THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 24, 1995 TAG: 9512220211
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 16 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HOLLY WESTER, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 99 lines
From the countless holiday musicals to the lure of greedy merchants, the shifting spirit of the season has become a sore spot for TV soap star Frank Runyeon.
But instead of surrendering to or complaining about what have become ``Christmas traditions,'' the actor is doing something about it.
Runyeon, who is best known for his work on shows such as ``As The World Turns,'' is currently touring the country performing ``The 3 1/2 Stories of Christmas,'' an original one-man show that defines the true meaning of Dec. 25 - from the angels' point of view.
He recently delivered the message locally, when he brought the hourlong play to St. Aidan's Episcopal Church. It was his second appearance at the Kings Grant parish.
More than 130 members and guests - including pre-schoolers, teens and grandparents - watched as an energetic Runyeon, wearing a beard, white gown and net wings, played the role of a ``comically imperfect angel'' or ``AIT'' (angel in training).
With a heavy Brooklyn-like accent, the angel referred to God as ``da boss'' and explained the story of Christmas as simply, ``the story of how light came into the world.''
``It's as funny as you could possibly get with sacred material,'' Runyeon said during a recent telephone interview. ``Picture Red Skelton as an angel. It's broad comedy.''
Not only did Runyeon's character keep the audience members laughing, he had them on the edge of their pews throughout - darting around the room wildly and pulling members into the production to play key roles such as ``Joe and Mary.''
The interactive play was seasoned with hymns such as ``Away in a Manger,'' ``We Three Kings of Orient Are'' and crowd favorite ``Angels We Have Heard on High.'' The music was as uplifting as Runyeon's message.
``There is a deep theme to the play . . . the secret of Christmas,'' he said. ``If Christmas is to come, you have to bring it. Christmas is God coming in the form of people.
``We're so distracted by the merchant environment - sometimes we forget that. We own this season.''
Although Runyeon proved to be quite a performer from the pulpit, his success with combining theater and theology is no miracle. This mixture has been his life's work.
``I was always looking for something that was a lively story,'' said Runyeon, who graduated from Princeton University with a degree in American religion. ``To me, religion and theater were part of the same search for liveliness.''
Neither was a ``first love'' for Runyeon; the two interests merged simultaneously. While studying at Princeton, he got involved with an acting group called ``The Triangle.'' After graduating in 1975, he moved to Los Angeles - like many young actors do - to network.
While in California, he attended Pasadena's Fuller Theological Seminary to take courses and learn Greek, so he could write from the original text of the book of Mark.
Runyeon then went back to New York and attended acting school with hopes of picking up TV commercial work. In 1980, however, he landed the role of bad boy (eventually turned good) Steve Andropolous on the long-running daytime soap ``As The World Turns.''
Over the past 15 years he has starred on ``Santa Barbara,'' ``General Hospital'' and ``Another World'' and has made guest appearances on ``L.A. Law'' and ``Falcon Crest.''
Runyeon has always managed to make time for his religious studies, attending both the Yale Divinity School and the General Theological Seminary in New York City, where he received his master's degree last year.
He has been performing his original work since 1992; his plays include ``AFRAID!: The Gospel of Mark'' and ``The Sermon on the Mount.'' This is the first year he's taken ``The 3 1/2 Stories'' on the road.
``I try and make a very honest combination of faith and theater,'' he said. ``I want everybody to feel welcome.''
Runyeon will finish the tour up North, making his final landing back home in Westport, Conn., where he lives with his wife, Annie, and their three children.
He said he's still interested in TV and films, but is content touring schools, theaters and parishes with his plays. Runyeon said he may pursue his doctorate in the near future, but is planning to write more productions in the meantime.
``Life or Death: The Gospel of John'' is tentatively planned for release next year, while a translation of the Bible may happen eventually.
Runyeon said there's no rush to jump into anything. ``You have to live for years with the text,'' he said. ``It's like a pot on the back of the stove - you have to slow cook it.
``To be true to it, it takes a long time. This is the Bible.'' MEMO: For information about bringing Frank Runyeon to your school, theater or
parish, contact Runyeon Productions, P.O. Box 583, Westport, Conn.
06881.
ILLUSTRATION: Frank Runyeon
Actor on ``As the World Turns.''
by CNB