Easter Passion Play set for March 26-27

Journal Era, March 9, 2005

The third annual Easter Passion Play will be held March 26 and 27 on the Andrews University campus in Berrien Springs.  Tickets are free and can be reserved by calling 471-8360. Tickets will also be available at the following locations: ABC Christian Book Center and the Andrews University Bookstore in Berrien Springs, Color Me Christian in Niles, Banner Books in St. Joseph, and Family Christian Stores in Mishawaka and South Bend, Indiana.  Individuals, families, and church and school groups are encouraged to reserve tickets early for this free event.

"We see this as our Easter gift to the community," said Ron Whitehead, director of the Seminary's Center for Youth Evangelism and the Easter Passion Play faculty sponsor.  More than 500 youth are currently preparing and practicing to be guides, beggars, angry mobs, disciples and government officials. The outdoor scenes will include an authentic Middle Eastern marketplace, the betrayal in Gethsemane, Pilate's judgement, and the crucifixion. A sound and light show in the Johnson Gymnasium will end the play with Jesus' resurrection.  Seven students have been cast in the role of jesus, all of whom are new to the role this year. They are Steve Horne of Berrien Center, Victor Wilson of Chattanooga, Tenn., Jonathan Martin of Quebec, Marc Engelmann of Germany, Philip Byrd of Wisconsin, Jeremy Carscallen of Berrien Springs, and Abdiel Quetc of Texas.  "Because we are fortunate enough to be blessed with an international student body, we are able to present a diverse representation of Christ," Whitehead said.

New to this year's play is the addition of one performance done entirely in Spanish, at 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 27. For the past two years, translation services have been available, but this year, Spanish-speaking visitors will have the opportunity to experience the story fully in their own language.  Play performances will go on no matter what the weather, with the exception of lightning, so bring umbrellas and warm clothing, if needed.

The Easter Passion Play is sponsored by the Center for Youth Evangelism, the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary, Andrews University, Pioneer Memorial Church, the Lake Union Conference, the Adventist Book Center, WAUS 90.7-FM and WFRN 104.7-FM.

For more information or to reserve tickets to the 2005 Easter Passion Play online log onto: http://passionplay.andrews.edu.

Interested attendees can also get tickets by emailing: passionplaytickets@andrews.edu.