"The Good Faith" by Harold Dean James at the La MaMa E.T.C. from 20 Nov 2003

Mon 3 Nov 2003 "The Good Faith" by Harold Dean James at the La MaMa E.T.C. from 20 Nov 2003 The Good Faith a musical by Harold Dean James opens at the La MaMa E.T.C. (74A East Fourth Street) from 20 Nov to 7 Dec 2003. It is a musical drama of good intentions, betrayal and misplaced devotion among Jehovah's Witnesses. The cast includes Paul Albe, Jamie Leigh Allen, Jason Blaine, Daniel Clymer, Erika Dionisio, Linus Gelber, Grant Machan, Joe Matheson, Gheree O'Bannon, Rachel Ponce, Christiane Szabo, Christa Victoria, and Cezar Williams. Musical director is Christa Victoria, movement is choreographed by Guillermo (D. D.) Resto. The musical is based on a true story of the life of Richard Rawe, a native of Soap Lake, WA, a city about 200 miles east of Seattle. Rawe was an elder of the Jehovah's Witness faith and with his wife, Frances, was 'disfellowshipped' based on false allegations from a corrupt faction of rival ministers. Frances, however, secretly tape-recorded the deliberations of the usurpers, who were actually guilty of both embezzlement and sexual harassment of congregants. The Rawes were subsequently reinstated, then again disfellowshipped as the scandal shook the Spokane Valley during the last decade. The Good Faith tells, in parable-like form, the story of Young Rawe enrolling in a religious congregation after being incited by a certain Brother Meek that the experience will help him 'discover that light at the end of the tunnel everybody speaks about.' Young Rawe is charged of sharing 'that glorious good news' with every lost soul living in (the purposely symbolic-named) 'Sheep City.' But after experiencing success and fullness as a newly-wed congregation leader, Young Rawe has to cope with what seems to be Evil, embodied in Brothers Reap and Sow, both of whom were designated by their religious hierarchy to help him in organizing the community. Brother Reap declares he will take care of the women while Brother Sow proclaims himself in charge of the money. This inevitably brings them into conflict with Young Rawe's faithful devotion to the community. (Photo by Linda Obuchoska)