The Christmas Rewind

Sunday 16 December 2007

Drama summary: A fast paced, lighthearted retelling of the Christmas story. The drama was written for 5 actors who played a total of 18 different parts. We used 11 actors to play the 18 different parts and we used 2 for the narrator.

The drama begins with a crotchety old Zechariah "I'm decomposing over here" being told by an angel "nobody ever listens to me!" that Elizabeth "Throw in a massuese and I'd be in heaven" is going to have a baby. It then moves on to Mary "Did you see King Herod on Cribs last night?" telling Joseph "Hold on babe, I'm watching the game." that she was with child and what the angel "Told ya he wouldn't believe her!" had told her.

An egotistical Ceasar "This crown doesn't make me look fat?" in an effort to satisfy his counting craving decides, with the help of his servants "You're looking splendid sire." to hold a census. This forces Joseph and Mary to travel to Bethlehem where Joseph has a hard time finding lodging. Not having a reservation makes it impossible to get a room at the Hyatt "nanny nanny boo boo" or the Magic 8 "where kids eat free every other Wednesday". But a mush mouthed "redneck" decides to "get her done!!" and provides him with a place to stay in the manger.

Meanwhile three wiseguys discover the star "Are you mockin' my star?", decide to pay the new king a visit and bring gifts "maybe a nice cheese platter". On their way they run into Herod who wants to kill, I mean "'worship' him too". The wiseguys suspicious of Herod decide to take another way home "You want I should take the Northwest Tollway?".

And to make a long story short...Too Late! The angel tells the shepherds "Cha!" that the Savior has been born in Bethlehem. "AWSEOME!!!" and they leave their flocks to join the others and go and see this baby.

Our narrators "Look, who's the narrator here?" guide us through this story to help us see that time and again, "God was there" and that "God had come to be...with us...at last."

Cast:
Jill Tyler - Narrator
Britney Smith - Narrator
Dave Breuer - Zach, Bubba at Bubba's Moto Lodge
Shane Miller - Angel, Ceasar
Candy Muhme - Elizabeth, Wiseguy
Ashlyn Havens - Mary
Dan Wort - Joseph, Herod
Erika Levine - Servant, Shepherd
Amy Lein - Servant, Tiffany at Magic 8
Nina Welding - Prim and prosh receptionist at Hyatt Regency, Wiseguy
Mandy Fox - Wiseguy, Shepherd

Credits:
Director - Jeanne Fox
Assistant Director - Harold Rodgers
Author – Aaron Reynolds (http://childrensministryandculture.wordpress.com)

I'm PC

Sunday 2 December 2007

Sketch summary: This sketch was to have the look and feel of the "I'm A Mac and I'm A PC" commercials. Lights up on a casually dressed young man and a middle aged man in a suit. The young person introduces himself as Mac and the middle aged individual introduces himself as PC. Mac asks him the question "You're a PC?" to which he replies "No, I'm not a computer. I'm 'PC'. You know, PC. Politically...". PC goes on to explain how he's having some problems, but not to worry, he has it covered. PC calls Sam to the stage. Sam has a big box of band aids that represent different solutions to our problems. Solutions like, money, education, psychology etc. Each band aid is about 2 feet in length. At the same time the band aid is applied, a picture of a band aid along with it's representation appears on the screen. After awhile PC is covered in huge band aids and he still has problems and there are no more band aids. PC asks Mac for help in removing the band aids. Mac escorts PC as he waddles off stage.

Author/Director's Notes:
The pastor wanted to go with a visual example of how we attempt to put band aids over problems that need more than band aids. He had this vision of large band aids with words on them like Money, Education, Technology etc. Our problem was arriving at what we would use for band aids and how we would attach them. Velcro? Double sided tape? What material would we use for the band aid? We would solve that problem as the week went on. First, we had to write the sketch. Harold wrote the sketch initially with a parody in mind. Mac had the problems and PC was going to attempt to fix them with band aids. This direction was considered problematic by the pastor and one of the triumvirate. I thought the twist would be a good one but conceded and re-wrote the sketch giving PC the problems and adding a third character since Mac would not attempt to solve PCs problems. It was on Saturday then that Harold found a roll of brown paper that was about 6 inches in width that could be cut in about 2 foot lengths and then shaped like a band aid. Our Stirfy artist, Karen Hosinski, then used a magic marker to give them final definition. Double sided carpet tape was then used at each end. The backing of the tape had to be removed and then placed back on in a manner that would make the removal of the backing easy.

