Ric Averill and company will host a staged reading of Fire Messiah: A Community Musical of Miracles, a new show still in production, giving the community an opportunity to help shape the development of a local musical.
The reading will begin at 7 p.m. Monday, April 20 at Theatre Lawrence, 4660 Bauer Farm Drive in Lawrence. Admission is free, with donations accepted at the door.
The cast and band will gather to tell the story of a future America devastated by wildfires. The story follows Dan, a firefighter, who becomes an unexpected symbol of hope after a miraculous rescue. The musical explores themes of faith, climate crisis and the search for miracles.
The play is described as a mix of contemporary musical theater, dark humor and tenderness, inviting audiences to reflect on community resilience in the face of crisis.
The creative team is currently raising funds to put on a full production later this year or early 2027.
The event is presented as a Spotlight Community Event in partnership with Theatre Lawrence, not a Theatre Lawrence production.
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Courtney Lane (she/her), staff reporter, has worked with The Lawrence Times since April 2026. She can be reached at clane@lawrencekstimes.com.
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