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Showtime at First Baptist

  • Ron Osborne
  • Full Length Play, Dramatic Comedy, 1970s
  • 6F
  • ISBN: 9780573696466

Good natured religious jokes aplenty and drama...A serious play and a delightful comedy.

Bristol Herald-Courier

  • Full Length Play
  • Dramatic Comedy
  • 120 minutes

  • Time Period: 1970s
  • Target Audience: Appropriate for all audiences
  • Set Requirements: Unit Set/Multiple Settings
  • Cautions: Mild Adult Themes

  • Performance Group:
  • Dinner Theatre, Community Theatre, High School/Secondary, Professional Theatre, Reader's Theatre, College Theatre / Student, Church / Religious Groups, Senior Theatre
The sequel to the hugely popular and widely produced First Baptist of Ivy Gap

First Baptist of Ivy Gap's 100th anniversary picnic was a smashing success, except for one little thing: the bolt of lightning that struck the church's steeple, igniting a fire that destroyed the sanctuary and so much more. In the wake of the disaster, key women of the church – led by Edith, the pastor's take-charge wife – gather in what's left (the fellowship hall) to commiserate and try to put things back together. To raise spirits and funds for rebuilding, the women plan an evening of entertainment designed to showcase the congregation's talent. Could it be that some of Edith's gang plan a song and dance number that may shock the congregation? If so, how will they circumvent the authority of the all-male conservative board of deacons, not to mention, one of their own? Change is in the air as these six diverse women challenge institutions as well as each other. Along the way, there are laughs to be shared, battles to be fought, love to be won, relationships to be mended, and losses to be grieved.

The play features music (in the form of hymns played on an organ or piano) as well as additional hymns and traditional music song by characters to advance the story, define character and entertain.

REVIEWS:

Good natured religious jokes aplenty and drama...But the real meat is a gentle, warm story about six good women and how they came together despite times that are, 'a changing'...A serious play and a delightful comedy...I sure enjoyed it.

Bristol Herald-Courier

Sure to be an instant classic...This touching comedy is full of laughs, realistic characters and thought-provoking issues...The Southern women who inhabit the world of Ivy Gap are amazing! Osborne can definitely write great women characters...It's small-town politics at its most entertaining...Bring the whole family.

Washington County News

It's a comedy first, but a comedy with bite and those moments of seriousness make the funny moments even funnier...delves into some thought-provoking topics while making you laugh too hard to feel offended...you can't help but be taken in.

A! Magazine For The Arts
Premiere Production: Premiered on the main stage of Barter Theatre, the LORT-member State Theatre of Virginia, on June 11, 2009, running 40-plus largely sold-out performances.
  • Casting: 6F
  • Casting Attributes: Ensemble cast, Strong Role for Leading Woman (Star Vehicle), Minority casting, All Female
  • Casting Notes: Has proven to be a terrific showcase for an all-female cast.

EDITH - the pastor's take-charge wife, mid-60s
VERA - the opinionated wife of the church's most powerful deacon, mid-60s
MAE ELLEN - the church's rebellious organist with a dream, 50
OLENE - a former member with a flashy past who just returned to Ivy Gap, 50
ANNIE - a northerner living with her in-laws while her husband serves in Vietnam, early 20s
LUCILLE - Annie's mother-in-law, a tried and true Baptist, early-50s

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Showtime at First Baptist Script Order Now

The sequel to the hugely popular and widely produced First Baptist of Ivy GapFirst Baptist of Ivy Gap's 100th anniversary picnic was a smashing success, except for one little thing: the bolt of lightning that struck the church's steeple, igniting a fire that destroyed the sanctuary and so much more. In the wake of the disaster, key women of the church – led by Edith, the pastor's take-charge wife – gather in what's left (the fellowship hall) to commiserate and try to put things back together. To raise spirits and funds for rebuilding, the women plan an evening of entertainment designed to showcase the congregation's talent. Could it be that some of Edith's gang plan a song and dance number that may shock the congregation? If so, how will they circumvent the authority of the all-male conservative board of deacons, not to mention, one of their own? Change is in the air as these six diverse women challenge institutions as well as each other. Along the way, there are laughs to be shared, battles to be fought, love to be won, relationships to be mended, and losses to be grieved.The play features music (in the form of hymns played on an organ or piano) as well as additional hymns and traditional music song by characters to advance the story, define character and entertain.

$24.95