The First Nighter Program - Oh Little Town of Bethleham

Campanda's First Night Her Fault brand from the Little Theater off Times Square, starring Barbraladi and Alan Soulet, with an all star cast and sent you by Campanda, the quality name in cosmetics, theater Time and Tonight, just ahead of Christmas, a little theaterre off Times Square is delighted to comply with the requests of thousands of its brands from coast to coast by offering, for the ninth time then our famous Christmas play Little Town of Bethlehem, the Bible story

Night long ago.

The hour of the performance is growing.

Near, so let me introduce our host for the evening, mister first Nighter.

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.

I'm delighted that you can be with us tonight for the most celebrated performance of the year.

In The Little Tater, my cab is waiting. Won't you join me?

All right?

Driver?

Were there read all the money up Broadway and across forty second Street. Yes, a great white way looks like one big dazzling Christmas tree tonight.

And now just ahead is the Little Tater off Times Square.

Well, here we are, have your tickets ready play?

Have your tickets ready?

Please?

Good evening, mister First Nighter.

The Eucher will show.

You to your seat.

Thank you, We'll go right in.

Tonight.

A sponsor of the First Nighter program, Campaana Sales Company, together with all of their employees, whish to contribute to your enjoyment of the first peace Christmas since nineteen forty by the presentation of the sacred story.

Of the Birth of Christ in a Manger in Bethlehem.

We enter eagerly into the opportunity of offering you this evening the.

Christmas play The Little Town of Bethlehem by Anthony Wayne.

In tonight's performance, Barbara Lottie will play the part of Mary. Part of Joseph will be played by Olin soul. An all star supporting cast including Sidney Elstrom, Houston, de Vicker, Herbert Butterfield, Willard Waterman and Philip.

Lord will portray the other characters. Since tonight's performance will be interrupted only by music between the acts.

Here is mister Billsbury with a.

Special Yule Tide greeting, thank you and good evening. It is appropriate, I think, and it is heartfelt too. This greeking I want to convey to you. It comes from Campana Sales Company, the sponsor and all of their employees.

They joined together this evening in wishing.

You a very merry Christmas, and they want to express with warm gratitude their appreciation of your loyalty to them. During the past year, you and your friends all over the United States and Canada have chosen and used Campana products in ever increasing quantities, and we cannot let this year end pass by without saying thank you. During the past year, they became available again some of the ingredients which for a long time had been dedicated wholly to

Just ask for it.

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Confashion and Now, may.

Your Christmas be the merriest un record and your new Year brighter than ever.

Before the lights are out and the curtain rises on my first.

Act, A little town of Bethlehem.

What is your name, Josiah, son of Obed, the son of Asa, the son of Zacharias, the son of all Caesar doesn't ask who your ancestors were.

Give me only your name, Josiah of Bethlehem.

The name of your wife, Leah.

You're trading the number.

Of your children.

I am a shepherd with seven children, my flocks in the hills nearby.

And enough, how much property do you own?

My house and fifty sheep?

That is all?

Who's the next? And what is your name?

Joseph, the son of Jacob, the son of the son of e Lee.

Whole must every Jew who registers recited lineage to me?

Did you not hear me say that all I wanted was your name?

But I am descended from the kings of Judea, from the great King David.

I know, I know, so is everyone in Bethlehem. But the Roman emperor cares nothing about that. This is a Roman census.

I'm sorry.

I could have been through the enrollment by now if you Jews were not so girlous.

Come is this your wife?

My name is Mary, I Toune of the line of David.

Your voice sounds tired.

Have you come far.

From the town of Nazareth in Galilee?

Sit down on that bench and rest of moment.

Thank you now, Joseph, what is your trade?

How many children and how much property?

I am a carpenter. I have no property except my tools and the animal on which my wife is written from Nazareth.

There are no children as yet. Very well, that is all.

Pardon my lord, but we have no place to sleep. There was no room at the end. Can you help me.

