 December 17, 2003 |
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Breaking Bread with Ed and L. Ron By HELEN SHAW A new religious experience is now available in Midtown. Transferring out of the scrappy, glassy Tank Theater and into the John Houseman this weekend is “A Very Merry Unauthorized Children’s Scientology Pageant.” With it, the show’s creators, Les Freres Corbusier (not really French), take a brave and lunatic run at the favorite church of John Travolta—placing themselves squarely in the way of the famously litigious group. (The producers received a letter of complaint from the church, and the possibility of a lawsuit still hangs over the production.) Director Alex Timbers has captured the creepy nature of pageants everywhere, casting children between 8 and 12 years old to bring Kyle Jarrow’s script to life. The blank-eyed perfection of these children—particularly the doll-faced twins (Emma and Sophie Whitfield)—is nearly the only wink in this poker-faced production. We hear the inspiring story of L. Ron Hubbard’s life (“What’s the L stand for? Leader!”) and dangerously catchy songs (“Hey! It’s a Happy Day!”). We learn about the metaphysics of Scientology—occasionally through puppets. We even discover the highest, most carefully guarded secrets of the order, which are really, chokingly funny. The entire cast works with perfect, professional aplomb. Jordan Wolfe, as L. Ron Hubbard, has all the frightening energy a budding young guru needs, and Max Miner brilliantly captures Tom Cruise. But it’s when poor L. Ron (could the L stand for Liar?) must defend his creation before the IRS that we see the church in its full glory onstage. Against the sublimely homemade backdrop, the children sway in praise. The scene is hilarious and disturbing at once. At a running time of just an hour, no one has an excuse to miss the show’s run at the Houseman. Seriously. L. Ron would want you there. |