The Book of Esther is a full-length musical based on the Biblical book of Esther as recorded in the Old Testament. The story follows Esther, a young Jewish girl who lives with her cousin, Mordecai, in the Persian Empire. At the Palace of Shushan, King Ahasuerus becomes disenchanted with Queen Vashti when she refuses to obey him during a royal banquet for the nobility. Vashti is deposed hastily and Ahasuerus must find a new bride to be his queen. A pageant is held so that he may choose from among all the young women in his kingdom. The pageant is not optional so Esther reluctantly goes to the palace to compete, all the while concealing her Jewish heritage. She finds the King's favor and is selected as the next queen of Persia. Before Esther has time to adjust to her new life, however, a new threat arises. Prime Minister Haman is enraged because Mordecai will not bow before him. He becomes obsessed with killing Mordecai and all the Jews. Haman skillfully dupes the King into allowing him to write a law annihilating all the Jews. Queen Esther is oblivious to all of this, as she now lives in the Palace and no longer has contact with her Jewish community. During a Passover celebration, Mordecai discovers this plot against his people and entreats Esther to go before the King and plead for their lives. Esther is petrified. Anyone who approaches the King without an invitation is executed immediately, unless the King holds out his golden scepter. She soon realizes, however, that even she is not safe from Haman's law. Esther bravely goes into the Throne Room, and the King is smitten by her beauty. When he asks her desire, Esther invites the King and Haman to a banquet in her Palace rooms. At her banquet, Esther reveals to the King that she is Jewish and that Haman has plotted to destroy all the Jews. The King is furious that he was manipulated by Haman. Haman is executed. Mordecai is promoted to Prime Minister. And the lives of all the Jews in Persia are spared. The musical is filled with laughter and danger, tragedy and triumph. It provides a wonderful story of God's sovereignty and His love for the Jewish people.