DID YOU KNOW? In the heart of the Ozark mountains is America's most attended and longest-running (since 1965) outdoor drama production, located in a giant amphi-theater comfortably seating 4,000 audience members. With a 550-foot wide multilevel stage, 125+ cast members, and live animals, The Great Passion Play follows the final week of Jesus' time on earth, culminating with the Great Commission... reminding audience members of their ongoing call to shine the light of Christ everywhere they go.
Having never heard of the Great Passion Play, we weren't sure what to expect walking in. The impressive set, with its creative multi-level design, helped to keep the audience engaged throughout even the most commonly retold parts of the Gospel.
Because we sat closer to the front, the over-exaggerated acting felt forced and somewhat cheesy...however, it's very understandable given the size of the amphi-theater and the need for actors to impact the far reaches of their audience. I'm sure that had we been sitting in the back, we would have actually appreciated the acting style because it made obvious who was speaking. Nonetheless, once we adjusted, it was a neat experience - keeping our attention throughout the retelling of this beautiful, familiar story that is so much more than just a story.
Before the show began, my sibs and I had noticed a cable system overhead and immediately began joking that it was to zipline Jesus up and out of sight for the ascension. Two hours later, we were proven partially correct when it was used to lift the Jesus actor upwards and back into the trees where, ironically - as we later learned - Judas the betrayer (actor) is responsible for ensuring the safe descent to a hidden platform. The sight of Jesus lifting off the ground elicited a few excited gasps and exclamations from the little boys (and yes, a few young adult comments about how unbiblical it would be if the cable snapped and 'Jesus' fell to his death).
The following weekend, we had the opportunity to view the play from a different perspective...as extras. It was a unique experience and very different from the style of acting Maleah and I are used to from our years of participating in theater.
I have to admit, I was especially excited because Randall and Dominic agreed to join Maleah and I in participating as extras in the production. This meant costumes! These guys haven't worn any sort of costume since we were part of a church Christmas pageant 12+ years ago, so it was quite amusing to see them in Bible-period clothing, LOL. It was also fun to see Dad and the little boys in costume as well. (Mom elected to be on the sidelines taking pictures.)
Sunday night costuming process was the most overwhelming part of the whole experience, not because of the costuming itself but because of the environment. We were assigned to a particular dressing room as home base and to be outfitted. This room was small and crammed with lots of costumes, benches, personal belongings, and...people! As an introvert who doesn't like large groups of people (especially, large groups of strangers in small places), this was hugely overstimulating and stressful. I'm not a fan of tears, but I'll admit I just wanted to curl up in a hidden corner and cry. That would obviously be embarrassing though, so I pasted on my happy smile and prayed the rest of the night wouldn't be as overstimulating...and praise the Lord, it wasn't! By the end of the evening, the stressful start had been overshadowed by much more enjoyable memories. Additionally, Monday night felt even better since they set aside the same costumes for us. We just had to retrieve them quickly and could then flee the dressing room.
As soon as we finished costuming, we escaped to the outdoors (ah...much better!) to take some pictures and await the performance's beginning. We had lovely weather on both nights and the multi-layer outfits helped keep out the evening chill as the sun went down.
For the first evening, we were assigned to follow a young woman who was also in the role of a townsperson. She was a very patient, sweet guide, and ensured we always knew where to go and what to do. The second evening however, she was playing a different role, so we were left to survive on our own. Thankfully, the townspeople's role is pretty simple - do as the crowd does. See people gathering...join them. Group disassembles...walk away. Mob runs uphill...run with them. Everybody falls down...fall down. In other words, be a sheeple.
It was so neat to watch the play from down along the sidelines and from the townspeople crowds. Facial expressions could be seen, and small details missed from above became clear.
Dominic got permission to carry his non-period-correct GoPro during the Monday performance as long as he was discreet about it, so check out the video we put together of some of the show highlights.
The guys we'd been working alongside as volunteers were also actors, with CJ playing Judas both nights and Ethan in the role of the disciple Nathaniel on Monday. We were hugely impressed by CJ's captivating portrayal of Judas (especially considering it was his first time), building up to that climactic decision to betray his Master and the crippling shame that led to his suicide. Ethan, also playing his role for the first time, definitely proved that Nathaniel was on fire for Jesus...literally. The poor guy's naptime in Gethsemane was interrupted when a torch dripped and caught his outer robe on fire. Another disciple snuffed out the unwanted flames with his own cloak and then naptime resumed....after all, the show must go on! Needless to say, Ethan might have received a bit of ribbing from a certain family volunteer group with regards to his 'trial-by-fire' during his first night as Nathaniel. At any rate, both of these young men did wonderfully and it was fun to see their acting skills after having worked with them for the week.
Ultimately though, all fun and games aside, the Great Passion Play is an incredible, Biblically accurate (albeit condensed) portrayal of the most important week of Christian history. Our family is honored to have been a teeny-tiny part of this long-standing tradition in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. In today's culture, when the Gospel is often being silenced, these folks are staying strong and carrying out the Great Commission in a unique, beautiful way.
As I said in my last post about this hidden Arkansas gem, it's well worth a detour (or even an independent trip!) on any travels you may have through this often over-looked state. Who knows...maybe you'll decide you want to return again, as the D-Team hopes to do. You can also support this ministry through prayer or even financial donations, as the Lord leads you. As we recently heard someone say, please consider doing your "givin' while you're livin', so you're a knowin' where it's goin." :)
Until next time, God bless!
Wow! I am so happy you all had this amazing opportunity to not only see this production, but also to participate in it! I wanted to see it when we were recently in that area, but it didn't work out. Thanks for sharing all of the details on this. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about it, and watching it!