wfn.org | Church's Broadway-style musical draws crowds

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Jan. 23, 2004 News media contact: Tim Tanton7(615)742-54707Nashville, Tenn. 7
E-mail: newsdesk@umcom.org 7 ALL{021}

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A UMNS Feature
By Kim Riemland*

A church in Washington state is adding a dash of Broadway flair to the Bible
by sponsoring a musical on the well-known parable of the prodigal son.

On a recent Saturday afternoon, dancers practiced the tango in the sanctuary
of Federal Way United Methodist Church in Auburn, and an internationally
acclaimed opera tenor belted out a tune in the basement.

The church was alive with the sights and sounds of final rehearsals of an
original Broadway-style musical. The cast includes professional actors and
dancers, as well as sought-after singers.

"It's just unbelievable, the cast," said Andrew T. Miller, who wrote and
produced the musical. "A director friend from another company called me and
said, 'How did you assemble that group of folks for this show? It's going to
be amazing.'"

The church commissioned Miller, its music director, to write and produce an
original show drawn from a story in the Bible. 

"The Prodigal" is based on Jesus' parable of a rebellious son who leaves his
family, blows his inheritance on loose living, and is accepted back home with
forgiveness and unconditional love.

"Regardless of where you go or what you've done, there's a love for you
that's greater than you are - that's always there with you," Miller said. 

The church first staged "The Prodigal" in its sanctuary last spring. Six
sold-out shows and tremendous audience response convinced church leaders to
re-offer the musical, this time to a larger audience. The current show opened
Jan. 21 at the Highline Performing Arts Center in Burien, Wash., a venue
capable of seating 800 per night. 

Opera star Robert McPherson, a longtime friend of Miller's, plays a leading
role. The story's universal appeal persuaded him to participate, he said.

"I think in a lot of ways, everybody can find themselves in 'The Prodigal'
because at one time we've all been a prodigal of some sort," McPherson said.
"We all went out on our own journey to only find out that it was at home all
the time, it was in front of us and we just couldn't see it."

McPherson performs internationally in high-profile shows. This production
rises well above what most would expect from a local church, he said.

"The whole idea was not to do a church musical, it was to create a show - and
have a show that is exciting, entertaining, beautifully done" and with moving
music, McPherson said.

In addition to re-mounting the show, the cast is recording a CD with the
Seattle Symphony. Miller said he's even heard from contacts in New York about
possibly producing the show on a bigger scale.

"Who knows what may happen? But I think the possibility is there because I
think there's a broad-based appeal for the common guy," he said. "To me, the
story is about God's love, and always has been and always will be."  

It's a message the church hopes to take from the basement all the way to
Broadway. 

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*Riemland is a UMNS correspondent based in Seattle.

 
 

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United Methodist News Service
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