ACT 1 - Scene 1
Setting: A shadowy wash of candlelight suggests a modest New England home, 1790s. A pulpit rises upstage. A child-sized desk sits center. A faint ship bell rings in the distance, calling toward something far off.
Abigail: We’re living in the prayers we prayed all those years ago
Adoniram Judson Sr.: We’re living in the prayer we prayed all those years ago
Abigail + Adoniram Judson Sr.: All those years ago
Ensemble: WOAH WOAH WOAH! WOAH WOAH WOAH!
Abigail: Oh, right now it’s 1786 and I can’t believe we were just sealed with a kiss
Ensemble: Woah woah woah…
Abigail: Let’s raise up
Abigail + Adoniram Judson Sr.: A very godly family
Adoniram Judson Sr.: Our kids are going to look up to us
Abigail + Adoniram Judson Sr.: And they’re going to see
Abigail: We love the lord but we love to have fun
We’re not perfect but neither is anyone
Adoniram Judson Sr: We try our best but we still sin
But it’s all under the blood because we’re born again
We’re a little crazy
Abigail: A little hectic
Adoniram Judson Sr.: But we’re firm in our beliefs
Abigail: Not the least bit skeptic
Adoniram Judson Sr.: We’re going to fail every now and again
Abigail: But hey, it’s a Judson thing
Ensemble: Two years later…
Abigail: I’m pregnant
Adoniram Judson Sr.: What?
Ensemble: Nine months later, August 9th 1788, August 9th 1788 (Sopranoes) A little baby cries (All) August 9th 1788
Abigail: Adoniram, you’re so cute!
Adoniram Judson Sr.: Why thank you
Abigail: Not you! Him!
Adoniram I just can’t imagine what God’s got in store for you
You’ve got a whole life ahead of you
But this is not your life to live
This is your life to give
A service
To the one who allows you to lead
A spiritual death
For the one who let’s you live physically
I know you’re just a baby
But I’ve been thinking maybe
What if you’re the Christian
That changes the world
Our young country is hungry for a move from the Lord
Ensemble: WOAH WOAH WOAH!
WATCH THIS FAMILY GROW!
OH OH OH!
WILL THIS FAMILY KNOW THAT…
Abigail: Childcare is a lot harder than I planned
Abby get your hand away from the stove
Adoniram you’re too small for daddy’s clothes
Elnathan quit acting like Satan
And Mary, actually Mary good job you’re the only one of your siblings not causing a ruckus.
Well what can I expect from you four
Afterall
It’s a Judson thing to be full of foolishness
When your so small
I can’t believe they’ll be five of you before too long
Ow! (Holds stomach)
Teacher 1: Mr. Judson
Adoniram Judson Sr.: Hello sir, how can I help you today
Teacher 1: It’s about your son
Adoniram Judson Sr.: Which one?
Teacher 1: Adoniram
Adoniram Judson Sr.: Oh no what did he do?
Teacher 1: He spoke Greek and Latin while he read
Then he proceeded to amaze me more as he said
He’d read a book of the bible everynight before bed
Is it true what your son said
Adoniram Judson Sr.: Yes it’s true.
He’s already read his whole bible through
Teacher 1: Man your kinds intellectual capacity is insane
Adoniram Judson Sr.: Well it’s a Judson thing.
One day he’s going to preach on a pulpit
It front a crowd of millions of people
Who rush to go to his steeple
One day it’s gonna be insane
My my my
I just can’t wait
Ensemble: Can’t wait
Can’t wait
SHE CAN’T WAIT
Abby: Daddy!
Adoniram Judson Sr.: Abby!
Abby: Mommy’s gone into labour,
The midwife couldn’t come fast enough,
So we had to ask the neighbour
Oh daddy come fast
Mommy needs you to be by her side
Adoniram: I can’t wait to see her face,
Another sister
Man this is great
This one hits different
Mary and Abby feel more like friends
But to Polly I feel like I’m her guardian
When guys begin to want to court her
I’ll be the one to escort them away
Polly
Oh I felt so jolly
When I first heard your name
Ensemble: Fly away, Fly away
Fly away, Fly away
Fly
Adoniram Judson Sr.: Children, it’s about Polly
She put on her wings today
And she flew away
She flew away
Mary: But she was only alive for seven days
Adoniram Judson Sr.: Well, no one’s here to stay
No one’s here to stay
She flew away
Ensemble: Why
Adoniram: Would God really do a thing like this
To steal a child
SHE DIDN’T EVEN HAVE TIME TO TAKE HER FIRST STEPS
I DIDN’T EVEN GET TO SEE HER SMILE
I’M ONLY EIGHT
THIS IS MY CHILDHOOD GREAT
The picture perfect picture frame has just been cracked inside my brain
I’m through with you
At least, I just don’t understand
But my parents already have enough heartbreak
Maybe I can just play the game
I slide by doing the Judson things.
