Wilbury offers their take on Scientology

Posted 12/18/13

The Wilbury Group has come up with something quite different to entertain you during the holiday season. It is titled “A Very Merry Unauthorized Children’s Scientology Pageant,” and it is …

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Wilbury offers their take on Scientology

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The Wilbury Group has come up with something quite different to entertain you during the holiday season. It is titled “A Very Merry Unauthorized Children’s Scientology Pageant,” and it is performed entirely by children on the old Trinity Church stage at 393 Broad St. on the South Side of Providence.

The hour-long “pageant” is filled with the tale of L. Ron Hubbard, founder of Scientology, beginning with his youth and ending abruptly with his tax evasion trial.

The company consists of 11 girls and one boy, ranging from third graders to middle schoolers. The child actors sing, dance and act out the life of the controversial author of “Dianetics” and founder of the Scientology movement.

While the facts are there (and also in the program), the pageant occasionally has fun in stretching them a bit and telling them in interesting ways, with clever, simple props and some innovation projections on the huge screen.

Using young girls with high-pitched, tiny voices is a challenge, but director David Tessier has succeeded in teaching most of them how to project to the audience.

Allie Gower, an 8th grade student at Moses Brown, plays the Angelic Girl with a high degree of professionalism. Bringing much stage experience to the pivotal role of the narrator, she knows how to project her voice and has the stage movements of a real pro.

Jenny Sullivan plays Hubbard with much confidence. The 8th grader at St. Pious School also brings a healthy background of performances with her. The lone male in the production is Theo Bazin, who plays the doubting, huggable Donald.

“A Very Merry Unauthorized Children’s Scientology Pageant” is one of those unique productions that is difficult to categorize. You will get a crash course in Scientology and the life of L. Ron Hubbard. Get there a few minutes early and read the program and you’ll learn more. And you will have a fun-filled hour, watching 11 young actors at work.

At Wilbury Group’s location, 393 Broad St., Providence through Dec. 21. Tickets are $15 and $25. Call 400-7100 for reservations. Check them out online at www.wilburygroup.org.

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