A Very Merry Scientology Christmas, Redux

Thursday December 18, 2003

As reported here earlier, Alex Timbers has created an "Off Off Broadway" show entitled "A Very Merry Unauthorized Children's Scientology Pageant." It's about the life of L. Ron Hubbard, founder of Scientology, and Timbers calls it an "idiom of a Nativity pageant" with an all-children cast. The Church of Scientology is not pleased, but Scientology Watch has an interview with those responsible for the production.

A couple of excerpts from that interview:

[W]hat was John Carmichael's [president of the Church of Scientology in New York] reaction to the show after he saw it?

He left immediately without speaking to anyone, walking right past Aaron even though they had talked several times in person. During the play he seemed to enjoy the first half an hour or so, but soured on the rest.

Have any other Scientologists that you know of seen the play? If so, what were those reactions like?

We have had many audience members who have had personal experiences with the Church, either through family members or friends. Several of them have approached us afterwards and commented on how closely they identified with elements of the show and how helpful seeing the production was to them. We don't know of any Scientologists besides Rev. Carmichael who have seen the show, though judging by his reaction I imagine they wouldn't introduce themselves afterwards.

Carmichael's original letter to the producers about the show left hints about a possible lawsuit - and it is a fact that the Church of Scientology seems to enjoy filing lawsuits against critics with the slightest provocation (that is, when they are using other forms of intimidation). So far, though, no lawsuit has materialized. Maybe Scientology's lawyers talked some sense into the leadership this time?

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