do or say when he walks through the door.

(Coming over to comfort Lynne) The right words and the right things to do will just happen the moment he walks through that door. I promise. It always does.

Is that the way it was when Henry came home?

(Uncomfortable pause) Well, sort of. I was just glad Henry was home safe and sound.

(Feeling the awkwardness) I guess I'll go check on the kids.

No, you stay here; I'll look in on them. (Exits)

(Enters, talking to himself) Eileen! Eileen! (Goes over to nativity) I found your wiseman! It was in the icebox next to the lettuce. Why on earth would you put him in there? You think the cold air is going to make this statue any wiser? You have done some strange things but this one takes the cake. (Sees Daniel's plate of cake) Speaking of cake, don't mind if I do. (Turns to see Lynne)

Grandpa Wynn there's a whole cake in the kitchen.

Lynne... didn't know I had an audience.

(They greet one another, Lynne is full of life and love and Grandpa Wynn is the opposite. Very sarcastic) I haven't seen you all day.

Yes, I've been chasing a wiseman down for your mother-in-law.

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Lynne: Grandpa: Lynne: Grandpa:

Sean:

Lynne: Sean:

Grandpa: Sean: Grandpa: Sean: Lynne:

"Home for the Holidays"

(Straightening up the living room, a bit uncomfortable) I see. Well, I think everything is ready for Danny's homecoming. I wanted everything to be just right when he comes through the door.

Don't bother too much. He'll probably be so tired he won't notice a whole lot.

(Pause) Probably not. (Beat) Eileen wanted me to tell you she's in need of a cow and a sheep.

You've got to be kidding me! She's doing this to me on purpose. She thinks I don't exercise enough and she's deliberately forgetting where she puts things. Well, now if I were a cow where would I go? (Exits out door to house while grumbling about the sheep and cow)

(Lynn's brother, Sean, enters through same door Grandpa Wynn just exits, calling to Grandpa Wynn) Hello, Mr. Wynn. Good to see you. It's me, Sean. (Pause) I'm going to pick up Danny. (Pause) Your son. (Coming inside the living room, to himself, casually) Fine, don't say hello. What is wrong with him? (Greets sister)

Nothing, actually. This is one of his better days.

Oh really? How's it going, sis? I don't know how you do it. Living under the same roof with these people. I mean, I must tell you Lynne... he gives me the creeps. He's so mean, always so critical. He isn't nice to anyone. There he is with that cane of his. (Starts to imitate Grandpa Wynn) "Mean, ol' Mr. Wynn." (Grandpa Wynn forgets hat, comes back and stands at door listening to Sean make a fool out of himself. Lynne tries to stop him but just gets tickled by the whole spectacle) Don't ask me to be nice to anyone, `cause I can't. I'm "Mean ol' Mr. Wynn." What? Is that a smile I see? Well, get that off your face missy, cause I'm mean ol' Mr. Wynn. I never smile. My face would crack if I tried to do that. (Starts to turn, sees Grandpa Wynn) That's right, just leave me alone, cause I'm...

Mean ol' Mr. Wynn.

(Totally embarrassed) Uh, Mr. Wynn. I... I was... you see...

Yes, I saw and I heard. Don't you have somewhere to be Sean?

Yes, sir. Leaving right now. (Kisses Lynne. Lynne is still chuckling) I'll bring your husband home, promise. (Whispers to Lynne) Get out while you still can. (Exits)

Sorry, Grandpa Wynn. I don't think he meant any harm.

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