About this Event
On Monday, April 20 (Earth Day), join us at Theatre Lawrence for a staged reading of Fire Messiah: A Community Musical of Miracles, a new work by Ric Averill and Company. The performance will feature a live band and will be followed by an opportunity for community feedback.
Fire Messiah asks a timely question: What happens when we start looking for miracles in the middle of catastrophe?
Set in a near-future America shaped by escalating wildfires, the musical follows Dan, a firefighter who becomes an unlikely symbol of hope after a rescue goes viral on social media. As public belief intensifies and misinformation spreads, he and his fellow firefighters—people of vastly different backgrounds and beliefs—must confront their differences and discover how to survive together.
The April 20 staged reading marks a key development milestone, offering audiences an early look at the full script and score in a semi-staged format.
The creative team is currently raising funds to support a full production planned for late 2026 or early 2027.
“Fire Messiah speaks directly to the current moment,” the creative team shares. “As climate disasters escalate and people search for meaning in uncertain times, this musical asks who we trust—and whether collective action can carry us through.”
Community members are invited to attend and support the project at https://tinyurl.com/firemessiah
Event Details
Fire Messiah: Live Staged Reading
Monday, April 20, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Theatre Lawrence
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Theatre Lawrence, 4660 Bauer Farm Drive, Lawrence, United States
USD 0.00
