Next week Christians will observe
 Holy Week, marking the climactic events in the life of Jesus of
Nazareth. One of the traditions for this observance is the
production of
”
Passion Plays,
”
which reenacts the decisive events.
Next week Christians will observe Holy Week, marking the climactic events in the life of Jesus of Nazareth. One of the traditions for this observance is the production of “Passion Plays,” which reenacts the decisive events.
Perhaps the most famous of the plays is held in the charming Bavarian village of Obermmergau, where in 1633 villagers vowed to God to continually present a play after an outbreak of the plague. Centuries later, people still come from all over the world to attend these massive productions (now held on a 10-year cycle).
A Passion Play nearly as famous is held each year at the massive glass Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, a suburb of Orange County. Since 1984, this production has included live animals and angels swooping down from 80 feet above to reenact the familiar story.
Gilroy’s New Hope Community Church is offering South County residents a chance to experience a new version of this inspirational story. “The Choice” is a dramatic musical featuring a fictional Roman soldier, Marcus, who sees the miracles worked by Jesus. In the play, Marcus is present at the crucifixion, and he finally makes the decision to give up his old life and follow the way of Christ.
A cast and choir of nearly 100 perform against the background of a spectacular set designed by artist Shane Grammar. Elaborate costumes and excellent orchestral music make the production shine.
The Rev. Bill Hawkins, music pastor of the congregation, calls the show “incredibly entertaining” and invites everyone to “take this opportunity to embrace the Easter message of the resurrected Christ.”
Visitors are invited to remain after the show to patronize a cafe decorated to resemble first-century Jerusalem. While enjoying refreshments, the audience can mingle with cast members to ask questions about acting, the play, stage craft and the life of Jesus.
Activist religion, or faith that is expressed to influence secular society, is controversial. The TV station KQED (channel 9) recently presented a documentary that shows an excellent example of faith in action.
“Bonhoeffer,” directed by Martin Doblmeier, tells the story of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German theologian and pastor who led resistance to Naziism up to and during World War II. Eventually he was arrested and imprisoned. He was executed just weeks before the war’s end when he was 39.
The film shows how Hitler and the Nazis used religion in their rise to power. There is archival footage of swastika flags flying in churches and pastors giving the Nazi salute.
Channel 9 might repeat this documentary (though not this month), or another local PBS station may be showing it soon (channels 23, 54 or 60).
Experience Holy Week
What: ‘The Choice,’ a 90-minute dramatic reenactment of Holy Week
Where: New Hope Community Church, 8886 Muraoka Drive, Gilroy
When: 7pm April 7-9, 12, 14 and 15
Admission: Free; tickets are required
Info: (408) 842-4857
