A Very Merry Unauthorized Children's Scientology Pageant
October-December 2004: The Powerhouse Theatre, LA
Winner of 2 Backstage West Garland Awards!
This holiday season, a jubilant cast of children celebrate the controversial Church of Scientology in uplifting pageantry and song. The actual teachings of Scientology are explained and dissected against the candy-colored backdrop of a traditional nativity play.
A large ensemble cast of 8-12 year-old children tells the story of L. Ron Hubbard’s meteoric rise from struggling science fiction writer to supreme leader of a (highly-profitable) New Age religious empire.
Avant-garde performance art and children's theater meet in one of the funniest and most bewildering holiday shows you will ever see: A Very Merry Unauthorized Children's Scientology Pageant.
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Alex Timbers
Aaron Lemon-Strauss
Andrew Barrett-Weiss
Robert J. Wunsch
David Evans Morris
Juliet Chia
Jennifer Rogien
Paul Davis
Lucy Pollak
David Elzer
Cast:Kristopher Barnett, Lauren Clinton, Jamie Dahlke, Drake E. Duenas, Katie Ellis, Nikki Haddad, Jessica Haddad, Chigoziri Ikeme, Kyle Kaplan, Molly Elizabeth Matzke, Anthony Quinonez, Mario Quinonez
For more information: www.lesfreres.org/pageant
Los Angeles Times| Feature Article
"Irony is a starting point for these innovators, not a destination."
Los Angeles Times
"An instant cult classic... Threatens the kidneys... Clear-minded subversive purpose with lethally gleeful results... The mix of pastorale, "Dianetics" demo, and Bill Melendez "Peanuts" special leaves irony to its audience, ending on a coup de théâtre that is thrilling and chilling."
LA Weekly
"A beguiling blend of amateurism and blind innocence, here expertly assembled by Timbers... Genius... Charming and kooky... The evening plays out like a comedy about mind control as written by Nathaniel West."
Backstage West
"Jaw-dropping... Hilarious... A provocative mix of Christmas-pageant sincerity, Christopher Durang-like irony, and unexpected rage."
Variety
"The artless innocence of a children's holiday pageant provides the deceptively benign backdrop for this deeply probing and ultimately disturbing query into the history of guru L. Ron Hubbard... Provocatively juxtaposes innocent revelry and weighty content... You will laugh till it hurts!"