The Lifestyle Shoppe

A Musical That Asks: What Are You Really Living For?

Step inside a store like no other, where you don’t buy things, you buy lifestyles. From Broadway's dazzling indulgence to Striveway's relentless ambition, and finally to the quiet truth found on Narroway, every path offers a choice. But only one leads to life.

The Lifestyle Shoppe is a powerful 75-minute Christian musical written by Robert Alan Ward, featuring original music by Alisha Jane Gilbert. With humor, heartache, and hope, the play follows a young woman named Seeker as she explores what the world promises... and what God provides. Along the way, you’ll meet unforgettable characters like Runaway, Dregs Donotrooth, Scott Free, and Baglady—each representing the highs and lows of human searching.

• Includes 9 original songs (available with piano and vocal tracks)
• Ideal for youth or mixed-age casts
• Anchored in Matthew 7:13-14
• Themes: identity, choices, redemption, and truth

Whether you're laughing at Scott Free’s swagger or holding back tears as Runaway reaches her breaking point, The Lifestyle Shoppe invites your audience to examine where their life is headed—and who they’re trusting with it.

"Sooner or later, everyone buys from the Lifestyle Shoppe."
The Shopkeeper

Run-Time:
Approximately 75 minutes (3 acts with 9 original songs)

Cast Requirements:

• Minimum cast: 9 main speaking roles
• Expanded cast: Optional additional roles include ensemble dancers, street people, a deliveryman, a shopper, and an autograph seeker
• Flexible casting: Suitable for all-youth or mixed teen/adult productions

Main Characters:

• Seeker – searching for life
• Shopkeeper – friendly guide through the Shoppe
• Runaway – rebellion and redemption arc
• Baglady – compassionate and wise
• Dregs Donotrooth – indulgent and flashy
• Scott Free – carefree and irresponsible
• Dr. Olga Fallacious – worldly wisdom
• Harrison Foxtrot – wealth and ambition
• Misty Greentree – mysticism and confusion

Setting & Staging:
The stage is divided into three symbolic “aisles” of life:

• Broadway – flashy, indulgent lifestyle (shelves, banners, alcohol bottles, magazines, idol bust with sunglasses)
• Striveway – achievement and self-improvement (ladder, barbells, trophies, sports gear, New Age poster)
• Narroway – the narrow path of truth and sacrifice (Bible, candle, a small sign that reads “The way is narrow that leads to life”)
• Also includes a storefront counter, a park bench, and chairs/tables for scenes like the talk show and doctor’s office.

Props Needed:

• Corinthian Candy (symbolic temptation)
• Business cards, a clipboard, divorce papers, incantation book
• Toy painting supplies, donut, feed bag for Baglady
• Poison jug, pills, speech podium, wedding ring
• Flashy costumes, hippie gear, sunglasses, costumes for dancers
• Hand truck with labeled packages (e.g. “Religion,” “World Peace”)
• Applause/boo signs for “The Dregs Donotrooth Show”

The Lifestyle Shoppe

Sample Script
Written by Robert Alan Ward
Printed with permission by DramaShare

Scene One: A Tour of the Shoppe

(Opening music plays. After about thirty seconds, the stage lights come up. From the rear of the audience, SEEKER begins walking up the aisle. She steps onto the stage and wanders around, looking bewildered.)

SEEKER:
Hello? Is anybody here? Hello?

(The SHOPKEEPER enters from stage left.)

SHOPKEEPER:
May I help you, young lady?

SEEKER:
I hope so. My name is Seeker, and I’m searching for a life. I was told I might find something here.

SHOPKEEPER:
You’ve come to the right place. This is The Lifestyle Shoppe. People come here from all over the world to try on different lives. Would you like me to show you around?

SEEKER:
Thank you. That would be very nice.

SHOPKEEPER:
All right. Let’s start over here with Broadway. This is the most popular section of the shoppe. If all you’re looking for is a good time, this is the place to get it.

SEEKER:
It does seem very attractive.

SHOPKEEPER:
Indeed. We have to make it extra wide in order to accommodate all the people who buy here.

SEEKER (pointing to the Self Shelf):
Could you explain this part here?

SHOPKEEPER:
Of course. This is the Self Shelf—where all you think about is yourself.

(The SHOPKEEPER takes the sunglasses off the bust and walks them to the counter to clean.)

SEEKER:
“Love Yourself.” That doesn’t sound very noble.

