Showtime At First Baptist
by Ron Osborne

Name: Showtime At First Baptist
Brand: Ron Osborne
SKU: 9780573696466
Rating: 3 (2 reviews)

Showtime At First Baptist Book Cover — Showtime At First Baptist Cover

Highlights

Small Cast

Female

120 mins1970sAll WomenUnit Set/Multiple SettingsPeriod CostumesAmerican Comedy

Synopsis

A bolt of lightning struck First Baptist of Ivy Gap, igniting a fire that destroyed the sanctuary.

In the wake of the disaster, key women of the church gather in what's left (the fellowship hall) to commiserate and try to put things back together.

To raise spirits and funds for rebuilding, the women plan an evening of entertainment designed to showcase the congregation's talent.

Could it be that some of Edith's gang plan a song and dance number that would shock the congregation?

If so, how will they circumvent the authority of the all-male conservative board of deacons?

Change is in the air as these six diverse women challenge institutions as well as each other.

Along the way, there are laughs to be shared, battles to be fought, love to be won, relationships to be mended, and losses to be grieved

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ThemesBaptists Baptists--Drama PS3615.S275 S56 2009

Press Reviews

"Good natured religious jokes aplenty and drama...But the real meat is a gentle, warm story about six good women and how they came together despite times that are, 'a changing'...A serious play and a delightful comedy...I sure enjoyed it."
— Bristol Herald-Courier

"Sure to be an instant classic...This touching comedy is full of laughs, realistic characters and thought-provoking issues...The Southern women who inhabit the world of Ivy Gap are amazing! Osborne can definitely write great women characters...It's small-town politics at its most entertaining...Bring the whole family."
— Washington County News

"It's a comedy first, but a comedy with bite and those moments of seriousness make the funny moments even funnier...delves into some thought-provoking topics while making you laugh too hard to feel offended...you can't help but be taken in."
— A! Magazine For The Arts

Characters

Character	Gender	Age	Description
Vera the opinionated wife of the church's most powerful deacon, mid-60s	female	60s	the opinionated wife of the church's most powerful deacon, mid-60s
Mae Ellen the church's rebellious organist with a dream, 50	—	—	the church's rebellious organist with a dream, 50
Olene a former member with a flashy past who just returned to Ivy Gap, 50	—	—	a former member with a flashy past who just returned to Ivy Gap, 50
Annie a northerner living with her in-laws while her husband serves in Vietnam, early 20s	female	20s	a northerner living with her in-laws while her husband serves in Vietnam, early 20s
Lucille Annie's mother-in-law, a tried and true Baptist, early-50s	female	50s	Annie's mother-in-law, a tried and true Baptist, early-50s
Edith the pastor's take-charge wife, mid-60s	female	60s	the pastor's take-charge wife, mid-60s