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T H E A N C I E N T M U S I C A L

MUSICYonatan Cnaan

LYRICSAndrew Zachary Cohen

BOOKEli Kaplan-Wildmann

T E L AV I V N E W Y O R K J E R U S A L E M

The struggle is real. The politics are deadly. Every choice between God and power, love and money, peace and war could mean destruction or glory in Sacri�ces: The Ancient Musical. In a burgeoning Jerusalem during the �rst century, the �ghting comes to a dangerous head among the city’s elitist priests, its bloodthirsty rebels, and the inept lawmakers. As a corrupt appointee takes o�ce, our unlikely hero emerges. But can he - a scholar - �gure out a way to counter cycles of hatred and endless �ghting? Is there a secret hidden in the stones of the ancient city that can save the people? Will there be a way out of the darkness to new and brighter times?

Synopsis and Character List Sample Script – Act I, Scene 2 Lyrics for demos Demo – “03. The Secret of the Stones” Demo – “09. Just A Little Sacri�ce” Demo – “19. Queen Milonia” Design Inspiration Options

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Synopsis

Act One Ribaz, the geeky promising young Sage, introduces us to Jerusalem – the city where the heavens touch the earth yet trouble lies under the surface. He sees that despite its renowned Temple, the city is awash in deceit and under threat of siege by the Roman army. His friend, Bar Kamtza, has been swindled out of his business and wife by Elazar, a corrupt political and social climber. Ribaz attempts to find peace in a secret meeting with the Roman general, but instead comes across Yehudit, a rebel pushing for a war with the Romans. While Elazar and the rich priests prepare to celebrate at a flamboyant feast, the rebels attempt to take control of Jerusalem and Bar Kamtza pines for his wife Noa, who was swept away by Elazar. Through the meddling of the wealthy Martha, Bar Kamtza is invited to the feast hoping to see Noa, only to be publicly humiliated and thrown out by Elazar. Reeling from the disgrace, he cries out that the Roman general destroy the hateful city, while the storages of grain meant to prevent war are set ablaze by Yehudit and the rebels. Ribaz sees the tragic effect of the city’s passive leadership that he is a part of, while Yehudit realizes the true danger of what she and the rebels have done. But the flames of hatred have been lit. Act Two The Roman general has sent a sacrifice – a test of the city’s supposed wish for peace. Bar Kamtza intercepts the animal and mutilates it, making it unfit to be offered. Despite Ribaz’s desperate plea that they accept the maimed offering, his fellow Sages are impotently stuck in legislative limbo, unwilling to make a decision. Chaos descends on the Temple as the rebels attempt to push out the Priests and Sages. As the end of the city begins, Noa and Martha sit among their formerly luxurious surroundings while walls crumble. A falling beam leads to a tragic separation between Noa and Bar Kamtza, who have just a few moments of reconciliation. This loss brings Ribaz to the realization that he must start a new life, one without sacrifice. He and Yehudit have found the path forward, a new way – kind deeds will be our prayer, acts of loving-kindness are our worship, and our song will be taking responsibility for bringing good into the world.

Characters RIBAZ A bright, slightly geeky rising star among Jerusalem's Sages (Male, 30's) REE-baz

YEHUDIT An ambitious and fiery Sikari rebel (Female, 20's) ye-hu-DEET

BAR KAMTZA A once-wealthy Priest swindled out of his fortune and wife(Male, 30's) bar-KAM-tzah

NOA Naïve and oddly creative, now living with Elazar (Female, 20's) NO-ah

MARTHA The richest woman in the city, has everyone in her pocket (Female, 50's) MAR-tha

ABA SIKRA An opportunist wheeler dealer – a rebel and head servant (Male, 40's) ah-ba SEEK-ra

ELAZAR Bought and swindled his way into the upper class (Male, 40's) eh-la-ZAR

VESPASIAN The respected Roman general (Male, 40's) ves-PAY-zee-an

ENSEMBLE Minor characters, soldiers, and the sages, priests, rebels & citizens of Jerusalem

"Sacrifices" Music ‐ Yonatan Cnaan, Lyrics ‐ Andrew Zachary Cohen, Book ‐ Eli Kaplan‐Wildmann

