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Celebrate the Holidays with 'Two from Galilee'

By: Nov. 19, 2006
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The holidays are here and you're wondering what to do to get in the holiday spirit. How about seeing TWO FROM GALILEE, a new family musical that will play at Symphony Space November 21st-November 26th.  The musical follows Mary and Joseph as they make their way to Bethlehem and ends with the quintessential Christmas scene in the nativity.   

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Playing the role of Mary is Lauren Elizabeth Loss.  Originally from Rochester, Lauren came to New York to study at New York University's Tisch School of the Performing Arts.  Her regional theater credits include:  CAROUSEL, 1776, CHICAGO and ROMEO AND JULIET. This is Loss' second year playing the lead role.   And opposite of Loss in the role of Joseph is Ernie Pruneda. A Texas native, Pruneda is a graduate of Oklahoma City University.  His regional credits include ANYTHING GOES and SCROOGE: THE MUSICAL.  Loss and Pruneda shared their thoughts and the show and their involvement with the piece. 

TJ:  So how did the two of you get involved with this show? 

PRUNEDA:  I actually auditioned for them last year and unfortunately it didn't work out. After the audition I received a very positive voicemail from the producer, Tom Hallett.  It was great to hear such a positive response from the person behind the table. It's so rare in our business that we get any feedback at all, let alone positive feedback. When I saw the audition notice in Backstage this year I remembered how great Tom was throughout the whole audition process, which really made me to look forward to working with his company. This year I guess I just lucked out and now I get to sing some really beautiful music and have some fun. 

LOSS:  Last year, during my last semester of college, I decided I wanted to have a few more opportunities to perform professionally before going out in the "real world".  Tom's [Hallett, the co-creator of the production] show not only offered me this, but made it possible to continue school and be a part of a great production.  When I went to the audition, and was called back for the role of Mary, I instantly fell in love with the music.  Who could turn down an offer to do a beautiful role in such a passionate show? 

TJ:  What can you tell me about your characters and their direction in the show? 

PRUNEDA:  The story of Mary and Joseph is the typical boy meets girl story... with a little twist (the whole birthing the son of God thing). I think Joseph's role in the story is very important because he has to have the most faith out of the group. He has to believe his virgin wife got pregnant by God, and is having his son who is going to save the world. I tried to imagine if that situation would have happened today. She'd be laughed at and sent straight to a mental institution if she stuck by her story. Joseph has the task of standing by his wife in her time of need and believing her story, even when all earthly signs and truths point to her being unfaithful.  That has got to be the ultimate test of faith. To believe something when all the facts and scholars on earth tell you you're wrong. To ignore science, law and your loved ones is to truly have faith.  

LOSS:  Mary is an incredible and complex character.  She is not only a woman of faith and dreams, but she is a woman of pure strength.  In a time where her life existing completely in faith is threatened, she continues to hold true to her faith and heart.  

The transition Mary goes through during the course of the show is not only challenging, but miraculous.  In the beginning, Mary is a typical girl, with the simple dream of being in love and getting married.  Like every girl during this time, Mary hopes that she will be the one chosen by God to bring the Messiah to Earth.   

The way Tom and I have worked to create this character has been to focus on this massive transition from the beginning to end of Act I.  Over the course of the first Act, Mary goes from a giddy young girl to a woman who has to convince those who doubt her able to bare the child of God in order to save her own life.  One of the most difficult things about this show is to portray such a religious figure.  However, with Tom's direction and assistance in developing this role, I have brought out her character from my own heart with passion, and hope that those who see this show will also begin to understand what an amazing woman Mary was. 

TJ: What do you hope audiences will take away with them after seeing the show? 

PRUNEDA:  I hope audiences will be inspired by the story of faith and hardship that these two people had to go through so that God's will could be fulfilled. 

LOSS:  For those who are and are not believers in Christianity, I hope that they are touched by the love and faith of these two people.  My responsibility in this show is to portray this woman as a human who had many obstacles to achieve what she believed in.  Through this portrayal of Mary, I hope that people will see that they can fight for what they believe in with passion and vigor as opposed to disrespect and anger.  This is a beautiful show, and I think each person's experience will be different.  I just hope that it touches the lives of those who attend. 

TJ:   Lauren, you have done the role previously. So, why have I come back for a second year? 

LOSS:  I am not one to go back and do a show I've done before, but with TWO FROM GALILEE, I couldn't resist.  This show touches the lives of so many people, both those onstage and the audience that it was hard to turn down the opportunity.  This is the role and show so many people dream of being a part of, simply because you get to use your talent and ability to touch those around you.  

It also offers the opportunity to not only tell a wonderful love story, but a story I don't know that many people are aware of.  These biblical figures are brought to life in this show, and shown as real people, which I think is an important message.  The other reason I came back was, not only because of what a wonderful director Tom is, but because of the many wonderful people I worked with last year and the new people that I will have the pleasure of getting to know.  Each person in this show is a part of it for a variety of reasons, and their commitment and dedication to the message of this show is so passionate and truthful that it is hard not to be touched every day we are together. 

Tis the season folks, so check out the website at http://www.twofromgalilee.com. TWO FROM GALILEE  is playing at Symphony Space, located at 2537 Broadway, New York, NY 10025 for a limited engagement from November 21st through November 26th. For tickets, go to the Symphony Space website at www.symphonyspace.org or call 212-864-5400.  Have a great time at this wonderful show and for now, remember theatre is my life. Ciao! 




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