New Museum of the Bible Play Highlights George Washington
The Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C., has unveiled a new play on the life of America's first president, George Washington, in light of the country's 250th anniversary.
The one-man play, titled "A General's Prayer," scheduled to run through July 19, looks at Washington as commander of the Continental Army and his various struggles before the birth of America.
Actor James Denton, who has starred in "Desperate Housewives" and "Good Witch," told The Christian Post how he initially felt when he was chosen to portray Washington.
"I would not have chosen Washington. Washington chose me, or the writer did," Denton said. "I said, 'Couldn't it be Ben Franklin or John Adams or somebody with a lot of personality, that would be funny?' I knew it would be a challenge making it interesting for 80 minutes because he was so reserved and so stoic. You want to give people the Washington they expect and still interject enough humor and personality to make it fun."
Denton also shared that memorizing the script was a challenge.
"It's as if someone handed you a novel and said, 'Memorize the first 50 pages,'" he said. "It's 49 pages, just me and no cues. … It's kind of lonely. Usually in a play you have the whole cast in the dressing room. ... It's weird coming off stage, and it's just me by myself. But at this stage of my life, you don't get to do many things that you're kind of afraid of, so I jumped at it."
Regarding the first U.S. President, Denton said the play highlights a more vulnerable side of Washington compared to his more reserved, stoic side, which is well known to many.
"It was fun to dig into Washington, especially spiritually," Denton said, highlighting how Washington spent his time in the Anglican Church, where he served as a church warden.
"We know he was a Christian of some sort," Denton said. "He certainly wasn't a Deist, because Deists don't believe that God intervenes in our lives. ... But I think [the Washingtons] were very private. Anglicans specifically were very private about their faith."
The play, inspired by the "Prayer at Valley Forge" painting, shows Washington's struggles during the Revolutionary War that led him to prayer.
"At Valley Forge, at the end of his rope, he probably did, knowing his history, get down on his knees more than once because he thought they were dead," Denton said. "We never see that portrait of him because he's always been presented as so stoic. He really was very insecure and wondered if the country was going to survive another month."
Overall, Denton hopes that audiences leave the play with a greater appreciation for George Washington and are inspired by his leadership.
"I think maybe that everything is not what you were taught in school," he said. "Don't believe everything you were taught or your preconceived notions."
"I hope this inspiration that's been breathed upon me is somehow transferable," Denton said. "That you take it with you, and that helps the nation."
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/GeorgiosArt
Originally published July 14, 2026.
