I Married You

How the Book Became a Drama

In 1972 a friend told me, “You should read this story about a counselor who comes to an African city to lecture about marriage.  He soon meets several couples with troubled relationships, common things people struggle with.  One woman in particular is a mystery whom you learn more about bit by bit.  Later, the counselor’s wife arrives, but they get into such a heated argument that they need a marriage counselor too. Even though it happens in Africa, the themes are universal.”

Intrigued, I read I Married You and loved its portrayal of God’s wisdom regarding marriage and of God’s mercy when we fail to live by His wisdom.  I have given away dozens of copies as wedding gifts.  I also urged film makers to adapt the book to the screen, but no one accepted the challenge. So in the early 2000s, I decided to try writing a stage play.  I contacted Ingrid, and she was overjoyed. Her insights helped me to enhance the play with details not told in the book.

One problem though: I didn’t know how to write a full-length drama. That is why I am forever grateful for the professional advice, honesty, patience, and encouragement provided by my friend Carin Bratlie, who directs her own theatre in St. Paul, MN. 

How to Enjoy the Drama

You don’t need wait to for a theatre to perform I Married You. Read it. Admittedly, reading a script by yourself is a dull. But what happens if people divide up the roles, read the script ahead of time, and then sit down together to read it as dramatically as they are able? What happens? The magic of drama happens!

So read it dramatically with your beloved. Or read it with family or friends. Possible settings:

• A couple on Valentines Day, an anniversary, or anytime
• One or more couples who are dating, engaged, or married
• A family with teen children
• Youth and young adult groups
• Home groups
• A wedding shower
• A bachelor or bachelorette event

Since the play is long, you can break it up into shorter reading sessions. An informal dramatic reading done serially — a few scenes at a time — provides time to ponder: What will happen next?  What would I do if I were in a certain character’s shoes? 

So breaking up (the reading) is not hard to do. In fact, it’s an advantage, because where the real drama occurs is in your own heart, as you ponder the dilemmas and choices facing the couples in the play.

To Stage a Performance

I Married You is suitable for performance by any church, mission, or theatre troupe that cares about portraying the biblical foundations of marriage, and proclaiming Christ.  Invite the neighbors to your performance and offer them follow-up events about dating and marriage.  Online video formats can provide a forum for video productions of the play to be seen more widely.

I hope believers from a mixture of cultures will unite to stage I Married You together.  What a unique opportunity for folks from different ethnic roots to serve God shoulder to shoulder (Zephaniah 3:9-10).

Download PDF.

Permission is granted to reproduce sufficient copies for your drama group.  No royalty is charged for performing this play, as long as no changes are made in the script, and full credit is given to the author in the playbill and all promotional ads. 

Please inform me if you plan to stage the play. I will be praying for your success.