Ruth and Esther Theater
Friday, March 29, 2024
Featuring the Creative Works of Dennis L. Dunn
 
 
 
 
 
 Eikonik, aka The Embassary 

 Esther: The Holocaust that Wasn't

Act 2 Songs

It is the second night.  Tomorrow is the day.  Esther is alone, faint with hunger and distraught. 

Her servant Hatach enters.  He shakes his head.  The king did not call for her.

What's more, one of the King's daughters, Princess Tara, seeks an audience.  Word has gotten out that Esther is "sick."  Esther grimaces.  She's had too many pictures and songs and dandelion bouquets in the past 48 hours; but what's one more?  Hatach smiles.  Esther seldom refuses a child's request for time. 

But Tara does not want to give her a card or picture, or a song.  She wants to recite a poem.  One she thinks about at night or after she's "had a bad dream."  Esther raises an eyebrow.   This is new.

Tara takes a deep breath and begins: "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not

want. . ."  

Esther's mouth drops.  How?  These are words of comfort from her youth.  Learned at Mordicai's knee.  Tara is looking pleased with herself; even as she struggles to remember what comes next.  Esther joins her, to help Tara; to help herself.   ". . Even though I walk though the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil . . for You are with me. . ." 

When Esther recites, "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. . ."  she smirks.  She has an idea.   Maybe she can't eat, but she can cook.

Tara, finished, prepares to leave.   Esther looks at her: Tara, with all the Persian gods, why?  "Because they're scary.  I don't like 'em."  And how did Tara know Esther needed . . ?  "I seen you passing notes to that guy with tassles.  Just 'cause I'm a kid, don't mean I'm stupid."

OK, it isn't in the Bible.  But it's in the second Act. 

 

 

1.          God Will Save His People
 
The “such as time as this song” shown separately on it's own page, as it is one of the main themes of the play.  However, the entire scene and song are also included to the right.
 
 
 
 
(Please open in separate tab -- a right click in Explorer)
 
 4:23 (entire song & interlude)
 
(Please open in separate tab; starting with  a Right Click in Explorer)
Vocals:  Cara Menche
Bradford McKeown
 
2.         Satan’s Servant's (Haman & his Minions)
 
Done right before This Could be the Day I Die, this song is intended to capture the Jewish plight – centuries of persecution and wave after wave of attempted discrimination, pogroms, and genocide.  
The song ties directly into the Holocaust ("We are Satan's Servants / We're the SS"). But it also remembers themes of the attempted Egyptian genocide (“throw their babies into the Nile”) and Rome’s sacking of Jerusalem (“Dangle babies from our swords”). Because of the graphic (and accurate) nature of the song, an alternate song has been prepared (Jew I’m Gonna Get You) and Satan’s Servants is not included in the short, Children’s addition of the play.  
The author has suggested the emotional punch of Haman be softened for children by having him cough/gag every time he attempts his evil cackle (being evil is tougher than it looks).
 
 
 
 
 
1:55 (entire song)
3.         This Could be the Day I Die.
 
Shown separately on it's own page as it’s also a critical song.  However, for convenience, it is also available to play and look at on the right.     
 
 
 
 
4:16 (entire song & interlude)
4.         It’s So Wonderful Being Me!
 
Haman comes home to brag to his friends of just what a wonderful life he has: "I'm richer than Rockefeller / Bill Gates works as my bank teller." And yet . . and yet with all the wealth and honors he has, it isn’t enough.  Because of Mordicai.  For "while other bow, that Jew will not / I think he’s a booger and a snot! . . . (sniffle . . sniffle) it's . . so . . tough being me!" Any similarities between Haman and Gilbert & Sullivan's Major General who cries because "he's not really an orphan" are purely intentional.
 
 
 
 
 
Alas, no demo at this time.
 2:40
5.         Killin' the Jew
 
Haman’s wife takes a 50s theme to suggest that: "Hey, if that guy annoys you?  Just kill him."  Surprisingly, given the subject matter, like most 50s tunes, this is a lot of fun.
 
 
(Same as Above)
 
 
2:47 (full song)
 
6.         Women!
 
One of the funniest songs in the play. The king can go over-the-top with this one.  He gets to the lament that everything works as he says, except for “Women, Women, they go and muddle the brain / They nag and complain/ They’re such a pain / I think they’ll drive me insane!” 
Currently, we’ve only got Dennis on this version. Hopefully, better recordings will follow.
 
 
 
 
 Only 1:37 (full song)
Vocals:  Ky Fifer
7.         The King's Lament
 
Here we see the king's developing characters, spurred on by his faithful, loving wife. While women in general annoy him (especially Vashti) the King realizes that Esther is different. And that he's failed her. He hasn’t been the man that she wants him to be. He hasn's been the man HE wants to be. He commits himself to finding out what it is that so distresses her and if there is "an evil that threatens the land", that he will do what he can to stop it.
 
 
 
 
3:01 (full song)
Vocals:  Brandford McKeown
8.         Reprises Killin' the Jew & The Man of My Dreams.
 
For the reprise of Killin’ the Jew the lyrics change from "Killin' the Jew" (and Haman, "I am so cool") in the chorus to "You’ve been a fool, you’ve been a fool, so awful and cruel".
In the second reprise, Esther gets to compliment and renew her ties to the King (the happy ending -- alas, we have no recording of this one.
  
 
 
 
(PDF of Reprise below)
  
 
1:29 (full reprise)
 
0:50 reprise of Man of My Dreams Reprise Not completed
9.         God Has Saved His People
 
A beautiful tune that combines one of the plays main themes: That God impacts people's lives. And hopefully the music will send'em home happy.
 
  
 
Esther Solo:  Jessie Stanley
  
 
EXCERPT 2:00