It’s a tale of saints and singers: a new Polish musical is bringing some pizzazz to the story of its beloved native son, the late pope John Paul II. “We’re trying to create something big,” says the show’s writer Michal Kaczmarczyk.
“We will tell his whole life story, from his infancy until his death.” Like many in Poland, 35-year-old Kaczmarczyk adored the Pontiff, who was canonised a saint two years ago in April. He queued for 15 hours in Rome after John Paul’s death in 2005 just for a chance to bow at his coffin.
Kaczmarczyk has penned the script and lyrics for Karol, teaming up with hit-maker Filip Siejka to revisit Karol Wojtyla’s life in musical form, from his boyhood to his rise to the top of the Roman Catholic Church.
Not only was John Paul the first non-Italian Pontiff in four centuries but as a strong advocate for human rights, he was a source of strength for many behind the Iron Curtain and seen as a catalyst in the collapse of Communism. Due to premiere in February 2017 at the large Tauron Arena in Poland’s second city Krakow, Karol could well prove a hit in a country where 90 percent of the residents are Roman Catholic. Promoters said 500 tickets have already been sold.
Fifteen actors will play the main roles, including a teenage version of the Pope-turned-saint dressed in a t-shirt and shorts.
Along with dancers, backing singers and extras, the cast runs to almost a hundred. Polish pop diva Edyta Geppert will sing several of her own hits, integrated into a soundtrack that runs from upbeat pop-rock to tender ballads.
