ST. JOHN'S MESSIAH
SCENES
BISHOP PHILIP
(Act 1, Scene 1)
The place is Ephesus, in Asia Minor. It's 115 A.D. Bishop Philip is greeting people as they're leaving his service. He seems distracted however, looking here and there. Finally he spots young Timothy, who tells him John has missed mass. "He's never missed mass! Bishop, you don't think he..."
"Timothy, don't even think it.
He swore he wouldn't leave yet."
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UNWELCOME NEWS
(Act 1, Scene 2)
John is asleep, his head on his desk. When the Bishop enters he believes his worst fears have materialized. When he finally realizes John is still alive, he reveals a
piece of news he assumes will thrill him,
but instead gets him kicked out of the house.
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THE ONE
(Act 1, Scene 3)
John falls asleep, this time on his bed - and dreams about the night Jesus was born. The play's first musical number tells the story, starting with some light conversation and
building steadily to a rousing finish with
full-cast choreography and tons of SFX.
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SABA!
(Act 1, Scene 4)
John's grandson, Jacob has come all the way from Alexandria to help him transcribe his gospel. Their bond is obvious; their banter, playful and pleasing. Jacob insists they get right to work. John's a hundred years old. He could die any second! Why did he wait so long?
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THE BAPTIST
(Act 1, Scene 5)
Jesus journeys to see his cousin, a wild, fire-and-brimstone preacher who's church is a remote spot on the Jordan River. The play's second song introduces us to the man who made it all possible - John the Baptist - filthy, unkept, wearing nothing but a tiny tattered skin that barely covers anything, and scaring the literal hell out of everyone present.
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SATAN'S THRONE
(Act 1, Scene 6)
John tells Jacob about Jesus' month-and-a half-long search for Satan's Throne, a far mountain across a desolate land; a famous place no one had ever actually seen; the very seat of Satan's domain. After forty days without food and sleep, Jesus finds it.
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NOW WHAT HAVE WE HERE?
(Act 1, Scene 7)
While surveying his beautiful barren domain, Satan spots a tired vagrant traversing the vast plain below and heading straight for his castle. His assitants, Lizzy and Temptra, offer suggestions on how to best terrorize the unsuspecting fool.
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THE SEDUCTION
(Act 1, Scene 8)
After realizing God has sent His own son to ambush him, Satan devises a plan to permanently thwart the hallowed assault. Jesus may be a demigod but he's still half man. "And I know just where I'm going to hit him," Satan declares as he transforms himself into a slinky serpentine seductress and meets Jesus on the path up the mountain.
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MEANWHILE BACK AT THE JORDAN
(Act 1, Scene 9)
The Baptist is doing his thing when King Herod and his entourage show up on their way back to the king's palace from a trip to Rome. John confronts him. Herod is amused at first... until he's not.
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SHOWTIME
(Act 2, Scene 1)
Jesus is appearing at a magnificent venue that one of his supporters owns - a picturesque hillside with spectacular views of the Sea of Galilee. It's a beautiful day.
And thousands have come to see him.
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FAME IS EXASPERATING
(Act 2, Scene 2)
John is ambushed by his adoring fans as he tries to take a simple stroll through the town of Ephesus.
Jacob jumps into action.
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THE TIME HAS COME
(Act 2, Scene 3)
One of Jesus' disciples is telling a small crowd about the first time he met Jesus, and of the countless exploits he has witnessed since. Some of the people in the crowd, however, are unimpressed, resentful, incensed. Sides are taken as a skirmish turns into a full-blown riot involving Pharisees and merchants, soldiers, terrorists, and innocent townspeople.
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WORDS OF LOVE, ACTS OF VIOLENCE
(Act 2, Scene 4)
John reminisces about Stephen's courage,
then starts another story.
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BLESSED
(Act 2, Scene 5)
Jesus teaches a small crowd about the wonder of
children and the strength of women.
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Jesus teaches a small crowd about the wonder of
children and the strength of women.
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AN INESCAPABLE TRAP
(Act 2, Scene 6)
Jesus is forced into an impossible
decision by Caiaphas, the high priest,
and a mob of angry townspeople.
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A VISIT FROM AN OLD FRIEND
(Act 2, Scene 7)
John is awakened by an unlikely visitor
who brings a cryptic message from God.
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SOON WE'LL BE FREE
(Act 2, Scene 8)
Jesus enters Jerusalem for the first time in his
three-year tour. Word has spread that he had
just raised his best friend from the dead.
Thousands are there to officially declare him
their Messiah. And his first job will be to
liberate them from Roman chains.
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STILL KICKING
(Act 2, Scene 9)
After a restless night, John awakens
in good health and good spirits.
He asks Jacob to accompany him on a walk.
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THIS BITTER CUP
(Act 2, Scene 10)
After the Passover meal, Jesus and his
disciples retire to the Garden of Gethsemane,
where Jesus awaits his imminent arrest and
looming execution.
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THE CONFESSION
(Act 2, Scene 11)
In an old church just outside of Ephesus,
John forces Jacob to hear his confession
before he dies. Jacob refuses, then relents,
to his utter antipathy and dismay.
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THE EXECUTION
(Act 2, Scene 12)
Jesus is being crucified. Mary, his mother
and John, his disciple watch at the foot of
the cross, waiting for his pain to end.
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REVISITED BY AN OLD FRIEND
(Act 2, Scene 13)
John is lying on a bench in the old church,
having a terrible, terrible dream.
Once again he is awakened and admonished
by the ghost of Peter.
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PIETA
(Act 2, Scene 14)
Jesus dies. A few men convince the soldiers
to let Mary hold her son one last time and
say goodbye. Mary sings a sweet lament.
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Jesus dies. A few men convince the soldiers
to let Mary hold her son one last time and
say goodbye. Mary sings a sweet lament.
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IN THE BEGINNING WAS THE WORD
(Act 2, Scene 15)
With his last breaths, John finds the words
that begin his powerful gospel.
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A CANDLE IN THE NIGHT
(Act 2, Scene 16)
As the disciples hide in the Upper Room, fearing for
their lives, mourning the loss of their master and friend, and feeling utterly lost and alone, Jesus appears. In the flesh. And offers them all an inspiring message of hope and comfort.
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