The Beloved Son: A Play Inspired by the Life of Henri Nouwen
The Beloved Son is a remarkable play inspired by the life of Henri Nouwen, written by acclaimed playwright Murray Watts and performed by Andrew Harrison. It is a moving solo performance exploring hope and longing, family dynamics, sexual and emotional crisis and the profound insights of a man who became one of the greatest spiritual writers of the Twentieth Century.
Henri Nouwen (1932-1996) was a Dutch Catholic priest, psychologist and professor who reached the heights of academic success at Yale and Harvard, before abandoning everything to join the community of L’Arche Daybreak in Toronto. He became part of a life-sharing movement, seeking to make known the gifts of people with intellectual disabilities, exploring their unique talents and creating a welcoming home of friendship and belonging.
To some, Henri Nouwen put his brilliant career into reverse, risking the loss of reputation, to others his life was a prophetic challenge to church and society.
A master communicator, Nouwen wrote and spoke with great openness and vulnerability about faith, spiritual formation, prayer, social justice, and other themes related to the spiritual life. He wrote 39 books that have been translated into more than 35 languages, selling more than 8.5 million copies.
