cover image Meet Bathsheba: Dramatic Portraits of Biblical Women

Meet Bathsheba: Dramatic Portraits of Biblical Women

Rosanne Gartner. Judson Press, $16 (145pp) ISBN 978-0-8170-1355-4

Dramatic performer Gartner uses thorough research skills and lively prose to bring obscure female characters to life in these first-person monologues. Gartner has been performing these intriguing women-of-the-Bible historical presentations since 1994. As a member of the Village Church in Northbrook, Ill., the author was invited to lead a summer study that focused on people in the Bible. She boldly chose Bathsheba--and even more shockingly, promised to present this oft-misunderstood Biblical character in the first person. From there, Gartner continued to develop detailed story lines that fill in the fascinating cultural and historical traditions of the lives of Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel and Leah, Naomi, Mary (the mother of Jesus), the Woman at the Well, Martha and Priscilla. While written for dramatic presentation in women's group settings and churches, the book stands alone as a delightful read. Gartner's dramatic storytelling successfully whets the one's appetite to know more about these biblical women and their unique struggles, callings and activities. The author also includes suggestions for presenters: know the material well enough to gain empathy with the character, choose a setting that discourages distraction and minimize costumes and props to bring more focus to the woman and her narrative. These monologues bring new life to old stories and will fascinate audiences as diverse as the women portrayed. (May)