Opened December 2006-World Premiere
A Ray Bradbury Christmas
Written by Ray Bradbury, directed by Alan Neal Hubbs.
Presented by Ray Bradbury’s Pandemonium Theatre Company
In a new play created for this show, “The Messiah,” an Earth couple nervously worries for the safety of their son, a crewman about to leave on a starship departing for a distant destination in space. Upon landing on a far-away planet, Hart, the Earth captain of the space vessel, finds that he and his crew have been preceded by one day by a special Being who has arrived to heal the sick, go about doing good, and bring a pervasive state of peace and well-being to that world.
Hart suspects that the Being is actually a rival earthling out to beat Hart to the exploratory mineral rights on the new planet, and plots to stop Him. The planet’s locals (and Hart’s own lieutenant) know better, however, and have other than an Earthly response to that world’s new benefactor.
America’s beloved teller of tales has concocted this narrative that is entirely appropriate to the holiday season, infused with the author’s abundant optimism and hope for the future. “The Messiah” is based on a couple of Bradbury’s short stories and makes its World Premiere here. The notion of a Savior in space is one that Bradbury visited several times in the course of his long literary career.
Following the play, Mr. Bradbury will appear in person to read from his poems and share his reminiscences. There will also be a special appearance by magician Phil Flad. Longtime Bradbury artistic associate Alan Neal Hubbs directs the evening.
STARRING (in alphabetical order):
- Nevada Brandt
- Georgan George
- Grady Hutt
- Dale Manolakas
- Tanya Mounsey
- Nick Swarts
- Patrick Skelton
- Philip Sokoloff
- Steven Robert Wollenberg
