Guess Who's Coming To Dinner

Martha and Mary, (in present day), are expecting Jesus as company for dinner. And there is concern over the cleanliness of the house, preparing the perfect meal, but not enough concern about other details.

CHARACTERS: Jesus, Martha, Mary, Message Giver
COSTUME:  Current Day

SET DESIGN

Center Stage Left (Living Room Area):

• Recliner or a “comfy” chair with a footstool
• Side table
• Floor lamp
• Love seat or an additional chair

Stage Right (Kitchen Area):

• Bar-type structure angled toward the right side of the audience
  • Represents a window and wall
  • Behind the bar structure, the action of washing dishes in a kitchen sink is simulated
  • A pretend window is positioned directly above the bar structure between Martha and the audience

Behind the Sink Area (Toward Center Stage):

• Small kitchen table with chairs

SOUND EFFECTS

1. Door slamming
2. Doorbell or door knock
3. Oven timer buzzer

PROPS

• Plates, glasses, silverware
• Small bowl
• Glass pitcher with lemonade (or similar color Kool-Aid)
• Pot with lid
• Small serving bowls
• One large bowl
• Long-handled wooden spoon
• Dish towel
• Flowers & flower vase
• Cloth napkins
• Newspaper
• Cookie baking pan
• Rolls

CURTAIN USAGE

• Use Curtain

MESSAGE GIVER POSITIONING

• Sits on a stool at the left apron stage (in front of the curtain)
• Actions:
  • Stands when speaking
  • Sits and observes the drama when not speaking

SCENE OPENING

Message Giver:
(Standing, addressing the audience)
"In Luke, Chapter 10, we learn of an incident that took place while Jesus was visiting friends. It contains an excellent message for all of us to remember in the hustle and bustle of our daily lives. If it had happened today—it might have gone something like this..."

(Curtain opens)

Stage Action:

• Martha is at the sink, miming washing dishes.
• She squints out toward the audience as if looking through the "window."
• She huffs at a spot on the "window," uses a towel to mime cleaning, then shakes her head in frustration.

SCENE 1

(Sound: Door slams shut.)

• Mary enters carrying a bag of groceries and a bouquet of field flowers.

Dialogue:

Mary: (Cheerfully) I’m back!

Martha: (Rolls eyes, shakes head, sighs) Mary – where have you been?

Mary: (Entering the kitchen area, holding out flowers)
Look, Martha – aren’t they pretty? And they smell sooo lovely! Do you think He’ll like them?
(Without waiting for an answer, looking around the room)
Let’s see... where should I put them? (Leaning back toward the living room) What about next to the recliner? No... a centerpiece maybe! Yeah!
(Places flowers in a vase and sets them on the kitchen table.)

Martha: (A little irritated, turning toward Mary) Mary – He’ll be here any minute now, and we’re nowhere near ready!
(Turns toward the "window" and squints at it)
By the way, did you use that off-brand window cleaner again this week? (Gestures toward the "window")

Mary: Uhhhh... no?

Martha: (Suspiciously) Are you sure?
(Gestures at the window, working on a spot again)
All these streaks and spots—I thought maybe you were trying to cut corners again—
(Rushed) which is not a bad thing! But you know, there are some products I prefer using the name brand only—and window cleaner is one of them. I just can’t figure out why the windows are so smudgy.

Mary: (Hesitant, sheepish)
Uhmmm... when I said no? Welllll... I meant,... no – I - hadn’t cleaned the windows... at all this week.

Martha: (Reacts, sighing)
Okaaaay—well, we don’t have time to do them now.
(Turns back to the groceries, taking items out of the bag)
All right, the potatoes are almost done. I just took the roast out of the oven, and the rolls are ready to go in. How about you set the table while I start the salad?
(Hands over dishes, glasses, and silverware to Mary.)

Mary: (Cheerfully) Sure!
(Takes dishes, glasses, and silverware, setting them down on the table; hums while placing them around.)

(Suddenly perks up, looking toward the window.)

Mary: Oh! Is that Him?
(Runs to the "window", peering out excitedly.)

(Pauses, then sighs, disappointed.)

Mary: No... just Billy Johnson next door.
(Disappointed, turns back to setting the table.)

Mary: Martha—do you think He’s cute? I mean - cuter than Brad Pitt ever-was-or-ever-will-be cute?

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