The Prodigal Son (A Parable with Music) CAST OF CHARACTERS Narrator A Father Younger Son Bad Friend B Pig A Servant A Narrator B Older Son Bad Friend A Bad Friend C Pig B Servant B Chorus PROP CHECKLIST Farming tool and basket Purse of coins A nice robe, a ring, and sandals Sack or blanket folded into a bag Bowls of fake pig food Drinking cups ACT ONE: At Home Chorus: (Sings The B-I-B-L-E ) The B-I-B-L-E (Use hands to make a book) Yes, that s the book for me! (Points at self) I stand alone on the word of God (Take a step in place) The B-I-B-L-E! Narrator A: Now Jesus was speaking to a crowd. He told them this story. Once there was a man with two sons... Father: (Walks onstage with sons. The older son is holding a farming tool.) My boys! It is a beautiful day that our Lord has made! Come, we have much to do.
Older Son: I ll tend to the fields today, Father. I want to make sure the workers are doing things correctly. (Walks offstage) Younger Son: Father, can I talk to you? Alone? Father: Of course, my son. What is it? Younger Son: Father, please give me my part of the inheritance now. I want to go out on my own and see the world. Father: Are you sure? It will be yours someday. I don t know if you re ready yet. In the meantime, you can Younger Son: I m sure, Father. I would like it now. Working the fields just isn t for me. It s just so boring here and there are so many rules I have to follow. Father: (Resigned) Alright...I will make the arrangements. Younger Son: And I ll get ready to go. I ll be fine. More than fine! You ll see. (Father leaves with a sad face) Big city, here I come! Narrator B: Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had and headed for a distant city alone. ACT THREE: In the Big City Chorus : (Sings O Be Careful ) O be careful little feet where you go. (Hand motion - take a few steps in place) O be careful little feet where you go So be careful little feet where you go. O be careful little mind what you think (Hand motion - tap head) O be careful little mind what you think So be careful little mind what you think. Narrator A: Walking around this new city with his wealth, the younger son soon fell in with a bad crowd. Bad Friend A: (Puts arm around Younger Son.) So, it s your first time in the city, eh? Well, you re in for a treat, and we re the best guides a newbie like you could wish for. There is so much to do here and so many opportunities...especially if you ve got the coin, if you know what I mean.
Younger Son: Coin? Oh, money! Yes, I have lots of money. See? (Holds out purse) Bad Friend B: Lots of money, huh? (Nudges other bad friend) You re in for a great time, little prince. Bad Friend C: With all that money, the city will be at your feet! Although, here s a bit of friendly advice. You might want to keep that purse out of sight. Lots of bad people here, you see. (Winks at another friend) Younger Son: Oh, thanks for letting me know. (Puts purse away) Lead the way, my new friends! I can t wait to actually have a good time for once. Bad Friend A: I know a fun party that s happening down the street. All the people worth knowing are there. Bad Friend B: But first, you need to be more presentable. Your country clothes may be fine at home, but here they won t do. Luckily, I know an awesome tailor. For a small fee, he ll dress you better than the king himself! Bad Friend C: And I know some games we can play behind the inn over there where you can double your money. You wouldn t have to do another day s work ever again. Younger Son: Really? That s amazing! I knew coming here was a great decision. Younger Son & Bad Friends: (Bad Friends jump and are soon joined by Younger Son) Party! Party! Party! (Step offstage) Chorus: (Sings O Be Careful ) O be careful little eyes what you see. (Hand motion - cover eyes briefly) O be careful little eyes what you see. So be careful little eyes what you see. O be careful little ears what you hear. (Hand motion - cover ears briefly) O be careful little ears what you hear. So be careful little ears what you hear. O be careful little hands what you do. (Hand motion - clap twice) O be careful little hands what you do. So be careful little hands what you do. Narrator B: And so the bad friends led the younger son astray. He forgot everything his father had taught him and gave into all the temptations that came before him.
Narrator A: But before long, the money ran out. The younger son had wasted it all. (Younger Son walks onstage, looking tired and digging in his purse. Flipping it over, it should be clear it is empty.) Bad Friend A: (Walks over) Hey, kid. The innkeeper wants the money for the week plus damages. I may have broken two vases during the party last night. Younger Son: I...I don t have any more money. It s all gone... Bad Friend B: (Walks over with Bad Friend C) Really? Wow. That s terrible. Um...I have to go do something today. I ll see you around, okay? Bye! (Runs off quickly) Bad Friend C: And I need to...help him with that something...(leaves) Bad Friend A: Tough luck, kid. (Begins to leave) Younger Son: Wait! Are you leaving too? But...what do I do now? Bad Friend A: Not my problem. Think of this as a life lesson. I d say, See you later, but I probably won t. It s been fun. Look me up if you get more money. (Leaves) Younger Son: No, wait! I...I thought...we were friends... Narrator B: And so the younger son was alone with no money or friends. Just when he thought it couldn t get worse, a really bad famine hit the land, and he had to leave the city to try to find a way to survive. In the country, he came across some pigs on a plot of land. ACT THREE: In the Outskirts Chorus: (Sing to the tune of Old MacDonald Had a Farm. Kids can wear pig masks.) There was a farmer on a field He had a lot of pigs The smell was very strong indeed He had a lot of pigs With an oink-oink here An oink-oink there Here an oink, there an oink, Everywhere an oink-oink There was a farmer on a field He had a lot of pigs! Narrator A: So he found work in the country feeding those pigs. He was so hungry that he wanted to eat the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
Pig A: Oink! Oink! Younger Son: (Sits with pigs after feeding them) I wish I were you, pigs. You re taken care of. You get food...(sigh) I have nothing. Pig B: Oink! Snort! Younger Son: (Shakes head) I can t believe I m jealous of pigs. (Pause) I can t believe I m talking to pigs. (Pause) Here I am, starving to death, when even my father s workers have food to spare. Pig A: Oink! Oink! Oink! Younger Son: You re right! I should go back to my father, beg him to forgive me, and tell him that I m not worthy to be his son. I ve hurt him and done terrible things, but maybe he ll at least take me back as one of his workers. Pig B: Snort! Oink! Younger Son: (Stands up) Yes. That s what I ll do. Well...I guess I m going home. Narrator B: And, so, the younger son left the pig farm and headed back to his father s lands with a sad but hopeful heart. Chorus: (Sings Make Me a Servant ) Make me a servant Humble and meek Lord, let me lift up Those who are weak And may the prayer of my heart always be Make me a servant Make me a servant Make me a servant today. ACT FOUR: Back at Home Narrator A: As he walked, he tried to plan out everything he would say to his father, but as he got closer to home, his heart was heavy. Narrator B: However, unknown to him, his father had seen him coming, even though the young man was still far off, and his father was filled with compassion for him. Father: It s my son! He s come home! (Runs over to son and embraces him) Oh, my son! I am so happy to see you!
