Aarone of Bethlehem
Available September 2026!
Synopsis
The Nativity through the Flight into Egypt as seen through the eyes of Aarone, a shepherd boy, whose parents own the inn in the village of Bethlehem. Aarone doesn’t speak very often, but his hands and fingers constantly beat against a table, a chair, a beam, and eventually his cherished drum, communicating his love and longings through the music he loves. Into Aarone’s ordinary life comes a young couple from Nazareth seeking shelter
in which to have their baby.
Characters
Specs
AARONE, a shepherd boy, nine years old
ISAIAH, his father, an innkeeper
ESTHER, his mother, an innkeeper
AMAZIAH, his friend
BARUCH, his friend
CALEB, his friend
JONAH, his friend
GIDEON, his friend
YOSEF OF NAZARETH, a carpenter
MIRIAM, his wife
JOSHUA, their son, four years old
KING HEROD
ALABAR, his Prime Minister
PERSIAN MAGUS
ARABIAN MAGUS
INDIAN MAGUS
ANTONIUS ANDRONICUS, a Roman centurion
SIMON, a Hebrew stable boy
AARONE at THIRTEEN years old
ZEALOT, a seer in the marketplace
KHAMET, a drum merchant
ENSEMBLE, Roman soldiers, travelers, merchants, angels, and people of Bethlehem, etc.
Cast Size: 15-21 Principals (3f, 12-18m)
Approximate Run Time: Two Hours
Number of Acts: Two
Materials
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a PDF of Script
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a PDF of Chorus Book
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a PDF of Vocal Score
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digital download of rehearsal tracks with guide vocals
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digital download of performance tracks with all songs, crossovers and sound effects.
Full Synopsis
Aarone, alone on a hillside, yearns for a drum so he can play "loud and clear" in hopes that his God and the angels will hear him and answer him. Later, in the marketplace, Aarone admires a drum for sale that he desperately wants but cannot afford. Returning home he encounters crouching in the road a couple from Nazareth in search of a place to rest so the young woman can give birth. With the inn filled to overflowing, Aarone suggests the barn, and his parents welcome Miriam and Yosef to stay. Soon after, Miriam gives birth to a son whom they name Joshua.
In Jerusalem, three noble travelers, the Magi, are received by King Herod, who has been placed in power to keep the peace of Rome's occupied Judea. The Magi seek to know the whereabouts of a newborn "prophesized king and messiah." Herod, feigning sincere interest, encourages their search, but makes plans to invade Bethlehem to destroy any child the poor may think to be their "savior."
The Magi locate the inn and stable where the infant they seek has just been born and lavish gifts on the family. Yosef, with the Magi's consent, offers the frankincense and myrrh to the village temple and then instructs Aarone to distribute the gift of gold to the poor of Bethlehem. Yosef offers Aarone the last gold coin, and at sunrise the boy hurries to buy the drum he so covets.
Meanwhile, Herod commands a squadron of Roman centurions to ride into Bethlehem and murder every boy child under the age of two.
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Aarone convinces his mother to allow him to accompany Yosef, Miriam and their new born in their escape to Egypt. Herod sends more battalions to kill all they can find on the roads in and out of Bethlehem. It is Aarone's playing his drum, a gentle heartbeat of a rhythm, that quiets the crying infant, hidden in a basket, when they are interrogated by Roman soldiers.
Four years later, Yosef, Miriam and their son, Joshua, return to Bethlehem on their way home to Nazareth. Aarone, now 13, gives his beloved drum to the little boy who with great delight drums wildly and happily. Aarone is dazzled by Joshua's joy, and realizes that God can simply exist in a child's face. As the young family leaves to return to Nazareth, Aarone reaches his hands up to the heavens in understanding - and he hears the angels sing, the voice of his God.
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