BLACKOUT
SCENE 2:
Setting: A bed, and bags packed with clothes, Adnoriam is now 16
Abigail: Adnoriam?
Adnoriam: Oh, mother! You’ve come just in time. I’m about to leave.
Abigail: I’m so proud of you, son, valedictorian, you’re only sixteen, and you’re going off to university. So what have you packed?
Adnoriam: I packed all my textbooks, from pre-school gear to senior year, I packed all the Latin and Greek transcripts.
Abigail: Did you back your bible?
Adnoriam: Yeah, of course, I totally didn’t intentionally forget it. Anyways, I’m bringing some recipes that you made for me to try in case I don’t find a wife. I brought father’s sermon notes so I won’t let the heritage go, Abby gave me a paper heart cut in half not exactly sure what she means by that, Mary per the norm gave me a little crazy sign to hang in my dorm and I quote: My name is Adnoriam Judson and I like boats. Also if there’s chocolate expect me to gloat, and ladies don’t judge me by first sight even though I’ll judge your food by first bite, Elnathan, interested in health, wrote down all the things that iI would get sick from. I wonder what Polly would’ve gave me, if she only could’ve have met me, but now she’s gone. Anyways, new chapter, new life, new stories, new lines.
Abigail: It’ll be great, especially since you got Jesus on your side.
Adnoriam: Yeah… right.
Abigail: No matter where you go in life, remember what I told you when you were ten, when you studied navigation. You traced pictures of the stars, and you showed me the constellations, you brought revelation to the sky, and I never look at the stars the same, and remember the ones who calls the stars by name, holds your life in place, you can go so far, farther than dreams can chase, if you let him be your north star.
Adnoriam: Mother, I must get back to my packing, I’ll kiss you goodbye before I leave, but right now I just need some time alone on my own
Abigial: Alright.
SCENE THREE
Adnoriam:
It’s been eight years
The quickest eight years I’ve ever been through.
I’m a great actor
I can fool anyone into thinking my emotions are true
I could even fool you
But the truth is I always have this feeling inside
I can no longer hide
I must confess the truth
I was eight years old, my sister died, it seemed like there was no one to confide in, by ten everyone kept saying you need to get saved so you can spend all your waking days
Ensemble: PREACHING!
Adnoriam:
I said okay I get it, I’m the eldest Adnoriam Judson the second, first in line, my fathers money goes to me when he dies, so basically everyone expects me to…
Ensemble: PREACH! PREACH! PREACH!
Adnoriam:
So I thought of a plan
What if I just
Play the part
Play the part
Ensemble:
Play the part
Play the part
Adoniram:
So one Saturday night when I was thirteen
I walked into my fathers office and took a peak
At his notebook full of sermons
I skimmed through the pages till I found it
He was going to preach out of Luke 16
Adoniram Sr.: BE BORN AGAIN, OR BE FOREVER DAMNED LIKE THE RICH MAN.
Adoniram: Perfect now for sure I know I can
Play the part
Play the part
Ensemble: Play the part
Play the part
Adoniram: He preaches for about an hour and a half
Adoniram Sr.: Everyone, stand, bow your head, and close your eyes.
Adoniram: My time to shine
Ensemble: Just as I am without one plea
Adoniram Sr: Please make a move to the altar
Adoniram: Not yet
Ensemble: Just as I am, and waiting not
Adoniram Sr: Please obey the spirit
Adoniram: We’re near it
Ensemble: Just as I am, though tossed about
Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind;
Just as I am, Thou wilt receive,
Just as I am, Thy love unknown
Adoniram Sr: This may be your last chance!
Adoniram: Go!