1

Scene 2 Inside a Tent in the Roman Camp Vespasian, the brilliant Roman general, is camped outside of the city

COMMANDER 1 Your knucklehead unit can't conquer Jerusalem. All brawn, no brains. COMMANDER 2 No brains? Fool. My unit is the best in the legion! But this city has walls even thicker than Rome's. COMMANDER 1 I can think of one thing thicker than Jerusalem’s stone walls… COMMANDER 2 My men have wreaked havoc through the whole countryside – and next we will open the gates of Jerusalem! COMMANDER 1(snickering) Perhaps you'll open her gates. But will you actually be able to make it in? Eh? COMMANDER 2 Why you—

Vespasian enters with his dignified limp

VESPASIAN Gentlemen, enough of this nonsense. Your bickering is costing me precious time. COMMANDER 1 & 2 Well sir / we were / just discussing / I was / uh / our approach to the - VESPASIAN Silence! That city is a fine jewel and there will be no greater honor than conquering it - intact! We are here to bring quiet to the region; I want the city unscathed. Especially that Temple! COMMANDER 1 (sniggering, to C2) Well obviously it's magnificent. You can spend all you want on a temple, you can make it huge of course, if you only have one god.


2

VESPASIAN (ignoring their joke) Yet they have resisted. And you haven't been doing so well with them these past four years. COMMANDER 2 But how are we supposed to—- VESPASIAN You are supposed to be a part of the greatest conquest in history; but I cannot trust you to conquer if I cannot even trust you to concur. Titus enters

TITUS Father. VESPASIAN At ease. What is the matter? TITUS The guards called me about a man who is asking to see you. VESPASIAN No interruptions means no interruptions. TITUS I know. He asked me to tell you "The tree of strong roots grows higher". VESPASIAN(changing his tone) Let him in. I will see him in this tent immediately.

Commanders are confused. Titus leaves.

VESPASIAN Thank you men, we will resume tomorrow. COMMANDER 2 Are you sure sir? COMMANDER 1(curious) Perhaps we could just stay here and - VESPASIAN Waste more precious time? Out!


3

Titus enters with man in cloak. Commanders and Titus leave. Ribaz removes his cloak and the two men have a friendly embrace.

VESPASIAN Ribaz! Perfect timing. Teach me something. An insight. What have you got? RIBAZ I only just walked in! We don't have to - VESPASIAN I need a distraction from those dim-witted soldiers. You're up. RIBAZ Well - In the construction plans for our Temple's altar, god writes that the stones must be in one piece. But I teach my students to see beyond the word piece, and see this as god's reminder that our worship should bring peace. There are secret meanings in every word. VESPASIAN Your god likes puns? RIBAZ God likes thinking and learning. We are supposed to keep these secrets and ideas karov lalev, which means -- VESPASIAN "Near to the heart." RIBAZ Nice! You get around. VESPASIAN I like languages and cultures. I'm a city person. Unlike you. RIBAZ Of course I’m a city person - who wouldn't want to live in a place where everything is automatically three times as expensive? VESPASIAN You think Jerusalem is expensive, try Rome! Crazy. Why did you move to the city? From - the Galilee, was it?


4

RIBAZ Yes. I left my previous - employment - to come teach the hungry masses. But it turns out that when the masses are actually starving, for food, they won't pay any attention to the geek from the Galilee. VESPASIAN At least Jerusalem has houses of study. In Rome no one spends time thinking of the secret meanings of words. The men are obsessed with war, and the women are obsessed with buying things. But I see a different future. There will be a new day - I call it the Roman peace. RIBAZ "Pax Romana." (beat) I like languages and cultures. Despite being from the country. VESPASIAN(laughing) See? I don't want fighting any more than you do. I’ve seen enough death in my time, of the enemy and in my own camp. RIBAZ That's a lovely sentiment, but- VESPASIAN I can win a war without you. I can crush your city with this army. But peace – I need you for that. Ribaz, we can prevent fighting. I know that's what you want.

03.“The Secret of the Stones”

RIBAZ IS THIS A TRICK? ALL THIS PRAISING AND FAWNING. OR CAN THERE BE A PARTNERSHIP FORMING?

VESPASIAN

WHAT DOES HE THINK? ALL THIS HEMMING AND HAWING. DOESN’T HE KNOW THAT THIS IS HIS CALLING?

