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Youths to perform ‘Everyman’ to earn their way to WYD
By Denver Catholic Register
Close to 50 youths will perform a 15th-century morality play on April 29 and May 1 as a fundraiser to help earn their way to this year’s World Youth Day in Madrid, Spain.
The youths belong to parish-based Neocatechumenal Way communities from across the Denver Archdiocese. The Neocatechumenal Way is a Vatican-approved catechumenate that aims to bring Catholics to mature Christian faith. World Youth Day takes place Aug. 16-21.
“Perhaps the most notable aspect of the whole production is that the play is dedicated to Pope John Paul II, who was not only the initiator of the World Youth Days, but also a playwright and actor himself,” said Elizabeth DeLine, one of the play’s directors.
Pope John Paul II will be beatified in Rome on May 1, which this year is Divine Mercy Sunday.
“What better way to honor the beloved pontiff, than staging a play in his memory, in which the underlying message is the ineffable mercy of God?” DeLine said.
By an unknown author, the allegorical play “Everyman” is about salvation. It recounts the story of God who looking down from heaven, sees Everyman, the protagonist, who is searching for wealth and pleasure. Angry that Everyman takes no notice of his commandments or his ways, God calls his servant, Death, telling him to summon Everyman to account for his life. When Everyman’s Friend, Cousins, Girlfriend and personified Wealth abandon him, Everyman begins to despair.
Only his few Good Deeds and Faith will go with him to the final judgment. However, before they go to meet God, they must outwit the Devil and his tricks. When all hope seems lost, and the Devil has the upper hand, the only thing that can outweigh the justice of the consequences of sin is God’s mercy and faithful love.
“The play will be set in modern times,” DeLine said. “Although it is a low-budget performance the message is impressive and timeless, giving the youths involved, as well as the audience, a clear perspective on what really matters in life.”
Oscar Solis, a 20-year-old from a Neocatechumenal Way community at St. Thomas More Parish in Centennial, will play Everyman.
“I’ve never acted in a play before, so I’m a little nervous,” Solis admitted. “But when I think of the play and how in the end Everyman dies, I think of my own death. This helps me put memorizing lines and standing up in front of people into perspective. All things eventually pass away. ”
Instead of performing the play on a traditional stage behind curtains, the youths have built a theater in the round using square platforms, enhancing the dramatic effects of Everyman being freed from “the box” that imprisons his life.
The play will be held in the gym at St. Louis Parish, 3310 S. Sherman St. in Englewood. Performances are set for 7:30 p.m. April 29 and 4:30 p.m. May 1. Cost is a suggested donation of $10 for adults; children 12 and under are free.
“The youths are hopeful to get as many donations as possible to help aid their trip overseas,” DeLine said. “Depending on the turnout of people during the two performances, they are willing to put on more plays, even in different parishes upon request.”
At the end of each rehearsal, the youths pray, “John Paul II: pray for us!”
“He will probably pull some heavenly strings to get them all over to World Youth Day in August,” DeLine said.
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