The musical theater work "The Madman of Assisi," which premiered over 40 years ago in Argentina, is returning to the country in April and will be presented for the first time at the Marín Theater in San Isidro, located at Av. Del Libertador 17115. Written and directed by Manuel González Gil, with music by Martín Bianchedi and choreography by Rubén Cuello, the play features a large cast of young performers.
The plot of the play conveys the message of detachment and poverty preached by Saint Francis of Assisi. This saint lived the world's poverty as his own, feeling injustices as if they were his, committing to his ideals to transcend the limits of the human experience.
According to Manuel González, the play was evaluated by a representative of the Catholic Church after receiving criticism and scrutiny, particularly in Catholic circles. In 1983, the Argentine Church appointed then-priest Jorge Bergoglio, rector of the Jesuit High School in Buenos Aires and an important figure among the Jesuits, to assess whether the play should continue to be on stage.
The presence of Pope Francis at one of the performances of "The Madman of Assisi" was an emotional and significant moment. According to Manuel González, at that time he did not fully grasp the importance of the visit of what is now the Pope to the play. The Pope laughed, and when questioned about why he said that God had a smile, he replied that if anyone could make God laugh, it would be Francis of Assisi. This comment evidenced the understanding and support of the Pontiff for the theatrical representation.
