Richard Abanes
Richard Abanes | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 13, 1961 |
| Occupation(s) | Playwright, composer, lyricist, author, vocalist, actor |
| Years active | 1974–present |
| Known for | Work in theater, writing on socio-religious topics |
Richard Abanes (; born October 13, 1961) is an American creative professional known for his work as a playwright, composer, lyricist, author, vocalist, and actor, demonstrating a broad range of achievements across these disciplines.
Career
Abanes launched his career at thirteen as a professional singer, dancer, and actor in community theater in Rockford, Illinois. Throughout his high school years, he performed in notable productions such as West Side Story, Fiddler on the Roof, and You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown. Concurrently, he was a featured dancer with the Rockford Dance Company while pursuing dance studies in Chicago with esteemed groups including The Hubbard Street Dancers.
After relocating to New York City, Abanes earned parts in both the "International" and "Bus & Truck" companies of Broadway’s A Chorus Line, followed by a featured dance role in Dreamgirls. His screen appearances include national advertisements for Canada Dry, Wendy’s, and Nissan; a role in an ABC Afterschool Special; co-starring in the film Rappin'', and participating in the Bill Moyers PBS documentary "The Constitution." He further honed his dance skills at prominent institutions such as American Dance Machine and the Alvin Ailey Dance Center.
Transitioning into freelance writing, Abanes co-wrote his debut book, Prophets of the Apocalypse: David Koresh and Other American Messiahs (1994). By 2009, he had authored twenty works addressing themes like socio-religious matters, cults, occultism, global religions, entertainment, and popular culture. His 1997 article on American religious movements won the Evangelical Press Association's Higher Goals In Journalism Award. Additionally, his 1996 publication on intolerance titled American Militias: Rebellion, Racism, and Religion received accolades from The Gustavus Myers Center and is utilized by U.S. defense and security agencies for training purposes.
As a speaker on social and religious subjects, Abanes has delivered lectures at venues including the Simon Wiesenthal Center, Caltech, Mensa International, California Baptist University, and Biola University. His expertise on cults, religion, popular culture, and entertainment has been sought by media outlets such as the BBC, MSNBC, CNN, Extra, and Hard Copy.
In 1998, Abanes took on the role of Creative Arts Director and assistant music minister at Saddleback Church (Rick Warren, pastor). His responsibilities encompassed teaching Bible studies; writing and directing theatrical and dance productions; conducting acting workshops; leading worship services; and producing two contemporary Christian music albums ("Hold On" and "Everlasting Love"), which together sold nearly 100,000 copies. A third album combining selections from these was released via Watchfire Music. He departed Saddleback in 2000 to dedicate himself fully to writing.
Returning to performance in 2010, Abanes portrayed Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar with Bonzi Productions in Rockford. Later New York stage credits include roles in "Song of Solomon," "Yes! The Musical," and "Pearl: The Musical," where he depicted entertainment icons such as Bob Hope and Frank Sinatra under the direction of Tony Award winner Ben Harney. In 2022, he participated in an Off-Broadway staged reading of "Goodbye New York."
As of 2023, Abanes remains active in the entertainment industry as a performer, playwright, composer, and lyricist. His inaugural play, "The Art of Life," is scheduled for full production following a staged reading in April 2024 featuring Broadway performers including Gracie McGraw. His initial musical endeavor titled "Carly" is presently under development.
Bibliography
- Religions of the Stars (ISBN 978-0-7642-0648-1)
- A New Earth, An Old Deception (ISBN 978-0-7642-0664-1)
- He Is Risen: Reflections On Easter & the Forty Days of Lent (ISBN 978-0-446-69679-1)
- Homeland Insecurity: A Novel (ISBN 0-7369-1469-2)
- What Every Parent Needs to Know About Video Games (ISBN 0-7369-1740-3)
- Rick Warren and the Purpose that Drives Him (ISBN 0-7369-1738-1)
- Harry Potter, Narnia, and The Lord of the Rings (ISBN 0-7369-1700-4)
- The Truth Behind the Da Vinci Codel (ISBN 0-7369-1439-0)
- Becoming Gods: A Closer Look at 21st Century Mormonism / Inside Today's Mormonism (ISBN 0-7369-1355-6, ISBN 0-7369-1968-6)
- One Nation Under Gods: A History of the Mormon Church (ISBN 1-56858-219-6)
- Fantasy and Your Family / revised into Harry Potter, Narnia, and The Lord of the Rings
- Harry Potter and the Bible (ISBN 0-88965-201-5)
- Defending the Faith: A Beginner's Guide to Cults and New Religions (ISBN 0-8010-5782-5)
- Cults, New Religious Movements, and Your Family (ISBN 0-89107-981-5)
- End-Time Visions: The Road to Armageddon? / paperback titled End-Time Visions: The Doomsday Obsession
- American Militias: Rebellion, Racism & Religion (ISBN 0-8308-1368-3)
- Journey into the Light (ISBN 0-8010-5480-X)
- The Less Traveled Road and the Bible (ISBN 0-88965-117-5)
- Embraced by the Light and the Bible (ISBN 0-88965-111-6)
- Prophets of the Apocalypse: David Koresh and Other American Messiahs ()