Back Alley presents play about Jesus’ last days as told by people closest to him.
Stage production in limited run Easter weekend
TODAY - SATURDAY
The religious significance of Easter weekend will be shared by Back Alley Productions in “Maundy Thursday,” a moving memory play about the final days of Jesus of Nazareth as told by people closest to him.
The production has a limited, one-weekend run with shows set for 7:30 p.m. today-Saturday, March 29-31, as well as a 2:30 p.m. matinee on Saturday. Performances will be held in Mars Theatre, 117 N. Chattanooga St., LaFayette, Ga.
Set in first-century Palestine, the play shows the world in turmoil. The Roman Empire rules Judea, and the Jewish people are divided. Out from the violence and uncertainty comes Jesus Christ, who claims to be the son of God and preaches about love, peace and the kingdom of God.
As the play begins, it’s the eve of Passover and tensions are critically high after Christ’s popularity and message have threatened to shake up the natural political order.
“This is not a living Last Supper often performed throughout churches, but a whole examination of the events, players and context leading up to and directly after the crucifixion of Jesus,” explains Kaylee Smith, director of the show.
“The actors will perform and recount memories from several key moments in Jesus’ ministry, including insights from Nicodemus, Mary of Bethany, the woman at the well, a Roman soldier and the disciples, each bringing a unique perspective on their experience with Jesus.”
As a memory play, each character investigates his or her own humanity: What it would be like to be a follower of Christ during this turbulent time, and how those stories echo much of the tension in the modern world.
The production is not strictly a scriptural reading, Smith says, and allows for the actors to explore the historical, social and personal aspects of their character, as well as the triumphs, questions and decisions behind their actions.
“I think it’s impossible to come to the story of Christ without our own cultural assumptions,” Smith adds.
“Even a knowledge as basic as knowing how the story ends with the Resurrection and ascension tends to diminish the emotions that people must have felt Thursday night of Holy Week. Our goal is to make you forget you’ve heard the story and come to it with fresh eyes; to hear it dramatically rather than through a church service, and to consider the setting and history alongside the beloved story of Christ. We want to add a rich new layer to a well-told message.”
Smith says the cast wants the audience to leave understanding how it may have felt to be a witness to such an extraordinary event with their limited human perspective.
“At the same time, having the knowledge of being plotted against from within by one of their friends, to be hunted by leaders of their faith, the group of people surrounding Christ, without a doubt, were afraid for their lives. I think we forget there was a tremendous amount of fear, turmoil and anxiety,” says Smith.
“The fact they fell asleep in Gethsemane tells us that they expected a very different night than what occurred. No one knew what was going to happen next or what the ultimate outcome of Christ’s ministry would be. To me, that has always been a very affirming thing to acknowledge: that one minute these men ran, hid and protected themselves, then 40 days later, they were willing to be martyred to fulfill the Great Commission.
“That said, this is not a religious ceremony. There is no partaking of communion, nor any altar calls or sermon. It is a stage play, and our actors simply tell the story.”
Tickets are $13 and $16. Purchase tickets at www.BAPshows.com or call 706-621-2870.