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VATICAN-MUSICAL Jun-10-2008 (310 words) xxxi
Vatican to host world premiere of musical about life of Mary
By Carol Glatz
Catholic News Service
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The Vatican has thrown its support behind an Italian musical highlighting the life of Mary.
The Vatican also will host the show's world premiere in the Paul VI audience hall June 17.
"Mary of Nazareth: A Story That Continues" is being sponsored by the pontifical councils for Culture and for Social Communications; the Vatican's secretary of state, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone; the Italian Senate; and Rome's city and regional governments.
Some 40 actors, 12 dancers, and a 60-piece orchestra will bring the story of "the most important woman in the history of humanity" to the stage, according to promotional materials released to journalists during a June 10 Vatican press conference.
Speaking with others at the conference, Cardinal Claudio Celli, president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, said he was pleased the council was sponsoring a musical dedicated to Mary. He said while the council does not see its role as a promoter of musicals this project stood out.
In a world that has lost so many values, people are still "nostalgic" and looking for sense and meaning in their lives, he said. This show reminds people that Mary "is a woman of our times" who once again "presents (and) communicates Christ the lord to mankind today," he said.
"And that is why with pleasure the pontifical council was pleased to see this show and with pleasure gives its sponsorship," he said.
No commitments have been made about where the show will play after its premiere at the Vatican, said Sergio Pellerey, head of the show's promotional agency, AIRAM.
"We have made contacts with people in South America, Europe, Italy and the Middle East," he said, but other venues wanted to see the premiere before booking it.
END
Copyright (c) 2008 Catholic News Service/USCCB. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed.
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