Click on the song titles in italics to hear music clips from the original production!

ACT 1

One starry night, a tribe of five wise men known as the Magi gather to interpret dreams and study the heavens above.  At the height of the ritual, they discover the star of a new king (The Revelation of the Magi).

In a far off land, negotiators from two Hebrew families finalize the betrothal of their children, Joseph and Mary.  With the presentation of a gift, Joseph gains Mary’s consent to marry.  They declare their love as the families bless their joint futures (When I look at You). 

In a neighboring city, Elizabeth helps her husband, Zacharias, prepare for the honor of serving in the temple.  After many years, they see that not all waiting is for naught—his turn has finally come to burn incense (All in Time).  As they travel to the temple, villagers petition for prayer, and gossipers scorn them because Elizabeth is barren—surely a sign of secret sin. In the temple, Zacharias burns the incense, lifting the people’s prayers. Suddenly in a divine visitation, an Angel of the Lord declares that Elizabeth shall bear a son, John.  Because of their old age, Zacharias doubts this could ever happen (Once in a Lifetime). The Angel strikes him mute.

Six months later, the Angel Gabriel and a corps of Celesti manifest before Mary with news:  even though she is a virgin, she will conceive a child and name him Jesus.  Furthermore, Elizabeth, her cousin, will have a child in old age (Fear Not).  Mary weighs this divine promise against the potential consequences (Because of You).  After struggling with the choice, she concedes (Be it Done).

Elizabeth and the mute Zacharias are struggling to communicate.  Elizabeth has kept her pregnancy secret for five months, and Zacharias has been trying to explain through gesture that he knows! (A Secret to Tell).  When Elizabeth finally gets that Zacharias saw a vision about their future son, she realizes that even though she’s late in years, there is a bigger plan for her family than she ever dreamed of (It’s Not Too Late).

Meanwhile, Mary risks banishment and tells Joseph she is pregnant (He’ll Understand).  Joseph is infuriated (Betrayed). In the East, the Magi have decided to follow their star. They gather precious gifts to bring to new king (The Gathering).

Fearing for the worst and needing confirmation of the Angel’s news, Mary flees to visit Elizabeth.  Connected by divine conceptions, they marvel at this wondrous miracle (All of My Life).  While finding comfort in each other, they determine to follow the leading of a king yet to be born while the Magi, in a land far away—set out to follow the star (Follow Me).

ACT 2

Three months later, Mary returns from Elizabeth’s to finally face Joseph and discuss their future.  Joseph shames her in disgust, and Mary leaves him to choose between God and a law that says she must be “put out” (The Confrontation).  In the wake of their argument, Joseph ponders what to do. 

That night, Joseph has a twisted nightmare, where the Mistress of Ceremonies shows what lies behind the doors of his potential decisions (Opportunity Knocks). At the height of insanity, Gabriel appears, confirming that Mary is innocent, and Joseph should not fear marrying her (Fear Not Reprise).   Joseph and Mary reconcile (Be it Done Reprise).

 The Magi have arrived in Jerusalem and are looking for the birthplace of the king.  A jealous Herod having gathered information from the scribes (What is it That You See?) is outraged and summons the Magi to a secret meeting.  Herod manipulates them to lead him to this king, somewhere in Bethlehem, under the premise that he might also worship him (The Meeting).  The Mistress of Ceremonies appears and together, they plot to thwart the new king by slaughtering every child under the age of two in the region (Twist of Fate).

Elizabeth has given birth to a son and at his dedication, the family pressures her to name the boy “Zacharias” after his father.  Elizabeth objects. In a moment of revelation, Zacharias writes the name given to him by the angel in the temple and regains the ability to speak (His Name is John).

Mary, Joseph, Elizabeth, Zacharias and the Magi struggle with their purpose and the tough road ahead.  They have no choice but to continue the journey as their paths unfold (Today is the Day).  Elizabeth and Zacharias begin to rear John;  Mary, Joseph and Jesus escape genocide by fleeing to Egypt; and the Magi somberly disband their tribe, lay down their robes, and journey home.  Their purpose is complete (Homeward Bound).  And so, the story begins. . .