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THANKSGIVING
DONE WRONG
61082
by Rene Gutteridge
GENRE: Comedy
TIME: 7 minutes
CAST BREAKDOWN: 1M, 1F
THEME: Thankfulness
CHURCH YEAR SEASON: Thanksgiving
SUGGESTED USE: Worship Service
CHARACTERS:
NARRATOR
MIKE—A young husband
JAMI—Mike’s young wifeSYNOPSIS: When Mike and Jami sit down for their Thanksgiving dinner, Jami's prayer reflects more of what they don't have than what they do.
PROPS: Table, two chairs, two candles, a small turkey,
paper plates, silverware, cups, etc.
COSTUMES: Contemporary
SOUND: Two cordless microphones
LIGHTING: General stage
SETTING: Small table set for Thanksgiving
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE: Ephesians 5:18b–20; Luke 17:11–19; Psalm 115:17–18; Psalm 138
MIKE is sitting at the dinner table when JAMI brings in the turkey.MIKE: Looks wonderful!
JAMI: Oh, it's a little dry. It's from the supermarket, not one of those fancy places that sell high-quality turkeys. I did the best I could with it.
MIKE: I'm sure it's fine. Sit down and let's eat!
JAMI: (Sitting) Shouldn't we say a prayer first?
MIKE: Oh, of course! It is Thanksgiving, after all. I guess we should thank the Lord for all that we have.
JAMI: Yes.
MIKE: Okay. Well, let's bow our heads, and why don't you start?
JAMI: Me? Why me? I baked the turkey, for crying out loud. I got up at 5 a.m. to start the darn bird and it barely weighs five pounds. Don't you think you could cut me some slack?
MIKE: Oh. Well, praying isn't supposed to be a chore, is it? (Jami agrees sheepishly) Alright, I'll start. (They both bow their heads) Our Father in Heaven, on this day, this great day of much thanks, we would like to thank you, oh Lord, for all the things you have done for us. Um, like this turkey. We're blessed to have a turkey.
JAMI: I'd hardly call it a turkey, Mike. It's barely poultry. Look at it. It's pathetic.
MIKE: Oh. Well, we thank you, then, that we have a home in which we can eat the turkey…
JAMI: Which, Lord, we would like to sell next year in hopes of buying a bigger, better one.
MIKE: (Glancing up at Jami) Um, okay, and we'd like to thank you, Father, for our families…
JAMI: Neither of which could clear their schedules enough to come join us for Thanksgiving.
MIKE: (Glancing up at Jami again) Okay, then, thank you for the silverware we're using to eat our dinner.
JAMI: Stainless steal, not silver, dear. Janet next door has silver.
MIKE: Okay, fine. Then thank you for our neighbor, Janet.
JAMI: (Laughing) Honey, no. Janet angers me for the simple reason she has everything Iwant.
MIKE: (Looking up) Well, Jami, isn't there anything you're thankful for this season?
JAMI: Why yes. I'm thankful for the new Waterford china in sixteen place settings.
MIKE: We don't have Waterford china.
JAMI: (Smiling) I know. I'm hoping you'll take the hint and get me some for Christmas. You can go look at Janet's if you want to see the pattern I want.
MIKE: (Sighing) Surely there is something you're thankful for.
JAMI: (Thinking long and hard; Mike is on the edge of his seat) Yes. You. I'm thankful for you.
MIKE: (Frowning) You had to think that long and hard to come up with the fact that you're thankful for me?
JAMI: Well, with that attitude, never mind.
MIKE: (Sighing) I'm sorry.
JAMI: Okay, then, I'm thankful for you again.
There is an awkward silence.
JAMI: Well, what do you say we eat this half-rate Thanksgiving meal that's probably already sent us into bankruptcy and is going to give us food poisoning?
MIKE: (Swallowing hard and looking worried) Pass the green beans, please.
Lights out.
DIRECTING Thanksgiving Done Wrong
Mike and Jami are having a conversation we've all had with someone we love. The "no matter what I say they'll negate me" discussion. We've also been in both people's shoes, so the key to directing this script is to try and make both characters as believable as possible. It would be easy to portray Jami as over the top and unsympathetic while watching Mike shrink farther and farther into his own skin. However, in real life we tend to support our loved ones with as much enthusiasm as we can, right up to the last minute.Try to make sure your actors don't "act the end" of the script from the beginning.
STAGING NOTES:
Although the lighting calls for general stage lighting, there is a lighting trick that is easy to set up that could be very effective for this scene.
Have the actors perform part or all of the scene behind a white sheet while the lights of the sanctuary are dimmed. Set up two bright lights to shine on the actors from behind, and their shadows will be cast on the sheet.
When the two lights (they should be small spotlights if available, although a bright flashlight would also suffice) are moved back and forth (closer to or farther away from the actors) it will make the actors look much smaller or much larger. This would be another excellent way to demonstrate shrinking or growing status.
