April 25, 2002
Hi Guys!
Ethan’s engrossed in Cartoon Network’s re-showing of yet another classic episode of Droopy Dog and I’ve digested as much of the New York Times online as I can, for now, (it’s just not the same as real newspapers) so I thought I’d check in…
This month has been one of the busiest I can remember in a
long while. As you may know, aside from my regular performance and dad schedule
this spring, I have been working as an Artist in Residence with the community
theater group of the IHM School in Wilmington. The result will be our
performance of the musical Godspell in just a couple weeks. (Ticket information
is available on the schedule page.) I will be playing the role of Jesus. Unlike
the original play, this production will feature a caste of a hundred and has
been rewritten by our terrific director Claire Cowperthwaite to be more
accessible to kids. Claire places Jesus in everyday places and situations like a
poker party, little league game, and country fair. She has beautifully woven
gospel passages and the show’s gorgeous music into his interaction with the
adults and children of his community in a way that reminds me very much of the
portrait of Christ offered by author Joseph Girzone in the wonderful book Joshua.
Claire has also been very generous in allowing me to give leave to my
"writer" instincts and I have enjoyed the privilege of working on
several of the soliloquies in the script.
One of the more enjoyable aspects of the role has been the identification, by little children of the parish, of me with the role I’m playing. It’s not uncommon for me to be out for my daily jog these days and hear a tiny voice shout "Hello, Jesus!" from a passing mini van. I must admit this always brings a smile to my face and is a welcome change from years past, when the kindest thing a guy with long hair and a beard would get from a car window was the occasional "Run! Forrest, run!"
Although as an actor I am currently somewhere in between terrified and guardedly optimistic about the show, as a dad (my daughter Sarah shines in this great company and has been consistently responsible for getting me to rehearsals on time) I think it will be something very special. I hope I’ll see some of you there.
In other news, I was honored to be part of the Philadelphia Phillies’ home opening day festivities this year. I was asked by the Phils to lead the singing of "God Bless America" and "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" from their dug-out roof during the seventh inning stretch of their game with the Florida Marlins on April 5th. The crowd topped 50,000 and their voices and spirit really warmed the chilly afternoon air. It was kind of an emotional "homecoming" for me, as the last time I played the Vet was the week that followed the September 11th attacks. It was during that appearance that my song "I WILL NOT FEAR" was inspired. My thanks to John Brazer and Chris Long of the Phillies for giving me a chance to close the circle.
God Bless,
John