The town is filled with those who return for the enrollment. I can do nothing, ohet.

Do you see that man.

Talking with the soldier at the roadside. That is Simon, a rich merchant. Here's a large house. He may have room for him.

Thank you.

Come Mary, you have found a place for us to rest.

We will ask for a place to rest. Pardon sir, you are the merchant Simon.

Yes, what do you want?

I am Joseph of Nazareth, and this is my wife Mary. The Roman governor said you might have some room in your house where.

We could sleep. I have no room.

The governors may not stay with me.

If you only had some small corner where we could rest.

My wife is very weary.

Sir, I have said that my house is pealed. You may sleep with a stable if you wish. That is all I can do for you.

The stable.

Let us go there, Joseph. We have tried so many places.

A stable, Mary, it is not what I would like.

We must be content. Lift me up to the saddle if you leave the wave a little.

Bit, Oh Simon, I'm tired of listening to this babble.

Colliers, take my place here. I'm going to rest.

Taking the census is an exhausting task, my.

Lord, everyone in Judea must bring from Bethlehem.

People have been pouring into the town all day.

Bethlehem is the city of David.

And everyone who has registered here claims to send from him.

That is true.

And the dream of every mother of David's line is that she will bear the king of Micah's prophecy.

Micah's prophecy?

Have you never heard it? But thou Bethlehem, though thou be little among the thousands of Judea, Yet out of thee shall come forth he that.

Is to be ruler in is faith.

Oh so that's the prophecy, and you're all waiting for this new king.

Many believe he will come me lord.

And you, Simon, what about you?

Do you believe it? I?

Oh, it is rather the shepherds who'll talk.

I see you're very careful, Simon. Perhaps you fear Herod your king, Yeah.

That despises the prophecy of Micah. He hates them.

It'll be well to keep this legend from him.

But tell me about the carpenter.

And his wife from Nazareth? Did they find lodgings?

I offered them my stable your stable?

Was there no room in your house?

The stable is good enough for such as they. My house is kept for romans.

Mild.

Oh, it's a little wonder Simon, that you were a rich and powerful man in Bethley. You have all the necessary qualities.

Thank you.

If you are ready now to go to my house.

Oh, not yet, enrollment will be going on far in the night. Oh.

This town of Bethlehem is really beautiful, Simon.

Oh, my lord, in the days of David, Bethlehem was great.

One can see that.

The sons of David and not the warriors that he was, and these crumbling wolves, broken battlements.

M h.

And yet you believe that your next king will come from here?

That, as I have told you is but the tale of shepherds. A Roman soldier Nina Hark. Some nobleman is at the city gate.

Who can it be? We shall soon see why?

Why falking.

It is King Herod.

King Herod has come to Bethlehem. I shall have a king, the ruler of you tears.

I gets tonight.

Who I am the foundest man in the world.

The curtain comes down on the first tackle town about the hemp. Here's the second act that the night's player.

You're Mary.

We can clear out this little space and be comfortable.

Let me spread the blanket for him.

You are so good to me, Joseph.

You're tired, Mary, there now lie down?

Could you not bring the beast in out of the cold.

It is cold, but it is a clear, still night, Mary, Everything is peaceful, and there's a wonderful star over the courtyard.

Can you see it through the open door?

Yes, I can see it. All the others were white missed. Is it standing still? It seems to.

Stand somewhere, winging horses into the stable.

To the merchant himself, Joseph, he is leading the horses over here.

I pray, sir, you're frightening my wife.

Oh a man from there. I'm sorry, but sir, you will have to move.

King Herod honors my house tonight.

These are the horses of his King Herod. But his horses must have the best all. What are we to do, my wife, Oh my life. I've prayed that I might be on a dio visit from the king.

Shirley, you would not turn us out.

Move down to the other end of the stable, that stall where you'll see a majair. You can sleep there.

That will do, Joseph, let us move.

