Will St. Francis of Assisi “play in Peoria”? Author, actor and composer James Twyman will find out when he brings his Broadway-bound musical, “Brother Sun, Sister Moon,” to his home parish, Holy Family, as he makes his way to New York City.

The one-man musical based on the life of the beloved saint will be performed in the church at 3720 N. Sterling Ave. in Peoria on Saturday, Feb. 1, from 7 to 9 p.m. There is no charge for admission, but a good-will offering will be accepted.

James Twyman

The “Brother Sun, Sister Moon” musical tour began in Portland, Oregon, on Jan. 3 and will make stops in 10 cities, including Santa Barbara, Phoenix, Santa Fe, Kansas City, St. Louis, Chicago and Philadelphia, before settling into the Church in the Village in New York from Feb. 20 through March 1. Consecrated a Franciscan hermit in 2018, Twyman is traveling on foot, penniless, with the food, housing and transportation that God will provide.

For the performances in New York, he will work with a team of volunteers to offer free tickets to homeless men and women. These guests and paid ticket holders will be invited to share a simple meal before each show.

“I want to get as close to how St. Francis would have done this as possible. He would have wanted people of every group to come together, not just those who can afford the ticket,” said Twyman.

Also known as “The Peace Troubadour,” he has traveled the world to encourage people to focus their energy and prayers on wars and conflicts that are taking place. He now lives in an interfaith peace community in Mexico that has 40 full-time residents.

Twyman is the author of 16 books, including “The Moses Code” and “Emissary of Light,” has recorded 18 music albums, and produced or directed seven feature films.

Father Paul Joseph Langevin, OFM Conv., pastor of Holy Family Parish in Peoria, said Twyman grew up in the parish and graduated from Holy Family School in 1976.

“He is excited to return ‘home’ and share his musical with us on his way to Broadway,” Father Paul Joseph said.

For more information, visit StFrancisMusical.com or JimmyTwyman.com.