Cast:
Mac – Joshua Martin
PC - Eric Edmond
Sam - Steve Matteson

Credits:
Director - Harold Rodgers
Author – Harold Rodgers

Script:
Theme: What Is The Solution – Reframing My View of Life Performed:
12/2/07
Setting: Empty stage – take off on I’m a Mac/ I’m a PC commercial DRAMA166.doc

Props: 7 Large band aids
Characters: Mac – dressed casually in jeans, carrying a Bible.
PC – White shirt & tie.
Sam – Tech guy with box of huge band aids


Lights up on PC and PC.
MAC
Hi, I’m Mac

PC
And I’m PC.

MAC
You’re a computer?

PC
No, I’m not a computer. I’m “PC”. You know, PC. Politically...

MAC
Oh, Okay.

PC
So, how are you?

MAC
Me? I’m doing fine. And you?

PC
Well. Don’t tell anybody, but, I’m having some problems.

MAC
I’m sorry to hear that. How can I help?

PC
I think I have it covered. [calls to Sam who is off stage] Sam!
[Sam enters with a big box of band aids.]
Sam here has some solutions.

MAC
Solutions?

PC
Right here in this big box. Let’s apply one and see how it works.
[Sam pulls out the Material Band aid and puts it on PC.]

MAC
Money? You think money is going to solve your problem?

PC
I did have some hopes that it would, but I still have problems.

SAM
Maybe you need this one.
[Sam pulls out the Sociological band aid and puts it on PC]
There. We’ve changed how you relate to others and how they relate to you.

MAC
That’s not an easy task for PC there.

PC
No, and it didn’t solve my problems.

MAC
What else do you have in there?

SAM
Let’s try Education.
[Sam pulls out the Education band aid and puts it on PC over his head.]
[PC begins to get perturbed.]

PC
I really have problems don’t I?

MAC
Umm, not anymore than anybody else.

PC
I probably need to work out more, eat healthier and maybe even get a little plastic surgery.
[Sam pulls out the Biological band aid and puts it on PC so that it covers his butt.]
[PC shakes his head.]
Maybe it’s in your head then.

SAM
Maybe you just need to see a “shrink”.

MAC
Wouldn’t a therapist be more PC?

SAM
Oh, right. Yes.
[Sam pulls out the Psychological band aid and puts it on PC]
Your problems are gone right?
[PC gets a little flustered.]

PC
Wrong

SAM
I’m running out of solutions. One of these has to work!
[Sam pulls out the Technological band aid and puts it on PC]
Technology is the solution. Wouldn’t you agree with me on that Mac?

MAC
As much as we are all into technology, it’s just not the solution to his problems. I might have something that could help.
[Mac holds up the Bible but Sam & PC ignore the suggestion.]

PC
Isn’t there anything else in there? I still have problems.
[Sam pulls out the Political band aid and puts it on PC from thigh to thigh.]

SAM
Political. We just enact a law and everything will be alright.

MAC
You’re out of solutions aren’t you? And PC still has problems. All of your solutions were just band aids, no real solutions at all. What do we do now?
[Sam shrugs his shoulders and exits.]

PC
Uh, Mac. Can you help me get these off? They’re starting to irritate me.

MAC
Sure PC. But let’s not do it out here. I don’t want all these people to see you cry.
[Mac & PC exit. PC waddling back and forth due to the band aids.
Lights off.]

