Leap Of Faith: Embrace The Miracle

Are You Ready for a Miracle? is a song from the 1992 film Leap of Faith, starring Steve Martin as a fraudulent faith healer and preacher. The film follows the story of Jonas Nightingale, a part-time reverend and full-time con artist, and his journey of offering miracles to a town in Kansas for a price. The song Are You Ready for a Miracle? captures the essence of the film, exploring the theme of faith, miracles, and the power of belief. The film, with its gospel-tinged musical style and exploration of faith healing, has also inspired a Broadway musical adaptation, showcasing the enduring appeal of the story and its message.

The film-to-musical adaptation

"Are You Ready for a Miracle?" is a song from the 1992 film Leap of Faith, which was adapted for the stage as a musical in 2010. The film centres on Jonas Nightengale, a fraudulent faith healer and preacher who travels across America offering miracles for money. The musical adaptation, which played at Los Angeles' Ahmanson Theatre, focused more on the romantic relationship between Jonas and Marva, a small-town waitress and single mother.

The film was written by Janus Cercone, who drew inspiration from her time as an executive with A&M Records, during which she became fascinated by televangelists and faith healers like Peter Popoff, who would use hidden microphones to scam people. Cercone's script was purchased by Paramount Pictures and the film was directed by Richard Pearce and produced by Michael Manheim. It starred Steve Martin as Jonas Nightengale, Debra Winger as Jane Larson, and Liam Neeson as Sheriff Will Braverman.

The musical adaptation was directed and choreographed by Rob Ashford. It starred Raúl Esparza as Jonas Nightingale and Brooke Shields as Marva. The show's running time was criticised in reviews and it closed on 24 October 2010, before heading to Broadway with a revised book, new creative leads, and a new leading lady, Jessica Phillips.

The film and the musical adaptation explore themes of faith, healing, and the power of music and publicity to make an impression. They also highlight the potential for deception and manipulation within the context of faith healing and evangelism.

The role of music in the film

Music plays a pivotal role in the film "Leap of Faith", a 1992 release starring Steve Martin as a fraudulent faith healer and preacher, Jonas Nightengale. The film's musical choices are especially significant given its subject matter of faith healing and the power of music to inspire and manipulate.

The film is gospel-tinged, and the music is rousing, reflecting the theme of faith healing and the energy and passion of religious revival. The music is also used to great effect to build a sense of anticipation and the idea that something miraculous is about to occur. This is encapsulated in the song "Are You Ready for a Miracle?", which is also the title of the film's broader theme of faith and expectation. The song's lyrics, "Are you ready? Are you ready for a miracle?", directly address the audience, inviting them to share in the anticipation and belief in the miraculous.

The music in the film serves to motivate and inspire the characters and the audience, much like the way religious music is used to stir up spiritual fervour. The film's exploration of the connection between evangelism and rock 'n' roll, as Martin noted, is evident in the way the music is used to drive the narrative and create a sense of spectacle.

The film's score, composed by eight-time Oscar winner Alan Menken, is specifically mentioned by director Taylor Hackford as beautifully fitting the book. Menken himself described his intent with the score: "You strap in, you get on the ride and you stay on the ride all the way through to the end." This suggests that the music is designed to be an immersive and integral part of the film experience, driving the action and keeping the audience engaged.

The role of music in "Leap of Faith" is, therefore, crucial to the film's impact and message, creating an atmosphere of belief and anticipation, and driving the narrative with its energetic and gospel-inspired score.

The film's cast

The 1992 comedy-drama film Leap of Faith features a star-studded cast, including:

• Steve Martin as the fraudulent faith healer and preacher Jonas Nightengale (or Jack Newton). Michael Keaton was initially considered for the role, but Martin was ultimately cast.
• Debra Winger as Jane Larson, Jonas' assistant and the love interest of Sheriff Will Braverman.
• Lolita Davidovich as Marva, a local diner waitress who Jonas attempts to start a relationship with.
• Liam Neeson as Sheriff Will Braverman, the local sheriff who falls for Jane Larson.
• Philip Seymour Hoffman as Matt.
• La Chanze as Georgette.
• Lukas Haas
• Meat Loaf
• Albertina Walker as Lucille
• M. C. Gainey as Tiny
• Delores Hall as Ornella
• Phyllis Somerville as Dolores
• Troy Evans as Officer Lowell Dade
• Ricky Dillard as Choirmaster

The film also features a song titled "Are You Ready for a Miracle?".

The film's plot

"Are You Ready for a Miracle" is a song from the 1992 film Leap of Faith, which stars Steve Martin as a fraudulent faith healer and travelling preacher named Jonas Nightengale. The film follows Jonas as he travels across America, offering miracles to desperate townspeople for a price.

When his truck breaks down in the drought-stricken town of Rustwater, Kansas, Jonas sees an opportunity to make some money. He begins to scheme to squeeze the town dry, but his plans are complicated when his assistant, Jane Larson (played by Debra Winger), falls in love with the local sheriff, Will Braverman (Liam Neeson).

As Jonas tries to take advantage of the town's desperation for rain, a disabled boy believes that Nightengale can heal him and make him walk again. This forces the fake preacher to confront his own beliefs and find faith in himself.

The film, directed by Richard Pearce and produced by Michael Manheim, is based on a screenplay by Janus Cercone, inspired by the story of Peter Popoff, a famous televangelist and self-proclaimed prophet whose followers believed he had divine powers. However, Popoff was exposed as a scammer by professional magician and skeptic James Randi, who revealed that he used a hidden microphone to deceive his followers.

The film's release

"Are You Ready for a Miracle" is a song from the 1992 film Leap of Faith. The film was directed by Richard Pearce and produced by Michael Manheim. It was released on December 18, 1992, and received mixed reviews.

The film follows the story of Jonas Nightengale, a fraudulent faith healer and preacher travelling across America offering miracles for a price. When his truck breaks down in Rustwater, Kansas, a town desperate for rain, Nightengale sees an opportunity to make money. However, his plans begin to unravel as his assistant, Jane Larson, falls in love with the sheriff, Will Braverman.

The film stars Steve Martin as Nightengale, Debra Winger as Larson, and Liam Neeson as Braverman. It also features a young Philip Seymour Hoffman and Meat Loaf. Despite its star-studded cast, the film was considered a box office disappointment, earning only $23 million.

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