Sorry, Mary, I seem able to do so little for you.

It does not matter. I am supremely happy.

I wish I had a better place to offer you. But one does not often have a visit from a king. He is at tupper now with the Roman governor. I must go back to him.

That is true, sir. One does not often have a visit from a genus.

I regret to hear that you have so few about whom you can trust.

Again, there is.

No man whom a king can trust, Perannius. Those whom I have loved most earlier betrayed me. My wife. One of my sons brought against me.

That is very sad.

Has paid with their heads.

Now, my youngest son, team whom I trusted above all others, has turned against me, and.

He too has paid with his head.

Not yet I have but to reach the ear of Caesar.

I see, I see you understand me, Parinius.

Let me tell you this great Caesar has no more faithful friend than all Judea than I haven't.

I'm sure of that.

Bend close querinies. That is something I would say to you. I suspect them may be treason brewing here in Bethlehem. These men have a myth about their descent from David. They propped continually for a new king. The Massiah will come out of Bethlehem.

I have heard the prophise.

But don't you see they're plotting against.

Me, I the monster little They've been talking of this for hundreds of years.

I am not so sure. When I called the scribes of the people together and asked them where this child was to be born, they said, in Bethlehem.

Is that why you've come to Bethlehem tonight?

Perhaps perhaps I shall stay longer than a night.

Just to make sure these Jews are not plotting.

What does that faben? Outside?

Probably some of your Greek mercenaries gambling with my men, Simon, Simon, but I am here, o King. Then quiet those brawlers in your courtyard.

I shall do so at once.

Quiet quiet for the king.

This Roman soldier does not understand the Simon. I know your faces. You are shepherds from the hills.

What you want.

We bring tidings of great joy, Simon. As we watched our plots in the fields tonight, an angel of the Lord stood beside a speak softly, and the bright light shone around us, so.

That we were afraid.

But the angel said, fear not.

I bring you good news which shall be a joy to all people. While it is born in Bethlehem, a savior.

You are mad.

You want us all put to the sword.

And this shall be a sign to you.

You will find the child wrapped in swaddling clothes and lie in a manger, in a manger, And there was.

A song in the air.

I heavenly thronged, Simon, singing silence.

You are mad.

Would the king of Micah's prophecy be born in a manger? But we spoke with an angel of the Lord. You must forget what happens. Go back to your flocks. There is no king born in a manger. Only a carpenter and his wife from there are resting in the stable. We have come to worship a newborn Messiah.

Be off. There is no king but Herod.

And if Herod should hear you, it would go hard with all the men of Bethlehem.

Be off off, Ah, Simon, who are your visitors?

Oh, oh Corinnias, is it you?

You followed me only to help you if my help were needed.

Who were those men?

Oh?

Just shepherds, moon crazed shepherds. They told a wild tale of hearing angel voices.

I thought I heard them speak of the Messiah.

How does it go?

But thou Bethlehem, out of thee shall come here, that is to be.

Ruler in Israel.

My Lord is pleased to jest, But I pray you will not speak of this. I am so afraid of the king. Lord, I beg you not to speak of it to Herod.

I think Herod has already heard.

And the curtain comes down on the sucker back of the night's play. And here is the last act of a little town of Bethlehem.

Let's spot, Simon, I'm as bascule. Those shepherds.

You are sure they.

Were not conspirators in the skise.

Oh, no, King, they were only shepherds.

Where it's been brought me that they stopped the king of everything else.

They said that as they tended their flocks that night, an angel appeared to announce that the king honored Bethlehem.

By his presence.

An angel announced my presence.

Did you hear that for any of this good omen, is it not?

It may perhaps mean much to your kingdom. Oh, you dear knows your greatness of king.

But why Simon, why did you not bring.

Them to me? Then?

The rough men, with the smell of their flocks about them. I did not want to disturb you when.

You were feasting. I see.

You are sure it was either sort.

There was no talk of the ruler.

