BOSTON — The Arch Street Players of St. Anthony Shrine in Boston premieredThe Francis Story, a dramatic one-act musical on the life of St. Francis of Assisi, on Oct. 1. Well attended by more than one hundred people, the musical drew rave reviews.
Written by David Convertino, with musical arrangements by the Shrine’s award-winning music director, Jennifer Galea, the performance also included clips from the movie, Brother Sun, Sister Moon.
Members of the cast included Chris Van Height as Pietro, Philip O’Shea as Pope Innocent III, above, Emeric Meier as the cardinal, and David Convertino as Br. Leo. Mickey Logemann (Wellness Center) played Lady Pica. From the Shrine’s music ministry, Aaron Velthouse played Francis, Mark Emery played the voice of Christ, and David Wade and Tim Pence provided musical accompaniment. Metro Stage Company co-founder Robert Case played the Wolf of Gubbio. Brian Smail and John Maganzini were prompters; Gary Convertino and Nicole Aucoin were media coordinators.
The musical, part of a two-week celebration of Francis Week, was performed again on Oct. 5 and Oct. 7.