“Jerusalem’s Most Wanted”
by Frederick Passmore
Copyright 2003 Sheep Laughs Publications
Synopsis: Detailing Peter’s deliverance from prison and certain death by an angel in the Book of Acts, this dramatic, yet sometimes humorous script is one that will bless your church! Utilizing up to nearly 20 people and lasting 20-25 minutes, this full-fledged five-act play demonstrates the continuing impact that Christ’s resurrection had on those who lived through it. Great for something different on Easter!
Soundtrack key: This is the type of script where your actors deliver their lines and the soundtrack supplies the background music and sound effects as the script calls for them.
Length of play: 20-25 minutes.
Number of cast: 17 with some extras; some are major parts and others minor.
Category: Biblical Story/Dramatic
Price of script PDF & MP3 Skit Trax: Instant download ONLY: $14.99 Add to Cart
Price of script PDF & Physical CD: $19.99 plus shipping: Add To Cart
Characters: Narrator John Walshavius, Peter, the Angel of the Lord, the Captain of the Guard, the two main guards, the Centurion, two soldiers with him, Rhoda, Mary Magdelene, Mary the mother of Jesus, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Thomas, and several others with them. This drama takes 20-25 minutes to perform, but if you wish to lengthen the time of the program, consider having special songs during the scene changes. Having singers perform a song between each act will extend the drama time to fill your entire program.
Costumes: Roman armor and helmet for the Centurion, tunics and sandals for the Captain and the guards. Various robes and tunics for the disciples. White robe for the Angel. (For a website that sell full Roman and Biblical costumes, go here.)
Props: Chains and bonds, spears and swords.
Setting: A primitive prison for one side of the stage, a simple room for the other. A door leading out in the prison and a door, sideways with both sides visible, for the upper room.
“Jerusalem’s Most Wanted” plot breakdown (A general description of the script; not all details or scenes are here, but it gives you an overall picture of what it is like.)
The play opens with the show host, John Walshavius, recounting the events of the Apostle Peter’s escape from a maximum-security prison. The program’s host delivers the facts from the perspective of the Roman Empire, in that the Apostle is an enemy of the State. But when the events are played out on the stage, we see the actual reality of how God sent an angel to answer the disciple’s prayers for Peter’s release. After the introduction, we see Peter delivered to the prison by guards and chained between two others, and he is mocked by the captain of the garrison for his faith.
Preview a PDF page of the script that contains the scene above by clicking here:jerusalems_most_wanted_sample_pg_01
Peter is peaceful through it all, and manages to make some good points in response to the Captain’s taunts. The events surrounding the Resurrection are discussed, and doubts are raised in the minds of the soldiers chained to Peter as to the official story that was circulated to cover it up. The scene changes to the disciples gathered at Mary’s house as they are upset at the news of Peter’s arrest and looming trial. Mary, the mother of Jesus, reminds them of Jesus’ words, and they decide to pray for Peter’s release. Back in the prison, while Peter snores noisily, the guards and the Captain discuss him, the events surrounding Jesus’ death and rumored resurrection, and what it all means. As they wind down their discussion, an Angel appears, putting them all to sleep, and waking Peter, releases him from the chains.
Peter, in a humorous scene that challenges the Angel’s patience, tries to explain away the things that he sees happening, and concludes that he is dreaming. Only after being led out and left alone outside in the rain does he realize that he has been supernaturally rescued. He decides to hurry to the home of Mary where he knows the disciples often gathered. There is more humor as the maid Rhoda refuses to believe that Peter is outside the gate, but once in, he is greeted with much joy and thanksgiving.
Preview a PDF page of the script that contains the scene above by clicking here:jerusalems_most_wanted_sample_pg_02
In a final scene back at the prison, we see the dismay and consternation of the Captain and the guards as it is discovered Peter has escaped. They are led away for punishment as they acknowledge that God has helped Peter get away, and the guards express faith in Jesus as they ponder their doom. The program host closes out the play with a warning to be on the lookout for this dangerous escapee, and some Roman propaganda that we know turns out to be completely inaccurate historically.