Birds, Bees, Geneologies

Sunday 18 November 2007 

Sketch summary: A lady in her 40s is sitting in a rocking chair sewing. In walks Sonny possibly her husband. He’s wearing a hunters cap and a traffic safety vest and carrying a bag of chips and beef jerky. The lady asks about his day and he describes how he has fun messin’ with people while directing traffic. After a short pause he asks “Where did I come from?” She replies, “You are getting so forgetful. Why, you just came from the kitchen.” He says “No. Where did I come from?” with emphasis on his question. She then gets a shocked look and calls out “Henry” while leaving the room. We now hear the conversation between her and Henry and discover that Sonny is their adult son. Ma wants to know if Pa has had the talk with Sonny yet. Pa replies that he was waiting until there was a need for it. Ma tells him to get out there and give him the talk now. Pa begins his talk with “Let me tell you ‘bout the birds and the bees, the flowers and the trees and the moon up above and a thing called…” Sonny interrupts and it is now that we find out he is wondering about his heritage. Pa give him some information but then tells him he’ll have to ask his Aunt Tammy if he wants more information and that she is all into that “gynecological” stuff. Ma returns and asks if Pa answered his questions. Sonny says yeah, “but if I want details, I’m going to have to talk with Aunt Tammy.” Ma hollers for Henry and rushes off stage. 

Author's Notes: When I first wrote the sketch, I thought I did a fairly good job with it. It wasn’t until Sunday morning when Steve, playing Sonny, wondered if it would be okay to add some lines to his part. It was then that the sketch really began to come across as a good sketch. Thanks Steve and Nina for taking an okay sketch and making it a great sketch. The reference to Aunt Tammy in the sketch was a reference to Tammy Gregory who is into genealogy. References to Edmund Littlefield, Lucy Whitefield and Tichfield Hamshire England are all from my family tree. 

Cast: Ma – Nina Welding 

Sonny - Steve Matteson 

Pa (Henry) – Harold Rodgers 

Credits: Director - Harold Rodgers 

Author – Harold Rodgers with additional lines by Steve Matteson

Great Expectations

Sunday 14 October 2007

Sketch summary: It seems as if Kathy and Greg's endless prayers have finally been answered. In a few hours they will be parents. Then, unexpectedly, the birth mother changes her mind about the adoption. Kathy and Greg are again left childless and wondering why God hasn't answered their prayers.

Director's Notes: This sketch breaks out of our normal humorous mode and presents a serious topic. There were tears in the congregation by the end of the sketch. There were a number of positive comments regarding the talent required by the actors to make this believable.

This is one of the few sketches we have performed that we did not write. We had performed this sketch years ago. So far back that Jeanne and Harold as the parents seemed plausible. This time around Harold's graying hair excluded him from consideration as the father.

Cast:
Kathy - Pamm Avery
Deb - Miriam Wertz
Greg - Steve Matteson

Credits:
Director - Harold Rodgers
Author - Sharon Sherbondy (Willowcreek)

Pete's Personality Emporium

Sunday 7 October 2007

Sketch summary: Dee brings her husband Brad to Pete's Personality Emporium to see about getting him a new personality. Brad in a monotone expressionless manner responds that he's perfectly happy with his personality. Samantha the saleswoman brings them over to PAT the Personality Assessment Test dummy to determine what kind of personality to give Brad. Dee wishes Brad would communicate more, so Samantha begins with the "Chatty Kathy" module. Using the remote control Samantha brings PAT to life and the words come pouring out. Dee thinks they should see some other modules before making a decision. Samantha then shows them the a personality which empathizes with what Dee might be going through and ends up with "you need a hug". There's one more personality that Samantha shows them, the "get 'er done" module. The decision is going to be a tough one. When asked for input, Brad goes over to Samantha and takes the remote. He looks at it and then activates PAT in the "thinker" mode. PAT takes a thinking pose and then begins "Personality modules are still in their infancy and not without probable undesirable side affects. Extreme caution should be..." before Samantha can turn that module off. Brad exlaims "Nuff said." and walks out. Dee says they need more time. Samantha ponders if that last module should be disabled and then says "Maybe I should have shown her my favorite" and activates PAT. PAT then begins speaking in French. "Ma cherie. Tu est tres belle. Je t'aime. Voulez vous du cafe avec du lait froid?".

