Home Waynesboro: JMU doctoral students to perform ‘The Selfish Giant’ on Sept. 7
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Waynesboro: JMU doctoral students to perform ‘The Selfish Giant’ on Sept. 7

Chris Graham
waynesboro
Photo: © Gary L Hider/stock.adobe.com

Main Street United Methodist Church in Downtown Waynesboro will host a musical performance by JMU doctoral students Alyssa Conde and Aleksandra Velgosha.

Conde and Velgosha will perform The Selfish Giant Fairytale for Speaker and Piano 4 hands after Oscar Wilde op. 20a by German composer Stefan Heucke at Main Street UMC on Sunday, Sept. 7.

Admission is free, but a love offering will be received to benefit the Main Street United Methodist Preschool.

Doors will open at 2:30 p.m., with the 45-minute performance beginning at 3 p.m. in the sanctuary.

The Selfish Giant is one of five charming stories in the collection The Happy Prince and Other Tales (1888) by Irish author Oscar Wilde. The story explores themes of selfishness, redemption, the importance of sharing, and Christian allegories of divine love and salvation.

The giant’s initial selfishness leads to loneliness and a barren garden, while his change of heart and generosity brings joy to the children and the return of spring. The little boy in the story is often interpreted as a Christ-like figure, and his wounds are symbolic of the crucifixion.

The ending signifies the giant’s redemption and his entrance into paradise as a reward for his generosity and love.  The story is considered a powerful message about the transformative power of love and kindness.

The Rev. Morris Fleischer will provide the narration.

Contact Main Street United Methodist Church at (540) 942-1179 or [email protected] for more information.

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Chris Graham

Chris Graham

Chris Graham is the founder and editor of Augusta Free Press. A 1994 alum of the University of Virginia, Chris is the author and co-author of seven books, including Poverty of Imagination, a memoir published in 2019. For his commentaries on news, sports and politics, go to his YouTube page, TikTok, BlueSky, or subscribe to Substack or his Street Knowledge podcast. Email Chris at [email protected].