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Content Analysis

Brother Andrew

A musical by Neal Morse

Adapted from the book “God’s Smuggler” by Brother Andrew with John and Elizabeth Sherrill

PLAY SYNOPSIS

This A.D. Players’ original play is inspired by the New York Times bestseller book, God’s Smuggler, written by Brother Andrew and John and Elizabeth Sherrill.  Born in the Netherlands in 1928, Brother Andrew grew up in the shadow of war.  One child of six in a poor family, he enlisted and fought in the Indonesian National Revolution, the killings of which impacted him significantly and brought him to the Lord.  After training to become a missionary in Scotland, Brother Andrew visited a student festival in Warsaw where he was told by a Christian bookstore owner that the Soviet Union suffered from lack of Bibles.  The Dutchman from then on dedicated himself to bringing God’s Word to endangered places, often risking his life to do so, getting past guards and border control.  God’s protection of this faithful servant in his journey beyond the Iron Curtain is seen within this incredible play, made especially vivid with original music written by American progressive rock icon Neal Morse.  

CHARACTERS

Brother Andrew, an energetic young man in his late teens or early twenties.

Corry, Andrew's wife. Same age as Andrew.

Kees, Andrew's friend. Also in his late teens or early twenties. This role would be combined with other general cast roles.

 Father, Papa, Preacher and Wetzlar, a forty-something man able to play and sing multiple roles.

 Mother, Nurse, Malenkov forty-something woman able to play and sing multiple roles.

 Ilsa, a girl between the age of eight and fourteen.

 General cast members, six people between the ages of eighteen and thirty to play:  Persons 1 - 6, Shopkeepers, Soldiers, Policemen, Nurses etc.

THEMES

God’s Love

God’s Purpose

God’s Provision

Pride 

CONTENT FOR PARENTAL CONSIDERATION

MATURE SUBJECT MATTER

This story takes place during a war so there is talk about killing and being killed.

Because Andrew witnesses killing in the war the musical talks about him falling into drinking and acting as if he had no more life in him.  There is a song “Gotta get smart and lose my mind” that is Andrew and his platoon friends in a bar drinking to forget their troubles of war.

There is a song “Poor Andrew” about Andrew losing his mother.

DRINKING

Because Andrew witnesses killing in the war the musical talks about him falling into drinking and acting as if he had no more life in him.  There is a song “Gotta get smart and lose my mind” that is Andrew and his platoon friends in a bar drinking to forget their troubles of war.

SMOKING

Andrew gets shot in war and winds up in the hospital.  He smokes while in the hospital

RUNNING TIME

2 hours 15 minutes

20 minute intermission

SHOW DATES

April 1 - April 26, 2026

WHAT IS THE RECOMMENDED AGE BROTHER ANDREW?

If this play was a movie we would give it a rating of PG.  We recommend it for ages 8 and up.

HOW MUCH ARE TICKETS TO BROTHER ANDREW?

Tickets prices vary between $25 and $80 depending on where you sit in the theater.

Executive Artistic Director’s Note

Based on the New York Times Bestseller, God’s Smuggler, this world-premiere musical by progressive rock icon, Neal Morse, is an adventurous true story of indelible faith.  When one has an encounter with the risen Christ, that person is changed entirely.  This is the very heart of the gospel.  Andrew van der Bijl, a young Dutch soldier post WWII, had just such an encounter and becomes permanently changed by his newfound faith.  Upon learning of the troubles for believers and non-believers alike behind the iron wall, Brother Andrew takes up his courage and begins to smuggle Bibles past the Eastern Bloc to bring the good news to those who need to hear it most.  Filled with unforgettable music, Brother Andrew is a powerful story of daring, obedience, and love.  I’m absolutely thrilled that our audiences at the George will be the first to experience it. 

Theatre is an art form that from its inception has had the proven power to move and to stir the human spirit. This can have a wide variety of manifestations. We are often stirred up, and that kind of event can have us needing to talk to someone about it. We recommend that you find a licensed mental healthcare professional to help you work through difficult feelings that may have been stirred up by a play. You should always work with someone that you have a great connection with. If you need help starting that process, we recommend our partners at Ellie Mental Health as a starting place.

You might also be stirred to do something about how a particular play made you feel. Below we have provided a quick link to be able to donate to us here at the A. D. Players at the George Theatre. As a 501(c)3, we rely heavily on donations to continue the work that we do. If, however, you want to do something meaningful about some of the issues addressed by our shows, we are also including links to organizations that do meaningful work in the areas addressed by the content of our show. These are not exhaustive options, but merely starting places to help you on your journey to continue to effect change in your world.