MEDIA RELEASE
Contact: Andrew Lloyd Baughman,
Producing Artistic Director
landlesstheatre@gmail.com (301) 613-7133
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 4, 2007
Landless presents the exclusive DC premiere of the OBIE award winning A VERY MERRY
UNAUTHORIZED CHILDREN'S SCIENTOLOGY PAGEANT
*** L Ron Saves DC from another Christmas Carol!***
Washington DC – December 4, 2007 – The Landless Theatre Company rings in the holiday and New Year
with a highly unique theatre offering: the DC premiere of A VERY MERRY UNAUTHORIZED
CHILDREN'S SCIENTOLOGY PAGEANT at DCAC, December 20-January 13. The musical is written and
composed by Kyle Jarrow, and directed by Andrew Lloyd Baughman.
"A Very Merry Unauthorized Scientology Pageant" runs December 20-January13 at DCAC.
Performances are Thursdays-Saturdays at 7:30 PM, and Sundays at 3:00 PM.
This holiday season, a jubilant cast of children celebrate the controversial Church of Scientology in
uplifting pageantry and song. Portraying Tom Cruise, the intergalactic ruler Xenu and a dancing brain,
among others, the OBIE Award-winning play explains and dissects the actual teachings of Scientology
against the candy-colored backdrop of a traditional nativity play. This production is in no way affiliated
with or endorsed by The Church of Scientology.
"It's such an earnest, well meaning little play," said Producing Artistic Director Andrew Lloyd
Baughman. "The trend is to take pot-shots at Scientology, but I'm not interested in making fun of
anyone's religion. Kyle really didn't put anything in his play that you won't find on the Scientology
website, and the kids play it straight. If audiences happen to find these ideas amusing or a little wacky,
that's purely coincidental. "
A Very Merry… garnered an OBIE award in 2003 for its New York premiere, and has subsequently been
produced in Los Angeles and Boston. The production has also stirred its share of controversy along the
way, including reported acts of protest and intimidation from Church supporters.
"I started understanding that there's some really profound things about the Church of Scientology," said
Jarrow in a 2006 Boston Globe interview. "It answers questions we all have. But I think it can be taken
too far. That's what I'm trying to explore in this show. I mean, it's a great concept. But my hope is once
you get them into the theater, people have an experience that's a little more complex and thought-
provoking than they expected."
An enthusiastic cast of local 7-13 year olds portray all of the important figures, ranging from Tom Cruise,
John Travolta and Kirstie Alley to Mr. Hubbard himself. The young cast includes: Michael Bayliss, Nell
Bayliss, Cody Boehm, Anthony Carrington, Martece Caudle, Joe Haberman, Nia Miller, Savannah Miller,
Avery Mulligan, Kiley Mulligan, and Zachary Pinkham. Sound Design and Music Direction by Andrew
Baughman. Choreography by Barbara Munday. Costumes by Elizabeth Reeves. Scenic Design by Jared
Davis. Lighting Design by John Sadowsky. Prop Design by Melissa Baughman.
"At Landless, we have always prided ourselves on our immaturity," Baughman said. "Now we're taking it
to a new level.
A Very Merry Unauthorized Children's Scientology Pageant runs December 20, 2007, through January 13,
2008, Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 PM, and Sundays at 3:00 PM. All performances are held at
The District of Columbia Arts Center (DCAC) located at 2438 18th Street, NW in Adams Morgan.
Admission is $18. For tickets and information visit www.landlesstheatrecompany.org.
**Press Night is Saturday, December 22 at 7:30 PM. Call 301-613-7133 or email andrew.
baughman@landlesstheatrecompany.com to RSVP.
Visit www.landlesstheatrecompany.org for details on the Landless Theatre Company's 2007-2008 season.
About Landless Theatre Company:
The Landless Theatre Company is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to infusing vitality into the
local arts by producing exciting and accessible alternative theatre to generate new and diverse audiences.
More information and production history online at www.landlesstheatrecompany.org