MOUNT CARMEL - The story of the Passion and Death of Jesus Christ told in "Born for This" has an emotional effect on those who watch the performance by the Lift Your Spirits Performing Arts group.
Under the direction of Daniel Thomas Sr., the group held its first performance on Saturday in Grace United Church of Christ in Mount Carmel, which will be followed by four additional performance in the coming weeks.
The 100-minute show includes music, sound effects and creative lighting as Jesus, played by Erik Searle, begins with the Last Supper, follows with the meetings with Herod and Pilate, and the Way of the Cross to the Crucifixion, which leads to the Resurrection of Jesus on Easter morning.
"Born for This" was created by CJM Music, based in England, which has developed from publisher to record producer to a music ministry. The music for "Born For This" is written and distributed by CJM co-founder Joanne Boyce and Mike Stanley, who was inspired by reflections on the Stations of the Cross written by Jude Martin. "Born for This" is a favored production in England, and over the past 15 years has been performed in major cathedrals including Northampton Cathedral, Leeds, Nottingham. This year's performances are planned in cathedrals in Bristol and Townsend.
This is the second year that Lift Your Spirits is presenting "Born for This" in the format that has been so popular in England. During Saturday's performance, the audience was caught up in the program, intensely listening and watching in silence, with the sounds of crying heard at key moments in the Passion narrative.
"In the past, we have performed this with full biblical costumes and scenery," said Thomas. "Now, the focus is more on the narration and the music, with the actors blending with the audience."
Thomas added, "This is a unique production. Aside from Jesus, the cast is all dressed in black. Cast members move from role to role. You will hear Mary (Paula Lazarski) sing in anguish knowing what her Son will endure, and then later, you will hear that same actor yelling 'Crucify him!' As a result, there are no 'good guys' or 'bad guys,' and the experience becomes more personal."
Thomas spoke to the audience before the performance, explaining how the actors and the audience are all part of the show.
"When you look up here and see the people in black, they're in black for a reason. That's you. That's me," said Thomas. "The person driving the nails. The person wiping His face. That's you and me. Please, please, keep that in mind as watch this today."
Thomas said that there was a lot of positive feedback last year, and the cast is very excited to bring "Born for This" back again.
This year's performances involve about 30 members, including musicians, light and sound technicians, chorus members and actors. Tickets for all shows are just $5. The show will also be presented at 6:30 p.m. today at St John's Episcopal Church, 13th and Market streets, Ashland. For tickets, call 570-205-0720, 570-875-3559 or 570-874-4532.