The story
An original musical by Marilyn Olson
As captives in Persia, Hadassah and her people are treated as second-class citizens. Hadassah finds herself orphaned at a young age, but is soon adopted by her older cousin, Mordecai. He changes her name to Esther to conceal her Jewish ancestry. As Esther grows up, she learns about her heritage, the customs, the Jewish feasts, the Shabbats. But along with that she becomes aware of the reality of a wonderful, loving Presence.
Life in a Persian palace is far different than life in a traditional Jewish home. One night in a drunken rage King Ahasuerus banishes his beautiful queen, Vashti. Later, he regrets what he did, but cannot change it because the Law of the Medes and Persians states that any law made and signed with the king’s ring cannot be changed.
King Ahasuerus interviews the most beautiful girls in the kingdom as queen candidates. He chooses Esther (Hadassah) as his new queen, unaware that she is Jewish. Eventually she plays an important role in saving her people from the annihilation planned by the wicked prince Haman, who manipulates the king into making a dangerous and unchangeable law.
We encourage you to read the story in the book of Esther and look up the scriptures identified with some of the songs.