I darted to the altar
I cried
I shaked
Externally I said God forgive me
Internally I said leave me be
I stood up
Said I got saved
Everyone applauded for me that day
I played the part
Played the part successfully
And
Everybody
Everyody believed me
But that wasn’t enough you see
My father still had plans for me
Adoniram Sr: My young boy, follow in my stead,
You’re a Judson you were born to preach
If you ever hear God calling
Jump towards it
Don’t turn away from it
Adoniram: So I wrote a little devo
Said it in front of a buttload of people
I knew when to cry
Ensemble: Boo-hooo
Adoniram: I knew when to shout
Ensemble: Woo-hoo
Adoniram: They cheered me on
Ensemble: Amen, amen, glory glory WOO-WEE
Adnoriam: But every applause made me more upset at God
And made me more great at
Playing the part
Playing the part
Adoniram + Ensemble: Playing the part
Playing the part
Even though it was never in my heart
Adoniram: What will happen when they find out
It was all just me playing the part
What will happen when they find out
It was never in my heart.
It was just me playing a part
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139,273 Literary Works • 672,523 Reviews
Hello!
So in case someone is wondering what this is about.
The Judsons is a musical going over the life and mission of Adoniram and Ann Judsons the first American missionary.
However the Judsons will bring something new to the table for Christian entertainment, its a comoletely sung through rap, jazz, pop, showtune musical with strong female characters.
Adoniram and Ann Judsons were the first American missionaries but are often so overlooked. I hope this play brings them to life in a fun, non-preachy, theatrical way!
Let me know what yall think of the idea please.
Ok last one for today (I mutter to myself like a mantra)
I was a bit confused if this is supposed to be sung or just dialogue. It feels too rhythmic for dialogue tho (especially the “whoas” xd) but at the same time I don’t really… well, I can’t really imagine them singing this. Especially with how it’s a bit difficult to differentiate between stage directions and dialogue and I nearly missed that there’s a 2 yrs later direction. Had a bit of comedy in feeling like they were just talking and then the wife throws in btw I’m pregnant, like a record scratch xd
So what I can say abt the stage play, as someone who doesn’t write them: make it a bit easier to read them. Maybe work more with italics/bold to differentiate who’s talking and what’s a stage direction. Also a clearer distinction between dialogue and lyrics would be great.
I like the last song the most 😊
Hey there! Plume here, with a review!
I was so excited when I saw this was a script! As someone who loves writing plays, I couldn't wait to review it. I was even more excited when I saw it was a musical; I'm somewhat of a theater kid, so. The topic seems interesting too! It reminds me a bit of the Book of Mormon show.
I think your writing is pretty strong! Writing a musical is no mean feat, especially a sung-through one. You had some very clever lines, and each song seemed to have a solid thru line. My favorite would probably have to be "Play the Part." I felt like the setting was well conveyed; I liked the ensemble as the congregants; and I felt like I could picture a very interesting duet between the Adonirams Jr. and Sr. It also had a lot of interesting religious themes and stuff about belief, which I found compelling! I would honestly want more of those -- it seems like that song has the chance to hold some deeper meaning and have a little serious interlude instead of being more silly and lighthearted all the way through.
One thing I would think about is the order of your scenes. It seems we're opening with a crash course in Adoniram's early life. I will say, especially because he shares a name with his father, starting with his parents seems a bit counterintuitive. I thought this show was going to be about them most of the time I spent reading. I would recommend going through and thinking about what you want to convey with the story. It seems like the meat of the tale comes from his missionary work -- so perhaps starting it just before that might make more sense? It seems like there are certain beats you should preserve; the death of his sister seems to be important, so maybe weaving that into a song later could be good. While sometimes, chronological order works for telling a story, I feel like from what I've seen, this one would make more sense if you focused on the main aspect of what made his life interesting. For example, even in the opening number of Hamilton, they give a sort of summary of his life and the leadup to him arriving in America, but that's all just one song. Then the story really begins when he's in New York and they take it from there. I feel like a similar thing could be done here, where you give a little brief intro and then just dive right into the missionary work.
I would also have loved to hear demo tracks to really get a good grasp of what you envision this sounding like!
Specifics
I loved this silly little line. It feels so quintessentially like dialogue in the middle of a song in a musical.
Tiny thing here: "your" should be "you're."
I thought the phrase "hits different" was a little too modern for me; I think it's fine to use more modern language in a historical setting (especially in the context of a musical), but this slang just felt a little too recent and out of place.
I really liked the rhyme between "spirit" and "near it"!
Overall: nice work! Writing a musical is super hard and I wish you best of luck in your endeavors! I enjoyed this little sample, and I hope to read more of your work on here soon! Until next time!