Our 2000 Premiere
The Miracle of Fatima's journey began with a phenomenal premiere at the Mertens Theater in 2000. The show captivated audiences, selling out 14 shows in the 900-seat venue and welcoming over 11,000 attendees.
Barbara Oleynick Our first Francisco, Lucia, & Jacinta First Miracle of the Sun
El Milagro da Fatima in the Dominican Republic - premiered in 2009 - last run in 2019
From the very beginning, countless individuals have contributed funds to sustain our mission, though they humbly chose to remain anonymous. We are forever grateful for their kindness and belief in our cause, which inspire us to forge ahead with renewed dedication.
2000: The Premiere at Mertens Theater
Our premiere was made possible by the generosity of one individual who provided over $200,000, helping us achieve our goal.
2001: Rewrites and New Songs
Refining a creative project with a large cast, venue rental, costumes, and more often demands significant financial resources. A couple, who hadn't even witnessed the show, learned of our need and extended a helping hand. After a dinner meeting and a 15-minute clip from the premiere, they unhesitatingly wrote a check for $20,000 that very night, followed by an additional $35,000 contribution. Remarkably, the man even assisted in constructing the set in Hartford.
2002: Recording the Cast Album
Father John, a former venture capitalist turned Franciscan Friar, connected Barbara with a generous donor who, after learning her story, provided a $60,000 contribution to cover all costs, including the first run of CDs. When Barbara began selling them at churches for $20 each, people's generosity knew no bounds, with some offering as much as $500 for a single CD.
2002-2003: The Tri-state Tour
The tour was underwritten by the same benefactor who funded the premiere, contributing $100,000. Our final performance was at Sacred Heart University, where a woman approached Barbara after the show, handing her a blank check and saying, "You can write this for up to $10,000 if you will do one performance for my parish." Needless to say, we graciously accepted her invitation.
