God watches earthly preparations for Christmas, and He is appalled. Everyone is self-centered and/or money-centered—a sorry picture of how God's creatures celebrate His Son's birthday. And then God spots a young couple hitchhiking into a city. The wife is very pregnant, and the husband tries desperately to find a place for her to have her child...but there is no room for them...and God remembers a similar scene from long ago. O, Little Town is a modern parable...the Bethlehem story as it might happen if Jesus were born today (there is, however, no suggestion that the baby born in this play is a messiah).

The play is designed for versatility in staging and simplicity of presentation. All the roles are played by four principal performers plus a chorus or ensemble which may number from as few as six actors and actresses to as many as thirty—or even more. The Chorus members form a living cyclorama or backdrop behind the action, keeping their backs turned to the audience when not performing. They don symbolic bits of costume (like a hat) to portray each role. They also handle all props and all scene changes (the props and costume pieces lie on the stage floor behind the chorus when not being used). The only "scenery" required is a few folding chairs and a bench. Thus the play is suitable for staging anywhere—in the chancel or fellowship hall of a church, on a lawn or a tennis court, in a large classroom, as well as on a conventional stage. Production notes in the script give full details.

Jerome McDonough has the gift of telling a significant, dramatic story in terms so simple that every group can present his plays effectively, from the rankest amateurs to the most artistic professionals. Typical of his unique style, this play is very simple to stage yet strikingly effective, with very poignant moments relieved by equally funny scenes. An ideal Christmas play for all groups.

One act; bare stage (or room floor); modern costumes.

Other McDonough Christmas plays: Carol* A Christmas; A Christmas Carol; It's Sad, So Sad When an Elf Goes Bad; The Nearest Star; Not Even A. Mouse; Posadas (bi-lingual), Señor Scrooge (bi-lingual)