Survivor Babylon | Video

Alan Miller | 3/21/2013

One of the keys to helping children understand and remember important lessons is to relate it to their lives. That`s not always easy. But students at Martin Luther School in Bismarck learned all about not giving in to pressure by putting on a play, an old story with modern overtones.

"Survivor Babylon, Survivor Babylon, Survivor Babylon. If you don`t bow you`re gonna get burned!"

That`s the warning in this modernized version of the Biblical story of Shadrach, Meschach and Abednego. The three young men are thrown into a fiery furnace for refusing to bow before a golden idol. Along with the musical action, there`s expert commentary along the way.

"Good evening, everyone, and welcome to Survivor Babylon. I`m your host, Kitty Zurich. Tonight, our contestants will discover who can outthink, and outwork and out pray all the others," said Hannah Fried, who plays Kitty Zurich.

This is the final dress rehearsal, and the performers anticipate a packed house at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church when the imaginary curtain goes up. Certainly, it`s a fun show. But instructors say the young cast members understand the underlying message.

"Sometimes we feel like we have to bow, or we get ridiculed or made fun of. And so it really does fit with today. And we`ve talked about how, are you going to bow? Are you going to give in to what society says, or are you going to stand up for your faith and what scripture says?" said director Denise Wolfgram.

After the trio of resisters are placed in the flames, another news reporter arrives.

"This is Honica Mannan from the K Fire news team, on the scene of Nebuchadnezzar`s furnace. In the furnace are three gentlemen. Are they in trouble? Are they in pain? Let`s ask a bystander at the scene," said Cory Wheeler, who plays Honica Mannan.

How does the story end? You can read the Book of Daniel in your Bible, or you can come to the show.

You can catch the show at 7:00 at Shepherd of the Valley Church in south Bismarck.

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