The November People’s Choice Award goes to…
The people have spoken… The November People’s Choice Award goes to Damian Alejandro Arteaga, for his play, Jesus Christ!, presented as a staged reading at Monday Night PlayGround-LA on November 24th live at Broadwater Second Stage and simulcast via Vimeo Livestream. Congratulations, Damian!
Courtesy of Damian, we’re pleased to share the first two pages from the award-winning script. Enjoy!
JESUS CHRIST!
(A Jesus Christ Superstar Parody!)
By
Damian Alejandro Arteaga
Character Breakdown:
JESUS – No specific gender. Adult. Jesus Christ. A righteous person who has gotten some new ideas about fame and stardom. Willing to adapt to new ideas. Sings.
JUDAS – Male. Adult. Judas Iscariot. A judicious man who is not taken by Jesus’s new approach to teaching. Liked Jesus better before. Sings.
GODSPELL JESUS. – Male. Adult. Jesus Christ, but from Godspell. A goody two-shoes who thinks everything is for the best. The definition of a “square.” Joke sings, no vocal skill required.
A small temple in biblical times. It is ancient but has had some redecorating done to make it feel more modern. JESUS is in the temple. They are dressed in a white outfit which can only be described as Biblical Streetwear. They are stretching and warming up their body. They reach for a glass of water to drink, but then they spit it back out…it’s wine!
JESUS
Dang it. Sometimes I just want water!
JUDAS enters. He is wearing more accurate clothing, which is bright red.
JUDAS
Jesus Christ!
JESUS
That’s my name, don’t wear it out.
JUDAS
Listen, we need to talk.
JESUS
Judas…I do not need this hostile energy right now. I’m trying to warm up before the sermon.
JUDAS
Well, there’s a problem we have to discuss.
JESUS
Oh, is the temple already full? Don’t worry, there’s standing room in the back. I want as many people packed in a possible when I make my debut as Jesus Christ the Sermon Superstar!
JUDAS
Then you’re going to be disappointed. No one showed up.
JESUS
What!? I could have sworn that there would be attendance in the hundreds! Well, it’s fine. I can readjust. This will just be a intimate session with the rest of-
JUDAS
The other apostles didn’t show up either.
JESUS
What!? How can this happen? I know one apostle was supposed to betray me…
JUDAS
Which one?
JESUS
It doesn’t matter, Judas…Because all of them have left, except you! What happened?
JUDAS
They left because they don’t believe anymore.
JESUS
Oh! Well, it’s only natural that some people will not believe in God or the existence of Heaven. But I know that when the time comes, their faith in God will-
JUDAS
No, no, no. They still believe in Heaven and God…they just don’t believe in you. They think you’re not Jesus.
Jesus starts laughing and slapping his knees. Judas is unfazed.
JESUS
But I’m Jesus? Look at me!
JUDAS
People are starting to doubt. Even the Pharisees aren’t interested in you anymore and are spreading a wide net to catch the “real Jesus.”
JESUS
Why would they think I’m not Jesus?
JUDAS
It might have to do with everything you do being blasphemous every two seconds!
JESUS
How can I be blasphemous!? I’m literally Jesus!
(To be continued)
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Stay tuned for information about the next installment PlayGround-LA! For more info, click here