Back in the fall of 2011 an idea came to me. I loved it right away, but I’ll admit it scared me a little. The idea started out as a serious “what if”…but it didn’t stay serious for long.
On several occasions I had pondered the reaction that the various apostles (John and Paul in particular) might have, were they to be transported into one of our 21st century church services. But this idea was different. This play would bring the quintessential 21st century televangelist face to face with the Apostle John during his exile on the Island of Patmos.
From the outset I knew it had to be a comedy, because there were just so many genuinely funny possibilities. Almost every play we’ve done has had at least a touch of humor. My hope is always to bring humanity to the people we portray…and God equipped people with a sense of humor. Even people who lived in biblical times.
I remember when I was writing SAINT JOHN & THE TELEVANGELIST, I would laugh out loud just imagining how my brother would play the bombastic televangelist. He is absolutely hilarious. Glenn and I have worked together for a long time, and I knew this would be a signature role for him. And it certainly is that.
Who Glenn would finally cast in the role of John was a mystery to me during the writing. I could not have hoped for him to find anyone who would be as perfect as Bill Woodard for the sweet, somewhat befuddled and shell-shocked Saint John. The chemistry between the two of them is so natural and charming, and they both have captured the personalities of their character so well that the script seems almost unnecessary. I get the feeling that they could just take off on their own and ad lib their own play, just making it up as they go. But they seem to think the script is fine like it is, which pleases me.
To repeat a play so soon is taking a bit of a chance, perhaps, but the great number of people who were disappointed that the original run was so short that they didn’t have time to get their Sunday school class or family here to see it gives us hope that it will be well attended. With summer travel going on, we thought this might be the perfect time.
Even though the play will open June 14th and run all summer, I want to encourage you to come early…for two reasons. The later shows will be near sell-outs, and chances are slim that you would get the seats you prefer if you wait until the last couple of weeks. The other thing is the fact that almost everyone who sees SAINT JOHN & THE TELEVANGELIST wants everyone they know to see it too. We love that, but you need to give the people you tell about it time to get here to see it too. And you really are going to want to tell everyone you know.
It is a great family show. It is a perfect group event for Sunday School classes of every age group. I can’t wait to see it again.
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