Crystal Cathedral 'Glory of Easter' Celebrates Over Two Decades on Stage
Crystal Cathedral will present the live stage production ''The Glory of Easter,'' which chronicles the final week of life of Jesus, beginning on Mar. 31.
Crystal Cathedral will present the live stage production “The Glory of Easter,” which chronicles the final week of life of Jesus, beginning on Mar. 31.
The family production featuring colorful costumes, flying angels, live animals and a cast of more than 200 volunteer and professional performers will debut its 2006 season on Mar. 31 and continue through Apr. 15 at the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, Calif.
“‘The Glory of Easter’ vividly recreates one of history’s most prolific moments filled with betrayal, anguish, and ultimate forgiveness,” says Associate Producer and Director, Jeanne Dunn, in a news release on Saturday.
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For more than 22 years, “The Glory of Easter” has been seen by nearly two million people, with thousands visiting the Crystal Cathedral each year to experience the drama. Live animals such as horses, llamas, donkeys, peacocks and camels share the stage with an ensemble cast portraying Jesus, Pontius Pilate, Mary Magdalene, Herod and others.
“Our longevity is due to the combined effort from everyone,” says Production Manager, Bodie Newcomb. “Without everyone’s tireless work and dedication, a show of this magnitude would be extremely difficult to produce year after year.”
Angels soar 90 feet in the air and descend upon the audience at speeds up to 20 miles per hour. Using the latest in rigging techniques designed by “Flying by Foy” the herald literally dances on air over one of the largest sets in the world, according to Crystal Cathedral.
“The angels are so dramatic and important to telling the story of ‘Glory of Easter story’,” says show Choreographer, Tanya Durbin. “They are the messengers who appear from all corners of the Cathedral.”
The production also features special effects and environmental elements such as earthquakes, thunder and lightening.
“The resurrection and ascension are two of the most moving scenes in the production,” says Newcomb. “Special effects and technology are modern marvels that mesmerize the audience, enabling them to witness these miracles as if they are really there.”
The score, arranged by the late Johnnie Carl, was recorded by the London and Seattle Symphony Orchestras and serves as a musical accompaniment to live solos performed by Mary Magdalene, Mary (the mother of Jesus), and the Blind Man.
“The Glory of Easter” traces its ancestry back to the famed Oberammergau Passion Play, the original stage performance in Germany that began during the height of the plague in 1633. To ward off disease, Oberammergaun residents swore a steadfast oath to perform the “Play of Our Suffering, Death and Resurrection of Our Lord, Jesus Christ” every ten years for eternity.
After experiencing the play in the early 1980s, Dr. Robert H. Schuller requested Director and Producer Paul David Dunn to create a modern version for the Crystal Cathedral. Upon Schuller’s request, Dunn took his first-hand knowledge from his five year study in the Holy Land to craft a contemporary theatrical production.
“It was imperative that the script remains true from the biblical words found in Scripture, but at the same time create a story that can be performed inside a spectacular contemporary setting,” says Dunn.
“’The Glory of Easter’ conveys a powerful message that has been passed down through time,” Dunn adds. “It is our hope that the audience walks away with a greater understanding of the events that changed the course of history. Even if one does not believe in the biblical account, we hope he or she can appreciate a greater understanding of the historical impact of the roots of the Christian faith.”
