Remembering September 11 th arranged by Michelle Jett Copyright and Production Information This script is copyright 2002 by Michelle Jett. All rights reserved. This script may not be altered without prior permission in writing from the copyright holder. No performance is permitted unless a copy of the script is licensed to the drama group, theatre company or organization performing the play. The license costs a photograph of cast (in costume and set) plus advance notice as to where and when of performances and allows reproduction of copies of this script for cast and crew. The license is a one-time fee which allows unlimited performances by the same organization, drama group or theatre company holding the license. Licenses may be purchased by sending a photograph to the address on the bottom of this page, payable to Michelle Jett. Suitable acknowledgement to the playwright must be made wherever practical, including playbill. Michelle Jett 903 Hill Circle West Marble Falls, TX 78654 ladybug@thejettset.com Material used: The Pledge of Allegiance Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning by Alan Jackson (The sheet music to this song is available from on Alan Jackson's website at http://www.alanjackson.com) Meet Me On the Stairwell by Stacey Randall My Country Tis of Thee by Samuel Francis Smith Transcript from United Airlines Flight 93 Psalm 23 America the Beautiful by Katherine Lee Bates Battle Hymn of the Republic by Julia Ward Howe God Bless America Characters: Singer 1 family (mom, dad, children) actress children searchers survivors fire fighters and police officers Singer 2 teacher with students driver church folk nurse and blood donator family Remembering September 11 th Page 1
Voice of God Man Wife & children Woman Priest and injured 2 tower victims Thomas Burnett Jeremy Glick Todd Beamer Lisa Robinson Soloist 3 Soloist 4 Female soloist Male soloist Script: The Pledge of Allegiance All including audience: I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United State of America and to the republic for which it stands: One nation, Under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Where Were You When The World Stopped Turning Singer 1: lights on singer far DL Where were you when the world stopped turnin' that September day? light up CR on family Out in the yard with your wife and children; light up CL on actress Or working on some stage in L.A.? actress pantomime shock, father pantomime shout and fist, mother sit and cry Did you stand there in shock at the sight of that black smoke Rising against that blue sky? Did you shout out in anger in fear for your neighbor Or did you just sit down and cry? lights out on stage except for DL on singer lights up CS on children searching Did you weep for the children that lost their dear loved ones? children exit as others come looking Did you pray for the ones who don't know? enter dirty bruised people who hug a few searchers before leaving Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble Remembering September 11 th Page 2
and sob for the ones left below? enter fire fighters and police officers Did you burst out in pride for the red white and blue And the heroes who died just doin' what they do? lights out except for singer DL Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer? And look at yourself for what really matters? (Chorus) I'm just a singer of simple songs; I'm not a real political man I watch CNN, but I'm not sure I can tell you the difference in Iraq and Iran But I know Jesus and I talk to God And I remember this from when I was young Faith, Hope and Love are some good things He gave us Singer 2: lights off DL and up on second singer far DR Where were you when the world stopped turning That September day? lights up CR on class Teaching a class full of innocent children; lights up CL on driver Driving down some cold interstate? both driver and teacher pantomime actions Did you feel guilty 'cause you're a survivor in a crowded room did you feel alone? Did you call up your mother and tell her you love her? Did you dust off that bible at home? Lights out except for DR on singer Did you open your eyes hope it never happened; And close your eyes and not go to sleep? Did you notice the sunset the first time in ages; Or speak to some stranger on the street? Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow; Go out and buy you a gun? Did you turn off that violent old movie you're watchin' And turn on "I Love Lucy" reruns? lights up CL on church scene Did you go to a church and hold hands with some strangers? light up on CR with nurse taking blood Remembering September 11 th Page 3
