A Life Told in Dramatic Form
The life of Francesco told in dramatic form to enlighten and inspire persons throughout the world was first envisioned by Francesco's creator Richard C. Leach who sought to bring the story of Francesco to life for all audiences via the musical art form.
Dick Leach's passion for this creation began in 1986 and attained acute form in 1997 after a tour of Assisi in the wake of the earthquakes which devastated the area. Concurrently, a group of renowned artists were gathered for the work of creating the finest show possible for the stage.
The show was put into a format appealing to eclectic audiences, from the spiritually motivated to those interested in excellence in music and drama, to those interested in a very extraordinary human story, this show delivers over a spectrum of interests as we travel the episodes of Francesco's life.
The show was produced and opened in 2000 to critical acclaim and enthusiastic audiences throughout the season. In the hiatus of the season, plans were made to strengthen the already formidable work, and to make it more mobile for touring. However, the original creator of the show passed away just at the crest of completing the accomplishment. Since that time the show has been dormant, awaiting the proper circumstances to be restaged: those circumstances now exist to work with the original creative team and bring Francesco to new life.
The Lyrick Theater
On the show “A world-revered poet, philosopher and saint” — delivered over a spectrum of interests as we travel the episodes of Francesco's life.
Following the Episodes
Capturing the Audience
The episodes of Francesco's early life are interwoven beautifully in episodic form by the Oscar award-winning writer, Vincenzo Cerami. We view the youthful reveler, aristocrat and soldier who transformed into a man of the greatest convictions with regard to the brotherhood of mankind and peace among all humanity as he valorously challenges the Sultan who ruled half the known world.
The central episode of the show is Francesco's trial before his family and a church tribunal, where he stands the foremost rebel, but in reality, the foremost patriot of the Christian philosophy, adhering to the strictest tenets of Christianity, sacrificing all the fruits of his former life, at the height of contemporary society, to labor in poverty for his faith.
Francesco's life as poet, philosopher and soul mate of his life-long love, Chiara are spiritedly retold as we view their life and commitment together within the societies of faith they founded. Interspersed amid all the action of the work are joyous scenes of Francesco with his followers: brothers and sisters, in a life that demanded every hardship without regard to reward, possessing merely his love of God, of nature and of humankind.
All the passages of Francesco have modern relevance as contemporary society faces all the challenges that were the theme of his life with questions of war and peace, globalism and natural conservancy, spiritual ennui and faith.
The Parallel — Leonardo
The essence of Francesco's life is made accessible by the parallel character development of the novitiate Leonardo, who is told of the many actions of Francesco even as he is deciding whether to join in the early days of the fellowship.
He is the oracle through which we see the brilliance of Francesco's life, philosophy and humanity. Leonardo is the everyman of the show, curious in his pursuit of life and subject to temptation even as he is pursuing a path of consciousness and virtue.
Leonardo struggles to comprehend this great man even as the audience does. The audience is illuminated by the tale viewed through Leonardo's eyes and life's circumstances.
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