I cannot recall another period in our history when LifeHouse Productions has more resembled the proverbial beehive of activity.  What an exciting time!

• COMING UP ON STAGE

Our stellar cast of “Esther” just completed a well attended performance run and now our “Little Mermaid” team isworking hard to present a dazzling new incarnation of this LifeHouse favorite.  There’s a new storyline, new set, new choreography, new costumes and many new surprises.  Emily Lopez is charming in the title role and she is joined by hilarious LifeHouse veterans Jonathan Blair, Amy Bell, Rick Arias and an ocean full of terrific talent.  Anyone who likes to laugh will have a lot of fun with this one.  And we are beginning rehearsals for “Pursued: A Jonah Story,” which promises to reveal amazing insights into the famous biblical account.

• OUR STELLAR NEW  17^th SEASON

Intense planning is underway for the launch of our new 2010-11 17^th season.  Yes, I’m biased, but…with titles like “Revelation,” “Ruth,” “The Jungle Book” and “Les Miserables,” who on earth would miss any of it?  This month is the time to get the very best value on a season subscription. 

We are also looking forward to our “Scrooge” Season Special at Redlands’ Clock Auditorium.  This new Inland Empire Christmas attraction promises to be a powerful outreach and may establish a new community tradition.  It’s not too early to spread the word about this special presentation as we hope to host several thousand people at the auditorium this December.  If your church group or organization would like to join us, please let us know.

• LIFEHOUSE THEATER ON THE AIR

We are also about to release two new audio dramas, “Trapped in Aesop’s Fables” and “Rikki Tikki Tavi”—delightful presentations that will enchant everyone.  Our new “LifeHouse Theater On The Air” television series will begin next month with the premiere of “Pilgrim’s Progress” on BrightStar’s SmartLifestyle channel.  I’ll also be attending marketing conventions for the promotion of our new audio and DVD series throughout the summer.  You’ll be hearing much more about these exciting series in the coming weeks.  And be sure to look for feature stories coming up in The Christian Examiner and many other Inland Empire media publications.

I’m especially keen on sharing with you the latest news regarding our newest endeavor—LifeHouse Theater Outreach (LTO).   It’s already having a mighty impact.  LTO is a revival of our touring company under the leadership of Eric Bishop.  Eric is directing and coordinating “A Song In My Heart,” a celebration of well known classic hymns and the stories behind them.   The outstanding reception this production experienced at LifeHouse last autumn prompted Eric to pray about whether to help us take it “on the road.”  God has been opening doors ever since.

If you’ll glance over my shoulder, so to speak, take a look at this letter that just crossed my desk written by a pastor whose church hosted “A Song In My Heart”…

“Your theater group delivered a marvelous play.  It was heart touching and eye opening. It isn’t every day that someone is able to crack open a door to the past and unite three generations of audiences.  Our young people will always remember the lives behind the music and our seniors relived some great old songs and stories that seem to have gotten misplaced.  Even our children loved it and were captured by the interesting story line and songs.  I highly recommend “A Song In My Heart” to any church interested in assisting their members to gain a much higher appreciation of the traditional songs which have been handed down for generations.  Thank you again for a well thought out program which was only matched by an outstanding performance…”

Would you consider two action points in light of what you have just read?  First, please pray for upcoming performances of this play.  Amazingly enough, it will be performed July 17 at the Chino Women’s Prison.  Over 350 inmates are expected to witness these touching stories and hear the incredibly redemptive and uplifting lyrics to the hymns as they are sung.  Pray that hardened hearts will melt and be open to God’s grace…Also, please pray for performances at Harvest in Riverside on July 24 at 6 PM—where a thousand guests are expected to attend—and for additional church performances in August…And secondly, please consider whether your own church or other organization might be a good venue to host this production.  If so, contact Eric through our box office and he will be happy to make the arrangements.

Please know what a blessing your interest in our work is!  We cannot exist without your involvement and support, and we never take either for granted.  We’ll continue working to earn your confidence and appreciate your joining us in prayer for God’s hand on all our activities under the LifeHouse Productions banner.