Cast:
Samantha the saleswoman - Jeanne Fox
Dee the wife - Julie Havens
Brad Bland - Eric Edmond
PAT - Harold Rodgers

Credits:
Director - Jeanne Fox
Author - Harold Rodgers

Ned's Acute Ability

Sunday 30 September 2007

Sketch summary: Penny and Amy are at a restaurant prior to ordering. Penny is talking about a small group she is in that recently were talking about passions. Everyone else mentioned noble passions like serving, helping the poor and making a difference. Penny told them her passion was shopping. Ned the waiter arrives at the table. You can tell from Ned's appearance that he's a little different. Penny gives her order, which consists of a number of specifics as to how she wants things prepared. Amy then gives her order which she keeps changing. Meanwhile Ned has written none of this down. When asked, he explains that memorization is one of his abilities and that it's his pleasure to use this ability to serve them. He also explains that he memorized the entire non-fiction section of the library's book titles and authors. They decline testing him on it. He leaves to get their drinks. Amy mentions to Penny that she has a library book in her car and that they could quiz him on it. The book is "The Garden In Autumn". From back stage we hear Ned call out "Allen Lacy". He returns with the drinks and explains that another ability he has is an acute sense of hearing. Ned explains that each human has between 500 and 800 abilities. Penny is adamant that Ned not show them how he can squirt milk out his tear ducts or turn his eyelids inside out. Penny allows him to discern her occupation by looking at her hand. Ned takes her hand, strokes it and smells it while saying he sees dead presidents, strips of paper and hand sanitizer. He declares she is a bank teller. Amy is amazed and asks "you could tell that from my hand?" He confesses that he saw her at the bank a couple weeks back when he was making a deposit, but "I got to hold your hand." He then snorts a chuckle. Ned hears his boss enter the kitchen and leaves. Penny declares "The nerve of that guy." Amy responds "I kind of like him." We hear Ned snort chuckle from back stage.

Cast:
Penny Persnickity - Jeanne Fox
Amy Ambivalent - Karen Hosinski
Ned Nerdly - Steve Matteson

Credits:
Director - Harold Rodgers
Author - Harold Rodgers

Designed With You In Mind

Sunday 16 September 2007

Sketch summary: A group of friends discover numerous wrapped gifts. Harold initially thinks they are for him. Julie poses that perhaps these are what the pastor has been talking about...our spiritual gifts. Harold immediately lays claim to one of the big ones. The others exhort him that the gifts are not chosen by us but that they are chosen for us. They begin identifying which ones belong to whom based on the tags. As they open their gifts they receive items that reference the type of gift they have been given. Chris receives markers, scissors, erasers to signify teaching. Jeanne receives cash and a check book to signify giving. Julie receives pom poms and cards to signify encouragement. Karen receives serving dishes to signify hospitality. Harold receives a bedpan to signify serving. The cast leaves the stage with their gifts and one unopened gift remains. At the end of the sermon, the pastor walks over and picks up the unopened gift. Perhaps this is a gift that God has given you that you have yet to open.

Cast:
Harold Rodgers
Chris Havens
Julie Havens
Jeanne Fox
Karen Hosinski

Credits:
Director - Jeanne Fox
Author - Jeanne Fox

Wonderfully Made

Sunday 9 September 2007

Sketch summary: God has made Elizabeth to be a unique individual. We watch as she grows and as her parents attempt to make her into someone else. God has made her introverted, left handed and an interest in arts. Her parents though have forced her to use her left hand and made her into the child they desired.

Cast:
Elizabeth - Katie Zook
God voice - Chris Havens
Female Narrator - Julie Havens
Father - Steve Matteson
Mother - Nina Welding

Credits:
Director - Harold Rodgers / Jeanne Fox
Author - Willow Creek

He Owns The Cattle

Sunday 20 May 2007

Sketch summary: Excerpts from Job's conversations with God using current day language. This monologue explored the deep emotions of loss that Job experienced.

Lord, why? Why?

You have given, and now you have taken away. I understand your power, your love, and your protection. I've seen all of that. I don't understand this.

I know you own the cattle on a thousand hills. But those cattle were mine.

