‘Let the children play’

Adults and kids take the stage in Drama Guild production 

Fifty years ago, a musical based on events surrounding the 1212 Children’s Crusade premiered at Catholic University. It was written by the composer and lyricist John Franceschina, who went on to create scores for the National Shakespeare Company, Provincetown Playhouse and many other theater companies. Mr. Franceschina also composed The Lord’s a Wonder, a production of Bible stories, staged by the Drama Guild in 2023. 

Director of Theatre Patricia Flynn H’95 happened to arrive at Catholic University in Fall 1975, six months after Let the Children Play premiered. She later acted in The Lord’s a Wonder, kept in touch with the composer over the years, and even brought the production to Bolivia and Germany. “John was always very generous with the production,” said Ms. Flynn. “He let me adapt it in whatever way
I needed.” 

Impressed with the Drama Guild’s rendition of The Lord’s a Wonder, Mr. Franceschina made another generous offer. Would the Drama Guild be interested in staging Let the Children Play? Mr. Franceschina was interested in revisiting the musical and could have it ready for the Drama Guild’s Winter 2025 production. Ms. Flynn said yes, and rehearsals began in January with a cast comprised of adults (Glenn Cassidy, Ed.D. ’90; Noreen Connolly H’11; Fr. Luke Edelen, O.S.B. ’68; Br. Thomas Hall, O.S.B. ’06 and Daniel Kane ’03) and Drama Guild members. Professional actress Debra Cerruti assumed the role of Mother Abbess after playing a Crusader in the 1975 production. The Hive’s new aviation teacher, Marc Pannullo, a graduate of Westminster Choir College, served as Music Director and Mike Raysor ’06, who painted Drama Guild sets as a student, guided the tech crew on a scenic painting for the production. 

The casting of adults and students was significant in that it allowed for multiple perspectives of a crusade sparked by the vision of a 12-year-old boy, Stephen of Cloyes. The Mother Abbess, “Is the one adult who believes the children and is interested in their welfare,” said Ms. Flynn. Other adult characters conveyed the commoditization of the mystical mission and the economic forces that drove the Crusades. 

The portrayal of the young crusaders is also complex, according to Ms. Flynn. “They are true believers in Stephen,” but also see an escape from a harsh existence. “It’s very challenging material,” Ms. Flynn observed when the production was in rehearsals. “The cast of kids and adults are doing a very good job with it.” They’ve also had the unique opportunity to work with the composer, Mr. Franceschina, who assisted the production in the rehearsal period.

Let the Children Play made innovative use of the new digital light board and LED stage lights. Brian Collins H’25, Head Electrician on Broadway’s The Lion King, spearheaded the lighting design. 

The Drama Guild performed Let the Children Play March 20-23. Drama Guild alumni attended a special reception and reunion following the March 22 matinee.