Treatments
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ROCKING BETHLEHEM

Genre: Biblical/Musical

Logline : Afrocentric adaptation of the story of the Little Drummer Boy

Synopsis :

The Little Drummer Boy (Simon) and his large, musical family are playing a concert, just outside of Bethlehem. Simon is a musical prodigy. He is like a youthful Michael Jackson or a Little Stevie Wonder and has a huge following. Colorful outfits, acrobatic dancers and exotic surroundings add to the musical experience. All of the songs are positive and based in Reggae or African music.

The audience, including two Roman girls, 'get into' the performance and dance along. The father of one of the girls is an Officer in the Roman Army. The officer is enraged to see his daughter mingling with the 'barbarians'. The soldiers are commanded to go on attack. Many audience members are killed and maimed.

Simon condemns the brutality from the stage. The Officer becomes even more angry and goes after Simon. He survives the attack by Roman soldiers, but his mother is killed and his father is blinded by the Officer.

Afterwards, Simon blames himself and becomes bitter. Swears he will never play music again. He even tosses away his drum. His Uncle and Sisters try to console him.

Simon runs into Joseph and his pregnant wife Mary. They escort them to the Inn where they already have rooms. When the family is told that the Inn is full, the Uncle offers Mary the bed that was going to be reserved for Simon's mom. Simon is hurt and runs off.

The family tells Mary and Joseph about the tragedy, Mary is moved. Doesn't want to stay there but the family insists. They will help set up a sleeping area for Joseph in a barn, not far away. As they are getting Joseph settled, Mary's water breaks.

Mary starts to deliver in the manger. Midwives who are part of Simon's band help stabilize her. Simon runs into shepherds who say they were sent to Bethlehem by Angels and are there to see a Savior born. The drummer laughs at them, thinking they are insane.

As the star appears above and the Three Wise Men arrive, he begins to believe that perhaps this baby is special. The Wise Men and others bring expensive gifts. Simon is encouraged to perform for the baby. He resists at first, but when his blind father insists, he happily complies. The bitterness and anger in his soul is healed when the baby Messiah reacts to him positively.

After the performance, Simon is allowed to hold the baby, tears flow. He hands the baby to his Dad, a miracle happens, suddenly the father can see again.

As time goes on, Simon and the family becomes close to the Three Wise men. The musical family and the Holy family are asked if they would like to travel in their caravan for that is headed for Africa. Simon's family agrees right away. At first, Joseph doesn't want to, but he has a dream that changes his mind.

'Christmas songs' are performed by the troupe as they celebrate the Savior's birth, bid farewell to Bethlehem and head off to Africa.