Yes, they were from you. I know that ... here (points to head). But they were also mine ... here (points to heart). And, the donkeys, and sheep, and my children. (points to heart again)

My children, Lord.

If the pain I feel could be measured, it would outweigh the earth, be greater than the oceans. It would blot out the sun.

What have I done? Why have you made me a target? Why?

You perform wonders that cannot be fathomed and miracles that cannot be counted. Your hands shaped me. But you now destroy me.

I don't understand.

Wisdom, power, and understanding ... they are yours, Lord.

You make nations and leaders great and destroy them. Yet, as a speck of a man, I expected only good from you. That's all I was prepared to accept from your hand.

It hurts, Lord.

You used to watch over me but now have worn me out.

Lord, you have devastated my entire household.

It's gone. They're gone. I have nothing. I am nothing.

I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. He gave me life and showed me kindness. I know that. I believe that. I know that when I die, I will see him.

But it hurts now, so much, and I don't understand.

Help me.



Cast:
Job - Brad Banacka

Credits:
Director - Jeanne Fox
Author - Nina Welding

Worship 101

Sunday 6 May 2007

Sketch summary: Carrie, Melodye and Lee have signed up for Worship 101. Each has their own ideas on worship. "Get your body moving and the spirit will soon follow." says Carrie. Melodye is not sure when to clap, whether to sing with hands down palms up or hands up fingers spread, when to sit, when to stand. Lee enjoys responsive readings, structure and form, but wonders if there might be more to worship.

Avery, the class instructor, wants them to get beyond their pre-conceived notions of worship and see it more as a lifestyle, every day relationship with the Heavenly Father. He wants them to explore worship when they are facing a battle, going through difficult times and when they just don't understand.

Cast:
Carrie Symatic - Nina Welding
Melodye Sharp - Miriam Wertz
Lee Turgy - Chis Havens
Avery Day - Steve Matteson

Credits:
Director - Harold Rodgers
Author - Harold Rodgers

Where There's Smoke

Sunday 8 April 2007

Sketch summary: Angie, Walter and Brad are enjoying a coffee break discussing Brad's team's recent victory when the fire alarm goes off. Angie plays it safe rather than sorry and leaves after trying to convince Brad that it could be real. Walter who wants to identify with Brad decides to stay also. That is until smoke begins to roll in and a fireman comes to evacuate them. The fireman happens to be a rival from another ball team which adds to Brad's resistance to leave. Brad is then forcibly removed.

Sketch notes: The sketch was written for Walter to be a nerd. Steve portray's our nerd character and was just in a sketch the previous week. Harold did not feel right trying to do the nerd, so we made the character a little British and anal.

Cast:
Brad - Chis Havens
Walter - Harold Rodgers
Angie - Jeanne Fox
Fireman - Brad Banaca

Credits:
Director - Steve Matteson
Author - Nina Welding

In The Darkness Of Life

Sunday 1 April 2007 Sketch summary: Tom has just returned from his wife Sandy's funeral. He has a very frank and emotional discussion with his sister Shelly. Who's going to fix his daughter's hair for the prom? Who's going to help his son with his geometry? She should have been here for the prom, and graduation and weddings and grandchildren. Sandy lived for those moments. Now the house feels like someone turned off the electricity and left him alone in the cold and darkness. Right now he has to wonder "Does God really even care?" Sketch notes: It was good to do a serious sketch. Steve enjoyed the opportunity to portray such a somber character. He actually shed tears during the performance. Cast: Tom - Steve Matteson Shelly - Nina Welding Credits: Director - Harold Rodgers Author - Jeanne Fox

Mary Like Had A Diminutive Farm Animal

Sunday 18 March 2007

Sketch summary:
A story can be told in many different ways. When you are sharing the story of Jesus the lamb of God, you want to be as clear and concise as can you can. Today the story of Mary Had A Little Lamb was told in three wrong ways that we could tend to fall into. One uses technical jargon or Christianize, another is judgemental and a third is distracted. During the actual performance, the actors were stopped before completing their story. We have included the full story here for your entertainment.

