THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, April 14, 1995 TAG: 9504130179
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Cover Story
SOURCE: BY PAM STARR, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 86 lines
DURING THE LAST supper, before his death and resurrection, Jesus Christ told his 12 apostles that one of them would betray him.
Each apostle wondered and worried who the betrayer would be. That crucial moment captured Leonardo da Vinci's imagination in his famous painting ``The Last Supper.''
And now, a local church is presenting an unusual play based on da Vinci's creation. Dressed like the men portrayed in the painting, several members of the Christian Chapel Assemblies of God Church are breathing life into the painting during an hourlong play this weekend.
``The Last Supper'' will be presented at 8 p.m. today and Saturday at 2751 Salem Road.
In this play, each apostle discusses his relationship to Jesus and speculates on who will be the betrayer. ``Is it I, Lord?'' they ask separately of Jesus, who is portrayed by Doug Carolus. ``Is it I?'' James the Less, played by Doug Crabb speaks first, then Matthew, portrayed by Paul Caloia.
``Because I am a hated tax collector, will I suspect myself?'' asks Matthew. Jonathan Bowles, as Nathaniel, speaks next, followed by James, the brother of John, played by Steve Adams. Willie Strickland, as Andrew, then says, ``They call me the bringer because all I do is bring people to Jesus. Now, one of us is to betray him! It is unthinkable!''
Thomas, portrayed by John Wolf, tells the audience that he usually demands proof before he believes and wonders why people only remember his doubts but not his daring. Philip Caloia as Judas Iscariot, the betrayer, then speaks.
``Someone has to force the issue as asserting himself as God's messiah,'' he says with a sneer. ``My soul isn't as black as some think it is - nor is yours so white.''
After Thaddeus (Jay Tate) and Philip (Steve Brantley), the spotlight falls upon John (Tim Bain), who says that Jesus nicknamed him and James ``the sons of thunder.'' Dave Schlotman plays Simon the Zealot. The last one to talk is Simon Peter, played by the Rev. Steve Dyer.
At the end of the play, Rich Tavolacci as Leonardo da Vinci appears to relate his interpretation of the event and why he painted the final meal. Jesus and the apostles sit in darkness while da Vinci talks.
``If you look at the picture, the only person there who was composed was Jesus,'' he says to the audience. ``We will turn the lights up so you can see the picture for yourself.''
The men, bathed in a soft light, stand or sit perfectly still in the exact poses as painted in ``The Last Supper,'' and remain like that during the final song. It's an impressive finale to a moving play, especially for a church whose members number only about 90.
Director Emil Caloia is responsible for bringing the play to this church from his former congregation in New York. He doesn't know who wrote it or how it came to be but said that the play is nondenominational.
``Any church can put this on,'' he said after dress rehearsal last week. ``I first saw it 20 years ago in New York. We presented the play one other time in 1992.''
The purpose, he said, is to glorify Jesus. It's free, and all church members ask is that the play affect the audience.
``I'm just hoping that this will touch somebody so that they will come to know him,'' said Caloia. MEMO: LIST OF EASTER SERVICES/ 11
[For a related story, see page 11 of the BEACON for this date.]
ILLUSTRATION: [Cover]
[Color Photo]
A PORTRAIT COMES TO LIFE
Staff photos, including color cover, by D. KEVIN ELLIOTT
Doug Carolus, left, portrays Jesus Christ in tonight's presentation
of ``The Last Supper,'' a play based on Leonardo da Vinci's
masterpiece.
At the play's end, da Vinci, portrayed by Rich Tavolacci, left,
explains why he painted the final meal. Here he talks with his
assistant, played by Daniel Strickland.
KEYWORDS: EASTER HOLIDAY by CNB