Counterknowledge

It’s a cold winter night. We shuffle into a cozy basement black-box theatre. We are surrounded by a warm and friendly crowd. The lights dim, and the story begins.

A group of children between the ages of eight and twelve are putting on a holiday pageant. In the opening scenes, you can see the sparkle in their eyes as they seek out the approval of their parents in the audience. They recite their lines, and sometimes they stumble over big words in that cute way that we are all used to seeing in grade-school productions. But, of course, we approve, because they are telling an age-old story. They are telling to story of a savior: a man born in a manger on a cold winter night, who went on to change the lives of people all over the world. That’s right, they are excited to put on a holiday pageant in praise of the life of L. Ron Hubbard...


Read the rest: Review: A Very Merry (Unauthorized) Children’s Scientology Pageant - Counterknowledge.com

number 6

That's very good. I sure hope it comes somewhere near where I live. Better still, I hope someone tapes this performance and uploads it on YouTube.

My YouTube channels keep getting suspended and I don't want to keep on setting up new ones.

http://counterknowledge.com/?author=206

HatGirl

I remember that John Carmichael went to this thing when it was playing in NY in 06.
And by "went" I mean he attended a rehearsal for the play, uninvited, to complain.

Come back to New York, Children's Scientology Pageant! Don't let Carmichael scare you with his spiteful high-pitched voice. Or his ability to smell cats a mile away.

"Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha... It's just... POW!!" -Tom Cruise
"Wall Of Fire" webcomic

Ninja_Llama

We're planning on seeing it in Phoenix. Multiple times.

HubbBudd

FROM: The Chicago Tribune

by Kerry Reid | Special To The Tribune
December 5, 2008
"A Very Merry Unauthorized Children's Scientology Pageant" *** 1/2

Written by Kyle Jarrow and conceived (immaculately or not) by Alex Timbers, "A Very Merry Unauthorized Children's Scientology Pageant" uses the trappings of a traditional nativity pageant to tell the story of L. Ron Hubbard—the man who, in addition to being an "atomic physicist, choreographer, and horticulturalist," as the cast reminds us more than once, also invented a new (and highly lucrative) religion.

Considering the fearsomely litigious reputation of the Church of Scientology, it's a bit of a holiday miracle that this brilliantly satirical little gem ever got an airing at all, let alone that it became a—pardon the phrase—cult hit. What's most remarkable is that Jarrow and Timbers' show manages to mostly avoid cheap shots at Hubbard and his adherents. This show, though it pulls no punches in its portrait of Hubbard, also reveals just how easily a religion—any religion—can become necessary balm for troubled souls.

Cast this thing with adults playing kids and it would quickly become a tiresome snarkfest, but the ensemble of ten youngsters in the cast, many playing multiple roles, get the right mix of solemnity and whimsy. Deftly directed by Lance Baker and Steve Wilson, with spot-on choreography by Ann Filmer, each of the kids gets a chance to shine as they enact the life of Hubbard, from Nebraska farm boy to successful pulp writer and mental-health guru ("Emotions are what make us weak"). Najwa Brown's tiny spitfire of an angel/narrator directs our attention with unflagging authority and charm, while Chaz Allen's Hubbard remains unburdened by personal doubt. "Of course I'm right," he asserts at every opportunity.

The show caves in to well-worn show-biz stereotypes during a trial scene in which Cruise, Kirstie Alley, and John Travolta (the holy trinity of celebrity Scientologists) show up to give personal testimonials. But when an aspiring and downhearted actress, Annie (Aria Szalai-Raymond) sings a plaintive lament of loneliness and disappointment, it's downright chilling. There are a lot of Annies out there, especially at the holidays. Whether one believes Hubbard created a sophisticated system for exploiting these tortured souls or genuinely wished to help them, Jarrow and Timbers' entrancing and surprising hour-long homage/evisceration of the man delivers a lot of emotional and philosophical treasure under the glittering witty tinsel.

Through Dec. 28 at A Red Orchid Theatre, 1531 N. Wells St. Tickets are $20-$25 at 312-943-8722 or A Red Orchid Theatre.

:) "You shall know the truth and the Truth shall set you free!

HubbBudd

Sorry, accidental duplicate post.

Too much eggnog, not enough caek?

:) "You shall know the truth and the Truth shall set you free!

SpasticGum

What the hell.

Relyt

It would be great if there were a miracle, Los Angeles allowed for this play to be put on in Hollywood, but it would be also great if pigs could fly. All it takes is just one complaint from a top Scientology official, for something like this to never happen, in Hollywood. Because in Hollywood, you can put on any kind of show you want to, as long as it doesn't poke fun at Scientology.

genoramix

can we has a screener plox? i'm pretty sure there won't be any touring of the show outside the US.

/r/ for a vid, i guess the show producers won't mind a cam, esp. if it's for european awareness.

"How can Dianetics be greater than the wheel and fire?
With the wheel I can run over Dianetics and with fire I can burn it"- Hieronymous

"All authority of any kind, especially in the field of thought and understanding, is the most destructive, evil thing. Leaders destroy the followers and followers destroy the leaders. You have to be your own teacher and your own disciple. You have to question everything that man has accepted as valuable, as necessary." -Krishnamurti

Edward Whalley

Unfortunately, they never thought that this would happen. Sadly, this is just as "copyrighted" as Scienology, according to the weird century-old rules concerning stage plays (Samuel French, etc.) Now, if we were to figure out a way to cc it..