JP2 Musical Debuts

Performances lead up to WYD in Madrid.

After moving to Krakow with his father, a young Karol Wojtyla appears in a poster for the Studio 39 theater. By 1941, his father had died. During the Nazi occupation of Poland, the future Pope John Paul II studied at Jagellonian University, wrote and acted with the theater, worked at the Solvay chemical factory and joined an underground seminary to study for the priesthood. He was beatified at the Vatican May 1.
After moving to Krakow with his father, a young Karol Wojtyla appears in a poster for the Studio 39 theater. By 1941, his father had died. During the Nazi occupation of Poland, the future Pope John Paul II studied at Jagellonian University, wrote and acted with the theater, worked at the Solvay chemical factory and joined an underground seminary to study for the priesthood. He was beatified at the Vatican May 1. (photo: CNS photo/Catholic Press Photo)

Fear Not, the musical prepared for World Youth Day about the life of Blessed Pope John Paul II, is touring Spanish dioceses in the days leading up to event.

The musical covers the early years of Karol Wojtyla, the young boy growing up in Poland who became the first Polish Pope. It discusses his love for theater, college years, love for his family and friends, experience during World War II and career as a college professor. The show culminates with his election as Pope in 1978.

“I believe my life, and the meaning of it, is with God ...” the young actor playing Wojtyla says during the performance.

Through music, dance and spoken word, the musical is designed to attract young audiences and teach them about Blessed John Paul’s rise to the priesthood and inauguration as Pope. It also shares messages of hope, faith and love.

The original script was written by Spanish journalist Agueda Lucas, and several musicians collaborated on the musical score. Father Jose Antonio Fernandez, a priest from the Diocese of Cuena, is the project manager.

The cast includes more than 70 actors, actresses, musicians and dancers who perform during the musical.

The trailer for the show has already received more than 2,000 hits on Gloria.tv, the Catholic video website, and hundreds of views on YouTube.

The final performance will be in the Madrid Arena Aug. 17, during World Youth Day.