Ruth and Esther

Boaz is convinced he's blown it. He was caught kissing the wrong girl. And now the right girl will never speak to him again. He'd like to drink and sleep and never wake up. But his best buddy Levi has other ideas: "Just talk to her", he argues. "She can forgive you. If you give her a chance." Can you forgive yourself? Boaz confronts the cruelest words he's ever heard: "What might have been. . ." Vocals: Ky Fifer as Boaz; Thomas Slater as Levi.

Rachel confides in her friend Ruth. She's been keeping a secret. She's pregnant. And the man she loves doesn't want kids and doesn't want her (other than on his terms). She's contemplating aborting a child she wants with all her heart but that she can't afford. She got no good choices. Because men use you and abuse you and throw you away like garbage. She's convinced that: "Regret or rejection await. Every choice I lose."

Naomi gives Ruth advice on how to get a man. Sometimes you have to give him a push ("a nudge"). So, clean up, put on a pretty dress, and add a touch of perfume. Then go to where he lies down and lie beside him. Let him know that you want him and if he wants you wellll... He will tell you what to do. Vocals: Jan Powell (Naomi) & Barbara Richardson (Ruth)

Ruth cleaves to Naomi and refuses to return to her home. She promises: "Wherever you go, I will go. Where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God, my God.

Naomi encourages her daughters-in-law to return to their families. God has abandoned her. "It is harder for me, than for you," she says. Now, they should abandon her, too. All her life has been trouble. She left home with two sons, a husband. What did she want? A home, a garden, maybe a grandbaby on her lap. What did she get? Three graves. Not even enough money for a tombstone. What does she have left? Nothing. Except the promise of a God who took away her happiness and gave her instead -- a grave.

Ruth's heart breaks as Rachel tells her story. Ruth's wanted a child for years and now she learns that her best friend is considering an abortion. Yet Ruth understands where Rachel is coming from -- Rachel's broke and she's alone. Ruth offers her friend all that she has: her love, her support, her God. It may not be enough for Rachel, but it's all Ruth has to give. Ruth pleads: "Can you wait a day? Can you wait a week, for the answer that you seek?" Ruth encourages Rachel by telling of her experiences with depression: her husband died, she's lived in poverty, she's barren. But she's felt God's love and support through it all. Ruth ends by singing: "My God has wings where you're welcome to hide."

After listening to Naomi's advice and realizing the risk to her reputation, Ruth wrestles over what she should do. Should she risk it and reach out to the man she loves? Or play it safe? Ruth realizes that "I wouldn't try with another guy, something tells me that he's the one!" She will go to him and hope he reject her.

After years of waiting, Rachel has had enough. She gives Levi an ultimatum: Marry me or else. He'd like to get rich. She wants a family. This is her song of goodbye.

The town gossips are not sure they will accept Ruth. But prodded by the Jewish grandmothers they decide to give her a chance.