THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, March 22, 1996 TAG: 9603200184
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 11 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JANIE BRYANT, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 64 lines
More than 1,500 people packed the pews of Calvary Baptist Church over the three nights it presented ``The Easter Story'' last year.
This year, the church has added a fourth night and expects 2,000 people to attend the passion play.
Performances will be at 7:30 nightly from Thursday, March 28, through Palm Sunday, March 31, at the church, London Boulevard and Constitution Avenue.
Church members work on the dramatic staging and musical presentation for weeks, says Calvary's pastor, the Rev. Philip Parker.
Many churches do Easter presentations that look at the entire life of Jesus, Parker says, but one of the things that makes Calvary Baptist's Easter play different is a focus on the last week of Jesus' life.
``It's a fairly in-depth look at the events that transpired during those seven days,'' he says.
Church members also work hard to carry the audience back in time and to make them feel they are part of a long-ago crowd.
Using a donkey and other live animals, the drama begins with Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem and includes scenes such as his teaching in the temple and visiting the leper's home.
The play is narrated by St. John, as a 90-year-old man living in exile on the Island of Patmos and sending letters to his churches. Portrayed by youth minister Van Welton, the disciple reflects on the events that took place in those last days, Parker says.
A choir of about 40 voices, accompanied by an orchestra, will present selections ``that best fit the actions and the scenes,'' Parker says, adding that the music and the large number of solos add to the drama's impact.
In addition to the orchestra, choir and a cast of more than 50, the church uses special lighting and other effects to help create the right atmosphere for each scene.
But the church members are careful to make sure ``The Easter Story'' is more than ``a show,'' Parker says.
``We try to make it a religious experience, not just a performance.'' Putting on the annual Easter play costs the church about $7,000 each year, of which offerings cover only about half, Parker says.
But the event has become Calvary's ``gift to the community.''
Tickets are free and will be available in advance for early seating. People without tickets will be admitted at 7:15 each evening.
Tickets are available at the church and at these book stores:
Beacham's Religious Books & Supplies Inc., 3600 High St.
Heaven & Earth book stores at Greenbrier Mall, Kemps River Crossing, Lynnhaven Mall and Pembroke Mall.
Family Bookstores, 4200 Portsmouth Blvd., Chesapeake.
Ambassador Religious Supply, 3305 Taylor Road, Chesapeake.
For information, call 399-1050. MEMO: EASTER PROGRAMS
Outdoor sunrise services and other special Easter presentations will
be published March 29 in Currents. If your church or organization has
planned an Easter program of communitywide interest, please mail it or
bring it to our office by Monday evening: 307 County St., Portsmouth,
Va. 23704.
by CNB