Contact: Janice Gonzalez, 800-683-2998

HOUSTON, Texas, Aug. 7 /Standard Newswire/ -- Opening to a packed and captivated audience of 1200 people, actor Leonardo Defilippis exploded on stage in the new drama VIANNEY, on August 4, the Feast of Saint John Vianney, in Houston, Texas. This fast-moving drama held everyone spellbound with the story of this unlikely hero who persevered against all odds, with faithful patience and trust in God, while constantly battling the forces of evil. St. John Vianney Church in Houston, where the production premiered, was overwhelmed by the crowd that attended the performance. "We had to put a limit on the number of tickets for opening night," Richard Fairly, the church's parish life director said. Besides Catholics, people of other faiths were in attendance.

Amidst laughter and tears, the crowd of 1200 embraced this production which captured the period of 19th century France, yet at the same time brought to the forefront issues so relevant to our present age. In contrast to the scandals that have negatively impacted the public's impression of the priesthood, John Vianney enters center stage as a stellar example of a priest who pours himself out completely for his flock. For those who long for a renewal of Christian values in our culture, this seemingly obscure shepherd is the one to do just that. "I was struck by the number of young people who approached me after the show and who believe this drama will strengthen future vocations," said actor Leonardo Defilippis. With an intense contrast of the diabolical against the innocent, this battle of good and evil was particularly attractive to the younger crowd. "The portrayal of the devil was more realistic than any attempt I have ever seen from Hollywood or anywhere else," said one young man.

The production opens with a flash of lightening, the ominous presence of the devil, and the chaos of the French Revolution. We meet the boy Jean Marie Vianney, who is inspired to become a priest himself by the courage of a fugitive priest who takes refuge from the authorities in the boy's home, and is later executed by the guillotine. Defilippis portrays a bumbling shepherd, with little academic abilities who perseveres towards his goal overcoming many obstacles. The play is filled with comic moments, as well as many touching scenes, and when the newly ordained Vianney enters the apathetic and corrupt village of Ars, the drama intensifies. Defilippis challenges the audience with the actual sermons of Vianney, and eventually we see the town miraculously transformed into a haven of Christian values. The drama is intense, as Vianney battles the physical presence of the devil, who attacks him nightly in his bedroom. Probably the most moving scenes are those where we hear the intimate confessions of the townspeople, and experience their conversions.

Through an innovative use of multimedia projections, other characters enter the stage and combine the realism of film with the intimacy and personal connection of live theater. "I think we are the first to incorporate this technology in a live dramatic production," says Defilippis's wife Patti, who also directed the drama. "Today's audiences are so visual -- they relate to visual media more than to the spoken word. Yet theater cannot be beat as a means for personally connecting with audiences. We are excited to engage young audiences particularly with this stimulating concept of interaction between stage and screen."

Defilippis has more than eighty performances scheduled throughout the U.S. and Canada during the Year for Priests, which was declared by Pope Benedict XVI, under the patronage of St. John Vianney. "We have been working on this project for more than two years, and this spring when the Pope announced that June 2009 through June 2010 would be dedicated to Vianney, it was a complete surprise to us," remarked Defilippis. "Since then, the bookings have been pouring in, and the schedule is nearly completely filled. It's been a tremendous surprise." The tour will hopefully culminate in a performance in Rome in June, when John Vianney will be declared the patron saint of all the priests in the world.

"Just as a priest acts in the person of Christ himself, Vianney will be a sign to the world of how to sacrifice and spend oneself just as Christ did," commented Defilippis, "I have the distinct honor of playing this role, not only to enter into the character of this amazing saint, but to enter into his spirituality as well. Based on the response to just one show, I think we will indeed see a renewed call for vocations and holy priests, a recognition of the existence and battle of evil, a sense of the value of discipline, and a sense of hope for conversion of all of us."

The VIANNEY drama will continue its premiere tour in the Houston Metro area through August 11 and is suitable for ages 9 and up. Visit www.vianneydrama.com or call 800-683-2998 for additional information and the nationwide tour schedule.