ACTING EXERCISE: Status Games
Thanksgiving Done Wrong has a lot to do with "one-upmanship." Mike tries to thank the Lord for something, and Jami immediately knocks down his ideas. Although they are equals in the sense that they are married, their status continues to shift as they each counter what the other has to say.As an exercise, or in performance, have the actors try these two "status metaphors":
1) Mike takes a turkey leg on his line, "Looks wonderful!" Jami immediately takes another turkey leg with her first line, and the couple duels (as if they're sword fighting) for the remainder of the piece.
Take into account where each character "strikes a blow" and have the other character back up, fall, etc. For instance, although Jami would seem to "strike the most blows," Mike scores a point when he says, "praying isn't supposed to be a chore, is it?" Let Mike knock the "turkey sword" out of Jami's hand. While Mike prays, have Jami scramble on the floor to get her "sword." After Mike finishes praying, she can retrieve her weapon and start fencing once again on her line, "I'd hardly call it a turkey." Choreograph the entire scene like this until the end, where Jami has her "killing blow" with her last line. Mike can say, "Pass the green beans, please" as if he were dying.
2) If available, try to find two adjustable chairs that are simple to lower and raise at the touch of a switch. Have the actors raise and lower themselves depending on when they "score a point." This way you can try to have the actors portray the sense of status with their physicality as well as their lines.
Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5: 18–20 NIVThoughts from the PASTOR
A friend of mine was recently discussing her wealth, even though she doesn't have a lot of money, she is VERY wealthy. Most of us in the developed world are rich compared to those in other countries. Most of us can choose from a number of dishes or restaurants for dinner tonight. Although things might often be financially "tight," few of us experience first-hand the level of poverty found on much of our planet.
In the United States, people tend to view the American dream as an addendum to the Bill of Rights, rather than what is really is: an elusive carrot constantly dangled before us through advertising that awakens our continual lust to possess more and more. The issue, humorously illustrated in this sketch through the character Jami, is more than just viewing the "glass" of our lives as "half-empty." It is about losing track of the fact that, apart from the mercy of God, we might have nothing—not even a glass.
STUDY/DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1) Describe the most thankful person you know.
2) Why do you think some people are more thankful than others?
3) Do you ever find yourself feeling like the character Jami? How do you deal with that feeling? What are other strategies that might be tried?
4) Talk about a time when God mercifully gave you something that you could not foresee or would not have thought to pursue.
WORSHIP THME :
Thanksgiving for God's blessingWORSHIP IDEA :
The Heidelberg Catechism contains beautiful theology that can be used for praise and thanksgiving. Allow the congregation to read the answers aloud and your worship leader or music minister can read the questions.
MUSICAL LINKS
Performance Songs
"Praise the King"
(praise to God for His blessings)
As performed by Cindy Morgan
from her recording The Best So Far
on Word Records
Musical Style: starts with an intimate feel and builds to an anthem
"Seasons of Love"
(appreciating every moment of life)
As performed by the original cast recording of Rent on Dreamworks Music
Musical Style: pop; R&B
"Everyone Give Thanks"
(thanksgiving)
www.worshiptoday.com
Musical Style: fast tempo; Children's choir, with optional additional adult choir)
"Shower the People"
(appreciating others)
As performed by James Taylor from his recording Greatest Hits on Warner Brothers Records
Musical Style: easy country/pop
Hymns:
"Showers of Blessing"
(God's blessings)
J. McGranaham; D. Whittle
Musical Style: medium tempo
"Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing"
(God's blessings)
R. Robinson; traditional American melody
Musical Style: medium 3/4
"Come Thou Long Expected Jesus"
(Advent)
C. Wesley; M. Hunt; R. H. Pritchard (Public Domain)
Musical Style: medium 6/8
"O Come, O Come Emmanuel”
(Advent)
J. Mason Neale, Tr.
Musical Style: minor key; medium tempo
Choruses:
"All His Benefits"
(God's provision)
P. Baloche; E. Kerr (Integrity's Hosanna! Music)
Musical Style: tender ballad
"And That My Soul Knows Very Well"
(God's Blessings)
D. Zschech; R. Fragar (Hillsongs Australia)
Musical Style: medium tempo
"He Has Made Me Glad"
(rejoicing in the Lord)
L. Von Brethorst
Musical Style: up tempo
"Your Love for Me"
(God's love)
D. Harris; G. Sadler (Integrity's Hosanna! Music)
Musical Style: pop; medium tempo
Performance and photocopying rights:
Your purchase of this script grants your church unlimited use of these sketches within your programs and worship services. You may photocopy the script for each cast member in your church. Scripts and performance rights are not transferable between churches and cannot be resold. You may not use the sketches for any commercial or fundraising purpose, and usage rights do not extend to video, radio, television or film.Copyright © 2002 by Rene Gutteridge