Excerpt

Chapter One, in which the Stage Manager gives a Pre-show Pep Talk

The curtain rippled, nervous pre-show flutters,

And Pam addressed the animals backstage:

“We've made it this far, struggled, overcome.

Some setbacks, troubles... And some tough decisions...”

The rooster cocked his head and checked his feathers.

“But we've pulled through. Because this show is worth it!”

The puppy leapt and yelped an eager “Yip!”

“And when you take the stage, walk tall, you've earned it.”

The hen puffed up to strut voluptuously.

“Just keep in mind that this is not the barn.

It worked out nicely as a practice space,

But when you cross that curtain, be prepared -

The stage is ten feet wider than the loft,

So use it – body language, bigger, broader.”

The kitten stretched her limbs and arched her back.

“The cafeteria is swarmed with kids,

They're buzzing, busy, sticky, bumbling, hungry.

Six hundred, kindergarten up to third.”

The high-pitched hum electrified the curtain.

“And though we've heard these lines a thousand times

It's new to them, so in the funny parts

Be sure to pause for laughter. ...Childrens' laughter...”

The critters fidgeted, excited, restless.

“That's right,” Pam glowed, “a human audience!

Performing nightly for those long-faced horses...

Nay-sayers. Dull, stern eyes, a whinny, snort.

But if those nags could see us here right now,

I know they'd proudly bray it, 'Break a leg!'”

The animals high-fived with paws and wings,

The rooster straightened: “I'd just like to add--”

“We stay in character, that means you too.”

So he translated: “Cock-a-doodle-doo!”

They chirped and yowled, the light through curtain dimmed.

“And shhhhhowtime!” Pam stage-whispered “Lights up, places!”

The hen and rooster strutted through the curtain,

The kitten padded nimbly after them.

Applause and little giggles lit the air.

The big premier had finally begun.

Chapter Three – in which Deb the Cat Transforms into a Goose

The kitten pranced backstage, hugged Pam, “I did it!

First time debut, a real-live audience,

Remembered all my lines, I think. How was I?”

“Um, right. Fantastic, great, sensational.”

“This cat's out of the bag, a star is born!”

Deb pulled the cat-mask off, slipped out of costume,

Adjusted her white swimsuit, “'Scuse me. Wedgie,”

She smiled and scratched her head, short spiky hair,

“My folks... I wish that they could see me now...

An actress! Eat your heart out, Maw and Paw!

I hope you choke--” “Shh, use your backstage voice.”

“It's just, they tried to hide my light, you know?

Beneath a bushel, Christian Pharisees,

All milky white and smiley on the surface?

To hide the sour and curdled souls within.

But since I ran away, my life's begun!

Like born again, you took me in your manger...

And in this cast, to mend my broken heart.

Your sister's such a bold, courageous Hen,

Like sharpening the sickle, no one helps?

Then holding up the blade above the wheat?

The monologue she gives, 'we sow, we reap,'

The grim determination in her eye,

Then slash, decapitate those stiff-necked stalks,

And thrust and thrash and thresh and stomp their grains out!

...Like Jesus and the chaff among the weeds...”

Deb wiped and flicked away a grateful tear.

“I know it's not an outward Christian play,

But Jesus is all over this. In deep.

Like how the show has risen from the ashes?

I thought our goose was cooked, when Spud...you know...

But Bert, wow! Strutting like a rooster king.”

“Um, yeah, he does that. Just don't-- Well, you know...”

“...Know what?” “Um, you know what? You've got to change.”

“Oh! Right,” Deb honked, “the goose! My feathers? Please?”

“Yeah, here, step in,” Pam held the costume wide

Deb slipped in, zipped it up and took her mask.

“Amazing, playing all these different creatures...

I feel like Noah's Ark, packed full of species!

Like, sailing, looking back at my old life,

All left behind to weep for mercy, drowning.

In rising tides of righteous mighty wrath.

Like all the world except our little crew

Could sink, I wouldn't give a backward glance,

Because I've found my one true family.

...But you were saying? Something? 'Bout, um, Bert?

You two were married, right? A million years?

And you directed, he was your big star?”

Pam sighed, “Yes. Bert... Best actor that I know.

Just...if he takes a gander, keep your distance.

And if he tries to goose you, run. And tell me.”

But Deb had waddled off, flapped through the curtain.

Pam checked her clipboard, jotted down a note.