Cast:
Technical storyteller - Eric Edmond
Judgemental storyteller - Nina Welding
Distracted storyteller - Julie Havens


Credits:
Director - Jeanne Fox
Authors - Three of us had the pleasure of being able to write today's sketch.
Technical Story - Harold Rodgers
Judgemental Story - Jeanne Fox
Distracted Story - Nina Welding

TECHNICAL
“MARY POSSESSED AN OVIS ARIES”
Mary possessed a diminutive adolescent ovis aries.

It’s filamentous matter was lacking color so much that it appeared similar
to precipitation in the form of ice crystals intricately branched into a hexagonal form.

And in each location that Mary traversed, the adolescent ovis aries in most definite certainty accompanied her in travel.

The adolescent ovis aries moved behind her in the same direction to an institution of instruction during a particular 24 hour period.

This event of the adolescent ovis aries at the institution of instruction caused the persons of few years to express pleasure by expulsing air from their lungs in an audible manner in punctuated bursts in addition to causing them to exercise themselves in amusement.

Therefore the instructor at the institution of instruction forcibly removed the adolescent ovis aries, but it passed time aimlessly in close proximity, And it remained in readiness in a manner that was calm and without complaint until such point that Mary became visible.

“Why does the adolescent ovis aries exhibit a profoundly tender affection for Mary?” exclaimed the impatient persons of few years.

“Why, Mary exhibits a profoundly tender affection for the adolescent ovis aries, of which you should be cognizant”, the instructor at the institution of instruction expressed using words in response to the interrogative sentence form.

JUDGEMENTAL
“MARY HAD A FARM ANIMAL”
There was this country bumpkin kid named Mary who had a farm animal for a pet, a lamb. There wasn’t anything special about the animal, just a dingy white lamb.
Well, obviously Mary had never heard about leash laws because this barnyard animal ran loose, following her anywhere she went.Wouldn ’t you know, one day the mangy thing followed her to school. Now everyone knows that it is against the rules to bring your pets to school. So here is this lamb without a leash or a cage or anything to contain it, runninghelter-skelter everywhere. You can imagine the raucous that caused among the other students! They were laughing and carrying on something awful. Well, the teacher would have none of it and turned the mongrel out. But the stupid thingwouldn ’t leave. It just sat outside the school for the whole day until Mary came out. “What is the deal with the lamb and Mary?” the kids asked. The teacher told them, “Mary has issues. She obviously has problems with co-dependence and obsession.”


DISTRACTED
“MARY HAD LIKE A LITTLE LIKE LAMB”
Like don't you just love the different pets people have today. My friend Mitzy has an iguana, like gross. And, Buffy has one of those little potbelly pigs. It's the cutest thing. Some people compare them to dogs, but I like dogs much better. You know, man's best friend and all. Anyway, Mary, she's this girl I used to know, had the strangest pet I've ever heard of. Like a lamb, you know, sheep, like "Baa, baa." And, it's like
not one of those cute little black sheep you see at the petting zoo with the llamas and goats. Don't you love petting zoos, the animals are so cute, except you can only give them those like totally noxious pellets, and then they like lick your hands.Eewh .. Well, Mary's like little sheep, I don't know if it was a boy or girl sheep, but it, yeah, it followed her everywhere. Like one day, it followed her to school and
like totally caused a riot 'cause no one's supposed to bring pets to school unless it's like show-and-tell or something. But they don't do show-and-tell unless you're in kindergarten or something so, like Mary got in mega trouble. The teacher even shoved the little thing out the door. The sheep, not Mary. Duh. Can you imagine, a poor little lamb. Like what would PETA say about that! Not like it's on the endangered list or anything, but I mean, really, way to dis a sheep. But like, it
stayed around all day. Like through lunch and like the whole day, waiting for Mary. Not that she could have cut class or anything because the teacher was like reallly watching, and the kids kept asking about the thing. Most of them had never seen a sheep before, not up close or anything, cause school's like not in the country or near a farm or anyplace you'd usually see a sheep. The closest most of the kids got to a sheep was the wool in those boots that are made in like Australia.Uggs
or something like that. Anyway, the teacher told them to get back to work cause like the lamb is not going to be on the final and Mary needed to just get overitt.


