Posted on 03/19/2018 12:37:02 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
Nestled among the rolling hills and Amish dairy farms of Lancaster, Pennsylvania a family-owned regional theatre called Sight & Sound is drawing record crowds to its just-launched musical JESUS: Live Onstage. The cast of 50 actors—augmented by live camels, donkeys, doves and the most state-of-the-art special effects imaginable—just opened on March 10th (but good luck getting a ticket until sometime in late May or June…as audiences pack the 2,000 seat auditorium for what can best be described as a, well, religious experience.)
“The thing about live theater is that it is totally unique with each performance and we don’t get to see it until it unfolds on stage,” observes Katie Miller, whose grandparents founded Sight & Sound Theatre 42 years ago. “JESUS: Live Onstage has been four years in the making, and has the fingerprints of hundreds of actors, musicians, skilled craftsmen and special effects staff all over this production.”
Miller—the oldest of the third generation of her family involved in Sight & Sound—exudes confidence as she serves as Communications Director of the Lancaster flagship as well as a companion location in Branson, Missouri. She says together the theatres will welcome over 1.5-million guests throughout 2018.
But as with any live stage show, what matters most is what magical things happen once the house lights dim and the production begins. And the focal point of this spectacular musical is Jonathan Blair, a 22-year old actor who portrays Jesus onstage. (A second actor, Brandon Talley, assumes the role during alternate performances.)
Blair says assuming the persona of Jesus Christ—while an awesome responsibility in terms of shouldering the bulk of this musical’s scenes and messaging—was “also a comfort because Jesus is someone I know personally. My theatrical approach is, let me show you what I know about this very special man.”
In addition to the actors and live animals roaming throughout the theater and onstage, the production’s special effects—including a breathtaking scene where Jesus literally walks on the raging Sea of Galilee--are brought to life in part by one of the largest LED screens ever employed in a live theatrical musical: 113 feet wide, and almost 30 feet tall, weighing 12 tons. All of which delivers a “wow” factor live theater audiences haven’t enjoyed since HAMILTON hit Broadway.
Josh Enck—President of Sight & Sound Theatre and chief creative officer of“JESUS: Live Onstage”—is pumped-up about audience reaction to this latest production. “What I hope people walk away from this show feeling and thinking,” Enck says, “is that Jesus is our Lord and that his actions display the love of God directly for the ones who need rescue.”
Hollywood was recently stunned when “I CAN ONLY IMAGINE”—the latest faith-based film from the directing team of Andy & John Erwin—generated over $17-million on its opening weekend (vs. the predicted $2-million) and rocketed to No. 3 in the domestic box office numbers, besting even Disney’s A Wrinkle in Time starring Oprah Winfrey.
As family cars and tour buses wend their way through the countryside surrounding Lancaster, a similarly seismic event is under way at Sight & Sound Theatre…where 42 years ago the Eshelman family changed their mission from creating dairy products to producing live Biblical epics onstage. Look out, Broadway: the standing ovations at Sight & Sound Theatre celebrate not only brilliant stagecraft but also the saving of audience members’ eternal souls. And that’s a really tough act to follow.
Matthew 24: KJV
23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.
24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
25 Behold, I have told you before.
26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.
27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
28 For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.
“What I hope people walk away from this show feeling and thinking,” Enck says, “is that Jesus is our Lord and that his actions display the love of God directly for the ones who need rescue.”
We’ve been there once. Great production and Theater.
Saw “Joseph” there a couple of years ago. Amazing production!
On a related note, Jesus Christ Superstar Live In Concert is being broadcast on NBC on April 1st (Easter).
RE: Jesus Christ Superstar Live In Concert
The Moment I saw the lyrics that says:
Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ,
Who are you? What have you sacrificed?
Jesus Christ Superstar
Do you think you’re what they say you are?
I know that this is not a production that I can endorse.
To make a long story short, Jesus Christ Superstar’s theme is that Jesus was not divine but was a fascinating and magnetic man of good intentions who let things get out of control.
He was overwhelmed by His own fame, He desired to return to a simpler, more sincere life, but He couldn’t. Of the disciples, only Judas recognized what was happening. He hated what Jesus had become but still loved Him and wanted to help Him.
Jesus saw only one way out of His predicament: to die as a martyr; then, perhaps, some of His good teaching might be remembered.
THAT’s IT !!
I’d watch but I don’t like John Legend who plays Jesus. A big Trump hater and his wife is WORSE.
On a side note, I'll be seeing Murray Head, the original Judas from the concept album, in the Musical "Chess" when I'm in London this coming May.
yes and thank you. I am also not a fan of Godspell. Jesus is not a socialist hippy, He is God, made flesh, born of the virgin Mary, crucified and resurrected on the third day. He is not merely a wise prophet but God himself.
#alleluia!
One of Stephen Schwartz' best works (in my humble opinion). To each their own.
Coming Soon:
MOHAMMED! THE HILARIOUS VAUDEVILLE REVUE!
I’m going to London for a week of theatre late April and early May, and decided to see Chess also. The Murray Head video is as much an ear worm as it’s a small world.
I’m also seeing Cursed Child, Absolute Hell at the National Theatre, Moderate Soprano, and As You Like It at the Globe. Back a few months later for King Lear with Ian McKellen a few times, which I saw last October in Chichester. (Retirement is great!)
Amen, and thank you for this!
What a beautiful church! It makes me homesick for the St. Cecilia Catholic Church back in Michigan were I grew up.
I don’t know if the building is even still standing today.
I’m going to London for a week of theatre late April and early May, and decided to see Chess also.
I'm going in late May, let us know how it is!
Our son played bass in a student/ homeschool production of Godspell. I thought it was very sweet, and cried through every single production we saw - about 4 weeks’ running.
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