Heart In A Box chronicles the events in the life of a young man's search for the "truth". So often life's obstacles hinder people from the freedom brought by discovering the "truth". They often find themselves trapped in a place of despair and hopelessness. Our hope is that this production will cause you to take a look at your own heart in relation to the truth.

The first scene opens as Michael enters on stage singing "What Will Be My Release", dragging an old chest to which he is shackled at the ankle. In it lies several items which serve as gripping reminders that propel the stories to follow.

Michael, who has grown world-weary, sees his choices as finding the ultimate truth or death. He stares down at the razor he holds in his hand and questions how he has come to this point. In an effort to find the key that will free him from his burdens, Michael begins to rummage through the chest. Memories resurface with every item.

The first item Michael pulls from the chest is a broken watch. The time frozen on it's face is the moment he learned of his mother's death. It was a phone call that would finally bring him to the edge of despair. Next the discovery of a mirror that triggers vivid pictures of Tony. A bit of new psychology and a lot of advice is all he can offer after 23 years of therapy. Michael disappears behind the chest briefly to transform his character into Tony who comes out and sings, "Happy, Healthy, and Whole".

After Tony finishes the song, he returns behind the chest and Michael comes back out. Sifting through more objects, he comes across his high school yearbook. Among the familiar faces, reflecting the dress of the early 70's, he finds Daniel. A "Jesus Freak" then and still fanatical today. Daniel comes out from behind the chest singing "Come On And Take His Love".

Michael returns to the chest and stands up holing a hat. The hat belonged to his uncle Joey from New York and as Michael slops behind the chest, Uncle Joey comes out dressed in mob-like clothing. His family, always suspecting him of shady dealings, points the finger as Joey's looking out for No.1.

Uncle Joey finishes and from behind the chest, Michael reflects on his admiration for him. But memories of a scripture Daniel quoted regarding Uncle Joey paint a different picture, "There is a way that seems right unto man, but the end is destruction."

Now, Gary stands up and holding a large water jug, he tells a story of heartache and despair. His Dad, alcoholic and abusive, replaced the young and hopeful boy's love for him with anger and bitterness. An overdose of drugs places him on his death bed where a pastor offers him the opportunity to receive Jesus Christ. Gary accepts this gift and is healed physically and spiritually. He sings "How Could I Give Any Less". After telling of the forgiveness from that allowed him to forgive his own Dad.

After singing the song, Gary moves behind the chest and Michael emerges dangling a crystal. He tells of his attraction to crystals, the occult and "Wanda". Her influences were ones that led him to yoga, drugs, tarot and to explore the occult. Self hypnosis and Egyptian astro travel were heightened by drugs. Many of Michael's encounters found him face to face with his Dad or spirit guides that beckoned him into a tunnel where "angels" were waiting to show him the secrets of the universe. After he sings, "Angel Voices" he discovers that the angels were not what they seemed and returns the crystal to the chest. Finding himself ever more confused, he looks over at the razor and it reminds him that he still has a choice to make.

From behind the chest, he thinks of Daniel again. Among the weird experiences he shared with him were the fears that resulted when he took the reality of the world around him upon himself. holding a newspaper, Daniel sings, "Jesus Stops The Madness".

As he returns behind the chest, Michael shares his astonishment of how Daniel could believe that Jesus can stop the madness. He points out the hypocrisy of a certain television preacher and recalls his program in the song, "Have You Sent Your Pledge?".

Michael describes a friend Daniel wants him to meet that stands up to the discredited example of Christians the televangelist represents. As he does, Barry appears wearing a baseball cap and holding a basketball. He tells a story of how battling leukemia only strengthened him and his wife's relationship with Jesus Christ. An accidental beating by two police officers who were chasing someone else hospitalizes him and Barry uses it as an opportunity to reflect Jesus. He sings "Lord, You're All I Need". and slips back behind the chest.

As Michael questions simple faith and hope, Daniel reappears carrying a Bible and a letter. He shares the trials of an old acquaintance, Donald Morton, that landed him in a hospital with AIDS. Daniel's constant attempts to witness to him had been brushed aside. Now, starring at an emaciated and helpless frame, Daniel tries one more time. He places the Bible and letter on the table. Music begins to play and Michael returns. He reads the letter out loud. His Mom's words sink deep into his heart as she tells of her regrets and of her salvation. Sorry for the poor example she had been and the bitterness she held, her biggest regret was that she had not lived her whole life serving Jesus Christ.

In a last fit of desperation, Michael picks up the razor to defy God and finally take his life. But for a moment, he looks at his life and realizes that there must be something more powerful then himself. Finally, faced with losing his life, Michael chooses to give it back to God thus gaining the life he had been searching for. He sings, "Running Home To You" and then, tired and ready to accept freedom from his bondage, he ask Jesus to end the war inside of him. Opening the Bible, he finds a key stuck between the pages. As he uses it to unlock the shackles from his ankle, music begins and Michael sings, "Free Indeed". He then exits the stage, rejoicing in his new found freedom.