Preview the soundtrack by clicking on the player below.
Read some of the testimonials about the script from just a few of the many users:
Fred,
Twenty-three students from K-10th grade will be performing “Jerusalem’s Most Wanted” for their parents at our annual dinner theater at Anthony Christian Academy in Ft. Myers, FL, on October 20th. We purchased the script and soundtrack and it is GREAT! We are still in the rehearsal stage but are excited about doing it. Thank you so much for providing such a powerful Christian message in your skits/plays.
-Cyndi Anthony
Fred,
The Celebration Presbyterian Church in Myrtle Beach, SC performed “Jerusalem’s Most Wanted” on April 10, during our Youth Sunday service.
Your script was excellent and easy to use. Our youth really enjoyed performing and found it easy to follow. We didn’t have a lot of time (4 rehearsals) but they did a great job. Our youngest was a 2nd grader and our oldest an eighth grader. We used 16 kids in the performance. We of course used the CD that went with the script and it added so much to the whole setting.
I can’t thank you enough for your site and your material. I was desperate and this really “fit the bill”!!!
God is Good,
Karen Jones
Fred,
Just want to let you know that I read your script “Jerusalem’s Most Wanted.” I thought it was WONDERFUL!
PRAISE GOD FOR WHAT HE’S BLESSED YOU WITH!!! And THANK YOU.
I am excited about the soundtrack for this, so that we can do this at my church for Christmas. The church is “Rivers of Living Water,” in Dyer, Indiana.
God bless you!
-Linda Vargas
Hi Fred!
I am finally getting around to thanking you for our chapel script. My 5th grade class performed “Jerusalem’s Most Wanted” in January. The kids had a blast! I appreciate your creating the CD of the music. Thanks again. Everything was awesome!!!!
Sincerely, Anne Fischer
Calvary Christian School
Harlingen, TX
Fred,
Thank you for your skit opportunities. Also I LOVE the soundtracks to go with them. I agree, if you watch TV without the sound, not very exciting. It’s the background music that adds to the emotion.
Karin L. Adams
Zion Christian Fellowship
Douglasville, GA
Okay, if you liked the story breakdown, and enjoyed the Skit Trax previews, and were encouraged by the testimonials of those that have done it, buy the complete script and soundtrack here!
Get the script PDF (to print out) and audio tracks (to burn to your own CD) here. Instant download ONLY: $14.99 Add to Cart
Get the physical CD mailed to you by ordering here. You will be taken to a page where you can print out the script PDF as well as an email containing the script PDF. Physical CD: $19.99 plus shipping – Add To Cart
Order through the mail with a check or money order by printing out this order form and mailing it to us. Click to open or download: order_form_new
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WHAT WE OFFER:
Dramatic Plays:
Our plays range from 20 minutes all the way up to 80 minutes. They are written to engage the viewer, make them think, to impact the emotions, and present the Gospel in such a way that they perceive it as meeting the needs of their life. The aim is to bless the believer, and give the person that has never made a decision for Christ a desire to invite Him into their life.
Comedic Skits:
Our skits range in length from 5 minutes up to 20 minutes. While most are comedic in nature, using humor to impart a perspective that may not have been considered, the laughs are all tied into the message, and there is always a resolution that leads the viewer into consideration of the Truth contained in it. The humor can be enjoyed by all ages.
Soundtracks:
The soundtracks that we make to accompany the scripts add drama and emotional impact to the script’s performance. There are two different kinds of script and soundtrack; the kind where you do the lines live and the soundtrack is played at certain times during the performance; and second, the kind that supplies all the narration, music and effects mixed together to play as the actors perform, with no lines to learn. Each script description page tells you which kind it is under the “Soundtrack Key.”