A Home for Jo-Jo SCR

A Home for Jo-Jo

CAST OF CHARACTERS 

NARRATOR 

JO-JO .....................................................................................a puppy; can be boy or girl 

EVAN ....................................................................................boy, age 5-8 

EVAN’S MOM......................................................................played by adult or older child 

THREE BOYS PLAYING IN SNOW ..................................boys, ages 5-8 

SNOBBY GIRL.....................................................................age 5-8 

TWO KIDS PULLING WAGON..........................................ages 5-8 

ADULT WOMAN.................................................................played by adult or older child 

SANTA CLAUS....................................................................played by adult or older child  

COSTUMES

NARRATOR: Should wear casual clothes with Christmas theme or colors 

JO-JO: Dog costume 

SANTA CLAUS: Santa Claus suit, beard, hat 

SNOBBY GIRL: Fancy Christmas dress and coat 

EVAN: Christmas pajamas 

REST OF CAST: Casual outerwear such as scarves, mittens, coats, and boots  

Scene 1 

(Stage curtains (if available) are closed. Narrator walks to STAGE CENTER.) 

Narrator: It’s Christmas Eve and a boy named Evan and a puppy named Jo-Jo are lonely. Evan wants a puppy for Christmas and Jo-Jo wants to find a forever home. Since Christmas is the season of miracles, they’re sure their Christmas wishes will come true. (MOVES TO FRONT STAGE RIGHT where he’ll remain for the rest of the play.) 

(Stage curtains open (if applicable). Lights come up on Evan’s house. Evan and his mom are sitting on the couch.) 

Evan’s Mom: What’s wrong, Evan? You seem sad. Aren’t you happy it’s Christmas Eve? 

Evan: All the kids are playing outside in the snow, and I can’t because of my bad leg. I get so lonely in the house by myself. (Excited) I hope Santa brings me the puppy I asked for! Then I won’t be lonely anymore. 

Evan’s Mom: I don’t know if Santa can do that this year. Sometimes he can’t bring many presents or give you exactly what you ask for.   

Evan: But he’s Santa Claus! He can do anything. And I’ve been really good this year. I just know he’ll bring me a puppy. 

Evan’s Mom: Don’t get your hopes up, Evan. I don’t want you to be disappointed. (Rests her hand on Evan’s shoulder for a moment then leaves room STAGE RIGHT) 

Evan: She just doesn’t believe in Santa’s magic. I know he’ll bring me a puppy; I just know it. (Lights go down on Evan’s house.)  

Scene 2 

(Lights come up FRONT STAGE LEFT on Jo-Jo who is curled up in a cardboard box bed, shivering. Three boys are behind Jo-Jo STAGE LEFT in front of the fence building a snowman using the painted plastic balls as props.) 

Narrator: (FRONT STAGE RIGHT) Jo-Jo the puppy is lonely, cold, and hungry. He’s alone because he walks with a limp and nobody wants him. 

Jo-Jo: I’m so lonely and cold! I wish I had a warm home for Christmas. I’m a cute puppy, and I don’t go to the bathroom in the house. (Says sadly) But I limp, and no one has wanted me so far.  

(Gets out of his box and notices the playing kids). Look at those kids! Maybe one of them will want me for Christmas. (Limps over to the boys.) 

Boy #1: Hey mutt, we’re trying to build a snowman. Get out of the way! 

Boy #2: Yeah, you’re going to mess up our snowman. Go back where you came from. 

Jo-Jo: I’m looking for a home for Christmas. Will one of you take me home? 

Boy #3: Why would we take you home? You’re dirty and you walk funny. Go away, no one wants you. (Boys throw Styrofoam “snowballs” at Jo-Jo.) 

Jo-Jo: Yikes! (Limps away quickly while boys laugh and keep playing). That was mean. I can’t help that I limp. But I’m not giving up. I know someone will want me for Christmas.   

Scene 3 

(Lights go down on boys playing and follow Jo-Jo to the Department Store. The Snobby Girl is sitting in the chair in front of the store.) 

Narrator (FRONT STAGE RIGHT): Although his feelings were hurt, Jo-Jo kept looking for someone to love. 

Jo-Jo: Look at the girl in the pretty dress. Maybe she’ll take me home. (Limps to the girl and places his paw on her arm): Hello! I’m looking for a home for Christmas. 

Snobby Girl: (Smacking Jo-Jo’s paw away) Eww! Don’t touch me! You’re filthy. 

Jo-Jo: (lays head on the girl’s shoulder) But I’m kind and I know how to play fetch, even if I’m a little slow. Will you take me home? 

Snobby Girl: (Stands up and stomps her foot) Get your paws off of my beautiful dress! Didn’t you hear me? I said go away! You’re making my beautiful Christmas dress dirty. My room at home is too clean and beautiful for a muddy dog like you. And besides, you don’t walk right. Why would anyone want you for Christmas? 

Jo-Jo: But you’re all alone like me. 

Snobby Girl: (Hands on hips) I’m not alone, you silly puppy. My mom is inside buying lots and lots of Christmas presents. 

Jo-Jo: (Sighs and looks at the ground) Oh, okay. I’m sorry I messed up your pretty dress. (The girl sits, smoothing her dress and wiping away the dirt. Lights go down on the girl and follow JoJo as he limps to FRONT STAGE CENTER.)