RIBAZ VESPASIAN FRIEND, HOW CAN THIS BE VERIFIED?

VESPASIAN IF YOU’RE MY FRIEND


5

THEN YOU’LL HAVE TO CONFIDE IN ME. LET’S WORK ON THIS TOGETHER, ON MY TRUST YOU CAN RELY. VESPASIAN As long as I can trust you to guarantee a quiet takeover of the center of the city. We will need a map. RIBAZ The heart of a city can’t be found on a map. THE SUN WAKES IN THE EAST, FIG TREES SWAY INTO THE LIGHT, THE BEGGAR FEARS THE PRIEST, YERUSHALMIM LOVE TO FIGHT. BUT NO ONE REALLY SEES THE MYSTERIES. THE STONES ARE LEFT UNTURNED. BUT I’VE STUDIDED AND I’VE LEARNED THE SECRET OF THE STONES, THE SECRET OF THE STONES.

VESPASIAN THE GUARDS STAY TO THE WEST, THE GATES ARE ALWAYS LOCKED, SO YOU HAVE NOT PROGRESSED, YOUR RELATIONSHIPS ARE BLOCKED. SEE I’M THE ONE WHO SEES THE MYSTERIES. THE STONES JUST BLOCK THE VIEW. STILL I FOUGHT UNTIL I KNEW THE SECRET OF THE STONES, THE SECRET OF THE STONES.

BOTH I’VE STUDIED AND I’VE LEARNED. BUT THERE’S SO MUCH MORE TO KNOW. RIBAZ/VESPASIAN WHAT GOES ON OUTSIDE/INSIDE THE WALLS?

BOTH YES MY FRIEND, I LOOK TO YOU.

Each in his own space. BUT HOW CAN I TRUST YOU? WHAT DO I DO? LIVES ARE HANGING IN THE BALANCE WITH YOUR TALENTS WE’LL PULL THROUGH. BUT CAN I TRUST YOU?


6

WHAT IF YOU LIE? CAN I TRUST YOU? CAN I? RIBAZ On my way in here I saw the peace your soldiers are building. War machines! Great giant towers on wheels. Good to know you are doing something between our study sessions. VESPASIAN I have to maintain some semblance of preparation for battle. It keeps the soldiers in line. You know I appreciate our time together. RIBAZ Appreciate it? I bet you can’t repeat one word of – VESPASIAN On the second day of creation your god separated between the waters of the earth and sky. That is the only day where god doesn’t say “and it was good". The reason is because at that moment, a struggle began. VESPASIAN I HAVE STUDIED AND BOTH I’VE LEARNED, BUT THERE’S SO MUCH MORE TO KNOW. RIBAZ/VESPASIAN WHAT GOES ON OUTSIDE/INSIDE THE WALLS?

BOTH TEACH ME WHAT YOU KNOW.

VESPASIAN RIBAZ BUT HOW CAN I TRUST YOU? HOW? WELL I THINK THAT I’M YOUR ONLY HOPE. YOU’RE FAR TOO SMART. WHEN OUR ARMIES IF FOR WAR, GO FORTH STOMPING, WE ALL START OPTING. THERE’S NO STOPPING THERE’S NO STOPPING WHAT WE’LL START. WHAT WE’LL START. RIBAZ BUT CAN I TRUST YOU?


7

VESPASIAN I WOULDN’T LIE. CAN I TRUST YOU? BOTH CAN I TRUST YOU?

RIBAZ CAN I?

VESPASIAN You’ve told me endless times that Jerusalem brings good into the world. Whatever good that is, let’s keep it. Make it last. RIBAZ(with VESPASIAN echoing) THE POOR STARVE IN THE STREETS. THE LAWS FOREVER MOCKED. THE GOLD’S FOR THE ELITES.

VESPASIAN THE GATES BOTH THE GATES ARE ALWAYS LOCKED. WE’LL FIND PEACE YOU AND ME. IT’S NO MYSTERY. RIBAZ THE SWORD CAN’T BREAK THE SHIELD.

VESPASIAN STONES STAND FIRM AND NEVER YIELD.

BOTH YOU SEARCH TILL IT’S REVEALED, THE SECRET OF THE STONES, THE SECRET OF THE STONES, THE SECRET OF THE STONES.

