A Very Merry Unauthorized Children’s Scientology Pageant
-Los Angeles-

Book, Music, and Lyrics by Kyle Jarrow
From a concept by Alex Timbers
Directed by Alex Timbers
Produced by Aaron Lemon-Strauss, Andrew Barrett-Weiss, and Robert J. Wunsch
 
Scenic Design: David Evans Morris
Lighting Design: Julie Chia
Costume Design: Jennifer Rogien
Casting: Paul Davis
Publicity: Lucy Pollak
Marketing: 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

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.

October-December 2004: The Powerhouse Theatre, LA

**Winner of 2 Backstage West GARLAND Awards!**
 
"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."
-Los Angeles Times

"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."
-LA Weekly

"Jaw-dropping… Hilarious… A provocative mix of Christmas-pageant sincerity, Christopher Durang-like irony, and unexpected rage."
-Backstage West

"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!"
-Variety