The Other Wiseman: A Festival of Lessons and Carols

A Short Drama Based on the Story by Henry Van Dyke An all-new revised version adaptable for Lent, the Easter Season, and Ordinary Time, as well as Advent and the Christmas Season. ACTOR'S EDITION Balthazar, Caspar, Melchior, and Artaban are four magi expecting the birth of a great king. They have made a plan. If a new star appears, Artaban will make his way to Babylon to join the others on a journey to find the king. Meanwhile, Artaban sells all he has to purchase a sapphire, ruby, and pearl to give the new king. When the new star appears, Artaban sets out with his young servant Gill. When unforeseen obstacles arise, Artaban fails to catch up with the other magi or to find the king. Artaban continues his search for many years, dreaming strange dreams, meeting a troupe of traveling actors, and having many adventures. When Artaban is an old man, he comes one day to Jerusalem where he learns about a man sentenced to be crucified. Realizing that this man may indeed be the king, Artaban tries desperately to find him. He then receives one last dream, after which the dreams become reality. Cast Size: (with doubling) 12 overall plus extras: 6m, 5w, 1 infant or child. May be expanded to 17m, 9w, 9m/w, extras, 1–3 infants or children. Approximate Running Time: (without music) 45–55 minutes; (with music) 110–120 minutes. One Act with optional intermission (can be performed as a Two Act Play). Time Period: The Prologue is set in an indeterminate time. Scenes 1–6 are set around 4 BC–0 AD. Scene 7 spans the years between 0 AD and 33 AD. Scene 8 is set around 33 AD. Setting: Nowhere on earth, "the Hall of Dreams" and various locations in the Middle East: A Persian palace, an inn in Babylon, a temple in Babylon, Bethlehem, Egypt, Jerusalem, and places on route. Min. Royalty Rate: Contact Bardstreet for licensing inquiry. Target Audience: Young Audiences, Middle School, High School, College/University, Adult/Family (all ages), Catholic and Christian audiences, Classical schools Performing Group: Middle School, High School, College/University Theater, Community Theater, Professional Theater, Touring Group