Extravagant Curse

Zechariah is serving, burning incense in the temple of the Lord when an angel confronts him with news that he and his wife, in their old age, will have a son.  Because of Zechariah’s questioning the possibility of such a happening his voice is taken from him.
The birth of John the Baptist is foretold.
 

Bible Reference:     Luke 1:5-25

Cast:         2
Elizabeth, older
Zechariah, older, (see information in “Sound” below)

Set:         blank

Lighting:    standard

Sound:      Zechariah’s voice will be recorded and played back during the performance.
Alternately you could use an offstage speaker to deliver the lines.

Costumes:   likely, but not necessarily, traditional

Props:   none

Special Instructions:  Ensure that the words and Zechariah’s actions correspond.

Time:  6

Sample of script:      

Zechariah comes on stage, shows frustration, walking about. tries to project, pulls hair, tries to tear clothing in frustration

Elizabeth comes on stage, looks toward Zechariah, shakes her head, rolls her eyes

Elizabeth:     Let me guess . . . your speech has not yet returned.

Zechariah throws hands up in frustration, puts fingers on lips, projects outward as though trying to force the words out, shakes head, gives up in frustration

Elizabeth:     I will take that as a “no”!

Two actors move downstage to opposite off stage positions, backs somewhat to each other

Voice of Z:    Woman, you think this is easy, having not spoken in days!

(Elizabeth shakes her head, disbelief and worry, Zechariah, head in hands)
 

Elizabeth:    A broch tsu mir! - Oy! I've been cursed.
What is to become of us?

Voice of Z:    No, not cursed . . . blessed, actually. . . But how can I make her understand?

Elizabeth:     My husband Zechariah here, a good man and a priest, a good provider, assigned to serve in the regiment of Abijah.

Voice of Z:    And my wife, Elizabeth,  . . (proud) . . a descendant from the daughters of Aaron!
As a couple we lived honorably before God, careful to keep the commandments and thus enjoy a clear conscience before God.
 

Elizabeth:     My husband was at the pinnacle of his success as a priest, and . . . (motions for all to come near and listen) . . . you may not know this . .  my Zechariah received the honor of burning the incense in the very sanctuary of God! . . . This an honor bestowed no more than once in a man’s life!
 Voice of Z:    Indeed all was good in our lives . . . .
(pauses, frowns)
Well, mostly all was good in our lives. . . .
Except, we were not able to have a child. . .
We prayed without ceasing that God would provide us with a son . .  

Elizabeth:     I was now . .  old!
(reacts with revulsion)
I was . . .
The women in the market, they laughed behind my back, calling me a . .  a barren woman!

Voice of Z:    At the appointed time I entered the sanctuary of God to burn the incense and . .

Elizabeth, proud:    
All of the other women with their many children now sang a different tune. . .
Now my husband, the chosen priest was in God’s holy chambers . .

Voice of Z:    What a proud . . and sacred . . .  time, burning incense in the God’s chambers!

Elizabeth:     Time went by and those in the outer area of the temple grew concerned as my Zechariah didn’t return.

Voice of Z:    Suddenly an angel of God appeared to me.
And I was . . . paralyzed with fear!
I mean . . . this . . was . . an . . . angel! . . . Of God!

Zechariah falls to his knees

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