June 17, 2008 New musical to debut at The Vatican Play video

(NECN: Italy) - The curtain is due to go up at the world premiere of a new musical about the life of the Virgin Mary at the Vatican on Tuesday evening.

"Mary of Nazareth: A Continuing Story" is written and directed by Maria Pia Liotta and Adele Dorothy Ciampa.

The show has been officially endorsed by the Vatican and traces the battle between good and evil, God and the devil, in Mary's life as she grows from a young girl making bread in the courtyard with the women of Nazareth to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The story chronicles the life of Mary, from her Jewish childhood, the annunciation, her marriage to Joseph, the birth of Jesus and on to her ascension.

Finally, she comes back to earth as the bringer of peace and reconciliation.

Liotta, who came up with the idea to make a musical about Mary, said was the first time in history that there had been a musical about her life.

"I think the musical is be a very effective instrument to tell the story because it can reach everyone's heart, especially because it is made up of words, notes, melody, dance and gestures." she said.

Liotta's daughter, actress and soprano Alma Manera, plays Mary.