Song of The Shepherd. An original musical about the life of King David

7 Frequently Asked Questions

(Answered by David M. Sanborn)

1. What’s the content of this one-man show?
Word-for-word New King James text, consisting of 20 characters (including the Narrator), mostly using celebrity impersonations. (King) David sings his psalms at the appropriate places in the story. Here's the "Script:"

Script: I Sam. 16:14-23 (David's music calms Saul)
Song: "The Lord Is My Shepherd" (Psalm 23)
Script: I Sam. 17:17-18, 20, 4, 8-10, 24, 26, 31-51; 18:5 (David defeats Goliath)
Song: "I Will Praise You" (Psalm 139)
Script: I Sam. 18:6-9; 19:9-10; 21:10-15; 22:1-2; 24:1-11, 16-17, 20-22; 31:1-6; II Sam. 1:17-18 (David flees from Saul; Saul dies)
Song: "How the Mighty Have Fallen" (II Sam. 1:19-24, 27)
Script: II Sam. 5:1-3, 6-7, 9; 7:1-13, 17-18 (David rules over Israel)
Song: "I Will Dance" (inspired by Ps. 92, 144, 149)
Script: II Sam. 6:14-16, 20-22; 11:1-5, 14-15, 26-27; 12:1-10 (David sins with Bathsheba)
Song: "Have Mercy On Me" (Psalm 51)
Script: II Sam. 12:13-20 (David's son dies)
Song: "Alone With My God" (inspired by Ps. 69, 145, 146)
Script: II Sam. 12:20-24; 8:15 (God restores David)
Song: "I Will Praise You - reprise" (Psalm 139)

2. What is It's message?
The message in a nutshell: Challenging people to have a life of passion the way that Kind David did.

3. How do you feel about having children in the audience?
The deeper truths of the musical are certainly targeted to adults, but I've been pretty amazed at seeing even 3-4 year olds with A.D.D. stay focused the full length of the show. I guess they're intrigued to see an adult make such a crazy fool of himself!

4. How long is it?
Full length is 70 minutes. The presentation can certainly be tailored to meet the time requirements of your venue though. (The full length version has been edited and refined considerably in the 6 years since recording the original 90-min. version).

5. What kind of facilities and do you require?
Song of the Shepherd can be done on just about any size stage. Here's what I'll need: (1) a lapel microphone and (2) a CD player hooked up to your sound system (both of which I can bring if necessary. Just let me know in advance), (3) an on-stage chair (just a plain old chair of any kind) and (4) a wooden box or level (or even another chair) to stand on.

6. What are your financial requirements?
If you prefer to give an honorarium, I generally “suggest” $500 as an average amount, but I’m also happy to come for just an offering of whatever you can afford. I'm very flexible with the financial requirements. I’ll take care of my own transportation, and, as for housing, I'm happy to stay in a guest room at someone's house or a hotel, whatever's easiest.