Closure

This is a message in a bottle for those who do not believe in God.

The prophecy of Zephaniah came true for the cast of actors:

“They will build houses and not live in them. They will plant vineyards and not drink the wine.” Zephaniah 1:13

What is more painful? To watch your work ruined by those you chose to share in the creation of art; or to feel betrayed by the actors you selected to tell a story to the audience. This unsavory Fringe Festival NYC 2010 production was not the only time I felt humiliated by the people I served, it is just another episode of humanity.
The two actors I selected without an audition where the ones who told me I don’t know how to direct. Their insubordination infected another actor and eventfully they usurped the show. Three days prior to opening night, I was too ill to fight them. I was suffering from shortness of breath. And I did not have medical insurance. I wanted to dismiss the instigator and insubordinate actor. I tried to continue working on the project from a distance. I entrusted to the “stage-manager” intern to fulfill my production concept which was largely done and noted in the prompt book. She promised to do so. Yet, eventually she sided with the actors and let errors occur alienating me from the show by not communicating with me neither in person, by email, nor telephone. I was resigned that it was a financial loss, but I wished only to leave this world a legacy of a morality play. A story that shows that the lust for freedom without compassion leads to self destruction. As a first time director I wanted the concept told from the point of view of Zephaniah, the beggar-boy, outcast-of-the-outcasts. I chose his name when I wrote this as a writing exercise. Upon rewriting, I deleted a Greek chorus of Beggar-Boy children and made Zephaniah the substitute as epilogue and conscience of the play. He shows the two characters, Asaph and Naga the consequences of their freedom. Later, I chose to use the Dies Irae as background music. When I researched the lyrics I found that it was credited to Thomas of Celano and he referenced it from the Book of Zephaniah. And the cast that knew more than me played to an empty house. Whether this was a series of coincidences or God’s guidance---this story is Zephaniah’s lamp and it will search “Jerusalem” and our hearts.
Thomas
(the author)