The Broken Seal

Final Script

Act 1

song – “real slow”

Sung by – Scott Coner

This is the musical introduction to the entire production. 

Lights: Band lit. Stage Dark.

Judas  takes his place on stage during this number

Judas’ Monologue

As we understand from the Biblical account, Judas has been possessed by Satan himself in order to do what he has done.  This final monologue serves as an interpretation of what it might have been like to be that tortured soul.  The actor’s goal should be to communicate the near madness that would be the logical result of one’s own soul or personality, if you will, at war with the most evil force of all actually dwelling within.  All of Judas’ movements and lines should convey torment, confusion, paranoia, bitterness, deep regret and, at the same time, vile hatred and unquenchable fury.  This is a challenging role.

Lights: Band dark. Dark, brooding, “creepy” lighting and effects center stage.  Spots on Judas.

Spoken part begins here

(spoken with conviction) Judas…Judas Iscariot.  (triumphantly) History will remember me! (pause, falling into sad reflection) …but how?  For what?  I was a believer…a real believer.  Did I not prove it?  I left everything to follow the Son of God…(pointing off stage) just like all the rest of them.  (Jingles the bag of silver in his hands, as if distracted by it, almost as if it is speaking to him) I’m no different.  Just like the rest of them.

(looks up toward the audience suddenly, and with excitement, as if snapping out of a trance, he begins to relate stories of his travels with Jesus) These last 3 years…you should have been there…He was magnificent! (It should be clear that Judas was more interested in Jesus’ power than anything else.  Remember, Judas did not care about people the way Jesus did.  His interest in following Christ was more selfish than anything else).  He slapped some mud on a blind man and gave him back his sight.  He fed thousands of people with nothing…nothing!  Just some bread and fish…some kid had brought them.  But it was the power of His words that made me sure He was the one.  No one ever spoke like Him.  He … He … changed you when He spoke.  It was so simple…what He said…so easy to understand, and yet…so difficult, sometimes.

(The inner turmoil surfaces here) He made me want to be a better man.  (rising in intensity, almost weeping) I could have been a better man!  (hanging his head, almost whispering) So much better.

Doesn’t matter.  It’s just me, now.  (defiantly) I did what I had to do! (instantly confused and anguished) My reward? I’m alone…empty…abandoned.  (struck with sudden realization of the enormity of what he has done) I have betrayed my master!  I betrayed the Son of God!   Betrayer! Betrayer!

(pause again…eyes dashing back and forth, messing nervously with the bag of silver…he speaks quickly now, like a madman about to lose all self-control)

He told me…He said it…He warned us, but I would have never believed it.  I’m just like the rest.  I’m a believer.  I left everything…just like them.  It can’t be me…I mean, that’s ridiculous…He’s not talking to me.  I’m just like the rest of them…(emotion building to an explosion) IT WAS ME! HE WAS TALKING ABOUT ME! IT’S NOT FAIR! IF HE KNEW IT WAS ME WHY DIDN’T HE SAVE ME, TOO?!! (quietly again) I’m just like them.  I loved Him…too.

(Now he’s completely fixated with the bag of silver.  He hates it.  He loathes its very presence.  It represents his doom, the worthless price of his worthless life.) A few pieces of silver (quiet, almost crazy chuckle).  I traded the savior…the messiah…the Son of God…for a few pieces of silver.  (Hurling the silver offstage, in unrestrained fury) KEEP IT!  I DON’T WANT IT! KEEP IT! KEEP IT! (breaks down into sobbing as he keeps maniacally repeating “Keep It! Keep It!”)

Cue Music

Lights: Lights come up on band.

During musical intro, Judas sobbing subsides, and he composes himself. 

Song – “Nowhere to Run”

Sung by – Judas

Lights: Flashback scene, stage right, on lyric “I watched him take a little girl…”

Lights: On guitar solo, Judas moves past the whipping post at the bottom of the staircase, pausing to reflect for a moment, then proceeds up the stairs to the top of the hill.  Second verse is sung from the top of the hill.

Lights: As the song ends, Judas begins putting the noose around his neck.  Lights go out. 

Sound effect: Snapping tree branch

Act 2

Lights: Jesus and the disciples are sitting together, stage right, probably at the last supper.  Lighting should be minimal on the market scene backdrop and focused on the disciples and Jesus as if they are alone together in a solitary place like the upper room.

Jesus – You will all fall away this night.
Peter – Even if all fall away, I never will.
Jesus  - (lovingly) Peter, even today, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny even knowing me…(holding up three fingers) three times.
Peter – (clearly agitated at Jesus’ lack of faith in him, stands to his feet) Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you!  (others nod and speak in agreement)
Jesus – (standing to his feet) Come, it’s time to go.

Lights: Jesus, Peter, James, and John move toward the garden, center stage.  Peter is still thinking about what Jesus said.  Jesus is also very troubled about what He is about to suffer.  Lights fade on stage right and lights up center stage on the garden scene.

Sound Effect: Night sounds – crickets, owls, etc.

Jesus – My soul is very troubled.  I need some time to pray.  Stay here and keep watch.

Cue Music

Lights: Lights up on band.  Jesus kneels down to pray.  Peter, James, and John sit down and lean up against the backdrop, trying desperately to stay awake.  As they fall asleep, lights fade out on stage.  This happens in 20 seconds, the length of the song intro.

