Actor To Bless Pets Of NYC Homeless Before Performance of BROTHER SUN, SISTER MOON

Countless homeless men and women in New York City rely on companion animals for comfort and support. New York Times Bestselling Author James Twyman, portraying St. Francis of Assisi, will bless the pets of homeless Feb. 20 before beginning his musical "Brother Sun, Sister Moon."

It's the first production to invite the homeless as free guests for dinner and a show. Read on for details and to arrange an interview with James who will arrive in New York, Tuesday February 18, 2020 from his cross-country tour.

When a pet is your home: Portraying St. Francis, author James Twyman aims to comfort NYC's homeless and their pets

St. Francis is considered the patron saint of animals, and was known for his compassion for the poor and the destitute. Portraying Francis, James invites homeless men and women and their pets to a special blessing of the animals 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20, at The Church in the Village, 201 W 13th St, New York, NY. The ceremony takes place hours before the start of the off-Broadway run of his new musical, "Brother Sun, Sister Moon."

"Over 10% of people living on the street have a pet, and they love them as much as anyone else," James says. "In fact, a pet can make the difference between life and death for those on the street, helping to keep them safe and warm during winter months."

Homeless residents are also invited to attend the show and a meal beforehand as free guests. The show is set for 6:30 p.m. Feb. 20-23, Feb. 27-29, and March 1 at The Church in the Village.

"We're going to be doing something very unusual before each off-Broadway show," he explained. "I have a team of people who'll join me around the theater and we'll be handing out free tickets to homeless men and women, inviting them to come to the show as our guests. Then before each performance begins we'll share a meal of soup and bread together, both the paid ticket holders as well as the guests."

James' goal is "to get as close to how St. Francis would have done this as possible. He would have wanted people of every group to come together, not just those who can afford the ticket."

James Twyman is a New York Times best-selling author, film producer and internationally famed "Peace Troubadour." Inspired by the life of St. Francis of Assisi, he's been traveling the U.S. presenting his new one-man musical, "Brother Sun, Sister Moon," culminating with off-Broadway shows serving the homeless Feb. 20-March 1.

For more information, visit www.StFrancisMusical.com.

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