A guard enters

VESPASIAN I said no interruptions!

No answer

What is going on?


8

Ribaz notices the guard's small dagger just in time. He springs forward as the guard lunges for Vespasian.

RIBAZ Vespasian!

A quick scuffle. Ribaz saves Vespasian and the guard is exposed as a young woman.

YEHUDIT(To Ribaz) Get your hands off me, you dirty traitor.

She struggles free from Ribaz's grasp but finds herself facing Vespasian's sword. To Vespasian

You will have to kill each and every person in this city before Jerusalem will fly a Roman flag.

Guards and Commanders enter. They quickly apprehend Ribaz and Yehudit with ad lib exclamations

GUARDS & COMMANDERS We've got them! They stole the sentry's uniform… there we have them for you… we can kill them now… she came in through the north part of the camp… Kill them on the spot! Kill them now!

As swords are about to be pushed into Ribaz and Yehudit

VESPASIAN Stop!

Pause

COMMANDER 2 But sir, these two just-–

Vespasian motions the Commander to be quiet. Still holding his sword. To Ribaz.


9

VESPASIAN So this is the reason you came? And you talk to me about trust?! And peace!! While plotting my death!

RIBAZ Vespasian, I don't have anything to do with this, please believe me! TITUS Father, shall we – VESPASIAN(distraught) Ribaz! This could have been our - abandon them outside the walls. They’ll starve to death, if they aren’t eaten first.

TITUS Father, they tried to kill you!

VESPASIAN(overlapped) Are you challenging my orders? Go!

Commanders hesitantly obey. Vespasian glares at Ribaz as he is taken out. Vespasian is left alone - maybe takes a drink straight from the jug - and the tent goes off.


10

09.“Just a Little Sacrifice”

MARTHA YOU’RE FAR TOO SMART TO TRUST HOW YOU FEEL IN YOUR HEART. YOUR HEART WILL CHANGE AND REARRANGE. KEEP HIM AT BAY AND MOVE ON WITH YOUR DAY. IT’S JUST A LITTLE SACRIFICE TO PAY. YOU THINK YOU KNOW WHAT YOU FEEL IN YOUR HEART. BUT TRUST ME DEAR, IT’S INSINCERE. THINK OF THE GOLD THAT YOUR HOUSEHOLD WILL HOLD! THE SACRIFICE WILL SOOTHE YOU WHEN YOU’RE OLD. NOA He would make such pretty things. We made them together, and I told him stories. MARTHA(shoving Yehudit forward) You have your servants to make you anything want, and I’m a very good storyteller dear.

NOA BUT MARTHA PLEASE, BAR KAMTZA CAN PUT ME AT EASE. THOUGH I TRUST YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO.

YEHUDIT YEAH HE MAY CARE BUT HE DOESN'T COMPARE. YEHUDIT & MARTHA IT’S JUST A LITTLE SACRIFICE TO BEAR.

NOA I THINK WITH ELI I CAN LIVE AT EASE.

MARTHA HE’S RICH.

YEHUDIT HE’S HOT.


11

MARTHA WELL MORE THAN NOT.

NOA I LIKE YOUR TAKE BUT IF IT’S A MISTAKE?

MARTHA IT’S JUST A LITTLE SACRIFICE TO MAKE. THE MEN, THEIR LAWS. YEHUDIT THEIR WORLD.

MARTHA BUT WE CONTROL THE MEN.

YEHUDIT AND SO

YEHUDIT & MARTHA THE WORLD IS OURS.

MARTHA AND IT’S UP TO US, TO LEARN.

YEHUDIT TO SEE.

MARTHA YOU SEE? IT’S FINALLY YOUR TURN. AND RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW, YOUR ELI’S WIFE, THAT VOW, GAVE YOU AN EXCEPTIONAL LIFE. YOU DON’T WANT TO SACRIFICE IT NOW.

Noa nods in agreement NOA WE’RE FAR TOO SMART


12

ALL TO LOVE TILL OUR LIVES FALL APART. WE PICK, WE CHOOSE, THEN WE DON’T LOSE.

NOA ELAZAR’S MINE.

MARTHA HE CAN BUILD YOU A SHRINE. YOU SACRIFICE THE GRAPES TO MAKE THE WINE.

