This play deeply reflects on issues of the family, salvation and love.

It speaks on varying topics such as, overcoming the pain of loss, the obstacles in marriages and why it is necessary for even 'good people' to make a conscious decision for Christ.

It speaks about the peace of God that surpasses all understanding, the love of God so rich and pure, measureless and strong. It speaks about a wife who will stand by her dying husband and a brother who will give up everything to stand by his family. 

The Prodigal goes to the very core of these issues and Bryan has offered us a story that is not new, but it is one that can never grow old.

The Story...

This play follows the life of two sons who have just lost their father to a Heart Attack. It is beautifully written, crafted with memorable characters that lead to   some real funny moments, and an unforgettable ending. It effectively highlights the unconditional love of God, Family and Friends and how all these elements can contribute to one's decision to choose salvation.

The Prodigal also emphasizes the fact that no one can be saved simply by being 'good enough.'

True salvation comes by acknowledging that Jesus died for us and totally accepting Jesus into our hearts. Amen!

Length: 70 Minutes
Cast: 5 males, 3 females..
Audience: Teens & Adults
Genre: Contemporary Drama

Sample Scenes

{{Bell from off-stage right indicates that someone has entered the store.  Jason enters – lights up as he turns on lamps from right to left.  Jason puts overnight bag and briefcase near desk, hangs up coat, gets cell phone and makes a call}}

Jason:            Sharon, could you put me through to Mr. Randolph?  Well, how about his secretary – uh – I’m sorry, assistant (pause) Yes, so sorry – Executive Assistant.  Great…. well, is anyone working today?  Yes Sharon I’m sure you’re working and I’ll bet that answering the phone is a taxing job but I need to speak to Mr. Randolph.  Yes, I heard you the first time – he’s not in and his secre – uh – Executive Assistant – also – not in.  How about I leave a message?  No, I don’t want voice mail.  I prefer that --- Sharon?  Sharon?  (sighs).

                        (Listens to voice mail message)  Yes, Mr. Randolph this is Jason Franklin the new associate.  I am going to need a few extra days here.  My father’s affairs were not in such good shape.  My secre – uh – Executive Assistant has all of my contact information.  I plan to fax a copy of the Johnson brief by tomorrow morning which will be filed ASAP.  Thank you Mr. (he is cut off)

                        (Jason redials phone)

                        (fake enthusiasm) Sharon ! How are you?  Mr. Randolph’s voice mail please.  No, I don’t want you to take a message, I want his voice mail.  You too. (sigh)  Mr. Randolph – Jason Franklin again.  I got cut off earlier.  I just wanted to say thank you for the time to deal with everything here.  I will be back as soon as possible.  I’m ready to be an asset to Randolph, Lee and (cut off – to himself as he turns and seems as though he is saying this to Delbert) Smith.

Delbert:          Adams.

Jason:            Excuse me?

Delbert:          Adams, Delbert Adams.  You’re a Franklin.  I remember you – you’re -

Jason:            Jason

Delbert:          Yes sir ree.  Jason.  I knewed that was you.  Boy you dun gone and growed up since I last saw ya.

Jason:            Delbert Adams – not THE Delbert Adams that was always coming around here when I was a kid?

Delbert:          Yeah.

Jason:            The same Delbert Adams that taught me how to play the banjo?

Delbert:          I did?  (thinks) Oh, Yeah, I did.  Say, you remember that year we won the pickin’ contest at the County Fair? 

Jason:            How could I forget that?

Delbert:          You still play?

Jason:            Ahh… not really.  It’s been a long time since I’ve –

Delbert:          Oh – c’mon now.  I bet you can still play.  Here now (goes over to where a banjo and guitar are located down left) – I’ll bet it’ll all come right back to ya.  You remember the song?

Jason:            Uhh – well, yes I think so.  Is this thing in tune? 

Delbert:          Let’s see

(They tune up and are ready to go.  Delbert starts off and Jason joins in – soon, Jason is playing just like he did years ago.  This is a rush to Jason.  Note:  We had two gentleman who play very well and they were able to arrange this on their own.  If musicians are not available for these characters then perhaps it should be cut) 

Delbert:          See – I knewd you could do it.  (putting back instruments)  So.  How ya been little Frank?

Jason:            Jason.