Song – “Just A Few Miles From The Grave”

Sung by – Scott Coner & Peter

Opening verse sung by Scott Coner. Peter sings the parts written in the first person.

During the first verse, sung by Scott Coner, James, John, and Jesus exit the stage in darkness.  Peter takes his place center stage.

Sound Effect: Rooster Crow

Act 3

Peter walks away as the lights fade to black.  Shift to the market scene.  Sounds of a busy market place are heard…animal sounds, etc.  After a short moment, there are additional sounds of angry soldiers and an angry mob heard, as if in the background.  The dialog involves two men.  Though it may be cast differently, for the sake of this script, we will call one man the younger man and the other the old man.

The older man is established in the scene when the lights come up.  He is attempting to sell his wares to passers-by.  The young man enters shortly after the scene and the sounds are established, pulling his own cart of goods to sell.  He looks a little lost and confused.

Older Man – Step up folks!  Don’t be shy. I have everything you need at a fair price, right here!  You sir, care to have a look?  You, sir, have everything you need for the evening sacrifice?  I’ll beat any price in the market.  Step right up.
Younger Man – (interrupting the older man’s sales pitch) How’s business?
Older Man  - (looking disdainfully at the young man, answers sarcastically) How does it look? (turning his attention back to the imaginary crowd) Come on, friends, you can’t go to the temple empty-handed, now have a look…right here…
Younger Man – (interrupting again) What’s all the commotion going on over there? (pointing)
Older Man – (clearly annoyed, with a sigh) My friend, this is your lucky day.  Not only to you get to stick your miserable nose into already overcrowded marketplace, but for your viewing pleasure, we have…(extending his hand as if to introduce a performing artist or stage show)…a crucifixion.
Younger Man  - (shocked) Crucifixion? Who is it?
Older Man – (shaking his head and waving his hand) Bah, I don’t know.  Some lunatic who thinks He is King of the Jews.  Jesus…I think He said His name was.  (laughs at the thought) Can you imagine?  King of the Jews.  If I were going to fancy myself King of something, I would choose something other than this rabble around here, I’ll tell you that for certain.
Younger Man – (now he’s obviously taken aback by the revelation of who it is that is being crucified.  As he speaks to the older man, the older man’s contempt for him grows.  The older man will frequently interject sounds of disbelief like “bah” or “hmph” or such things) Jesus!  Did you say Jesus? I know this man!  Why are they crucifying Him?  He’s…He’s…wonderful!  I saw Him raise a little girl from the dead…from the dead!  He just laid His hand on her and she got right up.  Why, it’s the most incredible thing I’ve ever seen!  (The old man is trying to get away from this nut case, but the younger man pursues, touching his shoulder, tugging no his robe, etc.) And later…later that day there was this woman.  I had never seen her before in my life, but she just starts telling me this story of how she had been sick for years, and all she did was touch his robe, and she was healed!  (Goes into a reflective mood) I have seen Jesus.  He saw me, in fact.  It’s hard to explain.  We didn’t speak, but I know He…He saw me.  I’ve never felt such love and compassion from a person…without so much as a word.  (snapping out of it…back to reality) These people are making a terrible mistake!  What do they think they are doing?
Older Man – (he’s had it with this kid – now he speaks to him with condescension, like a father) What are they doing?  What are they doing?  I’ll tell what you they are doing…their job!  Punishing criminals and lunatics, just like they are supposed to be doing.  Me, I’m minding my own business and trying to make a living, which is exactly what you should be doing, friend.  (leaning in close) Don’t interfere with Roman justice, son.  They don’t take kindly to meddling.  (walks off, once again trying to sell his stuff) You sir, you need an evening sacrifice, yes?  I have what you need at a fair price…

Younger man exits as music begins to play

Song – “One Out In The Crowd”

Sung by – Young Man In The Market

Human video of the crucifixion to this song, along with video images.

Act 4

Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of James are bringing spices to anoint Jesus’ body.  Cloud scenes on screens. 

Song – “I Need You Now”

Sung By – Mary Magdalene

Act 5

During the musical intro of “The Broken Seal”, Jesus is placed in the tomb.  Night falls, and the screens show moonlight and other nighttime scenes.  Several soldiers are around the tomb.  One by one, all the soldiers leave except for the one soldier who will sing “The Broken Seal”.  As the music switches to the moonlight sonata, the one soldier falls asleep.  As the second movement of the music begins, he wakes up, and looks in the tomb to realize that Jesus has disappeared on his watch.  Grave clothes are folded neatly for the audience to see.  This signifies that the “job is done”.  The soldier sings the song…

Song – “The Broken Seal”

Sung by – The Soldier

The song ends with the soldier on his hands and knees.  Fade to black.  Music begins for next song, “I Must See Thomas”.  Switch to scene of the disciples for Act 6.

Act 6

This is a human video in which Jesus reveals himself first to the disciples with Thomas not present, and then to Thomas.  Ends with Jesus and Thomas in an embrace.

Song – “I Must See Thomas”

Sung by – Scott Coner

Act 7

Lights fade to black from Jesus and Thomas.  Stage stays dark, band is lit for the following number.  Starlight curtain is on, and screens show night time scenes (stars, etc.)

Song – “If The Stars Burn Out”

Sung by – Scott Coner

Act 8

The empty cross, empty tomb, and Judas’ tree should all be visible for the closing number.

Song – “You’re My Light”

Sung by – The band, the cast, and a special choir Ensemble directed by Traci Murray.