A small alleyway in Persia is filled with JEWS going about there daily business. A young Jew, THE STORYTELLER, tell us of their dispersion and exile to Persia. MORDECAI, a Jewish leader who works for the Persian government, enters and tells the Jews he is going back to the homeland Israel and anyone is welcome to join him. An excited Jewish community celebrates their forthcoming journey back home (Such A Time As This).
While working at the Palace Gates, Mordecai is approached by a MYSTERIOUS WOMAN and given a baby girl. Learning that the infant belongs to his deceased Uncle, he accepts the child knowing that the journey back to Israel now must be cancelled (Hello Mordecai).
Inside the Persian Palace, HAMAN, a cruel Chamberlain, is crowned royal vizier to the young KING XERXES, ruler of Persia (The Citadel Of Susa). King Xerxes arrives late and drunk to the ceremony where he declares a celebration (A Party In Susa). A drunk King Xerxes sends a EUNICH to fetch his Queen. He demands that she parade, wearing only her crown, in front of his friends, the FOUR PRINCES. The Queen refuses and Haman has her banished for disobedience (The Great King Xerxes).
Many years pass and THE STORYTELLER introduces us to a twenty-year old Esther (How Time Flies). She is hanging clothes and dreaming of being with her own people (I Want To Fly). Mordecai quells Esther's zeal by reiterating that she can do more for her people in Persia then back home in Israel (Such A Time As This pt.2).
The Storyteller shows us a lonely King Xerxes stewing in his Chambers (Things Don't Always Work Out As Planned). The FOUR PRINCES comfort King Xerxes by telling him they'll hold a Pageant to find him a new Queen (Mrs. Persia). Mordecai receives the edict about the pageant and forces Esther to go. He believes her beauty could hold the key for the future of the Jews. He warns her not to tell anyone that she is a Jew (Such A Time As This pt3). Esther enters the King's HAREM and is taken back by the sheer cattiness of the other BEAUTIES (He's Gonna Pick Me). SGT. HEGIA, a staunch and insulting drill Sergeant, prepares the women for the King, weeding them out one by one until only Esther remains and is chosen to be Queen (Bootcamp Beauty).
Six months pass as Esther comes to terms with her 'destiny' (God, Is This You?). Mordecai sits in prayer outside Esther's Tower in the King's Courtyard (When The Time Comes). Haman recognizes him as a Jew and demands that Mordecai bow down to him. When Mordecai refuses a brief scuffle ensues. A vengeful and furious Haman plots to annihilate all the Jews in Persia (Personal Demons).
Esther is brought before King Xerxes who is smitten by her beauty. Their personalities clash and Esther storms out of the room (Love At First Sight). King Xerxes is so enamored with ESTHER that he is easily tricked by Haman into signing an edict to kill 'a certain people' in Persia (A Certain People).
Mordecai receives the edict and quickly informs Esther that she might be the only hope to save the Jews (Now Is The Time). The JEWS mourn. Esther realizes she must put her own life in danger, face Haman, and go before the King (Oh Israel!).
ESTHER Synopsis Act 2 :
The Jews lament and blame Mordecai for the edict. Mordecai tries to bring comfort to the Jews by reminding them they are a chosen race (Weeping And Wailing). Esther invites King Xerxes and Haman to a banquet. Haman suspects something adrift while King Xerxes is elated that Esther is finally showing some attraction (Tomorrow Night). Meanwhile, Mordecai sits in the streets of Persia praying for Esther (My Little Girl), while Haman plots a special death for Mordecai and has super-sized Gallows erected through the night (Hang'em Up High ).
King Xerxes, with the help of the Four Princes, gets himself ready for the banquet (She Loves Me ... Not). The Storyteller reminds us that love sometimes has a price (Love Is Not A Many Splendored Thing). Esther nervously prepares the banquet with her MAIDENS. The Maidens don't know how to cook and have prepared some very unappealing dishes (The Food Song).
King Xerxes and Haman arrive. Both think the banquet has been prepared in their honor (I Must Have Done Something Right). Esther boldly confronts the King in front of Haman. King Xerxes realizes Haman tricked him into signing an edict that would kill Esther's people (I Am A Jew). Haman is arrested and put to death. King Xerxes and Esther express their love for one another even though they have different backgrounds (Love At First Sight reprise).
The Storyteller tells us that we all have moments in time. You may not understand why or where you are at in life, but it just might be God positioning you for greatness (It Could Be You). Mordecai is given Haman's crown and cloak and made 2nd in command. The people of Israel are saved (Oh Israel reprise).