Of Israel who is to come out of Bethlehem.

Surely your Majesty does not believe that fantastic prophecy.

I am weary of everything going Today.

Three astrologers from the east came to me and asked for the new born King of the Jews.

They had seen his star.

Rise in the east, they.

Said, and followed it here. You remember the shepherd spoke of that star.

It is only the old legend.

Perhaps I told the wise men to look diligently for the child and to send me.

Word when they had found him.

So that I too much to him.

Rriage.

Ahmed, I put him to death.

I would kill him if I had to make away with all the boys who are two years.

Old in Bethlehem, spoken like a king of Helen.

But now you permit me, I'll go to bed.

Nine days of feasting find me weary, and tomorrow there's much to do.

Good night.

You'll move under Jerusalem tomorrow for any it.

Yes, will you honor me with your company?

We shall ride together. I thank you good night. Are you resting me? You're quiet?

I think of the shepherds, Joseph. I want to treasure up all they said and ponder it. David throne an endless reign. They all prophecy coming from their lips. I am the happiest woman in the world.

To me, he is the most beautiful baby in the world.

Tonight, Mary his saintly see the even flow of his breath. Joseph, you feel a mingled joy and terror watching it, the joy of life and the terror death.

Do not speak of death, Joseph.

You are troubled, you are frightened. What is it?

It is Herod feasting there in Simon's house.

These past days I had a dream an angel of the Lord came to me and said, arise, take the child and his mother and flee into Egypt, for Herod will look for the child in order to kill him.

Joseph, what is that?

I do not know?

Sh quiet, We seek a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes. The Christ, Jesus, How did you know his name?

Who are you?

We are three kings from the east.

We have followed his star and ridden fast to find and worship the King of the Jews. The star stood still over Bethleian So it is written by the prophet. Come wise, men, here is the Childlile, who shall be king of the world. His goings forth have been from old from everlasting. We shall tread upon the high places of the earth.

Chose him. Do you hear what they say?

Let Mary, let us say down our gifts before him. Cast kets of gold, gold as tribute to a king. Frank any sense for the priest and or the body's beady, We must make haste and right away. We have been worn in a dream to return to our own country, lest Herod destroy us.

You hear what he says, Mary, Even as we were wont to play into Egypt, must Herod seek the child to destroy him?

It was close the morning. Are you equal to leaving it once?

Yes? Yes, let us go. We must not think of ourselves on leave him. Let us go without delay.

Herod is sleeping now.

If you would escape us malice and hatred, who we will wait for you at the city gate.

I have the animal ready.

Marry.

Come, let me lift you up there and put the child in your arms.

Who wait, Joseph, take man outside, the Roman governor.

Ah man of Nazareth. You were leaving before dawn.

We have obeyed the degree of Caesar Augustus and enrolled. We must now return. We have a long journey before us.

Yeah, it's a long journey. I did not mean to disturb you. I was restless and could not sleep.

Oh what have we here?

So a new little carpenter, Yes, a new little carpenter.

And like every Jew, I suppose you dream that he will be the proper sided ruler of Israel.

We have great expectations.

Well, after a stay.

In the city, listening to your prophecies and visions, I only wonder that a new king has not been born.

What faith you choose? You have no fear about faith.

Like herod, Romans are soldiers.

You Jews dream too much, but go your way, good Carpenter, I even hope perhaps that your son may be the long awaited leader of Israel.

And so, ladies and gentlemen, we ring down the curtain on our Christmas play and a little pater oft Times Square. The audience has responded to the spirit of reverence with which our talented players have portrayed their role. If you like tonight's performance.

A letter from you would be appreciated.

Now the members of the First Night of cast and you and your family the most sincere good wishes.

For the holiday season.

Campana's First Night of called Braham, a copyright radio feature, brought you tonight a blade taken from the Bible.

If you enjoyed the performance, a letter.

From you would be appreciated. A word from our audience is always appreciated.

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