LONDON: A new musical on the life of the Virgin Mary and her ongoing role in history will be premiered in the Vatican next week.
'Mary of Nazareth, A Story that Goes On' is penned by Maria Pia Liotta, a former ballerina, and features former Miss Italy contestant Alma Manera in the lead role. It's music is written by famous Italian composer Stelvio Cipriani.
However, unlike Jesus Christ Superstar or Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, it has been officially blessed by Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the Vatican Secretary of State, 'The Daily Telegraph' reported.
Its premiere will take place on June 17 in the Holy See's Paul VI Auditorium, also unfortunately known in Italian as the Hall of Nerves because of its architect, Paolo Nervi.
The show traces the life story of the Virgin Mary, from her youth to her eventual ascent into heaven and return as a messenger of peace. The producers said the show had used some "poetic licence" to show Mary as a modern woman.
Pope Benedict is thought unlikely to be present on the opening night next week, but producers from Latin America and the Middle East will be there and are expected to snap up the rights to take the show worldwide.
Archbishop Claudio Celli, the head of the Pontifical Council for Social Communication, also said that he had seen the show and had given it his full blessing.
"I want to underline the fact that it was Mary who communicated the Word of God into flesh for all mankind. She still plays this role, bringing her child to men throughout the world and the Church," he was quoted as saying.