Delbert:          Oh yeah, I know.  I juz always called you Little Frank ‘cuz youz the yungist.  And – well, your last name’s Franklin so I thought it was kinda funny to call ya Little Frank.  Ya get it?  FRANK – lin.  frank – lin.  Lil’ Frank – (still dragging it out --) klin.  I hope that’s okay.

(awkward silence – Jason is wondering if Delbert is going to say anything.)

Jason:            So (shrugs) Delbert? (awkward laugh)  (asking as if he is asking, ‘Is this what I’m supposed to say next?) How have you been doing?

Delbert:          Good.  Good. 

Jason:            Great.  Great.

Delbert:          Hey Jason...

Jason:            (FINALLY!! Please say SOMETHING) Yes...

Delbert:          Hey .. I’m real sorry ‘bout your pa

Jason:            (Realizing why Delbert has been uncomfortable) Thanks Delbert.

Delbert:          That was a right nice funeral.

Jason:            I’m sorry I didn’t get to talk to you there.  I was running a little late.

Delbert:          I seed ya when ya came in.  Hey, if y’all need anything extra round here – you just give me a call.

Jason:            I appreciate that Delbert - why don’t you leave me your number and we’ll give you a call if we find that we need anything.

Delbert:          k.

(Jason picks up cell phone to take down number)

Jason:            Go ahead.

Delbert:          You need a pencil?

Jason:            No, that’s okay.  I’ll just save it on my cell phone.

Delbert:          (AMAZED!!) Shooooo weee.  You mean you can call me on that little thang?

Jason:            Yeah.

Delbert:          I’ze over at the barber shop the other day and I seed summ’n on the tv ‘bout one of them cell phones that tells ya when ya got meetin’s and stuff.  (helping himself to a softdrink from the refrigerator – and sits down to talk)  Ya know, like when ya gotta call your ma, or water the flowers, or feed the horses, or change your oil, or pick up some stuff from the store– but see, I work here part time for your pa so I  – or well, I did work for your pa – don’t rightly know what’s gonna happen now but – well, (Jason just nods)  Ya know – I just figer that people aughta be smart ‘nuff to figer out whar they gotta be and when.  And if they gotta keep a phone ta tell ‘em – why thays jus prob’ly waaay too busy.

Jason:            I’ll have to agree with you there. (awkward silence) Okay – so - - Delbert

Delbert:          Yep.

Jason:            Your number?

Delbert:          Number of what?

Jason:            No. Your phone number.

Delbert:          Oh – that’d be (as if announcing something that he has rehearsed over and over – with some difficulty of remembering) Fisher’s Ridge 28-10.

Jason:            Fisher’s Ridge 28-10?  What does that mean?

Delbert:          That’s my phone number.

Jason:            I don’t get it.  How do I put that in my phone?

Delbert:          I don’t know.  I never operated one of them there things.

Jason:            No – I know HOW to put a number in here – I just don’t know how to put it in like that.

Delbert:          You maybe got a book that tells ya how to operate it?

Jason:            No – see, I know how to put the number IN the phone but what is the number?

Delbert:          (same way of announcing his number) Fisher’s Ridge 28-10. D’ya git it?

Jason:            (somewhat frustrated) ... But what .... see, when you.... There are usually 7numbers --. (thinks better of this and resigns) – You have a pencil?

Delbert:          Not right on me.  My number won’t fit in your phone?

Jason:            Uh – no.  I (thinking) forgot the cord.

Delbert:          Shooooooo weeee.  I didn’t think them things had cords.  (Delbert’s special powers of finding things has “kicked in”) Okay, now - whar’s the last place that you seed your cord?

Jason:            Never mind – let me find a pencil (finds pencil in desk – takes a card or something from his wallet and keeps it out during this whole exchange).  Okay, shoot.

Delbert:          What?

Jason:            Go ahead. With your phone number.

Delbert:          (same way of announcing his number) Oh, Fisher’s Ridge 28-10. D’ya git it?

Jason:            Roger.

Delbert:          No – it’s Delbert.  Roger’s my Pa.

Jason:            (giving up) Uh—huh--- Okay, let’s see.  Delbert, Fisher’s Ridge 2-8-1-0.

Delbert:          (correcting him) 28-10

Jason:            (not even a beat) 28-10.  Got it.  Well, okay Delbert.  Thanks for stopping by – (sincere) it was good to see you.