ALL I THINK I KNOW HOW I SHOULD PLAY MY PART.

YEHUDIT WITH WIT.

MARTHA WITH GRACE.

ALL WE’LL WIN THE RACE. WHILE WE PLAY NICE WE KNOW WE SET THE PRICE!

YEHUDIT SO WE BARELY HAVE TO SACRIFICE.

NOA(overlapped) IT HARDLY IS A SACRIFICE.

MARTHA(overlapped) IT’S JUST A LITTLE SACRIFICE. A TEENY TINY SACRIFICE.

ALL JUST A LITTLE SACRIFICE.


13

21."Queen Milonia" NOA(rushing to his side) Bar Kamtza! No-- BAR KAMTZA(overlapped) Ahh! My head. Falls to the ground My - blood. Flowing.

BAR KAMTZA FUNNY HOW IT’S ALL COME DOWN TO THIS. AT LEAST I GET TO SEE YOU ONE LAST TIME.

NOA NO LOVE, NO PLEASE DON’T TALK LIKE THIS.

BAR KAMTZA SING FOR ME OUR SONG.

NOA WHICH SONG DO YOU MEAN?

BAR KAMTZA THE ONE ABOUT THE QUEEN AND LIFE AND TIME.

NOA The one about Queen Milonia?

BAR KAMTZA Yes. Remember, you sang it to me as we were making our wedding clothes. Stitching, carving and - singing.

NOA Of course I remember. But why sing?! Let’s get you help.

Noa moves to try to get him up to his feet.

BAR KAMTZA

Noa, no! I’m too heavy for you to lift, it’d do no good. I’m not, I’m… (he loses consciousness for a moment)

NOA


14

Kamtza, Kamtza! Come back to me love. (he comes to) There you are, thank God. Can you hear me? What can I do?

BAR KAMTZA(weakly) Sing. Sing…

NOA SO LONG BEFORE THE WATERS AND THE SKIES WERE BLUE. BOTH AND LONG BEFORE THE WHALES AND SHIPS

NOA I forget.

BAR KAMTZA AND PYRAMIDS TOO.

BOTH

TALL SHE STOOD, SO PROUD AND GOOD, SHE HELD TIME IN HER HAND. OUR QUEEN MILONIA, THE QUEEN OF ALL THE LAND. NOA SO LONG BEFORE SHE WANTED MEN TO LIVE AND DIE. AND LONG BEFORE WE WERE AROUND TO, TO ASK HER WHY.

NO ONE CRIED, AND NO ONE DIED, WHEN UNDER THE COMMAND OF QUEEN MILONIA, THE QUEEN OF ALL THE LAND. BOTH THEN A STORM CAME, THEN A GREAT FLAME, AND SHE STOPPED THE WAR. NOA

BUT A STRANGER, FILLED WITH DANGER, HE CAME ON THE SHORE. THEN HE TOLD HER SHE SHOULD FOLD HER TENT AND SAIL AWAY UPON THE SEA. OUR EXPLORER

QUEEN MILONIA.


15

SO LONG BEFORE WE HAD OUR TEMPLES AND OUR BOOKS. THE QUEEN SAILED FROM THE STARS TO MOONS TO, TO RUNNING BROOKS. STRANGERS TOUCH, YOU LEARN TOO MUCH THEN WASH UP ON THE SAND.

QUEEN MILONIA GREW WEAK AND COULDN’T STAND, THE DARK ANGEL HAD COME UPON THE LAND.

Bar Kamtza closes eyes.

NOA Don’t leave me.

BAR KAMTZA I’m here.

NOA Sing with me.

BOTH SO LONG BEFORE TWO PEOPLE EVER THOUGHT OF LOVE, AND LONG BEFORE THERE WERE GREAT GODS TO BE WORTHY OF,

Bar Kamtza weakens.

BOTH DREAMS CAME TRUE, AND FLOWERS GREW, AND DAYS WERE NEVER PLANNED

Noa’s tears overwhelm her as she sees Bar Kamtza is taking his final breaths

BAR KAMTZA

BY QUEEN MILONIA…

He dies

NOA QUEEN MILONIA, THE QUEEN OF ALL THE LAND. Queen Milonia, take good care of him.

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