Jacob & Kin (A musical in two acts) by SMSmith
Copyright of musical registered in Canada, March 18, 1998
Jacob & Kin is based on Biblical Jacob’s 20-year sojourn in Haran. The events, which go beyond the familiar story in Genesis, are based on
The Legends of the Jews,
The Book of Jasher,
Josephus, and
The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha. These stories have a wonderful mix of humor and emotion which I have sought to translate onto the stage.
The play begins with Jacob’s flight from home after incurring the wrath of his bother, Esau. Esau sends Eliphaz, his son, to steal Jacob’s provisions en route and to kill him, but Eliphaz elects to leave Jacob destitute and to let harsh nature takes its course. In his harrowing dilemma, Jacob vows never to offend God or his brother again, if only he can survive the journey. Provisions are miraculously supplied and Jacob soon reaches his Uncle Laban’s home in Haran where he encounters three shepherds, then Rachel, and then Laban. Laban is upset that there are no dowry gifts, but they finally work things out for Jacob’s 7-year service to mete out the family’s previous marriage arrangements: second-born daughter Rachel for second-born Jacob. (Of course, first-born Leah was covenanted to first-born Esau. However, Leah is adamant that she will not marry rebellious Esau. She vows to remain unwed.) Laban soon decides the marriage agreement can justify Jacob’s marriage to both his daughters. Rachel has anticipated this plan and warns Jacob who finds it too impossible to believe.
When the seven years are up, Rachel and Leah find themselves in an impossible situation—their father’s command; Jacob’s vow never to offend his brother again; and Rachel’s revelation that they are to cooperate with the deception of Jacob. The wedding goes off without a hitch despite the effort organized by the three shepherds to warn Jacob of the switch in brides.
The following morning (Act II), on finding himself married to Esau’s espoused, Jacob is distraught, believing he can never go home again. Laban wrangles another seven years of service for Rachel though the marriage takes place within the week. Over the next years, seven sons and a twin daughter are born to Leah and none to Rachel which causes a rift between the sisters which is finally reconciled. Thereafter, a son, Joseph is born to Rachel.
When his 14-years of service are up, Jacob attempts to leave, but is denied provisions for the journey and is forced to work to accumulate what he needs. He is blessed abundantly despite Laban’s finagling of contract terms. Finally, after another 6 years, Jacob can endure the exile from his home no longer and takes courage in hand to leave, but does so while Laban is away in order to avoid confrontation and the possible prevention of his wives and children accompanying him.
Jacob fears meeting his brother Esau, but decides to trust in God. Laban pursues the departed family, but is too intimidated by Jacob’s God to do more than send word to Esau trying to inflame the situation so he can get his beloved grandchildren back.
Meanwhile, a reformed Eliphaz tries to calm his father’s wrath, but apparently to no avail, so Laban’s messenger (son Beor) rushes the dreadful news of Esau’s intent to wipe the memory of Jacob from the earth—meaning all the beloved grandchildren.
Eliphaz keeps up his pleas for calm and by the time Esau and Jacob face one another, they are each ready to ask for and to extend forgiveness. They join with Leah and Rachel in counseling the children (in song) about how to handle life’s troubles. As they near the end of the song, Laban and entourage burst in, in panting, desperate defense of Jacob’s family. There is a long pause as everyone sorts out the unexpected scene, and then, in the midst of joyful reconciliation, the play ends.
The musical is approximately two & ¼ hours long with 20 song segments.
Much of the music is intended to be acappella (with music driven by the words in old troubadour / minstrel fashion), with an occasional solo wind accompaniment as directed in the melody sheets.
CAST and ages are as follows (in order of appearance):
Old Patriarch 80's
Esau (elder twin brother of Jacob) 39
Eliphaz (son of Esau)15
Jacob 39
Shepherd One 70
Shepherd Two 50
Shepherd Three (Naahyem) 21
Rachel (2nd daughter of Laban–twin) 21
Laban (uncle to Jacob) 60
Leah (1st daughter of Laban–twin) 21
Servant One (female) older
Servant Two (female) young
Servants (male & female)
Wedding Guests (male & female)
Bilhah (maid to Rachel) 28
Zilpah (maid to Leah) 26
Reuben (son of Leah) 13
Simeon (son of Leah) 12
Levi (son of Leah) 11
Judah (son of Leah) 10
Dan (son of Bilhah) 10
Naphtali (son of Bilhah) 09
Gad (son of Zilpah) 09
Asher (son of Zilpah) 08
Issachar (son of Leah) 08
Zebulun (son of Leah–twin) 07
Dinah (daughter of Leah–twin) 07
Joseph (son of Rachel) 06
Beor (son of Laban) 17
SONGS are as follows:
Act One
A LITTLE BIT OF TROUBLE by JACOB & ESAU
YOU'LL GET FLEECED by SHEPHERDS ONE & TWO
I PRAY IT’S THE PLACE by JACOB
WHY HAS IT TAKEN SO LONG? by LABAN
I WISH I WERE A MAN by LEAH
HE'S COME TRUE by RACHEL
IMPOSSIBLE (I) by JACOB
OH, WHAT A SIGHT by THREE SHEPHERDS
SOMETIMES by LEAH & RACHEL
HALIA by WEDDING GUESTS
Act Two
IMPOSSIBLE (II) by JACOB
THERE'S A LITTLE BIT OF TROUBLE by WOMEN SERVANTS
SOMETIMES (Brief Reprise)by OLD PATRIARCH
REMEMBER HER by JACOB FAMILY
SIX MORE YEARS by THREE SHEPHERDS
SAYING, GOODBYE by JACOB FAMILY
WE HAVE MARCHED by THE ESCORT
MAN OF PERFECTIONS by LABAN & ESCORT
WHO IS YOUR BROTHER? by ELIPHAZ
IT'S WORTH A LITTLE TROUBLE by ESAU, JACOB FAMILY, ELIPHAZ, & entire COMPANY
