(ANS – Córdoba) – On Saturday 17 December at the Saint Anthony of Padua community theatre in Córdoba, a group of young people from the Salesian houses in the “Blessed Artemides Zatti” Province of North Argentina (ARN) gave the first  performance of the show “Don Bosco, the Musical”, based on the work of Piero Castellacci.

Directed  by Fr Ricardo Campoli and with Fr Germán Llomplat, in the role of Don Bosco, the show is a collection of some significant moments in the life of the saint from Turin and tells a unique and extraordinary story. Events include the early days of the Oratory, the beginnings of the Congregations of the Salesians and of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, the journey of the first missionaries to Argentina and the atmosphere of joy and celebration of the Oratory boys.

The audience filling the hall appreciated the excellent unfolding of the story, in which among those presented were the Virgin Mary, Mamma Margaret and the Cardinal. There was also a ten member corps de ballet.

According to the organisers “the idea behind the musical was that of bringing together the young people and other collaborators from across the whole of the new Salesian Province and to illustrate the  communion among them.” There was a second performance on Sunday 18 attended by a large number of people involved in the various Salesian centres.

Fr Campoli said he was happy with the success of the production: “As Salesians we are called to have an experience of God and to have an oratorian heart like Don Bosco’s, re-emphasising our option for the poorest youngsters and going out to them wherever they may be. In this way the musical is intended to reach them, call them, gather them together and give them space and an opportunity in their present circumstances to become new men and women committed to their own world.”

During 2012, in view of the Bicentenary of the birth of Don Bosco and in consideration of the year dedicated to coming to know his history, the musical will be performed in various centres of the ARN Province, reviving the Salesian heart and spirit of the Oratory.

Published 29/12/2011