Behind the scenes:
I knew that memorizing the Technical story would not be easy. When I approached Eric and asked him about the part, he said "Harold....you gotta be kidding me....you want me to memorize this?" After a few more e-mails and an offer for him to do the Judgemental one, Eric agreed to do the technical story. When he showed up for practice Wednesday evening he pretty much had it nailed. Amazing! Then, Sunday morning not only did he have the lines down, he had the delivery down also. Eric, "you da man!"

Living in 3-D: The Miracles of Modern Medicine

Sunday 11 March 2007

Sketch summary: Mr. & Mrs. Semple are in to see the Dr. who is experimenting with some 3-D glasses. He ends up being more like a Mr. Magoo than really having his vision improved.

Cast:
Dr. Evan Hawke - Harold Rodgers
Nurse Mendenhall - Jeanne Fox
Mr. Alvin Semple - Chris Havens
Mrs. Edna Semple - Karen Hosinski

Credits:
Director - Jeanne Fox
Author - Nina Welding

St. Mark Is Alive With The Sound Of Music

Sunday 11 March 2007

Advertisement Skit

Skit summary: Max has no intention of going to the Sound of Music Sing Along. George though gets Max to see some of the benefits of going. Their dialogue is sprinkled with song lyrics from the Sound of Music.

Cast:
George - Steve Matteson
Max - Chris Havens

Credits:
Director - Jeanne Fox
Author - Harold Rodgers

A Walk Across The Room

Sunday 4 March 2007

Sketch
summary: Joy and Allen are grabbing a bite to eat at a
fast food restaurant. While Joy is waiting for Allen to return with the
food, ahomeless man wanders in and around. Joy watches him. When Allen
returns, it is obvious they have more food than they need. She suggests
sharing it with the homeless man. Allen hesitates with the normal
aversions to a homeless person. Particularly when it's clear she not
only wants to share food but wants to eat with him. Before long Allen acquiesces.

Cast:
Homeless man - Steve Matteson
Joy - Jeanne Fox
Allen - Harold Rodgers


Credits:
Director - Jeanne Fox
Author - Harold Rodgers

This sketch was based on an actual incident where Josh and Andrea Gregory shared a meal with a homeless person while vacationing.

Extreme Makeover Transformer

Extreme Makeover Transformer

Sunday 14 January 2007 Sketch summary: Dr. Frank N Steihn has created the Extreme Makeover Transformer, EMT for short. His hunchbacked assistant Aygore has rounded up some "guinea pigs" for experimentation. Ugly Betty is a little hostile towards Dr. Steihn for some of his insinuations about her current condition. Aygore persuades Ugly Betty to enter the EMT and that she will be able to "let him have it" when she comes back out. Dr. Steihn adjusts the settings on the EMT; the EMT is heard working and Beautiful Betty emerges as a young prom queen who is very well mannered. Aygore informs Dr. Steihn that he has another "specimen" if he would like to try some advanced makeover challenges. With Dr. Steihns approval, Seth our young youth pastor is presented by Aygore. His desire is to be transformed into a "stellar" preacher. Dr. Steihn adjusts the settings to intelligent, theological accute and charisma. The EMT then blips and whirs. Aygore opens the door and exclaims "Dr. Steihn! What have you done!". Pastor Gregory emerges from the EMT. Cast: Dr. Steihn - Steve Matteson Aygore - Harold Rodgers Ugly Betty - Karen Hosinski Beautiful Betty - Kristine Hosinski Seth - Himself Pastor Gregory - Himself Credits: Director - Jeanne Fox Author - Harold Rodgers There were a number of comments after the service regarding the sketch. Some called it the "best sketch yet". Personally, I prefer the Chef Henri sketches. The congregation loves it when John pushes his comfort zone to become part of the sketch. This was no exception. When John emerged from the EMT the congregation erupted. It even shocked me that some where surprised when Pastor Gregory emerged. Feel free to leave your comments. In fact, I'm hoping that this can be a forum for Stirfry members and Stirfry friends to give us feedback.