Contact: Janice Gonzalez, Media Relations, Saint Luke Productions, 360-487-9979, pr@stlukeproductions.com
VANCOUVER, Wash., July 16, 2015 /Christian Newswire/ -- Saint Luke Productions' live production, "Thérèse: The Story of a Soul," starring Texas-based actress Audrey Ahern, is currently touring North America and receiving enthusiastic reviews.
This tour coincides with the historic canonization on October 18th of the parents of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, Zelie and Louis Martin. In addition, her sister Leonie appears to be on the path to sainthood with the beautification process officially opened recently.
Leonardo and Patti Defilippis, the producers of "Thérèse: The Story of a Soul," feel particularly connected to these historic events. In their feature film "Thérèse," [Therese: Story of a Soul] the husband and wife team played the roles of soon-to-be-Saints Louis and Zelie Martin, the first married couple ever to be canonized together.
But having saints for parents does not mean that this is the saccharine story of the "Little Flower," the plaster saint in so many churches. This inspiring drama is a refreshingly honest, portrait of a real girl in a real family, who struggled with anxieties and great suffering.
These obstacles were eventually overcome, through a miraculous conversion and healing.
Her story is surprising. Thérèse Martin lost three mothers before she was ten years old - the perfect ingredients, many would surmise, for creating an emotionally unstable adult.
First, she was separated from her real mother to live with a wet nurse in the country. Next, she was taken from this second mother to return to her loving family, only to have her mother die when she was four years old. Then her oldest sister took over as a third mother, only to leave for the convent when Thérèse was nine. In reaction to that, the poor girl was bedridden with an unexplained, hysterical illness.
All this sounds like someone who's going to have severe problems adjusting the world around her.
Well, that's not what happened.
That frightened, scrupulous, pampered middle-class girl went on to become a saint. And not just any saint, but the most beloved saint of modern times - and one of only three women in history to become a Doctor of the Church – Saint Thérèse of Lisieux.
The drama "Therese: The Story of Soul" tells her amazing story: how she was healed through the intercession of Our Lady, entered the Carmelite Monastery at age 15, wrote her autobiography, "Story of a Soul," and died of tuberculosis at 24. Then there's the shower of roses in miracles she promised to those who ask for her intercession.
Audiences are enchanted with Audrey Ahern in the role of Saint Thérèse. "She brings to part not only terrific acting skill, but also an innocence, penetrated with deep spiritual understanding," says director, Patti Defilippis.
"People come away from this performance deeply moved, because they meet Saint Thérèse live," says Leonardo Defilippis, producer of "Thérèse" and founder of Saint Luke Productions. "Through Audrey's performance, they fall in love with this saint. No matter what you've gone through in life, no matter how broken you feel, Saint Thérèse understands and brings hope."
"Thérèse: The Story of a Soul" is a powerful drama for our times, and is suitable for all ages.
Visit www.ThereseDrama.com or call 360-687-8029 for additional information and to learn more about booking a performance on the North American tour.
Interview availability for the following by appointment and by phone includes:
- Audrey Ahern, Actress of "Therese"
- Leonardo Defilippis, Producer, Actor, President of Saint Luke Productions
- Patti Defilippis, Director, Actress and Writer for Saint Luke Productions
Interview contact: Janice Gonzalez, Media Relations for Saint Luke Productions, 360-487-9979; pr@stlukeproductions.com
