Wilbury Group Presents A VERY MERRY UNAUTHORIZED CHILDREN'S SCIENTOLOGY PAGEANT, Now thru 12/22

The Wilbury Theatre Group announces the Rhode Island premiere of the Obie award-winning musical, A Very Merry Unauthorized Children's Scientology Pageant. Written by Kyle Jarrow based on a concept by Alex Timbers, and directed by David Tessier (Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson) with music by Kerry Callery (Body Awareness), this production of the cult-hit telling of the life L. Ron Hubbard and the founding of Scientology marks the tenth anniversary of the ground-breaking cult-hit's original New York premiere. A Very Merry Unauthorized Children's Scientology Pageant runs tonight, December 5-22 at The Wilbury Theatre Group, 393 Broad Street, Providence RI. Tickets are just $15-$25, with discounts available for subscribers, seniors, and students. Tickets at 401-400-7100 or thewilburygroup.org.

Originally conceived and presented by New York's groundbreaking theatre company Les Fres Corbusier, the same minds behind the Wilbury Group's 2012 hit-musical Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, Pageant went on to win the 2003 Obie Award for Best Musical upon its premiere. The thought-provoking and sometimes controversial Pageant asks audiences important questions about the nature of religion and man's search for meaning with a straight-faced satirical take that The New York Times called a "cult-hit blueprint for a young generation that prefers its irony delivered not with a wink but a blank stare."

Award-winning team Kyle Jarrow and Alex Timbers introduce audiences to an anonymous company of merry children as they gather on a cold winter night to rejoice in telling the story of Scientology founder and hero L. Ron Hubbard. In the telling of Hubbard's life and times, audiences are brought on a hilarious and shockingly serious exploration of the magic of Dianetics, the fascinating E-meter, the immortal Thetans, and the entrancing story of Xenu - all with the straightest of faces.

"As funny and at times ridiculous as it seems, A Very Merry Unauthorized Scientology Pageant asks us important questions about the motivations of religious leaders and the role of religion in our own lives," says Wilbury Group Artistic Director Josh Short. "In the hands of David Tessier, and Kerry Callery and the rest of the Wilbury Group's design team, not to mention eleven incredibly talented child-actors from around the state, this production promises to be as hilarious and thought-provoking as anything we've ever done."

A VERY MERRY UNAUTHORIZED CHILDREN'S SCIENTOLOGY PAGEANT
By Kyle Jarrow, based on a concept by Alex Timbers
Directed by David Tessier, with music by Kerry Callery

FEATURING
Theo Bazin, Ariana Bianco, Edie Crawford, Danielle Durfee, Madison Durfee, Sam Dumas, Ally Gower, Lana Lacombe, Charlotte McKenna, Lauren St. Jean, and Jenny Sullivan
.
Production Design by Jacqueline Frole
Sound Design by Cyrus Leddy
Projection/Lighting Design by Michael Commendatore & Adam O'Brien
Stage Management by Alex Maynard

Assistant Director, Allie Meek; Production Manager, Seth Finkle; Scenic Artist, Eugene Mckeown

CALENDAR OF PERFORMANCES:
Thursday, December 5 7:30pm PREVIEW
Friday, December 6 7:30pm PREVIEW
Saturday, December 7 7:30pm PREVIEW
Sunday, December 8 7:30pm PAY-WHAT-YOU-CAN
Monday, December 9 7:30pm PRESS OPENING
Thursday, December 12 7:30pm
Friday, December 13 7:30pm
Saturday, December 14 7:30pm
Thursday, December 19 7:30pm
Friday, December 20 7:30pm
Saturday, December 21 7:30pm
Sunday, December 22 3:00pm

Founded in 2010, The Wilbury Group is an ever-evolving collaboration of artists committed to presenting the public with the highest quality professional theatre. Founded on the belief that quality theatre should be an affordable and accessible means of enrichment to the community; The Wilburys present contemporary, experiential theatre that simultaneously engages, inspires, and provokes thought among audiences.

As the official resident theatre company in the historic Trinity Square Theater at the Southside Cultural Center, The Wilbury Theatre Group is committed to providing our diverse and evolving community with affordable access to the performing arts through our Education program, public outreach programs, and professional productions of cutting-edge theatre from around the world.

To learn more about our 2013-14 season, or find out how you can get involved, visit us online at www.thewilburygroup.org.

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