The set is being built and rehearsals are in full swing for a new show opening August 10th. The play is called “Mystery of the Hebrew Scribe” and it is an unintentional comedy. I say “unintentional” because for the months that I chewed on this idea, did the biblical research, sketched and outlined the story, it didn’t occur to me that it was going to be funny. But when the words began to come…it was.
It is funny the way real people are funny. Not Joey Hallelujah outrageous, but light-hearted and fresh, I think. One of the greatest compliments we ever receive is when people recognize the humanity of the people from the Bible, having seen them come to life on our stage. In this play, the humor lends a sweet human reality to a very miraculous situation. It is definitely one you will want to bring the whole family to see.
The words on the page cannot come to life without the amazing work the actors do, guided by my brother and partner, Glenn Polk. For Mystery of the Hebrew Scribe, Glenn has assembled one of the most talented casts we have ever had in a production at Ragtown.
The play solves the mystery of who wrote the book of Hebrews…or at least offers an undeniable possibility…but it is a bigger story than that. The play takes place over 30 years after Christ’s crucifixion. After all that time, the accounts of Jesus’ life, death, resurrection, and proclamation of His identity that we read in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John still had not been written. The Gospel of salvation through faith in Christ was being taught in person by the apostles and other disciples. The heralding of the New Covenant conveyed in Paul’s epistles and confirmed by those of Peter, John, James, and Jude…and most comprehensively in Hebrews was spreading through teaching, but what we call the New Testament was yet unwritten.
I think you will thoroughly enjoy the way the story unfolds. It is sweet and funny…but I hope and believe you will find it enlightening as well.
It was fun to write, and Glenn reports that the cast is loving it and excited about the production, which is always a good sign. We are so grateful that the Lord has woven together this wonderful group of very diverse people, each of whom has made this work their personal ministry.
And we are grateful to all of you who pass on the word about the plays at Ragtown Gospel Theater. People continue to come who have never been here before, and like everyone who sees the theater and one of the productions for the first time, they regret what they have been missing. Keep telling people about it. Word of mouth is wonderful, but it is still hard for people to get around to coming. The enemy sees to that.
The Ragtown Gospel Band and I have put together a new concert I think you’ll love. We’ve added a couple of things. Brother George Jackson will be accompanying us on the upright bass and the cello on a song or two, and Doctor Jimmy Kemp, who is one of the most exquisite guitarists you have ever heard, will be featured on two great songs. And yes, the piano is tuned up and ready to be flogged with wild abandon.
Make your plans to come early so you can tell everyone at church about this one. We really need you to do that for us.
Performances will be every Friday and Saturday (except Labor Day weekend) from August 10th through September 29th.
God Bless Y’all!
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