Scene 4 

Jo-Jo: (Looks up and shivers hard) It’s getting late and colder. I’d better find a home soon or I’ll freeze. 

Narrator: (FRONT STAGE RIGHT) Jo-Jo searched far and wide for someone to take him home for Christmas. 

(Jo-Jo limps to FRONT STAGE LEFT and then to FRONT STAGE RIGHT, then to FRONT STAGE CENTER, looking for someone to take him home. Two children pulling a wagon approach from FRONT STAGE LEFT and meet Jo-Jo FRONT STAGE CENTER.) 

Child Pulling Wagon #1: Look at that puppy walking funny. 

Child Pulling Wagon #2: Yeah, and he needs a bath. Jo-Jo: I’m looking for a home for Christmas. Will you take me home? 

Child Pulling Wagon #1: (Points to kitten in wagon) Sorry, but we just got a kitten for Christmas. She won’t get along with you. (Children pulling wagon exit FRONT STAGE RIGHT. Jo-Jo remains FRONT STAGE CENTER, looking sad.) 

Jo-Jo: I would get along with a kitten. I think we’d be friends. (A woman carrying a stack of Christmas presents approaches from FRONT STAGE LEFT.) 

Woman Carrying Presents: Get out of my way, puppy. Can’t you see I’m in a hurry?   

Jo-Jo: I’m looking for a home for Christmas? Will you take me home? Woman Carrying Presents: No, I can’t take you home. I have enough presents for my kids already! (Woman exits FRONT STAGE RIGHT. Jo-Jo remains FRONT STAGE CENTER.) 

Jo-Jo: (Wringing paws) I’ll never find a home for Christmas. Nobody wants a dirty puppy who limps. I give up! (Falls to the ground making crying sounds. Lights dim on everything but Jo-Jo.)  

Scene 5 

Narrator: (FRONT STAGE RIGHT) Sometimes, Christmas miracles need a little help. 

Santa Claus: (In a booming voice from FRONT STAGE LEFT) 

Jo-Jo! Jo-Jo: (Lifts head and looks around) Who’s there?  

Santa Claus: (Approaches Jo-Jo from FRONT STAGE LEFT) It’s me Jo-Jo. Santa Claus. 

Jo-Jo: (Stands) Santa Claus! Is it really you? Why are you here? Shouldn’t you be making deliveries? 

Santa Claus: I’m here to tell you not to give up your search for a home. There’s still time. It’s not Christmas yet. 

Jo-Jo: Nobody wants me, Santa. I’m dirty, and I limp. 

Santa Claus: So what? You’re wonderful just as you are. You just haven’t found the right human yet. The ones you’ve met are selfish and don’t have the Christmas spirit. I know for a fact there’s someone out there hoping to receive a special puppy like you for Christmas. Keep looking, Jo-Jo. 

Jo-Jo: Really, Santa? Someone wants a puppy like me? Where do I look? 

Santa Claus: You’ll know when the time comes. Now, I have to get back to my deliveries. It’s a busy night for me! 

Jo-Jo: Okay, Santa! Thank you, and Merry Christmas! 

Santa Claus: Merry Christmas, Jo-Jo! (Santa exits STAGE LEFT) 

Scene 6 

Jo-Jo: Santa says I can’t give up, so I won’t. But where do I look? (Looks around and then looks up.) Look at that bright star. It’s the only one I see. I think I’ll follow it. (Walks STAGE LEFT to Evan’s home. Lights go up on Evan’s home. Evan is lying on the couch, asleep). 

Jo-Jo: That’s strange. The star is shining on this house. (Yawns) But I’m too cold and tired to look further. I think I’ll lie down and rest, then continue my search. (Lies down in front of the door, making a loud bumping sound, and falls asleep) 

Evan: (Wakes up upon hearing the bumping sound) What was that? Was it Santa Claus? I must have fallen asleep waiting for him. (Limps to the Christmas tree.) No gifts. Mom said she didn’t think Santa would bring my puppy, but I know he will. Maybe he left my present outside. (Limps to the door, opens it, and sees Jo-Jo lying there.) A puppy! I got a puppy for Christmas! Santa brought me just what I asked for! 

Jo-Jo: (Waking up) What? Where am I? 

Evan: (Hugs Jo-Jo) I love you puppy! You’re perfect! Oh, you’re cold. Come inside where it’s warm.  

Jo-Jo: (Laughing) I can’t believe it. I found a home for Christmas! And he hugged me even though I’m dirty! (Evan limps inside and Jo-Jo limps inside beside him.) 

Evan: You limp like me. Don’t worry; I’ll take care of you now. 

Jo-Jo: You limp like me. Don’t worry; I’ll take care of you now. 

Evan: We’ll never be lonely again. Merry Christmas! (Evan lies on the couch and Jo-Jo curls up at his feet. Evan pets Jo-Jo, and both are smiling as they fall asleep. Lights go down.) 

Narrator: That Christmas was the best of Evan’s and Jo-Jo’s lives so far. It proved Santa Claus was right. No one, not even puppies, should ever lose hope of finding someone to love, especially at Christmas. (Entire cast sings I’ll Be Home for Christmas.)  

How does Jo-Jo feel about finding a home for Christmas? Support your answer with evidence from the play.