Stand in line and give your own blood? light up CS on family hugging Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family Thank God you had somebody to love? lights out except on singer (Chorus) I'm just a singer of simple songs; I'm not a real political man I watch CNN, but I'm not sure I can tell you the difference in Iraq and Iran But I know Jesus and I talk to God And I remember this from when I was young Faith, Hope and Love are some good things He gave us Both singers: lights up DR and DL I'm just a singer of simple songs; I'm not a real political man I watch CNN, but I'm not sure I can tell you the difference in Iraq and Iran But I know Jesus and I talk to God And I remember this from when I was young Faith, Hope and Love are some good things He gave us Where were you when the world stopped turnin' that September day? Meet Me In the Stairwell Voice of God: You say you will never forget where you were when you heard the news On September 11, 2001. Neither will I. I was on the 110th floor in a smoke filled room with a man who called his wife to say "Good-bye." lights up man with phone CR, family CL Voice: I held his fingers steady as he dialed. I gave him the peace to say, Man: "Honey, I am not going to make it, but it is OK...I am ready to go." Remembering September 11 th Page 4
Voice: I was with his wife when he called as she fed breakfast to their children. I held her up as she tried to understand his words and as she realized he wasn't coming home that night. I was in the stairwell of the 23rd floor when a woman cried out to Me for help. light up far UL on woman Woman: Oh, God! Help me! Voice: "I have been knocking on the door of your heart for 50 years! Of course I will show you the way home -- only believe on Me now." Blackout light up CS on priest and injured I was at the base of the building with the Priest ministering to the injured and devastated souls. I took him home to tend to his Flock in Heaven. He heard my voice and answered. I was on all four of those planes, in every seat, with every prayer. I was with the crew as they were overtaken. I was in the very hearts of the believers there, comforting and assuring them that their faith has saved them. I was in Texas, Kansas, London. I was standing next to you when you heard the terrible news. Did you sense Me? I want you to know that I saw every face. I knew every name -- though not all know Me. light up UL with two tower victims climbing Some met Me for the first time on the 86th floor. Some sought Me with their last breath. Some couldn't hear Me calling to them through the smoke and flames; "Come to Me... this way... take my hand." Some chose, for the final time, to ignore Me. But, I was there. slowly fade light up on cross I did not place you in the Tower that day. You may not know why, but I do. However, if you were there in that explosive moment in time, would you have reached for Me? September 11, 2001, was not the end of the journey for you. But someday your journey will end. And I will be Remembering September 11 th Page 5
there for you as well. Seek Me now while I may be found. Then, at any moment, you know you are "ready to go." I will be in the stairwell of your final moments. raise flag just below cross chorus enters and lines up across the stage while singing while lights fade up. My Country Tis of Thee chorus: Our father s God, to Thee, Author of liberty, To Thee we sing: Long may our land be bright With freedom s holy light; Protect us by Thy might, Great God, our King! United Airlines Flight 93 Thomas Burnett: on his cell phone I know we're all going to die--there's three of us who are going to do something about it. Jeremy Glick: on cell phone We can take them, we can take them, Todd Beamer: The Lord is my shepherd, & Lisa Robinson: I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures & Thomas: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: & Jeremy: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name s sake. All: Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil: for thou art with me: thy rod and they staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. Todd Beamer: Are you guys ready? Let's Roll! Todd, Thomas, and Jeremy jump up and start running forward, Blackout, crash of music long pause light slowly fades up on soloist singing acapella America the Beautiful Soloist 3: O beautiful for heroes proved in liberating strife, Who more than self their country loved And mercy more than life! America! America! God shed his grace on thee, And crown thy good with brotherhood From sea to shining sea. Battle Hymn of the Republic lights fade up on second soloist who starts while first is still singing Sea Remembering September 11 th Page 6
Soloist 4: In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea, With a glory in his bosom that transfigures you and me; As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free, While God is marching on, Light up on chorus Chorus: Glory! Glory! hallelujah! Glory! Glory, hallelujah! Glory! Glory hallelujah! His truth is marching on. Voice: If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. God Bless America Female: God bless America, Land that I love male: Stand beside her, and guide her through the night with the light from above group 1: From the mountains, group 2: to the prairies, group 3: to the oceans white with foam All: God bless America, my home sweet home God bless America, my home sweet home female: God bless America, my home sweet home Remembering September 11 th Page 7