Younger Son: (crying) Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I m not worthy to be called your son. Father: (embraces him again) No, no...you are my son. (calls off stage) Quick, my servants! Servants A & B: (hurries on stage) Yes, master! Father: Quickly bring the best robe for my son! He has returned! Servant A: Right away! (hurries off) Father: And put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Servant B: It shall be done as soon as possible! (leaves) (Both servants return with items and put them on the Younger Son) Father: And now let s have a feast to celebrate! Bring the fattened calf and kill it so we can rejoice in my son coming home. For he was dead and is now alive again. He was lost and now is found. Chorus, Father, Younger Son & Servants: Praise God! (All sing Down in My Heart ) I ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart (Where?) Down in my heart (Where?) Down in my heart I ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart Down in my heart to stay! (CHORUS) And I m so happy! So very happy! I ve got the love of Jesus in my heart! (x2) I ve got the peace that passes understanding down in my heart (Where?) Down in my heart (Where?) Down in my heart I ve got the peace that passes understanding down in my heart Down in my heart to stay! (CHORUS)
(Father, Younger son, and Servants stand off to one side, as Older son comes on with basket) Older Son: What s going on? Servant A: (walks over to him) Your brother is back, safe and sound! Your father is celebrating his return. He s invited everybody! Older Son: What! Are you kidding me?! (Throws basket down and sits on the stage, pouting.) (Servant A goes and whispers to Father who nods and sends the others offstage to continue celebrating. Father walks over to Older Son.) Father: Won t you come in? Older Son: No! I don t understand. All these years, I ve been the good son. I ve worked so hard for you and never disobeyed your orders. But you ve never even let me have a goat to celebrate with my friends! And here comes my screwed-up little brother who wasted your money on wild living and bad friends, and you kill the fattened calf for him! How is that fair? Father: Oh, my son...(sits down next to him) You are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we have to celebrate and be glad now because your brother is home and alive. He was lost but now he s found. (Puts an arm around his shoulder) So...won t you come in? (Older Son nods slowly. Father leads Older Son offstage) Narrators A & B: In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven t strayed away! Luke 15:7. (Everyone comes onstage) Everyone: (Sings Jesus Loves Me ) Jesus loves me this I know For the Bible tells me so Little ones to Him belong They are weak but He is strong Yes, Jesus loves me (x3) The Bible tells me so! Jesus loves me He who died Heaven s gate to open wide He will wash away my sin Let His little child come in Yes, Jesus loves me (x3) The Bible tells me so!
COSTUME SUGGESTIONS Have characters wear Biblical-style clothing. This can be done using large pieces of cloth, elastic headbands, scarves (as belts), and clothespins. Biblical-style costumes can also be purchased online or easily handmade. Father: Outfit in shades of brown, tan, or white; beard; staff; sandals; headwear Older Son: Outfit in shades of brown, tan, or white; sandals; headwear Younger Son: Outift No.1 in shades of brown, tan, or white with sandals and headwear; Outfit No.2 in brighter colors with sandals; Outift No.3 in shades of brown or tan and make it dirty Bad Friends: Brightly colored clothes with sandals; possibly some jewelry Pigs: Pink and/or brown clothes with pig masks Servants: Outfits in shades of brown or gray; sandals; no headwear Narrators: Completely black or white outfits Chorus Members: Outfits of the same color (pick one that coordinates with the background and doesn t draw too much attention from main characters) SET SUGGESTIONS Have the chorus stand in rows off to the side of the stage or in the back of the stage if possible, and put the narrators on the opposite side. ACT ONE/ACT FOUR: Home Create a Bibilical-style house with cardboard or wood and earth-tone paints (works best if there is a door that can open). Set on one side of the stage. Have a bench and a basket with cloth in front ot it. On the other side, create a small portion of a field using cardboard or wood and paints and/or fake plants. ACT TWO: City Set up what looks like a marketplace using poles and striped blankets (to make awnings). Add to this with baskets or boxes with cloths and various prop wares. Have a wooden table and stools to one side with cups and a pitcher. ACT THREE: Pig Farm Have a wooden fence set up (easily done with long pieces of wood or thick cardboard) in the back. This can be rested against a wall or propped up with heavy objects like bricks. Big sheets of brown cloth look like mud/dirt (without the mess) and can be set up around the fence and under the pigs. Create a dead tree for the other side of the stage using more cardboard or wood that is painted in dark colors.