SHOPKEEPER (from the counter):
Noble would have to be found elsewhere.

SEEKER (pointing to the bust):
Okay, what’s this?

SHOPKEEPER:
The idol of idle indulgence.

SEEKER (reading a nearby banner):
“Eat, drink, and be merry.” Is that all there is to this place?

SHOPKEEPER:
Pretty much.

SEEKER:
It seems like I ought to be worth more than that.

DELIVERYMAN (from the rear of the audience):
Federal Parcel Service—delivery for The Lifestyle Shoppe!

SHOPKEEPER:
Good morning, Jason. What have you got for me today?

DELIVERYMAN (unloading boxes):
Looks like all Striveway stuff today. Let’s see... we’ve got political issues—liberal, conservative, feminist. Here’s Philanthropy, Athletic Accomplishment, Ending Poverty, Saving the Environment, and World Peace. Oh, and here’s Religion. Sign here, please.

(The SHOPKEEPER signs. DELIVERYMAN exits. SEEKER approaches.)

SEEKER:
How are the people who buy at Striveway different from the Broadway crowd?

SHOPKEEPER:
They’re more focused. They do better quality work. But by focusing on one area, they often miss the broader spectrum of life. Sometimes their definition of success comes at a heavy price.

(A SHOPPER enters from the audience and begins browsing Broadway.)

SEEKER:
Look—I’ve only got one life. Isn’t there anything better?

(She heads toward Narroway.)

What’s this?

SHOPKEEPER:
Oh, that? That’s Narroway—the least traveled part of my shoppe.

(SEEKER picks up the sign and reads it.)

SEEKER:
“The way is narrow that leads to life.” Why do so few people shop here?

SHOPKEEPER:
It’s narrow, not very attractive on the outside—no fancy displays. And it’s by far the most difficult section. Some people browse here out of curiosity and then head elsewhere. But the few who buy here… they develop a quality I just don’t see anywhere else.

SEEKER:
Can you describe it?

SHOPKEEPER:
It’s hard to explain. But they have joy that’s deeper. They aren’t addicted to things. Their lives are guided by the transcendent values in this book. It brings everything into balance.

SEEKER:
That doesn’t sound so difficult.

SHOPKEEPER:
Oh, but it is. They’re constantly going uphill—always against popular culture. They choose virtue over vanity, discipline over indulgence, honesty over personal gain. And they’re often disliked by others.

(The SHOPPER brings a book labeled “Bad Stuff” to the counter.)

SHOPPER:
How much for this?

SHOPKEEPER:
One hundred dollars, your reputation, and at least two years of wasted time and potential.

SHOPPER:
Only if I get caught.

SHOPKEEPER:
Very well—one hundred dollars, please.

(SHOPPER pays, takes the bagged book, and exits.)

Have a nice day.

SEEKER:
So Narroway costs the most?

SHOPKEEPER:
It costs you anywhere you buy. Broadway is cheap up front but costly later. Striveway is pricier in the middle. But Narroway is an investment. It costs the most up front but pays eternal dividends.

SEEKER:
When you put it that way, I’d be a fool to buy anywhere else.

SHOPKEEPER:
That’s up to you. I’m just the shopkeeper.

SEEKER:
How much to buy here?

SHOPKEEPER:
Everything you’ve got—now, and for the rest of your life.

(SEEKER pauses, thinking.)

SEEKER:
Could I observe the sections first before deciding? I’d like to start with Broadway.

SHOPKEEPER:
Window shop? Certainly. I’m content to be patient. Sooner or later, everyone buys from the Lifestyle Shoppe.

(SHOPKEEPER exits. Lights go out. SEEKER walks toward the Broadway section.)

SEEKER:
Hello? Is anybody here? Hello?

Scene Two: Runaway

(Lights up. RUNAWAY enters from stage left and walks straight up to SEEKER.)

RUNAWAY:
Hello. My name is Runaway. What’s yours?

SEEKER:
Seeker. What are you running away from?

RUNAWAY:
A prison—masquerading as a home. Want to go looking for the good times together?

SEEKER:
I don’t know. What do you mean by the good times?

RUNAWAY:
Fun, excitement, adventure—anything but the dull, boring life I had with my dull, boring parents.

Sample Script

Want to see how the story unfolds? DramaShare members get this complete script— and access to our entire library—free! Not a member? You can still grab this individual script and bring it to life.