Delbert:          You too – tell your brother I said, “Hey”

Jason:            I haven’t had a chance to talk to him since I’ve been in – how has he been?

Delbert:          Well, I only work here a couple days a week – but – well, I ‘spose he’s okay.  He seems a little edgy if ya ask me.

Jason:            Edgy?

Delbert:          Yeah, you know – just – edgy.  You figer he be wantin’ me to work this week?

Jason:            I don’t know.

Delbert:          Well – if so, he can call me.  My number’s in the desk.

Jason:            (unbelieving – here I went through this whole fiasco of getting your number and it’s IN THE DESK!!) You’re number’s in the desk?

Delbert:          Yep – right here (shows the card out of the desk).  See, “Delbert, Fisher’s Ridge 28-10.” (Delbert replaces the card and Jason crumples the piece of paper in disbelief)  I better be goin’.  I left Blue sittin’ outside and he gets awful cold real quick ‘cause he’s loosin’ his hair.  (begins to exit – but wait – here’s another story) Funniest thing I ever did see.  Took him up to Doc Baker’s last week and doc says, “Delbert – Old Blue is just loosin’ his hair.  He’s just getting’ old that’s all.”  (sits back down to enjoy his soda which is still at the table) I’ze at the barber shop the other day and I seed an ad on t-v for this stuff that ya put on ya head and it helps ya grow your hair.  So, I called Doc Baker and I said, “Can I get sum of that there stuff for Blue?” and he said that it probably wouldn’t work the same for dawgs.  But I went ahead and ordered the free video that tells ya how it works an’ all.  Thing is – now I gotta figure out where I can find me a place to watch that tape, ‘cause I ain’t got me one of them there tape players.  I got a tape player but it just plays those little bitty tapes with just music and stuff on it.  It don’t show no pictures and stuff.  It’ll play more than music - - as a matter of fact – it will record your voice so you can talk into it.  Your cell phone do that?

Jason:            Uh, no. I’ll see –

Delbert:          Well, see – this tape player I got last year for Christmas.  I think it was last year…. no, wait a minute – last year I got me that new knife for my tackle box.  So, I figer it woulda been the year before that (thinks, Jason almost gets to interrupt)  Well, anyway – it wuddn’t last year – but it was before that – but that don’t matter – anyway, it will record your voice and stuff.  I used up a whole tape the other day talking into it and I sent it to my Aunt that lives over in Statesville.  She’s my Aunt on my pa’s side.  That’d be pa’s sister.  I think it’s his youngest sister but I’m not real sure.  I don’t know if she got it yet or not but I figer that way – I can tell her ‘bout what all’s going on around here instead of havin’ to write it down.  It’s a lot easier – plus, she gets to hear my voice.  She’s always tellin’ me (slight pause to think of what his aunt always tells him)

Jason:            (quickly) What about Blue?

Delbert:          Nah, she don’t ever ask about Blue.  I don’t think she likes him too well on the count that he bit her on the foot when he was just a puppy.  I mean, it really wudden his fault ‘cause she did step on his tail.

Jason:            No – I mean – what about him now?

Delbert:          Nah, he don’t bite at all now.  He’s real laid back on the count of he’s a lot older now.  I don’t think he’d harm a fly.

Jason:            Don’t ya think he might be getting cold?

Delbert:          Who?

Jason:            Blue?

Delbert:          Yeah, you’re probably right.  I guess I’d better git  – See, I can’t let him stay outside too long on the count that he ain’t got much fur left and stuff.  I took ‘em over to see Doc Baker –

Jason:            OH – that’s my phone.

Delbert:          (amazed) Well, I didn’t even hear it.

Jason:            (obviously lying) It’s on vibrate – I really need to take this call.

Delbert:          Gollll-lee.  That’s neat.  It just shakes whenever ya git a call?

Jason:            Yeah.  I’ll see ya Delbert.

Delbert:          See ya later.  (begins to exit) Tell everybody I said, “Hey”

Jason:            Okay.

Delbert:          Bye. (exits right)

Jason:            Bye.

(peeks his head back in)

Delbert:          Huh?

Jason:            Nothing.

Delbert:          I thought you said somethin’ else….

(Jason shakes his head ‘no’ and waves… 

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